James 2:14-17
My friends, what good is it to say
you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do
have faith? Can that kind of faith save you? If you know someone who
doesn’t have any clothes or food, you shouldn’t just say, “I hope all
goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What
good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? Faith that
doesn’t lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
A friend posted a picture on Facebook this morning of a chalkboard that said, “Your beliefs don’t make you a better person…your behavior does.” As I read this passage from James 2, I decided that God must think that this is a pretty important message for us today!
So
let’s unpack a little. Are you a person who is “all talk and no
action?” Are you the first in line to rant about the injustices of this
world…and the last to actually get off your duff and do something about
them? When was the last time you physically did something for someone
else? I am not talking about writing a check or making a
donation…although these are sometimes important ways to help others.
I’m talking about actually preparing a dish or a meal (even take-out)
for someone who is sick, injured, busy, or just plain HUNGRY! I’m
talking about offering to provide rides or kiddie carpool…or to sit with
a child, elderly person, or even a pet for a few hours or a day – or
longer, if you are able – to give someone a much-needed break.
I’m
talking about sending a thoughtful and heartfelt note of encouragement
to someone who is going through something difficult…or recognition and
congratulations to someone who has had a happy experience, reached a
milestone, or achieved a new level of accomplishment. I'm talking about
offering to run an errand or lend a helping hand...and actually
following through on the proposal.
I’m talking about doing
whatever you are able to physically do…and I realize that sometimes, for
some of us, prayer IS what we can do. But by golly, let’s do it to the
best of our abilities. When we tell someone we will pray for them…let’s
actually lift them in prayer and ask God to meet their needs. And
let’s not just do this once and forget it…let's keep on praying!
There's
one more thing…people ARE watching…but they don’t need a “show.” They
don’t need to hear what you did for this person or that one…or how long
and hard you prayed for "Suzy." If we are living out our faith and
following through with our thoughts and actions, others will see it…and
they will want this same relationship with Jesus for themselves.
So
what does your behavior say about you today? When others look at you,
do they see someone who puts his/her faith into action? Don’t you think
it’s time they did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Christian behavior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian behavior. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 7, 2014
Romans 12:9-10
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
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 5-year-old great-nephew Timothy has just begun kindergarten... or “big school”, as he calls it! He is crazy about his new teacher, Mrs. Mays...and whatever she says is like gospel with him! So two weeks into the school year, I asked, “Do you still love Mrs. Mays?” Timothy replied, “I love EVERYONE at my school!” And indeed, if you had heard his night-time prayers, you would probably agree. He thanked God for several children and teachers by name...AND he prayed especially for a particular child in his classroom that is disruptive - and asked God to help him do better.
We could take a page from Timothy’s book. He truly loves from the center...deeply, and with his whole heart. He looks for the good in others...they are ALL his friends. He doesn’t see class, color, size or any other discriminatory markings. If you are kind and polite to Timothy, he will be kind and polite in return...and he might just treat you well anyway. Sure, he has little to no filter yet, so he might ask you an honest question or two that would embarrass more “seasoned” adults. But his heart is big...he doesn’t mean be rude – he’s just a curious kindergartner!
We’ve become hardened as we grew. We’ve seen things, felt things...and the world has not been kind. But we don’t operate by the world’s rules...or we shouldn’t. And Paul tells us in this letter to the Romans that we are not to love as the world loves, either. We’re not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought...we’re to be “good friends who love deeply” and look for the good in everything and everyone. It’s a lot to ask...but nothing about the life of a Christian is promised to be easy.
If you struggle in this area, spend some time asking God to help you. With His help...all things are within the realm of possibilities! I saw a t-shirt that said...”I’ve decided I’ll never get down to my original weight. And I’m okay with that. After all, 6 lbs. 3 oz. is just not realistic!” And maybe it’s not realistic to think that we would ever be able to love with the simple genuineness of a five-year-old. But we can certainly try...can’t we?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
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 5-year-old great-nephew Timothy has just begun kindergarten... or “big school”, as he calls it! He is crazy about his new teacher, Mrs. Mays...and whatever she says is like gospel with him! So two weeks into the school year, I asked, “Do you still love Mrs. Mays?” Timothy replied, “I love EVERYONE at my school!” And indeed, if you had heard his night-time prayers, you would probably agree. He thanked God for several children and teachers by name...AND he prayed especially for a particular child in his classroom that is disruptive - and asked God to help him do better.
We could take a page from Timothy’s book. He truly loves from the center...deeply, and with his whole heart. He looks for the good in others...they are ALL his friends. He doesn’t see class, color, size or any other discriminatory markings. If you are kind and polite to Timothy, he will be kind and polite in return...and he might just treat you well anyway. Sure, he has little to no filter yet, so he might ask you an honest question or two that would embarrass more “seasoned” adults. But his heart is big...he doesn’t mean be rude – he’s just a curious kindergartner!
We’ve become hardened as we grew. We’ve seen things, felt things...and the world has not been kind. But we don’t operate by the world’s rules...or we shouldn’t. And Paul tells us in this letter to the Romans that we are not to love as the world loves, either. We’re not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought...we’re to be “good friends who love deeply” and look for the good in everything and everyone. It’s a lot to ask...but nothing about the life of a Christian is promised to be easy.
If you struggle in this area, spend some time asking God to help you. With His help...all things are within the realm of possibilities! I saw a t-shirt that said...”I’ve decided I’ll never get down to my original weight. And I’m okay with that. After all, 6 lbs. 3 oz. is just not realistic!” And maybe it’s not realistic to think that we would ever be able to love with the simple genuineness of a five-year-old. But we can certainly try...can’t we?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 6, 2013
Joel 3:1-2
In those days, yes, at that very time when I put life back together again for Judah and Jerusalem, I’ll assemble all the godless nations.
I’ll lead them down into Judgment Valley and put them all on trial, and judge them one and all because of their treatment of my own people Israel.
They scattered my people all over the pagan world and grabbed my land for themselves.
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 are entering that time of the year where everyone seems to go a little nuts with food and drink. It starts with Halloween and continues straight through Christmas and into winter. “I’ll only have a couple of pieces of candy… after all, it is Halloween!” we tell ourselves. But two pieces becomes twenty during the weeks of November (or maybe even sooner for some!). On Thanksgiving Day, we justify piling our plate high with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows, of course!), hot rolls and more. No tossed salad for us… but bring on the congealed ones laden with all sorts of rich deliciousness! Hey, it’s only Jello® and Cool Whip®… right? And we simply must try a slice of each kind of pie on the buffet... to resist the whipped cream on top would be downright unpatriotic!
This gets us to the first of December, where each day brings one cookie and/or piece of candy after the next… parties galore… rich finger foods, eggnog and all sorts of tantalizing drinks, and of course - hot cocoa! By the time New Year’s arrives, many of us will have added extra poundage… not to mention how sluggish and cranky we will feel! So we’ll make our resolutions to take off the weight and “get ready for swimsuit season!” We’ll ride a roller coaster of workouts and diets and winter nights with hot cocoa and a good movie… and in the end, we may or may not regain our health and drop the weight.
Over time, I can tell you that this will have a cumulative effect. And while you may be young and able to somewhat handle this yo-yo approach to life…there may come a day when you sit across the desk from a doctor who tells you that you have diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease… or you may find yourself in the back of an ambulance headed for the ER after suffering a stroke due to high blood pressure. You may develop arthritis and hip/knee problems because you have taxed your body’s capacity for bearing weight. Or if you manage to avoid these “judgments”, you may spend a good chunk of your adulthood battling the scales, struggling with your willpower, and trying to squeeze into the too-small clothes in your closet!
I’ve watched enough seasons of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and heard the stories of a sufficient number of the contestants to see that many people in this country reach a point where God steps in and gives them a wake-up call. In essence, He says, “It’s time to stop the madness!”… and He offers them an opportunity to reclaim their life – and their health. He gives them a chance to do the necessary work to come back into alignment (physically, mentally, and emotionally)… and to build a truly healthy life – in every sense of the word.
Not everyone will respond successfully… some will choose to continue down a destructive path. But many will make permanent life changes. They will develop a vital respect for God’s desire for them to be completely healthy and well. They will trust Him to help them learn balance… and how to confidently say “No!” where necessary. God will guide them back into a right relationship with food and good health… and they will enter subsequent holiday seasons with His protection and support as they exercise willpower and resolve!
If you are one of those for whom the temptations of the holiday offerings are not a problem…congratulations! But here’s the thing… we all encounter temptations and missteps in our lives. Your “issue” may not be food... but I bet there is some area of your life in which you struggle to maintain balance. And that’s where God comes into the equation. The scriptures tell us that God will bring all of His people together again someday and judge each of us. He will hold us accountable for how we respected Him and all that He gave us… and that includes our bodies, our thoughts, and our actions.
In the meantime, God won’t let us continue down the wrong path forever with a vow to “play now and pay later”. I firmly believe that God sends “wake-up calls” to His children… and in some instances, He calls them home sooner than later in order to put a halt to their irresponsibility and disrespect. While I am ready for heaven - and I hope you are, also - I don’t want to live in a way that frustrates God and disrespects all that He has done for me. I want to give everything I have every single day… to serve and honor Him in each word and action.
Just as each of us will slip up from time to time and eat more cookies than we know we should… or slack off on our workouts once in a while… I know that I will make plenty of mistakes, even as I try my hardest to give God my very best. When God gathers us together for judgment, I want Him to smile at me and see far more that pleases Him than He does mistakes and disappointments. Don’t you? What are you doing about this? Have you asked God to help you… to equip you with the fortitude and determination you need to make healthy decisions – in every area of your life? Are you showing God the respect He deserves? Isn’t it time you did? Will this be the “season” that you get off the roller coaster and start truly living well? Are you ready to get started?
©2013 Debbie Robus
In those days, yes, at that very time when I put life back together again for Judah and Jerusalem, I’ll assemble all the godless nations.
I’ll lead them down into Judgment Valley and put them all on trial, and judge them one and all because of their treatment of my own people Israel.
They scattered my people all over the pagan world and grabbed my land for themselves.
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 are entering that time of the year where everyone seems to go a little nuts with food and drink. It starts with Halloween and continues straight through Christmas and into winter. “I’ll only have a couple of pieces of candy… after all, it is Halloween!” we tell ourselves. But two pieces becomes twenty during the weeks of November (or maybe even sooner for some!). On Thanksgiving Day, we justify piling our plate high with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows, of course!), hot rolls and more. No tossed salad for us… but bring on the congealed ones laden with all sorts of rich deliciousness! Hey, it’s only Jello® and Cool Whip®… right? And we simply must try a slice of each kind of pie on the buffet... to resist the whipped cream on top would be downright unpatriotic!
This gets us to the first of December, where each day brings one cookie and/or piece of candy after the next… parties galore… rich finger foods, eggnog and all sorts of tantalizing drinks, and of course - hot cocoa! By the time New Year’s arrives, many of us will have added extra poundage… not to mention how sluggish and cranky we will feel! So we’ll make our resolutions to take off the weight and “get ready for swimsuit season!” We’ll ride a roller coaster of workouts and diets and winter nights with hot cocoa and a good movie… and in the end, we may or may not regain our health and drop the weight.
Over time, I can tell you that this will have a cumulative effect. And while you may be young and able to somewhat handle this yo-yo approach to life…there may come a day when you sit across the desk from a doctor who tells you that you have diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease… or you may find yourself in the back of an ambulance headed for the ER after suffering a stroke due to high blood pressure. You may develop arthritis and hip/knee problems because you have taxed your body’s capacity for bearing weight. Or if you manage to avoid these “judgments”, you may spend a good chunk of your adulthood battling the scales, struggling with your willpower, and trying to squeeze into the too-small clothes in your closet!
I’ve watched enough seasons of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and heard the stories of a sufficient number of the contestants to see that many people in this country reach a point where God steps in and gives them a wake-up call. In essence, He says, “It’s time to stop the madness!”… and He offers them an opportunity to reclaim their life – and their health. He gives them a chance to do the necessary work to come back into alignment (physically, mentally, and emotionally)… and to build a truly healthy life – in every sense of the word.
Not everyone will respond successfully… some will choose to continue down a destructive path. But many will make permanent life changes. They will develop a vital respect for God’s desire for them to be completely healthy and well. They will trust Him to help them learn balance… and how to confidently say “No!” where necessary. God will guide them back into a right relationship with food and good health… and they will enter subsequent holiday seasons with His protection and support as they exercise willpower and resolve!
If you are one of those for whom the temptations of the holiday offerings are not a problem…congratulations! But here’s the thing… we all encounter temptations and missteps in our lives. Your “issue” may not be food... but I bet there is some area of your life in which you struggle to maintain balance. And that’s where God comes into the equation. The scriptures tell us that God will bring all of His people together again someday and judge each of us. He will hold us accountable for how we respected Him and all that He gave us… and that includes our bodies, our thoughts, and our actions.
In the meantime, God won’t let us continue down the wrong path forever with a vow to “play now and pay later”. I firmly believe that God sends “wake-up calls” to His children… and in some instances, He calls them home sooner than later in order to put a halt to their irresponsibility and disrespect. While I am ready for heaven - and I hope you are, also - I don’t want to live in a way that frustrates God and disrespects all that He has done for me. I want to give everything I have every single day… to serve and honor Him in each word and action.
Just as each of us will slip up from time to time and eat more cookies than we know we should… or slack off on our workouts once in a while… I know that I will make plenty of mistakes, even as I try my hardest to give God my very best. When God gathers us together for judgment, I want Him to smile at me and see far more that pleases Him than He does mistakes and disappointments. Don’t you? What are you doing about this? Have you asked God to help you… to equip you with the fortitude and determination you need to make healthy decisions – in every area of your life? Are you showing God the respect He deserves? Isn’t it time you did? Will this be the “season” that you get off the roller coaster and start truly living well? Are you ready to get started?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 8, 2013
Titus 2:1-6
Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined 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.
Almost 30 years ago, my grandmother persuaded me to go dancing with her at a local barn dance. My grandmother came from a musical family, and she and her sisters were excellent dancers. My great-grandfather and his brother played the fiddle and other instruments at area dances “back in the day,” and their daughters learned to foxtrot, waltz, and two-step to their familiar folk tunes. On the other hand, I knew nothing of this sort of dance, save a semester of “folk dance” class in college. But my grandmother insisted I tag along… so I went with her. It wasn’t long before a very nice older gentleman friend of my grandmother’s named Jack asked me to dance. I politely declined, but my grandmother insisted I try. “He’s a good dancer,” she assured me. “Go on and dance with him.”
In the arms of an experienced lead dancer, even someone with two left feet like mine can do fairly well. Jack gave me a quick lesson in how the steps went and then said, “Just follow me.” He led me across the floor with ease… and I don’t think I stepped on his feet too many times! While I didn’t fare as well with a few other dance partners, Jack’s early guidance did make for a much more enjoyable night.
Paul challenges Titus in these first few verses to be an agent of God… an earthly, physical “lead” for God’s Spiritual dance. He gives Titus a list of character traits and qualities that will mold men and women into great “dancers” for God’s chorus line… temperance, dignity, wisdom, faith, love, endurance (patience), reverence, goodness…people of order who don’t gossip or drink to excess…people who are disciplined and conscientious.
You and I are the dancers in life… and God is our “lead.” If we pay attention and allow Him to guide us… if we learn His rhythm and follow His instructions… we can deliver a pretty solid performance. In His arms, we will glide across the “floor” of life. There will be some missteps… some bruised toes… and maybe even a stumble or two. But in all, we can rest in God’s rhythm with the assurance of things turning out as He intended. We will encounter other “dance partners” – most of whom the devil plants in front of us – but the outcome will usually be far less than stellar… with more than a few sore toes created in the process!
The question becomes… Who is your lead? How are you “dancing” through life? Do you have a solid grasp of God’s timing… or are you bumbling your way through with what are often spastic results? Are you patiently seeking your God-given dreams, or do you birth things prematurely. Is your life one of solid doctrine, as Paul describes to Titus… or are you impatiently trying to orchestrate things on your own? The choice is ours... we’ve been given a perfect example of how to live in Jesus… and reminders through scripture, in case we have any questions. What will you do with all of this? How well will you “dance?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined 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.
“Timing is so important! If you are going to be successful in dance, you must be able to respond to rhythm and timing. It’s the same in the Spirit. People who don’t understand God’s timing can become spiritually spastic, trying to make the right things happen at the wrong time. They don’t get His rhythm – and everyone can tell they are out of step. They birth things prematurely, threatening the very lives of their God-given dreams.” ~ T. D. Jakes
Almost 30 years ago, my grandmother persuaded me to go dancing with her at a local barn dance. My grandmother came from a musical family, and she and her sisters were excellent dancers. My great-grandfather and his brother played the fiddle and other instruments at area dances “back in the day,” and their daughters learned to foxtrot, waltz, and two-step to their familiar folk tunes. On the other hand, I knew nothing of this sort of dance, save a semester of “folk dance” class in college. But my grandmother insisted I tag along… so I went with her. It wasn’t long before a very nice older gentleman friend of my grandmother’s named Jack asked me to dance. I politely declined, but my grandmother insisted I try. “He’s a good dancer,” she assured me. “Go on and dance with him.”
In the arms of an experienced lead dancer, even someone with two left feet like mine can do fairly well. Jack gave me a quick lesson in how the steps went and then said, “Just follow me.” He led me across the floor with ease… and I don’t think I stepped on his feet too many times! While I didn’t fare as well with a few other dance partners, Jack’s early guidance did make for a much more enjoyable night.
Paul challenges Titus in these first few verses to be an agent of God… an earthly, physical “lead” for God’s Spiritual dance. He gives Titus a list of character traits and qualities that will mold men and women into great “dancers” for God’s chorus line… temperance, dignity, wisdom, faith, love, endurance (patience), reverence, goodness…people of order who don’t gossip or drink to excess…people who are disciplined and conscientious.
You and I are the dancers in life… and God is our “lead.” If we pay attention and allow Him to guide us… if we learn His rhythm and follow His instructions… we can deliver a pretty solid performance. In His arms, we will glide across the “floor” of life. There will be some missteps… some bruised toes… and maybe even a stumble or two. But in all, we can rest in God’s rhythm with the assurance of things turning out as He intended. We will encounter other “dance partners” – most of whom the devil plants in front of us – but the outcome will usually be far less than stellar… with more than a few sore toes created in the process!
The question becomes… Who is your lead? How are you “dancing” through life? Do you have a solid grasp of God’s timing… or are you bumbling your way through with what are often spastic results? Are you patiently seeking your God-given dreams, or do you birth things prematurely. Is your life one of solid doctrine, as Paul describes to Titus… or are you impatiently trying to orchestrate things on your own? The choice is ours... we’ve been given a perfect example of how to live in Jesus… and reminders through scripture, in case we have any questions. What will you do with all of this? How well will you “dance?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 2, 2013
April 2 ~ Titus 2:7-8Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach. Use clean language that no one can criticize. Do this, and your enemies will be too ashamed to say anything against you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I heard a conversation on “The View” about children repeating improper language they hear from us. The conversation centered on how you handle this… do you chastise a child for repeating a word you use frequently? Of course, the solution is to refrain from using these words in the first place. The ladies discussed how “we all slip sometimes,” and also pointed out that “less-than-clean” language is now peppering our television shows unapologetically. So the comment was also made that… “Children are bound to hear these words somewhere.” The implication was that “it’s not our fault – this behavior has become mainstream!”
So what are we to do? I believe that we are given some pretty good guidelines in Titus 2:7-8. First, make sure that YOU are not using unclean language… that no one can criticize what you are saying – or how you say it. Don’t call people names, gossip, or pepper your conversations with expletives. We need to all take a deep breath before we speak… count to ten when we are angry… and choose our words carefully in every situation. Yes, there are times when we slip… there are instances when we really want to let someone have it… there are circumstances that make us all want to pull out every hair on our head – and utter an expletive or two! But we must make a concerted effort to keep this in check…and God can help us do this, if we will call on Him!
Lest you think that I am a “goody-two-shoes” or something, let me assure you, I know all too well about foul language. When I was just entering high school, I hung around with some older kids who “cussed like sailors.” They thought it made them look cool, and they taught me every four-letter word in the book – and then some. I would venture to say that NONE of us speak like this or use this sort of language today. While I can’t say that we didn’t know what we were doing when we were teenagers – because we got a kick out of using this language for shock value – we grew up in more ways than one and learned that this is not acceptable behavior. We came to understand the significance of behaving above reproach – and for the most part, we know and do better today. We are sincere and serious… we recognize the importance of setting a good example for others. We also understand that people are always watching… always!
Your words and actions tell the world a lot about your values. The person who has the least materially but presents a neat, clean, well-mannered, respectable appearance and behaves genuinely and honorably gives others far less to discuss and/or criticize than the “wealthiest” person who spews garbage and acts dishonestly and with condescension or disrespect. Our challenge as Christ’s disciples is to behave in such a way that our “enemies” would be ashamed to criticize us. How are you doing? Are there areas in which you can improve? Are you taking this walk with Christ seriously and leading by example? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I heard a conversation on “The View” about children repeating improper language they hear from us. The conversation centered on how you handle this… do you chastise a child for repeating a word you use frequently? Of course, the solution is to refrain from using these words in the first place. The ladies discussed how “we all slip sometimes,” and also pointed out that “less-than-clean” language is now peppering our television shows unapologetically. So the comment was also made that… “Children are bound to hear these words somewhere.” The implication was that “it’s not our fault – this behavior has become mainstream!”
So what are we to do? I believe that we are given some pretty good guidelines in Titus 2:7-8. First, make sure that YOU are not using unclean language… that no one can criticize what you are saying – or how you say it. Don’t call people names, gossip, or pepper your conversations with expletives. We need to all take a deep breath before we speak… count to ten when we are angry… and choose our words carefully in every situation. Yes, there are times when we slip… there are instances when we really want to let someone have it… there are circumstances that make us all want to pull out every hair on our head – and utter an expletive or two! But we must make a concerted effort to keep this in check…and God can help us do this, if we will call on Him!
Lest you think that I am a “goody-two-shoes” or something, let me assure you, I know all too well about foul language. When I was just entering high school, I hung around with some older kids who “cussed like sailors.” They thought it made them look cool, and they taught me every four-letter word in the book – and then some. I would venture to say that NONE of us speak like this or use this sort of language today. While I can’t say that we didn’t know what we were doing when we were teenagers – because we got a kick out of using this language for shock value – we grew up in more ways than one and learned that this is not acceptable behavior. We came to understand the significance of behaving above reproach – and for the most part, we know and do better today. We are sincere and serious… we recognize the importance of setting a good example for others. We also understand that people are always watching… always!
Your words and actions tell the world a lot about your values. The person who has the least materially but presents a neat, clean, well-mannered, respectable appearance and behaves genuinely and honorably gives others far less to discuss and/or criticize than the “wealthiest” person who spews garbage and acts dishonestly and with condescension or disrespect. Our challenge as Christ’s disciples is to behave in such a way that our “enemies” would be ashamed to criticize us. How are you doing? Are there areas in which you can improve? Are you taking this walk with Christ seriously and leading by example? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 19, 2012
Matthew 5:2-12
Jesus' disciples gathered around him, and he taught them:
God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!
God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see him!
God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!
God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.
God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Remember the story of The Little Red Hen? She asked for help with planting, harvesting and grinding her wheat into flour, and no one was available. So she quietly and dutifully went about getting everything done. When she turned her flour into warm, tasty loaves of bread, all of those who had refused to help were suddenly interested in “helping” her eat the bread. Now I ask you, what should she do? In the story, she reminds all of her friends that they refused to help… so now they will not get to eat! She then eats the bread herself… and feeds her chicks.
Apparently the Little Red Hen didn’t read this scripture passage! The moral of the story is that “only those who work will eat.” But for Christians, there is more to the story. Can we really refuse to feed our neighbor who is hungry just because he/she won’t work? When someone fails to help us out when we are in need, does this give us license to do the same in return? Do we have the right to lie for our boss or a friend just to keep our job? Will God understand if we let our relationship with Him lapse because we are busy or preoccupied… sick or in trouble?
This passage is a wonderful outline for how to live as a disciple of Christ. Coupled with the commandments in Luke 10:27 to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind,” and “Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself,” these verses give us a great road map for Christian living. When we follow these teachings, we live in a manner that pleases God and leads to incredible blessings – both on this earth and in heaven.
These guidelines are not always easy to follow. Yes, there will be ridicule, difficulty, and frustration as you strive to follow them. But as the scriptures tell us, there will also be great rewards and blessings. You will not serve alone… your efforts will not be in vain. When you get to the point where your “Little Red Hen” story includes feeding those who are hungry – even when they didn’t help – you have truly turned a corner in your Christian living. When you care more about serving God than about what others think, an entirely new world of possibilities with Christ opens up to you. When you humble yourself and begin to depend totally on God… and genuinely grieve over the sufferings of others, you discover the joys of knowing that God will more than meet your every need. He will bless and care for you in this lifetime… and for all eternity.
Where are you in your Disciple life? Are you still a “Little Red Hen” Christian who is out to get all you can for yourself and those in your circle? Or are you “in it to win it” with Jesus… totally focused on Him and allowing Him to work in and through you for His glory? Do others see Jesus in your actions and daily living? Isn’t it time they did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Jesus' disciples gathered around him, and he taught them:
God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!
God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see him!
God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!
God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.
God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Remember the story of The Little Red Hen? She asked for help with planting, harvesting and grinding her wheat into flour, and no one was available. So she quietly and dutifully went about getting everything done. When she turned her flour into warm, tasty loaves of bread, all of those who had refused to help were suddenly interested in “helping” her eat the bread. Now I ask you, what should she do? In the story, she reminds all of her friends that they refused to help… so now they will not get to eat! She then eats the bread herself… and feeds her chicks.
Apparently the Little Red Hen didn’t read this scripture passage! The moral of the story is that “only those who work will eat.” But for Christians, there is more to the story. Can we really refuse to feed our neighbor who is hungry just because he/she won’t work? When someone fails to help us out when we are in need, does this give us license to do the same in return? Do we have the right to lie for our boss or a friend just to keep our job? Will God understand if we let our relationship with Him lapse because we are busy or preoccupied… sick or in trouble?
This passage is a wonderful outline for how to live as a disciple of Christ. Coupled with the commandments in Luke 10:27 to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind,” and “Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself,” these verses give us a great road map for Christian living. When we follow these teachings, we live in a manner that pleases God and leads to incredible blessings – both on this earth and in heaven.
These guidelines are not always easy to follow. Yes, there will be ridicule, difficulty, and frustration as you strive to follow them. But as the scriptures tell us, there will also be great rewards and blessings. You will not serve alone… your efforts will not be in vain. When you get to the point where your “Little Red Hen” story includes feeding those who are hungry – even when they didn’t help – you have truly turned a corner in your Christian living. When you care more about serving God than about what others think, an entirely new world of possibilities with Christ opens up to you. When you humble yourself and begin to depend totally on God… and genuinely grieve over the sufferings of others, you discover the joys of knowing that God will more than meet your every need. He will bless and care for you in this lifetime… and for all eternity.
Where are you in your Disciple life? Are you still a “Little Red Hen” Christian who is out to get all you can for yourself and those in your circle? Or are you “in it to win it” with Jesus… totally focused on Him and allowing Him to work in and through you for His glory? Do others see Jesus in your actions and daily living? Isn’t it time they did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 4, 2012
Psalm 37:30
Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you watch any cooking shows or dabble in the kitchen for any length of time, you have either said to yourself – or heard someone say – “The recipe calls for XYZ, but I like to do this or that.” The recipe is not wrong… it just doesn’t work for your taste – or the palate of those whom you plan to serve. Your substitutions and omissions may improve the dish… or have little to no effect at all on the overall quality of the food (like leaving raw onions out of potato salad).
Some cooks are purists. They would never consider deviating from the recipe. Others use it as a loose guide to create something new and wonderful. And unless something goes horribly wrong, the end result is almost never ghastly!
A lot of people are using the Bible like a cookbook or recipe starter. And to some degree, this is not necessarily the wrong approach. I believe God wants us to take His word and truly dig into it… to find out what He is saying to us and how He wants us to apply the scriptures to our daily living. But some people have decided to substitute one word or phrase for another – or to pick and choose what to include and what to omit. Some have taken a particular passage literally without considering its overall context. And God’s word doesn’t work that way!
Am I saying we are should view every single word of the Bible literally? Are we to stop touching pig skin, kill a newborn lamb and never cut our hair? Absolutely not! But neither are we to twist and turn selected scriptures to suit our own agendas… or to suit our personal comfort level.
There are many excellent guides on the Internet for reading through the Bible in 365 days. A lot of them suggest that you read a passage each day from the Old Testament and New Testament – and a Psalm and/or verse from Proverbs. If you do this, you will find many verses in the Old Testament about sacrifices, burnt offerings, and ceremonial worship. You will see how God’s people showed their humility and repentance to Him by killing their best animals and sacrificed the bodies on an altar. This is outlined in great detail in the Old Testament… what, when, where and how to atone to God.
In the New Testament, the coming of Jesus changes everything. No longer do we have to kill our best calf to show repentance to God for our sin. We don’t have to perform complex rituals for atonement and purification. The focus is no longer on ceremonies and eating the right food at the right time in order to please God. In Colossians 2:20-23, we read… “You died with Christ. Now the forces of the universe don’t have any power over you. Why do you live as if you had to obey such rules as, ‘Don’t handle this. Don’t taste that. Don’t touch this.’? After these things are used, they are no longer good for anything. So why be bothered with the rules that humans have made up? Obeying these rules may seem to be the smart thing to do. They appear to make you love God more and to be very humble and to have control over your body. But they don’t really have any power over our desires.”
Here’s the problem… many Christians pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe or use for justification on any given day – much like a cook puts in or takes out the raw onions or another ingredient in a recipe. The difference between the cook and the Christian is that “selectiveness” in our faith DOES make a huge difference. Do not misunderstand me… the Old Testament is extremely important, and we must not toss it to the curb as outdated and no longer relevant. But if we go back and pick out ANY scripture passage to justify our opinion on something and do not consider its context or how it functions alongside the rest of God’s word, we may very well be operating in untruth and injustice.
How do you know what is true? How can you figure out who to trust? After all, people who claim to be faith-filled Christians are continually telling us exactly what the Bible says and how we should believe. Shouldn’t we listen? For me, the answer is yes, no… and maybe. I believe that there are plenty of fair, honest and genuine Christians who operate from a place of justice and responsibility… believers who study the scripture, communicate with God and sincerely ask Him, “LORD, what do you mean by this? What are you telling me?” I believe these people make their decisions and serve God honorably from a place of heartfelt worship and obedience. And at the end of the day, I believe these people operate fully in the love and kindness of Jesus Christ - a deep and abiding desire to love others as God loves us… to live in a way that His grace, mercy, love and forgiveness shine through… and they leave the judgment and justice to God.
Look around. These people exist. You will have to sort and sift through a lot of friends and acquaintances who claim to be Christians but often behave in a way that is anything but Christ-like. Finding honest, sincere, wise and genuine Christian friends and mentors will be worth the effort. You’re not seeking someone who thinks like you do… you’re seeking the truth. The “Christian recipe” calls for heavy measures of love, kindness, compassion, wisdom in the LORD, integrity, loyalty, sincerity, and honesty, among other things. This is one recipe we don’t want to alter!
I want God’s truth for my life as much as the next person. I am continually seeking His direction. My prayer is that I would always offer others the truth… and an example of living faithfully in the wisdom and commandments of Jesus… with a heavy dose of justice and fairness. I’ve had a few epic fails in the kitchen… but when it comes to “cooking for Jesus,” I want to offer a solid dish… don’t you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you watch any cooking shows or dabble in the kitchen for any length of time, you have either said to yourself – or heard someone say – “The recipe calls for XYZ, but I like to do this or that.” The recipe is not wrong… it just doesn’t work for your taste – or the palate of those whom you plan to serve. Your substitutions and omissions may improve the dish… or have little to no effect at all on the overall quality of the food (like leaving raw onions out of potato salad).
Some cooks are purists. They would never consider deviating from the recipe. Others use it as a loose guide to create something new and wonderful. And unless something goes horribly wrong, the end result is almost never ghastly!
A lot of people are using the Bible like a cookbook or recipe starter. And to some degree, this is not necessarily the wrong approach. I believe God wants us to take His word and truly dig into it… to find out what He is saying to us and how He wants us to apply the scriptures to our daily living. But some people have decided to substitute one word or phrase for another – or to pick and choose what to include and what to omit. Some have taken a particular passage literally without considering its overall context. And God’s word doesn’t work that way!
Am I saying we are should view every single word of the Bible literally? Are we to stop touching pig skin, kill a newborn lamb and never cut our hair? Absolutely not! But neither are we to twist and turn selected scriptures to suit our own agendas… or to suit our personal comfort level.
There are many excellent guides on the Internet for reading through the Bible in 365 days. A lot of them suggest that you read a passage each day from the Old Testament and New Testament – and a Psalm and/or verse from Proverbs. If you do this, you will find many verses in the Old Testament about sacrifices, burnt offerings, and ceremonial worship. You will see how God’s people showed their humility and repentance to Him by killing their best animals and sacrificed the bodies on an altar. This is outlined in great detail in the Old Testament… what, when, where and how to atone to God.
In the New Testament, the coming of Jesus changes everything. No longer do we have to kill our best calf to show repentance to God for our sin. We don’t have to perform complex rituals for atonement and purification. The focus is no longer on ceremonies and eating the right food at the right time in order to please God. In Colossians 2:20-23, we read… “You died with Christ. Now the forces of the universe don’t have any power over you. Why do you live as if you had to obey such rules as, ‘Don’t handle this. Don’t taste that. Don’t touch this.’? After these things are used, they are no longer good for anything. So why be bothered with the rules that humans have made up? Obeying these rules may seem to be the smart thing to do. They appear to make you love God more and to be very humble and to have control over your body. But they don’t really have any power over our desires.”
Here’s the problem… many Christians pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe or use for justification on any given day – much like a cook puts in or takes out the raw onions or another ingredient in a recipe. The difference between the cook and the Christian is that “selectiveness” in our faith DOES make a huge difference. Do not misunderstand me… the Old Testament is extremely important, and we must not toss it to the curb as outdated and no longer relevant. But if we go back and pick out ANY scripture passage to justify our opinion on something and do not consider its context or how it functions alongside the rest of God’s word, we may very well be operating in untruth and injustice.
How do you know what is true? How can you figure out who to trust? After all, people who claim to be faith-filled Christians are continually telling us exactly what the Bible says and how we should believe. Shouldn’t we listen? For me, the answer is yes, no… and maybe. I believe that there are plenty of fair, honest and genuine Christians who operate from a place of justice and responsibility… believers who study the scripture, communicate with God and sincerely ask Him, “LORD, what do you mean by this? What are you telling me?” I believe these people make their decisions and serve God honorably from a place of heartfelt worship and obedience. And at the end of the day, I believe these people operate fully in the love and kindness of Jesus Christ - a deep and abiding desire to love others as God loves us… to live in a way that His grace, mercy, love and forgiveness shine through… and they leave the judgment and justice to God.
Look around. These people exist. You will have to sort and sift through a lot of friends and acquaintances who claim to be Christians but often behave in a way that is anything but Christ-like. Finding honest, sincere, wise and genuine Christian friends and mentors will be worth the effort. You’re not seeking someone who thinks like you do… you’re seeking the truth. The “Christian recipe” calls for heavy measures of love, kindness, compassion, wisdom in the LORD, integrity, loyalty, sincerity, and honesty, among other things. This is one recipe we don’t want to alter!
I want God’s truth for my life as much as the next person. I am continually seeking His direction. My prayer is that I would always offer others the truth… and an example of living faithfully in the wisdom and commandments of Jesus… with a heavy dose of justice and fairness. I’ve had a few epic fails in the kitchen… but when it comes to “cooking for Jesus,” I want to offer a solid dish… don’t you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 24, 2012
Acts 4:11-16
While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch. Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, I’ve heard someone say to another person… “I know you have a direct line to heaven, so please pray for me,” or something to that effect. And I admit, I have said that a few times to someone who I thought was a strong disciple of Christ. The trouble with this concept is that the “direct line” to God is not exclusive to a select few people. God does not give more attention to one person over another. We all have the same “line” to God… the difference is in how we utilize it.
Honestly, most people probably say this to another person as a way of paying them a compliment or acknowledging the blessings of his/her faithfulness. But we really need to be careful what we say… even with the best of intentions. What makes the prayers of certain people seem more effective is a result of their level of faith and trust in God. In truth, their prayers are not heard more often than ours… ahead of ours… or instead of ours! But their trust in God to answer may trump ours any day of the week.
People who go to church every Sunday, sing in the choir, serve in leadership roles in the church, or do mission work do not have their prayers answered - or live a problem-free life - because of their actions. Your heart… and your faith… are what matters. The most powerful, faithful, devoted servant of God may be a little old lady in the nursing home who trusts God to meet her needs and prays daily – and faithfully – for the needs of others. The soldier stationed in a foreign country who trusts God for safety and “daily bread” – in the trenches and for his/her family back at home – may receive more of God’s blessings than the deacon or church leader who is always in “high profile” for his/her latest projects, missions, or acts of service. Some of the people you consider to be “strong Christians” may actually have fairly weak faith behind their public persona.
What makes a Christian strong, confident, able and blessed is a matter of faith, not specific actions or mere talk. We can say all the right things… work in the church and serve in our community… be a “good person” and a friend to everyone we encounter… and still not operate in faith. Until we develop a deep, abiding faith in God… until we trust Him completely and operate from this foundation rather than the expectations and standards of the world… we will never truly experience all that God has for us.
Do not misunderstand me. Service is important… Jesus commanded us to love one another and to serve in His name. Corporate worship is important… we are called to fellowship with others – to come together to praise God and study His word. A positive attitude and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is mandated by scripture. But all of these are fueled by a genuine faith in our Heavenly Father. Without a true faith in the promises of God, much of what we say and do is merely “lip service” to make us look good and feel better.
We cannot know for certain what is in another person’s heart… and we are not to judge anyway. We must cultivate our own relationship with God based entirely in faith that He will meet our every need, according to His will. We must trust Him to make us strong and well… and to always “take our calls.” People are watching… and they may see what appears to be a faith-filled Christian with a “direct line” to God. But God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are merely “religious” or truly operating in faith and trust. He hears our prayers… and more importantly, the intention behind them. What are your intentions… are you operating in faith, or merely “talking religion?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch. Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, I’ve heard someone say to another person… “I know you have a direct line to heaven, so please pray for me,” or something to that effect. And I admit, I have said that a few times to someone who I thought was a strong disciple of Christ. The trouble with this concept is that the “direct line” to God is not exclusive to a select few people. God does not give more attention to one person over another. We all have the same “line” to God… the difference is in how we utilize it.
Honestly, most people probably say this to another person as a way of paying them a compliment or acknowledging the blessings of his/her faithfulness. But we really need to be careful what we say… even with the best of intentions. What makes the prayers of certain people seem more effective is a result of their level of faith and trust in God. In truth, their prayers are not heard more often than ours… ahead of ours… or instead of ours! But their trust in God to answer may trump ours any day of the week.
People who go to church every Sunday, sing in the choir, serve in leadership roles in the church, or do mission work do not have their prayers answered - or live a problem-free life - because of their actions. Your heart… and your faith… are what matters. The most powerful, faithful, devoted servant of God may be a little old lady in the nursing home who trusts God to meet her needs and prays daily – and faithfully – for the needs of others. The soldier stationed in a foreign country who trusts God for safety and “daily bread” – in the trenches and for his/her family back at home – may receive more of God’s blessings than the deacon or church leader who is always in “high profile” for his/her latest projects, missions, or acts of service. Some of the people you consider to be “strong Christians” may actually have fairly weak faith behind their public persona.
What makes a Christian strong, confident, able and blessed is a matter of faith, not specific actions or mere talk. We can say all the right things… work in the church and serve in our community… be a “good person” and a friend to everyone we encounter… and still not operate in faith. Until we develop a deep, abiding faith in God… until we trust Him completely and operate from this foundation rather than the expectations and standards of the world… we will never truly experience all that God has for us.
Do not misunderstand me. Service is important… Jesus commanded us to love one another and to serve in His name. Corporate worship is important… we are called to fellowship with others – to come together to praise God and study His word. A positive attitude and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is mandated by scripture. But all of these are fueled by a genuine faith in our Heavenly Father. Without a true faith in the promises of God, much of what we say and do is merely “lip service” to make us look good and feel better.
We cannot know for certain what is in another person’s heart… and we are not to judge anyway. We must cultivate our own relationship with God based entirely in faith that He will meet our every need, according to His will. We must trust Him to make us strong and well… and to always “take our calls.” People are watching… and they may see what appears to be a faith-filled Christian with a “direct line” to God. But God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are merely “religious” or truly operating in faith and trust. He hears our prayers… and more importantly, the intention behind them. What are your intentions… are you operating in faith, or merely “talking religion?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 10, 2011
John 12:24-26
I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat. If you love your life, you will lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life. If you serve me, you must go with me. My servants will be with me wherever I am. If you serve me, my Father will honor you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was cleaning my desk this morning (those of you who know me can start laughing now), and I came across a note I had made that said, “Sidewalk Prophets – The Words I Would Say.” I Googled the phrase and found the YouTube video for this song. I had heard it on Christian radio one day and noted the names of the song and artist. This morning, I listened to it again and bookmarked it for future listening.
I had already found my scripture passage for today… the words practically leapt off the page at me. The message I received loud and clear is that life will not be easy or pleasant for us every single day just because we invite Jesus to be LORD of our life. If everything were hunky-dory every day, most of us would decide we really didn’t need a Savior, wouldn’t we?!
In order to truly prove to God that we are with Him 100%, we have to endure some bumps in the road… set our own personal agendas aside… and follow Him completely. We may have to work at a job we don’t particularly enjoy. We may have to get up at 3:00 a.m. with a sick baby or miss a party because our mom or grandma needs our help. We may have to tell our friends, “I’m sorry, but I can’t come with you,” as they get in a car and head for the liquor store and an all-nighter. We may have to speak up and share our disapproval to the person who makes unkind comments toward someone of another ethnicity, religious belief or lifestyle choice that differs from his/hers.
Recently I made the comment that I have had to do things in the past that did not make me happy… but they were the right thing to do – and I know God was guiding my steps. We don’t always get to have things our way, particularly if we are genuine Disciples of Christ. But the rewards and blessings far outweigh any momentary unhappiness we might encounter.
I encourage you to click on the video at the end of this post and listen to “The Words I Would Say.” If you don’t care to listen, take a look at the lyrics I’ve provided. Let Jesus speak to you through them today. Hear Him tell you to be strong in Him… never give up hope… don’t live life in fear and don’t forget why you are here! God’s got His hand on you… come find peace in the Father.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat. If you love your life, you will lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life. If you serve me, you must go with me. My servants will be with me wherever I am. If you serve me, my Father will honor you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was cleaning my desk this morning (those of you who know me can start laughing now), and I came across a note I had made that said, “Sidewalk Prophets – The Words I Would Say.” I Googled the phrase and found the YouTube video for this song. I had heard it on Christian radio one day and noted the names of the song and artist. This morning, I listened to it again and bookmarked it for future listening.
I had already found my scripture passage for today… the words practically leapt off the page at me. The message I received loud and clear is that life will not be easy or pleasant for us every single day just because we invite Jesus to be LORD of our life. If everything were hunky-dory every day, most of us would decide we really didn’t need a Savior, wouldn’t we?!
In order to truly prove to God that we are with Him 100%, we have to endure some bumps in the road… set our own personal agendas aside… and follow Him completely. We may have to work at a job we don’t particularly enjoy. We may have to get up at 3:00 a.m. with a sick baby or miss a party because our mom or grandma needs our help. We may have to tell our friends, “I’m sorry, but I can’t come with you,” as they get in a car and head for the liquor store and an all-nighter. We may have to speak up and share our disapproval to the person who makes unkind comments toward someone of another ethnicity, religious belief or lifestyle choice that differs from his/hers.
Recently I made the comment that I have had to do things in the past that did not make me happy… but they were the right thing to do – and I know God was guiding my steps. We don’t always get to have things our way, particularly if we are genuine Disciples of Christ. But the rewards and blessings far outweigh any momentary unhappiness we might encounter.
I encourage you to click on the video at the end of this post and listen to “The Words I Would Say.” If you don’t care to listen, take a look at the lyrics I’ve provided. Let Jesus speak to you through them today. Hear Him tell you to be strong in Him… never give up hope… don’t live life in fear and don’t forget why you are here! God’s got His hand on you… come find peace in the Father.
©2011 Debbie Robus
- The Words I Would Say
©2009 Sidewalk Prophets – These Simple Truths
http://www.sidewalkprophets.com/
Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
Daily Devotional for August 19, 2011
Psalm 107:19-22
You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you. By the power of his own word, he healed you and saved you from destruction. You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us. You should celebrate by offering sacrifices and singing joyful songs to tell what he has done.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My friend John Sykes has written a great little short story called Shirley Takes the Shot, which is available for download on Amazon Kindle for only 99 cents. Now that the shameless plug is out of the way, let me say that this is a wonderful, quick story about two men who experience a backwoods hog killing for the first time. I don’t want to give away the story, but let’s just say that the author and his “city-slicker” friend were less than comfortable in this situation, and I think it’s safe to assume that the friend probably muttered at least one prayer for rescue!
So often, we find ourselves in uncomfortable, if not troubling situations… and we mutter prayers to God and ask for a quick rescue. Many of these prayers are somewhat instinctive… spoken even subconsciously, as in “Oh, Lord, please help me.” It’s not that we don’t mean what we are asking, but we fail to recognize that these are exactly the words we need to speak… and God is indeed listening!
If we had a nickel for every time God rescues us… heals us… lifts us up out of danger and saves us from destruction… many of us would be millionaires! My point is that we take so much for granted in this life… from how bacon gets on our table for breakfast to the comforts of our homes and lifestyles – to the countless ways that God blesses and keeps us every single minute of the day.
It is time for us to be more proactive and aware of our blessings. We must start recognizing that God is watching over us and protecting us every single day. We need to be more grateful… openly and in private prayers of thanks. You often hear someone say, “I can’t thank you enough for what you have done.” In the case of our Heavenly Father, we truly cannot thank Him enough… but we can try. Are you celebrating His blessings and singing joyful praises for all He does for you? Isn’t it time you began?
©2011 Debbie Robus
You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the LORD, and he rescued you. By the power of his own word, he healed you and saved you from destruction. You should praise the LORD for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us. You should celebrate by offering sacrifices and singing joyful songs to tell what he has done.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My friend John Sykes has written a great little short story called Shirley Takes the Shot, which is available for download on Amazon Kindle for only 99 cents. Now that the shameless plug is out of the way, let me say that this is a wonderful, quick story about two men who experience a backwoods hog killing for the first time. I don’t want to give away the story, but let’s just say that the author and his “city-slicker” friend were less than comfortable in this situation, and I think it’s safe to assume that the friend probably muttered at least one prayer for rescue!
So often, we find ourselves in uncomfortable, if not troubling situations… and we mutter prayers to God and ask for a quick rescue. Many of these prayers are somewhat instinctive… spoken even subconsciously, as in “Oh, Lord, please help me.” It’s not that we don’t mean what we are asking, but we fail to recognize that these are exactly the words we need to speak… and God is indeed listening!
If we had a nickel for every time God rescues us… heals us… lifts us up out of danger and saves us from destruction… many of us would be millionaires! My point is that we take so much for granted in this life… from how bacon gets on our table for breakfast to the comforts of our homes and lifestyles – to the countless ways that God blesses and keeps us every single minute of the day.
It is time for us to be more proactive and aware of our blessings. We must start recognizing that God is watching over us and protecting us every single day. We need to be more grateful… openly and in private prayers of thanks. You often hear someone say, “I can’t thank you enough for what you have done.” In the case of our Heavenly Father, we truly cannot thank Him enough… but we can try. Are you celebrating His blessings and singing joyful praises for all He does for you? Isn’t it time you began?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 10, 2011
Luke 2:13-22
When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
But the Jews were upset. They asked, "What credentials can you present to justify this?" Jesus answered, "Tear down this Temple and in three days I'll put it back together."
They were indignant: "It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you're going to rebuild it in three days?" But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple. Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.
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 lot can happen in three days. Babies can be born, people can die and be buried, natural disasters can wipe out entire communities, high school and college careers can be completed, couples can marry and start new lives together… and a lot more. It’s the building – and rebuilding – that can take much longer… creating a lifetime of memories with a new addition, moving forward with life after the loss of a loved one, restoring a community and starting over with businesses and homes, beginning that “next chapter” of life... or getting “life” back on track.
The impact of three days in the life of Jesus had worldwide ramifications for generations to come and into Eternity. His crucifixion, death and resurrection changed everything… forever! And while our restorations and rebuilds often take more than three days, simply by nature of the fact that we are mere human beings. If we are living for Jesus, this time has importance, as well. Our actions and choices may not appear to affect the world at large – or future generations. But truly, everything we do in Jesus’ name has potential for great impact. And even the “little things” matter more than we like to think.
You’ve heard me say many times that “People are watching.” If we think of our lives… our bodies and our minds… as temples of God, then everything we say and do has tremendous value – and impact on others. We can be a positive, Godly influence… or we can, in essence, totally ruin everything with our witness and our conduct. If we think of our Christian faith and our church body as the Temple of God… what we say and do as church members, in worship, and on behalf of the church itself has an incredible power – either positively or negatively. We may think that we are insignificant… or that what we are saying and doing doesn’t really matter that much. But it does!
Three days in the life of Jesus changed the world for all of us. What does this mean for you? What do three days in your life do – for you, for others… and for Jesus?
©2011 Debbie Robus
When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
But the Jews were upset. They asked, "What credentials can you present to justify this?" Jesus answered, "Tear down this Temple and in three days I'll put it back together."
They were indignant: "It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you're going to rebuild it in three days?" But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple. Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.
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 lot can happen in three days. Babies can be born, people can die and be buried, natural disasters can wipe out entire communities, high school and college careers can be completed, couples can marry and start new lives together… and a lot more. It’s the building – and rebuilding – that can take much longer… creating a lifetime of memories with a new addition, moving forward with life after the loss of a loved one, restoring a community and starting over with businesses and homes, beginning that “next chapter” of life... or getting “life” back on track.
The impact of three days in the life of Jesus had worldwide ramifications for generations to come and into Eternity. His crucifixion, death and resurrection changed everything… forever! And while our restorations and rebuilds often take more than three days, simply by nature of the fact that we are mere human beings. If we are living for Jesus, this time has importance, as well. Our actions and choices may not appear to affect the world at large – or future generations. But truly, everything we do in Jesus’ name has potential for great impact. And even the “little things” matter more than we like to think.
You’ve heard me say many times that “People are watching.” If we think of our lives… our bodies and our minds… as temples of God, then everything we say and do has tremendous value – and impact on others. We can be a positive, Godly influence… or we can, in essence, totally ruin everything with our witness and our conduct. If we think of our Christian faith and our church body as the Temple of God… what we say and do as church members, in worship, and on behalf of the church itself has an incredible power – either positively or negatively. We may think that we are insignificant… or that what we are saying and doing doesn’t really matter that much. But it does!
Three days in the life of Jesus changed the world for all of us. What does this mean for you? What do three days in your life do – for you, for others… and for Jesus?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 6, 2011
Luke 14:11
What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
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.
Recently, I attended a dessert potluck one evening with a group of RVers who came to Heber Springs for a conference on Workamping – working while traveling in an RV. These Workampers were treated to a musical performance by the Gardner Boys – a family in our community whose talent is well-known and respected. The group included Rick Gardner and his three sons… Matthew, Will, and Jack. I have known the Gardners since Matthew and Will were babies, and I have watched all three boys grow and develop into fine young men – and wonderful musical artists.
I had the honor of introducing the Gardner Boys to the group… and I learned from their mom, Melisa, that they had brought CDs to sell to anyone who might be interested. She said, “The boys are too modest to tell anyone that they have their CDs for sale.” But by the end of the night, several in the crowd had made purchases. They were enthralled with these young men and their music… and the rest of the conference, they could not stop talking about how talented the boys were and how much their concert had been enjoyed.
These boys are wonderful showmen… but they are not show-offs… and there is a difference. They know how to show up in costume and put on a good show. This rainy, stormy night, the boys showed up in casual attire – shorts and t-shirts – and they let their talent speak for itself. They still delivered a good show… one that had people from other states asking, “How far would you travel to perform?”… but they were not the least bit pretentious. They were content to be themselves. They modestly autographed their CDs… acting almost embarrassed that anyone would want their signature. For them, the music comes about as naturally as breathing… but their performance was amazing and delightful to those who were in attendance.
Now shift gears with me and think about your Christian walk. Is it as natural to you as breathing? Are you content to be yourself? Do you share your love of Christ with others without giving it a second thought? Do you deliver your very best for Jesus day in and day out, with no fanfare – “in t-shirt and shorts” – with a spirit of humble service? Or do you puff out your chest as if to say to the world, “Look at me… I’m a child of God… a disciple of Christ… and I am special! Listen to what I have to say. Notice what I am doing… because it’s important!”?
Do you expect extra credit and recognition for your service in Jesus’ name? Do you expect people to treat you differently – to give you a special parking space or seat at the table because of how God has used you and/or blessed you? Do you feel superior to others because of what God has allowed you to accomplish and acquire? Do you expect people to be so enamored of you that they practically beg for your autograph?
It is important that we give God our very best each and every day, regardless of our station in life. But it is equally important that we serve with a humble spirit… that we let God’s work in and through us speak for itself - not what we have accomplished. The minute we begin to give anyone the impression that we are the least bit better than they are… or that we are more capable, more blessed, or more important – to others or to God – we have failed as Christian servants… and we fall flat on our faces.
I don’t know about you, but I never want to be a failure as God’s servant. I don’t want to ever be arrogant, self-serving, or superior to others… or to even hint to them that I consider myself as such in any way. I pray that we will all ask God for a humble spirit… that we will ask Him to give us opportunities and open doors to serve others with pure hearts and motives. And in simply being ourselves, I pray that God would bless us and be glorified.
Are you a humble servant?
©2011 Debbie Robus
What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
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.
Recently, I attended a dessert potluck one evening with a group of RVers who came to Heber Springs for a conference on Workamping – working while traveling in an RV. These Workampers were treated to a musical performance by the Gardner Boys – a family in our community whose talent is well-known and respected. The group included Rick Gardner and his three sons… Matthew, Will, and Jack. I have known the Gardners since Matthew and Will were babies, and I have watched all three boys grow and develop into fine young men – and wonderful musical artists.
I had the honor of introducing the Gardner Boys to the group… and I learned from their mom, Melisa, that they had brought CDs to sell to anyone who might be interested. She said, “The boys are too modest to tell anyone that they have their CDs for sale.” But by the end of the night, several in the crowd had made purchases. They were enthralled with these young men and their music… and the rest of the conference, they could not stop talking about how talented the boys were and how much their concert had been enjoyed.
These boys are wonderful showmen… but they are not show-offs… and there is a difference. They know how to show up in costume and put on a good show. This rainy, stormy night, the boys showed up in casual attire – shorts and t-shirts – and they let their talent speak for itself. They still delivered a good show… one that had people from other states asking, “How far would you travel to perform?”… but they were not the least bit pretentious. They were content to be themselves. They modestly autographed their CDs… acting almost embarrassed that anyone would want their signature. For them, the music comes about as naturally as breathing… but their performance was amazing and delightful to those who were in attendance.
Now shift gears with me and think about your Christian walk. Is it as natural to you as breathing? Are you content to be yourself? Do you share your love of Christ with others without giving it a second thought? Do you deliver your very best for Jesus day in and day out, with no fanfare – “in t-shirt and shorts” – with a spirit of humble service? Or do you puff out your chest as if to say to the world, “Look at me… I’m a child of God… a disciple of Christ… and I am special! Listen to what I have to say. Notice what I am doing… because it’s important!”?
Do you expect extra credit and recognition for your service in Jesus’ name? Do you expect people to treat you differently – to give you a special parking space or seat at the table because of how God has used you and/or blessed you? Do you feel superior to others because of what God has allowed you to accomplish and acquire? Do you expect people to be so enamored of you that they practically beg for your autograph?
It is important that we give God our very best each and every day, regardless of our station in life. But it is equally important that we serve with a humble spirit… that we let God’s work in and through us speak for itself - not what we have accomplished. The minute we begin to give anyone the impression that we are the least bit better than they are… or that we are more capable, more blessed, or more important – to others or to God – we have failed as Christian servants… and we fall flat on our faces.
I don’t know about you, but I never want to be a failure as God’s servant. I don’t want to ever be arrogant, self-serving, or superior to others… or to even hint to them that I consider myself as such in any way. I pray that we will all ask God for a humble spirit… that we will ask Him to give us opportunities and open doors to serve others with pure hearts and motives. And in simply being ourselves, I pray that God would bless us and be glorified.
Are you a humble servant?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 25, 2011
1 Timothy 5:7-8
Tell all of this to everyone, so they will do the right thing. People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine named Jean. I am not sure of Jean’s age, but it’s somewhere around 95. Jean and her husband, Jim, who is 95 or better, still live in their own home. She is a former nurse… Jim a former airline pilot. Jean and Jim never had children. Nieces, nephews, other family members and friends “see after” them… as much as Jean and Jim will allow!
I admit, I do not “see after” Jean and Jim like I should. They have been my dear friends for almost 25 years, and they are members of my church. They are part of my “church family” even if they are not related by blood, and I should check in with them more often.
And that brings me to the point of today’s devotional. It’s very easy for younger people to get busy with their own lives and families… and frankly, to become self-absorbed… and to forget about – or neglect – older people who live and work alongside them. I recently spoke with the mother of one of my friends, and she said, “We don’t see children at church any more, and it breaks my heart.” The children are attending a more contemporary service that meets at a different hour, and many of the older church members attend a traditional service, so they have little opportunity to interact with younger members. Clearly, this represents a need that must be addressed… and one that may have become commonplace in many church congregations.
If you want to see the power of “youth” in action, visit a nursing home and take a baby, a puppy, or a kitten. The faces of the residents will instantly light up at the sight of “young life.” We tend to get tunnel vision quite often… to focus on people who are in our own circle – or our own age – and we toss others… especially those who are older… to the curb. If you read further in 1 Timothy 5, you will see that there are admonitions to honor Jesus by caring for our grandparents, our widows and widowers, and older adults. When we show them respect and care, we are honoring God and His love for us.
The last time I did laundry, I discovered that the underarm seam of one of my husband’s t-shirts had come undone. My husband has dozens of t-shirts, and I seriously considered tossing this one into the rag bin. But there was still a lot of good “wear” left in the shirt, and a few stitches on my sewing machine could patch the torn seam. As I looked at this shirt, I thought of how we treat others in everyday life. I considered how we sometimes toss people – especially older adults - and their needs into the “rag bin” and focus on newer, prettier, more seemingly useful folks.
We need to wake up! We need to realize that older adults are not only important, wise and worthy of our time and attention… but we are called by God to attend to them! Who do you need to contact today? Do you have a family member – or a church family member – who needs to hear from you? If you are older… have you reached out to those who are younger and let them know you are willing to be a mentor and friend… that you still want to be engaged in the activities of their lives? In God’s family, there are no age barriers… these have been imposed by humans. It’s up to us to remove them… in Jesus’ name. Where will you begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Tell all of this to everyone, so they will do the right thing. People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine named Jean. I am not sure of Jean’s age, but it’s somewhere around 95. Jean and her husband, Jim, who is 95 or better, still live in their own home. She is a former nurse… Jim a former airline pilot. Jean and Jim never had children. Nieces, nephews, other family members and friends “see after” them… as much as Jean and Jim will allow!
I admit, I do not “see after” Jean and Jim like I should. They have been my dear friends for almost 25 years, and they are members of my church. They are part of my “church family” even if they are not related by blood, and I should check in with them more often.
And that brings me to the point of today’s devotional. It’s very easy for younger people to get busy with their own lives and families… and frankly, to become self-absorbed… and to forget about – or neglect – older people who live and work alongside them. I recently spoke with the mother of one of my friends, and she said, “We don’t see children at church any more, and it breaks my heart.” The children are attending a more contemporary service that meets at a different hour, and many of the older church members attend a traditional service, so they have little opportunity to interact with younger members. Clearly, this represents a need that must be addressed… and one that may have become commonplace in many church congregations.
If you want to see the power of “youth” in action, visit a nursing home and take a baby, a puppy, or a kitten. The faces of the residents will instantly light up at the sight of “young life.” We tend to get tunnel vision quite often… to focus on people who are in our own circle – or our own age – and we toss others… especially those who are older… to the curb. If you read further in 1 Timothy 5, you will see that there are admonitions to honor Jesus by caring for our grandparents, our widows and widowers, and older adults. When we show them respect and care, we are honoring God and His love for us.
The last time I did laundry, I discovered that the underarm seam of one of my husband’s t-shirts had come undone. My husband has dozens of t-shirts, and I seriously considered tossing this one into the rag bin. But there was still a lot of good “wear” left in the shirt, and a few stitches on my sewing machine could patch the torn seam. As I looked at this shirt, I thought of how we treat others in everyday life. I considered how we sometimes toss people – especially older adults - and their needs into the “rag bin” and focus on newer, prettier, more seemingly useful folks.
We need to wake up! We need to realize that older adults are not only important, wise and worthy of our time and attention… but we are called by God to attend to them! Who do you need to contact today? Do you have a family member – or a church family member – who needs to hear from you? If you are older… have you reached out to those who are younger and let them know you are willing to be a mentor and friend… that you still want to be engaged in the activities of their lives? In God’s family, there are no age barriers… these have been imposed by humans. It’s up to us to remove them… in Jesus’ name. Where will you begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 24, 2011
Psalm 31:12
I am completely forgotten like someone dead. I am merely a broken dish. I hear the crowds whisper, "Everyone is afraid!" They are plotting and scheming to murder me. But I trust you, LORD, and I claim you as my God. My life is in your hands. Save me from enemies who hunt me down. Smile on me, your servant. Have pity and rescue me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was folding laundry, and I piled a stack of underwear on top of a stack of t-shirts, and the underwear fell over onto the floor. All of it had to be refolded. Now, at one point in my life, I would probably have groaned and grumbled and uttered some things I can’t repeat here. But this time, I picked up the clothing, laughed, and refolded it.
You’re probably wondering what folding underwear has to do with God, so I’ll tell you! As I refolded these pieces of clothing, I thought about how we are a lot like them. God washes us clean in the blood of Jesus. He folds us neatly and prepares us for another day. Then we fall… we lose our balance… we get distracted or overloaded and top heavy… and we tumble. And God, being God, picks us up, dusts us off and refolds us. He has pity on us and rescues us… even in our “brokenness”… and He restores us.
I would like to think that God looks at us and laughs…at least sometimes. More often, I think he is saddened by our falls and shortcomings. But He still loves us, just the same. I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful to serve a God who loves me like this. The devil would be glad to leave us on the floor in a heap to be trampled by anything and everyone. I am so glad to know that if – and when – I fall, God will rescue me and fold me back in place so that I am ready for another day in His service.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we serve a God who can smile on us even in our broken state? Have you put your life in His hands and trusted Him to save you? When was the last time you thanked God for taking such good care of you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I am completely forgotten like someone dead. I am merely a broken dish. I hear the crowds whisper, "Everyone is afraid!" They are plotting and scheming to murder me. But I trust you, LORD, and I claim you as my God. My life is in your hands. Save me from enemies who hunt me down. Smile on me, your servant. Have pity and rescue me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was folding laundry, and I piled a stack of underwear on top of a stack of t-shirts, and the underwear fell over onto the floor. All of it had to be refolded. Now, at one point in my life, I would probably have groaned and grumbled and uttered some things I can’t repeat here. But this time, I picked up the clothing, laughed, and refolded it.
You’re probably wondering what folding underwear has to do with God, so I’ll tell you! As I refolded these pieces of clothing, I thought about how we are a lot like them. God washes us clean in the blood of Jesus. He folds us neatly and prepares us for another day. Then we fall… we lose our balance… we get distracted or overloaded and top heavy… and we tumble. And God, being God, picks us up, dusts us off and refolds us. He has pity on us and rescues us… even in our “brokenness”… and He restores us.
I would like to think that God looks at us and laughs…at least sometimes. More often, I think he is saddened by our falls and shortcomings. But He still loves us, just the same. I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful to serve a God who loves me like this. The devil would be glad to leave us on the floor in a heap to be trampled by anything and everyone. I am so glad to know that if – and when – I fall, God will rescue me and fold me back in place so that I am ready for another day in His service.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we serve a God who can smile on us even in our broken state? Have you put your life in His hands and trusted Him to save you? When was the last time you thanked God for taking such good care of you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 23, 2011
Psalm 35:9-28
I will celebrate and be joyful because you, LORD, have saved me. Every bone in my body will shout: "No one is like the LORD!" You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them. Liars accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. They repay evil for good, and I feel all alone. When they were sick, I wore sackcloth and went without food. I truly prayed for them, as I would for a friend or a relative. I was in sorrow and mourned, as I would for my mother.
I have stumbled, and worthless liars I don't even know surround me and sneer. Worthless people make fun and never stop laughing. But all you do is watch! When will you do something? Save me from the attack of those vicious lions. And when your people meet, I will praise you and thank you, Lord, in front of them all. Don't let my brutal enemies be glad because of me. They hate me for no reason. Don't let them wink behind my back. They say hurtful things, and they lie to people who want to live in peace. They are quick to accuse me. They say, "You did it! We saw you ourselves."
You see everything, LORD! Please don't keep silent or stay so far away. Fight to defend me, Lord God, and prove that I am right by your standards. Don't let them laugh at me or say to each other, "Now we've got what we want! We'll gobble him down!" Disappoint and confuse all who are glad to see me in trouble, but disgrace and embarrass my proud enemies who say to me, "You are nothing!"
Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, "The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant." Then I will shout all day, "Praise the LORD God! He did what was right."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In his recent “Sweet Tea” column for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Jay Grelen writes about Otus the Head Cat, the now-deceased “writer” of a weekly column in the same newspaper. Through his owner, Otus “channeled” his column, and while it was pure satire, the writing was just believable enough that many thought the comments made there were true. So it was that Otus credited former President Richard Nixon with creating “President’s Day,” and a writer for USA Today, believed this and perpetuated the story. It took some research by a skeptical law student to discern that “President’s Day” was actually initiated by former President Bill Clinton during his tenure.
We are a gullible group! We are also prone to making quick judgments, lying, and believing the fabrications of others. At best, we often operate with less than half of the facts and make our decisions accordingly. So is it any wonder that we often find ourselves being falsely accused or judged by others? A reporter asked President Obama, “Does it disturb you that so many people hate you?” The President replied, “The people who dislike you don't know you. What they hate is whatever funhouse mirror image of you that's out there. And they don't know you. And so, you don't take it personally.”
But most of us do take it personally. We are hurt – sometimes deeply – by the slings and arrows of others… the misunderstandings and judgments… the personal attacks (even if delivered behind our backs). And nobody is immune… from school-age nicknames to disgruntled co-workers to false assumptions about sporting and political opponents and more. It’s a pretty sure bet you have felt the disdain, misunderstandings, or ungrateful attitude of someone at some point in your life.
So what are we to do? The answer comes in the last few lines of this passage. We are to keep on doing what we know is right. We are to keep on loving and serving and behaving well… to take the high road and hold our shoulders back and our chin out. We are to honor our faith in God… and leave the rest to Him. Because He will defend us. He will defeat our enemies and make things right. Never forget this!
When you are hurt and disappointed… when you are wrongly accused or judged… when you are talked about and treated thanklessly… remember WHO is in charge. The only One you have to worry about – the only One to whom you have to answer – is Almighty God. He will get to the bottom of things and set things right for you. It may seem a long time coming, but it will happen. So hang in there! Be who God has called you to be, and trust Him to fight on your behalf. And one other thing… remember to give God praise and glory for loving you so well. Give Him a shout out and the credit He is due!
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will celebrate and be joyful because you, LORD, have saved me. Every bone in my body will shout: "No one is like the LORD!" You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them. Liars accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. They repay evil for good, and I feel all alone. When they were sick, I wore sackcloth and went without food. I truly prayed for them, as I would for a friend or a relative. I was in sorrow and mourned, as I would for my mother.
I have stumbled, and worthless liars I don't even know surround me and sneer. Worthless people make fun and never stop laughing. But all you do is watch! When will you do something? Save me from the attack of those vicious lions. And when your people meet, I will praise you and thank you, Lord, in front of them all. Don't let my brutal enemies be glad because of me. They hate me for no reason. Don't let them wink behind my back. They say hurtful things, and they lie to people who want to live in peace. They are quick to accuse me. They say, "You did it! We saw you ourselves."
You see everything, LORD! Please don't keep silent or stay so far away. Fight to defend me, Lord God, and prove that I am right by your standards. Don't let them laugh at me or say to each other, "Now we've got what we want! We'll gobble him down!" Disappoint and confuse all who are glad to see me in trouble, but disgrace and embarrass my proud enemies who say to me, "You are nothing!"
Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, "The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant." Then I will shout all day, "Praise the LORD God! He did what was right."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In his recent “Sweet Tea” column for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Jay Grelen writes about Otus the Head Cat, the now-deceased “writer” of a weekly column in the same newspaper. Through his owner, Otus “channeled” his column, and while it was pure satire, the writing was just believable enough that many thought the comments made there were true. So it was that Otus credited former President Richard Nixon with creating “President’s Day,” and a writer for USA Today, believed this and perpetuated the story. It took some research by a skeptical law student to discern that “President’s Day” was actually initiated by former President Bill Clinton during his tenure.
We are a gullible group! We are also prone to making quick judgments, lying, and believing the fabrications of others. At best, we often operate with less than half of the facts and make our decisions accordingly. So is it any wonder that we often find ourselves being falsely accused or judged by others? A reporter asked President Obama, “Does it disturb you that so many people hate you?” The President replied, “The people who dislike you don't know you. What they hate is whatever funhouse mirror image of you that's out there. And they don't know you. And so, you don't take it personally.”
But most of us do take it personally. We are hurt – sometimes deeply – by the slings and arrows of others… the misunderstandings and judgments… the personal attacks (even if delivered behind our backs). And nobody is immune… from school-age nicknames to disgruntled co-workers to false assumptions about sporting and political opponents and more. It’s a pretty sure bet you have felt the disdain, misunderstandings, or ungrateful attitude of someone at some point in your life.
So what are we to do? The answer comes in the last few lines of this passage. We are to keep on doing what we know is right. We are to keep on loving and serving and behaving well… to take the high road and hold our shoulders back and our chin out. We are to honor our faith in God… and leave the rest to Him. Because He will defend us. He will defeat our enemies and make things right. Never forget this!
When you are hurt and disappointed… when you are wrongly accused or judged… when you are talked about and treated thanklessly… remember WHO is in charge. The only One you have to worry about – the only One to whom you have to answer – is Almighty God. He will get to the bottom of things and set things right for you. It may seem a long time coming, but it will happen. So hang in there! Be who God has called you to be, and trust Him to fight on your behalf. And one other thing… remember to give God praise and glory for loving you so well. Give Him a shout out and the credit He is due!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 22, 2011
Mark 4:24-25
Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated--and even worse. Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose what little they have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook recently: “To get what you want, help others get what they want first.” A few days later, I was reading Joel Osteen’s book, Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You*, and I read this… “If you want your life to increase, if you want your life to get better, then you need to help improve somebody else’s life. If you will help somebody else become successful, God will make sure that you are successful.”
You may be wondering… “What do I have to give? I’m just a kid… I’m broke…I’m old… I’m disabled or handicapped in some way… I’m busy… I’m shy… I’m unattractive… I need help myself!” The truth is, you are a precious child of the Most High God, and as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk!” You have something to offer to someone that he/she desperately needs! It may be a smile… a kind word…your compassion and forgiveness. It may be a word of encouragement or a helping hand with something you see as insignificant.
I still remember an experience with my dear friend Betty Ray, who now rests with Jesus. She told me once that a hug I gave her in line for Holy Communion one Sunday had been just what she needed at that moment – it made her day! The hug did not cost me anything… and honestly, it was a spontaneous gesture rather than an intentional one. But so many things we can offer to others are just that – free, spontaneous, heartfelt gestures that could make all the difference.
We need to start operating in positives. Instead of finding fault with others… we need to look for good things… and actually encourage them. Remind yourself often that “the other guy” is just as precious to God as you are… no different whatsoever! What God does for you, He wants to do for that person, and vice versa. Don’t miss out on God’s blessings for either of you. Don’t stand in the way of your own portion by failing to give to others.
Start looking for ways to bless others in Jesus’ name. Get so comfortable doing this that it becomes second nature. Don’t do this simply so that you get more blessings from God, but because His blessings are more than enough to go around, and you want others to enjoy what you have. Share the wealth, and watch God’s blessings multiply – in your life and the lives of others.
©2011 Debbie Robus
*©2008 Joel Osteen - Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You - Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated--and even worse. Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose what little they have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook recently: “To get what you want, help others get what they want first.” A few days later, I was reading Joel Osteen’s book, Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You*, and I read this… “If you want your life to increase, if you want your life to get better, then you need to help improve somebody else’s life. If you will help somebody else become successful, God will make sure that you are successful.”
You may be wondering… “What do I have to give? I’m just a kid… I’m broke…I’m old… I’m disabled or handicapped in some way… I’m busy… I’m shy… I’m unattractive… I need help myself!” The truth is, you are a precious child of the Most High God, and as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk!” You have something to offer to someone that he/she desperately needs! It may be a smile… a kind word…your compassion and forgiveness. It may be a word of encouragement or a helping hand with something you see as insignificant.
I still remember an experience with my dear friend Betty Ray, who now rests with Jesus. She told me once that a hug I gave her in line for Holy Communion one Sunday had been just what she needed at that moment – it made her day! The hug did not cost me anything… and honestly, it was a spontaneous gesture rather than an intentional one. But so many things we can offer to others are just that – free, spontaneous, heartfelt gestures that could make all the difference.
We need to start operating in positives. Instead of finding fault with others… we need to look for good things… and actually encourage them. Remind yourself often that “the other guy” is just as precious to God as you are… no different whatsoever! What God does for you, He wants to do for that person, and vice versa. Don’t miss out on God’s blessings for either of you. Don’t stand in the way of your own portion by failing to give to others.
Start looking for ways to bless others in Jesus’ name. Get so comfortable doing this that it becomes second nature. Don’t do this simply so that you get more blessings from God, but because His blessings are more than enough to go around, and you want others to enjoy what you have. Share the wealth, and watch God’s blessings multiply – in your life and the lives of others.
©2011 Debbie Robus
*©2008 Joel Osteen - Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You - Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Daily Devotional for February 21, 2011
Psalm 34:12-27
Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles.
The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Not one of their bones will ever be broken. Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You don’t have to look very far to find someone who is hurting these days. I read a post last week on Facebook from a mom whose teenage daughter was crushed because she felt she had been wrongly accused of something. I know how that feels… do you? We see reports on the news of people who have spent years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit, only to be proved innocent by DNA tests or other newly introduced evidence. And miraculously, in some instances, those victims are sometimes able to forgive their accusers.
We’ve seen reports of those who were able to forgive a drunk driver who killed their loved one. Just last week, I saw a television interview with Janet Jackson in which she acknowledged that her father beat her when she was a child… but she said, “I know he loves me in his own way.”
Forgiveness is a powerful, powerful thing. Grace and mercy are incredibly cleansing and healing. We can be mad and bitter toward others for a lot of things, from lousy childhoods to being wrongly accused or false assumptions to being mad at God because a loved one suffered and/or died. And all of these things may cause us to say cruel things… to lie and lash out at others… or at the very least, to live a life that is robbed of happiness and peace.
We do have an option. We can “cast all our cares” upon the Lord. We can run to God and ask Him for protection. We can ask Him to heal us and give us hope… to fight our battles for us… to fill in the gaps with grace and mercy where we feel we have none – for ourselves or toward others. Read this verse again: “Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished.”
I don’t believe most of us set out to intentionally be wicked, but let’s face it… in some way, we all are at one time or another. Let’s ask God to forgive us… give Him our struggles and our hurts and let HIM handle them for us. Let’s make today the day we start to live in the hope of God and trust Him to rescue us and set us on course for a long and happy life in Him. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles.
The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Not one of their bones will ever be broken. Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You don’t have to look very far to find someone who is hurting these days. I read a post last week on Facebook from a mom whose teenage daughter was crushed because she felt she had been wrongly accused of something. I know how that feels… do you? We see reports on the news of people who have spent years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit, only to be proved innocent by DNA tests or other newly introduced evidence. And miraculously, in some instances, those victims are sometimes able to forgive their accusers.
We’ve seen reports of those who were able to forgive a drunk driver who killed their loved one. Just last week, I saw a television interview with Janet Jackson in which she acknowledged that her father beat her when she was a child… but she said, “I know he loves me in his own way.”
Forgiveness is a powerful, powerful thing. Grace and mercy are incredibly cleansing and healing. We can be mad and bitter toward others for a lot of things, from lousy childhoods to being wrongly accused or false assumptions to being mad at God because a loved one suffered and/or died. And all of these things may cause us to say cruel things… to lie and lash out at others… or at the very least, to live a life that is robbed of happiness and peace.
We do have an option. We can “cast all our cares” upon the Lord. We can run to God and ask Him for protection. We can ask Him to heal us and give us hope… to fight our battles for us… to fill in the gaps with grace and mercy where we feel we have none – for ourselves or toward others. Read this verse again: “Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished.”
I don’t believe most of us set out to intentionally be wicked, but let’s face it… in some way, we all are at one time or another. Let’s ask God to forgive us… give Him our struggles and our hurts and let HIM handle them for us. Let’s make today the day we start to live in the hope of God and trust Him to rescue us and set us on course for a long and happy life in Him. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 20, 2011
Psalm 34:1-11
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 19, 2011
Matthew 27:18-19; 24-25
Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."
Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There often comes a time when we have done all we can do in a particular situation. We see things headed toward disaster… a “train wreck” in the making… and there is no way we can stop this. It’s like telling a toddler repeatedly, “Get down, or you’re going to fall.” Much as it hurts the child… and those who are watching… sometimes the child has to fall to really learn his/her lesson.
Sometimes, as in the case of Pontius Pilate, we see a huge mistake in the making, and rather than speak up and say, “This is wrong,” we merely step aside and “wash our hands” of the situation. In Pilate’s case, things had to happen as they did for God’s plan to be accomplished. But we are often not operating within God’s plan when we do this. We just don’t want to be “the bad guy,” suffer any ridicule or fallout, or get heavily involved in what could be a complicated situation.
How do you know “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em,” as the song says? The only sure way to know you are making the right choice is to stay in constant communication with God. Be so in tune with His word and His will that you know whether to get involved or “wash your hands” of a particular situation or person. There is a time for both… the key is confidently discerning which is which! Only God can decide… and only when you know that He is behind the choice can you be sure you’ve made the right one.
There are times to step up and speak out… and there are times to step aside and let the chips fall where they may. Will you depend on God’s wisdom in your decision? Or will you be swayed by the people, like Pilate? Life is filled with choices… Who is helping you make yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."
Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There often comes a time when we have done all we can do in a particular situation. We see things headed toward disaster… a “train wreck” in the making… and there is no way we can stop this. It’s like telling a toddler repeatedly, “Get down, or you’re going to fall.” Much as it hurts the child… and those who are watching… sometimes the child has to fall to really learn his/her lesson.
Sometimes, as in the case of Pontius Pilate, we see a huge mistake in the making, and rather than speak up and say, “This is wrong,” we merely step aside and “wash our hands” of the situation. In Pilate’s case, things had to happen as they did for God’s plan to be accomplished. But we are often not operating within God’s plan when we do this. We just don’t want to be “the bad guy,” suffer any ridicule or fallout, or get heavily involved in what could be a complicated situation.
How do you know “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em,” as the song says? The only sure way to know you are making the right choice is to stay in constant communication with God. Be so in tune with His word and His will that you know whether to get involved or “wash your hands” of a particular situation or person. There is a time for both… the key is confidently discerning which is which! Only God can decide… and only when you know that He is behind the choice can you be sure you’ve made the right one.
There are times to step up and speak out… and there are times to step aside and let the chips fall where they may. Will you depend on God’s wisdom in your decision? Or will you be swayed by the people, like Pilate? Life is filled with choices… Who is helping you make yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 4, 2011
Psalm 22:15, 24
My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt.
The LORD doesn't hate or despise the helpless in all of their troubles. When I cried out, he listened and did not turn away.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I moved all of my “treasures” from one antique store to another recently, I dropped a little decorative plate. It splintered into about 5 pieces. This was not an expensive plate – I probably paid at most a couple of dollars for it at a garage sale or auction. But it was beautiful… a robin’s-egg blue scalloped edge tipped in gold, delicate pink roses and raised white dots called a “moriage” technique. It would have been a perfect accent for a shelf or display cabinet… or a nice little dish to set out with a few candies for guests.
I carefully gathered up the shards and put them in a container and brought them home. I could have dumped this plate into the trash, but instead, I got out my bottle of glue and began to reassemble the piece. I still don’t know if it will hold together – or if so, for how long – but it’s worth a shot. Once glued, this plate still has potential. It can be tucked in behind something else so that the broken parts are not readily visible. It still has purpose… beauty… value.
To God, we are the broken plates. While HE did not drop us or cause us to break, in our sin and our “humanity” we did just that. But we still have value… worth… beauty… purpose. God knows this. He stands ready to glue the pieces back together. We may not be the same. Like the plate, there may be rough edges and little cracks where a splinter or two were not recovered. But God will fill in the rough spots. He will make us whole, useful, and able to serve once again.
The key to being restored and repurposed is to acknowledge God. It may seem like He deserts us from time to time… leaves us on the scrap heap in a zillion broken shards. But this is not the case. He is waiting for us to reach up to Him and believe that He can fix us… that He can heal the broken parts and restore us to serve another day. Have you called on God lately? Are you piled up on the scrap heap, wallowing in self-pity? Or are you standing ready to be reglued… repaired… repurposed… and given another chance? The choice is yours…what will you do?
©2011 Debbie Robus
My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt.
The LORD doesn't hate or despise the helpless in all of their troubles. When I cried out, he listened and did not turn away.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I moved all of my “treasures” from one antique store to another recently, I dropped a little decorative plate. It splintered into about 5 pieces. This was not an expensive plate – I probably paid at most a couple of dollars for it at a garage sale or auction. But it was beautiful… a robin’s-egg blue scalloped edge tipped in gold, delicate pink roses and raised white dots called a “moriage” technique. It would have been a perfect accent for a shelf or display cabinet… or a nice little dish to set out with a few candies for guests.
I carefully gathered up the shards and put them in a container and brought them home. I could have dumped this plate into the trash, but instead, I got out my bottle of glue and began to reassemble the piece. I still don’t know if it will hold together – or if so, for how long – but it’s worth a shot. Once glued, this plate still has potential. It can be tucked in behind something else so that the broken parts are not readily visible. It still has purpose… beauty… value.
To God, we are the broken plates. While HE did not drop us or cause us to break, in our sin and our “humanity” we did just that. But we still have value… worth… beauty… purpose. God knows this. He stands ready to glue the pieces back together. We may not be the same. Like the plate, there may be rough edges and little cracks where a splinter or two were not recovered. But God will fill in the rough spots. He will make us whole, useful, and able to serve once again.
The key to being restored and repurposed is to acknowledge God. It may seem like He deserts us from time to time… leaves us on the scrap heap in a zillion broken shards. But this is not the case. He is waiting for us to reach up to Him and believe that He can fix us… that He can heal the broken parts and restore us to serve another day. Have you called on God lately? Are you piled up on the scrap heap, wallowing in self-pity? Or are you standing ready to be reglued… repaired… repurposed… and given another chance? The choice is yours…what will you do?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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