Daily Devotional for July 8, 2013

Isaiah 53:2-6
The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
    a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
    nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
    a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
    We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
    our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
    that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
    that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
    Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
    We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
    on him, on him.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
In her book, Unglued, author Lysa TerKeurst describes situations in which many of us have an "inner chatter" going on in our heads much of the time.  We analyze what we have said to others... and what they have said to us.  We assume that the person is thinking this or that... when truthfully, these were not the other person's thoughts in any way/shape/form.  In fact, the person may not have been thinking about us much at all!
 
Have you ever said to yourself, "He/she must have thought I was crazy!"?  Or maybe you have told yourself, "Those people don't like me.  I could tell by their body language. It was as much what they DIDN'T say to me as what they said.  They think I am fat, lazy, stupid, (or not good enough in any number of ways).  Why did I say this or that?  Why did I do such-and-such?  What was I thinking wearing THAT outfit?!"  As TerKeurst says in her book, if you have never thought any of these things or had "inner chatter"... CONGRATULATIONS!  You are a rare bird!
 
I think you can see there is little to no peace in "inner chatter".  And boy, does the devil ever do a dance!  Here's what struck me as I read this passage today.  When we allow these thoughts to worm our way into our hearts, we are adding another stripe to Jesus' back... because He stands ready to take all of these negative thoughts and feelings from us.  So when you replay events in your head and stew over how you said things - or what you said - Jesus takes another lash.  When you decide that people are talking about you behind your back or criticizing you...add another bruise to Jesus.  When you build up a boatload of negative thoughts in your head and lambast yourself with them over and again, Jesus' flesh is ripped and torn once more.  Not a peaceful image, is it?!
 
When we allow these negative ideas to permeate our heart and mind, we need to remember that Jesus stands ready to take all of these feelings - right or wrong - and exchange them for His peace.  Yes, we all say or do things from time to time that we truly shouldn't have... and there is nothing wrong with feeling regret, making amends where possible, and moving forward.  But the key message in this passage is that Jesus has taken all of our shortcomings, failures and messes... He has already suffered and paid for them... and He doesn't want us to carry these burdens ourselves.
 
Take a look at John 14:27 and hear Jesus tell His disciples… “I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”  And this is the message I want us to hear today.  Yes… Jesus took our sins and suffered greatly on our behalf.  Yes… it was horrific – and yes, we have every reason to be ashamed and uncomfortable that He had to agonize like this for the things we have done. But the way to honor His sacrifices is to live in His blessings and peace... to love Him with our whole heart...to serve Him at every turn.
 
We must be careful to live and speak in a manner that pleases God... to choose our words and actions wisely.  But we must also quiet the devil's "inner chatter," and say, "No way! By the stripes and bruises of Jesus Christ, I am healed.  He was wounded that I might have peace... and I will not disrespect His amazing gift by behaving otherwise."
 
Jesus wants us well... whole... at peace.  Are you listening to HIS voice today... or the devil's "inner chatter"?  Which voice will you choose to hear?

©2013 Debbie Robus
 

Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst~©2012 Zondervan Press

Daily Devotional for June 15, 2013

1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
In geometry, “proofs” support the mathematician’s path to an outcome.  By “showing your work,” you explain how you got from “Point A” to “Point B.”  Today’s devo will be a “proof” of sorts.  Please stick with me!
 
For far too long, there has been discord (especially on social media) over politics – even among people who are supposed to be good friends.  I have seen some really ugly things posted by a few people who I consider to be not only my close friend… but also a Godly Christian.  I have to tell you, these comments, cartoons, and responses to other’s posts have brought both into question on more than one occasion!  In this scripture passage, as well as others throughout God’s Holy Word, we are called to show respect to - and pray for - our leaders… all of them.  It doesn’t say to pray for those in one party or another – or those who support this bill or that amendment.  The Apostle Paul doesn’t call on us to pray for God to act in one way or another toward those in office.  All he tells us to do is to “pray for kings and others in power.”
 
Paul tells us to pray for our leaders and those in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. Let’s think about this.  How will your life be quiet and peaceful if you pray for a leader you do not support?  Here’s one explanation.  In her book Unglued, Christian author Lysa TerKeurst tells of a confrontation with the parent of a student in her daughter’s middle school grade.  The parent left TerKeurst a harsh, critical telephone message, and her first inclination was to retaliate.  But she prayerfully considered that truly, our life is not “us against them,” as much as it is “all of us on one side against Satan,” who delights in us getting into disagreements and doing his dirty work for him.  In that light, she offered grace and compassion to the parent, rather than her own hateful jabs and a counterattack.
 
Are you still with me?  If you pray for a leader you don’t like… someone in power with whom you disagree… you are not condoning his/her actions or platforms.  You are saying, “LORD, this person deserves Your love and grace just as much as I do.  Please provide a hefty dose of both.”  In doing this, you honor your commitment to God to serve as a disciple of Christ… to “love one another,” and to treat others as you would have Him treat you!  Your prayer demonstrates to God that you trust Him to handle the outcome with perfection.  And God grants you peace of mind… an assurance that you operated in love, grace and mercy toward another of His creatures.
 
In turn, this can lead to a peaceful co-existence between you and the leader or person in power whom you dislike – or worse!  TerKeurst says that her extension of grace and compassion led to a reconciliation of sorts between the other parent and herself… they amicably agreed to disagree.  While these mothers will never be “besties,” they can now at least be civil to one another when circumstances throw them together.  And this has made both women feel more peaceful.
 
Let’s face it… disliking someone else leaves us feeling unsettled, at the very least.  In some cases it can lead to a general sense of turmoil, hard feelings, and lost friendships.  This is not my idea of peaceful living… is it yours?  I encourage you to think about those whom you dislike or of whom you disapprove… whether in political circles – or life in general.  Take some time to pray for them.  I know it may be difficult at first… but do it anyway.  See if praying for the people who irritate you in some manner leads to a stronger sense of grace and compassion on their behalf.  Discover how you can find peace in this… how starting with a simple prayer can lead from “Point A” to “Point B” and prove that Paul was totally on target!
 
Learn to focus on operating in prayer that leads to grace, mercy and compassion…and results in peaceful living that worships and honors God.
 
©2013 Debbie Robus