James 2:8-11
You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.
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.
An auctioneer will often bundle several items together in a box and offer them for bid as one item. There is a “cardinal rule” among seasoned auction-goers that you don’t mess with the items on the table! If you only care about one particular item in a box and don’t want the others, you had better be prepared to purchase everything. Taking out the item you want and putting it somewhere else is considered a huge “no-no!” Still, there will often be people who try to stealthily move their favored item to another box – or another spot on the table. I’ve seen more than one bidder “win” a box of items only to find that the very thing he/she was after had gone missing!
While this sort of action will not be the end of the world in the context of an auction purchase, such behavior matters tremendously in Spiritual terms. I am truly amazed that many “Christians” want to categorize actions according to their own preferences. They “grade” the deeds of some and deem their behaviors to be significant, while others’ exploits are just “discards in the box.” And then they rate each person according to their “sin meter.” Many of us also select the people with whom we want to associate - much like an auction bidder picks out the best item(s) in the box - and then we toss the others to the curb.
Christianity does not work this way. We cannot pick and choose… who we love and treat with respect and care…or which actions and behaviors are unacceptable (or sinful) and which of them will be tolerated or excused. We are called to love others as we love ourselves. We are expected to love God and obey His law… and to prayerfully study God’s directives, so that we are clear about what He is saying. In other words, we cannot interpret God’s commands in a manner that suits our desires and whims… or makes us popular with others in our social group.
I don’t know about you, but I am pretty weary of those who claim the name of Jesus and then mistreat others. I cannot imagine that a single person who feels this sort of judgment and/or disdain has a desire to become like these so-called “Christians”… or to follow the God they follow. Surely this must break God’s heart…and as Disciples of Christ, it should cut us to the very core.
My prayer for each of us today is that we would truly examine our hearts… that we would spend time in prayer and meditation, really listening for God’s voice. Hear what He is telling you and follow His lead. If you are judging others or picking and choosing which of God’s laws to follow – or interpreting them to suit your own agenda – change today. If you are discriminating against any of God’s children in any fashion… or if you are choosing to associate only with those you consider like-minded or “lovable,” get over yourself this minute! Ask God to genuinely - and completely - change your heart. To offer God anything less dishonors Him. I can’t imagine that any among us wants to do this… can you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 30, 2012
James 2:5-7
My dear friends, pay attention. God has given a lot of faith to the poor people in this world. He has also promised them a share in his kingdom that he will give to everyone who loves him. You mistreat the poor. But isn’t it the rich who boss you around and drag you off to court? Aren’t they the ones who make fun of your Lord?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other day, I dressed Timothy in a really cute outfit – t-shirt, shorts and sweater vest. Soon afterward, he asked for a chocolate cookie. He ate the cookie and promptly wiped his hand on his t-shirt sleeve. We were headed out the door on a long trip, so I didn’t take time to change his shirt. That turned out to be a wise decision. We stopped at a Sonic® for lunch, and he dribbled ketchup on his sweater vest! By the time we had finished with lunch, I looked at him and thought, “My grandmother would say, ‘You look like an orphan!’” I know… this is not a nice statement… but it’s one I bet we have all used at some point… and we didn’t give it a second thought!
I was talking with a friend who is involved in foster care, and we were discussing clothing needs. She said that there is presently a great need for boys’ clothing in all sizes… but she stressed it needed to be nice clothing. I knew instantly what she meant. I remember all too well the less fortunate children who came through my kindergarten class… many of them dirty and disheveled, and most in clothing that was well-worn at best – if not downright tattered. It was one more thing for these precious little souls to deal with. The leaders of our local foster care program get this! They have vowed to make sure the children in their charge at least have decent clothing to wear… and can hopefully avoid ridicule or stereotypes based on their appearance.
Now I ask you… does God love these innocent children any less if they are dirty or unkempt? Absolutely not! Does He care more for the children whose appearance is always perfect… hair neatly trimmed, buttons and bows in place, the name-brand tags and logos clearly visible to let everyone know that someone broke the bank to pay for the outfits? No way! Yet we look at a child who appears poor and needy - or those in foster care - with pity and disdain, while we pat ourselves on the back for being such “good Christians” who support missions in our churches and give to charity.
In essence, many of us don’t really believe that God loves those we assist as much as He loves us! We pity them, toss money (and maybe a little personal attention) their way, and shake our heads. We say, “It’s too bad about So-and-so.” And if we have this attitude toward innocent little children, we are truly capable of anything!
The time has come for us to wake up and recognize that God loves each of us… equally. Many of the poor – financially, intellectually, physically and emotionally, or even spiritually – got there through little or no fault of their own. Life… and even so-called “Christians” beat them down… with ridicule, unfair judgment, and arrogance. We need to start building others up… loving unconditionally… sharing the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ with EVERYONE and representing Him 1000% via our daily living, our words, and our actions. I guarantee you, I will think twice before I ever tell another child, “You look like an orphan,” because we start with the smallest of things. The devil can use even this simple phrase to grab hold of our heart and our attitude.
Who among you is “poor” in some manner today? Who needs you to reach out and offer a smile, a kind word, or more? Where do you need an attitude adjustment about God… your relationship with Him… and who else is included in His kingdom? I don’t know if you are one of the rich… or perhaps one who is considered “poor.” But I do know that God loves you AND the other guy… and you can each have equal shares in His kingdom. How are you honoring His gifts of grace and mercy these days? Are you truly operating in Christian faith and love… or are you claiming the name of Christ while you make fun of our LORD? We need to figure it out… and get busy getting this right! Are you in?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My dear friends, pay attention. God has given a lot of faith to the poor people in this world. He has also promised them a share in his kingdom that he will give to everyone who loves him. You mistreat the poor. But isn’t it the rich who boss you around and drag you off to court? Aren’t they the ones who make fun of your Lord?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other day, I dressed Timothy in a really cute outfit – t-shirt, shorts and sweater vest. Soon afterward, he asked for a chocolate cookie. He ate the cookie and promptly wiped his hand on his t-shirt sleeve. We were headed out the door on a long trip, so I didn’t take time to change his shirt. That turned out to be a wise decision. We stopped at a Sonic® for lunch, and he dribbled ketchup on his sweater vest! By the time we had finished with lunch, I looked at him and thought, “My grandmother would say, ‘You look like an orphan!’” I know… this is not a nice statement… but it’s one I bet we have all used at some point… and we didn’t give it a second thought!
I was talking with a friend who is involved in foster care, and we were discussing clothing needs. She said that there is presently a great need for boys’ clothing in all sizes… but she stressed it needed to be nice clothing. I knew instantly what she meant. I remember all too well the less fortunate children who came through my kindergarten class… many of them dirty and disheveled, and most in clothing that was well-worn at best – if not downright tattered. It was one more thing for these precious little souls to deal with. The leaders of our local foster care program get this! They have vowed to make sure the children in their charge at least have decent clothing to wear… and can hopefully avoid ridicule or stereotypes based on their appearance.
Now I ask you… does God love these innocent children any less if they are dirty or unkempt? Absolutely not! Does He care more for the children whose appearance is always perfect… hair neatly trimmed, buttons and bows in place, the name-brand tags and logos clearly visible to let everyone know that someone broke the bank to pay for the outfits? No way! Yet we look at a child who appears poor and needy - or those in foster care - with pity and disdain, while we pat ourselves on the back for being such “good Christians” who support missions in our churches and give to charity.
In essence, many of us don’t really believe that God loves those we assist as much as He loves us! We pity them, toss money (and maybe a little personal attention) their way, and shake our heads. We say, “It’s too bad about So-and-so.” And if we have this attitude toward innocent little children, we are truly capable of anything!
The time has come for us to wake up and recognize that God loves each of us… equally. Many of the poor – financially, intellectually, physically and emotionally, or even spiritually – got there through little or no fault of their own. Life… and even so-called “Christians” beat them down… with ridicule, unfair judgment, and arrogance. We need to start building others up… loving unconditionally… sharing the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ with EVERYONE and representing Him 1000% via our daily living, our words, and our actions. I guarantee you, I will think twice before I ever tell another child, “You look like an orphan,” because we start with the smallest of things. The devil can use even this simple phrase to grab hold of our heart and our attitude.
Who among you is “poor” in some manner today? Who needs you to reach out and offer a smile, a kind word, or more? Where do you need an attitude adjustment about God… your relationship with Him… and who else is included in His kingdom? I don’t know if you are one of the rich… or perhaps one who is considered “poor.” But I do know that God loves you AND the other guy… and you can each have equal shares in His kingdom. How are you honoring His gifts of grace and mercy these days? Are you truly operating in Christian faith and love… or are you claiming the name of Christ while you make fun of our LORD? We need to figure it out… and get busy getting this right! Are you in?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 29, 2012
James 2:1-4
My friends, if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others. Suppose a rich person wearing fancy clothes and a gold ring comes to one of your meetings. And suppose a poor person dressed in worn-out clothes also comes. You must not give the best seat to the one in fancy clothes and tell the one who is poor to stand at the side or sit on the floor. That is the same as saying that some people are better than others, and you would be acting like a crooked judge.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you heard the urban legend (check http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/obnoxious.asp) about the person who was on a flight and threw a fit because he/she was seated next to a person who was black/Muslim/insert-your-own-racial-or-ethnic-profile-here? The legend goes that the person complaining asked, “Do I have to sit next to this person?” The flight attendant replied, “You certainly do not,” then turned to the other passenger and said, “If you will kindly gather your things, we have a seat in First Class waiting for you.”
This probably never really happened… but it’s a great story… and a variation of something that most likely does happen a dozen times or more every day in any corner of the world. We humans are snobs… about wealth and money, race, religion, personal lifestyle choices, and more. We stare, we discriminate…we are rude and unkind. We listen to the devil when he tells us, “You are better than that person for XYZ reason(s).”
In truth, God loves ALL of us… equally! We don’t like to think about this, because then we have to admit that God loved madmen like Adolph Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and Osama bin Laden. We have to concede that God doesn’t love Republicans more than Democrats, blacks more than whites, or heterosexuals more than gay people. And we just do not want to go there… but we must!
The next time your inclination is to think better of yourself than the other guy – for any reason – stop and remind yourself of this scripture passage. Truly examine your faith and ask yourself how genuine your relationship with God really is. Because if you have faithfully committed yourself to Him and are “all in” a relationship with your Heavenly Father… if you honestly believe that Jesus died for your sins and those of anyone else who calls on Him to do so… if you really believe that we are all God’s creatures – His children who He loves equally… you cannot for one minute look down your nose at someone else.
Nobody ever said being a Christian was easy. Nobody ever fully prepared us for how strong the devil’s temptations would be… and a sense of arrogance and condescension are two of his favorite tools. He wants us to develop a viewpoint of superiority as Christians… because he knows this completely negates our witness and the very message of Jesus Christ. Don’t let him have that satisfaction!
Remember WHOSE you are... and that God loves all of us unconditionally. Approach others with Godly love in your heart… see them through His eyes… and operate in humility and obedience to His word. Lead by example. Let others see how well you treat all of God’s children. Let them be inspired to do the same because of your witness. You may occasionally miss the mark… but you’ll improve over time. Don’t you owe it to God to give this a try?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My friends, if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others. Suppose a rich person wearing fancy clothes and a gold ring comes to one of your meetings. And suppose a poor person dressed in worn-out clothes also comes. You must not give the best seat to the one in fancy clothes and tell the one who is poor to stand at the side or sit on the floor. That is the same as saying that some people are better than others, and you would be acting like a crooked judge.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you heard the urban legend (check http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/obnoxious.asp) about the person who was on a flight and threw a fit because he/she was seated next to a person who was black/Muslim/insert-your-own-racial-or-ethnic-profile-here? The legend goes that the person complaining asked, “Do I have to sit next to this person?” The flight attendant replied, “You certainly do not,” then turned to the other passenger and said, “If you will kindly gather your things, we have a seat in First Class waiting for you.”
This probably never really happened… but it’s a great story… and a variation of something that most likely does happen a dozen times or more every day in any corner of the world. We humans are snobs… about wealth and money, race, religion, personal lifestyle choices, and more. We stare, we discriminate…we are rude and unkind. We listen to the devil when he tells us, “You are better than that person for XYZ reason(s).”
In truth, God loves ALL of us… equally! We don’t like to think about this, because then we have to admit that God loved madmen like Adolph Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and Osama bin Laden. We have to concede that God doesn’t love Republicans more than Democrats, blacks more than whites, or heterosexuals more than gay people. And we just do not want to go there… but we must!
The next time your inclination is to think better of yourself than the other guy – for any reason – stop and remind yourself of this scripture passage. Truly examine your faith and ask yourself how genuine your relationship with God really is. Because if you have faithfully committed yourself to Him and are “all in” a relationship with your Heavenly Father… if you honestly believe that Jesus died for your sins and those of anyone else who calls on Him to do so… if you really believe that we are all God’s creatures – His children who He loves equally… you cannot for one minute look down your nose at someone else.
Nobody ever said being a Christian was easy. Nobody ever fully prepared us for how strong the devil’s temptations would be… and a sense of arrogance and condescension are two of his favorite tools. He wants us to develop a viewpoint of superiority as Christians… because he knows this completely negates our witness and the very message of Jesus Christ. Don’t let him have that satisfaction!
Remember WHOSE you are... and that God loves all of us unconditionally. Approach others with Godly love in your heart… see them through His eyes… and operate in humility and obedience to His word. Lead by example. Let others see how well you treat all of God’s children. Let them be inspired to do the same because of your witness. You may occasionally miss the mark… but you’ll improve over time. Don’t you owe it to God to give this a try?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 28, 2012
James 1:26-27
If you think you are being religious, but can’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless. Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In our community, an old Post Office building has housed our Municipal Court for the last few years. This building is located directly on Main Street, where traffic passes back and forth all day long in a fairly steady stream. In recent years, the Municipal Judges have started sentencing those who are convicted of theft to parade up and down the sidewalk in front of the court building and wear a sign that says, “I’m a thief.” The judge probably gives these folks a choice between this and going to jail. But more than a few have chosen this public shame as punishment for the crime.
Understand that I am not condoning theft… not in the least. But on more than one occasion, I have driven past one of these people and had a strong urge to stop the car, walk over and put my arm around them and ask, “Do you know how much God loves you?” I know… crazy… right? And no, I have never done this… but maybe I should!
See, it’s not about how these people got where they are. Sure, they committed a crime, were convicted, and are rightly sentenced to “do the time.” But they are still God’s children. And maybe more than most of us, they need to know that somebody cares… and that God still loves them!
As I said, I have not stopped… yet! But I have started praying for this person when I pass the court building. On any given day, this could be someone we know standing there. How would you feel if that were your brother, sister, friend, mother, father, cousin, child? Wouldn’t it break your heart to think others were passing and judging… clucking their tongues and saying, “That shameful person” – or worse! Don’t you think it breaks God’s heart, too?
If we are not very careful, we give Satan an opening. We let the evil thinking of this world creep into our minds and hearts, and we begin to judge others. Our tongue gets out of control, and we become critical of those less fortunate…we start to think more highly of ourselves than others - or just more highly of ourselves than we should in general. And we stop being Godly servants. We cancel out any good we might have done, and it becomes virtually a wash.
Stop for a minute today, and examine your heart. Think about your attitudes… and what you say to others – and about others. Consider how you judge the people you see… and how you truly treat God’s children – all of them. Are you picking and choosing? Do you love unconditionally with grace and mercy? Are you willing to pray for the thief on the street who is wearing a sandwich board… to ask God to work in his/her life? Are your efforts to serve God counting for something…or is everything you do useless? Are you truly a Disciple of Christ… or are you merely “religious?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
If you think you are being religious, but can’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless. Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In our community, an old Post Office building has housed our Municipal Court for the last few years. This building is located directly on Main Street, where traffic passes back and forth all day long in a fairly steady stream. In recent years, the Municipal Judges have started sentencing those who are convicted of theft to parade up and down the sidewalk in front of the court building and wear a sign that says, “I’m a thief.” The judge probably gives these folks a choice between this and going to jail. But more than a few have chosen this public shame as punishment for the crime.
Understand that I am not condoning theft… not in the least. But on more than one occasion, I have driven past one of these people and had a strong urge to stop the car, walk over and put my arm around them and ask, “Do you know how much God loves you?” I know… crazy… right? And no, I have never done this… but maybe I should!
See, it’s not about how these people got where they are. Sure, they committed a crime, were convicted, and are rightly sentenced to “do the time.” But they are still God’s children. And maybe more than most of us, they need to know that somebody cares… and that God still loves them!
As I said, I have not stopped… yet! But I have started praying for this person when I pass the court building. On any given day, this could be someone we know standing there. How would you feel if that were your brother, sister, friend, mother, father, cousin, child? Wouldn’t it break your heart to think others were passing and judging… clucking their tongues and saying, “That shameful person” – or worse! Don’t you think it breaks God’s heart, too?
If we are not very careful, we give Satan an opening. We let the evil thinking of this world creep into our minds and hearts, and we begin to judge others. Our tongue gets out of control, and we become critical of those less fortunate…we start to think more highly of ourselves than others - or just more highly of ourselves than we should in general. And we stop being Godly servants. We cancel out any good we might have done, and it becomes virtually a wash.
Stop for a minute today, and examine your heart. Think about your attitudes… and what you say to others – and about others. Consider how you judge the people you see… and how you truly treat God’s children – all of them. Are you picking and choosing? Do you love unconditionally with grace and mercy? Are you willing to pray for the thief on the street who is wearing a sandwich board… to ask God to work in his/her life? Are your efforts to serve God counting for something…or is everything you do useless? Are you truly a Disciple of Christ… or are you merely “religious?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 27, 2012
James 1:22-25
Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know if you do this or not, but sometimes when I watch television, I see and hear what is on the screen, but it doesn’t process. Often the problem is that I am distracted… trying to do something on my laptop or talking to my husband… and sometimes I fall asleep! Thank goodness for a DVR! I can back up and play the program again to get what I missed! And I have to do this quite often, it seems!
We have a bad habit of hearing God without really hearing Him… or as this scripture passage puts it… hearing and forgetting. We don’t internalize what God is saying to us and take His words to heart. God tells us what to do… how to handle certain situations in our life… which path to choose. But if we are not listening carefully and obediently, we might just as well be asleep. We do not have the luxury – or crutch – of a DVR with God. When He talks to us, we are expected to listen – and listen well. It’s not that God doesn’t offer second chances… He often does! But God wants us to hear what He is saying the first time… and He blesses our attentiveness and obedience to His word in amazing ways.
Let’s redouble our efforts to listen to God. Work hard at not only hearing what God is telling you… but remembering and acting on His word. Obey His message… and live in the blessings of a life that reflects compliance and respect for the perfection of God’s word. Make it a priority in your daily living to hear what He has to say – the first time.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know if you do this or not, but sometimes when I watch television, I see and hear what is on the screen, but it doesn’t process. Often the problem is that I am distracted… trying to do something on my laptop or talking to my husband… and sometimes I fall asleep! Thank goodness for a DVR! I can back up and play the program again to get what I missed! And I have to do this quite often, it seems!
We have a bad habit of hearing God without really hearing Him… or as this scripture passage puts it… hearing and forgetting. We don’t internalize what God is saying to us and take His words to heart. God tells us what to do… how to handle certain situations in our life… which path to choose. But if we are not listening carefully and obediently, we might just as well be asleep. We do not have the luxury – or crutch – of a DVR with God. When He talks to us, we are expected to listen – and listen well. It’s not that God doesn’t offer second chances… He often does! But God wants us to hear what He is saying the first time… and He blesses our attentiveness and obedience to His word in amazing ways.
Let’s redouble our efforts to listen to God. Work hard at not only hearing what God is telling you… but remembering and acting on His word. Obey His message… and live in the blessings of a life that reflects compliance and respect for the perfection of God’s word. Make it a priority in your daily living to hear what He has to say – the first time.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 26, 2012
James 1:19-21
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most three-year-olds cannot control their temper or their tongue. They have not learned to use the right words or methods to express their feelings. So there are a lot of “I can’ts” and temper tantrums. Timothy told me one day, “I’m mad!” I asked why he was mad, and he couldn’t tell me. So he threw some toys and cried instead. As you can imagine, that really didn’t accomplish much!
I tried (unsuccessfully) to explain to Timothy that I might be able to help if I knew what made him mad. But we could not get anything done until we knew what problem we were addressing.
Even at a “grown-up” age, we are really no different. We still get angry over situations and lash out. We still behave irrationally and fail to truly spell out our issues, so that we can face them head-on. And we know better. God has equipped us with the ultimate tool for handling any and every situation… His Holy Spirit. All we have to do is stop and outline our situation… to say, “LORD, here I am… this is what’s going on… how do I proceed?”… and to trust Him to show us what needs to get done.
Instead, we often forge ahead on our own. The devil sits on our shoulder and rubs his hands greedily. And with the tiniest window of opportunity, he jumps in and says, “I think you should do it THIS way,” or “Nobody’s going to help you… you might as well have a little fun, get drunk or high, rant and rave and throw a fit…or simply give up.” Insert whatever trips your trigger here… because we all have the propensity to succumb to Satan’s voice if we are not watchful and diligent in our efforts to listen to the Holy Spirit!
Stay on your guard, and ask God to help you control your temper. Learn to express what is bothering you to the Holy Spirit… and to seek His guidance for how to handle even the smallest of everyday challenges. Not every day will be a bed of roses. Tests will come… trials and tribulations are inevitable. But God has planted a message of hope in your heart. He has equipped you with the full armor of His Holy Spirit, and you.can.do.this! Your job is to listen and pay attention. How are you doing so far?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most three-year-olds cannot control their temper or their tongue. They have not learned to use the right words or methods to express their feelings. So there are a lot of “I can’ts” and temper tantrums. Timothy told me one day, “I’m mad!” I asked why he was mad, and he couldn’t tell me. So he threw some toys and cried instead. As you can imagine, that really didn’t accomplish much!
I tried (unsuccessfully) to explain to Timothy that I might be able to help if I knew what made him mad. But we could not get anything done until we knew what problem we were addressing.
Even at a “grown-up” age, we are really no different. We still get angry over situations and lash out. We still behave irrationally and fail to truly spell out our issues, so that we can face them head-on. And we know better. God has equipped us with the ultimate tool for handling any and every situation… His Holy Spirit. All we have to do is stop and outline our situation… to say, “LORD, here I am… this is what’s going on… how do I proceed?”… and to trust Him to show us what needs to get done.
Instead, we often forge ahead on our own. The devil sits on our shoulder and rubs his hands greedily. And with the tiniest window of opportunity, he jumps in and says, “I think you should do it THIS way,” or “Nobody’s going to help you… you might as well have a little fun, get drunk or high, rant and rave and throw a fit…or simply give up.” Insert whatever trips your trigger here… because we all have the propensity to succumb to Satan’s voice if we are not watchful and diligent in our efforts to listen to the Holy Spirit!
Stay on your guard, and ask God to help you control your temper. Learn to express what is bothering you to the Holy Spirit… and to seek His guidance for how to handle even the smallest of everyday challenges. Not every day will be a bed of roses. Tests will come… trials and tribulations are inevitable. But God has planted a message of hope in your heart. He has equipped you with the full armor of His Holy Spirit, and you.can.do.this! Your job is to listen and pay attention. How are you doing so far?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 25, 2012
James 1:16-18
Don’t be fooled, my dear friends. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever gone to a garage sale and discovered an item on the table that you gave a friend or family member, you know the sinking feeling that comes with this discovery – especially if the item has clearly never been used. Did the recipient not like your gift? Did you insult him/her? Was there something wrong with it? Worse yet… have you ever been holding your own sale and someone arrived who had given YOU a gift… and now that item was clearly in sight on the table and available for purchase? Even if the gift was something you could not use, didn’t like, or simply didn’t work for you in some manner, the feeling of embarrassment can weigh heavily.
I try to give “good gifts”…to select items that I believe the recipient will enjoy or really wants or needs. But I also have tried to develop a spirit of giving that goes like this… once I present another person with a gift, it is theirs to do with as they please. They can use it, love it, wear it, sell it, give it away… or throw it in the trash if they want. Once a gift leaves my hands, I no longer control it. The recipient is free to use the item as he/she pleases.
I will be the first to admit, if I give someone a gift and they tear it up or discard it right away, I’m a little disappointed. I am quite delighted when I give a friend or family member something and then see it proudly displayed, worn or utilized. I want to offer others gifts that will please them or enhance their life in some way. But I must be prepared to let go of these bequests and trust the receiver’s use of them.
God is such a wonderful giver. He picks out the very best gifts for each of us. Out of His incredible wisdom and care for us, He grants unsurpassed blessings upon our lives… He selects perfectly and bestows generously. He also gives unconditionally. Certainly, God is disappointed when we do not appreciate the things He gives us. I imagine He is heartbroken when we don’t even bother to take them out of the box, so to speak – as in talents and abilities we never cultivate. But He blesses us anyhow and gives us the freedom to do as we please with His endowments.
When God comes to the “garage sale” that is your life, do you really want Him to see the gifts He has given you on the table, discounted deeply, and perhaps “new in the box”? Do you want God to find His offerings discarded in the trash can? We’re not talking a trinket you were given just because someone felt obligated to offer you something. We’re talking hand-selected presents from GOD! Remember, God doesn’t make junk… and He doesn’t give it to His children, either!
How are you treating God’s gifts today? Are you recognizing that what He gives you is perfect and uniquely designed just for YOU? Are you showing respect for His ultimate gift - His only Son, Jesus Christ - and the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood on the cross for your sins? When was the last time you thanked God…REALLY thanked Him… for being such a generous, loving Father? Isn’t this the perfect time to do exactly that?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Don’t be fooled, my dear friends. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever gone to a garage sale and discovered an item on the table that you gave a friend or family member, you know the sinking feeling that comes with this discovery – especially if the item has clearly never been used. Did the recipient not like your gift? Did you insult him/her? Was there something wrong with it? Worse yet… have you ever been holding your own sale and someone arrived who had given YOU a gift… and now that item was clearly in sight on the table and available for purchase? Even if the gift was something you could not use, didn’t like, or simply didn’t work for you in some manner, the feeling of embarrassment can weigh heavily.
I try to give “good gifts”…to select items that I believe the recipient will enjoy or really wants or needs. But I also have tried to develop a spirit of giving that goes like this… once I present another person with a gift, it is theirs to do with as they please. They can use it, love it, wear it, sell it, give it away… or throw it in the trash if they want. Once a gift leaves my hands, I no longer control it. The recipient is free to use the item as he/she pleases.
I will be the first to admit, if I give someone a gift and they tear it up or discard it right away, I’m a little disappointed. I am quite delighted when I give a friend or family member something and then see it proudly displayed, worn or utilized. I want to offer others gifts that will please them or enhance their life in some way. But I must be prepared to let go of these bequests and trust the receiver’s use of them.
God is such a wonderful giver. He picks out the very best gifts for each of us. Out of His incredible wisdom and care for us, He grants unsurpassed blessings upon our lives… He selects perfectly and bestows generously. He also gives unconditionally. Certainly, God is disappointed when we do not appreciate the things He gives us. I imagine He is heartbroken when we don’t even bother to take them out of the box, so to speak – as in talents and abilities we never cultivate. But He blesses us anyhow and gives us the freedom to do as we please with His endowments.
When God comes to the “garage sale” that is your life, do you really want Him to see the gifts He has given you on the table, discounted deeply, and perhaps “new in the box”? Do you want God to find His offerings discarded in the trash can? We’re not talking a trinket you were given just because someone felt obligated to offer you something. We’re talking hand-selected presents from GOD! Remember, God doesn’t make junk… and He doesn’t give it to His children, either!
How are you treating God’s gifts today? Are you recognizing that what He gives you is perfect and uniquely designed just for YOU? Are you showing respect for His ultimate gift - His only Son, Jesus Christ - and the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood on the cross for your sins? When was the last time you thanked God…REALLY thanked Him… for being such a generous, loving Father? Isn’t this the perfect time to do exactly that?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 24, 2012
James 1:12-15
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
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.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
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.
Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.
In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.
When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.
When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.
I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”
Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 23, 2012
James 1:9-11
Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad that he thinks so highly of them. But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowers scorched by the burning heat of the sun. The flowers lose their blossoms, and their beauty is destroyed. That is how the rich will disappear, as they go about their business.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You can learn a lot from a three-year-old boy. He could generally care less whether he has on a fancy shirt or a plain shirt – or no shirt at all. He is more amused as much by a rolled up sock being tossed above his head in a game of “keep-away” as he is by an expensive electronic gadget. He prefers a bowl of Cheerios®, dried fruit and chocolate chips to something more “gourmet”… and “swimming” in a bathtub filled with plastic toys is just as fun as going to play in an actual pool.
I know that this will change. In a couple of years, these things will not be as satisfying. We teach our children to consume… and to want more… to desire to be wealthy and famous and aspire to drive fancy cars and live in big houses. All three-year-old boys want is to play and be loved… for someone to pay attention to them. And all we should desire of God is HIS love and attention.
Recently, I accompanied my husband on his daily walk down a nearby trail. In one particular stretch, we wound down a hill into a ravine. This has become one of my favorite places in any season. But this time of year, it is incredibly shady and peaceful. As we passed under the crown-canopy of this tranquil forest, I thought, “If Heaven is anything like this, I’ll be a happy camper. This is quite enough!”
I know the Bible promises that when we get to heaven, we will have a mansion. I believe that the streets are paved with gold and the opulence is more than we can imagine. And I guess all of that will be nice… I mean, I’m certainly not going to turn it down – are you?! But what I really want is to be in the physical presence of Jesus… to sit at His feet and feel His arms wrapped around me… to snuggle into His chest and truly rest there in His love.
The point of this passage is that being rich is not the goal. Wealth and possessions don’t matter. As Christians, we need to become like three-year-old boys… content with the love and attention of our Heavenly Father and unimpressed by frills and distractions. We need to focus on what is truly important. And more often than not, riches and “stuff” get in the way of this.
Regardless of what you have… your current position in life… your aspirations for more… make the central focus of your life your relationship with God. The only way to truly be content – rich or poor – is to operate in the confidence that you are pleasing God in everything. Allow Him to show you what is truly important. Learn to find joy in serving Him well with all that you have. Recognize the blessings of God’s “shady ravine” …and if He gives you more than this, consider it a bonus!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad that he thinks so highly of them. But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowers scorched by the burning heat of the sun. The flowers lose their blossoms, and their beauty is destroyed. That is how the rich will disappear, as they go about their business.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You can learn a lot from a three-year-old boy. He could generally care less whether he has on a fancy shirt or a plain shirt – or no shirt at all. He is more amused as much by a rolled up sock being tossed above his head in a game of “keep-away” as he is by an expensive electronic gadget. He prefers a bowl of Cheerios®, dried fruit and chocolate chips to something more “gourmet”… and “swimming” in a bathtub filled with plastic toys is just as fun as going to play in an actual pool.
I know that this will change. In a couple of years, these things will not be as satisfying. We teach our children to consume… and to want more… to desire to be wealthy and famous and aspire to drive fancy cars and live in big houses. All three-year-old boys want is to play and be loved… for someone to pay attention to them. And all we should desire of God is HIS love and attention.
Recently, I accompanied my husband on his daily walk down a nearby trail. In one particular stretch, we wound down a hill into a ravine. This has become one of my favorite places in any season. But this time of year, it is incredibly shady and peaceful. As we passed under the crown-canopy of this tranquil forest, I thought, “If Heaven is anything like this, I’ll be a happy camper. This is quite enough!”
I know the Bible promises that when we get to heaven, we will have a mansion. I believe that the streets are paved with gold and the opulence is more than we can imagine. And I guess all of that will be nice… I mean, I’m certainly not going to turn it down – are you?! But what I really want is to be in the physical presence of Jesus… to sit at His feet and feel His arms wrapped around me… to snuggle into His chest and truly rest there in His love.
The point of this passage is that being rich is not the goal. Wealth and possessions don’t matter. As Christians, we need to become like three-year-old boys… content with the love and attention of our Heavenly Father and unimpressed by frills and distractions. We need to focus on what is truly important. And more often than not, riches and “stuff” get in the way of this.
Regardless of what you have… your current position in life… your aspirations for more… make the central focus of your life your relationship with God. The only way to truly be content – rich or poor – is to operate in the confidence that you are pleasing God in everything. Allow Him to show you what is truly important. Learn to find joy in serving Him well with all that you have. Recognize the blessings of God’s “shady ravine” …and if He gives you more than this, consider it a bonus!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 22, 2012
James 1:5-8
If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our niece went shopping for a rug for her new house. She found two she really liked at a great price, so she bought them both. She was worried that the rug she chose might not be right, so she kept her options open by purchasing two. She reasoned that she would either find a use for the one that didn’t work as well… or she would return it. In other words, she had doubts.
There is probably little to no harm in doing this with a rug purchase. But when we lack confidence in our prayers… when we fail to trust God to do what He has promised and cannot make up our mind, we can’t expect God to be front and center with answers. Am I saying that God will withhold answers from us? Not necessarily. I am saying that what we expect and what God grants us may be two completely different things… and rightly so!
Think of it this way… suppose you want a family member to help you with something. You know that he/she will gladly do this… but you don’t want to ask them. So you sit at home and wait… expecting this person to read your mind or have some sort of magical mental telepathy and know that, “Hey, So-and-So needs my help!” When no help arrives, do you have a right to be upset? What if you did ask for help, and then you decided, “He/she won’t really come through,” so you went off and did something else and weren’t where you said you would be at the appointed hour? Would you be entitled to be upset with the person you asked to help you? Do you think he/she would be interested in agreeing to help you again? Would you blame them?
This is what we do all the time with God. We ask Him for help – or guidance – or some sort of answer or miracle. Then we “leave home.” We decide that there is no way God will really come through for us. We doubt His ability to deliver and His promises… and we doubt our own ability to hear and believe His answers. We don’t really give God a chance to answer. And then we wonder why things are not going so well in our lives.
Read this passage again, and really let its message soak into your heart and mind. Don’t have doubts. Don’t second guess or hedge your bets when you pray. There is only one option. You can’t ask God to help you and then develop a “back-up” plan. God is all you need! He is always the right choice, and He stands ready, willing, and more than able to meet your needs. The question is… will you let Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our niece went shopping for a rug for her new house. She found two she really liked at a great price, so she bought them both. She was worried that the rug she chose might not be right, so she kept her options open by purchasing two. She reasoned that she would either find a use for the one that didn’t work as well… or she would return it. In other words, she had doubts.
There is probably little to no harm in doing this with a rug purchase. But when we lack confidence in our prayers… when we fail to trust God to do what He has promised and cannot make up our mind, we can’t expect God to be front and center with answers. Am I saying that God will withhold answers from us? Not necessarily. I am saying that what we expect and what God grants us may be two completely different things… and rightly so!
Think of it this way… suppose you want a family member to help you with something. You know that he/she will gladly do this… but you don’t want to ask them. So you sit at home and wait… expecting this person to read your mind or have some sort of magical mental telepathy and know that, “Hey, So-and-So needs my help!” When no help arrives, do you have a right to be upset? What if you did ask for help, and then you decided, “He/she won’t really come through,” so you went off and did something else and weren’t where you said you would be at the appointed hour? Would you be entitled to be upset with the person you asked to help you? Do you think he/she would be interested in agreeing to help you again? Would you blame them?
This is what we do all the time with God. We ask Him for help – or guidance – or some sort of answer or miracle. Then we “leave home.” We decide that there is no way God will really come through for us. We doubt His ability to deliver and His promises… and we doubt our own ability to hear and believe His answers. We don’t really give God a chance to answer. And then we wonder why things are not going so well in our lives.
Read this passage again, and really let its message soak into your heart and mind. Don’t have doubts. Don’t second guess or hedge your bets when you pray. There is only one option. You can’t ask God to help you and then develop a “back-up” plan. God is all you need! He is always the right choice, and He stands ready, willing, and more than able to meet your needs. The question is… will you let Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 21, 2012
James 1:1-4
From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.
My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is a new program on TLC called “Big Tiny.” It features a brother and sister in Illinois who are in their early twenties. Bri and Brad Jordan are primordial dwarves. Both are featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest siblings, and Bri is the world’s tiniest living woman. At 23 years of age, Bri stands 28 inches tall. Brad, age 20, has 38 inches of height. The two siblings live with their mom in Sandoval, Illinois.
Bri and Brad want so badly to be “normal” young adults. They attend college… Brad actually attends on a cheerleading scholarship. As you might imagine, he is used to top “pyramids” and the other members of the squad toss him into the air in some of their stunts. Brad is a talented gymnast and can do flips across the basketball court with the best of them. Bri is a “girlie girl” all the way and loves to spend time between classes sharing a snack with a table of girlfriends… all of whom are of “normal” size and stature.
Bri and Brad would really love to live on their own like other young adults their age. They have gotten licenses to drive a car (with special adaptations for little people like them), and they are learning to do chores around the house that would be necessary for independent living… laundry, housekeeping, and cooking. I watched an episode that featured them pushing the vacuum across the floor. At just over 2 feet tall, Bri was admittedly terrified of the vacuum, and she could barely push it. She complained afterward that her arms and hands were hurting, and she explained that someone of her small stature has limited upper body strength. The logistics of maneuvering something tall and heavy (like a vacuum or a pile of clean laundry) are quite different than for someone of standard height.
When I watched the siblings climb a step stool and stand on kitchen counters to put soup and mac ‘n cheese in the microwave for lunch, I held my breath! If our little nephew Timothy (who is 38+” tall at age 3) tried to do this, we would have a fit! Yet this is how Bri and Brad will have to manage, if they hope to live independently. And I know their mom will pray every day that God keeps them safe…if/when this happens.
From all indications, Bri and Brad Jordan are incredibly happy, positive, hopeful individuals. They have enormous challenges… health issues that would stymie a senior citizen… and more obstacles than I would ever want to consider. But they both exude joy. They endure everything. And so does their mother. She made the comment on one program that “’Can’t’ doesn’t live in our house!”
My point is that everybody has problems. You cannot always tell for certain what is happening in another person’s life just by looking at him/her. The person who is bright, cheerful and positive may have ten times the issues and challenges of someone who appears sad and grumpy. The most beautiful, tall fashion model or athlete may have ten times the problems of someone with primordial dwarfism like Bri and Brad. Not everyone wears their difficulties and worries on their sleeve! Does this mean we should never share our burdens? Should we keep our troubles bottled inside and never let anyone know what is happening in our life? The answer is a resounding, “NO!”
At the same time, we should not be defined by our troubles… but rather, how we handle them. If we are allowing God to have control, nothing is unmanageable. When we trust God to help us through anything and everything, we can endure it all. And in doing so, we are completed. GOD makes the difference! He handles what we cannot… and strengthens us for the journey.
When others look at us, do they see a person with the weight of the world on his/her shoulders? Or do they see someone who is operating in joy and hope? The difference could lie in large part with WHO we trust to handle our daily cares. When your faith is tested, who helps you to endure? Do you operate in Spiritual maturity… or are you living in lack? I encourage you to redouble your efforts to grow closer to God… to give EVERYTHING to Him, and trust that He will manage all of your troubles and enable you to live with hope and peace. Wear the joy of a faith-filled life in Christ on your sleeve… not your troubles!
©2012 Debbie Robus
From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.
My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is a new program on TLC called “Big Tiny.” It features a brother and sister in Illinois who are in their early twenties. Bri and Brad Jordan are primordial dwarves. Both are featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest siblings, and Bri is the world’s tiniest living woman. At 23 years of age, Bri stands 28 inches tall. Brad, age 20, has 38 inches of height. The two siblings live with their mom in Sandoval, Illinois.
Bri and Brad want so badly to be “normal” young adults. They attend college… Brad actually attends on a cheerleading scholarship. As you might imagine, he is used to top “pyramids” and the other members of the squad toss him into the air in some of their stunts. Brad is a talented gymnast and can do flips across the basketball court with the best of them. Bri is a “girlie girl” all the way and loves to spend time between classes sharing a snack with a table of girlfriends… all of whom are of “normal” size and stature.
Bri and Brad would really love to live on their own like other young adults their age. They have gotten licenses to drive a car (with special adaptations for little people like them), and they are learning to do chores around the house that would be necessary for independent living… laundry, housekeeping, and cooking. I watched an episode that featured them pushing the vacuum across the floor. At just over 2 feet tall, Bri was admittedly terrified of the vacuum, and she could barely push it. She complained afterward that her arms and hands were hurting, and she explained that someone of her small stature has limited upper body strength. The logistics of maneuvering something tall and heavy (like a vacuum or a pile of clean laundry) are quite different than for someone of standard height.
When I watched the siblings climb a step stool and stand on kitchen counters to put soup and mac ‘n cheese in the microwave for lunch, I held my breath! If our little nephew Timothy (who is 38+” tall at age 3) tried to do this, we would have a fit! Yet this is how Bri and Brad will have to manage, if they hope to live independently. And I know their mom will pray every day that God keeps them safe…if/when this happens.
From all indications, Bri and Brad Jordan are incredibly happy, positive, hopeful individuals. They have enormous challenges… health issues that would stymie a senior citizen… and more obstacles than I would ever want to consider. But they both exude joy. They endure everything. And so does their mother. She made the comment on one program that “’Can’t’ doesn’t live in our house!”
My point is that everybody has problems. You cannot always tell for certain what is happening in another person’s life just by looking at him/her. The person who is bright, cheerful and positive may have ten times the issues and challenges of someone who appears sad and grumpy. The most beautiful, tall fashion model or athlete may have ten times the problems of someone with primordial dwarfism like Bri and Brad. Not everyone wears their difficulties and worries on their sleeve! Does this mean we should never share our burdens? Should we keep our troubles bottled inside and never let anyone know what is happening in our life? The answer is a resounding, “NO!”
At the same time, we should not be defined by our troubles… but rather, how we handle them. If we are allowing God to have control, nothing is unmanageable. When we trust God to help us through anything and everything, we can endure it all. And in doing so, we are completed. GOD makes the difference! He handles what we cannot… and strengthens us for the journey.
When others look at us, do they see a person with the weight of the world on his/her shoulders? Or do they see someone who is operating in joy and hope? The difference could lie in large part with WHO we trust to handle our daily cares. When your faith is tested, who helps you to endure? Do you operate in Spiritual maturity… or are you living in lack? I encourage you to redouble your efforts to grow closer to God… to give EVERYTHING to Him, and trust that He will manage all of your troubles and enable you to live with hope and peace. Wear the joy of a faith-filled life in Christ on your sleeve… not your troubles!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 20, 2012
Acts 10:27-28
Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, "You know, I'm sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don't do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked.”
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.
I was so excited to begin my student teaching block in college. I would spend approximately six weeks in a kindergarten classroom, and another six weeks in a third grade setting. The kindergarten teacher to whom I was assigned was preparing to go on maternity leave. She would only be my mentor for one week. A replacement teacher spent much of that week with us… learning the ropes before she took over on Monday morning.
On Friday afternoon, the principal came to the classroom to speak with the replacement teacher. She informed her that the administration had decided that someone of color needed to be in the classroom on Monday. So this woman (who was white) would not be taking over in this classroom. Instead, a young woman who had student taught the previous semester (and was African-American) was being hired. I had shared some college classes with the new replacement, so I sort of knew her already. And on Monday morning, she was the new “teacher” in my kindergarten class.
I really liked this woman. But sadly, she had not really been allowed to do much teaching as a student teacher, and she was as lost as a goose. Since my mother had been a kindergarten teacher for decades, I was in more familiar territory. So we “co-taught” for the next five weeks. I wish I could say that the parents of the students in this classroom embraced my friend and made her transition an easy one… but this was not the case. I felt terrible knowing that she knew the only reason she was there was because of her skin color.
For the life of me, I cannot understand how – or why – we treat people this way. How can we look at another of God’s children and decide that he/she is different from us because of race, ethnicity, or lifestyle choices? Do we really think God makes mistakes? And if so, what makes us think that WE aren’t the mistake rather than the other guy? I bet you didn’t want to think about that… did you?!
I don’t know why God created different races. I don’t know why I have coarse, naturally curly hair, and others have stick-straight, baby-fine manes! Why are some of us short and others tall? Why are some individuals able to perform athletic feats that defy logic… while others are incredible musicians or artists from an early age? Why did God make mosquitoes… and even several species?
I don’t know the answers to such questions… and I’m not supposed to. Neither are you! But we are supposed to respect God’s creations… and to recognize that no race is better than another! To do any less is to exercise arrogance and to insult Almighty God… to imply that we know better than He, which is preposterous.
If you harbor any feelings of bias or bigotry, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer - and ask God to help you. Humbly call on Him to show you how to be more loving and accepting of all people… regardless of their skin color, ethnicity or beliefs. Show others the encompassing love and kindness that Jesus shows to each of us, and take a page from Peter’s book. Follow what God shows you… not the world. Don’t question Him… just do what He says. Sit back, relax…and love all others as God loves you!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, "You know, I'm sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don't do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked.”
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.
I was so excited to begin my student teaching block in college. I would spend approximately six weeks in a kindergarten classroom, and another six weeks in a third grade setting. The kindergarten teacher to whom I was assigned was preparing to go on maternity leave. She would only be my mentor for one week. A replacement teacher spent much of that week with us… learning the ropes before she took over on Monday morning.
On Friday afternoon, the principal came to the classroom to speak with the replacement teacher. She informed her that the administration had decided that someone of color needed to be in the classroom on Monday. So this woman (who was white) would not be taking over in this classroom. Instead, a young woman who had student taught the previous semester (and was African-American) was being hired. I had shared some college classes with the new replacement, so I sort of knew her already. And on Monday morning, she was the new “teacher” in my kindergarten class.
I really liked this woman. But sadly, she had not really been allowed to do much teaching as a student teacher, and she was as lost as a goose. Since my mother had been a kindergarten teacher for decades, I was in more familiar territory. So we “co-taught” for the next five weeks. I wish I could say that the parents of the students in this classroom embraced my friend and made her transition an easy one… but this was not the case. I felt terrible knowing that she knew the only reason she was there was because of her skin color.
For the life of me, I cannot understand how – or why – we treat people this way. How can we look at another of God’s children and decide that he/she is different from us because of race, ethnicity, or lifestyle choices? Do we really think God makes mistakes? And if so, what makes us think that WE aren’t the mistake rather than the other guy? I bet you didn’t want to think about that… did you?!
I don’t know why God created different races. I don’t know why I have coarse, naturally curly hair, and others have stick-straight, baby-fine manes! Why are some of us short and others tall? Why are some individuals able to perform athletic feats that defy logic… while others are incredible musicians or artists from an early age? Why did God make mosquitoes… and even several species?
I don’t know the answers to such questions… and I’m not supposed to. Neither are you! But we are supposed to respect God’s creations… and to recognize that no race is better than another! To do any less is to exercise arrogance and to insult Almighty God… to imply that we know better than He, which is preposterous.
If you harbor any feelings of bias or bigotry, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer - and ask God to help you. Humbly call on Him to show you how to be more loving and accepting of all people… regardless of their skin color, ethnicity or beliefs. Show others the encompassing love and kindness that Jesus shows to each of us, and take a page from Peter’s book. Follow what God shows you… not the world. Don’t question Him… just do what He says. Sit back, relax…and love all others as God loves you!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 19, 2012
1 Peter 3:8-11
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don’t be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God’s chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,
“Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On July 20, 2012, a deranged individual in Aurora, Colorado, entered a movie theater and shot 70 people, killing twelve of them. Almost immediately, people began to ask, “Why? What caused this person to become so mentally unstable… so sick and violent?” Many began to call for his execution… for swift and speedy retribution for his heinous crimes.
A few days later, survivors of another horrific shooting… this one in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011… spoke publicly about their ordeal after the shooter pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. This shooter was also psychologically unsound. Several of his victims noted after the sentencing that what they wanted… to bring back those who died… was not possible. They stated that they believe this sentence represents the best outcome, as this killer will never be free to harm anyone else. As one victim put it, he has learned to follow three steps… to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. He said, “I think today that first step was achieved… and the second step was put into play. If we all take that third step, then our society will be a lot better to live in.”
To hear victims of such a horrendous shooting speak with peace and hope truly echoes the words of this scripture passage from 1 Peter. That those who were wounded as they stood alongside others who did not survive can stand and publicly say, “This is the best outcome we could have expected… we can put this behind us now,” exemplifies treating everyone with kindness. These people are not trading “insults” (and I use this word respectfully) and hate for what was given to them. These individuals genuinely want to be happy… to move forward and humbly give of themselves to others. And in order to do this, they have to release the hatred, pain and insults that have been hurled in their direction.
Surely, if victims of these unimaginable, gruesome crimes can do this… we can operate this way in our daily living. Few if any of us have experienced this level of abuse and mistreatment. But the insults and hatred we spew toward those in our path can be just as hurtful. The lies we tell, the unkindness we wield, the arrogance and piety with which we conduct our lives can all have incredible consequences…damage our reputations… and grieve God.
I honestly believe that God is at work in both of these dreadful experiences. He is using the victims of these shootings to show those of us who, by comparison, have incredibly small problems how to walk humbly in love, kindness and truth. These folks are showing us that we make mountains out of molehills. And many of us are operating in evil and wouldn’t know peace and happiness if it hit us over the head!
It’s time to change. We can, you know! The first step for us is to do what the Tucson shooting victim suggested… to live justly… to treat others fairly and with kindness and humility. In the same breath, I believe we must seek the mercy of God for our own life – and our own mercy for the lives of others. We must then strive to humbly walk with God every single day. We can do this… but we cannot do it on our own.
Where do you fit into this picture? Are hatred and insults eating you alive, or are you walking with God in peace and happiness? As Pastor Joel Osteen likes to say, “Are you a victim, or a victor?” The choice is yours… which will you decide?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don’t be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God’s chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,
“Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On July 20, 2012, a deranged individual in Aurora, Colorado, entered a movie theater and shot 70 people, killing twelve of them. Almost immediately, people began to ask, “Why? What caused this person to become so mentally unstable… so sick and violent?” Many began to call for his execution… for swift and speedy retribution for his heinous crimes.
A few days later, survivors of another horrific shooting… this one in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011… spoke publicly about their ordeal after the shooter pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. This shooter was also psychologically unsound. Several of his victims noted after the sentencing that what they wanted… to bring back those who died… was not possible. They stated that they believe this sentence represents the best outcome, as this killer will never be free to harm anyone else. As one victim put it, he has learned to follow three steps… to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. He said, “I think today that first step was achieved… and the second step was put into play. If we all take that third step, then our society will be a lot better to live in.”
To hear victims of such a horrendous shooting speak with peace and hope truly echoes the words of this scripture passage from 1 Peter. That those who were wounded as they stood alongside others who did not survive can stand and publicly say, “This is the best outcome we could have expected… we can put this behind us now,” exemplifies treating everyone with kindness. These people are not trading “insults” (and I use this word respectfully) and hate for what was given to them. These individuals genuinely want to be happy… to move forward and humbly give of themselves to others. And in order to do this, they have to release the hatred, pain and insults that have been hurled in their direction.
Surely, if victims of these unimaginable, gruesome crimes can do this… we can operate this way in our daily living. Few if any of us have experienced this level of abuse and mistreatment. But the insults and hatred we spew toward those in our path can be just as hurtful. The lies we tell, the unkindness we wield, the arrogance and piety with which we conduct our lives can all have incredible consequences…damage our reputations… and grieve God.
I honestly believe that God is at work in both of these dreadful experiences. He is using the victims of these shootings to show those of us who, by comparison, have incredibly small problems how to walk humbly in love, kindness and truth. These folks are showing us that we make mountains out of molehills. And many of us are operating in evil and wouldn’t know peace and happiness if it hit us over the head!
It’s time to change. We can, you know! The first step for us is to do what the Tucson shooting victim suggested… to live justly… to treat others fairly and with kindness and humility. In the same breath, I believe we must seek the mercy of God for our own life – and our own mercy for the lives of others. We must then strive to humbly walk with God every single day. We can do this… but we cannot do it on our own.
Where do you fit into this picture? Are hatred and insults eating you alive, or are you walking with God in peace and happiness? As Pastor Joel Osteen likes to say, “Are you a victim, or a victor?” The choice is yours… which will you decide?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 18, 2012
Psalm 34:13
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
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.
According to information gathered at www.rotary.org, Rotary International is a world-wide (and widely respected) service organization whose mission is…”to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” I was a member of Rotary International for several years. Like most members, I carried a card in my wallet that outlined the Rotary “4-Way Test”…
We are on the threshold of a new school year… a new beginning for many – particularly those under the age of 25. When I was teaching, the end of August held more of a “New Year/Fresh Start” feeling for me than January 1st. So it is fitting that as we approach the “back-to-school” date on the calendar, we renew our determination to speak the truth… to avoid all unkind language (not just profanity)… to seek fairness, goodwill, better friendships…and to make sure that our words and actions are beneficial to all concerned.
Let’s make this our prayer for today and every day. Let’s incorporate the 4-Way Test into our daily Christian discipleship. Ask God to help you make this a great year… and to start it off on the right foot!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
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.
According to information gathered at www.rotary.org, Rotary International is a world-wide (and widely respected) service organization whose mission is…”to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” I was a member of Rotary International for several years. Like most members, I carried a card in my wallet that outlined the Rotary “4-Way Test”…
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
We are on the threshold of a new school year… a new beginning for many – particularly those under the age of 25. When I was teaching, the end of August held more of a “New Year/Fresh Start” feeling for me than January 1st. So it is fitting that as we approach the “back-to-school” date on the calendar, we renew our determination to speak the truth… to avoid all unkind language (not just profanity)… to seek fairness, goodwill, better friendships…and to make sure that our words and actions are beneficial to all concerned.
Let’s make this our prayer for today and every day. Let’s incorporate the 4-Way Test into our daily Christian discipleship. Ask God to help you make this a great year… and to start it off on the right foot!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 17, 2012
Proverbs 15:18
Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am reminded once again of Emily Litella, Gilda Radner’s character on “Saturday Night Live.” Litella was a little old lady who was hard of hearing. She appeared during the “Weekend Update” newscast with Chevy Chase and/or Jane Curtin. Emily Litella got things all mixed up and made a huge fuss over nothing. For instance, once there was a “news” report about a Supreme Court ruling on the death penalty, and she “heard” the reporter say “deaf” penalty. She went ballistic! Deaf people had enough problems already! In all of these spoofs, the “reporter” was finally able to get Litella to calm down, and the misunderstanding could be explained. Litella always replied, “Oh, that’s different! Never mind!”
We are all “Emily Litella” at one time or another. Whether we fail to listen carefully or to gather all the facts… or we fly off the handle in what we feel is a justified reaction…losing our temper can cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Do you remember the scripture verses in John 8 where a crowd gathered and tried to get Jesus to condemn an adulterous woman? Do you remember how Jesus quietly kept drawing in the dirt? With one sentence, He diffused the situation. He did not rant and rave. He didn’t stomp his feet and jump up and down. He did not yell and scream. Jesus merely said, “If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!” And then He began to write in the dirt again.
Some of us seem to be “wired” to fly off the handle. But we can change this. We can ask God to give us wisdom, patience, tolerance… and control. We can ask Him to help us count to ten, breathe deeply, or take time to pray… to do whatever is necessary to remain calm and avoid trouble. Arguments are almost never productive… and in most cases, they can cause real, lasting problems.
Let’s all work on controlling our temper and staying calm. With God’s help, We.Can.Do.This! Let’s ask Him to show us how to exercise self-control… and to give us the necessary tools to avoid conflict. We don’t want to find ourselves in a position where we have to admit, “that’s different”… much less utter, “Never mind!” Put your “Emily Litella” persona to rest and start emulating Jesus. Learn to draw in the dirt… and do your best to stay out of trouble!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am reminded once again of Emily Litella, Gilda Radner’s character on “Saturday Night Live.” Litella was a little old lady who was hard of hearing. She appeared during the “Weekend Update” newscast with Chevy Chase and/or Jane Curtin. Emily Litella got things all mixed up and made a huge fuss over nothing. For instance, once there was a “news” report about a Supreme Court ruling on the death penalty, and she “heard” the reporter say “deaf” penalty. She went ballistic! Deaf people had enough problems already! In all of these spoofs, the “reporter” was finally able to get Litella to calm down, and the misunderstanding could be explained. Litella always replied, “Oh, that’s different! Never mind!”
We are all “Emily Litella” at one time or another. Whether we fail to listen carefully or to gather all the facts… or we fly off the handle in what we feel is a justified reaction…losing our temper can cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Do you remember the scripture verses in John 8 where a crowd gathered and tried to get Jesus to condemn an adulterous woman? Do you remember how Jesus quietly kept drawing in the dirt? With one sentence, He diffused the situation. He did not rant and rave. He didn’t stomp his feet and jump up and down. He did not yell and scream. Jesus merely said, “If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!” And then He began to write in the dirt again.
Some of us seem to be “wired” to fly off the handle. But we can change this. We can ask God to give us wisdom, patience, tolerance… and control. We can ask Him to help us count to ten, breathe deeply, or take time to pray… to do whatever is necessary to remain calm and avoid trouble. Arguments are almost never productive… and in most cases, they can cause real, lasting problems.
Let’s all work on controlling our temper and staying calm. With God’s help, We.Can.Do.This! Let’s ask Him to show us how to exercise self-control… and to give us the necessary tools to avoid conflict. We don’t want to find ourselves in a position where we have to admit, “that’s different”… much less utter, “Never mind!” Put your “Emily Litella” persona to rest and start emulating Jesus. Learn to draw in the dirt… and do your best to stay out of trouble!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 16, 2012
Psalm 133:1
It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the 1970s, The Waltons was a television show about a family who lived in the mountains of Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. Three generations lived together in one household, and for the most part, they all got along very well. Naturally there were moments of conflict, or there would have been no story line. But mostly, the stories were about how the family handled life challenges and pulled together to handle them. Each episode concluded with what seemed like an endless series of “Good nights!” between the family members as the house darkened.
In reality, very few families seem to resemble The Waltons. I think a more apt description (in TV terms) for a lot of us would be Family Feud! There is an old saying that goes something like, “You can pick your friends… but not your relatives.” And sadly, a lot of families have plenty of discord. It’s really nothing new… go back and read the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Old Testament… or read about Cain and Abel! We haven’t learned much, have we?!
At least once a month, I hear of someone who is having a problem with a sibling. This ranges from a rather tame disagreement over something like politics to an all-out war over an inheritance or settling the estate of another loved one. In some instances, the conflict escalates to the point where family members do not speak for years… if ever again. Some totally estrange themselves from their biological relatives and create a separate life altogether.
I think God must be especially grieved when we can’t seem to get along with members of our own family. He wants us to live in peace with ALL of our brothers and sisters… biological or otherwise. God places us together as family members for a reason. He equips us with the tools for living in harmony… but it is up to us to utilize them.
We don’t have to agree with our family members in every situation. We don’t have to look alike, act alike, live in the same neighborhood or community… or even attend the same church. But we need to be able to be in the same room with each other and be pleasant and civil. We must ask God to give us the ability to exercise patience, tolerance, and love for others – especially our own family members – and to control our tongue and our actions.
If we desire to please God, we must learn to operate in His grace, mercy, forgiveness and love toward all people… even our own family. Does yours more closely resemble The Waltons… or is it more of a Family Feud? I encourage you to ask God to help you do whatever is necessary to at least function somewhere more toward the middle of these two extremes.
Be sure that your words and actions are pleasing to God and honor His gifts to you. Ask Him to work in your family members, as well. You may never fully get along and agree on most points – or even really like each other. But with God’s help, you can operate in His love and maintain a bond. Take the first steps toward creating family harmony. Open the door for God to work toward peace and unity. We can’t pick our family members… but with God’s help, we can learn to love and tolerate each other!
©2012 Debbie Robus
It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the 1970s, The Waltons was a television show about a family who lived in the mountains of Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. Three generations lived together in one household, and for the most part, they all got along very well. Naturally there were moments of conflict, or there would have been no story line. But mostly, the stories were about how the family handled life challenges and pulled together to handle them. Each episode concluded with what seemed like an endless series of “Good nights!” between the family members as the house darkened.
In reality, very few families seem to resemble The Waltons. I think a more apt description (in TV terms) for a lot of us would be Family Feud! There is an old saying that goes something like, “You can pick your friends… but not your relatives.” And sadly, a lot of families have plenty of discord. It’s really nothing new… go back and read the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Old Testament… or read about Cain and Abel! We haven’t learned much, have we?!
At least once a month, I hear of someone who is having a problem with a sibling. This ranges from a rather tame disagreement over something like politics to an all-out war over an inheritance or settling the estate of another loved one. In some instances, the conflict escalates to the point where family members do not speak for years… if ever again. Some totally estrange themselves from their biological relatives and create a separate life altogether.
I think God must be especially grieved when we can’t seem to get along with members of our own family. He wants us to live in peace with ALL of our brothers and sisters… biological or otherwise. God places us together as family members for a reason. He equips us with the tools for living in harmony… but it is up to us to utilize them.
We don’t have to agree with our family members in every situation. We don’t have to look alike, act alike, live in the same neighborhood or community… or even attend the same church. But we need to be able to be in the same room with each other and be pleasant and civil. We must ask God to give us the ability to exercise patience, tolerance, and love for others – especially our own family members – and to control our tongue and our actions.
If we desire to please God, we must learn to operate in His grace, mercy, forgiveness and love toward all people… even our own family. Does yours more closely resemble The Waltons… or is it more of a Family Feud? I encourage you to ask God to help you do whatever is necessary to at least function somewhere more toward the middle of these two extremes.
Be sure that your words and actions are pleasing to God and honor His gifts to you. Ask Him to work in your family members, as well. You may never fully get along and agree on most points – or even really like each other. But with God’s help, you can operate in His love and maintain a bond. Take the first steps toward creating family harmony. Open the door for God to work toward peace and unity. We can’t pick our family members… but with God’s help, we can learn to love and tolerate each other!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 15, 2012
Ephesians 4:26-32
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
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.
Our little Timothy has a new phrase… “I can’t.” For him, this phrase is multi-purpose – and used in a lot of situations. “I can’t go to bed! I can’t take a bath! I can’t eat that! I can’t build anything with my blocks!” You get the picture. Experts tell us that small children use phrases like this because they have not fully developed the language skills to express what is really bothering them. They also say that arguing with the child does not work… and may, in fact, escalate the situation into a full-blown tantrum. The recommendation is to be patient… to allow the child room to work out his/her differences in a non-confrontational setting… and if possible, to distract him/her and redirect the focus.
We know firsthand how challenging this is. And yet, we must begin at this young age to teach children how to use their words properly… how to “vent” their frustrations without anger or foul language… and how hurtful ugly talk can be to others – and to themselves.
As we grow, we must learn to control our temper – and our tongue. There are going to be plenty of things that irritate us… and maybe even drive us to anger. But when we let this fester and color our attitudes and behaviors, the devil wins. When we erupt in a confrontation and a plethora of foul words and hurtful comments, we give Satan a dozen reasons to celebrate. When we share untruths and lie, we cheat others – and ourselves – God is seriously grieved.
We sometimes forget that we have been given tremendous gifts… intelligence, talents, abilities, wit, and the skills to communicate with others. With these gifts come incredible responsibilities. God wants us to use the power of the Holy Spirit within us… manifested through our tongue and our actions… to glorify His holy name. He wants us to be a blessing to others… to share love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. When we stoop to Satan’s level and use our words and actions in a confrontational, dishonest, or spiteful manner, we grieve God… and our “witness” is an epic fail.
Timothy will learn to express himself… and with our help, he will hopefully do so in a rational, calm, positive manner - most of the time! Those of us who are a little past the 3-year-old stage would do well to spend a while in communication with God and ask Him to help us get back on track. Examine your own life… your actions and words and how you treat others. Where do you need an attitude adjustment… and a taming of the tongue? Are you ready to operate in a manner that merits the tremendous gifts God has given you? Isn’t it time to get started?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
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.
Our little Timothy has a new phrase… “I can’t.” For him, this phrase is multi-purpose – and used in a lot of situations. “I can’t go to bed! I can’t take a bath! I can’t eat that! I can’t build anything with my blocks!” You get the picture. Experts tell us that small children use phrases like this because they have not fully developed the language skills to express what is really bothering them. They also say that arguing with the child does not work… and may, in fact, escalate the situation into a full-blown tantrum. The recommendation is to be patient… to allow the child room to work out his/her differences in a non-confrontational setting… and if possible, to distract him/her and redirect the focus.
We know firsthand how challenging this is. And yet, we must begin at this young age to teach children how to use their words properly… how to “vent” their frustrations without anger or foul language… and how hurtful ugly talk can be to others – and to themselves.
As we grow, we must learn to control our temper – and our tongue. There are going to be plenty of things that irritate us… and maybe even drive us to anger. But when we let this fester and color our attitudes and behaviors, the devil wins. When we erupt in a confrontation and a plethora of foul words and hurtful comments, we give Satan a dozen reasons to celebrate. When we share untruths and lie, we cheat others – and ourselves – God is seriously grieved.
We sometimes forget that we have been given tremendous gifts… intelligence, talents, abilities, wit, and the skills to communicate with others. With these gifts come incredible responsibilities. God wants us to use the power of the Holy Spirit within us… manifested through our tongue and our actions… to glorify His holy name. He wants us to be a blessing to others… to share love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. When we stoop to Satan’s level and use our words and actions in a confrontational, dishonest, or spiteful manner, we grieve God… and our “witness” is an epic fail.
Timothy will learn to express himself… and with our help, he will hopefully do so in a rational, calm, positive manner - most of the time! Those of us who are a little past the 3-year-old stage would do well to spend a while in communication with God and ask Him to help us get back on track. Examine your own life… your actions and words and how you treat others. Where do you need an attitude adjustment… and a taming of the tongue? Are you ready to operate in a manner that merits the tremendous gifts God has given you? Isn’t it time to get started?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 14, 2012
Proverbs 21:23
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
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.
Have you ever written an e-mail and hit the “send” button prematurely? Maybe you were in mid-sentence. Or you said something you shouldn’t because you didn’t edit first. Or maybe you sent the e-mail message to the wrong person(s). There is plenty of room for error with e-mail, if we are not careful.
There is also plenty of room for error with our spoken words. If we don’t stop and think about what we are going to say, things are spoken that shouldn’t be. We offer opinions that should be kept private… we say hurtful things… we judge and are judged for our comments. And I am guilty as the next person. My mouth engages before my brain does, and sometimes I have to deal with the grief over what has been said.
I have asked God to help me handle this. And lately, I’ve caught myself starting to write something in an e-mail message that I shouldn’t, and I’ve edited. I have opened my mouth to say something and realized that the comment would be better left unspoken. When I write a note to someone, I’ve begun to put it down in “Notepad” first, and I read it over a few times to make sure it says the right things in the right way.
God wants us to carefully edit before speaking, writing or acting. All it takes is a couple of minutes, a deep breath, or a “count to ten”…and a chance to utter a little prayer for guidance. With practice, you will get better at this. I find that I catch myself a little more often these days. I hear God saying, “You don’t really want to go there.” I take a moment to stop and think about my words or actions… and I’m often quite relieved that I did.
We are all going to say and do things we shouldn’t from time to time. But we have a greater chance of reducing the frequency of this when we stay in close communion with God. We must ask Him to help us check our language and actions – to engage our brain beforehand rather than afterward. And when we do make a mistake, we should ask God to help us do all we can to quickly and wisely make amends. Let Him help you edit before you hit the “send” button. Allow God to help you watch your words and hold your tongue…you’ll be glad you did!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
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.
Have you ever written an e-mail and hit the “send” button prematurely? Maybe you were in mid-sentence. Or you said something you shouldn’t because you didn’t edit first. Or maybe you sent the e-mail message to the wrong person(s). There is plenty of room for error with e-mail, if we are not careful.
There is also plenty of room for error with our spoken words. If we don’t stop and think about what we are going to say, things are spoken that shouldn’t be. We offer opinions that should be kept private… we say hurtful things… we judge and are judged for our comments. And I am guilty as the next person. My mouth engages before my brain does, and sometimes I have to deal with the grief over what has been said.
I have asked God to help me handle this. And lately, I’ve caught myself starting to write something in an e-mail message that I shouldn’t, and I’ve edited. I have opened my mouth to say something and realized that the comment would be better left unspoken. When I write a note to someone, I’ve begun to put it down in “Notepad” first, and I read it over a few times to make sure it says the right things in the right way.
God wants us to carefully edit before speaking, writing or acting. All it takes is a couple of minutes, a deep breath, or a “count to ten”…and a chance to utter a little prayer for guidance. With practice, you will get better at this. I find that I catch myself a little more often these days. I hear God saying, “You don’t really want to go there.” I take a moment to stop and think about my words or actions… and I’m often quite relieved that I did.
We are all going to say and do things we shouldn’t from time to time. But we have a greater chance of reducing the frequency of this when we stay in close communion with God. We must ask Him to help us check our language and actions – to engage our brain beforehand rather than afterward. And when we do make a mistake, we should ask God to help us do all we can to quickly and wisely make amends. Let Him help you edit before you hit the “send” button. Allow God to help you watch your words and hold your tongue…you’ll be glad you did!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 13, 2012
Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our cat Lucy has this little routine she goes through almost every night. She eats her dinner then wanders down the hallway toward our bedroom. She sits and cries outside the bathroom doorway. She doesn’t want anything… I’ve checked. She is merely “announcing” that she is getting a drink from the water bowl we keep there for her. I’ll admit…it’s annoying sometimes. She can really get loud and persistent! But we love her so much, so we put up with the little quirks of hers and her sister Mabel’s.
In return, our cats forgive us when we let the food bowl sit empty for a while. They love us even when we don’t cater to their every whim… or when they think we don’t pay enough attention to them. And they actually remain pretty humble and gentle about it… although from time to time, they do give us a declawed swipe to say “Hey, YOU! Notice me!”
Sometimes we have a hard time tolerating the behaviors of our two-legged friends. We forget that they might also have trouble putting up with our faults. And yes… we do have our own imperfections! We get so busy pointing out the other guy’s defects that others might actually have a hard time believing we really love them!
Criticism is easy… loving someone “warts and all” is the hard part! But the role of a Christian is to love others as Jesus loves us… and that means we are going to have to sometimes bite our tongue and patiently overlook a few things. I’m not saying we can’t gently make suggestions when we see someone we love take what we consider to be a wrong turn. But more than a few of us offer advice and suggestions where none were solicited… or we gripe and complain about things that really don’t (or shouldn’t) matter all that much between good friends.
We need to take this passage to heart… and examine our own motives and behaviors. Where do we need to be more humble, gentle and patient? Where could we be more tolerant of another person’s opinions, style, or idiosyncrasies? How can we be more like Jesus in our daily living? Isn’t it time we began?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our cat Lucy has this little routine she goes through almost every night. She eats her dinner then wanders down the hallway toward our bedroom. She sits and cries outside the bathroom doorway. She doesn’t want anything… I’ve checked. She is merely “announcing” that she is getting a drink from the water bowl we keep there for her. I’ll admit…it’s annoying sometimes. She can really get loud and persistent! But we love her so much, so we put up with the little quirks of hers and her sister Mabel’s.
In return, our cats forgive us when we let the food bowl sit empty for a while. They love us even when we don’t cater to their every whim… or when they think we don’t pay enough attention to them. And they actually remain pretty humble and gentle about it… although from time to time, they do give us a declawed swipe to say “Hey, YOU! Notice me!”
Sometimes we have a hard time tolerating the behaviors of our two-legged friends. We forget that they might also have trouble putting up with our faults. And yes… we do have our own imperfections! We get so busy pointing out the other guy’s defects that others might actually have a hard time believing we really love them!
Criticism is easy… loving someone “warts and all” is the hard part! But the role of a Christian is to love others as Jesus loves us… and that means we are going to have to sometimes bite our tongue and patiently overlook a few things. I’m not saying we can’t gently make suggestions when we see someone we love take what we consider to be a wrong turn. But more than a few of us offer advice and suggestions where none were solicited… or we gripe and complain about things that really don’t (or shouldn’t) matter all that much between good friends.
We need to take this passage to heart… and examine our own motives and behaviors. Where do we need to be more humble, gentle and patient? Where could we be more tolerant of another person’s opinions, style, or idiosyncrasies? How can we be more like Jesus in our daily living? Isn’t it time we began?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 12, 2012
John 13:34-35
But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Here’s a challenge for you… think about one of your closest friends, and quickly jot down ten words that describe him/her. Did you choose “loving” as one of your words? What about “Godly” or “faithful” – as in filled with faith in Christ? Now think about your own life. How would others describe you? Are you known as a disciple of Christ? Is this because you TELL people this is who you are… or does your life exemplify the love of Christ on its own merits?
This commandment is incredibly encompassing. Think long and hard about all of the ways Jesus loves you. Consider all of the amazing sacrifices He made on your behalf… how He suffered physically, mentally and emotionally for you. Think about how you “love” others. Does it come anywhere close by comparison? Shouldn’t it?
In many – if not all – of our current relationships, many of us operate in what could only be considered “puppy love” at best. We are more concerned with what’s in it for us than the other guy… and our love is anything but unconditional. We certainly do not love others as Jesus loves us! But we can change this… and today is a great day to begin. Won’t you start the process to love more purely… to be more like Jesus in every way? Isn’t this the perfect day to ask God to get you started in the right direction? Do you love others as Jesus loves you… and do they know you as one of His disciples? What are you doing to change this?
©2012 Debbie Robus
But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Here’s a challenge for you… think about one of your closest friends, and quickly jot down ten words that describe him/her. Did you choose “loving” as one of your words? What about “Godly” or “faithful” – as in filled with faith in Christ? Now think about your own life. How would others describe you? Are you known as a disciple of Christ? Is this because you TELL people this is who you are… or does your life exemplify the love of Christ on its own merits?
This commandment is incredibly encompassing. Think long and hard about all of the ways Jesus loves you. Consider all of the amazing sacrifices He made on your behalf… how He suffered physically, mentally and emotionally for you. Think about how you “love” others. Does it come anywhere close by comparison? Shouldn’t it?
In many – if not all – of our current relationships, many of us operate in what could only be considered “puppy love” at best. We are more concerned with what’s in it for us than the other guy… and our love is anything but unconditional. We certainly do not love others as Jesus loves us! But we can change this… and today is a great day to begin. Won’t you start the process to love more purely… to be more like Jesus in every way? Isn’t this the perfect day to ask God to get you started in the right direction? Do you love others as Jesus loves you… and do they know you as one of His disciples? What are you doing to change this?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 11, 2012
Proverbs 14:29
It’s smart to be patient, but it’s stupid to lose your temper.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For the first two-plus years of his life, my nephew Timothy suffered from night terrors. Nearly every night, he would go to sleep at bedtime with minor fanfare, only to “wake” an hour or so later (like clockwork)… screaming inconsolably. After several weeks of this, we learned that he was not truly awake… that he was experiencing something known as “night terrors.” He could not transition into a deeper sleep pattern… but he could not wake up, either. To say this was frustrating would be a major understatement. And I could readily see how easy it would be to lose patience - and sadly for some children, how a parent could lash out in frustration.
Timothy could not help this… he was totally unaware of it. In the words of this scripture translation, it would be stupid to be mad at him for this inability to sleep soundly. And as much as we wanted to scream and cry with him many nights, we did our best to console him… pat his back, wipe his tears, and soothe him until he was able to calm himself and drift into a deeper sleep pattern… and to be patient with him.
We can all see how ridiculous it is to lose our temper with a toddler. We understand that the child cannot truly be held responsible for many of his/her actions and is still learning how to function in our world. And we understand the temper tantrums of said babies… they have no foundation yet for handling the challenges and irritations with which they are presented. As children grow, we begin to expect more from them. Often, as they learn to exercise patience, we tend to lose our own!
Patience is an acquired characteristic! We are aided in this process by those in our circle who demonstrate this trait – and the coping mechanisms needed to achieve it. Hopefully, we also come to understand that God will help us. We can ask Him to give us patience… to help us control our temper… and to keep us from behaving stupidly!
There is a delicate balance in play here… one we simply must master. I urge you to spend some time in prayer and ask God to help you control your temper… to equip you with patience for all circumstances… and to help you to always operate in a manner that is pleasing and honorable to Him. None of us are toddlers. We can no longer make excuses! It’s time to grow up and be responsible. With God’s help, We.Can.Do.This! Are you with me?!
©2012 Debbie Robus
It’s smart to be patient, but it’s stupid to lose your temper.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For the first two-plus years of his life, my nephew Timothy suffered from night terrors. Nearly every night, he would go to sleep at bedtime with minor fanfare, only to “wake” an hour or so later (like clockwork)… screaming inconsolably. After several weeks of this, we learned that he was not truly awake… that he was experiencing something known as “night terrors.” He could not transition into a deeper sleep pattern… but he could not wake up, either. To say this was frustrating would be a major understatement. And I could readily see how easy it would be to lose patience - and sadly for some children, how a parent could lash out in frustration.
Timothy could not help this… he was totally unaware of it. In the words of this scripture translation, it would be stupid to be mad at him for this inability to sleep soundly. And as much as we wanted to scream and cry with him many nights, we did our best to console him… pat his back, wipe his tears, and soothe him until he was able to calm himself and drift into a deeper sleep pattern… and to be patient with him.
We can all see how ridiculous it is to lose our temper with a toddler. We understand that the child cannot truly be held responsible for many of his/her actions and is still learning how to function in our world. And we understand the temper tantrums of said babies… they have no foundation yet for handling the challenges and irritations with which they are presented. As children grow, we begin to expect more from them. Often, as they learn to exercise patience, we tend to lose our own!
Patience is an acquired characteristic! We are aided in this process by those in our circle who demonstrate this trait – and the coping mechanisms needed to achieve it. Hopefully, we also come to understand that God will help us. We can ask Him to give us patience… to help us control our temper… and to keep us from behaving stupidly!
There is a delicate balance in play here… one we simply must master. I urge you to spend some time in prayer and ask God to help you control your temper… to equip you with patience for all circumstances… and to help you to always operate in a manner that is pleasing and honorable to Him. None of us are toddlers. We can no longer make excuses! It’s time to grow up and be responsible. With God’s help, We.Can.Do.This! Are you with me?!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 10, 2012
Proverbs 15:4
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
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.
I am fifty-five years old, and I still remember how insulted I was by something my first grade teacher said to me in 1963. I shared a table with three to five other children, and the little boy sitting next to me threw up his morning milk one day… all over the table and the floor. Understandably, I scooted my chair to the side and moved away from this boy. I can still picture it all vividly. My teacher (whom I adored) came over and said, “Debra, if that is getting you goat, then MOVE!” I was crushed! It wasn’t as much what she said as her tone. It was as if I had done something wrong. She seemed to have no sympathy that I might be negatively impacted in any way by this event!
By the same token, I remember a totally different event on my first day of school. My mother says that I refused to let her to come with me. I can’t imagine that she allowed me to call the shots like that, but it was a different time… and the elementary school was practically in our back yard. And in my mother’s defense, she had a five-year-old and a two-year-old to tend to at home. So I walked to the school by myself. But when I got there, the signs that listed the class rosters were posted too high for me to read. I could not find my name. My friend Martha’s mother, Mrs. Duncan, offered to help me and said something like, “Oh, look! There it is! You and Martha are in the same class!”
I still love my first grade teacher – gone to heaven now. And I dearly love Mrs. Duncan, who has shown me innumerable kindnesses over a lifetime. But a comment I am sure my teacher considered quite innocent – and delivered out of frustration that I came to understand later as a teacher myself – cut me deeply at the time. And I never forgot it. I have to wonder what I have said to others over the years that has not been forgotten… what cutting, hurtful words I might have uttered - even flippantly, or without a second thought - that have resonated for years with someone else.
I cannot change the past… but I most certainly can be awake and alert moving forward. I can guard my heart and my tongue… and make sure that I do my very best not to utter words that are hurtful or offensive to someone else. God is more than willing and able to help me with this. He will help you, as well… if only you will call on Him to do so.
We never know what impact our words and actions have on another. I want mine to be as positive, healing and supportive as possible… and I am calling on God to help me ensure that this happens. What about you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
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.
I am fifty-five years old, and I still remember how insulted I was by something my first grade teacher said to me in 1963. I shared a table with three to five other children, and the little boy sitting next to me threw up his morning milk one day… all over the table and the floor. Understandably, I scooted my chair to the side and moved away from this boy. I can still picture it all vividly. My teacher (whom I adored) came over and said, “Debra, if that is getting you goat, then MOVE!” I was crushed! It wasn’t as much what she said as her tone. It was as if I had done something wrong. She seemed to have no sympathy that I might be negatively impacted in any way by this event!
By the same token, I remember a totally different event on my first day of school. My mother says that I refused to let her to come with me. I can’t imagine that she allowed me to call the shots like that, but it was a different time… and the elementary school was practically in our back yard. And in my mother’s defense, she had a five-year-old and a two-year-old to tend to at home. So I walked to the school by myself. But when I got there, the signs that listed the class rosters were posted too high for me to read. I could not find my name. My friend Martha’s mother, Mrs. Duncan, offered to help me and said something like, “Oh, look! There it is! You and Martha are in the same class!”
I still love my first grade teacher – gone to heaven now. And I dearly love Mrs. Duncan, who has shown me innumerable kindnesses over a lifetime. But a comment I am sure my teacher considered quite innocent – and delivered out of frustration that I came to understand later as a teacher myself – cut me deeply at the time. And I never forgot it. I have to wonder what I have said to others over the years that has not been forgotten… what cutting, hurtful words I might have uttered - even flippantly, or without a second thought - that have resonated for years with someone else.
I cannot change the past… but I most certainly can be awake and alert moving forward. I can guard my heart and my tongue… and make sure that I do my very best not to utter words that are hurtful or offensive to someone else. God is more than willing and able to help me with this. He will help you, as well… if only you will call on Him to do so.
We never know what impact our words and actions have on another. I want mine to be as positive, healing and supportive as possible… and I am calling on God to help me ensure that this happens. What about you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 9, 2012
1 Peter 3:15-18
If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.
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.
My brother was what we called a “husky boy” when we were little. I was tall and gangly… he was shorter – and stout! Even though I was four years older, Tim could take me down on any given day. And so it was one day when he tackled me in our front yard and started to pummel me, as siblings sometimes do. My dad stepped to the front door and said, “Hit him back!” I looked up and tearfully said, “I can’t!” I was always a softie when it came to my brother… but even in that childhood moment, I also knew that retaliation was not the answer!
I have to wonder at those who insist that biting a baby who bites is the solution to get him/her to stop. What part of hitting a child tells them it is not okay to hit others? Like many siblings who fought, I “suffered through” the growing pains with my little brother – and the frequent tussles we had over virtually nothing. And in his last days, I also apologized profusely to him for the times when I was not so virtuous… and even let him take the blame – and the punishment – for things I had done. To his credit, he graciously forgave me.
As children, we have to learn that slinging mud on another person is not the answer to our problems. Sadly, many of us not only fail this lesson… we actually perfect our technique! There are times when we all want to lash out at someone… when we want to stomp our foot and throw something and say, “Wait just one minute!” In Christ we find the perfect example of suffering for doing good… taking the High Road…and living with the utmost courtesy. Often, we make a much bigger statement by turning and walking away from a fight than staying to participate.
We must all ask the question…“Is this how God wants me to respond? Does He want me to get into this fight… or should I politely go about my business and let my behavior speak for itself?” I am as guilty as the next person of speaking up and lashing out when I shouldn’t. A lot of things we get involved are really not our battles. I’ve been asking God to help me with this… to give me wisdom and the good sense to bite my tongue and walk away when necessary.
At the same time, there will be people who may question your actions… those who feel they need to understand why you are not speaking up on a particular issue or getting involved in certain situations. This is the perfect opportunity for you to share your faith… and to explain how you communicate with God. Don’t be smug about it… but do take these moments as openings for a dialog about how God is working in your life. Convey how He gives you grace, mercy and forgiveness… and how He helps you to extend this to others.
God does not want us to be doormats on His behalf… but He didn’t call us to fight His battles either. It is up to us to know when and where to “hold ‘em or fold ‘em.” We must do all that we can to always represent God and honor Him - and sometimes that means suffering for the good. What about you? Are you able to resist the mud that is thrown in your direction… or has some of it managed to stick? Make today the day you come clean and begin to operate in God’s wisdom and grace. Be certain that your demeanor reflects His… and your heart remains in adoration to Christ. God will handle everything else!
©2012 Debbie Robus
If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.
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.
My brother was what we called a “husky boy” when we were little. I was tall and gangly… he was shorter – and stout! Even though I was four years older, Tim could take me down on any given day. And so it was one day when he tackled me in our front yard and started to pummel me, as siblings sometimes do. My dad stepped to the front door and said, “Hit him back!” I looked up and tearfully said, “I can’t!” I was always a softie when it came to my brother… but even in that childhood moment, I also knew that retaliation was not the answer!
I have to wonder at those who insist that biting a baby who bites is the solution to get him/her to stop. What part of hitting a child tells them it is not okay to hit others? Like many siblings who fought, I “suffered through” the growing pains with my little brother – and the frequent tussles we had over virtually nothing. And in his last days, I also apologized profusely to him for the times when I was not so virtuous… and even let him take the blame – and the punishment – for things I had done. To his credit, he graciously forgave me.
As children, we have to learn that slinging mud on another person is not the answer to our problems. Sadly, many of us not only fail this lesson… we actually perfect our technique! There are times when we all want to lash out at someone… when we want to stomp our foot and throw something and say, “Wait just one minute!” In Christ we find the perfect example of suffering for doing good… taking the High Road…and living with the utmost courtesy. Often, we make a much bigger statement by turning and walking away from a fight than staying to participate.
We must all ask the question…“Is this how God wants me to respond? Does He want me to get into this fight… or should I politely go about my business and let my behavior speak for itself?” I am as guilty as the next person of speaking up and lashing out when I shouldn’t. A lot of things we get involved are really not our battles. I’ve been asking God to help me with this… to give me wisdom and the good sense to bite my tongue and walk away when necessary.
At the same time, there will be people who may question your actions… those who feel they need to understand why you are not speaking up on a particular issue or getting involved in certain situations. This is the perfect opportunity for you to share your faith… and to explain how you communicate with God. Don’t be smug about it… but do take these moments as openings for a dialog about how God is working in your life. Convey how He gives you grace, mercy and forgiveness… and how He helps you to extend this to others.
God does not want us to be doormats on His behalf… but He didn’t call us to fight His battles either. It is up to us to know when and where to “hold ‘em or fold ‘em.” We must do all that we can to always represent God and honor Him - and sometimes that means suffering for the good. What about you? Are you able to resist the mud that is thrown in your direction… or has some of it managed to stick? Make today the day you come clean and begin to operate in God’s wisdom and grace. Be certain that your demeanor reflects His… and your heart remains in adoration to Christ. God will handle everything else!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 8, 2012
Proverbs 15:2
Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
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.
When I was a little girl, we used go to a place west of town called Stacy Springs. Today a house sits where there once was an open pavilion. Groups from area clubs and churches would gather there for picnics. It’s not far above the “Big Dike” area on Greers Ferry Lake. We would hike away from the pavilion a few yards to a natural spring that bubbled from the ground. The clean water seemed to magically gurgle from the ground in a gentle, steady flow.
Years ago, people often depended on springs like this one for a clean water supply. My great-grandmother and her family lived near more than one fresh-water spring. They trusted the cool, clear water to be pure and safe.
I recently watched a “House and Garden” show where a family was renovating their basement, and they discovered dirty, moldy water damage caused by a leaky pipe upstairs. The water had seeped down the wall, through the floor and created a murky mess on the ground level… compromising that surface and rendering it unsafe.
If you stop and think about it, we all know people who are like a freshwater spring. They seem to be a steady source of wisdom… trustworthy and dependable for information and advice that is sound and true. We also know people who are like the leaky pipe or faucet. They always have an opinion – and are glad to share it – but mostly spew hearsay, unkindness, or unsubstantiated viewpoints. It doesn’t necessarily take a rocket scientist to discern which is which… but we do have to stay on our toes.
How do you know what you are seeing and hearing is truthful? How do you figure it all out? What if someone is telling you that his/her way is accurate, because “I am a Christian, and God has told me this”? My simplest answer is, “Ask God for yourself!” Do some digging. Get the facts. See if what this person is saying really lines up with the word of God. Ask God if what is being said makes sense, is loving and kind - and honors His word and His will.
God wants us to always operate in the truth. He gave us a brain… and a direct line of communication to Him. He expects us to use both! Don’t believe everything you see and hear… not even from those who claim to be Christians. Do your own investigating and discover whether what you are ingesting is clean, pure “spring water,” or the rotten murky nonsense from a “leaky faucet.” Learn to tell the difference… God is waiting to show you how!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
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.
When I was a little girl, we used go to a place west of town called Stacy Springs. Today a house sits where there once was an open pavilion. Groups from area clubs and churches would gather there for picnics. It’s not far above the “Big Dike” area on Greers Ferry Lake. We would hike away from the pavilion a few yards to a natural spring that bubbled from the ground. The clean water seemed to magically gurgle from the ground in a gentle, steady flow.
Years ago, people often depended on springs like this one for a clean water supply. My great-grandmother and her family lived near more than one fresh-water spring. They trusted the cool, clear water to be pure and safe.
I recently watched a “House and Garden” show where a family was renovating their basement, and they discovered dirty, moldy water damage caused by a leaky pipe upstairs. The water had seeped down the wall, through the floor and created a murky mess on the ground level… compromising that surface and rendering it unsafe.
If you stop and think about it, we all know people who are like a freshwater spring. They seem to be a steady source of wisdom… trustworthy and dependable for information and advice that is sound and true. We also know people who are like the leaky pipe or faucet. They always have an opinion – and are glad to share it – but mostly spew hearsay, unkindness, or unsubstantiated viewpoints. It doesn’t necessarily take a rocket scientist to discern which is which… but we do have to stay on our toes.
How do you know what you are seeing and hearing is truthful? How do you figure it all out? What if someone is telling you that his/her way is accurate, because “I am a Christian, and God has told me this”? My simplest answer is, “Ask God for yourself!” Do some digging. Get the facts. See if what this person is saying really lines up with the word of God. Ask God if what is being said makes sense, is loving and kind - and honors His word and His will.
God wants us to always operate in the truth. He gave us a brain… and a direct line of communication to Him. He expects us to use both! Don’t believe everything you see and hear… not even from those who claim to be Christians. Do your own investigating and discover whether what you are ingesting is clean, pure “spring water,” or the rotten murky nonsense from a “leaky faucet.” Learn to tell the difference… God is waiting to show you how!
©2012 Debbie Robus
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