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.
Everywhere you turn, someone is promoting a particular fitness routine… Insanity Workout®, P90X®, Boot Camp, Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, and countless others are taking the country by storm as people seek a way to get fit – and fast! What all of these workouts have in common is a lot of focus on your body’s “core” – or “center.” In order to develop true strength and fitness, you build up your mid-section, abdominal and lower back muscles. These represent your “core” or “center.”
Once your core is strong, you have more stamina and are less prone to injury. Your workouts are more effective. You are able to lift more, exert your body for longer periods of time, and your overall health improves. But you MUST strengthen your body’s core!
Here’s the message for today… in order to be Spiritually fit and strong, you must build up your heart, which is the core of your life in Christ. I’m not talking about your physical heart… I’m referring to the center of your soul… the place where the Holy Spirit resides. In order to be a loving, faith-filled, Spiritually healthy Christian, you must maintain a strong Spiritual “core.”
What constitutes a strong Spiritual “core?” Read these verses in Romans 12 again. Love from the center of who you are - and never fake it! Be the real deal. Truly love others with the love of Christ… remembering that you are often just as unlovely as the next guy – yet Jesus always has open arms to embrace you. Look for the good in all situations… and turn away from anything that is evil. This includes gossip, backbiting, revenge and spite, hatred, bigotry, dishonesty, and deliberate mistreatment of others, to name a few. Focus on putting others first. Compliment others… build them up in good times, and support them when life brings them difficulties. Quit asking “What’s in it for me?” Instead, ask God, “Who can I bless in Your name today?”
When you start to share the love of Jesus as outlined in these verses and other passages of Scripture… when you truly operate from a strong, sound Spiritual core…amazing things can happen. Blessings flow - in all directions and in ways you can’t begin to imagine. We are all so bad to put off our workouts – to say, “I’ll start tomorrow, next week, or next year.” Don’t do this with your Spiritual core. Start exercising today. Look for ways to build up your heart… opportunities to love others as Jesus loves you. Strengthen your Spiritual core, so that you have the stamina and power to handle everything life gives you. And get ready to be blessed beyond measure in the bargain!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label being genuine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being genuine. Show all posts
Dailyl Devotional for March 13, 2012
John 19:23-24
When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, "Let's not tear it up. Let's throw dice to see who gets it." This confirmed the Scripture that said, "They divided up my clothes among them and threw dice for my coat." (The soldiers validated the Scriptures!)
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.
Did you know that Jesus wore “designer clothes?” A robe created from a single piece of weaving with no seams was not cheap or readily available to the masses. Even today, a garment that can be made with creative piecing and seaming to save fabric is far less expensive than one that requires a single piece of woven material. Yet, when we think of Jesus, we perceive a man who dressed somewhat poorly.
Think about it… the Roman soldiers would not have thrown dice to win a filthy garment… even one belonging to Jesus. This robe had value! Yet a lot of people want to “sell everything and live like Jesus.” Our Jesus did not live poorly… He lived simply and humbly… and there is a difference! It’s not about the designer clothing you wear or your fancy car... but about how you act when you are wearing the clothes and driving the vehicle. Does everyone have to know you are wearing True Religion® jeans or carrying a Coach® bag? Do you jiggle a keychain for your Camaro or make sure everyone knows you drive a Cadillac or a Beemer? Do you have a reputation for only shopping in designer stores and snubbing discount or “middle-class” retailers as beneath your standards?
Why does this matter? Here’s the deal. Last week, I watched a video about a tyrannical monster in Uganda named Joseph Kony, who has recruited over 65 thousand children to serve in his army. He has forced them to commit heinous crimes, including mutilation and murder of their own parents, in order to show loyalty to him. To date, Kony has virtually “flown under the radar” of the world. But organizers are working to change this. By making Kony famous, they hope to expose his inhumanity to the world – and bring about his capture.
At the same time, I recently read an article about the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. I’m sure you have heard of this group. They are the ones who protest at funerals and other events… the church that went to Joplin, Missouri, last spring after the devastating tornado to tell the residents of that city that they had it coming… that this horrific, deadly storm was the wrath of God for their sins. Publicity and the limelight are goals of this church body… they want people to know about them.
What is my point? Ironically, Joseph Kony is a good example of how much can be accomplished when you don’t “toot your own horn,” so to speak… when you live a quiet, simple life and don’t attract attention. Sadly, he has used this for evil… but we can use the same approach to win others to Jesus. By quietly going about the LORD’s work, people will begin to see the results – and Jesus – rather than the Disciples who are working in the background. As for the church in Kansas, we should stop talking about them completely. By giving them the attention they crave, we are encouraging them to continue to make noise… and to damage the name of Jesus in the process. Their boisterous efforts to proclaim their version of “Christianity” is the perfect example of how not to win others to Christ. When we stand up, shout and draw attention to ourselves… in the name of our faith, how wonderful our church is or how Godly and devoted we are – and in essence, how wrong the rest of the folks are – we seriously damage our service to God.
I challenge each of us today to examine our motives and our methods. Are we promoting Jesus… or ourselves? Do we have a reputation for serving God by serving others and sharing the Good News… or are we known for our possessions, our position, and our attitude? If others perceive us as anything but humble and simple – regardless of what we have or our station in life – we have failed to serve God appropriately.
How do people perceive you? How do you represent God? Michael W. Smith has a song called “Cross of Gold” in which the lyrics say in part… “Where do you stand? What is your statement? What is it you're trying to say? What's your line? Tell me why you wear your cross of gold… Is it a flame? Is it a passion? A symbol of love living in you...Or is it a game? Religion in fashion...Some kind of phase you're going through?” Ask yourself these questions today. Seek God’s wisdom and strength and begin to live simply, and humbly. Understand fully that it’s not what you have that matters – or how much – but how you share Jesus with others. Who do others see when they look at you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Cross of Gold by Michael W. Smith – available on the CD “Change Your World” ©1993. Visit http://www.michaelwsmith.com/.
KONY2012 – http://www.kony2012.com/
When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, "Let's not tear it up. Let's throw dice to see who gets it." This confirmed the Scripture that said, "They divided up my clothes among them and threw dice for my coat." (The soldiers validated the Scriptures!)
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.
Did you know that Jesus wore “designer clothes?” A robe created from a single piece of weaving with no seams was not cheap or readily available to the masses. Even today, a garment that can be made with creative piecing and seaming to save fabric is far less expensive than one that requires a single piece of woven material. Yet, when we think of Jesus, we perceive a man who dressed somewhat poorly.
Think about it… the Roman soldiers would not have thrown dice to win a filthy garment… even one belonging to Jesus. This robe had value! Yet a lot of people want to “sell everything and live like Jesus.” Our Jesus did not live poorly… He lived simply and humbly… and there is a difference! It’s not about the designer clothing you wear or your fancy car... but about how you act when you are wearing the clothes and driving the vehicle. Does everyone have to know you are wearing True Religion® jeans or carrying a Coach® bag? Do you jiggle a keychain for your Camaro or make sure everyone knows you drive a Cadillac or a Beemer? Do you have a reputation for only shopping in designer stores and snubbing discount or “middle-class” retailers as beneath your standards?
Why does this matter? Here’s the deal. Last week, I watched a video about a tyrannical monster in Uganda named Joseph Kony, who has recruited over 65 thousand children to serve in his army. He has forced them to commit heinous crimes, including mutilation and murder of their own parents, in order to show loyalty to him. To date, Kony has virtually “flown under the radar” of the world. But organizers are working to change this. By making Kony famous, they hope to expose his inhumanity to the world – and bring about his capture.
At the same time, I recently read an article about the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. I’m sure you have heard of this group. They are the ones who protest at funerals and other events… the church that went to Joplin, Missouri, last spring after the devastating tornado to tell the residents of that city that they had it coming… that this horrific, deadly storm was the wrath of God for their sins. Publicity and the limelight are goals of this church body… they want people to know about them.
What is my point? Ironically, Joseph Kony is a good example of how much can be accomplished when you don’t “toot your own horn,” so to speak… when you live a quiet, simple life and don’t attract attention. Sadly, he has used this for evil… but we can use the same approach to win others to Jesus. By quietly going about the LORD’s work, people will begin to see the results – and Jesus – rather than the Disciples who are working in the background. As for the church in Kansas, we should stop talking about them completely. By giving them the attention they crave, we are encouraging them to continue to make noise… and to damage the name of Jesus in the process. Their boisterous efforts to proclaim their version of “Christianity” is the perfect example of how not to win others to Christ. When we stand up, shout and draw attention to ourselves… in the name of our faith, how wonderful our church is or how Godly and devoted we are – and in essence, how wrong the rest of the folks are – we seriously damage our service to God.
I challenge each of us today to examine our motives and our methods. Are we promoting Jesus… or ourselves? Do we have a reputation for serving God by serving others and sharing the Good News… or are we known for our possessions, our position, and our attitude? If others perceive us as anything but humble and simple – regardless of what we have or our station in life – we have failed to serve God appropriately.
How do people perceive you? How do you represent God? Michael W. Smith has a song called “Cross of Gold” in which the lyrics say in part… “Where do you stand? What is your statement? What is it you're trying to say? What's your line? Tell me why you wear your cross of gold… Is it a flame? Is it a passion? A symbol of love living in you...Or is it a game? Religion in fashion...Some kind of phase you're going through?” Ask yourself these questions today. Seek God’s wisdom and strength and begin to live simply, and humbly. Understand fully that it’s not what you have that matters – or how much – but how you share Jesus with others. Who do others see when they look at you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Cross of Gold by Michael W. Smith – available on the CD “Change Your World” ©1993. Visit http://www.michaelwsmith.com/.
KONY2012 – http://www.kony2012.com/
Daily Devotional for February 2, 2012
Matthew 6:5-7
When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward.
When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.
When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Yesterday on my Facebook wall, I saw this quote by evangelist Joyce Meyer... “What you do in front of people is nothing if you are not living the same life at home behind closed doors.” She referenced Matthew 6:5-7 in this post. When I read this, I was working on a devotional about living with an authentic heart for God. This post showed up right on time!
As we think about our heart – the “hidden inner man” – let’s think about how we share our faith with others. Do we let ego get in the way? Do we feel we are only effective as Christians and disciples when we make a lot of noise and draw attention to ourselves or our cause? Do we think God loves us more when we are grandiose? Maybe this explains those who protest a funerals or outside clinics. It could be that those who want to scream and shout about this “Christian” cause or that one have bought into the concept that bigger and louder is better!
Do we speak kindly to everyone we meet in public, then go home and treat our family like dirt? Do we pretend to be something or someone we are not and try to “keep up with the Joneses” when in truth, we are physically, morally and spiritually bankrupt? The truth is that God cares about what is in our heart… how we truly feel… what we genuinely think about Him, and our honest needs and desires. He doesn’t care about trappings… grand gestures… big displays of devotion or service… or how long we pray a single prayer. He doesn’t want us to say and do all the right things in public and shed these behaviors like a giant mask when nobody is looking.
God wants real, sincere, heartfelt love and service. He wants us to operate completely from the depths of our heart and a desire to be completely His disciple… whether we are passing the collection plate in a worship service, visiting someone who is sick, working with someone we find difficult to love, offering up a prayer… or interacting with our own family behind closed doors.
We should strive to be genuine and operate from our heart every single day. If God wants us to shout from the rooftops, He will place that in our heart. If God wants you to be Mr./Miss Personality, He will gift you with a genuine exuberance. If He wants us to work in the background, we will sense that, as well. God will make it our heart’s desire to treat everyone with love, grace and mercy – even at home – if we listen and follow Him.
As long as we listen to our “hidden inner man,” we will glorify and honor God with our outward appearance and behavior. Have you checked your heart today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward.
When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.
When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Yesterday on my Facebook wall, I saw this quote by evangelist Joyce Meyer... “What you do in front of people is nothing if you are not living the same life at home behind closed doors.” She referenced Matthew 6:5-7 in this post. When I read this, I was working on a devotional about living with an authentic heart for God. This post showed up right on time!
As we think about our heart – the “hidden inner man” – let’s think about how we share our faith with others. Do we let ego get in the way? Do we feel we are only effective as Christians and disciples when we make a lot of noise and draw attention to ourselves or our cause? Do we think God loves us more when we are grandiose? Maybe this explains those who protest a funerals or outside clinics. It could be that those who want to scream and shout about this “Christian” cause or that one have bought into the concept that bigger and louder is better!
Do we speak kindly to everyone we meet in public, then go home and treat our family like dirt? Do we pretend to be something or someone we are not and try to “keep up with the Joneses” when in truth, we are physically, morally and spiritually bankrupt? The truth is that God cares about what is in our heart… how we truly feel… what we genuinely think about Him, and our honest needs and desires. He doesn’t care about trappings… grand gestures… big displays of devotion or service… or how long we pray a single prayer. He doesn’t want us to say and do all the right things in public and shed these behaviors like a giant mask when nobody is looking.
God wants real, sincere, heartfelt love and service. He wants us to operate completely from the depths of our heart and a desire to be completely His disciple… whether we are passing the collection plate in a worship service, visiting someone who is sick, working with someone we find difficult to love, offering up a prayer… or interacting with our own family behind closed doors.
We should strive to be genuine and operate from our heart every single day. If God wants us to shout from the rooftops, He will place that in our heart. If God wants you to be Mr./Miss Personality, He will gift you with a genuine exuberance. If He wants us to work in the background, we will sense that, as well. God will make it our heart’s desire to treat everyone with love, grace and mercy – even at home – if we listen and follow Him.
As long as we listen to our “hidden inner man,” we will glorify and honor God with our outward appearance and behavior. Have you checked your heart today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 11, 2011
John 6:16-29
That evening, Jesus' disciples went down to the lake. They got into a boat and started across for Capernaum. Later that evening Jesus had still not come to them, and a strong wind was making the water rough.
When the disciples had rowed for three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He kept coming closer to the boat, and they were terrified. But he said, "I am Jesus! Don't be afraid!" The disciples wanted to take him into the boat, but suddenly the boat reached the shore where they were headed.
The people who had stayed on the east side of the lake knew that only one boat had been there. They also knew that Jesus had not left in it with his disciples. But the next day some boats from Tiberias sailed near the place where the crowd had eaten the bread for which the Lord had given thanks. They saw that Jesus and his disciples had left. Then they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Jesus. They found him on the west side of the lake and asked, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you for certain that you are not looking for me because you saw the miracles, but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give you this food, because God the Father has given him the right to do so." "What exactly does God want us to do?" the people asked.
Jesus answered, "God wants you to have faith in the one he sent."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all had someone be nice to us when they wanted something. There are some people who only come around or act interested in others when they are hoping to gain something from the interaction or relationship. I don’t mean to be cynical or skeptical, but often you can spot these people coming a mile away. And even if there is no ulterior motive, the history with this person makes it hard to believe that he/she is genuine.
It’s somewhat like when a teenager’s mom cooks his/her favorite dish, and the teen would do just about anything to get Mom to cook it again. The teenager really doesn’t notice all the wonderful, important things a mom does every day for him/her and the rest of the family (extended family, friends, community and more). It’s all about that favorite meal… personal gratification… and the teen will go to great lengths to schmooze Mom so that she will cook it again.
If we honestly look at our relationship to God, we are much the same. We pretty well always have our hand out in some manner. “LORD, please do this for me… Father, I need a miracle… God, heal me, my relationship, my family, my friends.” We’re not interested in God’s miracles and healing in the context of the world at large – much less giving back in service and dedication. We want God to feed us… to meet our needs at that very moment.
Let’s be clear… there is nothing wrong with asking God to meet our needs. He can… He will… He wants to do this for us. He wants to heal our bodies, minds, and relationships… and to do the same for those in our circle of family and friends. He wants to give us answers to our troubles and bless us each and every day. But He wants us to love and follow Him because of the Bread of Life… the gift of eternal salvation He provides to us through the blood of Jesus Christ.
God doesn’t want us to believe in Him and serve Him because He cured our cancer, helped us pass a biology test, or we ran extra fast in the 5k or cross-country event. He doesn’t want us to follow Him because He gives us a roof over our head and a good job to pay the bills. He wants us to look beyond these material, “now” things and say, “I will follow you all the days of my life because you gave me Jesus.”
For me, this was a simple – but highly powerful – illustration. Some people are following Jesus for the “fish dinner” that He provides – that “favorite meal”. They are willing to love Jesus and serve Him – and basically butter Him up – for whatever is in it for them at the moment… the “quick fix.” But God wants us to be in it for the “Daily Bread” – the meal that satisfies our soul more than our bellies... and lasts! God wants us to follow Him and serve because we love Him and desire to be a part of His Kingdom forever.
What are your motives? Do you serve Jesus for the instant miracle… the “quick fix” to your present problem? Or do you see the bigger picture? Is your faith in God based on His tremendous love and sacrifice for us… His promise to meet our needs and bless us with the Bread of Life - now and forever? Or are you only looking to your next meal or miracle? There is a difference… can you see it?
©2011 Debbie Robus
That evening, Jesus' disciples went down to the lake. They got into a boat and started across for Capernaum. Later that evening Jesus had still not come to them, and a strong wind was making the water rough.
When the disciples had rowed for three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He kept coming closer to the boat, and they were terrified. But he said, "I am Jesus! Don't be afraid!" The disciples wanted to take him into the boat, but suddenly the boat reached the shore where they were headed.
The people who had stayed on the east side of the lake knew that only one boat had been there. They also knew that Jesus had not left in it with his disciples. But the next day some boats from Tiberias sailed near the place where the crowd had eaten the bread for which the Lord had given thanks. They saw that Jesus and his disciples had left. Then they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Jesus. They found him on the west side of the lake and asked, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you for certain that you are not looking for me because you saw the miracles, but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give you this food, because God the Father has given him the right to do so." "What exactly does God want us to do?" the people asked.
Jesus answered, "God wants you to have faith in the one he sent."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all had someone be nice to us when they wanted something. There are some people who only come around or act interested in others when they are hoping to gain something from the interaction or relationship. I don’t mean to be cynical or skeptical, but often you can spot these people coming a mile away. And even if there is no ulterior motive, the history with this person makes it hard to believe that he/she is genuine.
It’s somewhat like when a teenager’s mom cooks his/her favorite dish, and the teen would do just about anything to get Mom to cook it again. The teenager really doesn’t notice all the wonderful, important things a mom does every day for him/her and the rest of the family (extended family, friends, community and more). It’s all about that favorite meal… personal gratification… and the teen will go to great lengths to schmooze Mom so that she will cook it again.
If we honestly look at our relationship to God, we are much the same. We pretty well always have our hand out in some manner. “LORD, please do this for me… Father, I need a miracle… God, heal me, my relationship, my family, my friends.” We’re not interested in God’s miracles and healing in the context of the world at large – much less giving back in service and dedication. We want God to feed us… to meet our needs at that very moment.
Let’s be clear… there is nothing wrong with asking God to meet our needs. He can… He will… He wants to do this for us. He wants to heal our bodies, minds, and relationships… and to do the same for those in our circle of family and friends. He wants to give us answers to our troubles and bless us each and every day. But He wants us to love and follow Him because of the Bread of Life… the gift of eternal salvation He provides to us through the blood of Jesus Christ.
God doesn’t want us to believe in Him and serve Him because He cured our cancer, helped us pass a biology test, or we ran extra fast in the 5k or cross-country event. He doesn’t want us to follow Him because He gives us a roof over our head and a good job to pay the bills. He wants us to look beyond these material, “now” things and say, “I will follow you all the days of my life because you gave me Jesus.”
For me, this was a simple – but highly powerful – illustration. Some people are following Jesus for the “fish dinner” that He provides – that “favorite meal”. They are willing to love Jesus and serve Him – and basically butter Him up – for whatever is in it for them at the moment… the “quick fix.” But God wants us to be in it for the “Daily Bread” – the meal that satisfies our soul more than our bellies... and lasts! God wants us to follow Him and serve because we love Him and desire to be a part of His Kingdom forever.
What are your motives? Do you serve Jesus for the instant miracle… the “quick fix” to your present problem? Or do you see the bigger picture? Is your faith in God based on His tremendous love and sacrifice for us… His promise to meet our needs and bless us with the Bread of Life - now and forever? Or are you only looking to your next meal or miracle? There is a difference… can you see it?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 11, 2011
John 2:23-25
During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn't need any help in seeing right through 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.
A friend of ours is a great story teller. He can entertain us for a long time with tales from his past… and all who know and love him know that he has a penchant for weaving embellishments into his facts. So when my husband asked him recently how he was doing after gallbladder surgery, he replied that was feeling great, and “… they removed 42 pounds of gallstones.” Now, my husband knew that this was an astonishing number, but the man told it with fairly convincing sincerity. However, a mutual friend who was listening said, “That amount has increased every time you tell the story.” In truth, the gallstones weighed about 2 ounces! Everyone laughed, and it was all in good fun.
But so much of what we are told… and what we believe… contains lies and insincerity sold to us as the truth and genuine sentiment. I’m reminded of the phrase said of some… “If his lips are moving, he’s lying.” Lots of people talk a good talk, but there is nothing sincere to back up their outward speech and appearance. And unless we are continually awake and alert – we are frequently duped.
Don’t let it be said of you that your “talk” about your faith and service to Jesus doesn’t match your “walk.” Don’t do things in Jesus’ name just to look important… don’t say things you don’t mean. Others may be fooled, but I assure you… Jesus is not! At the end of the day… sincere, genuine faith and service are what matter to God… and ultimately to others, too.
It is better to do the very least God asks of you… and do it with a pure heart and genuine motives of pleasing Him… than to try to “tackle the world” in name only – or simply to make yourself look better and more important. Jesus wants us to be “the real deal” for Him. He wants us to love Him out of a deep desire for relationship with Him… to serve Him out of our longing to please Him and further His kingdom.
When Jesus looks at you, does He see someone He can trust? Are you the “real deal” for Jesus? Isn’t it time you were?
©2011 Debbie Robus
During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn't need any help in seeing right through 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.
A friend of ours is a great story teller. He can entertain us for a long time with tales from his past… and all who know and love him know that he has a penchant for weaving embellishments into his facts. So when my husband asked him recently how he was doing after gallbladder surgery, he replied that was feeling great, and “… they removed 42 pounds of gallstones.” Now, my husband knew that this was an astonishing number, but the man told it with fairly convincing sincerity. However, a mutual friend who was listening said, “That amount has increased every time you tell the story.” In truth, the gallstones weighed about 2 ounces! Everyone laughed, and it was all in good fun.
But so much of what we are told… and what we believe… contains lies and insincerity sold to us as the truth and genuine sentiment. I’m reminded of the phrase said of some… “If his lips are moving, he’s lying.” Lots of people talk a good talk, but there is nothing sincere to back up their outward speech and appearance. And unless we are continually awake and alert – we are frequently duped.
Don’t let it be said of you that your “talk” about your faith and service to Jesus doesn’t match your “walk.” Don’t do things in Jesus’ name just to look important… don’t say things you don’t mean. Others may be fooled, but I assure you… Jesus is not! At the end of the day… sincere, genuine faith and service are what matter to God… and ultimately to others, too.
It is better to do the very least God asks of you… and do it with a pure heart and genuine motives of pleasing Him… than to try to “tackle the world” in name only – or simply to make yourself look better and more important. Jesus wants us to be “the real deal” for Him. He wants us to love Him out of a deep desire for relationship with Him… to serve Him out of our longing to please Him and further His kingdom.
When Jesus looks at you, does He see someone He can trust? Are you the “real deal” for Jesus? Isn’t it time you were?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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