Matthew 6:12-15
"...and forgive us our sins, just as
we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Don’t bring us into
temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen." Your heavenly
Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if
you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Yesterday, the Sunday
school lesson for my K-1st Grade class was about tattling vs.
telling…and bullying. We talked about what constitutes bullying…and
when it is appropriate to tell someone what is happening. We also
talked about relatively harmless behaviors that we sometimes want to
share with others that fall in the category of tattling. A good example
would be telling an adult that someone is hitting other children on the playground vs. tattling
that a child refuses to share a swing. In the first example, people
could be physically hurt. In the latter…it’s just a matter of someone
possibly being rude.
We also talked about revenge…which scripture
tells us is not appropriate. We read Romans 12:18-19...”Don’t insist
on getting even; that’s not for you to do. ‘I’ll do the judging,’ says
God. ‘I’ll take care of it.’” I asked the children if they felt happy
when something bad happens to a person who had been unkind toward them.
One little girl said, “That’s called ‘karma!’” I had to laugh…but we
went on to discuss how this is not our responsibility. Relishing in
another person’s bad fortune (or “karma”) if they have mistreated us is
not God’s will…or our job!
I’m often astounded at how what I am
sharing with you here dovetails with what I teach to children in Sunday
school during the same time period. Part of our lesson yesterday
included the three steps for confronting someone who is offending us in
some manner…1) talk to them directly; 2) take someone with you if they
won’t listen; and 3) walk away if the person still refuses to change.
I’m
not totally “there” yet…but I am learning that harboring unforgiveness
does two things to me…1) it eats a hole in my heart and makes me
miserable; and 2) it dishonors God. I have tried very hard to let go of
hurts and insults…to give them to God and let HIM handle what happens.
Additionally, “carrying the torch” for an old insult or indignity does
the same thing. Sometimes it is hard to walk away…but there are times
when we must do this rather than harbor bitterness and resentments.
People
who know me well might say that I have a way to go in this
department…and they are probably right! But every day, I ask God to
remove all animosity and unforgiveness from my heart. I know that these
attitudes block God’s grace and mercy in my own life. I know that when
I say or do something that displeases Him, my own attitudes affect how –
and if/when – He will forgive me.
I don’t know about you, but I
need all of God’s compassion and leniency that I can get! So I will
keep working to banish any resentment, bitterness, callousness, and
unforgiveness from my heart and mind. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label bitterness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bitterness. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 26, 2014
Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little 3-year-old niece, Zola, spent a couple of nights with us recently, and we enjoyed seeing what she has learned since her last visit...hearing how her speech has improved...and listening to her laugh. Her speech becomes clearer each week...and she has a LOT to say! One of the things she repeatedly told us this time is, “I can say nice words, but I can’t say bad words. Mommy says I can’t say bad words. I can say ‘Yes, Ma’am’ and ‘Yes, Tir (Sir)’...but I can’t say bad words.” A couple of times, she told me a word and said, “My mommy says I can’t say that word.” I would remind her, “If Mommy says you shouldn’t say that word, let’s not say it!”
Zola’s mother (my niece, Jasmine) is trying really hard to teach her children the important lessons of Ephesians 4:31-32. When we are with Timothy and Zola, they often tell on themselves...”I had an attitude,” or “I hit Zola because she made me mad,” or “I tore up Timmy’s book.” They don’t always share with their baby brother, Nathan...and they don’t like it when he bothers their things. I know that it is part of being two, three and five...and that the children do have to learn the proper behaviors. But the sad thing is that some of us are more than ten times their ages, and we still don’t get it! We yell, scream, curse and treat others terribly. We hold grudges, we retaliate, we get angry...and we are terribly spiteful and bitter. And the worst part of all is that we do this while claiming to be born-again believers in Jesus Christ!
We go to church on Sunday morning...and curse at the television while watching a sporting event on Sunday afternoon. We give God the glory for the “great things He has done”, as the hymn says...and then we take His name in vain as we rake someone over the coals for something that isn’t even all that significant in the scheme of things. We shake our fists at the guy who pulled out in front of us at the grocery store... and pretty well come unhinged over the little old lady who pulls into a parking space ahead of us. We have absolutely no patience for the young mother of two or more who is trying to sort her groceries at the check-out counter so that she can qualify for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) assistance. We do nothing to hide our disdain toward people who do not meet our standards for appearance...we judge everything from body piercings and tattoos to clothing, cleanliness, size, shape and hair color. And don’t even get me started on how we treat those whose race or ethnicity is different from ours!
We do not take into account what is happening in other people’s lives at any given time. We can’t possibly know everything...but we sure try to act like we do much of the time. The Apostle Paul does a great job in these verses of reminding us to remember well what Jesus did for us...how He treats us...and to treat others the same way. Offer them mercy and forgiveness...gentleness and kind talk...the benefit of the doubt. Take a lesson from a young mother trying to teach her preschoolers to say nice words and to regard others with kindness, courtesy, compassion and respect.
Stop and ask yourself what Jesus would do...and how He would have you respond. Remind yourself of the commitment you made when you accepted Jesus’ gift of Salvation on the cross in exchange for your sins. Start saying nice words instead of bad ones...and be kind and merciful toward others. If you really want to be Jesus’ disciple, you’ve got to act like one! When you interact with others, who do you truly represent? Are you a pre-school Christian disciple... or a bonafide grown-up?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little 3-year-old niece, Zola, spent a couple of nights with us recently, and we enjoyed seeing what she has learned since her last visit...hearing how her speech has improved...and listening to her laugh. Her speech becomes clearer each week...and she has a LOT to say! One of the things she repeatedly told us this time is, “I can say nice words, but I can’t say bad words. Mommy says I can’t say bad words. I can say ‘Yes, Ma’am’ and ‘Yes, Tir (Sir)’...but I can’t say bad words.” A couple of times, she told me a word and said, “My mommy says I can’t say that word.” I would remind her, “If Mommy says you shouldn’t say that word, let’s not say it!”
Zola’s mother (my niece, Jasmine) is trying really hard to teach her children the important lessons of Ephesians 4:31-32. When we are with Timothy and Zola, they often tell on themselves...”I had an attitude,” or “I hit Zola because she made me mad,” or “I tore up Timmy’s book.” They don’t always share with their baby brother, Nathan...and they don’t like it when he bothers their things. I know that it is part of being two, three and five...and that the children do have to learn the proper behaviors. But the sad thing is that some of us are more than ten times their ages, and we still don’t get it! We yell, scream, curse and treat others terribly. We hold grudges, we retaliate, we get angry...and we are terribly spiteful and bitter. And the worst part of all is that we do this while claiming to be born-again believers in Jesus Christ!
We go to church on Sunday morning...and curse at the television while watching a sporting event on Sunday afternoon. We give God the glory for the “great things He has done”, as the hymn says...and then we take His name in vain as we rake someone over the coals for something that isn’t even all that significant in the scheme of things. We shake our fists at the guy who pulled out in front of us at the grocery store... and pretty well come unhinged over the little old lady who pulls into a parking space ahead of us. We have absolutely no patience for the young mother of two or more who is trying to sort her groceries at the check-out counter so that she can qualify for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) assistance. We do nothing to hide our disdain toward people who do not meet our standards for appearance...we judge everything from body piercings and tattoos to clothing, cleanliness, size, shape and hair color. And don’t even get me started on how we treat those whose race or ethnicity is different from ours!
We do not take into account what is happening in other people’s lives at any given time. We can’t possibly know everything...but we sure try to act like we do much of the time. The Apostle Paul does a great job in these verses of reminding us to remember well what Jesus did for us...how He treats us...and to treat others the same way. Offer them mercy and forgiveness...gentleness and kind talk...the benefit of the doubt. Take a lesson from a young mother trying to teach her preschoolers to say nice words and to regard others with kindness, courtesy, compassion and respect.
Stop and ask yourself what Jesus would do...and how He would have you respond. Remind yourself of the commitment you made when you accepted Jesus’ gift of Salvation on the cross in exchange for your sins. Start saying nice words instead of bad ones...and be kind and merciful toward others. If you really want to be Jesus’ disciple, you’ve got to act like one! When you interact with others, who do you truly represent? Are you a pre-school Christian disciple... or a bonafide grown-up?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 4, 2014
Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually every day, each one of us has a reason to become bitter, angry, or mad at others. I have dear friends who have endured so much in the last year that it would make your head spin…the loss of loved ones, the loss of pets, physical illness and/or injury – and I’m talking about all of this happening to the same person! Others have endured insults, setbacks, and personal heartaches that boggle the mind. Still, they manage to keep going…to love others, and to operate in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
“Kudos to those people!” you may say. “I don’t know how they do it.” And let’s be real here…there are a lot of so-called “Christians” who walk around with a chip on their shoulder and cannot operate in compassion, grace and mercy. You know what I mean. We all could name people who are continually angry at someone or about something…who are mad at the world…who hold onto grudges and belittle others – or express disdain for certain people and/or their behaviors. Their general attitude is one of superiority…or at best, gratitude that they are “not like that guy!” They do not project an image of one who is kind, merciful, forgiving, and accepting of others. And their behavior demonstrates clearly to others that God’s love is only for a select few…because if they belong to Christ, He surely would not want someone with the kind of flaws average people like you and I have!
I’m afraid there are more than a few Christian snobs in our midst…and it’s time for us to each examine our hearts and see if we fall into this category – even once in a while. The Bible is clear that anger, bitterness and being mad at others are not hallmarks of a true Christian disciple. Yelling, cursing, and rudeness of any kind have no place in the life of one of Christ’s followers.
My challenge to you today is to stop and take a hard look at yourself. Examine your heart…your words…your body language…and your thoughts. Think about your recent conversations and what you might have said or done that could be viewed by another as operating in anger, bitterness or rudeness. If you can make amends…do so. But vow to God – and to yourself – to do better. Make this the day that you take this scripture passage to heart and incorporate it fully into your daily Discipleship. Ask God to forgive you...knowing that He will…and then forgive others - and yourself. Call on Him to give you the strength and the resolve to operate in love, grace, mercy, and compassion for everyone – all of the time!
Jesus died on the cross for all of our anger, bitterness, unkindness, and sin of every nature. If we truly are His disciples, we will leave these things at the foot of the cross where they belong. Have you done this? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually every day, each one of us has a reason to become bitter, angry, or mad at others. I have dear friends who have endured so much in the last year that it would make your head spin…the loss of loved ones, the loss of pets, physical illness and/or injury – and I’m talking about all of this happening to the same person! Others have endured insults, setbacks, and personal heartaches that boggle the mind. Still, they manage to keep going…to love others, and to operate in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
“Kudos to those people!” you may say. “I don’t know how they do it.” And let’s be real here…there are a lot of so-called “Christians” who walk around with a chip on their shoulder and cannot operate in compassion, grace and mercy. You know what I mean. We all could name people who are continually angry at someone or about something…who are mad at the world…who hold onto grudges and belittle others – or express disdain for certain people and/or their behaviors. Their general attitude is one of superiority…or at best, gratitude that they are “not like that guy!” They do not project an image of one who is kind, merciful, forgiving, and accepting of others. And their behavior demonstrates clearly to others that God’s love is only for a select few…because if they belong to Christ, He surely would not want someone with the kind of flaws average people like you and I have!
I’m afraid there are more than a few Christian snobs in our midst…and it’s time for us to each examine our hearts and see if we fall into this category – even once in a while. The Bible is clear that anger, bitterness and being mad at others are not hallmarks of a true Christian disciple. Yelling, cursing, and rudeness of any kind have no place in the life of one of Christ’s followers.
My challenge to you today is to stop and take a hard look at yourself. Examine your heart…your words…your body language…and your thoughts. Think about your recent conversations and what you might have said or done that could be viewed by another as operating in anger, bitterness or rudeness. If you can make amends…do so. But vow to God – and to yourself – to do better. Make this the day that you take this scripture passage to heart and incorporate it fully into your daily Discipleship. Ask God to forgive you...knowing that He will…and then forgive others - and yourself. Call on Him to give you the strength and the resolve to operate in love, grace, mercy, and compassion for everyone – all of the time!
Jesus died on the cross for all of our anger, bitterness, unkindness, and sin of every nature. If we truly are His disciples, we will leave these things at the foot of the cross where they belong. Have you done this? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 2, 2010
Ephesians 4:31
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
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