Proverbs 12:20
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
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.
Recently, a man in Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and confinement of three young women who he held hostage and abused for more than a decade. Captured between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16, and 20, these women were freed in May 2013, when one of the women managed to escape and secure help. During sentencing, the captor was given a chance to speak in court. He launched into a lengthy “explanation” of how he was not a bad person… but rather a victim of his own sexual abuse - and subject to impulsive behavior. He maintained that he was not a violent person, and he tried to claim that he and the women shared a “normal family” relationship.
What a perfect example this is of someone who plotted evil and filled his heart with deceit! In fact, one of the victims spoke in court and labeled this man a hypocrite for attending church services every Sunday… and coming home to torture them afterward. Clearly, this is a sick, evil individual. I cannot imagine that he has an ounce of peace in his heart.
As upsetting and disgusting as this story is, we must remember that horrible, evil incidents like this have occurred since even Old Testament times. The devil is alive and well… and he loves to fill hearts with deceit. Lest we start slinging mud too fast and far, we should stop and acknowledge that we all have a propensity for deceit. Thankfully, most of us are not kidnappers and rapists… but we plot evil just the same.
When we “call in sick” so that we can do something fun, we are deceitful. When we make up excuses for friends, family members, co-workers, teachers, and others, we are devious, at best. Many of us lie, cheat and steal in some form or another all week long, then attend church on Sunday like the most pious of believers! Often, we tiptoe from one lie to the next… scared to death we will be “found out”… and stressed to the max as we try to juggle all of the deceptions we have created. Think of the adage by Scottish author and novelist, Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)… “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Where is the peace in this statement?
I have to believe that the women this man captured clung to the hope of peace someday… that they planned for it… dreamed of it… and believed that peace would once again be theirs. If they experienced even the briefest moments of joy, these surely were found in thoughts of being free and reunited with family members and friends. And I ask you… how do you plan for peace? What do you anticipate… what is the focus of your hopes and dreams… where do you place your hope? I have no clue how you answer these questions, but I can tell you that my ambitions and aspirations ultimately begin and end with Jesus. I don’t know what my future holds… but I know that He holds my future. I don’t know where or how joy will come, but I know that He will ensure that my heart is filled.
A dear friend of mine told me just today that “I am wondering now how anyone functions without being covered in the Peace of God. Thank goodness He is growing me daily, carries my burdens, and leads me with a growing clarity.” My question for you today is this… “Who grows you daily, carries your burdens, and leads you with a growing clarity? Are you covered in God’s peace? Is your heart filled with His joy… or do you still make room there for the devil?” Won’t you stop and think about this today? Will you ask God to show you how and where you need to change your attitude… and your objectives? Will this be the day you begin to fill your heart with God’s joy by planning peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label cheating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheating. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 22, 2013
March 22 ~ Proverbs 19:1
Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one can trust.
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.
Suppose someone offered you a million dollars, and all you had to do in return was deliver a package for them. You didn’t know what was in the package, and you didn’t ask. But you were pretty sure that what was happening was illegal… or at best, shady in some way. Would you do it? Now suppose your boss told you, “If you don’t lie for me about XYZ, you’re fired.” What would you do? After all, you have a family counting on your income… you have bills to pay…and all that you’re being asked to do is issue one simple, false statement or perform a single dishonest act. Maybe you’re being asked to say you saw a vehicular accident happen in a certain way – to place the blame on another driver. Or perhaps you are being asked to provide an alibi… “He was with me the whole time.” What could it hurt?
What if you could cheat on a test and score high enough for a scholarship… or you could shift one number and pocket some extra dollars that no one else would ever miss? If being honest about something meant you might actually suffer some sort of material loss… would you tell the truth? Let’s say you know there is something shifty going on with your friends or family members… or in the business in which you work… and reporting this could get a lot of people in trouble and/or cost you friendships and your job. How would you react? Suppose you were encouraged to pass off shoddy work… to cut corners in order to increase profits or speed up production. Could you keep quiet?
Let’s face it… life is not totally “black and white.” But too many of us are more concerned with “What’s in it for me?” than doing the right thing. Do you really want to work for a dishonest boss? Do you truly value friends who lie, cheat and steal? Are you doing family members a favor by keeping their secrets and allowing harm to come to them – and others? How would you feel if you were treated this way? Are you totally honest in all things? Are you willing to compromise your principles for personal gain? Are you more worried about how these things will affect you than in operating with integrity?
Being completely honest often requires a leap of faith and a heavy dose of courage. God will supply you with both. You may not always be the most popular person in some circles… or the wealthiest in terms of money and “stuff.” But you will be rich beyond measure in the things that truly matter… the blessings of God and His favor. Does this mean that all “rich” people are dishonest? Absolutely not! But in our culture, we have become so jaded by material wealth and “things,” that many of us often gauge our credibility and success in terms money and possessions instead of how well we love and serve others… and God.
Take a good hard look at your life and see where you have lost focus. Figure out what really matters to you and see where you have been willing to compromise your values in favor of a quick fix or something that seems to have value…but might actually be rather hollow. Fix your attention on God and the things that matter to Him. Make these the center of your life, and allow Him to determine your course. Let God show you how to do great things with less “stuff” and more integrity. Learn to value the things that He prizes. You may find that you are richer than you ever dreamed possible… in ways that truly matter.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one can trust.
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.
Suppose someone offered you a million dollars, and all you had to do in return was deliver a package for them. You didn’t know what was in the package, and you didn’t ask. But you were pretty sure that what was happening was illegal… or at best, shady in some way. Would you do it? Now suppose your boss told you, “If you don’t lie for me about XYZ, you’re fired.” What would you do? After all, you have a family counting on your income… you have bills to pay…and all that you’re being asked to do is issue one simple, false statement or perform a single dishonest act. Maybe you’re being asked to say you saw a vehicular accident happen in a certain way – to place the blame on another driver. Or perhaps you are being asked to provide an alibi… “He was with me the whole time.” What could it hurt?
What if you could cheat on a test and score high enough for a scholarship… or you could shift one number and pocket some extra dollars that no one else would ever miss? If being honest about something meant you might actually suffer some sort of material loss… would you tell the truth? Let’s say you know there is something shifty going on with your friends or family members… or in the business in which you work… and reporting this could get a lot of people in trouble and/or cost you friendships and your job. How would you react? Suppose you were encouraged to pass off shoddy work… to cut corners in order to increase profits or speed up production. Could you keep quiet?
Let’s face it… life is not totally “black and white.” But too many of us are more concerned with “What’s in it for me?” than doing the right thing. Do you really want to work for a dishonest boss? Do you truly value friends who lie, cheat and steal? Are you doing family members a favor by keeping their secrets and allowing harm to come to them – and others? How would you feel if you were treated this way? Are you totally honest in all things? Are you willing to compromise your principles for personal gain? Are you more worried about how these things will affect you than in operating with integrity?
Being completely honest often requires a leap of faith and a heavy dose of courage. God will supply you with both. You may not always be the most popular person in some circles… or the wealthiest in terms of money and “stuff.” But you will be rich beyond measure in the things that truly matter… the blessings of God and His favor. Does this mean that all “rich” people are dishonest? Absolutely not! But in our culture, we have become so jaded by material wealth and “things,” that many of us often gauge our credibility and success in terms money and possessions instead of how well we love and serve others… and God.
Take a good hard look at your life and see where you have lost focus. Figure out what really matters to you and see where you have been willing to compromise your values in favor of a quick fix or something that seems to have value…but might actually be rather hollow. Fix your attention on God and the things that matter to Him. Make these the center of your life, and allow Him to determine your course. Let God show you how to do great things with less “stuff” and more integrity. Learn to value the things that He prizes. You may find that you are richer than you ever dreamed possible… in ways that truly matter.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 21, 2013
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.
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.
Believe it or not, there is an organization called the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention. According to information found at www.shoplifters.org, approximately 1 in 11 persons in our country today is a shoplifter. The reasons for shoplifting are varied, but many do not need the items and/or can afford to purchase them outright. These people get a “lift” from getting “something for nothing.” This “high” is more important to the shoplifter than the merchandise being stolen. Others steal to make up for a “loss” in their life…illness, job loss, the death of someone significant in their lives, a relationship breakup or dissolution, and more. Shoplifting may often make the person feel temporarily more in control.
Still others shoplift to relieve tension, anxiety, sadness or boredom, while others consider shoplifting a justifiable compensation for something lacking in their lives… payback for all they have given to others, how they feel they have been mistreated, or a specific experience. While many shoplifters fully expect to get caught at some point, they are often appalled to be placed in jail with “hardened criminals” for such a “petty crime.”
I used shoplifting as an example of dishonesty, but there are parallels for many areas of our life. You may be patting yourself on the back and saying, “Thank goodness this isn’t me!” But I ask you to take a good hard look at yourself. Are there other areas where you “shoplift?” Do you engage in other dishonest or deceptive behaviors in order to temporarily give yourself a “lift” or to compensate for some wrong you feel has been done against you? Do you embellish the truth to make yourself look better to others? Do you brag about how fast you drove to XYZ and didn’t get caught? Do you participate in illegal activities like underage drinking… or drug abuse? Do you cheat on your taxes… or even take extra condiments from the fast-food place “because they are ‘free’?”
Do you put on a good front in public to make everyone think that your life is hunky-dory, then conduct yourself in a totally different manner at home in front of your family and close friends? Do you pretty well thumb your nose at the world because some things have happened in your life and you feel entitled to do so? Are you one of those people who fumbles in his/her pocket for money when it comes time to pay the bill - then lets someone else pay… or “borrows” from others and never gives the items back…or pretends to be busy and lets someone else do all the work – then shares in the credit? Have you become comfortable with gossip, “white lies” and other “harmless petty crimes?"
There are countless ways in which we are all capable of dishonesty, if we are not careful and on constant guard. The adage that you can “give him enough rope and he’ll hang himself” often applies and our sins are discovered… and we have to “come clean” – at least temporarily. But it really shouldn’t matter whether we are ever caught in a lie or not. GOD knows! He sees how incorrigible we often are, and this breaks His heart. There really is no excuse… not the circumstances of our life, our childhood or upbringing, or our “innocence.” We all must strive to operate with more integrity if we want to be like Jesus.
Stop what you are doing today and talk to God. Tell Him that you know there may be areas of your life where even YOU are not aware that you are dishonest or lack integrity. Ask God to shine a bright light on your heart and reveal the places where you need to improve. Don’t risk even the slightest opportunity for ruin. Humbly call upon God to help you with this… and make every effort to stay on track and operate with honesty and integrity - in all things… and at all times.
©2013 Debbie Robus
The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.
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.
Believe it or not, there is an organization called the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention. According to information found at www.shoplifters.org, approximately 1 in 11 persons in our country today is a shoplifter. The reasons for shoplifting are varied, but many do not need the items and/or can afford to purchase them outright. These people get a “lift” from getting “something for nothing.” This “high” is more important to the shoplifter than the merchandise being stolen. Others steal to make up for a “loss” in their life…illness, job loss, the death of someone significant in their lives, a relationship breakup or dissolution, and more. Shoplifting may often make the person feel temporarily more in control.
Still others shoplift to relieve tension, anxiety, sadness or boredom, while others consider shoplifting a justifiable compensation for something lacking in their lives… payback for all they have given to others, how they feel they have been mistreated, or a specific experience. While many shoplifters fully expect to get caught at some point, they are often appalled to be placed in jail with “hardened criminals” for such a “petty crime.”
I used shoplifting as an example of dishonesty, but there are parallels for many areas of our life. You may be patting yourself on the back and saying, “Thank goodness this isn’t me!” But I ask you to take a good hard look at yourself. Are there other areas where you “shoplift?” Do you engage in other dishonest or deceptive behaviors in order to temporarily give yourself a “lift” or to compensate for some wrong you feel has been done against you? Do you embellish the truth to make yourself look better to others? Do you brag about how fast you drove to XYZ and didn’t get caught? Do you participate in illegal activities like underage drinking… or drug abuse? Do you cheat on your taxes… or even take extra condiments from the fast-food place “because they are ‘free’?”
Do you put on a good front in public to make everyone think that your life is hunky-dory, then conduct yourself in a totally different manner at home in front of your family and close friends? Do you pretty well thumb your nose at the world because some things have happened in your life and you feel entitled to do so? Are you one of those people who fumbles in his/her pocket for money when it comes time to pay the bill - then lets someone else pay… or “borrows” from others and never gives the items back…or pretends to be busy and lets someone else do all the work – then shares in the credit? Have you become comfortable with gossip, “white lies” and other “harmless petty crimes?"
There are countless ways in which we are all capable of dishonesty, if we are not careful and on constant guard. The adage that you can “give him enough rope and he’ll hang himself” often applies and our sins are discovered… and we have to “come clean” – at least temporarily. But it really shouldn’t matter whether we are ever caught in a lie or not. GOD knows! He sees how incorrigible we often are, and this breaks His heart. There really is no excuse… not the circumstances of our life, our childhood or upbringing, or our “innocence.” We all must strive to operate with more integrity if we want to be like Jesus.
Stop what you are doing today and talk to God. Tell Him that you know there may be areas of your life where even YOU are not aware that you are dishonest or lack integrity. Ask God to shine a bright light on your heart and reveal the places where you need to improve. Don’t risk even the slightest opportunity for ruin. Humbly call upon God to help you with this… and make every effort to stay on track and operate with honesty and integrity - in all things… and at all times.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 19, 2013
March 19 ~ Luke 16:10-13
For unless you are honest in small matters, you won’t be in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s money, why should you be entrusted with money of your own? “For neither you nor anyone else can serve two masters. You will hate one and show loyalty to the other, or else the other way around – you will be enthusiastic about one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
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.
When you get your credit card or utility bills… or your bank statement… you probably go over every line with a fine-toothed comb – or you should! I often hear people talk about hidden charges they discovered – and had removed. Or maybe you have discovered a charge on your bill that you did not authorize. Sometimes, we simply didn’t read the “fine print.” But there are times when I have to wonder whether some corporations figure you will never notice that little surcharge buried in the details. Over time, these amounts add up! Let’s say you or I had a small business where we tucked in little “incidental” charges that we did not disclose to our clients. Do you think we would have repeat customers if this were discovered? Could our reputation for honesty, fairness and integrity be compromised?
I think we understand the ramifications of cheating on a large scale. Most of us get it that we cannot borrow money from a bank, or even a friend or relative – and fail to repay the loan, without some serious consequences. But we fail to recognize that the impact of our failures to follow through on the smaller things in life can be just as critical. A local news station has been sponsoring a multi-week fitness program for a group of out-of-shape moms. Each week, a news report charts their progress. This week, the headline was a report that several of the moms are not showing up for the workouts. They are not honoring their commitment to the program. Not only are they failing to reach their goals and achieve the desired level of fitness, but their lack of commitment has been “outed” to their families, friends and co-workers on state-wide television! One has to wonder how these women treat other commitments if they fail to meet one with such a public view!
Do you see where I am headed with this? Jesus tells us in this passage that we “cannot serve two masters.” I would suggest that those of us who are unable to keep our word… or to be honest and honorable in seemingly small and insignificant things… are probably not capable of doing any better with big matters. If you lie (even to yourself) and say, “Nobody else will know if I eat this extra piece of cake”… or “Sue will forget that I owe her that $50”…how likely are you lie to your spouse about the new pair of shoes you bought, where you really went when you said you were having dinner with a friend, or how committed you are to your marriage?”
If you can pick up pens and paper clips at work and carry them home for personal use… or “borrow” a friend’s t-shirt and keep it to wear as your own… how will others ever believe that you can be trusted not to help yourself to their personal property - as an employee, or even as a friend or acquaintance? If you say one thing and do another, how will anyone ever believe you when you profess to be a faith-filled disciple of Christ?
This passage is about so much more than money. Jesus used this as His example, because so many of us do seem to worship the almighty dollar, so He knew we would easily relate to this analogy. But we all have moments each and every day to make a choice about whether to be honorable and trustworthy with seemingly insignificant issues and situations that have substantial and widespread ramifications… and speak directly to our moral and spiritual character.
What about you? Are you faithful in the small stuff? Are you honest and aboveboard in all things… are you truly honest with yourself? Do you understand how important integrity is in the life of a Christian? How authentic are you? Which “Master” will you serve today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
For unless you are honest in small matters, you won’t be in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s money, why should you be entrusted with money of your own? “For neither you nor anyone else can serve two masters. You will hate one and show loyalty to the other, or else the other way around – you will be enthusiastic about one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
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.
When you get your credit card or utility bills… or your bank statement… you probably go over every line with a fine-toothed comb – or you should! I often hear people talk about hidden charges they discovered – and had removed. Or maybe you have discovered a charge on your bill that you did not authorize. Sometimes, we simply didn’t read the “fine print.” But there are times when I have to wonder whether some corporations figure you will never notice that little surcharge buried in the details. Over time, these amounts add up! Let’s say you or I had a small business where we tucked in little “incidental” charges that we did not disclose to our clients. Do you think we would have repeat customers if this were discovered? Could our reputation for honesty, fairness and integrity be compromised?
I think we understand the ramifications of cheating on a large scale. Most of us get it that we cannot borrow money from a bank, or even a friend or relative – and fail to repay the loan, without some serious consequences. But we fail to recognize that the impact of our failures to follow through on the smaller things in life can be just as critical. A local news station has been sponsoring a multi-week fitness program for a group of out-of-shape moms. Each week, a news report charts their progress. This week, the headline was a report that several of the moms are not showing up for the workouts. They are not honoring their commitment to the program. Not only are they failing to reach their goals and achieve the desired level of fitness, but their lack of commitment has been “outed” to their families, friends and co-workers on state-wide television! One has to wonder how these women treat other commitments if they fail to meet one with such a public view!
Do you see where I am headed with this? Jesus tells us in this passage that we “cannot serve two masters.” I would suggest that those of us who are unable to keep our word… or to be honest and honorable in seemingly small and insignificant things… are probably not capable of doing any better with big matters. If you lie (even to yourself) and say, “Nobody else will know if I eat this extra piece of cake”… or “Sue will forget that I owe her that $50”…how likely are you lie to your spouse about the new pair of shoes you bought, where you really went when you said you were having dinner with a friend, or how committed you are to your marriage?”
If you can pick up pens and paper clips at work and carry them home for personal use… or “borrow” a friend’s t-shirt and keep it to wear as your own… how will others ever believe that you can be trusted not to help yourself to their personal property - as an employee, or even as a friend or acquaintance? If you say one thing and do another, how will anyone ever believe you when you profess to be a faith-filled disciple of Christ?
This passage is about so much more than money. Jesus used this as His example, because so many of us do seem to worship the almighty dollar, so He knew we would easily relate to this analogy. But we all have moments each and every day to make a choice about whether to be honorable and trustworthy with seemingly insignificant issues and situations that have substantial and widespread ramifications… and speak directly to our moral and spiritual character.
What about you? Are you faithful in the small stuff? Are you honest and aboveboard in all things… are you truly honest with yourself? Do you understand how important integrity is in the life of a Christian? How authentic are you? Which “Master” will you serve today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 15, 2010
Proverbs 11:12
It's stupid to say bad things about your neighbors. If you are sensible, you will keep quiet.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I grew up in a very tightly-knit neighborhood. For the most part, we all loved each other like family… and some of us were! In a one-block radius from my house were the homes of my grandparents, my great-aunt, my cousins, and my “Aunt Martha” and her parents. And while not related by blood, the Bakers, Baileys, Mrs. Butler… and later – the Davises were very much extended family.
When I was a child, we were in and out of each other’s houses at all hours of the night and day. It was nothing for a next-door neighbor to appear in their pajamas and bathrobe during breakfast and sit down at our table – or to drop in for any other meal. We scarcely even knocked before entering and knew “the lay” of each other’s houses. When something would happen to one family, the others would join forces to offer support – or to celebrate.
But some of the neighbors feuded. One lady got upset, supposedly because another neighbor kept her shovel and hoe leaned against a shed in the yard. The lady thought it was unsightly… and she said so! Others were quick to point out what they deemed “eyesores” to the neighborhood… and to criticize and complain if something wasn’t to their liking.
All of this pettiness was silly… and it really did nothing except make the people involved look a little ridiculous. And I have to admit, many of the biases I struggle to overcome today are directly due to the influences of my youth. When the ladies sat in porch swings on summer evenings and talked about someone they didn’t like, I decided I didn’t like that person or family, either. When I overheard them belittle a certain person as “poor” or “low class,” I decided it must be true.
These were not bad people… I loved my wonderful neighbors. But they were misguided in their thinking and actions on more than one occasion - as human beings often are - and I was a child who was watching (and learning). And that is the lesson. Someone is watching US! Someone is learning from our words and actions. Someone is becoming bigoted or biased if we are demonstrating this. Someone is learning to dislike a certain group or class of people, if that’s what we show them. Someone is deciding that it’s okay to stick your nose in where it doesn’t belong and tell our friends and neighbors how to run their lives and even decorate their houses and yards, if that’s what they see us doing!
I will say this once again… people are watching… and they are looking to us as Christians and deciding whether or not they want to follow Jesus based on how we behave! Being a Christian carries a huge responsibility in this regard. When we consider that every word we speak… the tone in our voice… every action we demonstrate… can sway someone toward or away from Jesus Christ, then even feuding with your neighbor over a hoe and a shovel becomes a big deal - and stupid!
Just how sensible are you willing to be for Christ? Can you bite your tongue when necessary and keep quiet in the face of all sorts of challenges? Are you ready to go “whole hog” for your faith? Are you ready to be the real deal in every way and demonstrate love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, humility, compassion, and more toward those you encounter? Are you ready to really be the hands and feet of Jesus and set high standards for yourself and those around you? Just what sort of “neighbor” will you be? You never know who is watching!
©2010 Debbie Robus
It's stupid to say bad things about your neighbors. If you are sensible, you will keep quiet.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I grew up in a very tightly-knit neighborhood. For the most part, we all loved each other like family… and some of us were! In a one-block radius from my house were the homes of my grandparents, my great-aunt, my cousins, and my “Aunt Martha” and her parents. And while not related by blood, the Bakers, Baileys, Mrs. Butler… and later – the Davises were very much extended family.
When I was a child, we were in and out of each other’s houses at all hours of the night and day. It was nothing for a next-door neighbor to appear in their pajamas and bathrobe during breakfast and sit down at our table – or to drop in for any other meal. We scarcely even knocked before entering and knew “the lay” of each other’s houses. When something would happen to one family, the others would join forces to offer support – or to celebrate.
But some of the neighbors feuded. One lady got upset, supposedly because another neighbor kept her shovel and hoe leaned against a shed in the yard. The lady thought it was unsightly… and she said so! Others were quick to point out what they deemed “eyesores” to the neighborhood… and to criticize and complain if something wasn’t to their liking.
All of this pettiness was silly… and it really did nothing except make the people involved look a little ridiculous. And I have to admit, many of the biases I struggle to overcome today are directly due to the influences of my youth. When the ladies sat in porch swings on summer evenings and talked about someone they didn’t like, I decided I didn’t like that person or family, either. When I overheard them belittle a certain person as “poor” or “low class,” I decided it must be true.
These were not bad people… I loved my wonderful neighbors. But they were misguided in their thinking and actions on more than one occasion - as human beings often are - and I was a child who was watching (and learning). And that is the lesson. Someone is watching US! Someone is learning from our words and actions. Someone is becoming bigoted or biased if we are demonstrating this. Someone is learning to dislike a certain group or class of people, if that’s what we show them. Someone is deciding that it’s okay to stick your nose in where it doesn’t belong and tell our friends and neighbors how to run their lives and even decorate their houses and yards, if that’s what they see us doing!
I will say this once again… people are watching… and they are looking to us as Christians and deciding whether or not they want to follow Jesus based on how we behave! Being a Christian carries a huge responsibility in this regard. When we consider that every word we speak… the tone in our voice… every action we demonstrate… can sway someone toward or away from Jesus Christ, then even feuding with your neighbor over a hoe and a shovel becomes a big deal - and stupid!
Just how sensible are you willing to be for Christ? Can you bite your tongue when necessary and keep quiet in the face of all sorts of challenges? Are you ready to go “whole hog” for your faith? Are you ready to be the real deal in every way and demonstrate love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, humility, compassion, and more toward those you encounter? Are you ready to really be the hands and feet of Jesus and set high standards for yourself and those around you? Just what sort of “neighbor” will you be? You never know who is watching!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 14, 2010
Proverbs 26:18-19
People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking, "Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.
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.
News reports have documented all too well what happens when a careless camper flicks a cigarette or leaves a smoldering campfire. Entire parks, neighborhoods and communities have gone up in flames due to this reckless behavior. In some cases, the perpetrator was caught and prosecuted. In others, it can be hoped that the person responsible was greatly remorseful for his/her actions.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen our share of incidents where people shrug off deliberate deceptions… from politicians who say, “It was all in the spirit of the campaign,” to those who have ridiculed and bullied homosexuals to the point of suicide and then tried to brush it off as a result of the victim’s own insecurities and emotional hangups. So many people fail to see how their single act of unkindness and insensitivity can spread as rampantly as the flames induced by the spark of a campfire or cigarette ember.
As a people, we fail to recognize the power of a single sentence… or even tone with which we utter a couple of words. The Bible tells us the tongue has the power of life or death. What we say can make all the difference… either negatively, or positively.
We cannot excuse our sinful behavior or hurtful comments and judgments with the phrase, “I was only kidding.” So often, what we say and do is truly not a joke… and it’s time we realized our impact on others. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the one who “burns down the forest!”
Let’s ask God to help us be more thoughtful… more Christ-like in our words and deeds. Let’s ask Him to show us how to overcome any hint of an urge to deceive others and then try to justify our behavior. Let’s be the people He has called us to be and operate in truth and love. God’s not kidding around with others’ feelings… and neither should we.
©2010 Debbie Robus
People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking, "Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.
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.
News reports have documented all too well what happens when a careless camper flicks a cigarette or leaves a smoldering campfire. Entire parks, neighborhoods and communities have gone up in flames due to this reckless behavior. In some cases, the perpetrator was caught and prosecuted. In others, it can be hoped that the person responsible was greatly remorseful for his/her actions.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen our share of incidents where people shrug off deliberate deceptions… from politicians who say, “It was all in the spirit of the campaign,” to those who have ridiculed and bullied homosexuals to the point of suicide and then tried to brush it off as a result of the victim’s own insecurities and emotional hangups. So many people fail to see how their single act of unkindness and insensitivity can spread as rampantly as the flames induced by the spark of a campfire or cigarette ember.
As a people, we fail to recognize the power of a single sentence… or even tone with which we utter a couple of words. The Bible tells us the tongue has the power of life or death. What we say can make all the difference… either negatively, or positively.
We cannot excuse our sinful behavior or hurtful comments and judgments with the phrase, “I was only kidding.” So often, what we say and do is truly not a joke… and it’s time we realized our impact on others. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the one who “burns down the forest!”
Let’s ask God to help us be more thoughtful… more Christ-like in our words and deeds. Let’s ask Him to show us how to overcome any hint of an urge to deceive others and then try to justify our behavior. Let’s be the people He has called us to be and operate in truth and love. God’s not kidding around with others’ feelings… and neither should we.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 13, 2010
Psalm 52:3
You would rather do evil than good, and tell lies than speak the truth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who seems to love to argue? This person is always picking a fight, bringing up a controversial topic for discussion, and generally trying to “get a rise” out of others. He/she may not be deliberately trying to be evil or stir up trouble. More likely, this individual has gotten comfortable with such behavior… and even a little lazy.
It may seem like doing good and telling the truth are boring. But actually, it takes more energy and brain power. Haven’t you heard people say, “It was easier to go along than argue.”? Don’t you know people who avoid confrontation at all costs… even to the point of lying for a friend or relative, or doing something they know is wrong just to avoid a conflict? Friends don’t want to anger or upset one another, so they “cover” for them. Parents bail their children out of messes to avoid embarrassment and unpleasantness for all concerned. People embezzle from their workplace to manage their debts… while others offer bribes to smooth over the rough spots and make troubles go away.
Owning up to our mistakes, saying “No!” when we know something isn’t right, and taking responsibility for our lives and the messes we sometimes get into is often much more difficult. This takes our time, energy, and sometimes… our money. It can cost us friendships and more. But at the end of the day, our honesty and integrity are intact… and we know from other scriptures that these are traits that God desires for us.
Additionally, if we start operating more in honesty and “doing good,” we will find that the opportunities and temptations for lying and participating in evil behavior actually diminish. Staying in a close relationship with God greatly eliminates opportunities – and our desire - for lies, cheating and deception. And when problems do arise, we have a ready Source of strength and wisdom to whom we can turn.
We are in a season that is full of opportunities to do good… to speak the truth and share the blessings of a life in Christ with others. This is a great time to stop our “busyness” and spend some time in communion with God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. We can begin today to operate in truths and making a habit of doing good. We can make a conscious effort to choose to do what is right, no matter how hard it may seem. We can stand up and say, “With God, all things are possible,” and dare to prove it through our words and actions. Are you up to the challenge?
©2010 Debbie Robus
You would rather do evil than good, and tell lies than speak the truth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who seems to love to argue? This person is always picking a fight, bringing up a controversial topic for discussion, and generally trying to “get a rise” out of others. He/she may not be deliberately trying to be evil or stir up trouble. More likely, this individual has gotten comfortable with such behavior… and even a little lazy.
It may seem like doing good and telling the truth are boring. But actually, it takes more energy and brain power. Haven’t you heard people say, “It was easier to go along than argue.”? Don’t you know people who avoid confrontation at all costs… even to the point of lying for a friend or relative, or doing something they know is wrong just to avoid a conflict? Friends don’t want to anger or upset one another, so they “cover” for them. Parents bail their children out of messes to avoid embarrassment and unpleasantness for all concerned. People embezzle from their workplace to manage their debts… while others offer bribes to smooth over the rough spots and make troubles go away.
Owning up to our mistakes, saying “No!” when we know something isn’t right, and taking responsibility for our lives and the messes we sometimes get into is often much more difficult. This takes our time, energy, and sometimes… our money. It can cost us friendships and more. But at the end of the day, our honesty and integrity are intact… and we know from other scriptures that these are traits that God desires for us.
Additionally, if we start operating more in honesty and “doing good,” we will find that the opportunities and temptations for lying and participating in evil behavior actually diminish. Staying in a close relationship with God greatly eliminates opportunities – and our desire - for lies, cheating and deception. And when problems do arise, we have a ready Source of strength and wisdom to whom we can turn.
We are in a season that is full of opportunities to do good… to speak the truth and share the blessings of a life in Christ with others. This is a great time to stop our “busyness” and spend some time in communion with God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. We can begin today to operate in truths and making a habit of doing good. We can make a conscious effort to choose to do what is right, no matter how hard it may seem. We can stand up and say, “With God, all things are possible,” and dare to prove it through our words and actions. Are you up to the challenge?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 12, 2010
Jeremiah 9:5
They wear themselves out, always looking for a new way to cheat their friends.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We need look no further than late-night infomercials on television to see the power of the line, “Have I got a deal for YOU!” Dozens, if not hundreds, of entrepreneurs stand ready to sell you their latest invention, sure to make your life better in every way imaginable. And maybe a few of these products work. I’ve been tempted to order a few… the incredible clothes hangers, the orange cleaner for your floors and other surfaces, and even the slap-chopper thingy that is supposed to make dicing onions and other veggies a breeze.
I have also seen a segment on a local news station broadcast called, “We Try It Before You Buy It.” And I’ve seen some of the niftiest looking gadgets go down in flames when the show hosts cannot make them work… or they fail to come through as promised by the merchant on TV. These “inventors” are wearing themselves out looking for a new way to make a buck. Maybe they don’t set out to intentionally cheat the public with a product that doesn’t deliver. But I have to believe that quite a few of them know their product is worthless and won’t work for the consumers who purchase it.
What are we “selling” that can’t deliver? How are we wearing ourselves out chasing our tail, so to speak… spending time and energy on things that are less than honest or fair, rather than be the real deal for Jesus? How often do we ask ourselves, “What’s in this for me?” rather than “What would Jesus do?”
I would like to think that none of us deliberately sets out to cheat our friends – or even those we don’t know! But that’s exactly what happens sometimes when we put ourselves first. Maybe you just wanted a day to yourself, but by not offering your friend a ride, he/she didn’t get to attend something important to them. Maybe you bought yourself a cup of hot coffee instead of putting your change in the Salvation Army bucket outside the store… and now someone who really needed a hot cup of coffee won’t get it. Maybe you decided you would rather be lazy and stay home than attend the funeral of a close friend’s relative… and a whole lot of other people did the same things, so the crowd of supporters was noticeably small. Each time, your excuse was good, but it was just that - an excuse (and maybe even a dishonest one!).
While these things may not quite literally be considered cheating or lying, we tend to narrow our definition of these actions to fit our own desires… when in God’s eyes, a whole lot of things we would discount are truly dishonest and wrong behaviors. When we start to truly walk in the ways of God… to let Him live in and through us, our selfish desires become secondary to non-existent. Lying and cheating are not even on our radar screen… in ways great and small. Are you there yet? Have you made this commitment… and can others see it in your daily living? Isn’t it time we began to turn the corner?
©2010 Debbie Robus
They wear themselves out, always looking for a new way to cheat their friends.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We need look no further than late-night infomercials on television to see the power of the line, “Have I got a deal for YOU!” Dozens, if not hundreds, of entrepreneurs stand ready to sell you their latest invention, sure to make your life better in every way imaginable. And maybe a few of these products work. I’ve been tempted to order a few… the incredible clothes hangers, the orange cleaner for your floors and other surfaces, and even the slap-chopper thingy that is supposed to make dicing onions and other veggies a breeze.
I have also seen a segment on a local news station broadcast called, “We Try It Before You Buy It.” And I’ve seen some of the niftiest looking gadgets go down in flames when the show hosts cannot make them work… or they fail to come through as promised by the merchant on TV. These “inventors” are wearing themselves out looking for a new way to make a buck. Maybe they don’t set out to intentionally cheat the public with a product that doesn’t deliver. But I have to believe that quite a few of them know their product is worthless and won’t work for the consumers who purchase it.
What are we “selling” that can’t deliver? How are we wearing ourselves out chasing our tail, so to speak… spending time and energy on things that are less than honest or fair, rather than be the real deal for Jesus? How often do we ask ourselves, “What’s in this for me?” rather than “What would Jesus do?”
I would like to think that none of us deliberately sets out to cheat our friends – or even those we don’t know! But that’s exactly what happens sometimes when we put ourselves first. Maybe you just wanted a day to yourself, but by not offering your friend a ride, he/she didn’t get to attend something important to them. Maybe you bought yourself a cup of hot coffee instead of putting your change in the Salvation Army bucket outside the store… and now someone who really needed a hot cup of coffee won’t get it. Maybe you decided you would rather be lazy and stay home than attend the funeral of a close friend’s relative… and a whole lot of other people did the same things, so the crowd of supporters was noticeably small. Each time, your excuse was good, but it was just that - an excuse (and maybe even a dishonest one!).
While these things may not quite literally be considered cheating or lying, we tend to narrow our definition of these actions to fit our own desires… when in God’s eyes, a whole lot of things we would discount are truly dishonest and wrong behaviors. When we start to truly walk in the ways of God… to let Him live in and through us, our selfish desires become secondary to non-existent. Lying and cheating are not even on our radar screen… in ways great and small. Are you there yet? Have you made this commitment… and can others see it in your daily living? Isn’t it time we began to turn the corner?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 11, 2010
Proverbs 11:3
If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But if you are crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, I saw an HGTV show about a young couple who had purchased their first home, but it had some “issues.” They called in an expert, who promptly discovered that the problems were very serious. One entire wall was pulling away from the studs, the wiring was worse than sub-standard, and there was mold and leaky pipes that were causing a ceiling to cave in and risk total collapse.
The young homeowner said, “I had the house inspected before we purchased it, and the inspector said everything was okay. Maybe I should have researched inspectors a little more. Someone said this guy was a good one… but obviously, he wasn’t.” In the end, the host of the HGTV show resolved all of the construction issues… even tearing out a lot of the walls, wiring and plumbing and starting over in many instances.
I don’t know if the dishonest… and certainly disreputable… inspector was ever prosecuted for this shoddy work. But I feel certain that somewhere down the line, his dishonesty will trap him. My dad was involved in building construction, and I know that doing things right the first time might take a little longer and cost a little more… and it might even cut into the builder’s profits a bit. But taking shortcuts and operating any other way is nothing but a trap that can lead to disaster at some point.
And so it is in our daily living. Our “little white lies” may seem harmless at the time, but in the end, they pile up like the kindling to start a campfire… and when we least expect it, they ignite and blow up in our face. Choosing the wrong guide… listening to friends and acquaintances or anyone who tells us “It won’t hurt anything/anyone” or “Nobody will ever know”… sets us up for destruction.
Choose your guides wisely. Choose the ultimate Guide… and follow His advice. Do the right thing… always… according to God’s will, and your “house” will always be well constructed and in good condition.
©2010 Debbie Robus
If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But if you are crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, I saw an HGTV show about a young couple who had purchased their first home, but it had some “issues.” They called in an expert, who promptly discovered that the problems were very serious. One entire wall was pulling away from the studs, the wiring was worse than sub-standard, and there was mold and leaky pipes that were causing a ceiling to cave in and risk total collapse.
The young homeowner said, “I had the house inspected before we purchased it, and the inspector said everything was okay. Maybe I should have researched inspectors a little more. Someone said this guy was a good one… but obviously, he wasn’t.” In the end, the host of the HGTV show resolved all of the construction issues… even tearing out a lot of the walls, wiring and plumbing and starting over in many instances.
I don’t know if the dishonest… and certainly disreputable… inspector was ever prosecuted for this shoddy work. But I feel certain that somewhere down the line, his dishonesty will trap him. My dad was involved in building construction, and I know that doing things right the first time might take a little longer and cost a little more… and it might even cut into the builder’s profits a bit. But taking shortcuts and operating any other way is nothing but a trap that can lead to disaster at some point.
And so it is in our daily living. Our “little white lies” may seem harmless at the time, but in the end, they pile up like the kindling to start a campfire… and when we least expect it, they ignite and blow up in our face. Choosing the wrong guide… listening to friends and acquaintances or anyone who tells us “It won’t hurt anything/anyone” or “Nobody will ever know”… sets us up for destruction.
Choose your guides wisely. Choose the ultimate Guide… and follow His advice. Do the right thing… always… according to God’s will, and your “house” will always be well constructed and in good condition.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 10, 2010
Jeremiah 5:3
Search Jerusalem for honest people who try. If you can find even one, I'll forgive the whole city. Everyone breaks promises made in my name." I answered, "I know that you look for truth. You punished your people for their lies, but in spite of the pain, they became more stubborn and refused to turn back to you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were watching a silly television sitcom recently where a man visited his ex-wife, and while he was there, he “lifted” a pair of diamond earrings he had given her shortly before she filed for divorce. He needed a birthday gift for his new girlfriend and had no money – and his justification was not only revenge but the claim that his first wife “never wore them!” The show ended with this man’s brother asking if he felt any remorse, and he held up a necklace and said something to the effect of “No… and it was even easier the second time.”
Albert Einstein defines insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Yet this is exactly what we seem to do with the truth. We know that our lies, cheating and deceit dishonor and disappoint God. We know that in the end, these behaviors create even larger problems for us. But we continue down the same path, repeating the same mistakes, and hoping for different results – this time!
The sitcom was truly silly, but it does serve to illustrate a very real point. Lying… and sin in general… becomes easier with practice. So while we may not consciously set out to get better at this over time, what seemed daunting and risky today may not seem so bad tomorrow. This is how people get into serious trouble with things like money. They “rob Peter to pay Paul” by taking a little money from their kids’ piggy bank to gamble, thinking the winnings will be more than enough to pay everyone back… and then some. But when the bet fails, and the money is gone, the gambler has to become more creative – and dishonest – about how and where to find more money for the next bet.
When you lie to a friend or family member about what you are doing or where you are going, it may be hard the first time. But it gets easier the more you practice. It may not seem like a bad thing to tell someone you accomplished something you didn’t – or to stretch the truth a little. But soon, you are well-versed in stretching things, and nobody can believe a word you say, because your claims are so outlandish and your reputation for exaggerating, at best, precedes you.
Maybe you have gotten so “good” at this that you honestly don’t know how to stop. If this is the case, it’s too late for me to tell you to never begin! But I do have help for you…and His name is Jesus. We can call on Jesus to help us accomplish whatever we cannot do on our own. We can ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins (which is the first step), and then we can call on Him to help us begin to rebuild our character and reputation. Jesus will give us the strength to tell the truth… even if it means we have to do without or make personal sacrifices. Believe me, none of them compares to the sacrifice HE made on the cross for us.
Examine your life today. Look in the nooks and crannies and see where you are practicing the insanity of lies, deceit, and sin of any kind. Confess these to Jesus and ask Him to help you get on your feet. Ask Jesus to help you avoid repeating the sins of your past. Give Him your burdens and free your mind to focus on what – and Who – really matters!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Search Jerusalem for honest people who try. If you can find even one, I'll forgive the whole city. Everyone breaks promises made in my name." I answered, "I know that you look for truth. You punished your people for their lies, but in spite of the pain, they became more stubborn and refused to turn back to you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were watching a silly television sitcom recently where a man visited his ex-wife, and while he was there, he “lifted” a pair of diamond earrings he had given her shortly before she filed for divorce. He needed a birthday gift for his new girlfriend and had no money – and his justification was not only revenge but the claim that his first wife “never wore them!” The show ended with this man’s brother asking if he felt any remorse, and he held up a necklace and said something to the effect of “No… and it was even easier the second time.”
Albert Einstein defines insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Yet this is exactly what we seem to do with the truth. We know that our lies, cheating and deceit dishonor and disappoint God. We know that in the end, these behaviors create even larger problems for us. But we continue down the same path, repeating the same mistakes, and hoping for different results – this time!
The sitcom was truly silly, but it does serve to illustrate a very real point. Lying… and sin in general… becomes easier with practice. So while we may not consciously set out to get better at this over time, what seemed daunting and risky today may not seem so bad tomorrow. This is how people get into serious trouble with things like money. They “rob Peter to pay Paul” by taking a little money from their kids’ piggy bank to gamble, thinking the winnings will be more than enough to pay everyone back… and then some. But when the bet fails, and the money is gone, the gambler has to become more creative – and dishonest – about how and where to find more money for the next bet.
When you lie to a friend or family member about what you are doing or where you are going, it may be hard the first time. But it gets easier the more you practice. It may not seem like a bad thing to tell someone you accomplished something you didn’t – or to stretch the truth a little. But soon, you are well-versed in stretching things, and nobody can believe a word you say, because your claims are so outlandish and your reputation for exaggerating, at best, precedes you.
Maybe you have gotten so “good” at this that you honestly don’t know how to stop. If this is the case, it’s too late for me to tell you to never begin! But I do have help for you…and His name is Jesus. We can call on Jesus to help us accomplish whatever we cannot do on our own. We can ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins (which is the first step), and then we can call on Him to help us begin to rebuild our character and reputation. Jesus will give us the strength to tell the truth… even if it means we have to do without or make personal sacrifices. Believe me, none of them compares to the sacrifice HE made on the cross for us.
Examine your life today. Look in the nooks and crannies and see where you are practicing the insanity of lies, deceit, and sin of any kind. Confess these to Jesus and ask Him to help you get on your feet. Ask Jesus to help you avoid repeating the sins of your past. Give Him your burdens and free your mind to focus on what – and Who – really matters!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 9, 2010
Proverbs 12:22
The LORD hates every liar, but he is the friend of all who can be trusted.
Proverbs 19:22
What matters most is loyalty. It's better to be poor than to be a liar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever had to make a hard decision about being truthful, you know how gut-wrenching it can be. In your heart, you may know that covering for your boss/coach/best friend/family member would make things more pleasant. But at the same time, you know that this is not what God would have you do. And believe me, God understands that you find yourself in a pickle!
I can tell you from personal experience that choosing the truth will be the best decision. I know of a teacher who was asked to lie and say that he was certified to teach a certain course so that the school would not get into trouble with the state evaluators. He was told that to be honest would mean he would be fired. Now, I seriously doubt the principal could have really accomplished this without some more lies to trump up charges on this teacher for a “just cause” dismissal. But the threat was strong enough to scare the teacher into feeling trapped. Ultimately, the teacher chose to be honest… and find a new job in a new school district. And you know what? The teacher reports that this new job is far better than the one he left!
I know other people who have been told to do something deceptive or dishonest or be kicked off a team… or lose their job. I’ve told the truth and been cut off from a circle of “friends” and activities. I refused to go along with something dishonest when I was in high school, so my classmates blackballed my sister and didn’t elect her to participate on the sophomore service team for our prom. Then they wanted me to ask her to come to prom anyway and play the piano to accompany someone who was singing. We refused. My classmates were astonished that I would not be party to this, but it was the right thing to do, and my sister appreciated that I stood up for her.
As an adult, I’ve experienced the good and bad ends of truth and lies… and you will, too. There have been times when I have told the truth and answered honestly, and it “cost” me. People lie about all sorts of things, such as finances and physical needs/ailments in order to “play the system.” But in the end, this will catch up with them. I know there are people who even lie in order to get the church to help them… and the church does this… but GOD knows the truth, and we will have to answer to Him someday for all of this.
One of the best assets you will ever have is your honesty and moral character. Do not compromise this reputation with even the smallest “white lie.” Be poor before you will be dishonest. Be cut off from “friends” before you will lie or cheat for them. Trust that God will bless your efforts and see you through the rough times… value His friendship and approval above all else, and always be His loyal servant.
©2010 Debbie Robus
The LORD hates every liar, but he is the friend of all who can be trusted.
Proverbs 19:22
What matters most is loyalty. It's better to be poor than to be a liar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever had to make a hard decision about being truthful, you know how gut-wrenching it can be. In your heart, you may know that covering for your boss/coach/best friend/family member would make things more pleasant. But at the same time, you know that this is not what God would have you do. And believe me, God understands that you find yourself in a pickle!
I can tell you from personal experience that choosing the truth will be the best decision. I know of a teacher who was asked to lie and say that he was certified to teach a certain course so that the school would not get into trouble with the state evaluators. He was told that to be honest would mean he would be fired. Now, I seriously doubt the principal could have really accomplished this without some more lies to trump up charges on this teacher for a “just cause” dismissal. But the threat was strong enough to scare the teacher into feeling trapped. Ultimately, the teacher chose to be honest… and find a new job in a new school district. And you know what? The teacher reports that this new job is far better than the one he left!
I know other people who have been told to do something deceptive or dishonest or be kicked off a team… or lose their job. I’ve told the truth and been cut off from a circle of “friends” and activities. I refused to go along with something dishonest when I was in high school, so my classmates blackballed my sister and didn’t elect her to participate on the sophomore service team for our prom. Then they wanted me to ask her to come to prom anyway and play the piano to accompany someone who was singing. We refused. My classmates were astonished that I would not be party to this, but it was the right thing to do, and my sister appreciated that I stood up for her.
As an adult, I’ve experienced the good and bad ends of truth and lies… and you will, too. There have been times when I have told the truth and answered honestly, and it “cost” me. People lie about all sorts of things, such as finances and physical needs/ailments in order to “play the system.” But in the end, this will catch up with them. I know there are people who even lie in order to get the church to help them… and the church does this… but GOD knows the truth, and we will have to answer to Him someday for all of this.
One of the best assets you will ever have is your honesty and moral character. Do not compromise this reputation with even the smallest “white lie.” Be poor before you will be dishonest. Be cut off from “friends” before you will lie or cheat for them. Trust that God will bless your efforts and see you through the rough times… value His friendship and approval above all else, and always be His loyal servant.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 8, 2010
Leviticus 19:11
Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others.
Psalm 101:7
No one who cheats or lies will have a position in my royal court.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Friends and I were sharing stories the other day, and one of the women in the group said she used to work at a grocery store in California called Vons. The employees were told not to so much as taste a grape from the produce bins… that it would be considered stealing. I laughed, because it reminded me of when I was a child, and my friend Shaun and I went to Mr. Hicks' grocery store one day with our mothers. The store was a small neighborhood market located on Main Street near Pizza Piezazz. Shaun and I were about 5, and we each ate a grape from the produce display. We had seen adults sample the grapes as they were purchasing them, so we thought we’d try it.
The results may have been different for Shaun, but when I got in the car, I got in a LOT of trouble. My mother had seen me eat the grape, and she let me know in no uncertain terms that this was stealing. And to this day, I’ve never sampled a grape or any other produce in the store, unless a vendor offered me a sample. When I see someone pick a grape and taste it, I always think of this incident!
So what’s the big deal about eating one lone grape in the grocery store? And why was it such a big deal for my friend and her co-workers at Vons? The point is that little things have a way of becoming bigger things. It starts with one grape, but soon, workers would be going by and helping themselves to a handful every day… or just one apple, or one banana. This adds up in a hurry. And customers are eating food for which they have not paid!
As for us, the “one grape,” becomes something bigger, and soon we think nothing of taking office supplies from work that are not ours, or stealing road signs to make a cool display in our room, or making excuses to our teachers/coaches/parents/bosses about why we were late or why we want the day off from work or a certain event. “One grape” can become a huge deal… and the cost can be incredibly high – not for us in a monetary way, maybe – but in the eyes of God.
Psalm 101:7 says that no one who cheats or lies will have a position in the royal court. In other words, God doesn’t have the time or energy for liars and cheats. Yes, He is loving and forgiving… but do you really want to anger Him or challenge His authority? He has spoken… and the rule is, NO STEALING, CHEATING or LYING… not even a grape! Are you paying attention?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others.
Psalm 101:7
No one who cheats or lies will have a position in my royal court.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Friends and I were sharing stories the other day, and one of the women in the group said she used to work at a grocery store in California called Vons. The employees were told not to so much as taste a grape from the produce bins… that it would be considered stealing. I laughed, because it reminded me of when I was a child, and my friend Shaun and I went to Mr. Hicks' grocery store one day with our mothers. The store was a small neighborhood market located on Main Street near Pizza Piezazz. Shaun and I were about 5, and we each ate a grape from the produce display. We had seen adults sample the grapes as they were purchasing them, so we thought we’d try it.
The results may have been different for Shaun, but when I got in the car, I got in a LOT of trouble. My mother had seen me eat the grape, and she let me know in no uncertain terms that this was stealing. And to this day, I’ve never sampled a grape or any other produce in the store, unless a vendor offered me a sample. When I see someone pick a grape and taste it, I always think of this incident!
So what’s the big deal about eating one lone grape in the grocery store? And why was it such a big deal for my friend and her co-workers at Vons? The point is that little things have a way of becoming bigger things. It starts with one grape, but soon, workers would be going by and helping themselves to a handful every day… or just one apple, or one banana. This adds up in a hurry. And customers are eating food for which they have not paid!
As for us, the “one grape,” becomes something bigger, and soon we think nothing of taking office supplies from work that are not ours, or stealing road signs to make a cool display in our room, or making excuses to our teachers/coaches/parents/bosses about why we were late or why we want the day off from work or a certain event. “One grape” can become a huge deal… and the cost can be incredibly high – not for us in a monetary way, maybe – but in the eyes of God.
Psalm 101:7 says that no one who cheats or lies will have a position in the royal court. In other words, God doesn’t have the time or energy for liars and cheats. Yes, He is loving and forgiving… but do you really want to anger Him or challenge His authority? He has spoken… and the rule is, NO STEALING, CHEATING or LYING… not even a grape! Are you paying attention?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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