Daily Devotional for June 29, 2016

Celebrating my brother's first birthday.

Matthew 7:3-5
And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own? Should you say, ‘Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,’ when you can’t even see because of the board in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Today, I am thinking of my brother, Tim, who was born 55 years ago on June 29, 1961.  I am also thinking of a childhood friend, Aaron, who came into this world 2 years later.  Both men are in heaven now…Tim left us in 1998 after a lengthy struggle with liver disease…and Aaron fought a valiant battle with cancer that resulted in his death in 2008.  Tim was a Registered Nurse (RN) who specialized in cardiac care.  Aaron was a well-respected general surgeon. Tim was a gay man who never got to have a spouse and children. Aaron was married – and the father of Colby and Aubrey.

Both Tim and Aaron loved God, medicine – and people.  I am confident that neither of them saw others in terms of race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, or even gender.  They saw people who had medical needs that they could address…God’s creations…someone who had issues that they were capable of mending in some way.  Both men were very good at what they did and used the gifts that God gave them well.  Both men epitomized the kind of person that I would want to treat me, should I need medical care.

Sadly, as in any profession, I know that there are cases where this is not the norm.  I have personally witnessed people in need of medical care who received the “third degree” because of how they looked…what they were wearing…a perceived idea of their socio-economic level or sexual orientation, and more.  I saw it happen to my Tim…as if because he was a gay man, he was not worthy of the same treatment, kindness, and courtesy as others. I always found this rather odd, because I have a feeling that those same people would have been GLAD to have Tim’s expertise on their side, should they have experienced cardiac arrest!  This even happened to Tim once as he filled out a medical history for two nurses – who both knew that he was an RN and “one of THEM!”

I know there are probably people who think I am something of a “drum-beater” on this issue.  But once it happens to you, the perspective shifts dramatically.  Once you see firsthand how hurtful, destructive, and hypocritical such criticism of others can be, surely one can’t help but behave differently – and champion the feelings of our fellow man. I feel like God has allowed me to see these things in order to sound the bell for others before similar things happen to them – or they engage in such behaviors.  This is my reason for being so vocal about discrimination and mistreatment of others…for any reason.  And I hope and pray that I am never guilty of these things myself…although I suspect that at times, I have indeed been critical - and even hurtful.

Not all of us are called to be surgeons and nurses. Thankfully, we won’t all have to live out our Christian witness via terminal illness.  God has given each one of us a unique purpose on this earth…but each one of us also has our own “plank in the eye.” None of us is perfect.  We will all have moments where we speak without thinking…and say or do things that are hurtful to others – and detrimental to our Christian witness.

God has called us to further His kingdom…not just by TELLING others about Jesus – but also by demonstrating in thought, word and deed that we embrace His teachings of grace, mercy, forgiveness, acceptance, tolerance, kindness, and compassion.  I am so glad that God allowed me to know Tim and Aaron…to see them grow into examples of men who fully accepted their mission and represented Jesus in their daily work.  I hope that I am fulfilling my own Godly assignments…and doing so in a way that honors and glorifies my relationship with Jesus.

Today, I celebrate my brother, Tim, and my sweet friend, Aaron…and all who serve Jesus with unconditional love and kindness.  I am striving to get rid of the “board in my eye” – and keep it at bay forever and ever.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 19, 2016

John 8:6-8
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

Have you ever been around two little kids who were arguing, and rather than get in the middle of things and settle the conflict, you stood back to see what they could do?  There are several reasons to try this (if you can stand it!)…1) the children are allowed to grow and work through their issue; 2) the adult demonstrates how petty and insignificant the “fuss” is; and 3) the adult withholds attention and choosing sides, which is often what the kids are after in the first place.

Here’s how I believe this applies to this scripture passage from John 8...

1. Jesus was drawing in the dirt and listening to the religious scholars and Pharisees argue about stoning a woman caught in adultery.  By their own behavior, they were acting in an unloving manner.  Jesus made no discrepancy among people…He spent time with everyone from religious leaders to murderers, adulterers, lepers and other “undesirables.”  He never played favorites or talked down to anyone. By drawing in the dirt, Jesus was essentially saying, “Work it out amongst yourselves.”
2. Jesus was also demonstrating how insignificant this argument was to Him…so unimportant that He didn’t even look up from doodling in the sand to give much of a response.
3. Jesus did not choose sides.  More importantly, He put the problem smack in the laps of those involved and challenged the one who was guiltless to cast the first stone.

There are several lessons here, and chief among them is the fact that none of us is perfect.  Not a single one of us has the right to judge another…or to call him/her out for their sins.  Before we even think of doing so, we had better take a hard look at our own lives.  Would we want someone to point out OUR faults and failures?  Would we want the world to know how WE have failed to honor God in our thoughts, words and actions?

Additionally, are we busy pleasing Jesus – and serving Him?  Or are we more concerned with making ourselves look big and important… or with making sure that everyone knows how good we are, how much we give and do for others, and how pleased God must be with us?  Are we busy trying to get Jesus to pick favorites?  Because I can assure you that this is a huge waste of time for everyone!

This is a good day to humble ourselves before God and admit that we are nowhere near worthy to “cast the first stone.”  We will always be loved unconditionally and incredibly by Jesus…but He will never have a favorite.  And we just as well figure that out now and get busy serving out of gratitude rather than any effort to gain extra “points.”  We need to quit wasting our time on pettiness and discrimination.  We need to stop trying to figure out who is right and wrong and concentrate on sharing the Good News of Jesus and how much He loves each and every one of us…the good, the bad, and the ugly! 

We need to stop making excuses, passing judgments, and disparaging/condemning others…and take a long, hard look in the mirror.  And we don’t have a minute to waste.  Are you ready to drop your rock and fall on your knees in the dirt beside Jesus?  Don’t you think it’s time you were?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 12, 2015

Matthew 9:10-13
Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?”

Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

I’ll be honest…I’m a cat person.  I love, love, love dogs – and pretty much all animals (except snakes!)…but “cats are my ‘people’!”  It’s safe to say that I have probably never met a cat I didn’t like!  My mom and mother-in-law are dog people.  My mother-in-law has not owned a dog in years, but she “dog-sits” for about a half dozen special clients…and she LOVES “her” dogs.

Three dogs have resided with my mother since the late 1980s…first Otis – my sister’s white lab, who totally transformed my mom into a “dog person” for life.  Next came Carmen – my brother’s pit bull mix – who was like a “sister” to our family.  After Carmen died, Mother acquired Spot…who was her constant companion for 14 years and kept life interesting for all of us…until his mixed-breed body literally wore out this past January.

I loved all three of these dogs like family members.  And I really like a lot of other dogs…particularly big dogs.  But some of the smaller dog breeds are just not my cup of tea.  For one thing – and maybe this is just me – some of them have a smell that I cannot get past.  So when one of these little dogs who was visiting Greg’s mother made a bee-line for me and jumped up into my chair to readily sniff me over, I was not exactly thrilled.  But I looked into that sweet little face…the big, imploring dark eyes, and the cute little ears that raised and lowered expressively - and I reminded myself…”He is somebody’s everything.  This little guy is loved and adored by many…if not by me.  He has a heart, and right now, he’s chosen to share it with me.”  And I stroked his head and patted his back as he settled in beside me.

The little dog curled up in my lap and sat for several minutes before jumping down to explore other people and things in the room.  And as I read the scripture passage for today, I was reminded that we are all God’s children…even the “snakes” that scare us half to death, and the critters of all kinds that “smell.”  If we only ever hang out among those who are pleasing to us, we’ve missed the moment – and the mission!

If we “unfriend” everyone on social media who rubs us the wrong way, we’ve missed an opportunity to share Jesus’ love and mercy with them.  If we avoid those who are different from us in some way, we have not loved and ministered as we were commanded.  Remember...you and I may “smell” to someone else!  Consider how you would feel if the tables were turned!

I suggest that we all take a collective breath…and try to see the “other guy” as Jesus does – even the smelly little four-legged variety or the creepy snakes and spiders that slither and crawl beneath our feet.  Remember that we are all His creatures…precious to Him and worthy of grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, and inclusion.  What you do for the smelliest among us, you essentially do for Jesus. 

Now…who do you need to look at in a different light?  Will this be the day that you begin to widen your circle as a disciple of Christ?  Don’t you think it should be?
   
©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 30, 2015

Proverbs 16:5
Pride disgusts the Lord. Take my word for it - proud men shall be punished.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Timothy was terribly restless yesterday.  He had a huge week and weekend, which included a trip on Thursday with his great-grandparents to Blanchard Caverns …and a “guys trip” Saturday night to the stock car races with his Uncle Greg, his Paw-paw, and his dad. I think there were other special activities, too…and by Monday morning, he was one tired little boy.  Like a lot of kids, Timothy does NOT like to nap. So we had a lot of discussions yesterday that went like this…”But I don’t WANT to take a nap!  Don’t rock me…you’re trying to make me go to sleep!  I’m hungry!  But I CAN’T calm down!  I’m really NOT tired!”

When Timothy’s mom came to pick up the children after work, he told her, “Mother, I was HORRIBLE today.”  She said, “Oh, I bet you weren’t that bad!”  He replied, “Oh, yes I was!  I was HORRIBLE!”  Now a lot of children would have totally tried to cover up their “horrible” day…but as Timothy’s mother pointed out – “at least he’s honest!”

Thankfully, this six-year-old boy has not developed a truly prideful heart…and I wish that I could believe that he never will.  Time will tell…but a lot of children have learned to “cover their tracks” by the time they are 8 or 9.  They know how to spin things to their advantage and make themselves look good – or at least innocent.  And when they ARE discovered, the first question (whether voiced or implied) is generally, “Do you still love me?”

As adults, a lot of people want to “spin things,” or force their opinion and ideas on others…then excuse this with, “We can disagree and still love each other!”  The trouble is, more often than not, these people shove their agendas down the throats of others in a judgmental, condescending, and anything-but-loving manner.

Read this passage from Mark 12:28-31…”One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, ‘What is the most important commandment?’

Jesus answered, ‘The most important one says: “People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” The second most important commandment says: “Love others as much as you love yourself.” No other commandment is more important than these.’

If you can figure out where in this passage Jesus tells us that it’s okay to be prideful or arrogant in our “loving”…then show me!  Too many of us want to push our own agendas with criticism – and even an atmosphere of fear and hatred – and then excuse it all with, “But we still love you!” as if those on the receiving end should somehow be grateful.

I cannot stress enough how disheartened I am by the attitudes, words and actions of many people in recent days.  The attacks have been prideful…and vicious.  And far too many people are trying to hide behind the name of Jesus as they toss daggers and stones.  I implore each of us to search our hearts and look for places where we are spinning things to suit our own whims.  Where have we “acted horrible” and then hoped that people would love us anyway?  If we find even a snippet of this malice and manipulation, I pray that we would ask God to remove it from us…for good.

Proud men will indeed be punished.  Let’s do everything we can to make sure that we are not among them!  If we make a concerted effort to operate in love, there will be no room for pride and judgment.  Are you ready to do some heart “search and rescue?”  Don’t you think this is a good time to start?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 21, 2015

Philippians 1:17-18
But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am in jail. But that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are sincere or not. That is what makes me glad.
 
I will keep on being glad...
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
Greg recently helped his mother purchase a new computer.  I was visiting her one day, and she asked me to help her find something on the Internet.  I am not familiar with this new machine, but I fumbled around and found what she was seeking.  She turned to me and said, “You and Greg do things differently on the computer, don’t you?!”  I agreed with her that, aside from my unfamiliarity with this particular computer, our “methods” probably differ a little…but we achieve the same end result.
 
These words of the Apostle Paul have great relevance for us today.  It has become common in certain situations for a person to have a “platform”…a cause that he/she champions – often with great passion.  Some people have missions that are near and dear to their hearts…and yes, some people simply have personal agendas.  But many folks from all of these “camps” have a common denominator…they truly love Jesus and desire to live for Him and serve others in His name.
 
Many people want to share the love of Christ with others…but their “methods” of doing so can vary greatly.  This doesn’t make them bad or wrong.  As Paul points out…all that matters is that they share the message of Jesus Christ.  Instead of criticizing our friends and neighbors because they don’t mirror our politics, lifestyle choices, skin color or ethnicity, economic level, preferences in style and physical appearance – or they root for a different sports team! – let’s look at their heart.
 
Consider whether they love Jesus – and it shows!  Do they minister to others in His name?  Do they demonstrate His teachings and operate in grace, mercy, forgiveness, tolerance, compassion, and unconditional love?  If the answer is yes, then be glad.  The rest is all just immaterial “fluff” that doesn’t truly matter in the quest to love and serve God and further His Kingdom.  This is the real mission!
 
Are you focused on what really matters…or are you bogged down by the extraneous distractions that the devil wishes to flood into our lives?  Isn’t it time we dropped all of the judgments and looked at the heart of others?  Will this be the day that you get started?
 
©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 19, 2015

Matthew 7:12
“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”
 
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.
 
Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a well-known and respected civil rights activist, pastor, and humanitarian who led the fight for justice and fair treatment of all people – but especially African-Americans – in the 1960s.  In many cities across the country, there will be parades, speeches, rallies, and other gatherings to remember Dr. King and his efforts…where we’ve been…and how far we still have to go.
 
This morning, I watched an interview with Eric Braeden - a soap opera star from CBS’s The Young and the Restless, of all things – who was the keynote speaker at a Martin Luther King, Jr. celebratory breakfast in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Braeden, who is white, explained that he emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1959, with empty pockets and a heart filled with hope.  He remembers firsthand the famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by Dr. King at the Lincoln Memorial.  He recalls all of the challenges and struggles that were meted toward him as a post-WWII German trying to “make it” in America.  And he noted that his discriminations and difficulties paled in comparison to those of African-Americans.
 
When asked how he would address the group on this day, Braeden said that he would…“reflect on the process of blacks, whites, Christians, Jews, Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims all getting along with each other.  We are all one, you know…all children of God.  And as such, we should behave kindly toward each other.”
 
The interviewer asked Braeden why he accepted the invitation to make this speech, and he explained that it appealed to him as someone who had seen discrimination firsthand – and also growth and improvement in the area of human relations.  But he pointed out that there is still much work to be done.  And indeed, this is the case.  God is calling us to “grab the initiative”…to be the first in line to “behave kindly toward each other”…to obey God’s law and treat ALL others as we wish to be treated.
 
Dr. King was shot and killed on March 29, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.  While speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 4th of that year, he was asked how he would like to be remembered.  In part, King answered…” I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.”
 
A component of many celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be some form of service activity to honor his legacy – and God’s call on our lives as Christians.  I cannot think of a better day for all of us to begin to serve others and “love somebody” in Jesus’ name…can you?
 
©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 15, 2015

Luke 9:46-48
They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. “Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me,” he said. “And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.”
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
I learn so much from Timothy, Zola and Nathan.  And one of the biggest “examples” they have given me so far is tolerance and acceptance.  They don’t see size, color, ethnicity, economics and more.  Don’t get me wrong…they notice others.  But they notice in a way that we adults usually don’t. More than once, Timothy has remarked about someone’s beauty or attractiveness…or told the person, “I like your hairstyle or clothing (or some other physical accessory or attribute).”  They wave and greet total strangers when we are in public.  They have huge “spirits” in little bodies.
 
Whether I am “dressed to the nines” or in my pajamas with “bed hair” and no makeup…these children have never said one critical or unkind word about my appearance.  They notice that I am present in their lives.  They don’t care what I look like in a bathing suit…as long as we are swimming.  They readily accept all of the children in their classrooms and play circles.  They do not recognize differences in physical talent and ability.
 
Many years ago, I lay in a hospital bed awaiting surgery the next morning.  In the bed beside me was a woman who was awaiting the same surgery.  From our conversation, I gathered that she was neither well-educated…or financially stable.  And she was frightened, so we talked quite a bit to try and pass the time and ease her anxiety.  Lying in those beds in hospital-issued gowns, we were no different.  We were two women preparing for the same surgery.  I was struck by a profound sense of just how “equal” we were…and reminded that God didn’t care more about my outcome than hers – or vice versa.  We were both important to Him, and I knew that He would guide our care in the same way.
 
My prayer for each of us would be that we strip away whatever causes us to discriminate…that we would see others as God sees them. When you see someone who looks, speaks or acts differently, remind yourself how much God loves them.  When you start to get irritated because someone doesn’t see an issue in the same light as you, remember that Jesus died for their sins and offers them the same opportunity for salvation as He offers you.  When you start to judge someone for their size, shape, appearance in any manner, lifestyle preference, economics, politics, opinions…ANYTHING…remember Jesus’ words…”You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.” 
 
We need to “revert to our childhood”…and develop large, accepting hearts for Jesus and His children. I ask you…”How big is your spirit these days?”
 
©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 8, 2015

Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
 
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
I finally got all of our Christmas decorations taken down and packed away for another year.  As I “undressed” the Christmas trees (yes, we have more than one!), and boxed up my nativity collection, the thought occurred to me more than once…”These are going in a plastic bin upstairs in the attic…no need to wrap each one so carefully.”
 
Then I considered these ornaments and decorations…which are truly just “things”…but they represent so much more.  There are the ornaments that my students lovingly gave to me almost 40 years ago…the wooden pieces I painted by number in our first years of marriage…the precious decorations my Mam-ma Polly made for us, and the delicate trinkets I inherited from my maternal grandparents’ tree.  There are nativity sets that I purchased with a beloved cousin and sister-in-law who share similar tastes and interests…the plaster set that I rescued at the estate sale of my mom’s first-grade teacher…and the Madonnas that I have purchased at the local estate sales of people who made a difference in my life – and now celebrate Christmas every day in heaven.
 
Virtually every piece tells a story…has some sort of meaning.  But even those that were merely bought at an after-Christmas-sale or have been broken and glued back together have worth and deserve careful treatment.  And that’s what God is telling us in this verse.  Each one of His creatures is precious.  We are no better than the next person.  We must make allowances for the faults and flaws of others – just as they (hopefully) do for us.
 
So this year, I gently covered my decorations in tissue and bubble-wrap.  I sorted and cleaned and carefully boxed away these “things” that help to make the holidays so cozy and special.  I set aside a few items to mend and rejuvenate…and I gave care to even the most pedestrian ornaments and trinkets.  I thank God that He does this for me each and every day…and I am going to step up my game with regard to how I treat others in His kingdom.  Are you with me?
 
©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 6, 2014

Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening.  Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.
 
Peter said, “These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them.” Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
For more than a quarter century, our community held a fall festival that included a big parade on Saturday.  One year in the 1970s, a Little Rock television station sent a camera man to cover the event from the roof top of a store on Main Street.  This was like “free publicity” for our festival.  But there was one problem.  The camera man was black…and at that time, virtually everyone in our community was white.  I am ashamed to say that this man’s presence was the “talk of the town” – for weeks.
 
Never mind that he was a human being just like every single one of us.  Forget that he was here doing a job…and doing it well - and for the benefit of our community.  Don’t consider that he might have been a husband, father…and maybe even a faithful member of a church congregation in his own community.  All most people saw was the color of his skin…and it was not the same as theirs.  And they could not get over it.
 
Thankfully, we have evolved…a little.  There is still much work to be done.  We gawk at people and are critical and condescending when they are “different”.  We laugh at the “People of Wal-Mart” videos…and we look down our noses at those who enter our sanctuaries looking dirty or disheveled…wearing clothing that is not what we consider appropriate…sporting hairstyles and body art that are “out there”…or smelling a little “off”.  We pigeon-hole children at an early age as coming from “one of those families”…and we are scared to death of those who are from certain ethnicities or express a different sexual orientation.  And none of this lines up with the teachings of Jesus.
 
Pay close attention to Peter’s words to the church.  God loves these people just as much as He loves you and me – and many of them are fellow believers!  I think it’s going to be amazing when we get to heaven and see who all is there.  Some of us may be quite shocked!
 
The time has come for us to open our hearts and minds...to see others as God sees them…to understand that you and I do not corner the market on God’s love – or the promise of eternity in heaven.  It is time to open our arms and welcome others…just as Jesus does…to see them as Jesus sees them…and to operate in His love, tolerance and inclusion.  God does not discriminate…and neither should we!
 
©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 27, 2014

1 Corinthians 10:6-7, 10
The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—“First the people partied, then they threw a dance.”
 
We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them.
 
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.
 
“Attitude…not aptitude…determines altitude.”  - Zig Ziglar
 
Our kids did not get expensive gifts for Christmas this year.  Yet more than once, Timothy declared this “…the BEST Christmas EVER!” Our nephew’s wife posted a photo of their 6-month-old daughter, surrounded by Christmas gifts…and playing with a water bottle! While children are often content with the simplest of objects, toys or situations, they are also masters at wanting things their own way – and doing whatever it takes to achieve this.  And a lot of us have continued this manipulation into our adulthood.
 
It might be cute on a 5-year-old or a six-month-old, but selfishness and discord are not attractive traits as we get older.  Our 3-year-old Zola was adorable when she told me that she wanted to stay overnight with us…then pointed to 5-year-old Timothy and said, “but I don’t want HIM to stay!”  It’s not pretty at all when we adults say, “This person is welcome…but HE/SHE is not!”…based on their appearance, their opinions, their lifestyle choices, and more.
 
God sent Jesus to earth to share love, grace, mercy, compassion and salvation with ALL of us.  Jesus came that we might have abundant, joyful, and peaceful life…that we might get along as brothers and sisters in Him. Just like a child favors some Christmas gifts over others, we won’t always enjoy the presence of every single one of God’s creatures.   People and situations will rub us the wrong way at times – even big brothers and little sisters!  But when we look UP…when we keep our focus on Jesus and strive to emulate His teachings, our attitude can’t help but improve.
 
It’s not about you – or me…it’s about Jesus.  When we figure this out and call on Him to show us how to make “life” work, we are elevated in His love and grace.  Our attitude does indeed determine our altitude.  How high are you ready to soar with Jesus?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 28, 2014

1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Attending a high school basketball game can be akin to looking at humanity in a fishbowl!  You have two teams fighting for the same victory.  Then you have the parents, friends, relatives and casual observers who care about the outcome to varying degrees.  On the teams themselves, you have players representing several age groups…from freshmen and sophomores who are relatively “green”…to the seniors who are playing their last season and laying it all on the line.  In the case of a district tournament we recently attended, the outcome of the games signaled not only the end of the season for some…but also the end of a “career” for many who will not be moving on to play ball at the college level.

So as we sat and cheered our senior girls’ team to victory, I watched the players on the opposing team see their hopes and dreams dashed in a one-point loss.  I observed in the previous game as almost-grown boys quite literally made a trudge of defeat to their bench…tears filling their eyes as they hugged teammates and commiserated the end of this phase of their lives.

I know what you may be thinking…a year from now, these will be distant memories – maybe totally unimportant to these young people in the scheme of things.  And yes, the final game(s) of your high school “career” are not as critical as world peace…or even many of the crises and concerns that affect each of us on any given day.  But let’s keep things in context…and in so doing, let’s have a little empathy and compassion for the other guy.

We were all teenagers once…surely we remember how all-important many of those experiences were at the time…the first dance…your athletic competitions…your last band concert or marching performance…a budding romance.  Some of you remember what it felt like as a parent to see your children go through these rites of passage and realize that they were growing up…and away from your “nest” in short order.  Surely you can feel some semblance of empathy for the person seated next to you who is exuberant over every basket…yelling at the referee in protest of a foul on his/her kid that seemed undeserved…or tearful at game’s end.

What does this have to do with our scripture verse for today?  I’m glad you asked!  The very same God who forgives our sins when we call on Him… the One who takes away our tears and fears and forgives us when we “act a fool” and admit it…the God who cares about worldwide hunger and injustice…also cares about the mixed bag of emotions that surround a high school senior’s last ballgame.  The same God we trust to care for us and take away our sins cares for that dad who is unhappy with the refs - and the mom who is crying her eyes out because her baby has taken one more step toward independence.

The same God who holds us in His hands when we are sick or in need will heal and comfort others who are sick or troubled.  The same God who orchestrates even the most mundane occurrences of our daily living will guide the steps of others who call on Him.  The same God who forgives our sins and washes them away will offer salvation and eternal life to anyone else who confesses his/her sins.

We are no different…no better…no more privileged before God than anyone else.  And at the end of the day…or the end of a game…we are all pretty much the same.  We love our kids… our schools…our communities and our country.  We live, love, laugh and cry…and we are all precious to God.  Take a good hard look at the people around you and recognize that what God offers to you…He also offers to them.  Does this change how you relate with them?  Shouldn’t it?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 20, 2014

Daniel 9:9
But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
I still remember when my Mam-ma Polly told me that she had shoveled the ice off her driveway…”so that people could pull in safely.”  She did this despite our most earnest pleas to stay inside…and stay OFF the ice!  I cannot honestly say that she never fell doing this (because she probably would not have told us!), but thankfully, she never suffered any significant injuries as a result.  And while we did not like her “rebellious” actions and behaviors at times, we always loved her and forgave her.
 
Parents have been doing this with children for generations.  My cousins were telling recently of their now-adult daughter sticking something into the electrical outlet as a child – TWICE - despite their admonitions…”Don’t do that!”  Of course, they loved her and cared for her afterward…but they still did not want her to put anything in the electrical outlets!
 
Every single day, we do things that displease God.  We may be fully conscious of our rebellion…or it may be something that we do so automatically that we don’t realize what we have done.  We may also rebel against God by charging ahead without asking for His guidance and seeking His wisdom.  We have to do better at responding to God and obeying His commands. Thankfully, God is merciful, forgiving…and relatively patient with us in the meantime.  Hopefully we can make daily progress as we grow closer to Him through prayer, Bible study, and the fellowship and sharing of encouragement with other believers.
 
As part of our Christian discipleship, we are called to show mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others.  Let’s be honest…people are going to rebel against us…betray us…insult us…ignore us…or show us disrespect and/or mistreatment in some manner more than once in our lifetimes.  Maybe you feel like this is a daily occurrence in your life! Truly, this is not what God desires for us.  But then, He doesn’t desire that we treat Him in this manner, either.  And in God, we see the perfect example of how to treat others.  We don’t have to like their actions and behaviors…we don’t have to be their personal doormat…but we do have to offer them mercy and forgiveness, just as God offers each of us.
 
How do you maintain boundaries, stand up for yourself and what is right…yet let someone know that you do not condone rebellious actions and behaviors?  We have been perfect examples of this all throughout scripture.  There are consequences for bad behavior.  God does not dole out blessings and “free passes” to those who disobey or disrespect Him.  But He never stops loving them.  God is always available to hear from His children…He makes sure basic needs are met, and He offers opportunities for restoration and reconciliation.
 
A cousin of mine once said of a mutual acquaintance…”When you get on his list – there is no eraser.”  We may have to take a “time out” from someone…or step away from certain situations.  We may have to practice “tough love” for a season.  But we never stop sharing God’s love.  We never stop praying – or caring. And when the person sincerely asks for our forgiveness…we must offer it.  Imagine how you would feel if you were cut off from God…if you felt you had messed up so badly that He could never love you again.  Thankfully, this will never happen!  But we must still imagine how a person would feel if he/she thought this were the case…or how it would be for them to feel as if we had permanently and completely rejected them.
 
God wants us to love others as He loves us…so we must stand ready to offer mercy and forgiveness.  To do otherwise is also an act of rebellion!  This is a big challenge…but we serve a MIGHTY God…and He will give us the strength and wisdom to accomplish this!  Are you ready to pay His mercy and forgiveness forward?  Isn’t this a good day to begin?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 15, 2013

Psalm 103:1-5
With all my heart
    I praise the Lord,
    and with all that I am
    I praise his holy name!
With all my heart
    I praise the Lord!
    I will never forget
    how kind he has been.
The Lord forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
    and protects us from death.
His kindness and love
    are a crown on our heads.
Each day that we live,
    he provides for our needs
    and gives us the strength
    of a young eagle.
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
I was watching a video of my former pastor, John Miles, who is conducting a sermon series on “the hard sayings of Jesus.”  On this particular day, Bro. John was talking about a passage from Matthew 19 (verses 7-11), in which the Pharisees tried to trip Jesus up by asking Him about whether divorce was okay.  As Bro. John unraveled these verses and dug deeper, he suggested that Jesus spoke past these opponents and addressed a far broader issue.  In this case, he maintains that Jesus was demonstrating how we objectify people and things.  In other words, we put the focus on “marriage” and “divorce” instead of the people who are involved. 
 
Several examples were given of how we objectify people… how lust, infidelity, and pornography – or even labels like “my husband”, “my wife”  [rather than by their first name] - objectify those involved, and we don’t see them as real people with a heart and soul.  He talked about how we seem to enjoy arguing about abortion, homosexuality, and other hot-button issues – to the point that we are focused on the label, not the people involved.  One person tearfully mentioned to my pastor as they debated a particularly hot topic… “You just don’t know.”  Clearly, this person had firsthand knowledge of the issue that my pastor did not possess.  And in that moment, he saw a human being – a child of God who was struggling and in need of love and acceptance.
 
So what does this have to do with our scripture verses in Psalm 103?  Everything!  If you don’t believe me, go back and read the second half of the passage.  The Lord forgives our sins… heals us when we are sick…provides for our needs… gives us the strength of a young eagle… and crowns us with His kindness and love.  How can we do any less for those in our midst?  The pastor concluded his sermon by noting that none of us are perfect… we all have fallen short in one area or another… yet we are all welcome at God’s table.  And we should be welcome among fellow believers!  He said several people had come to him over the years and confessed to one sin or another and asked… “Can I still receive Communion?”  His answer is… “If God will allow me to serve it… you are allowed to receive it.”
 
Shouldn’t this be our continual thought?  If God allows us to receive his love, kindness, care, protection, strength and healing… who are we to offer any less to others?  What gives us the right to objectify – or judge – another creature?  When we criticize – or exclude – another person, have we considered our own faults and shortcomings… and the grace and mercy God extends to us?  Isn’t it time to drop the piety and pretense… to humbly and gratefully give God the praise for loving us all so incredibly… and to offer this same love to others?  Will this be the day that we find true peace in God’s acceptance… and extend it to others in our midst?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 29, 2013

Hebrews 2:11
So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Today would be my brother Tim’s 52nd birthday.  It would also be the 50th birthday of a childhood friend who has passed…Dr. J. Aaron Little – the older son of my piano teacher.  And today is the 49th birthday of my cousin, Darin, who grew up in Texas.  We didn’t know each other well growing up… but our families have somewhat reconnected in the past year.  While the bond with my brother was unimaginably strong, these other two men were/are “brothers” of sorts, as well.  I spent countless hours in the Little home as a teenager, where I grew to love Aaron, his sister Lee Ann and brother Adam like family.  We attended the same church growing up… the roots of our relationship run deep.
 
When my cousin Darin lost his dad last fall, the family gathered for his burial in a local family cemetery, where our shared ancestors are laid to rest.  When my grandmother died in March, and many of these same cousins returned for her funeral and burial.  In June, another cousin organized a family reunion. We got together to share photographs and memories of good times from the past, family history, and to “pick the brains” of the older relatives who can still remember Grandma and Grandpa and what things were like in this area decades ago.


My sister Suzanne, me, my brother Tim, and my
grandmother Polly, less than three weeks before
Tim went to be with Jesus... September 1998.

There are several people in my life with whom I share no blood relation… but they could not be any more like a sister or brother to me if that were the case. I bet you can say the same.  We share a bond… a mutual love and respect… and in most cases, a deep and abiding love for God.  Ultimately, we are “blood related”… by the blood of Christ!  This is why I think many of my most profound friendships and relationships can be traced back to childhood…and the church in which I was reared.  We learned to love God together at an early age.  I just made a mental list of more than half a dozen families from that era with whom I feel this “brotherly” and “sisterly” connection to this day.
 
In the world at large, we must acknowledge that millions are our brothers and sisters in Christ… and we must warmly embrace them – in our hearts, if not literally.  We cannot judge… we must not exclude… we have to look for their good qualities and operate in peace and calm rather than discord and chaos.  Just as in any “sibling relationship,” there are times when we will argue… when someone will cause us embarrassment or disappointment… when the other guy will say or do something that irritates (if not disgusts) us…when we will all experience a “less-than-proud” moment.  But as “brothers and sisters in Christ,” we all share the same Heavenly Father. At the end of the day, we must not be ashamed of any of our family members.
 
There is great peace and comfort in “family” relationships.  When someone is claiming to be a Christian and acting in an ungodly manner…saying things that are rude or crude…treating others unkindly or in a discriminatory fashion…operating with arrogance and an air of superiority and judgment… it’s hard to say, “That person is my brother/sister in Christ.”  There is a temptation to act out toward this person… to feel hurt and disappointment…or to impose distance and/or a separation.  But God is calling us to extend brotherly/sisterly love in Christ to these persons… to make every effort to live in harmony… to do whatever is necessary to get along.  The old adage that “you can pick your friends… but not your family” is true - even in the body of Christ!
 
So today, I celebrate three men… all of whom probably got on my last nerve more than once as we grew up… and I celebrate the larger family of believers in Jesus Christ.  I take great joy in knowing that I belong to such a big… and growing… family.  The bond I feel with others who love Jesus so deeply gives me a tremendous peace and satisfaction… and in Jesus’ name, I long to encourage others to join the circle. Just imagine how glorious our “family reunion” will be when we get to Heaven!
 
What about you?  Are you at peace with your Christian brothers and sisters?  Do you feel the bond that comes from a shared love and acceptance in Jesus?  Are there “siblings” who rub you the wrong way… both those you know personally and others you “know of”?  Isn’t it time to start loving all of them with the love of Jesus… to drop the judgments and the feelings of irritation and/or ego – and to allow them the same latitude and grace you would hope they afford you?
 
Will this be the day you reconnect with some of your “family” members and embrace them… warts and all?  Don’t you think it should be?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 5, 2012

John 8:6-7
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

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 “preacher’s kid” friend of mine recently shared a story about a colleague of her dad’s… a pastor we both happen to know. It seems that one of his church members telephoned him one day and began to rant and rave about someone else who attended their church. She said, “Pastor, you’ve got a SINNER in your church!” The pastor replied, “Lady, all I’ve got in my church is sinners! If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have anybody!”

We can laugh, but this is the truth in a nutshell. Every time we point our finger at someone, four fingers are pointing in our direction. Just because you don’t kill, lie, cheat or steal doesn’t mean you are sinless. Do you overeat? Are you lazy? Do you gossip and say unkind things about others… even once in a while? Here’s a biggie… do you disobey God? Do you ever say, “I know I should do so-and-so… it’s the right thing to do… but I just don’t feel like it today.” It’s good to meet you, fellow sinner!

One of the things we seem to so easily forget is that God’s laws are for EVERYONE. We cannot pick and choose when and where we apply them to our situation … or anyone else’s. We can’t say, “Oh, look at what he/she has done” without also looking in the mirror.

So the next time we want to condemn someone for a comment he/she has made, we have to think about the things we have said. When we want to criticize or denounce another person for an indiscretion or any behavior of which we don’t approve, we had better check our own conduct first.

The line has effectively been drawn in the sand. Jesus stands on one side… the only example of true perfection. The rest of us are on the other side. None of us can step over the line. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus has also drawn a circle… around all of us. He stands ready to embrace and include each of us, if only we will surrender to Him and admit that we are anything but faultless.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us for OUR sins, He wraps His arms around us and draws us in as part of His precious inner circle. And He has room for any and all who ask to enter. So we must not be surprised when the other guy we have been so quick to criticize shows up there, as well. In fact, I can almost hear Him saying, “Listen, people! All I’ve got in my circle is repentant sinners… and I still have room for YOU!”

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 2, 2012

Luke 14:12-14
Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be—and experience—a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God's people."

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

My cousin Olivia has coppery red hair and freckles. I have blonde hair and very pale ivory skin. We both love pink. But the “pink” that looks good on Olivia is totally the wrong shade for my coloring. In fact, I would venture to say that there would be few colors that compliment both of us equally. Livvy looks great in yellow… I look like I’m ready for my own funeral! She can wear orange and coral… I look better in colors that have a blue undertone.

Most people gravitate toward certain colors that make them feel good – or hues they feel look best on them. Color preference is a deeply personal matter. If I only sewed with fabrics that suit me, I would probably not make things that please Olivia very often. If I stuck with patterns I like, I would rarely sew a stitch on polka dots, certain color palettes, or houndstooth, because these are not my personal favorites. But I try to think of those who will wear the garments I make. I want the clothes to be enjoyed. So Owen gets lots of orange… Timothy gets dinosaurs and Toy Story characters… and Olivia gets corals and teals. I might enjoy sewing in color palettes and patterns that better suit my tastes and preferences. But I count it a blessing to create something that will delight the recipient – and make them happy.

One of my Facebook friends posted this comment from Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life… "Our culture has accepted two huge lies: The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."

Let’s be honest… a lot of our intolerance comes from our fears and our unwillingness to agree to disagree. We are often so dead-set on being right that we cannot see that others may feel just as strongly that their opinion is spot-on. And often we operate in ignorance and a lack of compassion because of our fears… many of which are totally real… but also completely unfounded. I will never forget talking several years ago with the mother of a young woman who had contracted AIDS through IV drug use. The mother asked, “Can I kiss her?” That question broke my heart. She had been so afraid of contracting this disease that she had not been offering physical affection to her own child. I assured her that I understood her fears and concerns… but yes, she could hug and kiss her baby.

I don’t know your situation. I don’t know what trips you up and makes you fearful. I don’t know your personal opinions and preferences… or which shade of pink or blue flatters your skin tone. But I do know that we could all stand to open our hearts and minds a bit… to broaden our horizons… and be more tolerant of others. We could venture beyond the “Comfort Zone” of our own circle of familiarity and at least consider allowing in a few who have a different opinion or lifestyle. I’m not talking about changing who you are or how you think… I’m talking about acknowledging… and embracing someone who feels differently – if only just a little bit. In figurative terms, think “come for dinner” – not “marry me!”

God created so many wonderful people… such diverse personalities… beautiful variations of skin tone, hair color, size and shape, talent, intellect and ability. Yet we try to make everyone wear black and white and only the patterns and styles we prefer. We want them to think exactly as we do… and we criticize, disrespect, and fear them when they do not.

It’s time to “invite others to the dinner.” It is time to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus… to bless… and be blessed by doing the right thing and extending God’s love. Don’t ask “What’s in it for me?” Ask, “Is this what God wants me to do?” The “reward” will come… but probably not in the form you expected. You might even discover you have more in common with the other guy than you think. You may never like polka dots or houndstooth patterns… or even wear pink!... but you’ll never know until you try!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 29, 2012

Matthew 6:12
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

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 13-year-old cats are fairly asocial. They particularly do not like sudden movements, loud noises… and children. Ironically, our little ones like Timothy and my cousin Owen want nothing more than to get close to the cats. They so want to see them, touch them, talk to them… and become friends! So one day when Owen bent down in front of a chair that housed our cat, Lucy, she reached out and gave him a declawed swat on the head. Owen was devastated. He cried, “That kitty hit me! Why that kitty not like me?” We all justified Lucy’s little swat as a reaction to someone she didn’t know – an innate fear and dislike of something unfamiliar. And even Owen still asks every time, “Where are the kitties?” Although he has not forgotten the swat, he has forgiven the cat!

Isn’t it funny that we can forgive the outburst of a small animal… but not of a human being? We can readily understand – and excuse – the behavior of a pet that reacts to particular situations and circumstances, but we have no compassion for people who are responding out of their own fears and stresses.

I’m not saying that people have a license to be rude and disgruntled – or to gripe, complain and snap at others and expect to be given a free pass. But we often react to others quickly – and rashly – (if only in our thoughts) and fail to consider what may be their “back-story”… what may be really happening within their heart and mind. More importantly, we don’t see how often we do the very same thing… toward others, and toward God. We snap, we are rude, brash, unkind, judgmental and uncaring… and we expect God and others to forgive and forget our own lapses.

I’m pretty sure that most of us have a deep desire for forgiveness. We want God to bury the hatchet and offer us a chance to make a fresh start – and we want this from our human counterparts, as well. What we don’t realize is that we have to make the first move. We have to let bygones be bygones with others and reconcile our differences in order to unblock our own forgiveness.

The more you put this into practice, the easier it becomes… and the more you see areas where you need to offer mercy and compassion to others. When you stop and consider how you feel when you are judged and unforgiven… how much you desire God’s grace and understanding in your own life… you will see more clearly how important it is that you forgive others in the same way.

The most important thing you say today could possibly be, “I am willing to forgive one person.” If you can say that you are willing to stop judging and criticizing others, or harboring ill feelings toward even one person, you will have taken a step closer to operating in God’s love and redemption. As we strive to walk more closely with Jesus every day – to emulate His tenderness and affection for us in our daily living – amazing things will happen. We will be released from the burdens of our own recklessness. We will have the peace of God’s forgiveness – and knowing His pleasure as we forgive others.

Who are you willing to forgive today?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 20, 2012

Luke 17:3-4
"Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive 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.

Once again, our country is deep in the throes of a horrific tragedy, as we learn more details about the senseless shooting that took place in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, early this morning. We are heartsick for the victims and their families. We shake our heads and ask, “What sort of derelict could do this?” And therein lies part of the answer… this had to be the work of someone who was not of sound mind.

Certainly this person deserves to be punished for his crimes. Surely he must be kept away from society, so that no one else is harmed. But we must also remind ourselves that he has a mom and a dad… maybe siblings, other family members, and friends. He could be your brother… or my son… or a beloved cousin, significant other, or roommate. He is most assuredly a precious child of God. And as such, we must find it in our hearts to forgive him.

We do not diminish what this young man has done… we do not excuse his behavior in any way… we merely release any feelings of hate or unkindness we have toward him and allow God to heal our hearts. As the Aurora, Colorado, police chief said in a press conference, we will all get through this.

I pray that none of us ever has to personally experience anything as dreadful as the events of today. But all of us will be offended, insulted, mistreated or hurt in some way – most likely many times in our lives. How will we handle this? Will we become angry and sullen, hold a grudge and let the bitterness eat us alive? Will we give Satan this satisfaction? Or will we operate in the love of Christ and forgive not only those who ask us to do so… but also those who don’t?

We weren’t there when Jesus died on the cross, but He did it anyway… and asked God to forgive us. We may have asked His forgiveness since that time… and we should… but Jesus offered us love and compassion long beforehand. And we should do the same for others.

Everywhere we turn, people are saying, “Pray for the people of Colorado.” I would offer that we should also pray for the shooter… his family and friends… and anyone who has wronged us in any way – whether he/she has asked for our forgiveness or not. If we want Jesus to forgive us and love us unconditionally, we must be prepared to do no less than this for others. Who do you need to forgive today?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 19, 2012

Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I saw a cartoon on Facebook today where a woman was talking with Jesus. She told him that she had met some fellow believers who were on the opposite end of the political spectrum from her own views. She said, “I just don’t see how they can reconcile their faith with their position on…” Jesus interrupted her, “I’ll handle the reconciling… your job is just to love them – or maybe not to hate them.”

We have a hard time with this, don’t we? Oh, if only everyone saw things exactly as we do, the world would be such a wonderful place! But we know better… or we should! Jesus has given us the ultimate example of this when He asked God to forgive those who were beating Him, spitting on Him, stripping Him naked and gambling for His clothing… and nailing Him to a cross. Jesus said, “Father, YOU handle the reconciling… I’ll do the loving.”

It would have been so easy for Jesus to hate these people. It would have been no sweat at all for Him to say, “You know what? These people are not worth My time. I’m outta here!” He could have returned to heaven, or even continued to live on earth unbothered if He chose. He could have turned the tables and wiped out every human being who was “on the opposite end of the spectrum.” But this is not at all what Jesus did.

If we want to have even the most remote chance of being like Jesus, we have to get over ourselves. We have to start operating in love instead of hate. We have to offer acceptance to those who don’t think as we do… and forgiveness to the ones who are unkind or mistreat us in some way. We don’t have to be doormats and put ourselves in positions to be continually disrespected. But we are called to love the unlovely – to give them far better than they deserve… because that’s what Jesus does – for each of us!

The next time someone treats you rudely or disrespectfully, ask God to forgive them… and then make an effort to do the same. When you encounter someone whose position – on anything from politics to religion to the weather – is different than your own, be kind and do not act as if you are superior. Allow that this person is a child of God, too – just like you! Remember that when you point your finger at someone, four are pointing in your own direction. And never forget that Jesus didn’t die on the cross for you alone… He died for all of us.

Was it worth the price Christ paid for you? Are you truly living for Him and trying to follow His example? Isn’t it time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 14, 2008

Romans 14:1
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I have to admit… this is sometimes a hard one for me. It’s not that I think I have all the answers. I certainly do not think I know more about scripture and Christian faith than anyone else! But I really have a hard time being gentle with people who feel that natural disasters or world events are “God’s punishment” for our disobedience. I don’t feel all that welcoming toward those who insist that our country is doomed if we don’t “put prayer back into schools.” (When did it leave? You can pray silently anywhere - anytime!) These are my opinions – and not the heart of today’s message.

The point I wish to make from this scripture passage is that we all come to Jesus with our own “suitcase-full” of baggage and history. We have the opinions that have been ingrained in us since childhood by our parents, friends and peers. We recall our own personal experiences. We lay this all at the feet of Jesus… but it may take some of us a while to leave it there.

So those who have been convinced that things are one way or another may need time to come around to a new manner of thinking. Most likely, you have ideas and opinions that have been modified with time, experience, and influence from outside sources. If you have not changed your mind about something, you probably are not being very honest! But I can almost guarantee that if fellow Christians start to tell you repeatedly that you are wrong… that your thinking is off-base or un-Biblical, you will dig in your heels and hold onto these opinions!

I will never forget an experience I had almost 15 years ago. The teenage son of our dear friends was killed in a car wreck. I was talking on the phone with my cousin’s wife – one of the most faith-filled Christian women I ever knew – and I said, “This was God’s will.” Very kindly, but firmly, she said, “This was NOT God’s will! God did not make this happen! He may have allowed it… and He will use this for His purposes… but I will never believe that this was the will of God.”

When tragedy struck, I had always heard Christian family members and friends say, “It’s God’s will.” And I readily believed this! So when my cousin’s wife spoke to me with such conviction – yet so kindly – I began to investigate this for myself… to see what the Bible says about God’s will and human suffering. And a few months later, this dear woman was called to heaven after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. Her words replayed in my head as I thought about her outcome. I have seen the evidence of how God used her illness and death for His purposes – and rewarded her with a beautiful, healthy body in heaven. I know that God desires only the best for us… but sometimes He allows trials and tragedies. If nothing else, God uses these circumstances to say, “Lean on Me and let Me help you through this. Let Me show you how I can give you the courage, comfort and peace to overcome anything this world throws your way.”

My point is that we cannot cram our opinions – or the word of God – down anyone’s throat and expect them to come around to our way of thinking! We cannot criticize or chastise another person for his/her beliefs… even if they seem wacky and downright absurd! Remember, we came to Jesus with some pretty ridiculous ideas of our own… yet, He welcomed us with open arms. Should we do any less for others?

Ask God to show you how and where to approach those who are strong on opinions but weak in faith. You know the ones… the guy who says he is a believer and trusts God, yet falls apart when the tiniest “crisis” arises. You can name the person who has decided that God is on his/her side… and the rest of us are all wrong and headed for hell in a hand basket! You have met the people who accepted Christ, then went right back to their old ways of living. How will you treat them? How does Jesus treat you? Shouldn’t you offer fellow believers the same?

©2012 Debbie Robus