Ephesians 4:25-27
What this adds up to, then, is
this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In
Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie
to others, you end up lying to yourself.
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.
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
mother always taught me that “if you can’t say something nice, don’t
say anything at all.” At the other end of the spectrum, my Mam-ma Polly
frequently seemed to operate more in the “speak your mind now and worry
about the consequences later” mode. And I think there is room for a
healthy balance between these two stances.
I try to be very fair
and balanced with others…particularly as I write these devotionals. I
understand that not all people believe as I do on a variety of
subjects…and that’s okay. But I have found that often, when we sit
quietly on the sidelines, others wrongly assume that we believe exactly
as they do…and that we fully support their expressed opinions. And this
can be hurtful to everyone.
A few weeks ago, I was attending a
meeting in which some comments were made that deeply wounded several
people…including me. The persons who made them initially assumed that
everyone in the room felt as they did…so they “went at it” with wild
abandon. I’ll admit…I initially willed myself to stay quiet. But then
another lady spoke up and explained why she disagreed with what was
said…and one by one, more of us spoke up and expressed our feelings. I
wish I could say this made a difference…that the ugly talk was stifled.
But it wasn’t…and some of us came away more offended than anything
else…but yes, we were angry, too.
The anger and
disappointment affected me in a profound way…but I did not seek revenge.
I prayed…a lot. I asked God to show me how to overcome my feelings of
resentment toward those who spoke their own truth…to keep me from
allowing the devil to have the last laugh in this. And He has done
this. I am at a calm and peaceful place where I can actually encounter
these people and not feel antagonistic – or even judgmental of them. I
didn’t come to this resolution overnight, but I am grateful that God has
begun to heal my heart.
I am also glad that I spoke out.
Otherwise, I think I would have always felt a little ashamed…like I was
living a lie by allowing others to assume that I agreed with them on
this issue. And I’ll admit…speaking honestly about my views on several
political and social issues has “cost” me some friendships...or at least
greatly changed how we interact and the frequency of our contacts. And
that is unfortunate…but also freeing. Let’s be honest…living a lie
takes its toll.
I hope and pray that I am never judgmental or
rude…that I don’t “speak my mind” to someone in such a way as to anger
or offend them. By remaining truthful, I trust that God will bless my
efforts and soften the ears of those who hear my words, so that they
accept them – and me – in the spirit of Christian brotherhood and
sisterhood. I’ve tried to “sugarcoat the truth” before in an effort to
spare another person’s feelings. And I can tell you, when this
backfires (and it often does), it’s a royal disaster!
At the end
of the day, our only responsibility is to please God…and remaining
truthful honors our commitment to Him. By seeking His wisdom and
guidance as we speak the truth, we demonstrate our faith in Him to
handle how our words are received…and put the devil in his place
simultaneously! Honesty IS the best policy! How truthful are you being
these days?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 30, 2015
Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. All of you are part of the same body.
There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God’s people. We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A photo just appeared in my Facebook newsfeed of a skunk eating the food in a dog’s bowl…and the dog standing nearby and looking on forlornly. The caption was: “Two of the greatest qualities in life...1) patience; and 2) wisdom. Oh, that we could learn from this puppy!
I was reminded of my friends who returned from a trip to the beach to find a terrible smell near one of their gutter drains. They thought it was a dead skunk, so the husband decided to flush it out with a water hose. Instead of a dead skunk, he discovered three very alive little skunks! And so did their little Yorkie, who got more than she bargained for in the process! The dog was hurriedly secured inside the house (where she promptly rubbed skunk smell on anything and everything!).
The skunk situation was handled by the husband, while the wife shampooed the dog and set up an appointment for a trip to the vet and a “doggie haircut” the next day. She laughed about it all and demonstrated tremendous humility, patience and gentleness…with both the dog AND the husband! After the trip to the vet, air freshener galore, and lots of hours spent burning scented candles, the “stinky situation” was pretty much eliminated - and all is once again well.
There are going to be “skunks” in our life that at have the potential to ruin our day…or at the very least, to stink up the place! But we must remember that we are all God’s creatures. And each has a place. Does this mean that we must allow “skunks” to live in our rain gutters (or our circle of friends) …or eat from our food bowls – and our dinner tables? No! God gave us common sense and wisdom so that we could discern how to manage what – and who we associate with - and the sort of relationships we have with different people. But we must not totally avoid such people.
We must learn to tolerate the “skunks” among us at times…if for no other reason than that we might be their only connection with Jesus. In us, they hopefully have the opportunity to see Christ’s teachings in action…faithfulness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, patience, compassion, kindness, tolerance and acceptance, obedience, and more. We might be the only example for them of how to operate in humility and gentleness. If we disassociate completely with these people, we may be forfeiting a chance to witness and minister to them.
So we must learn from the puppy in the photo and exercise patience and wisdom. We must ask God to give us humility and gentleness…and a heart for ALL of His creatures…even the “skunks.” I know it’s asking a lot for some of us…but if God lives in us, He will surely help us to do this. Won’t you ask Him to fill you with a spirit of unity and acceptance today? Are you ready to operate with a heart like His? Don’t you think you should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. All of you are part of the same body.
There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God’s people. We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A photo just appeared in my Facebook newsfeed of a skunk eating the food in a dog’s bowl…and the dog standing nearby and looking on forlornly. The caption was: “Two of the greatest qualities in life...1) patience; and 2) wisdom. Oh, that we could learn from this puppy!
I was reminded of my friends who returned from a trip to the beach to find a terrible smell near one of their gutter drains. They thought it was a dead skunk, so the husband decided to flush it out with a water hose. Instead of a dead skunk, he discovered three very alive little skunks! And so did their little Yorkie, who got more than she bargained for in the process! The dog was hurriedly secured inside the house (where she promptly rubbed skunk smell on anything and everything!).
The skunk situation was handled by the husband, while the wife shampooed the dog and set up an appointment for a trip to the vet and a “doggie haircut” the next day. She laughed about it all and demonstrated tremendous humility, patience and gentleness…with both the dog AND the husband! After the trip to the vet, air freshener galore, and lots of hours spent burning scented candles, the “stinky situation” was pretty much eliminated - and all is once again well.
There are going to be “skunks” in our life that at have the potential to ruin our day…or at the very least, to stink up the place! But we must remember that we are all God’s creatures. And each has a place. Does this mean that we must allow “skunks” to live in our rain gutters (or our circle of friends) …or eat from our food bowls – and our dinner tables? No! God gave us common sense and wisdom so that we could discern how to manage what – and who we associate with - and the sort of relationships we have with different people. But we must not totally avoid such people.
We must learn to tolerate the “skunks” among us at times…if for no other reason than that we might be their only connection with Jesus. In us, they hopefully have the opportunity to see Christ’s teachings in action…faithfulness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, patience, compassion, kindness, tolerance and acceptance, obedience, and more. We might be the only example for them of how to operate in humility and gentleness. If we disassociate completely with these people, we may be forfeiting a chance to witness and minister to them.
So we must learn from the puppy in the photo and exercise patience and wisdom. We must ask God to give us humility and gentleness…and a heart for ALL of His creatures…even the “skunks.” I know it’s asking a lot for some of us…but if God lives in us, He will surely help us to do this. Won’t you ask Him to fill you with a spirit of unity and acceptance today? Are you ready to operate with a heart like His? Don’t you think you should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 29, 2015
Deuteronomy 25:13-16
“In all your transactions you must use accurate scales and honest measurements, so that you will have a long, good life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. All who cheat with unjust weights and measurements are detestable to the Lord your God.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I’ve been watching a scrapbooking tool for sale on eBay for the last few days. The opening bid price was really reasonable…but the shipping cost seemed excessive. So I contacted the seller and asked if it would be possible to use a flat rate Priority Mail shipment and save at least $2 on the shipping costs. The seller replied that this would save me $2…but it would cost him/her that much in gas to take the package to the Post Office. My response was polite…but I pointed out that the US Postal Service will not only deliver Priority Mail shipping boxes directly to your doorstep, the mail carrier will pick up packages when they are ready for delivery. So the “gas money” excuse made no sense… and I decided to seek this product elsewhere.
Bidding on this item will end soon, but I have noticed that the seller has reduced the shipping cost – by almost $2! So I am watching and thinking that I might jump back in at the last minute to purchase. Now, I know you probably find this whole exchange completely uninteresting…but here’s my point. One of the things that Greg and I learned early in our business experience was that nothing is better than good customer service and building a strong reputation for its practice. And making excuses is never a good idea. We "do business" much more often with companies who offer fair transactions and liberal service policies with regard to returns and an eagerness to make things right.
When you understand that accuracy, honesty and fair treatment in business - and in life, generally - are scriptural…you are on your way to understanding what it means to walk in God’s ways and to serve others in a manner that pleases Him. I get it…there are times when you are strapped to the max, and you really would rather pocket that extra few dollars than pass the savings along to someone else. There are days when you want to take the bigger piece of pie and give the smaller portions to your family…hoping that they will never know the difference.
There are times when we think that nobody will notice if we “fudge” just a little. I am reminded of a funny story about a woman who hurriedly made a cake for the church bake sale, and it “fell” in the middle. In an effort to “safe face,” she inserted a roll of toilet paper, iced the cake, and sent it to church. The lady called her daughter and asked her to be the first on the scene to purchase back the cake. When the daughter arrived, the cake had sold! The cake baker was invited to dinner at the home of a very “snooty” church member, and when dessert was served, the hostess came to the table – with the “toilet paper” cake. The woman who baked it was prepared to be humiliated, but another guest asked the hostess if the cake was homemade, and she replied, “Why yes! I baked it myself!” The punch line was…”God is good.”
While this is a humorous illustration, the truth remains that our deceptions have a way of backfiring – although I seriously doubt that God would be pleased with EITHER church lady in this story! If nobody ever finds out what we did…God will know. And really, this is all that you need to think about. It should be all that matters.
What sort of “customer service” or treatment do you offer to others…in business AND your daily living? As if pleasing God were not enough, when our words and actions glorify Him, He blesses us in ways we never expected. This should be more than ample motivation to always “take the high road.” So how are you doing these days?
©2015 Debbie Robus
“In all your transactions you must use accurate scales and honest measurements, so that you will have a long, good life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. All who cheat with unjust weights and measurements are detestable to the Lord your God.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I’ve been watching a scrapbooking tool for sale on eBay for the last few days. The opening bid price was really reasonable…but the shipping cost seemed excessive. So I contacted the seller and asked if it would be possible to use a flat rate Priority Mail shipment and save at least $2 on the shipping costs. The seller replied that this would save me $2…but it would cost him/her that much in gas to take the package to the Post Office. My response was polite…but I pointed out that the US Postal Service will not only deliver Priority Mail shipping boxes directly to your doorstep, the mail carrier will pick up packages when they are ready for delivery. So the “gas money” excuse made no sense… and I decided to seek this product elsewhere.
Bidding on this item will end soon, but I have noticed that the seller has reduced the shipping cost – by almost $2! So I am watching and thinking that I might jump back in at the last minute to purchase. Now, I know you probably find this whole exchange completely uninteresting…but here’s my point. One of the things that Greg and I learned early in our business experience was that nothing is better than good customer service and building a strong reputation for its practice. And making excuses is never a good idea. We "do business" much more often with companies who offer fair transactions and liberal service policies with regard to returns and an eagerness to make things right.
When you understand that accuracy, honesty and fair treatment in business - and in life, generally - are scriptural…you are on your way to understanding what it means to walk in God’s ways and to serve others in a manner that pleases Him. I get it…there are times when you are strapped to the max, and you really would rather pocket that extra few dollars than pass the savings along to someone else. There are days when you want to take the bigger piece of pie and give the smaller portions to your family…hoping that they will never know the difference.
There are times when we think that nobody will notice if we “fudge” just a little. I am reminded of a funny story about a woman who hurriedly made a cake for the church bake sale, and it “fell” in the middle. In an effort to “safe face,” she inserted a roll of toilet paper, iced the cake, and sent it to church. The lady called her daughter and asked her to be the first on the scene to purchase back the cake. When the daughter arrived, the cake had sold! The cake baker was invited to dinner at the home of a very “snooty” church member, and when dessert was served, the hostess came to the table – with the “toilet paper” cake. The woman who baked it was prepared to be humiliated, but another guest asked the hostess if the cake was homemade, and she replied, “Why yes! I baked it myself!” The punch line was…”God is good.”
While this is a humorous illustration, the truth remains that our deceptions have a way of backfiring – although I seriously doubt that God would be pleased with EITHER church lady in this story! If nobody ever finds out what we did…God will know. And really, this is all that you need to think about. It should be all that matters.
What sort of “customer service” or treatment do you offer to others…in business AND your daily living? As if pleasing God were not enough, when our words and actions glorify Him, He blesses us in ways we never expected. This should be more than ample motivation to always “take the high road.” So how are you doing these days?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 28, 2015
Deuteronomy 16:18-20
Appoint judges and officers, organized by tribes, in all the towns that God, your God, is giving you. They are to judge the people fairly and honestly. Don’t twist the law. Don’t play favorites. Don’t take a bribe—a bribe blinds even a wise person; it undermines the intentions of the best of people.
The right! The right! Pursue only what’s right! It’s the only way you can really live and possess the land that God, your God, is giving 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.
I can’t make this stuff up! I found an article at prnewswire.com that says…” According to a recent online survey, released by Great American Cookies® and conducted online on the brand's behalf, 94 percent of parents say they have rewarded their children for good behavior.” In response to the survey results, this company is launching the first-ever National Bribe Your Child Week from Aug. 9th – 15th. Parents can visit a website and download a worksheet to complete with their child and turn it in at any Great American Cookies® store for a free cookie.
It would be great if this company had chosen to call the project “National Reward Your Child Week"…but at the end of the day, hundreds of parents have just been bribed to participate in this program with the offer of a “free” cookie. So maybe their choice of words was appropriate. See how easily we are drawn in?
I utilize a reward system with Timothy, Zola and Nathan, where I punch numbers on a little card as they demonstrate “good” behaviors. When all twenty of the numbers on the card have been punched, the child gets to choose a “prize” from my basket of goodies…cars, trucks, dinosaurs, small stuffed animals, crayons and chalk, and more. So far, this has worked well…and it is a fair way to address each child’s behavior individually. They often plan which prize they will “work for” next!
Some have said that this amounts to bribery. The children will tell you that they earn these rewards. I can see both sides…but they are learning valuable lessons about incentives to behave nicely – and penalties when this doesn’t happen (because they do NOT get a prize if their card isn’t punched). And I will admit that I sometimes offer a Life Saver® as a quick and simple “bribe” for positive actions.
Try as we might to ignore or deny this, bribes are a common “currency” among many adults in our culture. Some are slick about it and do their best to disguise these as “incentives” or fair exchanges. But when we drill it down, they are bribes, pure and simple…and scripture tells us not to operate in these inducements.
This is more easily said than done, as we are somewhat geared to help those who help us – and to show them favor. But we must learn to stop operating in the mode of “what’s in it for me?” and model the teachings of Jesus as we figure out how we are to show someone else love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. When we shift our attitude to reflect that of our Savior, we are more concerned with pleasing Him than earning a material prize or the attention and approval of another. We desire to treat others in such a way that they do what is right because they want to…not because we paid them to do so.
The challenge for each of us is to live each and every day with the intention to serve God with our whole heart and mind…to make sure that every action is positive and without reproach. Rewards will follow…but they will be the kind that God ordains – not man – and they will not be dangled before us as enticements to serve Him. In other words, don’t look for God to offer you a cookie anytime soon!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Appoint judges and officers, organized by tribes, in all the towns that God, your God, is giving you. They are to judge the people fairly and honestly. Don’t twist the law. Don’t play favorites. Don’t take a bribe—a bribe blinds even a wise person; it undermines the intentions of the best of people.
The right! The right! Pursue only what’s right! It’s the only way you can really live and possess the land that God, your God, is giving 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.
I can’t make this stuff up! I found an article at prnewswire.com that says…” According to a recent online survey, released by Great American Cookies® and conducted online on the brand's behalf, 94 percent of parents say they have rewarded their children for good behavior.” In response to the survey results, this company is launching the first-ever National Bribe Your Child Week from Aug. 9th – 15th. Parents can visit a website and download a worksheet to complete with their child and turn it in at any Great American Cookies® store for a free cookie.
It would be great if this company had chosen to call the project “National Reward Your Child Week"…but at the end of the day, hundreds of parents have just been bribed to participate in this program with the offer of a “free” cookie. So maybe their choice of words was appropriate. See how easily we are drawn in?
I utilize a reward system with Timothy, Zola and Nathan, where I punch numbers on a little card as they demonstrate “good” behaviors. When all twenty of the numbers on the card have been punched, the child gets to choose a “prize” from my basket of goodies…cars, trucks, dinosaurs, small stuffed animals, crayons and chalk, and more. So far, this has worked well…and it is a fair way to address each child’s behavior individually. They often plan which prize they will “work for” next!
Some have said that this amounts to bribery. The children will tell you that they earn these rewards. I can see both sides…but they are learning valuable lessons about incentives to behave nicely – and penalties when this doesn’t happen (because they do NOT get a prize if their card isn’t punched). And I will admit that I sometimes offer a Life Saver® as a quick and simple “bribe” for positive actions.
Try as we might to ignore or deny this, bribes are a common “currency” among many adults in our culture. Some are slick about it and do their best to disguise these as “incentives” or fair exchanges. But when we drill it down, they are bribes, pure and simple…and scripture tells us not to operate in these inducements.
This is more easily said than done, as we are somewhat geared to help those who help us – and to show them favor. But we must learn to stop operating in the mode of “what’s in it for me?” and model the teachings of Jesus as we figure out how we are to show someone else love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. When we shift our attitude to reflect that of our Savior, we are more concerned with pleasing Him than earning a material prize or the attention and approval of another. We desire to treat others in such a way that they do what is right because they want to…not because we paid them to do so.
The challenge for each of us is to live each and every day with the intention to serve God with our whole heart and mind…to make sure that every action is positive and without reproach. Rewards will follow…but they will be the kind that God ordains – not man – and they will not be dangled before us as enticements to serve Him. In other words, don’t look for God to offer you a cookie anytime soon!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 27, 2015
Deuteronomy 15:10-11
Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
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.
This morning, I rode with Greg as he delivered Meals on Wheels to better than a half-dozen senior citizens in our community. As we “made the rounds” this very hot July day, I thought of the people who are served. I noted the dilapidated condition of some of the homes…and how others are well tended. We commented that in many of the latter cases, there is probably someone – or a group of people – who “see after” these people and make sure that the house and yard are nicely kept and appointed…and that other needs are met.
Riding with Greg on these deliveries is always bittersweet. On the one hand, I am so proud of the service he provides…and how deeply he cares about “his people.” I know they are grateful for his visits – even when they only last a couple of minutes.
But I am also saddened to think of the countless people - in our community alone - who are in need…not necessarily of money – or even the daily hot meal…but something perhaps even more valuable. These people need human contact…the smiling face and concern of someone who truly cares about them. It is amazing how much thoughtfulness can be conveyed in just a couple of minutes.
I would be willing to bet that every day around noon, there are a few dozen folks in our community whose lives are brightened by the knock on their door from a Meals on Wheels volunteer. There are probably dozens more who have a better day because a Home Health aide or nurse visits…and while they are paid to do so, theirs is most certainly a labor of love in large degree.
We cannot all deliver Meals on Wheels or become Home Health aides. We can’t all be foster parents or volunteer at the animal shelter or the soup kitchen. We don’t all have extra cash lying around that we can distribute to those with financial needs. But here’s what we do all have…the ability to give of the heart. And if you look closely at these verses, you see that it says to “open your purse…and your hands.”
Look around…there is something you can do. There is someone who has a need that you can meet…whether it is to visit with a neighbor and ask, “How are you doing?”(and mean it!)…or to talk with someone who is going through a situation with which you have experience - and offer some hints, tips, and commiseration. There are people who need a hug or a smile…and those who could use a word of encouragement. The next time you bake a cake or cookies…why not share half with a neighbor or friend who is unable to bake because of physical restraints or lack of time?
Offer someone a ride – to run errands, visit the doctor, or just visit another friend. Buy the 10-lb bag of potatoes that is cheaper than just purchasing just a few – and share the extras with a single person or elderly neighbors on fixed incomes. Offer to walk a friend’s dog while he/she recovers from an accident or illness. Ask a teacher if you can do anything to help him/her get ready for school this fall. There are name tags to cut out, bulletin boards to prepare…and children to watch while Mom and/or Dad spends the last days of summer vacation in the classroom working on projects.
In short, open your eyes and ears to the needs right around you. Not every act of “giving” involves money. And one of the best ways to give back to others is through prayer. We often say, “All I can do is pray.” What we fail to recognize is that often, prayer is not only the most important gift we can offer…it truly is enough!
I came away from today’s delivery with a humble heart and a renewed desire to be more open and available to the ways that I can serve the “poor and needy” in my own back yard. It’s was just the jolt I needed…and I hope I have motivated you, as well. Are you ready to open your heart and hands to the “poor and needy” in your midst? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
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.
This morning, I rode with Greg as he delivered Meals on Wheels to better than a half-dozen senior citizens in our community. As we “made the rounds” this very hot July day, I thought of the people who are served. I noted the dilapidated condition of some of the homes…and how others are well tended. We commented that in many of the latter cases, there is probably someone – or a group of people – who “see after” these people and make sure that the house and yard are nicely kept and appointed…and that other needs are met.
Riding with Greg on these deliveries is always bittersweet. On the one hand, I am so proud of the service he provides…and how deeply he cares about “his people.” I know they are grateful for his visits – even when they only last a couple of minutes.
But I am also saddened to think of the countless people - in our community alone - who are in need…not necessarily of money – or even the daily hot meal…but something perhaps even more valuable. These people need human contact…the smiling face and concern of someone who truly cares about them. It is amazing how much thoughtfulness can be conveyed in just a couple of minutes.
I would be willing to bet that every day around noon, there are a few dozen folks in our community whose lives are brightened by the knock on their door from a Meals on Wheels volunteer. There are probably dozens more who have a better day because a Home Health aide or nurse visits…and while they are paid to do so, theirs is most certainly a labor of love in large degree.
We cannot all deliver Meals on Wheels or become Home Health aides. We can’t all be foster parents or volunteer at the animal shelter or the soup kitchen. We don’t all have extra cash lying around that we can distribute to those with financial needs. But here’s what we do all have…the ability to give of the heart. And if you look closely at these verses, you see that it says to “open your purse…and your hands.”
Look around…there is something you can do. There is someone who has a need that you can meet…whether it is to visit with a neighbor and ask, “How are you doing?”(and mean it!)…or to talk with someone who is going through a situation with which you have experience - and offer some hints, tips, and commiseration. There are people who need a hug or a smile…and those who could use a word of encouragement. The next time you bake a cake or cookies…why not share half with a neighbor or friend who is unable to bake because of physical restraints or lack of time?
Offer someone a ride – to run errands, visit the doctor, or just visit another friend. Buy the 10-lb bag of potatoes that is cheaper than just purchasing just a few – and share the extras with a single person or elderly neighbors on fixed incomes. Offer to walk a friend’s dog while he/she recovers from an accident or illness. Ask a teacher if you can do anything to help him/her get ready for school this fall. There are name tags to cut out, bulletin boards to prepare…and children to watch while Mom and/or Dad spends the last days of summer vacation in the classroom working on projects.
In short, open your eyes and ears to the needs right around you. Not every act of “giving” involves money. And one of the best ways to give back to others is through prayer. We often say, “All I can do is pray.” What we fail to recognize is that often, prayer is not only the most important gift we can offer…it truly is enough!
I came away from today’s delivery with a humble heart and a renewed desire to be more open and available to the ways that I can serve the “poor and needy” in my own back yard. It’s was just the jolt I needed…and I hope I have motivated you, as well. Are you ready to open your heart and hands to the “poor and needy” in your midst? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 26, 2015
Colossians 3:8-10
But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits.
Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There was a time not so long ago when I could hardly bear to look at pictures of myself as a younger woman. I saw the “girl” in photos with long blond hair, a slender figure and tanned skin, and I wondered, “What in the world happened?!” Despite Greg’s best efforts to assure me that this 58-year-old version of “me” is totally fine, these pictures made me a little sad.
But I have come to terms with embracing the young woman in those pictures…and also the “older model” in more recent ones. Because you see, I hope that the woman I am today is more and more in step with who Jesus wants me to be. And that is the goal – or at least, it should be!
The more I know about Jesus – and the more I KNOW Him…the more I want to let go of things like judgment, anger, jealousy, gossip, bad attitudes, frustration, impatience, cynicism, skepticism, discrimination, and more…and emulate Him as closely as possible. I want to focus on finding joy in Him…trusting in His promises…and in the delight of sharing His message with others. I understand that I will miss the mark often…probably daily! But I keep trying!
There are still traces of the young woman in this older model…but I hope they are the better qualities! I am grateful that God has blessed me with good health and energy, so that I can be the wife, daughter, aunt, sister and friend that He has called me to be. I am thankful for opportunities to serve Him – at home, in my church and community…and in the world at large. I pray that He will continue to work in me so that I am constantly evolving and changing…for the better.
What about you? Are you stuck in a rut…still mired in the same ways and habits of your old, sinful life? Or have you fully committed to becoming a new creature in Christ? Have you embraced who Jesus is calling you to be…and are you working becoming that person? Are you making every effort to know Jesus better and to operate under the guidance of His Holy Spirit? Do you like who you are today…and more importantly, does Jesus like this “model” of you? Will this be the day that you let go of old ways and habits and go “all in” for Him? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits.
Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There was a time not so long ago when I could hardly bear to look at pictures of myself as a younger woman. I saw the “girl” in photos with long blond hair, a slender figure and tanned skin, and I wondered, “What in the world happened?!” Despite Greg’s best efforts to assure me that this 58-year-old version of “me” is totally fine, these pictures made me a little sad.
But I have come to terms with embracing the young woman in those pictures…and also the “older model” in more recent ones. Because you see, I hope that the woman I am today is more and more in step with who Jesus wants me to be. And that is the goal – or at least, it should be!
The more I know about Jesus – and the more I KNOW Him…the more I want to let go of things like judgment, anger, jealousy, gossip, bad attitudes, frustration, impatience, cynicism, skepticism, discrimination, and more…and emulate Him as closely as possible. I want to focus on finding joy in Him…trusting in His promises…and in the delight of sharing His message with others. I understand that I will miss the mark often…probably daily! But I keep trying!
There are still traces of the young woman in this older model…but I hope they are the better qualities! I am grateful that God has blessed me with good health and energy, so that I can be the wife, daughter, aunt, sister and friend that He has called me to be. I am thankful for opportunities to serve Him – at home, in my church and community…and in the world at large. I pray that He will continue to work in me so that I am constantly evolving and changing…for the better.
What about you? Are you stuck in a rut…still mired in the same ways and habits of your old, sinful life? Or have you fully committed to becoming a new creature in Christ? Have you embraced who Jesus is calling you to be…and are you working becoming that person? Are you making every effort to know Jesus better and to operate under the guidance of His Holy Spirit? Do you like who you are today…and more importantly, does Jesus like this “model” of you? Will this be the day that you let go of old ways and habits and go “all in” for Him? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 25, 2015
Colossians 3:12-14
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I have a serious allergy, so I wear a medical alert bracelet any time I leave the house. I wouldn’t dream of going away from home without this “allergy bracelet”…and the two or three times that I have forgotten to wear it, I felt almost naked. Last year on my birthday, my cousin gave me a slender leather bracelet that is stamped with the words, “only love today.” This is supposed to remind me that love is what really matters. Again, I rarely leave home without wearing this bracelet, either.
As for “all-purpose garments,” we probably all have one or two favorite items in our closet. But on any given day, our attire can send completely different signals to the world. When we are “dressed to the nines,” people may think we are either 1) going somewhere fancy; or 2) “putting on airs”…when in fact, we just felt like dressing up – or we felt that a nicer outfit boosted our mood. If we are dressed in shabby clothing, people may mistakenly decide that we cannot afford nice clothing…or that we don’t care about our appearance…when all we had in mind was working in the yard or cleaning our house! Our “garments” and appearance say a lot about us…and not always what we intended!
I will admit that I often spend too much time trying to figure out what to wear. I heard evangelist Joyce Meyer talk about this once, and she said she very clearly heard God say to her, “Oh, good grief, Joyce…just put on something and GO!” This has resonated with me…particularly in light of this scripture passage.
If what we choose to “put on and GO” is God’s love, we will never be dressed improperly. If we remember to put on the “hats, scarves, bracelets and earrings,” of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline, even-temperedness, contentment and forgiveness, we will always be in style and ready for anything.
When people look at us and see these characteristics that clearly define the life of Jesus Christ…they actually see Him - through us. Isn’t that our goal? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I have a serious allergy, so I wear a medical alert bracelet any time I leave the house. I wouldn’t dream of going away from home without this “allergy bracelet”…and the two or three times that I have forgotten to wear it, I felt almost naked. Last year on my birthday, my cousin gave me a slender leather bracelet that is stamped with the words, “only love today.” This is supposed to remind me that love is what really matters. Again, I rarely leave home without wearing this bracelet, either.
As for “all-purpose garments,” we probably all have one or two favorite items in our closet. But on any given day, our attire can send completely different signals to the world. When we are “dressed to the nines,” people may think we are either 1) going somewhere fancy; or 2) “putting on airs”…when in fact, we just felt like dressing up – or we felt that a nicer outfit boosted our mood. If we are dressed in shabby clothing, people may mistakenly decide that we cannot afford nice clothing…or that we don’t care about our appearance…when all we had in mind was working in the yard or cleaning our house! Our “garments” and appearance say a lot about us…and not always what we intended!
I will admit that I often spend too much time trying to figure out what to wear. I heard evangelist Joyce Meyer talk about this once, and she said she very clearly heard God say to her, “Oh, good grief, Joyce…just put on something and GO!” This has resonated with me…particularly in light of this scripture passage.
If what we choose to “put on and GO” is God’s love, we will never be dressed improperly. If we remember to put on the “hats, scarves, bracelets and earrings,” of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline, even-temperedness, contentment and forgiveness, we will always be in style and ready for anything.
When people look at us and see these characteristics that clearly define the life of Jesus Christ…they actually see Him - through us. Isn’t that our goal? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 24, 2015
Colossians 3:1-2
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
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.
Greg and I have been watching a special series on CNN called “The Seventies.” We are finding these hour-long looks at the past especially interesting because this was “our era.” Several BIG things happened to us in the 1970s…and this “trip down Memory Lane” has been good for us. We have been reminded of happy times…but our memories have also been jogged about several events that we had put out of our thoughts – if not altogether forgotten. In particular, we watched a segment recently that noted serial killers like the Hillside Strangler and Ted Bundy - and the cult activities of Charles Manson and Jim Jones.
We get so caught up in what is happening in our world today – and it IS tragic, in many instances. But we forget that these things are not new – or necessarily worse. The terrible shootings and acts of violence occurring today had a counterpart in prior decades. We’ve had plenty to hang our heads about. I remember being a new bride in 1975 when Saigon fell…and wondering what lay ahead for all of us…and my mother tells of rocking me as an infant during the Cuban Missile Crisis and worrying about the same things.
So what does this have to do with these verses in Colossians 3? I believe we have a choice…particularly as Christians. We can hang our heads and talk “gloom and doom.” We can wring our hands and worry about what the world is coming to. Or we can lift our heads, stand up straight and tall, and say, “I serve a God who is fully in control, and I trust Him to make things right.” We can live - and love others - in a way that fosters this concept. When others ask us how we are, we can genuinely answer, “I am well” – regardless of what is happening in our lives.
“But that’s dishonest!” you may say. And I would have to respectfully disagree. Because if we truly believe in God’s promises…if we are confident that Jesus is who He says He is…that He died for our sins and prepares an Eternal home for us in Heaven…then we truly are well. There may be troubles at every turn…we may be sick or injured, hurting from grief or disappointment, struggling to pay bills and worried about the troubled person who may sit next to us in a movie theater with a gun or come after us because we don’t agree with his/her views – on anything!
But we serve a God who is bigger than ALL of this…and He will never let us down. So stand tall, lift your chin, put on a smile, and BE WELL! Speak positively, and let others know that you serve a God who is in complete control…and that they can, too! Recognize that there is nothing new under the sun…and what God did for previous generations, He will do for us, also.
We serve an awesome God who totally has our back every minute of the day. It’s time for us to stand up and act like we believe it!
©2015 Debbie Robus
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
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.
Greg and I have been watching a special series on CNN called “The Seventies.” We are finding these hour-long looks at the past especially interesting because this was “our era.” Several BIG things happened to us in the 1970s…and this “trip down Memory Lane” has been good for us. We have been reminded of happy times…but our memories have also been jogged about several events that we had put out of our thoughts – if not altogether forgotten. In particular, we watched a segment recently that noted serial killers like the Hillside Strangler and Ted Bundy - and the cult activities of Charles Manson and Jim Jones.
We get so caught up in what is happening in our world today – and it IS tragic, in many instances. But we forget that these things are not new – or necessarily worse. The terrible shootings and acts of violence occurring today had a counterpart in prior decades. We’ve had plenty to hang our heads about. I remember being a new bride in 1975 when Saigon fell…and wondering what lay ahead for all of us…and my mother tells of rocking me as an infant during the Cuban Missile Crisis and worrying about the same things.
So what does this have to do with these verses in Colossians 3? I believe we have a choice…particularly as Christians. We can hang our heads and talk “gloom and doom.” We can wring our hands and worry about what the world is coming to. Or we can lift our heads, stand up straight and tall, and say, “I serve a God who is fully in control, and I trust Him to make things right.” We can live - and love others - in a way that fosters this concept. When others ask us how we are, we can genuinely answer, “I am well” – regardless of what is happening in our lives.
“But that’s dishonest!” you may say. And I would have to respectfully disagree. Because if we truly believe in God’s promises…if we are confident that Jesus is who He says He is…that He died for our sins and prepares an Eternal home for us in Heaven…then we truly are well. There may be troubles at every turn…we may be sick or injured, hurting from grief or disappointment, struggling to pay bills and worried about the troubled person who may sit next to us in a movie theater with a gun or come after us because we don’t agree with his/her views – on anything!
But we serve a God who is bigger than ALL of this…and He will never let us down. So stand tall, lift your chin, put on a smile, and BE WELL! Speak positively, and let others know that you serve a God who is in complete control…and that they can, too! Recognize that there is nothing new under the sun…and what God did for previous generations, He will do for us, also.
We serve an awesome God who totally has our back every minute of the day. It’s time for us to stand up and act like we believe it!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 23, 2015
1 Peter 3:9
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Politics is like a magnet for me these days…no matter how much I try to refrain from the pull of the “banter” and “he said/she said” – or stories about the latest big “hoopie-do” – I have trouble resisting. I really don’t want to get sucked in and spend my time watching and listening – but I find that sometimes I cannot tear myself away. And it is good to be informed…but only to a point.
Lately, a lot of what has been reported is simply a back-and-forth exchange of ugly attacks. Last Saturday, one candidate stated a very ugly opinion about a U.S. Senator who was captured in Vietnam and held for five years as a prisoner of war. To this senator’s credit, he did not retaliate. Oh, don’t worry – plenty of other people came to his “rescue” and let this candidate have it for the horrible thing that he said. But the “victim” merely asked that this person apologize to other veterans who were collectively disrespected by the comments.
From an early age, we are given mixed signals…”Don’t hit back!” ...”Take the high road!”…”Treat others as you wish to be treated.” And then when a child bites another, some adults will bite that child. Or children hit each other – and get a spanking! So we often grow up picking and choosing when to follow “the Golden Rule” – and when to repay evil for evil. Often, we lash out when we are hurt or vulnerable. Someone betrays us in some manner, so we make an ugly comment about him/her…or post something unkind on social media – even if only a thinly veiled cartoon or quote that everyone knows references the person who hurt us.
We lash out…and beg forgiveness later. In the heat of the moment, we lose our temper and tell someone “how we really feel.” We strike out in moments of profound frustration and disappointment. I get it! This is human nature…and we are humans!
But God has told us that He will handle all of these things for us. If we really, truly believe Him…we have to let Him do this. We have to demonstrate to others – and to God – that we are fully confident that He will take care of those who wrong us…that vengeance really will belong to Him. More importantly, we have to demonstrate that God will get us through tough situations…that He is bigger than any betrayal, evil act, ugly comment or unkind gesture – and that in and through Him, we are bigger, too.
This is one of the toughest characteristics of a Christian disciple that we are called to demonstrate. But it is also one of the most important. When we hold our tongue, carry on with our head and shoulders held high, and walk in the love of Jesus Christ where most would have fallen apart and shown out, people notice – and God is glorified.
Let’s spend some time in prayer and meditation today and ask God to strengthen us in this area. Let’s learn to bask in the blessings and satisfaction of knowing that we “let go and let God.” Instead of biting back, let’s bite our tongue…and walk away with our head held high. And let’s pray that our political candidates and others learn to do the same!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Politics is like a magnet for me these days…no matter how much I try to refrain from the pull of the “banter” and “he said/she said” – or stories about the latest big “hoopie-do” – I have trouble resisting. I really don’t want to get sucked in and spend my time watching and listening – but I find that sometimes I cannot tear myself away. And it is good to be informed…but only to a point.
Lately, a lot of what has been reported is simply a back-and-forth exchange of ugly attacks. Last Saturday, one candidate stated a very ugly opinion about a U.S. Senator who was captured in Vietnam and held for five years as a prisoner of war. To this senator’s credit, he did not retaliate. Oh, don’t worry – plenty of other people came to his “rescue” and let this candidate have it for the horrible thing that he said. But the “victim” merely asked that this person apologize to other veterans who were collectively disrespected by the comments.
From an early age, we are given mixed signals…”Don’t hit back!” ...”Take the high road!”…”Treat others as you wish to be treated.” And then when a child bites another, some adults will bite that child. Or children hit each other – and get a spanking! So we often grow up picking and choosing when to follow “the Golden Rule” – and when to repay evil for evil. Often, we lash out when we are hurt or vulnerable. Someone betrays us in some manner, so we make an ugly comment about him/her…or post something unkind on social media – even if only a thinly veiled cartoon or quote that everyone knows references the person who hurt us.
We lash out…and beg forgiveness later. In the heat of the moment, we lose our temper and tell someone “how we really feel.” We strike out in moments of profound frustration and disappointment. I get it! This is human nature…and we are humans!
But God has told us that He will handle all of these things for us. If we really, truly believe Him…we have to let Him do this. We have to demonstrate to others – and to God – that we are fully confident that He will take care of those who wrong us…that vengeance really will belong to Him. More importantly, we have to demonstrate that God will get us through tough situations…that He is bigger than any betrayal, evil act, ugly comment or unkind gesture – and that in and through Him, we are bigger, too.
This is one of the toughest characteristics of a Christian disciple that we are called to demonstrate. But it is also one of the most important. When we hold our tongue, carry on with our head and shoulders held high, and walk in the love of Jesus Christ where most would have fallen apart and shown out, people notice – and God is glorified.
Let’s spend some time in prayer and meditation today and ask God to strengthen us in this area. Let’s learn to bask in the blessings and satisfaction of knowing that we “let go and let God.” Instead of biting back, let’s bite our tongue…and walk away with our head held high. And let’s pray that our political candidates and others learn to do the same!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 22, 2015
1 John 4:8
But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God—for God is love.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My friend Michael shared a link on Facebook to a devotional blog written for the United Church of Christ website by Matthew Laney, Senior Minister of Asylum Hill Congregational Church, UCC, in Hartford, Connecticut. The title of this post is “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin?*”…and Laney notes that he has never been a fan of this phrase. He adds that this comment has been used frequently in reference to members of the LGBTQ community.
But lately, Laney has found himself making (or thinking) the same comment with regard to fellow “Christians” who want to disrespect and discriminate against others. Have a brother or sister in Christ who is vocal about a certain person or group of people? “Love the sinner…hate the sin.” Know someone who “is truly a good person”…AND a bigot? “Love the sinner…hate the sin.” Sit on a pew with someone who sings praises to God every Sunday and then rants at the coffee shop all week about this leader or issue or another (with off-color, hate-filled jokes included)? “Love the sinner…hate his/her sin.”
Laney says that he came to the conclusion that this sentiment…”always struck me as a way to feign love for someone right before kicking them in the teeth!” He suggests that instead, we try to “do what Jesus did…love the sinner and love the sinner some more - and pray the prayer He prayed: ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’”
I’ll be honest…I have spent the better part of a day trying to create a mental list of Christians in my personal “circle” who consistently operate in the love of Christ…whose tone is never critical or condescending…and I’ve come up with a terribly short list - and I’m not sure I could even put myself on it! Why is this? I believe it’s because we are human…and sinners…and none of us is perfect. But I DID come up with a list of people I know and love who demonstrate Jesus’ love and acceptance of others pretty consistently…people who I know without any doubt have the goal of loving the sinner – and then loving him/her some more. And as the old gospel hymn says, “Oh, LORD, I want to be in that number!”
Let’s make this the day that we truly begin to “walk the walk” that lines up with our “talk.” Let’s show others how much we love God by only speaking kindly…with love, acceptance, grace and mercy. Let’s demonstrate with every breath and movement that we have fully committed our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ…that we acknowledge that we are ALL sinners in some way – and our job is not to judge another in any way/shape/form. Let’s ask God to forgive ALL sinners…even those whose “sin” is that of deriding or rejecting others. Let’s remove the phrase, “love the sinner, hate the sin” from our vocabulary…and our daily living. If we truly know God and love Him, this should be a no-brainer. Are you with me?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* http://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional_love_the_sinner_hate_the_sin
But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God—for God is love.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My friend Michael shared a link on Facebook to a devotional blog written for the United Church of Christ website by Matthew Laney, Senior Minister of Asylum Hill Congregational Church, UCC, in Hartford, Connecticut. The title of this post is “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin?*”…and Laney notes that he has never been a fan of this phrase. He adds that this comment has been used frequently in reference to members of the LGBTQ community.
But lately, Laney has found himself making (or thinking) the same comment with regard to fellow “Christians” who want to disrespect and discriminate against others. Have a brother or sister in Christ who is vocal about a certain person or group of people? “Love the sinner…hate the sin.” Know someone who “is truly a good person”…AND a bigot? “Love the sinner…hate the sin.” Sit on a pew with someone who sings praises to God every Sunday and then rants at the coffee shop all week about this leader or issue or another (with off-color, hate-filled jokes included)? “Love the sinner…hate his/her sin.”
Laney says that he came to the conclusion that this sentiment…”always struck me as a way to feign love for someone right before kicking them in the teeth!” He suggests that instead, we try to “do what Jesus did…love the sinner and love the sinner some more - and pray the prayer He prayed: ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’”
I’ll be honest…I have spent the better part of a day trying to create a mental list of Christians in my personal “circle” who consistently operate in the love of Christ…whose tone is never critical or condescending…and I’ve come up with a terribly short list - and I’m not sure I could even put myself on it! Why is this? I believe it’s because we are human…and sinners…and none of us is perfect. But I DID come up with a list of people I know and love who demonstrate Jesus’ love and acceptance of others pretty consistently…people who I know without any doubt have the goal of loving the sinner – and then loving him/her some more. And as the old gospel hymn says, “Oh, LORD, I want to be in that number!”
Let’s make this the day that we truly begin to “walk the walk” that lines up with our “talk.” Let’s show others how much we love God by only speaking kindly…with love, acceptance, grace and mercy. Let’s demonstrate with every breath and movement that we have fully committed our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ…that we acknowledge that we are ALL sinners in some way – and our job is not to judge another in any way/shape/form. Let’s ask God to forgive ALL sinners…even those whose “sin” is that of deriding or rejecting others. Let’s remove the phrase, “love the sinner, hate the sin” from our vocabulary…and our daily living. If we truly know God and love Him, this should be a no-brainer. Are you with me?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* http://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional_love_the_sinner_hate_the_sin
Daily Devotional for July 21, 2015
1 John 4:20
If anyone says, "I love God," but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn't love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen?
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Last week as we drove to the gas station, Timothy was seated in the back of the vehicle, and he began to make loud, silly noises. I asked him to stop. He persisted. Suddenly from the middle row seating, I heard Zola say, “Timothy! Do you want her to turn this car around and take you home?” Timothy did not answer. Then I heard almost-three-year-old Nathan chime in…”Well…DO you?” The noises stopped…and I could barely contain my laughter to drive. In that little snippet of conversation, I realized how our children truly see us. It’s true…if you listen, your children will tell you how you really sound!
Our children learn at an early age to mirror our thoughts and feelings. So a lot of us grow up with prejudice – and even hatred – that is really not our own, but rather that of our parents, other adults, society, and our peers. We learn to dislike people of another race…but our justifications make no sense. We lump people into collective groups…as in “THEY are all this way or that”…or “I do not like the XYZs or the PDQs”. When truly questioned about our reasoning…we have no explanation that is rooted in personal experience – or one that makes much sense.
I ask you…what injustice or “wrong” has been personally done to you by someone of another race or ethnicity? Why do you have such a disdain for people whose sexual orientation is different from yours? What’s it to you if a person practices another religion – or no religion at all? Did another person’s poverty or lack of education or opportunity cause you to literally miss a meal or a chance to be and do whatever you wanted with your own life? How are you personally and directly affected by another person’s race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, political preference, or sexual orientation?
If we are honest, we often don’t really know the people we disparage. We start out parroting what we have heard from others…and soon we have internalized it. The next thing you know, we are posting social media references to “God and Country” one minute…and spewing hate and venom toward a particular person or group in the next…and we see no problem with this!
I have to tell you, I am struggling these days to find my “church,” because a lot of people with whom I’ve worshipped and associated with for decades are schizophrenic. They SAY they love God and want to serve Him…they never hesitate to ask for prayer – or to offer to pray for someone else. They “serve” in ministries and give of their “time, talents and money.” And then they bash everyone from people on welfare and those in the LBGTQ community to our president and his cabinet…and anyone they deem to have a different opinion from theirs – in any arena. Worse yet, they excuse this behavior by falsely assuming that everyone else agrees with them…especially God.
I’m giving some of us an “out” by blaming our upbringing and environment. But it’s time we all grew up! The time has come to give our thoughts and ideas a thorough examination in light of God’s word…to see where we have made decisions and comments that offend not only a person or a group, but God Almighty…to ask God to show us how to operate in the love of Christ and kick the devil’s hatred to the curb. We are not a four-year-old echoing her parents’ admonition to an older brother. And we are most certainly not echoing the voice of our Heavenly Father. But we need to be…and the shift in attitude can begin today.
Will you spend some time with God and ask Him to correct your thinking? Will this be the day that you begin to live, speak and act in a way that says, “I KNOW the Father Whom I have not seen…and I love because He first loved me?” Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
If anyone says, "I love God," but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn't love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen?
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Last week as we drove to the gas station, Timothy was seated in the back of the vehicle, and he began to make loud, silly noises. I asked him to stop. He persisted. Suddenly from the middle row seating, I heard Zola say, “Timothy! Do you want her to turn this car around and take you home?” Timothy did not answer. Then I heard almost-three-year-old Nathan chime in…”Well…DO you?” The noises stopped…and I could barely contain my laughter to drive. In that little snippet of conversation, I realized how our children truly see us. It’s true…if you listen, your children will tell you how you really sound!
Our children learn at an early age to mirror our thoughts and feelings. So a lot of us grow up with prejudice – and even hatred – that is really not our own, but rather that of our parents, other adults, society, and our peers. We learn to dislike people of another race…but our justifications make no sense. We lump people into collective groups…as in “THEY are all this way or that”…or “I do not like the XYZs or the PDQs”. When truly questioned about our reasoning…we have no explanation that is rooted in personal experience – or one that makes much sense.
I ask you…what injustice or “wrong” has been personally done to you by someone of another race or ethnicity? Why do you have such a disdain for people whose sexual orientation is different from yours? What’s it to you if a person practices another religion – or no religion at all? Did another person’s poverty or lack of education or opportunity cause you to literally miss a meal or a chance to be and do whatever you wanted with your own life? How are you personally and directly affected by another person’s race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, political preference, or sexual orientation?
If we are honest, we often don’t really know the people we disparage. We start out parroting what we have heard from others…and soon we have internalized it. The next thing you know, we are posting social media references to “God and Country” one minute…and spewing hate and venom toward a particular person or group in the next…and we see no problem with this!
I have to tell you, I am struggling these days to find my “church,” because a lot of people with whom I’ve worshipped and associated with for decades are schizophrenic. They SAY they love God and want to serve Him…they never hesitate to ask for prayer – or to offer to pray for someone else. They “serve” in ministries and give of their “time, talents and money.” And then they bash everyone from people on welfare and those in the LBGTQ community to our president and his cabinet…and anyone they deem to have a different opinion from theirs – in any arena. Worse yet, they excuse this behavior by falsely assuming that everyone else agrees with them…especially God.
I’m giving some of us an “out” by blaming our upbringing and environment. But it’s time we all grew up! The time has come to give our thoughts and ideas a thorough examination in light of God’s word…to see where we have made decisions and comments that offend not only a person or a group, but God Almighty…to ask God to show us how to operate in the love of Christ and kick the devil’s hatred to the curb. We are not a four-year-old echoing her parents’ admonition to an older brother. And we are most certainly not echoing the voice of our Heavenly Father. But we need to be…and the shift in attitude can begin today.
Will you spend some time with God and ask Him to correct your thinking? Will this be the day that you begin to live, speak and act in a way that says, “I KNOW the Father Whom I have not seen…and I love because He first loved me?” Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 20, 2015
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud…
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Dr. Randy Hyde, Senior Pastor at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, delivered a sermon on July 5, 2015, titled “Conversations About Freedom.” I encourage you to go to http://www.phbclr.com/members/sermons/sermon/?id=252 and read the message for yourself.
Dr. Hyde shares an exchange he had with a retired and newly widowed friend in Baltimore who took a job at Walmart as a greeter. When Hyde returned for a visit recently, the man expressed to his former pastor that he was not sure how to relate to the large number of customers who shopped in his store who were Muslim. It was not that the man felt animosity or disdain toward these people because of their religious preferences or ethnicity. But he was at a lost about how to relate to them…and how to share His Christian faith with them. Dr. Hyde sensed that this quandary was greatly troubling his friend.
Again, I encourage you to read the sermon for yourself (it’s fairly brief, but full of good stuff!)…but Dr. Hyde says that he didn’t have a lot of time to visit with this man and give him a decent answer. After returning home, he pulled his thoughts together in the form of this message. Essentially, the pastor wishes he had told his friend that when people come into Walmart, they are seeking more than a bottle of shampoo or a bag of mulch…they are seeking love and acceptance…and the freedom to be who they are without fear of persecution or intimidation.
Now, you may think this is a stretch…but consider your own life. As you travel through your day, how do you react to the words and actions of others? Can a friendly smile change your attitude? Can one glance or a comment that you construe as negative or critical ruin your whole morning or afternoon? Do you ever feel judged just by the way people look at you and react to you? Does something as basic and simple as a wave and greeting at Walmart – or the lack thereof - have an impact on your demeanor?
Too often, we underestimate the power of a loving gesture. We fail to see the effect that a smile can have on another person. We take for granted the person who strives to be patient, humble and speak softly with a tone of grace and acceptance. We remember people who treat us unkindly, criticize or judge, and speak negatively. But we also remember those who are loving and merciful…those who offer words of encouragement and offer positive “vibes.” We remember people who smile a lot and seem to be filled with joy most of the time!
Which do you suppose has more of an impact on others? Which best represents Jesus Christ and His message? Which draws others in rather than creating a divide? Where would you rather land in this equation…and where do you think God wants you to be?
Dr. Hyde concluded his thoughts by saying that “kindness and faith come from the same Source”…and I believe that we can draw more people to Jesus with a spirit of love, patience, kindness and humility than we could ever reach with a thousand sermons or criticisms. It is no small thing that one of Jesus’ greatest commandments to us is to “love one another.” A smile and a positive attitude are pretty good places to start…and in doing so, we represent the love of Jesus Christ.
When we create an atmosphere where all people feel accepted and free to be themselves, we are demonstrating our confidence that Jesus was right all along in how He treated people…and we make room for Him to work in ways great and small. What does your demeanor say to others about your Christian faith? Are you a walking – and welcoming – example of the love of Christ? Don’t you think you should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud…
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Dr. Randy Hyde, Senior Pastor at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, delivered a sermon on July 5, 2015, titled “Conversations About Freedom.” I encourage you to go to http://www.phbclr.com/members/sermons/sermon/?id=252 and read the message for yourself.
Dr. Hyde shares an exchange he had with a retired and newly widowed friend in Baltimore who took a job at Walmart as a greeter. When Hyde returned for a visit recently, the man expressed to his former pastor that he was not sure how to relate to the large number of customers who shopped in his store who were Muslim. It was not that the man felt animosity or disdain toward these people because of their religious preferences or ethnicity. But he was at a lost about how to relate to them…and how to share His Christian faith with them. Dr. Hyde sensed that this quandary was greatly troubling his friend.
Again, I encourage you to read the sermon for yourself (it’s fairly brief, but full of good stuff!)…but Dr. Hyde says that he didn’t have a lot of time to visit with this man and give him a decent answer. After returning home, he pulled his thoughts together in the form of this message. Essentially, the pastor wishes he had told his friend that when people come into Walmart, they are seeking more than a bottle of shampoo or a bag of mulch…they are seeking love and acceptance…and the freedom to be who they are without fear of persecution or intimidation.
Now, you may think this is a stretch…but consider your own life. As you travel through your day, how do you react to the words and actions of others? Can a friendly smile change your attitude? Can one glance or a comment that you construe as negative or critical ruin your whole morning or afternoon? Do you ever feel judged just by the way people look at you and react to you? Does something as basic and simple as a wave and greeting at Walmart – or the lack thereof - have an impact on your demeanor?
Too often, we underestimate the power of a loving gesture. We fail to see the effect that a smile can have on another person. We take for granted the person who strives to be patient, humble and speak softly with a tone of grace and acceptance. We remember people who treat us unkindly, criticize or judge, and speak negatively. But we also remember those who are loving and merciful…those who offer words of encouragement and offer positive “vibes.” We remember people who smile a lot and seem to be filled with joy most of the time!
Which do you suppose has more of an impact on others? Which best represents Jesus Christ and His message? Which draws others in rather than creating a divide? Where would you rather land in this equation…and where do you think God wants you to be?
Dr. Hyde concluded his thoughts by saying that “kindness and faith come from the same Source”…and I believe that we can draw more people to Jesus with a spirit of love, patience, kindness and humility than we could ever reach with a thousand sermons or criticisms. It is no small thing that one of Jesus’ greatest commandments to us is to “love one another.” A smile and a positive attitude are pretty good places to start…and in doing so, we represent the love of Jesus Christ.
When we create an atmosphere where all people feel accepted and free to be themselves, we are demonstrating our confidence that Jesus was right all along in how He treated people…and we make room for Him to work in ways great and small. What does your demeanor say to others about your Christian faith? Are you a walking – and welcoming – example of the love of Christ? Don’t you think you should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 19, 2015
1 Corinthians 10:24
Don’t think only of yourself. Try to think of the other fellow, too, and what is best for him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I recently read on Facebook about a woman who overheard fellow students at a class reunion discussing her weight gain. They had no clue what “life” had dealt her…the hardships, health issues and heartaches that had led to this change in her appearance. They didn’t see her…they saw her size – and judged her accordingly. When a friend became engaged a year or so after his wife died suddenly, the mother of the new bride told me...“Jack* says he never knew what love was until he met my daughter.” This man's first wife had been my friend. This ill-spoken statement was probably not meant to disrespect her…but it truly was hurtful. More than once in my adult life, someone has reminded me that I am not a mother…in the context of “you could not possibly understand [because you have not physically given birth to a child].” Greg and I were childless by choice when I became unable to bear children in my late 20s. Never in a million years did we think we would be so personally involved in the lives of babies and small children - especially in our retirement years. But this has indeed been the case, and we love our little ones dearly. So when these remarks were made, they truly stung. While I have forgiven those who spoke them…they left a lasting imprint on my heart.
I get it…people often say to someone, “Until you have children of your own, you will never understand XYZ.” Being intimately involved with little ones on a regular basis does give one insights and empathy that only come from personal experience. But you don’t have to literally be a mother or father to understand these feelings. And because of my own experiences, I will never utter this statement to someone else.
It's human nature to whisper and say, "The years have not been kind to him/her" or to say something in the joy/heat of the moment that can potentially insult or injure another. But God wants us to think before we speak…to ask Him to guide our thoughts and words…to carefully consider what we are about to say or do – and how it will affect others. The pervading question we should answer is whether what we are about to express will make others look at us as Disciples of Christ and say, “I want to serve Him for myself!” If the answer is negative, it’s probably better to either rephrase our sentiments…or to keep our mouths shut!
When you dare to speak ill of our President and other political leaders, consider that there may be those in your presence who do not share your feelings. If you criticize or disparage people of different races, ethnicities, or members of the LGBTQ community, remember that there may be people listening who are either a part of that group – or know and love someone who is. When you condemn the parent in the check-out line or a public venue with screaming kids, you are speaking without knowledge of his/her back story – and possibly making an unfair judgment. When you sneer at another person’s appearance…dress, body art, hair color, size and more…you are saying, “You are less than...” and giving them the impression that God could never love someone like them. When you deride people whose religious beliefs are different from yours, you are widening the chasm between us and them…and making the case for Christ even more unappealing to them.
So what is one to do? Are we never to have opinions? Absolutely not! But we must consider at every turn what Jesus would say and do. How would He react to these people and situations? We must make every effort to show His grace, mercy, love and acceptance to others…even those who spout opinions willy-nilly with little to no regard for the other guy’s feelings!
I’ll admit…I have a hard time with this sometimes. But the only opinion that truly matters is God’s…and I consider it a great lesson in faith-building to stop, look and listen to Him before I act or speak. I highly recommend that we all take a long hard look at our faith walk…that we trade insults for intentional discipleship…and that we pay closer attention to what we say and do as Christ’s representatives. In doing this, we become the people that God has called us to be. We will all be better for it…and Jesus Christ will be glorified. Isn’t that the point?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Don’t think only of yourself. Try to think of the other fellow, too, and what is best for him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I recently read on Facebook about a woman who overheard fellow students at a class reunion discussing her weight gain. They had no clue what “life” had dealt her…the hardships, health issues and heartaches that had led to this change in her appearance. They didn’t see her…they saw her size – and judged her accordingly. When a friend became engaged a year or so after his wife died suddenly, the mother of the new bride told me...“Jack* says he never knew what love was until he met my daughter.” This man's first wife had been my friend. This ill-spoken statement was probably not meant to disrespect her…but it truly was hurtful. More than once in my adult life, someone has reminded me that I am not a mother…in the context of “you could not possibly understand [because you have not physically given birth to a child].” Greg and I were childless by choice when I became unable to bear children in my late 20s. Never in a million years did we think we would be so personally involved in the lives of babies and small children - especially in our retirement years. But this has indeed been the case, and we love our little ones dearly. So when these remarks were made, they truly stung. While I have forgiven those who spoke them…they left a lasting imprint on my heart.
I get it…people often say to someone, “Until you have children of your own, you will never understand XYZ.” Being intimately involved with little ones on a regular basis does give one insights and empathy that only come from personal experience. But you don’t have to literally be a mother or father to understand these feelings. And because of my own experiences, I will never utter this statement to someone else.
It's human nature to whisper and say, "The years have not been kind to him/her" or to say something in the joy/heat of the moment that can potentially insult or injure another. But God wants us to think before we speak…to ask Him to guide our thoughts and words…to carefully consider what we are about to say or do – and how it will affect others. The pervading question we should answer is whether what we are about to express will make others look at us as Disciples of Christ and say, “I want to serve Him for myself!” If the answer is negative, it’s probably better to either rephrase our sentiments…or to keep our mouths shut!
When you dare to speak ill of our President and other political leaders, consider that there may be those in your presence who do not share your feelings. If you criticize or disparage people of different races, ethnicities, or members of the LGBTQ community, remember that there may be people listening who are either a part of that group – or know and love someone who is. When you condemn the parent in the check-out line or a public venue with screaming kids, you are speaking without knowledge of his/her back story – and possibly making an unfair judgment. When you sneer at another person’s appearance…dress, body art, hair color, size and more…you are saying, “You are less than...” and giving them the impression that God could never love someone like them. When you deride people whose religious beliefs are different from yours, you are widening the chasm between us and them…and making the case for Christ even more unappealing to them.
So what is one to do? Are we never to have opinions? Absolutely not! But we must consider at every turn what Jesus would say and do. How would He react to these people and situations? We must make every effort to show His grace, mercy, love and acceptance to others…even those who spout opinions willy-nilly with little to no regard for the other guy’s feelings!
I’ll admit…I have a hard time with this sometimes. But the only opinion that truly matters is God’s…and I consider it a great lesson in faith-building to stop, look and listen to Him before I act or speak. I highly recommend that we all take a long hard look at our faith walk…that we trade insults for intentional discipleship…and that we pay closer attention to what we say and do as Christ’s representatives. In doing this, we become the people that God has called us to be. We will all be better for it…and Jesus Christ will be glorified. Isn’t that the point?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 18, 2015
Romans 8:31-39
What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? It is exactly as the Scriptures say,
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A Facebook friend posted today that 16 years ago, a high school classmate of hers was involved in an accident that ultimately took the life of a pedestrian. It was dark…the intersection was poorly marked and dangerous…and a man stepped out into the path of this girl’s car. Some 29 years later, the man’s daughter sent this driver a scathing “anniversary message” to tell her that she caused the man’s death. In the most vile language possible, this daughter wished the driver a life of misery and condemned her for the incident that occurred nearly three decades ago.
In the comments to this post, another friend noted that her father died seven years ago, after his motorcycle hit a deer. It was night time, the man was wearing rain gear, and a nursing student mistook him for a garbage bag…and subsequently ran over him. At the memorial for this man, his wife invited the driver to share Thanksgiving and Christmas with her family. One of these families fully understands and embraces this passage in Romans 8…the other has a long way to go.
A couple of weeks ago when the Supreme Court issued its ruling on same sex marriages, many people changed their avatar on Facebook to have a rainbow overlay. The White House was illuminated in multi-colored lighting. This signified that the long fight for same sex couples was over…that they can now enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples, including shared health care and death benefits, the ability to qualify for public housing, the right to joint adoption, and much more.
For those of us who have gay loved ones and friends, this was indeed a day to celebrate. Perhaps you disagree…and that is your right. But a day or two after this ruling, I was with a group of Christian women who declared that “It’s God’s rainbow, and we want it back.” I cannot tell you how devastating this comment was to me…and to others. And I’ll admit – I am struggling against passing judgment on those who spoke it. Clearly some of us have embraced the words from the Apostle Paul…while others are still works in progress.
For countless Christians who happen to be gay, this type of talk from brothers and sisters in Christ is dumbfounding. It goes against everything Paul is telling the Romans in these verses. If we are God’s children…His chosen ones for whom He sent Jesus to die on a cross, how can any fellow Christian fail to accept us? I say this on behalf of not only those whose sexual orientation is different from ours…but also for those whose politics are different, those who choose to look and dress differently, those who don’t make as much money or live in a neighborhood as nice as ours - or drive a car as big and expensive as the one we drive.
I say this on behalf of those whose skin is a different color, or those who come from a different country and may speak with an accent. I say this on behalf of those whose ethnicity is different from ours. I say this on behalf of devastated people who have had to grapple with the aftermath of tragic accidents – including the pain and bitterness of victims’ families.
We are called to love all people…those who believe as we do – and those who do not. Why? Because this is how God loves us! Nothing can separate us from God’s love. It is His utmost desire that all who He created come to know Jesus. How will we ever manage this if we show such disdain and disgust toward others?
I am not asking you to change your opinions about gay marriage…people of other ethnicities, races and religions…or your politics. I am not discounting pain and suffering…or the feelings of those who feel victimized. As I pointed out to Timothy recently, we have freedom of choice. Judgment of others’ decisions is not ours. Leave that to God.
I echo the words of the Apostle Paul…“If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them?” Who are you judging…and in doing so, who are you mistreating? It is God’s rainbow…but He shared it with all.of.us! His gift of Jesus was for everyone who will accept Him. It’s time we started honoring God’s gifts instead of using them to discriminate and disparage others. “In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Is your conduct reflecting this victory - and more? Don’t you think it’s time it did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? It is exactly as the Scriptures say,
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!“For you we face death all day long. We are
like sheep on their way to be butchered.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A Facebook friend posted today that 16 years ago, a high school classmate of hers was involved in an accident that ultimately took the life of a pedestrian. It was dark…the intersection was poorly marked and dangerous…and a man stepped out into the path of this girl’s car. Some 29 years later, the man’s daughter sent this driver a scathing “anniversary message” to tell her that she caused the man’s death. In the most vile language possible, this daughter wished the driver a life of misery and condemned her for the incident that occurred nearly three decades ago.
In the comments to this post, another friend noted that her father died seven years ago, after his motorcycle hit a deer. It was night time, the man was wearing rain gear, and a nursing student mistook him for a garbage bag…and subsequently ran over him. At the memorial for this man, his wife invited the driver to share Thanksgiving and Christmas with her family. One of these families fully understands and embraces this passage in Romans 8…the other has a long way to go.
A couple of weeks ago when the Supreme Court issued its ruling on same sex marriages, many people changed their avatar on Facebook to have a rainbow overlay. The White House was illuminated in multi-colored lighting. This signified that the long fight for same sex couples was over…that they can now enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples, including shared health care and death benefits, the ability to qualify for public housing, the right to joint adoption, and much more.
For those of us who have gay loved ones and friends, this was indeed a day to celebrate. Perhaps you disagree…and that is your right. But a day or two after this ruling, I was with a group of Christian women who declared that “It’s God’s rainbow, and we want it back.” I cannot tell you how devastating this comment was to me…and to others. And I’ll admit – I am struggling against passing judgment on those who spoke it. Clearly some of us have embraced the words from the Apostle Paul…while others are still works in progress.
For countless Christians who happen to be gay, this type of talk from brothers and sisters in Christ is dumbfounding. It goes against everything Paul is telling the Romans in these verses. If we are God’s children…His chosen ones for whom He sent Jesus to die on a cross, how can any fellow Christian fail to accept us? I say this on behalf of not only those whose sexual orientation is different from ours…but also for those whose politics are different, those who choose to look and dress differently, those who don’t make as much money or live in a neighborhood as nice as ours - or drive a car as big and expensive as the one we drive.
I say this on behalf of those whose skin is a different color, or those who come from a different country and may speak with an accent. I say this on behalf of those whose ethnicity is different from ours. I say this on behalf of devastated people who have had to grapple with the aftermath of tragic accidents – including the pain and bitterness of victims’ families.
We are called to love all people…those who believe as we do – and those who do not. Why? Because this is how God loves us! Nothing can separate us from God’s love. It is His utmost desire that all who He created come to know Jesus. How will we ever manage this if we show such disdain and disgust toward others?
I am not asking you to change your opinions about gay marriage…people of other ethnicities, races and religions…or your politics. I am not discounting pain and suffering…or the feelings of those who feel victimized. As I pointed out to Timothy recently, we have freedom of choice. Judgment of others’ decisions is not ours. Leave that to God.
I echo the words of the Apostle Paul…“If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them?” Who are you judging…and in doing so, who are you mistreating? It is God’s rainbow…but He shared it with all.of.us! His gift of Jesus was for everyone who will accept Him. It’s time we started honoring God’s gifts instead of using them to discriminate and disparage others. “In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Is your conduct reflecting this victory - and more? Don’t you think it’s time it did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 17, 2015
Romans 8:26-30
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God’s people. We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children. God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, it hit me that I had not offered more than a quick prayer to God in the last several days. When I would notice someone on Facebook who was ill or having surgery…or hear that someone I knew lost a loved one…I would say a quick, “LORD, please be with So-and-So.” I prayed for a couple of dear friends who are battling cancer…and for my mother and her husband as they traveled to a family reunion. And I prayed several times that the children would take good naps or be in good moods!
I often use my workout time in the pool as “prayer time”…a block of almost an hour when I can fully just be with God as I move around in the water. But pool time this week was spent getting Nathan used to the water…and playing with Timothy and Zola after their swim lesson. And as I read this passage again today, I felt God saying, “I’ve gotcha! I’ve known your thoughts and understood your intentions…and it’s all good.” God knows that I love Him…and I love my time of meditation with Him. But He has also felt my silent prayers…the thoughts that I couldn’t put into words. I know that He has strengthened me and lifted me countless times in just this week…and that gives me tremendous comfort and encouragement.
There have been a few public and personal situations lately about which I have not really had a clue how to pray. Some left me completely numb…while others, like the Charleston and Chattanooga shootings, left me confused. How do you pray in these situations? What do you ask God for, aside from comfort for those who are grieving? How do you talk to God about the assailants…and how do you ask Him to help you sort out your feelings about it all - and continue to represent your Christian faith well? For many, it’s a huge dilemma. Yet Paul tells us that God knows us by name…and He understands our thoughts, our fears, our challenges, and our deepest conflicts and confusions.
This is a message of hope and encouragement. To think that we can be so real with God that we need not be ashamed when “life” gets in the way - and for whatever reason, we aren’t able to fully verbalize our thoughts and feelings to Him - is incredible! Of course, we should not make this a habit…but isn’t it wonderful to know that Someone loves us so deeply and profoundly that He can read our minds and act on our behalf, even when we’re not really sure what we need?!
Do YOU know God in this way? Have you given your heart to Jesus and surrendered completely to His will? Do you have this intimate connection with Him…and do you truly feel it? Will this be the day that you “come clean” with God and lay it all on the line…that you say to Him, “Here I am, LORD…warts and all…can you fix me?” Will this be the day that you trust Him to do this…and so much more? Don’t you want it to be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God’s people. We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children. God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, it hit me that I had not offered more than a quick prayer to God in the last several days. When I would notice someone on Facebook who was ill or having surgery…or hear that someone I knew lost a loved one…I would say a quick, “LORD, please be with So-and-So.” I prayed for a couple of dear friends who are battling cancer…and for my mother and her husband as they traveled to a family reunion. And I prayed several times that the children would take good naps or be in good moods!
I often use my workout time in the pool as “prayer time”…a block of almost an hour when I can fully just be with God as I move around in the water. But pool time this week was spent getting Nathan used to the water…and playing with Timothy and Zola after their swim lesson. And as I read this passage again today, I felt God saying, “I’ve gotcha! I’ve known your thoughts and understood your intentions…and it’s all good.” God knows that I love Him…and I love my time of meditation with Him. But He has also felt my silent prayers…the thoughts that I couldn’t put into words. I know that He has strengthened me and lifted me countless times in just this week…and that gives me tremendous comfort and encouragement.
There have been a few public and personal situations lately about which I have not really had a clue how to pray. Some left me completely numb…while others, like the Charleston and Chattanooga shootings, left me confused. How do you pray in these situations? What do you ask God for, aside from comfort for those who are grieving? How do you talk to God about the assailants…and how do you ask Him to help you sort out your feelings about it all - and continue to represent your Christian faith well? For many, it’s a huge dilemma. Yet Paul tells us that God knows us by name…and He understands our thoughts, our fears, our challenges, and our deepest conflicts and confusions.
This is a message of hope and encouragement. To think that we can be so real with God that we need not be ashamed when “life” gets in the way - and for whatever reason, we aren’t able to fully verbalize our thoughts and feelings to Him - is incredible! Of course, we should not make this a habit…but isn’t it wonderful to know that Someone loves us so deeply and profoundly that He can read our minds and act on our behalf, even when we’re not really sure what we need?!
Do YOU know God in this way? Have you given your heart to Jesus and surrendered completely to His will? Do you have this intimate connection with Him…and do you truly feel it? Will this be the day that you “come clean” with God and lay it all on the line…that you say to Him, “Here I am, LORD…warts and all…can you fix me?” Will this be the day that you trust Him to do this…and so much more? Don’t you want it to be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 16, 2015
Romans 8:15-17
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!
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.
Last night was the final session of our church’s Vacation Bible School for this year. The kids had a wonderful time, but I have to say…we were all glad that VBS is over. Coupled with daily swim lessons, I think we were all pretty weary. Greg counted yesterday and determined that for the last several days, the children have been buckled in and out of the car at least six times a day! And I counted up at least 4 daily wardrobe changes for three kids plus myself! It’s July…and we have heat indexes over 100 degrees, which adds to the overall fatigue. Last night during Timothy’s crafts rotation at VBS, he told me, “Aunt Debbie, I have to tell you something…we played ‘Freeze Tag’ – and I’m exhausted!”
Today as we headed home from swim lessons, I reminded the kids, “Just one more day this week, and then we get a break.” There is light at the end of this tunnel, but we have journeyed far this last five days/nights. The children learned important Bible lessons…and their swimming skills are improving every day. But the schedule has been a bit much at times. And sometimes, we’ve kept them going with promises of a prize at the end…ice cream after a nap, suckers after swim lessons…or a chance to choose a new toy at the end of the week. There have been some tears and a tantrum or two…and the kids have been grumpy as well (just kidding!). But we are surviving, and the week is almost over.
In this scripture passage, Paul is comparing our Christian faith to that of a “Father/child relationship” in which we anticipate what is next with God…what lies ahead with our Heavenly Father. But in the meantime, we probably will have to go through some “stuff.” We will face challenges, temptations, and even hardships, sadness and disappointments. But it won’t be anything that Jesus didn’t endure. And even more importantly, we won’t go through anything on this earth without Jesus right there with us – at least we don’t have to!
For those of us who have surrendered fully to Christ…confessed our sins and given Him authority over our lives, we have gained a “Forever Friend.” Those of us who have invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts never go through anything alone…no matter how empty or frustrated we might feel at any particular moment. We are promised an unbelievable inheritance…but also a never-ending companionship.
I don’t know about you, but this keeps me going, to a large degree. I know that God won’t ask me to handle anything by myself…and I truly do believe that His rewards – both in the short and long term – will make it all worthwhile.
Like children who cling to the prizes – both big and little – we cling to hope in Jesus Christ…and His promises that an unbelievable inheritance awaits us someday. Meanwhile, we trust in Him to give us hope and encouragement…and an occasional nap doesn’t hurt, either! My prayer is that you feel God’s presence, promises, and peace this day…and in those to come.
©2015 Debbie Robus
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!
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.
Last night was the final session of our church’s Vacation Bible School for this year. The kids had a wonderful time, but I have to say…we were all glad that VBS is over. Coupled with daily swim lessons, I think we were all pretty weary. Greg counted yesterday and determined that for the last several days, the children have been buckled in and out of the car at least six times a day! And I counted up at least 4 daily wardrobe changes for three kids plus myself! It’s July…and we have heat indexes over 100 degrees, which adds to the overall fatigue. Last night during Timothy’s crafts rotation at VBS, he told me, “Aunt Debbie, I have to tell you something…we played ‘Freeze Tag’ – and I’m exhausted!”
Today as we headed home from swim lessons, I reminded the kids, “Just one more day this week, and then we get a break.” There is light at the end of this tunnel, but we have journeyed far this last five days/nights. The children learned important Bible lessons…and their swimming skills are improving every day. But the schedule has been a bit much at times. And sometimes, we’ve kept them going with promises of a prize at the end…ice cream after a nap, suckers after swim lessons…or a chance to choose a new toy at the end of the week. There have been some tears and a tantrum or two…and the kids have been grumpy as well (just kidding!). But we are surviving, and the week is almost over.
In this scripture passage, Paul is comparing our Christian faith to that of a “Father/child relationship” in which we anticipate what is next with God…what lies ahead with our Heavenly Father. But in the meantime, we probably will have to go through some “stuff.” We will face challenges, temptations, and even hardships, sadness and disappointments. But it won’t be anything that Jesus didn’t endure. And even more importantly, we won’t go through anything on this earth without Jesus right there with us – at least we don’t have to!
For those of us who have surrendered fully to Christ…confessed our sins and given Him authority over our lives, we have gained a “Forever Friend.” Those of us who have invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts never go through anything alone…no matter how empty or frustrated we might feel at any particular moment. We are promised an unbelievable inheritance…but also a never-ending companionship.
I don’t know about you, but this keeps me going, to a large degree. I know that God won’t ask me to handle anything by myself…and I truly do believe that His rewards – both in the short and long term – will make it all worthwhile.
Like children who cling to the prizes – both big and little – we cling to hope in Jesus Christ…and His promises that an unbelievable inheritance awaits us someday. Meanwhile, we trust in Him to give us hope and encouragement…and an occasional nap doesn’t hurt, either! My prayer is that you feel God’s presence, promises, and peace this day…and in those to come.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 15, 2015
Romans 8:5-8
People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God’s laws. If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As we drove home from swim lessons today, Nathan was alternately making “Minions” sounds in the back seat and declaring that he was a superhero! On any given day, we have Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman riding in the back seats of our vehicle! But I can assure you, in real life, NONE of us are truly superheroes. We like to think we are at times…but God has a way of showing us Who is really in control! And our efforts to resist and have things our way never work out like we hoped.
So I have learned that I cannot conquer the world…that there are times that God wants me to step up and serve in a certain ministry or capacity. But there are also times when He says, “That’s not your responsibility,” or even, “You have enough on your plate…it’s time to step back and take a break.”
I had three little ones who informed me that they would not need naps after swim lessons and lunch. But I reminded them that we have one more night of VBS, and a nap might be in order. And sometimes, God tells us, “You’ve done this and that and something else this week, so you should skip the XYZ event tonight – or let someone else handle that project.” I can tell you from personal experience that when I listen to God, I never regret what I “missed.” But I have paid dearly at times when I tried to satisfy my own desires and take on too much – even with the best of intentions.
This is about more than just wanting to “sow wild oats” or do as you please. Even the most well-meaning Christians sometimes overload themselves. And while we think we are doing this to be good servants and disciples, the truth is that often, we are just afraid of what others will think if we say “No!”…or we simply want more than we can handle. It’s like a kid who looks through the toy store flyer that comes at Christmas time and says, “I’ll take this…and this…and this!” with no regard for how expensive all of those things are – or who will foot the bill!
When we try to do what we want rather than what God wants, the road can get pretty rocky! We wear ourselves out chasing our tails and getting nowhere… the real work of God doesn’t get done…and everybody loses. This doesn’t please God in the least. Like little children who must learn that poor choices and selfishness have consequences, we must learn that serving our own desires rather than God’s can get us into a heap of trouble, also…everything from losses and disappointments to sickness brought on by wearing our bodies down with too much busyness.
Spend some time with God and ask Him what He wants you to do. Learn to run EVERY activity and option by Him first…to determine whether He endorses your choices – or they are of your own making. Begin to operate within God’s plans, and see how much better things can be. You won’t actually become a Ninja Warrior or Superman…but when you learn to operate under the power and wisdom of the “Ultimate Superhero,” He might just make you feel like one!
©2015 Debbie Robus
People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God’s laws. If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As we drove home from swim lessons today, Nathan was alternately making “Minions” sounds in the back seat and declaring that he was a superhero! On any given day, we have Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman riding in the back seats of our vehicle! But I can assure you, in real life, NONE of us are truly superheroes. We like to think we are at times…but God has a way of showing us Who is really in control! And our efforts to resist and have things our way never work out like we hoped.
So I have learned that I cannot conquer the world…that there are times that God wants me to step up and serve in a certain ministry or capacity. But there are also times when He says, “That’s not your responsibility,” or even, “You have enough on your plate…it’s time to step back and take a break.”
I had three little ones who informed me that they would not need naps after swim lessons and lunch. But I reminded them that we have one more night of VBS, and a nap might be in order. And sometimes, God tells us, “You’ve done this and that and something else this week, so you should skip the XYZ event tonight – or let someone else handle that project.” I can tell you from personal experience that when I listen to God, I never regret what I “missed.” But I have paid dearly at times when I tried to satisfy my own desires and take on too much – even with the best of intentions.
This is about more than just wanting to “sow wild oats” or do as you please. Even the most well-meaning Christians sometimes overload themselves. And while we think we are doing this to be good servants and disciples, the truth is that often, we are just afraid of what others will think if we say “No!”…or we simply want more than we can handle. It’s like a kid who looks through the toy store flyer that comes at Christmas time and says, “I’ll take this…and this…and this!” with no regard for how expensive all of those things are – or who will foot the bill!
When we try to do what we want rather than what God wants, the road can get pretty rocky! We wear ourselves out chasing our tails and getting nowhere… the real work of God doesn’t get done…and everybody loses. This doesn’t please God in the least. Like little children who must learn that poor choices and selfishness have consequences, we must learn that serving our own desires rather than God’s can get us into a heap of trouble, also…everything from losses and disappointments to sickness brought on by wearing our bodies down with too much busyness.
Spend some time with God and ask Him what He wants you to do. Learn to run EVERY activity and option by Him first…to determine whether He endorses your choices – or they are of your own making. Begin to operate within God’s plans, and see how much better things can be. You won’t actually become a Ninja Warrior or Superman…but when you learn to operate under the power and wisdom of the “Ultimate Superhero,” He might just make you feel like one!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 15, 2015
Romans 8:3-4
We aren’t saved from sin’s grasp by knowing the commandments of God because we can’t and don’t keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours—except that ours are sinful—and destroyed sin’s control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God’s laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This is a crazy hectic week at our house. Vacation Bible School started Sunday night. I am leading “Junior Crafts” - which translates to 4-6-year-olds (pre-K, Kindergartners, and soon-to-be-first-graders). These are “my people,” and I am at home with them! Timothy, Zola and Nathan are all attending VBS with me, and we’re having a great time. Additionally, the children are spending Mondays and Fridays at our house this month…AND…we started daily swim lessons on Monday morning. Yes, I know, I was crazy to schedule swim lessons the same week as VBS…but it was all our instructor had available. So we are making it work!
I have to say, we have ALL been very tired. Night-time VBS, which is the trend in recent years, is tough on already weary kids AND adults. And though some of the children nap in the afternoons, some of the older ones like Timothy fight tooth and nail to stay awake and avoid the slumber that could relieve some of their weariness. And this can lead to some pretty frustrating “meltdowns” and pointless conversations.
Today, as we drove home from swim lessons, Timothy became very upset with his younger brother, Nathan...“because Nathan thinks that Batman and Superman aren’t friends…and everyone knows that good guy superheroes are all friends with each other and should be nice to each other. He is making bad choices, and he needs to stop it!” This went on for more than 5 minutes (but it seemed like 30!) before I convinced Nathan that perhaps it would be best if he agreed that his superheroes were friends with each other…and I redirected the children’s attention to another topic of discussion!
When the children get so tired that they are what I call “punch drunk”, i.e. rambling about nothing that makes sense and on the verge of a huge meltdown, I know that there is no way that they are going to be reasonable. All bets are off! Rules are out the window at this point, because I know that they are not going to be on board with following them. And the ride home from swim lessons today was one of those times. I knew that the best thing I could do was maintain some semblance of order and drive the children straight to their grandmother’s house, where they were spending the afternoon.
As I read this scripture passage, I could almost hear God saying to His children (each of us), “Oh, good grief! You children are never going to resolve this, so I best get on with it and send my Son to fix things.” I love my niece and nephews with all my heart. Sometimes when they are tired and acting out, one of them will ask…“Are you mad at me?” or “Do you still love me?” And the answer is always “No!” to the first question…and a resounding “Yes!” to the second. And so it is with God. In fact, He loves us SO much that He sacrificed His only Son - Jesus - to save us!
God knows that we can’t keep the rules…that sometimes life is so convoluted and challenging that we get “punch drunk” and teeter on the verge of a royal meltdown. So He sent Jesus to die for our sins…to regain order and control for us and set us on the right course. There will be times when we all get a little weary and fall short. But those of us who choose to follow Jesus can be assured that He will always steer us in the right direction - and keep us safe from the harm of Satan and his agents.
I hope and pray that our little ones know how very much Greg and I – and so many others – love them…that they trust us never to steer them wrong…that they feel safe and secure – and protected. Someday they will learn that the grownups in their lives don’t always have all of the answers – at least not the right ones. But by then, I pray that they will know Jesus as their “Forever Friend”…and that they will have learned to rely on His Holy Spirit to control and conquer the evil nature that is present in each of us. And I pray that YOU have made this choice, too.
Timothy was right about one thing this morning…we do need to make good choices…and the best choice that we can make is to follow Jesus. Who have you chosen to follow and serve?
©2015 Debbie Robus
We aren’t saved from sin’s grasp by knowing the commandments of God because we can’t and don’t keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours—except that ours are sinful—and destroyed sin’s control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God’s laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This is a crazy hectic week at our house. Vacation Bible School started Sunday night. I am leading “Junior Crafts” - which translates to 4-6-year-olds (pre-K, Kindergartners, and soon-to-be-first-graders). These are “my people,” and I am at home with them! Timothy, Zola and Nathan are all attending VBS with me, and we’re having a great time. Additionally, the children are spending Mondays and Fridays at our house this month…AND…we started daily swim lessons on Monday morning. Yes, I know, I was crazy to schedule swim lessons the same week as VBS…but it was all our instructor had available. So we are making it work!
I have to say, we have ALL been very tired. Night-time VBS, which is the trend in recent years, is tough on already weary kids AND adults. And though some of the children nap in the afternoons, some of the older ones like Timothy fight tooth and nail to stay awake and avoid the slumber that could relieve some of their weariness. And this can lead to some pretty frustrating “meltdowns” and pointless conversations.
Today, as we drove home from swim lessons, Timothy became very upset with his younger brother, Nathan...“because Nathan thinks that Batman and Superman aren’t friends…and everyone knows that good guy superheroes are all friends with each other and should be nice to each other. He is making bad choices, and he needs to stop it!” This went on for more than 5 minutes (but it seemed like 30!) before I convinced Nathan that perhaps it would be best if he agreed that his superheroes were friends with each other…and I redirected the children’s attention to another topic of discussion!
When the children get so tired that they are what I call “punch drunk”, i.e. rambling about nothing that makes sense and on the verge of a huge meltdown, I know that there is no way that they are going to be reasonable. All bets are off! Rules are out the window at this point, because I know that they are not going to be on board with following them. And the ride home from swim lessons today was one of those times. I knew that the best thing I could do was maintain some semblance of order and drive the children straight to their grandmother’s house, where they were spending the afternoon.
As I read this scripture passage, I could almost hear God saying to His children (each of us), “Oh, good grief! You children are never going to resolve this, so I best get on with it and send my Son to fix things.” I love my niece and nephews with all my heart. Sometimes when they are tired and acting out, one of them will ask…“Are you mad at me?” or “Do you still love me?” And the answer is always “No!” to the first question…and a resounding “Yes!” to the second. And so it is with God. In fact, He loves us SO much that He sacrificed His only Son - Jesus - to save us!
God knows that we can’t keep the rules…that sometimes life is so convoluted and challenging that we get “punch drunk” and teeter on the verge of a royal meltdown. So He sent Jesus to die for our sins…to regain order and control for us and set us on the right course. There will be times when we all get a little weary and fall short. But those of us who choose to follow Jesus can be assured that He will always steer us in the right direction - and keep us safe from the harm of Satan and his agents.
I hope and pray that our little ones know how very much Greg and I – and so many others – love them…that they trust us never to steer them wrong…that they feel safe and secure – and protected. Someday they will learn that the grownups in their lives don’t always have all of the answers – at least not the right ones. But by then, I pray that they will know Jesus as their “Forever Friend”…and that they will have learned to rely on His Holy Spirit to control and conquer the evil nature that is present in each of us. And I pray that YOU have made this choice, too.
Timothy was right about one thing this morning…we do need to make good choices…and the best choice that we can make is to follow Jesus. Who have you chosen to follow and serve?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 13, 2015
Romans 8:1-2
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
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.
A couple of weeks ago, Greg went to a nearby restaurant to get take-out dinner for us. Local radar showed a thunderstorm approaching as he drove out of our neighborhood, and he got some amazing photographs on his phone of the dark wall cloud that was nearing our community. Thankfully, all we got from the storm was some brief gusts of wind, a little lightning and thunder, and LOTS of rain. But those low-lying black clouds looked ominous and made us stop and take notice. For those of us in “Tornado Alley,” we know that “wall clouds” can sometimes spell disaster, so we take them seriously!
Like low-hanging dark clouds, our sins and the guilt and shame of our past can often give us pause. And were it not for Jesus, they could indeed signal disaster. But this is the good news of Romans 8:1-2…that Jesus finished all of this, once and for all, for those who choose to surrender their hearts to Him. Like the strong winds of the thunderstorm - and the rain that followed – Jesus’ death on the cross cleared the air and washed away our sins forever and ever.
There is nothing wrong with a healthy respect for the black shelf clouds of impending thunderstorms. We are wise to keep an eye on the sky when storms threaten. But when it comes to our faith in Jesus Christ, we don’t have to keep looking over our shoulder and expecting “gloom and doom.” All we have to do is call on Him and say, “LORD Jesus, I ask you to forgive my sins. I admit that I cannot do this on my own, and I don’t want to live like this any longer. Please come into my heart and wash me clean, once and for all. I promise to listen for Your voice…to do what You ask of me and do all I can to leave my sinful ways behind forever. And I pledge to love You like no other.”
If you commit your life – and your heart – to Jesus…He will never let go of you. Aren’t you ready to lift the dark cloud of sin, guilt and shame and send it packing with the wind? Do you understand that Jesus can do this for you in the blink of an eye? If you have not asked Jesus to forgive your sins, don’t you think it’s time you did? Will this be the day that you step out of the clouds and into the Light?
©2015 Debbie Robus
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
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.
A couple of weeks ago, Greg went to a nearby restaurant to get take-out dinner for us. Local radar showed a thunderstorm approaching as he drove out of our neighborhood, and he got some amazing photographs on his phone of the dark wall cloud that was nearing our community. Thankfully, all we got from the storm was some brief gusts of wind, a little lightning and thunder, and LOTS of rain. But those low-lying black clouds looked ominous and made us stop and take notice. For those of us in “Tornado Alley,” we know that “wall clouds” can sometimes spell disaster, so we take them seriously!
Like low-hanging dark clouds, our sins and the guilt and shame of our past can often give us pause. And were it not for Jesus, they could indeed signal disaster. But this is the good news of Romans 8:1-2…that Jesus finished all of this, once and for all, for those who choose to surrender their hearts to Him. Like the strong winds of the thunderstorm - and the rain that followed – Jesus’ death on the cross cleared the air and washed away our sins forever and ever.
There is nothing wrong with a healthy respect for the black shelf clouds of impending thunderstorms. We are wise to keep an eye on the sky when storms threaten. But when it comes to our faith in Jesus Christ, we don’t have to keep looking over our shoulder and expecting “gloom and doom.” All we have to do is call on Him and say, “LORD Jesus, I ask you to forgive my sins. I admit that I cannot do this on my own, and I don’t want to live like this any longer. Please come into my heart and wash me clean, once and for all. I promise to listen for Your voice…to do what You ask of me and do all I can to leave my sinful ways behind forever. And I pledge to love You like no other.”
If you commit your life – and your heart – to Jesus…He will never let go of you. Aren’t you ready to lift the dark cloud of sin, guilt and shame and send it packing with the wind? Do you understand that Jesus can do this for you in the blink of an eye? If you have not asked Jesus to forgive your sins, don’t you think it’s time you did? Will this be the day that you step out of the clouds and into the Light?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 15, 2015
Romans 1:16-17
It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.”
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.
“We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.” - Madeleine L’Engle - Walking on Water
I saw this quote on Facebook a few days ago – credited to this author of dozens of novels who lived from 1918 to 2007, including Newberry Medal winner A Wrinkle in Time, and National Book Award-winner, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. L’Engle served for more than 30 years as librarian at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, where she also maintained an office.
Madeleine L’Engle was by all accounts an extraordinary woman…wife, mother, author, and servant. And the statement is profound and gives us lots to think about in light of today’s scripture passage.
What sort of light are you showing the world? Is it the Light of Christ – or a spotlight of your own making? Some say “Look at me…I have all the answers. What I believe is spot on…and if you disagree, you are the one who is mistaken!” While others live such that their lives and conduct say, “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.” (paraphrasing 1 John 4:4) Which one best describes you?
Are you a living example of faith in God – in all things? Do people note your acts of faith and service to Him…or are you known as someone who is judgmental, controversial, and divisive? When others look at you and your relationship to Jesus Christ, do they want what you are demonstrating? Or do your demeanor and actions make them want to “run like the wind?”
Isn’t it time we began to more closely model Jesus…to quietly demonstrate our faithfulness and His love, acceptance, grace, mercy and compassion for ALL people? Are you drawing people to Christ…or giving them every reason to run in the opposite direction? Read L’Engle’s quote again and let it soak into your heart and soul. It’s time to figure out which light we are reflecting. Is this the day you will begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.”
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.
“We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.” - Madeleine L’Engle - Walking on Water
I saw this quote on Facebook a few days ago – credited to this author of dozens of novels who lived from 1918 to 2007, including Newberry Medal winner A Wrinkle in Time, and National Book Award-winner, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. L’Engle served for more than 30 years as librarian at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, where she also maintained an office.
Madeleine L’Engle was by all accounts an extraordinary woman…wife, mother, author, and servant. And the statement is profound and gives us lots to think about in light of today’s scripture passage.
What sort of light are you showing the world? Is it the Light of Christ – or a spotlight of your own making? Some say “Look at me…I have all the answers. What I believe is spot on…and if you disagree, you are the one who is mistaken!” While others live such that their lives and conduct say, “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.” (paraphrasing 1 John 4:4) Which one best describes you?
Are you a living example of faith in God – in all things? Do people note your acts of faith and service to Him…or are you known as someone who is judgmental, controversial, and divisive? When others look at you and your relationship to Jesus Christ, do they want what you are demonstrating? Or do your demeanor and actions make them want to “run like the wind?”
Isn’t it time we began to more closely model Jesus…to quietly demonstrate our faithfulness and His love, acceptance, grace, mercy and compassion for ALL people? Are you drawing people to Christ…or giving them every reason to run in the opposite direction? Read L’Engle’s quote again and let it soak into your heart and soul. It’s time to figure out which light we are reflecting. Is this the day you will begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 11, 2015
Luke 8:13-17
“But the corrupt tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, but beat upon his chest in sorrow, exclaiming, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home forgiven! For the proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored.”
One day some mothers brought their babies to him to touch and bless. But the disciples told them to go away.
Then Jesus called the children over to him and said to the disciples, “Let the little children come to me! Never send them away! For the Kingdom of God belongs to men who have hearts as trusting as these little children’s. And anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get within the Kingdom’s gates.”
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.
If you have spent any time at all with children – or if you think back to your own childhood – one of the top ten questions children ask (if not #1) is…”WHY?” And probably the most common answer adults give is…”Because I said so!” The interesting thing is that we grown-ups expect this to be enough explanation and justification…and quite often, it IS!
So why is it that when our Heavenly Father says, “Because I said so…” we go…”But wait a minute! What about XYZ? You haven’t heard my reasons for why I want to do it this way! What about what I want to do?!” We demonstrate little to no faith in God to know what is best for us…and in doing so, we are as good as saying, “Yeah…I know You sent Jesus to supposedly die for my sins and show me how to live for You…but I’m not sure I totally buy it!”
Where is your humility? Where is your “childlike faith” in an unseen God? Where is your hope and confidence that all of the things God has promised us are real…true…and available to everyone? When will we start living like children of the Most High God? Are you humble enough to be honored and blessed by God…or are you too proud to really receive His forgiveness? When it comes to faith in Jesus, “older and wiser” doesn’t always compute. Is your heart as trusting as a little child’s? Don’t you think you should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
“But the corrupt tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, but beat upon his chest in sorrow, exclaiming, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home forgiven! For the proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored.”
One day some mothers brought their babies to him to touch and bless. But the disciples told them to go away.
Then Jesus called the children over to him and said to the disciples, “Let the little children come to me! Never send them away! For the Kingdom of God belongs to men who have hearts as trusting as these little children’s. And anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get within the Kingdom’s gates.”
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.
If you have spent any time at all with children – or if you think back to your own childhood – one of the top ten questions children ask (if not #1) is…”WHY?” And probably the most common answer adults give is…”Because I said so!” The interesting thing is that we grown-ups expect this to be enough explanation and justification…and quite often, it IS!
So why is it that when our Heavenly Father says, “Because I said so…” we go…”But wait a minute! What about XYZ? You haven’t heard my reasons for why I want to do it this way! What about what I want to do?!” We demonstrate little to no faith in God to know what is best for us…and in doing so, we are as good as saying, “Yeah…I know You sent Jesus to supposedly die for my sins and show me how to live for You…but I’m not sure I totally buy it!”
Where is your humility? Where is your “childlike faith” in an unseen God? Where is your hope and confidence that all of the things God has promised us are real…true…and available to everyone? When will we start living like children of the Most High God? Are you humble enough to be honored and blessed by God…or are you too proud to really receive His forgiveness? When it comes to faith in Jesus, “older and wiser” doesn’t always compute. Is your heart as trusting as a little child’s? Don’t you think you should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 10, 2015
John 3:16-18
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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 nephew Nathan will be three in August, and we recently started taking him to church with us. To be honest, we didn’t feel we could manage all three children by ourselves when Nathan was younger…particularly if we ate out after church. But after a lot of prayer and consideration, I recently felt God suggest that we make adjustments and come home after church with the children – and maybe do a “take-out” lunch. So far, this has worked very well for us.
Nowadays, I cannot imagine not including Nathan…in any activity! So when Timothy and Zola take swim lessons next week, Nathan will go along, and I will work with him on some swimming basics in something of a “mini-lesson.” There are still a few things that one child gets to do without the others, for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is that each child is loved equally. Each child has feelings and needs…thoughts, ideas and opinions…and each child is important and deserves to be included and acknowledged.
This is not only my opinion…it is scriptural! God sent Jesus for all of us…and Jesus taught us to love others as He loves us, which means we must include everyone! The Bible tells us in John 3:16-18 that God sent His Only Son to live as a man and die on the cross for the sins of everyone. Jesus’ love is for all people. Let me say that again in case it didn’t soak into your soul…the love of Jesus Christ is for everyone…each of us…ALL people!
We don’t get to pick and choose. We can’t say, “Oh, he’s a Jew or a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or atheist, so Jesus surely doesn’t love him – and neither should I!” or “There is no way that Jesus loves sexual predators, those who abuse children and animals, murderers, and those who would behead others in the name of their Christian faith! Surely we don’t have to pray for these people and treat them with love and grace!” The truth is that we cannot pick people who are “like us” to love and care about…and decide either that all others are wrong, terribly flawed, or so deeply sinful that there is no hope for them – so we are right to dismiss or disrespect them.
I keep thinking about the young man who claims to have shot those nine Christians in South Carolina. Why were there no bullets left in the guns when he turned them on himself? Why was he unable to take his own life? Could it be that God wants him to have another opportunity to give his heart to Jesus? Wouldn’t this be the some semblance of vindication and victory for the nine lives he cut short? Who will step up to minister to him? I am praying that someone does!
I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but lately, I have heard so many “Christians” make comments that were filled with judgment, fear, and downright hatred for this person/group or that one. I am so disheartened by this…and I know that God must be totally disgusted. This is NOT what Jesus taught. Nowhere in scripture will you find where God says that it is okay for us to be selective with regard to whom we minister, which persons are deserving of our love and respect, or which sinners merit a “pass” – and which ones should be condemned.
This is dangerous territory…and God is not pleased when we take matters into our own hands. We are all guilty of being judgmental and discriminatory at one time and in one way or another. Each of us should fall to our knees and ask God to forgive us. We all need to be asking God daily to show us a “work-around,” if you will…a new way to look at things and a new perspective on how we are treating each other. Just as He showed me a way to include little Nathan in our family activities, God will give each of us insights into how to be more loving – and inclusive – in our daily living.
God loved us so much that He sent Jesus. Does your treatment of others reflect your gratitude and respect? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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 nephew Nathan will be three in August, and we recently started taking him to church with us. To be honest, we didn’t feel we could manage all three children by ourselves when Nathan was younger…particularly if we ate out after church. But after a lot of prayer and consideration, I recently felt God suggest that we make adjustments and come home after church with the children – and maybe do a “take-out” lunch. So far, this has worked very well for us.
Nowadays, I cannot imagine not including Nathan…in any activity! So when Timothy and Zola take swim lessons next week, Nathan will go along, and I will work with him on some swimming basics in something of a “mini-lesson.” There are still a few things that one child gets to do without the others, for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is that each child is loved equally. Each child has feelings and needs…thoughts, ideas and opinions…and each child is important and deserves to be included and acknowledged.
This is not only my opinion…it is scriptural! God sent Jesus for all of us…and Jesus taught us to love others as He loves us, which means we must include everyone! The Bible tells us in John 3:16-18 that God sent His Only Son to live as a man and die on the cross for the sins of everyone. Jesus’ love is for all people. Let me say that again in case it didn’t soak into your soul…the love of Jesus Christ is for everyone…each of us…ALL people!
We don’t get to pick and choose. We can’t say, “Oh, he’s a Jew or a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or atheist, so Jesus surely doesn’t love him – and neither should I!” or “There is no way that Jesus loves sexual predators, those who abuse children and animals, murderers, and those who would behead others in the name of their Christian faith! Surely we don’t have to pray for these people and treat them with love and grace!” The truth is that we cannot pick people who are “like us” to love and care about…and decide either that all others are wrong, terribly flawed, or so deeply sinful that there is no hope for them – so we are right to dismiss or disrespect them.
I keep thinking about the young man who claims to have shot those nine Christians in South Carolina. Why were there no bullets left in the guns when he turned them on himself? Why was he unable to take his own life? Could it be that God wants him to have another opportunity to give his heart to Jesus? Wouldn’t this be the some semblance of vindication and victory for the nine lives he cut short? Who will step up to minister to him? I am praying that someone does!
I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but lately, I have heard so many “Christians” make comments that were filled with judgment, fear, and downright hatred for this person/group or that one. I am so disheartened by this…and I know that God must be totally disgusted. This is NOT what Jesus taught. Nowhere in scripture will you find where God says that it is okay for us to be selective with regard to whom we minister, which persons are deserving of our love and respect, or which sinners merit a “pass” – and which ones should be condemned.
This is dangerous territory…and God is not pleased when we take matters into our own hands. We are all guilty of being judgmental and discriminatory at one time and in one way or another. Each of us should fall to our knees and ask God to forgive us. We all need to be asking God daily to show us a “work-around,” if you will…a new way to look at things and a new perspective on how we are treating each other. Just as He showed me a way to include little Nathan in our family activities, God will give each of us insights into how to be more loving – and inclusive – in our daily living.
God loved us so much that He sent Jesus. Does your treatment of others reflect your gratitude and respect? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 9, 2015
John 1:11-12
Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If one of your relatives or friends showed up on your doorstep, you would surely open the door and invite them inside. If you saw a child who appeared to be lost or unattended, you would stay with them until the adult in charge could be located…or other arrangements could be made. If you saw an injured animal, I know that many of you would do everything in your power to rescue this creature – and maybe rehabilitate it. If you visited with a newcomer to your town, I would hope that you would invite them to attend your church’s worship services…and that you would welcome them into your community.
But what if some of these people knocked on your door (and I know that the answer will possibly be different for each of you)…
Jared “the Subway guy”
Do you really get it? Do you understand just how much Jesus loves us…how much He offers each and every one of us who have never, ever seen Him in the flesh? Many of Jesus’ own people rejected Him, and yet He loved them and died anyway – potentially for their sins. What does this tell us about how we are to treat others…even those whose thoughts, ideas and actions differ from ours – or may even repulse us in some way? The Jesus who died for us died for them, too – if they repent of their sins and accept His gift of salvation. And He commanded us to love others as He loved us.
So the way I see it, we cannot be saying ugly, hateful things about these people – or anyone else. We cannot be calling them names, judging them…and treating them as “less than.” Do not misunderstand me…I’ve listed some people who have been accused of horrific things. I do not support abuse of any kind…or torture or persecution. I do not agree with the views of some of these people on many subjects. But I am no better than them in God’s eyes, because we have ALL sinned and fallen short. NONE of us deserves Jesus’ salvation…but He offers it to us anyway.
If we want to “walk the walk,” we have to be willing to not only “talk the talk”…we must also be ready to love others as Jesus loves them…and as He loves us. How well are you doing?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If one of your relatives or friends showed up on your doorstep, you would surely open the door and invite them inside. If you saw a child who appeared to be lost or unattended, you would stay with them until the adult in charge could be located…or other arrangements could be made. If you saw an injured animal, I know that many of you would do everything in your power to rescue this creature – and maybe rehabilitate it. If you visited with a newcomer to your town, I would hope that you would invite them to attend your church’s worship services…and that you would welcome them into your community.
But what if some of these people knocked on your door (and I know that the answer will possibly be different for each of you)…
Jared “the Subway guy”
- Caitlyn Jenner
- Kanye West
- Ted Cruze
- Presidents George Bush – Sr. AND Jr.
- President Jimmy Carter
- Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS
- Prince William and Kate Middleton
- Billy Graham
- Robin Roberts
- Anderson Cooper
- Paula Deen
- Bill Cosby
- Miley Cyrus
- Ray Rice
- Jerry Jones
- Former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice
- Donald Trump
- President Obama
- Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton
- the disheveled homeless guy you notice frequently on street corners in your town
- the single mother everyone seems to be talking about who lost her kids because of a drug problem
- the pastor who “fell from grace”
- the teacher who had sex with an underage student
- the kid who was arrested for DUI, sexting or bullying
Do you really get it? Do you understand just how much Jesus loves us…how much He offers each and every one of us who have never, ever seen Him in the flesh? Many of Jesus’ own people rejected Him, and yet He loved them and died anyway – potentially for their sins. What does this tell us about how we are to treat others…even those whose thoughts, ideas and actions differ from ours – or may even repulse us in some way? The Jesus who died for us died for them, too – if they repent of their sins and accept His gift of salvation. And He commanded us to love others as He loved us.
So the way I see it, we cannot be saying ugly, hateful things about these people – or anyone else. We cannot be calling them names, judging them…and treating them as “less than.” Do not misunderstand me…I’ve listed some people who have been accused of horrific things. I do not support abuse of any kind…or torture or persecution. I do not agree with the views of some of these people on many subjects. But I am no better than them in God’s eyes, because we have ALL sinned and fallen short. NONE of us deserves Jesus’ salvation…but He offers it to us anyway.
If we want to “walk the walk,” we have to be willing to not only “talk the talk”…we must also be ready to love others as Jesus loves them…and as He loves us. How well are you doing?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 8, 2015
Hebrews 11:32-40
What else can I say? There isn’t enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Their faith helped them conquer kingdoms, and because they did right, God made promises to them. They closed the jaws of lions and put out raging fires and escaped from the swords of their enemies. Although they were weak, they were given the strength and power to chase foreign armies away.
Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life. Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail. Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured. The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground.
All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Why do children (of any age) get cancer? Why was 33-year-old Kathryn Steinle randomly gunned down while out for an evening stroll with her dad in San Francisco last week? Why did so many college athletes work incredibly hard for a shot at a pro career…only to be overlooked in the draft? Why can college graduates not find a job in their field? Why was a young couple in Sandusky, Ohio, involved in a car crash last October that left the groom dead and the bride seriously injured? Why do we have orphans, physical abuse, and animal cruelty? Why DO bad things happen to good people?
There is no “good” answer to this question…at least not one that we can readily wrap our brains around and accept. But let’s look at the last two sentences in this scripture passage again…”This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.” What on earth does this mean?
It would seem that OUR faith is tied to the faith of those who have gone before us. God does indeed have better things in store for us, but in order to fully embrace this concept, we have to look at the examples of those who worked hard, served well, and maybe even seemed to do everything right – or at least to do what they believed God was calling them to do. And yet, they never fully realized all of their earthly hopes and dreams. Maybe they never experienced all that they felt God had promised them in this lifetime.
I don’t know about you, but I have had a hard time with this idea more than once…the TRUST that God really does have something better in store for you and me. But I must believe this…because nothing else makes sense. Surely there is more! God is too big for this earthly life to be “it”…don’t you think? And so I study the stories in scripture of those who served and suffered for their faith…and I am strengthened and encouraged in my own relationship with my Heavenly Father.
I trust that God knows best…that He does have far better things in store for each of us in Heaven…and this gives me hope and fortitude for my daily journey on this earth. What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
What else can I say? There isn’t enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Their faith helped them conquer kingdoms, and because they did right, God made promises to them. They closed the jaws of lions and put out raging fires and escaped from the swords of their enemies. Although they were weak, they were given the strength and power to chase foreign armies away.
Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life. Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail. Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured. The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground.
All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Why do children (of any age) get cancer? Why was 33-year-old Kathryn Steinle randomly gunned down while out for an evening stroll with her dad in San Francisco last week? Why did so many college athletes work incredibly hard for a shot at a pro career…only to be overlooked in the draft? Why can college graduates not find a job in their field? Why was a young couple in Sandusky, Ohio, involved in a car crash last October that left the groom dead and the bride seriously injured? Why do we have orphans, physical abuse, and animal cruelty? Why DO bad things happen to good people?
There is no “good” answer to this question…at least not one that we can readily wrap our brains around and accept. But let’s look at the last two sentences in this scripture passage again…”This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.” What on earth does this mean?
It would seem that OUR faith is tied to the faith of those who have gone before us. God does indeed have better things in store for us, but in order to fully embrace this concept, we have to look at the examples of those who worked hard, served well, and maybe even seemed to do everything right – or at least to do what they believed God was calling them to do. And yet, they never fully realized all of their earthly hopes and dreams. Maybe they never experienced all that they felt God had promised them in this lifetime.
I don’t know about you, but I have had a hard time with this idea more than once…the TRUST that God really does have something better in store for you and me. But I must believe this…because nothing else makes sense. Surely there is more! God is too big for this earthly life to be “it”…don’t you think? And so I study the stories in scripture of those who served and suffered for their faith…and I am strengthened and encouraged in my own relationship with my Heavenly Father.
I trust that God knows best…that He does have far better things in store for each of us in Heaven…and this gives me hope and fortitude for my daily journey on this earth. What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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