Acts 5:1-11
But a man named Ananias—his wife,
Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land, secretly kept
part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the
apostles and made an offering of it.
Peter said, “Ananias, how
did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part
of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and
after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what
got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to
God.”
Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That
put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it. The younger men went
right to work and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.
Not
more than three hours later, his wife, knowing nothing of what had
happened, came in. Peter said, “Tell me, were you given this price for
your field?”
“Yes,” she said, “that price.”
Peter
responded, “What’s going on here that you connived to conspire against
the Spirit of the Master? The men who buried your husband are at the
door, and you’re next.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than
she also fell down, dead. When the young men returned they found her
body. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
By
this time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these
things had a healthy respect for God. They knew God was not to be
trifled with.
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.
This story reminds me of a
television commercial that aired in the 1970s for Chiffon margarine. A
woman dressed in white and dubbed “Mother Nature” was given Chiffon
margarine for her porridge, and she argued that she was eating butter.
When the off-camera announcer insisted that she had been tricked – that
she was eating Chiffon margarine instead, lightning flashed, thunder
crashed, and she announced, “It’s not NICE to fool Mother Nature!”™
This
ad became iconic…probably anyone alive in the seventies remembers - and
thinks of it often in certain contexts. But as bad as it is to fool
“Mother Nature,” it is far more serious to play fast and loose with
God. I’m not saying that God will strike you dead if you lie to
Him…although He could! But I do believe that when we are deceitful and
dishonest – with ANYONE – we are treading on dangerous territory.
Remember
the story from the Gospels where Jesus says that when we do something
to – or for – the least among us, we have done this to/for Him. So when
we lie, cheat, steal, undercut or mistreat ANYONE, we have as good as
done this to Jesus – and our Heavenly Father.
I don’t believe that God causes bad things to happen to us…but I do think that sometimes He allows
us to go through a few things – particularly when we have sinned and
disobeyed Him. But let’s be honest…God is plenty capable of taking us
out of this world if/when He wants. There have been a few times that I
felt like maybe God called someone to Heaven to interrupt their sinful
behavior(s) on this earth and the impact these had on others. God will
not allow us to wreak havoc with His perfect plans, as the deaths of
Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 so clearly illustrate!
Search your
heart today and see where you are harboring even the tiniest smidgeon
of deception or ill will. Ask God to show you how you might be
operating in dishonesty, trickery, rumors, hatred, fear mongering, and
other sinful activities and behaviors. Humbly beg His forgiveness and
vow to do better. The “Mother Nature” commercial was funny…and the tag
line is STILL a good one. It’s not nice to fool “Mother Nature”™…but trying to deceive God is truly no laughing matter.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label deception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deception. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 5, 2016
Matthew 7:15-20
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent weeks, political pundits have noted that quite a few candidates for major public offices sign on to run with a fair amount of confidence that they will not be able to get elected. But they go ahead and engage in a campaign that keeps their names and faces in the public eye…and bolsters the amount that can be charged for speaking engagements. More than a few pen at least one book and use the campaign trail as an opportunity to raise a copy in the air and suggest that people purchase it.
If we stop and think about this, it’s pretty upsetting to realize that people play on our emotions…and ask for our contributions – in order to line their own pocketbooks and/or boost their own egos. But it happens more than we think in all walks of life. And if you believe that this doesn’t also go on in Christian circles at all levels, you are sadly mistaken. From the musicians who get more caught up in their Sunday morning performance than engaging churchgoers in corporate worship and praise…to the televangelists who stand behind the pulpit and urge supporters to give generously toward the purchase of a 70-million-dollar jet that is deemed “necessary in order to fulfill the mission of the ministry”…to the pastor who feels the pressure from his/her deacons, elders and church body to add to the membership roll by any and all means necessary…the devil is busy creating opportunities for insincerity and disingenuousness - if not downright Spiritual fraud.
How do we know who is the “real deal”…in any area of life? Jesus is telling us to stay awake and alert…to guard our hearts and minds against misplaced loyalties and hidden agendas. If we stay focused on Jesus and carefully examine every person and situation through the lens of prayer and Godly wisdom, we have a far better shot at avoiding some of these pitfalls. There will still be people who abuse their position…or misrepresent their faith. But God will reveal them to us for who they really are…and we can pray for them and offer them His grace and mercy – while we avoid getting caught up in their deceptions.
Jesus wants us to be smart and safe (mentally, physically, and Spiritually)…to know who we are dealing with and how to handle these situations. If we stay close to God by studying His word and communicating with Him through prayer, we can operate with confidence that we are serving in His will and not serving a hidden agenda – the other guy’s, or our own. This is our goal – or it should be. How are you doing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent weeks, political pundits have noted that quite a few candidates for major public offices sign on to run with a fair amount of confidence that they will not be able to get elected. But they go ahead and engage in a campaign that keeps their names and faces in the public eye…and bolsters the amount that can be charged for speaking engagements. More than a few pen at least one book and use the campaign trail as an opportunity to raise a copy in the air and suggest that people purchase it.
If we stop and think about this, it’s pretty upsetting to realize that people play on our emotions…and ask for our contributions – in order to line their own pocketbooks and/or boost their own egos. But it happens more than we think in all walks of life. And if you believe that this doesn’t also go on in Christian circles at all levels, you are sadly mistaken. From the musicians who get more caught up in their Sunday morning performance than engaging churchgoers in corporate worship and praise…to the televangelists who stand behind the pulpit and urge supporters to give generously toward the purchase of a 70-million-dollar jet that is deemed “necessary in order to fulfill the mission of the ministry”…to the pastor who feels the pressure from his/her deacons, elders and church body to add to the membership roll by any and all means necessary…the devil is busy creating opportunities for insincerity and disingenuousness - if not downright Spiritual fraud.
How do we know who is the “real deal”…in any area of life? Jesus is telling us to stay awake and alert…to guard our hearts and minds against misplaced loyalties and hidden agendas. If we stay focused on Jesus and carefully examine every person and situation through the lens of prayer and Godly wisdom, we have a far better shot at avoiding some of these pitfalls. There will still be people who abuse their position…or misrepresent their faith. But God will reveal them to us for who they really are…and we can pray for them and offer them His grace and mercy – while we avoid getting caught up in their deceptions.
Jesus wants us to be smart and safe (mentally, physically, and Spiritually)…to know who we are dealing with and how to handle these situations. If we stay close to God by studying His word and communicating with Him through prayer, we can operate with confidence that we are serving in His will and not serving a hidden agenda – the other guy’s, or our own. This is our goal – or it should be. How are you doing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 16, 2015
Proverbs 10:9
A good man has firm footing, but a crook will slip and fall.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago as we emerged from church, Timothy was telling me all about Cain and Abel…how Cain was so dishonest and unkind – and how Cain even killed his brother, Abel. I agreed with Timothy about how terribly Cain behaved, and he looked up at me and asked, “Did you know him?” Yes, I appear to be as old as the stories of the Garden of Eden!
Our church-wide Sunday school curriculum focuses on the “Creation Story” from Genesis this month. Next month, the study will be on Adam and Eve…and making good choices. I was reviewing the teaching guide for pre-K in preparation to substitute this Sunday, and I noticed that the theme for October 11th is “Making Good Choices.” The following Sunday, the theme is “Sometimes Bad Things Happen to Good People,”…and the FOLLOWING Sunday, it is “Sometimes GOOD things Happen to BAD People!”
I am glad that our little ones are learning lessons about honesty and integrity, because playing fast and loose with the truth and how we treat others is a slippery slope. Sadly, lots of children learn at an early age how to manipulate the truth to suit their own agendas. They figure out how to pin blame on others, to deny culpability, or simply to make up things to sway outcomes in their favor. And sometimes, they learn to take out their frustrations, quite literally, on their siblings!
By the time we are adults, we have often managed to make a bigger mess by trying to cover our tracks. It may seem like some people “get away with murder,” but almost always, attempts to be “shady” backfire. The truth has a way of coming out – sometimes in unpleasant and embarrassing ways. Attempts to explain away misdeeds often end up making us look more foolish than ever. How we treat others will reflect on our character…and follow us into every arena – business, social, personal and spiritual.
Sometimes a simple and sincere, “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” would serve us far better than the lies, exaggerations and manipulations we offer. Often, pausing to check our thoughts, words and actions BEFORE we do something would save everyone a world of heartache, frustration – and possibly - embarrassment.
God calls us to operate honestly and with integrity. With His help, we can do the work on the “front end” to prevent any opportunity for a need to “backpedal” after the fact. We can ask Him to help us always speak the truth…to walk in His ways and demonstrate kindness and integrity in all that we say and do. When we walk with God and honor our commitment to Him…when we operate in honesty and fairness…there is no need to even think about exposure and consequences.
Aren’t you ready to walk upright…to live with a clear conscience in the truths of Jesus Christ? It’s never too late to make this change and “come clean” in His name. Won’t you call on Him to help you this? Will this be the day that you regain your firm footing with Jesus? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
A good man has firm footing, but a crook will slip and fall.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago as we emerged from church, Timothy was telling me all about Cain and Abel…how Cain was so dishonest and unkind – and how Cain even killed his brother, Abel. I agreed with Timothy about how terribly Cain behaved, and he looked up at me and asked, “Did you know him?” Yes, I appear to be as old as the stories of the Garden of Eden!
Our church-wide Sunday school curriculum focuses on the “Creation Story” from Genesis this month. Next month, the study will be on Adam and Eve…and making good choices. I was reviewing the teaching guide for pre-K in preparation to substitute this Sunday, and I noticed that the theme for October 11th is “Making Good Choices.” The following Sunday, the theme is “Sometimes Bad Things Happen to Good People,”…and the FOLLOWING Sunday, it is “Sometimes GOOD things Happen to BAD People!”
I am glad that our little ones are learning lessons about honesty and integrity, because playing fast and loose with the truth and how we treat others is a slippery slope. Sadly, lots of children learn at an early age how to manipulate the truth to suit their own agendas. They figure out how to pin blame on others, to deny culpability, or simply to make up things to sway outcomes in their favor. And sometimes, they learn to take out their frustrations, quite literally, on their siblings!
By the time we are adults, we have often managed to make a bigger mess by trying to cover our tracks. It may seem like some people “get away with murder,” but almost always, attempts to be “shady” backfire. The truth has a way of coming out – sometimes in unpleasant and embarrassing ways. Attempts to explain away misdeeds often end up making us look more foolish than ever. How we treat others will reflect on our character…and follow us into every arena – business, social, personal and spiritual.
Sometimes a simple and sincere, “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” would serve us far better than the lies, exaggerations and manipulations we offer. Often, pausing to check our thoughts, words and actions BEFORE we do something would save everyone a world of heartache, frustration – and possibly - embarrassment.
God calls us to operate honestly and with integrity. With His help, we can do the work on the “front end” to prevent any opportunity for a need to “backpedal” after the fact. We can ask Him to help us always speak the truth…to walk in His ways and demonstrate kindness and integrity in all that we say and do. When we walk with God and honor our commitment to Him…when we operate in honesty and fairness…there is no need to even think about exposure and consequences.
Aren’t you ready to walk upright…to live with a clear conscience in the truths of Jesus Christ? It’s never too late to make this change and “come clean” in His name. Won’t you call on Him to help you this? Will this be the day that you regain your firm footing with Jesus? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 21, 2015
Leviticus 19:35-36
“You must be impartial in judgment. Use accurate measurements—lengths, weights, and volumes—and give full measure, for I am Jehovah your God who brought you from the land of Egypt.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Yesterday while I was shopping at Walmart, I wanted to purchase a name-brand shampoo and conditioner. I noticed a big aisle display for “bundles”…two 12-ounce bottles of this particular brand of shampoo and conditioner for $7. The sign on the display said something about a “big savings!” I walked over to the shampoo aisle, and bottles of this same brand of shampoo and conditioner were $3.84 per 12.6 ounce bottle. If you “do the math,” you will see that this “big savings” amounted to one penny per ounce!
Deceptive? Maybe not. But in our culture, particularly in the world of retail, such “ploys” to get our attention are at best a little on the shady side. How many times have you noticed that the price of some favorite product has increased…only to discover that the size or quantity has ever-so-slightly decreased? Maybe there was no deliberate effort to deceive the consumer. But then again, it’s possible that the manufacturer hoped that we would not notice the difference!
My point is that these sorts of deceptions and tricks have become so commonplace that we shrug our shoulders and go on with life, even when we really don’t like what is happening. And I have to think that this sort of “double dealing” has a way of working its way into our own lives, as a result. When we let something become so readily acceptable and commonplace, it’s easy to internalize it and make it a part of our own persona.
I don’t mean to say that paying more for less product at the store without complaining is going to make us all liars and cheaters. But scripture definitely reminds us that God has told us to be honest and fair in all things…business dealings, relationships with others, and even with ourselves. Let’s be real here…that “one more cookie won’t hurt” attitude may just signal a pattern of deception and “fuzzy math and measurement” that will lead to all kinds of problems for us personally!
So double down today in your effort to always “take the high road.” We may not be able to change the practices of the big corporations who make our shampoo and laundry detergent, but we can certainly make every effort to operate in honesty and fairness in our daily living…to err on the side of generosity…and to always leave the judgments and retribution to God Almighty. Demonstrating our loyalty and obedience to God is all that really matters. When we make this our top priority, He will always handle the rest.
©2015 Debbie Robus
“You must be impartial in judgment. Use accurate measurements—lengths, weights, and volumes—and give full measure, for I am Jehovah your God who brought you from the land of Egypt.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Yesterday while I was shopping at Walmart, I wanted to purchase a name-brand shampoo and conditioner. I noticed a big aisle display for “bundles”…two 12-ounce bottles of this particular brand of shampoo and conditioner for $7. The sign on the display said something about a “big savings!” I walked over to the shampoo aisle, and bottles of this same brand of shampoo and conditioner were $3.84 per 12.6 ounce bottle. If you “do the math,” you will see that this “big savings” amounted to one penny per ounce!
Deceptive? Maybe not. But in our culture, particularly in the world of retail, such “ploys” to get our attention are at best a little on the shady side. How many times have you noticed that the price of some favorite product has increased…only to discover that the size or quantity has ever-so-slightly decreased? Maybe there was no deliberate effort to deceive the consumer. But then again, it’s possible that the manufacturer hoped that we would not notice the difference!
My point is that these sorts of deceptions and tricks have become so commonplace that we shrug our shoulders and go on with life, even when we really don’t like what is happening. And I have to think that this sort of “double dealing” has a way of working its way into our own lives, as a result. When we let something become so readily acceptable and commonplace, it’s easy to internalize it and make it a part of our own persona.
I don’t mean to say that paying more for less product at the store without complaining is going to make us all liars and cheaters. But scripture definitely reminds us that God has told us to be honest and fair in all things…business dealings, relationships with others, and even with ourselves. Let’s be real here…that “one more cookie won’t hurt” attitude may just signal a pattern of deception and “fuzzy math and measurement” that will lead to all kinds of problems for us personally!
So double down today in your effort to always “take the high road.” We may not be able to change the practices of the big corporations who make our shampoo and laundry detergent, but we can certainly make every effort to operate in honesty and fairness in our daily living…to err on the side of generosity…and to always leave the judgments and retribution to God Almighty. Demonstrating our loyalty and obedience to God is all that really matters. When we make this our top priority, He will always handle the rest.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 13, 2014
Hebrews 12:14-17
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In Genesis 25 the story of the “Esau syndrome” is explained. Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac. One day he came in from the fields, and found his younger twin brother, Jacob, cooking a big stew. Esau was starving, and he asked for a serving. I don’t know if Jacob was teasing him at first, or if he was truly serious…but he basically said to Esau, “I’ll give you a bowl of stew in exchange for your rights as the firstborn.” And Esau said, “Okay!” In other words, Esau traded his lifelong heritage and the blessings that God and Isaac intended to be his for a belly full of food that satisfied an immediate appetite.
When we picked Timothy and Zola up after Sunday school yesterday, Timothy’s teacher handed him an empty toilet paper roll covered in cotton balls and said, “Don’t forget your ‘Esau arm’!” All the way to the car, Timothy told his Uncle Greg, “Jacob LIED to his father! He LIED! We aren’t supposed to LIE!” The Sunday school lesson had come from Genesis 27… a further development in the “Jacob and Esau saga”. You should read the whole story for yourself, but here’s a quick synopsis. Esau was a very hairy redhead. Scripture doesn’t fully describe Jacob’s appearance, but it is assumed that he looked nothing like Esau.
Isaac was old, blind and dying, and he had told Esau that he would bless him and his future. Scripture indicates that Isaac was partial to Esau. Jacob and his mother Rebekah were jealous of this, and they concocted a scheme to cover Jacob’s arms in animal fur, so that he would feel and smell like Esau. He would then go to Isaac and ask for the blessing, and Isaac would give it – thinking he was giving this sacred sign to Esau. Pick up your Bible and read the rest of the story to get a full account…but let’s just say that Jacob got himself into a huge heap of trouble!
This story made a big impact on Timothy. He was very impressed with his “hairy arm”…and even more affected by the message that lying is NOT a good thing! I am not sure that this lesson for 4-year-olds fully explored trading God’s lifelong gift for a short-term appetite…but the seeds were planted for learning more about this at a future date. But it is most certainly time for us to understand this lesson and get the whole picture!
Here’s the thing…we cannot make ourselves look better in God’s eyes than the next guy. All we do is end up hurting ourselves and others in the process. Sibling rivalry is as old as Cain and Abel…and jealousy and the desire to satisfy human appetites is documented in the Garden of Eden! Because of the devil and his power, we are vulnerable to sin…we lie, cheat, gossip, get caught up in jealousies, bicker, and plot “evil” against others in the form of deceptions – and even retributions. These are often the “weeds” in the “garden” that is our life. But this is not God’s desire for us…and in Jesus, we find the perfect role model for how to treat others, regardless of our circumstances.
Every time I read the account of Jesus’ trial before the Romans and Pontius Pilate and the horrific beating He endured before a single nail was ever pounded into His flesh, I am reminded that the “indignities” and insults we experience are nothing by comparison. And yet, Jesus did not retaliate – although He surely could have! Instead, Jesus forgave…thieves on the cross, Roman soldiers who mocked Him…and ultimately, you and me!
I have to say, that little cardboard toilet paper roll with cotton balls made an impact on me, too. I will think of it when I think about how I treat others…how I react – and respond – to them. I will remind myself of the “Esau syndrome” and the “Esau arm”…and I will ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” I so want to get at least a glimpse of God face-to-face someday… and the Bible tells me this is an important part of how it’s done! Will you remember the “hairy arm” of Esau…and the compassion, grace and mercy of Jesus? Will you choose the latter as your model for daily living? Shouldn’t you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In Genesis 25 the story of the “Esau syndrome” is explained. Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac. One day he came in from the fields, and found his younger twin brother, Jacob, cooking a big stew. Esau was starving, and he asked for a serving. I don’t know if Jacob was teasing him at first, or if he was truly serious…but he basically said to Esau, “I’ll give you a bowl of stew in exchange for your rights as the firstborn.” And Esau said, “Okay!” In other words, Esau traded his lifelong heritage and the blessings that God and Isaac intended to be his for a belly full of food that satisfied an immediate appetite.
When we picked Timothy and Zola up after Sunday school yesterday, Timothy’s teacher handed him an empty toilet paper roll covered in cotton balls and said, “Don’t forget your ‘Esau arm’!” All the way to the car, Timothy told his Uncle Greg, “Jacob LIED to his father! He LIED! We aren’t supposed to LIE!” The Sunday school lesson had come from Genesis 27… a further development in the “Jacob and Esau saga”. You should read the whole story for yourself, but here’s a quick synopsis. Esau was a very hairy redhead. Scripture doesn’t fully describe Jacob’s appearance, but it is assumed that he looked nothing like Esau.
Isaac was old, blind and dying, and he had told Esau that he would bless him and his future. Scripture indicates that Isaac was partial to Esau. Jacob and his mother Rebekah were jealous of this, and they concocted a scheme to cover Jacob’s arms in animal fur, so that he would feel and smell like Esau. He would then go to Isaac and ask for the blessing, and Isaac would give it – thinking he was giving this sacred sign to Esau. Pick up your Bible and read the rest of the story to get a full account…but let’s just say that Jacob got himself into a huge heap of trouble!
This story made a big impact on Timothy. He was very impressed with his “hairy arm”…and even more affected by the message that lying is NOT a good thing! I am not sure that this lesson for 4-year-olds fully explored trading God’s lifelong gift for a short-term appetite…but the seeds were planted for learning more about this at a future date. But it is most certainly time for us to understand this lesson and get the whole picture!
Here’s the thing…we cannot make ourselves look better in God’s eyes than the next guy. All we do is end up hurting ourselves and others in the process. Sibling rivalry is as old as Cain and Abel…and jealousy and the desire to satisfy human appetites is documented in the Garden of Eden! Because of the devil and his power, we are vulnerable to sin…we lie, cheat, gossip, get caught up in jealousies, bicker, and plot “evil” against others in the form of deceptions – and even retributions. These are often the “weeds” in the “garden” that is our life. But this is not God’s desire for us…and in Jesus, we find the perfect role model for how to treat others, regardless of our circumstances.
Every time I read the account of Jesus’ trial before the Romans and Pontius Pilate and the horrific beating He endured before a single nail was ever pounded into His flesh, I am reminded that the “indignities” and insults we experience are nothing by comparison. And yet, Jesus did not retaliate – although He surely could have! Instead, Jesus forgave…thieves on the cross, Roman soldiers who mocked Him…and ultimately, you and me!
I have to say, that little cardboard toilet paper roll with cotton balls made an impact on me, too. I will think of it when I think about how I treat others…how I react – and respond – to them. I will remind myself of the “Esau syndrome” and the “Esau arm”…and I will ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” I so want to get at least a glimpse of God face-to-face someday… and the Bible tells me this is an important part of how it’s done! Will you remember the “hairy arm” of Esau…and the compassion, grace and mercy of Jesus? Will you choose the latter as your model for daily living? Shouldn’t you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 9, 2014
John 14:9
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?
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.
My sister shared with me yesterday that the last time Timothy’s mother took him and his siblings for “booster” shots, Timothy did not know that he was going to receive an injection. He and his sister Zola got the nasal mist vaccine for flu…but he also got a “booster” injection of vaccine for something else. Afterward, he cried to his mother and said, “Why did you let them do that? You let them hurt me!” Of course, this tugged at his mother’s heartstrings (as he knew it would) to think that her firstborn felt she had betrayed him and allowed him to suffer. Timothy thought he knew his mother… he thought surely she would never let any harm or pain come to him! So when she allowed this momentary “stick”, he questioned who she really was!
Perhaps you have had a relationship with someone that didn’t turn out so well… you thought you truly knew this person, only to discover that he/she was not who you believed them to be… that there were aspects of this person’s life that you found surprising…even unbelievable. I felt this way when a fellow teacher was strangled to death by her husband - a police sergeant, no less! I would never have dreamed that my friend was being abused. I trusted her husband implicitly. I was with this couple a lot over the course of almost eight years, and I still did not truly know who they were.
Let’s be honest…we humans often listen to Satan - who is the ultimate master of deception - and we become expert at this iniquity in our own lives. People often have no clue who we really are. Sometimes, it’s because we cover well and have truly honed the craft of deception. At other times, this is due to a lack of focus…and perhaps even a touch of apathy on our part.
Here’s another way to explain this…there are people who “appear” to be amazingly faith-filled servants of God. They show up at every church function, are front and center for service projects and “talk a good game”… but it’s all for show. Behind closed doors, they become a totally different person. There are others who quietly go about God’s work…who serve Him by serving others...maintain a close communication with Him at all times…and earnestly seek His will for their lives. They aren’t flashy or obvious…but friends and acquaintances know that God has captured their heart - that they live to serve Him.
Then there is a group of Christians who are “on the fence”. They are not out in the forefront creating a scene or drawing attention to their actions...but there is nothing about their daily living that tells you they are a Disciple of Christ, either. These people “fly under the radar”, so to speak. The average person cannot tell who they are – or what they truly believe. How many times have you heard it said of someone, “He is a really nice guy!”? I hope you understand that not all “nice guys” are representing our Heavenly Father. Not all “nice guys” are Disciples of Christ…and sadly, not all Disciples of Christ are “nice guys”!
The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus is the real deal! If you have “seen” Him - if you know Him for yourself - you know God Almighty. What you “see” truly is what you get with Jesus…it’s not a façade or a gimmick. Jesus isn’t “in your face”…but He isn’t hiding in the shadows, either. In Jesus, we have the perfect example of sharing love, grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, strength, hope and more. All we have to do is open our Bibles and read about His teachings and demonstrations to learn how we are to conduct our own lives. We must maintain an open dialog with God to make sure that our words, thoughts and actions line up each and every day with His plans…that others truly know who we are…and that we are sharing the love of Christ with each of them.
Like Timothy’s mother, there are occasions when God allows a momentary “stick” or “sting” in our lives. But He will never truly betray us…or be Someone we do not know. Can we say the same in our own daily living? Are we always the “real deal” for Jesus? Do others truly know who we are…can they say that they have seen the Father in you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?
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.
My sister shared with me yesterday that the last time Timothy’s mother took him and his siblings for “booster” shots, Timothy did not know that he was going to receive an injection. He and his sister Zola got the nasal mist vaccine for flu…but he also got a “booster” injection of vaccine for something else. Afterward, he cried to his mother and said, “Why did you let them do that? You let them hurt me!” Of course, this tugged at his mother’s heartstrings (as he knew it would) to think that her firstborn felt she had betrayed him and allowed him to suffer. Timothy thought he knew his mother… he thought surely she would never let any harm or pain come to him! So when she allowed this momentary “stick”, he questioned who she really was!
Perhaps you have had a relationship with someone that didn’t turn out so well… you thought you truly knew this person, only to discover that he/she was not who you believed them to be… that there were aspects of this person’s life that you found surprising…even unbelievable. I felt this way when a fellow teacher was strangled to death by her husband - a police sergeant, no less! I would never have dreamed that my friend was being abused. I trusted her husband implicitly. I was with this couple a lot over the course of almost eight years, and I still did not truly know who they were.
Let’s be honest…we humans often listen to Satan - who is the ultimate master of deception - and we become expert at this iniquity in our own lives. People often have no clue who we really are. Sometimes, it’s because we cover well and have truly honed the craft of deception. At other times, this is due to a lack of focus…and perhaps even a touch of apathy on our part.
Here’s another way to explain this…there are people who “appear” to be amazingly faith-filled servants of God. They show up at every church function, are front and center for service projects and “talk a good game”… but it’s all for show. Behind closed doors, they become a totally different person. There are others who quietly go about God’s work…who serve Him by serving others...maintain a close communication with Him at all times…and earnestly seek His will for their lives. They aren’t flashy or obvious…but friends and acquaintances know that God has captured their heart - that they live to serve Him.
Then there is a group of Christians who are “on the fence”. They are not out in the forefront creating a scene or drawing attention to their actions...but there is nothing about their daily living that tells you they are a Disciple of Christ, either. These people “fly under the radar”, so to speak. The average person cannot tell who they are – or what they truly believe. How many times have you heard it said of someone, “He is a really nice guy!”? I hope you understand that not all “nice guys” are representing our Heavenly Father. Not all “nice guys” are Disciples of Christ…and sadly, not all Disciples of Christ are “nice guys”!
The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus is the real deal! If you have “seen” Him - if you know Him for yourself - you know God Almighty. What you “see” truly is what you get with Jesus…it’s not a façade or a gimmick. Jesus isn’t “in your face”…but He isn’t hiding in the shadows, either. In Jesus, we have the perfect example of sharing love, grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, strength, hope and more. All we have to do is open our Bibles and read about His teachings and demonstrations to learn how we are to conduct our own lives. We must maintain an open dialog with God to make sure that our words, thoughts and actions line up each and every day with His plans…that others truly know who we are…and that we are sharing the love of Christ with each of them.
Like Timothy’s mother, there are occasions when God allows a momentary “stick” or “sting” in our lives. But He will never truly betray us…or be Someone we do not know. Can we say the same in our own daily living? Are we always the “real deal” for Jesus? Do others truly know who we are…can they say that they have seen the Father in you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 21, 2013
Romans 2:5-8
You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what’s coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!
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.
The first house my husband and I bought was a “fixer-upper”. We painted walls, put in new flooring, and gave the lone bathroom a total re-do - with the help of family and friends. My dad had started a cultured marble manufacturing business, and he made an oversized shower stall that had a tall threshold…allowing us to create a small bath tub effect, if desired. As Daddy helped Greg install the marble walls and panels, he cracked one. It was on the inside of the threshold, so he quickly glued it together and said to Greg, “I hope she (meaning me!) doesn’t see that!”
I’ll admit… Daddy was between a rock and a hard place. He was 90 miles from home, trying to fix our only bathroom in one weekend, and he had just broken one of the components. Nobody ever saw that crack except us if we sat down to take a “bath”… and it was reparable. So we moved on with the project and laughed about it later. But how many times in life do we “break” things and hope that nobody will notice… even God?
How often do we put a patch over our mistakes and shortcomings… and forge ahead, thinking – or hoping – that we won’t be discovered? How many of us are mired in baggage from this type of behavior… yet pretending to others that nothing is the least bit amiss? How many of us are trying to hide from God?
Do you see that avoiding God and trying to cover up your blunders and lapses in judgment is disrespectful? Do you understand that you really aren’t fooling anyone… especially God? Sadly, some of us have gotten so good at running from God… masking the truth and covering up our messes… that this pattern has become a way of life. And the damage has accumulated in the process. At this point, some can no longer distinguish reality from the fantasy life they have created. But God knows the truth!
We won’t get away with this… and this shouldn’t even be part of our mindset. We may fool some of our friends and acquaintances – some of the time – but we aren’t fooling God for one minute! And all of this is incredibly disrespectful… especially to God. The scriptures tell us in Galatians 6:7-8… “Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.”
Is God’s Spirit growing in you? When you make a mistake or fall short in some area, do you readily acknowledge this and ask for forgiveness? Are you respectful in your living… toward others - and especially toward God… or are you piling up “fuel for the fire”?
I do not like to operate in threats and fearful suggestions… but I don’t believe that this message delivers either. Instead, I see an opportunity for us to respect God and His presence and influence in our lives… to “come clean” with Him and in our daily living… and to make every effort to be whoever He has called us to be. Rather than try to get by with something, why not make a careful and concerted effort to do things right on the front end?
Are you showing the proper reverence and respect to God… and to others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what’s coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!
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.
The first house my husband and I bought was a “fixer-upper”. We painted walls, put in new flooring, and gave the lone bathroom a total re-do - with the help of family and friends. My dad had started a cultured marble manufacturing business, and he made an oversized shower stall that had a tall threshold…allowing us to create a small bath tub effect, if desired. As Daddy helped Greg install the marble walls and panels, he cracked one. It was on the inside of the threshold, so he quickly glued it together and said to Greg, “I hope she (meaning me!) doesn’t see that!”
I’ll admit… Daddy was between a rock and a hard place. He was 90 miles from home, trying to fix our only bathroom in one weekend, and he had just broken one of the components. Nobody ever saw that crack except us if we sat down to take a “bath”… and it was reparable. So we moved on with the project and laughed about it later. But how many times in life do we “break” things and hope that nobody will notice… even God?
How often do we put a patch over our mistakes and shortcomings… and forge ahead, thinking – or hoping – that we won’t be discovered? How many of us are mired in baggage from this type of behavior… yet pretending to others that nothing is the least bit amiss? How many of us are trying to hide from God?
Do you see that avoiding God and trying to cover up your blunders and lapses in judgment is disrespectful? Do you understand that you really aren’t fooling anyone… especially God? Sadly, some of us have gotten so good at running from God… masking the truth and covering up our messes… that this pattern has become a way of life. And the damage has accumulated in the process. At this point, some can no longer distinguish reality from the fantasy life they have created. But God knows the truth!
We won’t get away with this… and this shouldn’t even be part of our mindset. We may fool some of our friends and acquaintances – some of the time – but we aren’t fooling God for one minute! And all of this is incredibly disrespectful… especially to God. The scriptures tell us in Galatians 6:7-8… “Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.”
Is God’s Spirit growing in you? When you make a mistake or fall short in some area, do you readily acknowledge this and ask for forgiveness? Are you respectful in your living… toward others - and especially toward God… or are you piling up “fuel for the fire”?
I do not like to operate in threats and fearful suggestions… but I don’t believe that this message delivers either. Instead, I see an opportunity for us to respect God and His presence and influence in our lives… to “come clean” with Him and in our daily living… and to make every effort to be whoever He has called us to be. Rather than try to get by with something, why not make a careful and concerted effort to do things right on the front end?
Are you showing the proper reverence and respect to God… and to others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 6, 2012
December 6 ~ Psalm 1:1-6
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.
That isn’t true of those who are evil, because they are like straw blown by the wind. Sinners won’t have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won’t have a place with the people of God.
The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine purchased a personalized item for Christmas, and when she went to pick it up, the business had misspelled one of the names on the item. Of course, my friend was disappointed. She had paid a lot of money for this item, and the name of one of her children was spelled incorrectly. The store owner offered my friend a $10 coupon good on her next purchase as compensation. Afraid she might say something ugly, my friend left quickly. However, she voiced her frustration on Facebook, and her friends responded in large numbers with all sorts of advice. More importantly, many asked for the name of the business so that they could avoid patronizing that particular store.
In fairness, the store owner thought better of her offer and called later to say she would replace the tray with a new one – spelled correctly. So in the end, she did the right thing. To have done otherwise would have been incredibly damaging to her business, because word of things like this travels quickly. But she probably still did major harm to her business by the initial response. And it does make one stop and wonder… “Why was there any hesitation?” In business, the motto that “The customer is always right” should have applied here… and that store owner should have immediately offered to replace the item.
This is sort of a loose illustration of how we don’t always do what is right… with regrettable consequences. It is important that we stay awake and alert… on our toes… and that doing the right thing becomes our second nature. I don’t know if this person was momentarily caught off guard and became defensive… or if she was thinking selfishly and decided that she was not going to “eat” her profit… or if her bottom line was so tight that she simply felt like she could not afford to forfeit this sale. But I do know that sometimes, doing the right thing seems expensive on the surface. Let me assure you, it’s always worth any perceived trouble.
There will be people who will lie, cheat, and steal… and appear to get ahead by doing so. But someday, the jig will be up! They will have to answer... if not to other mere mortals… to God Almighty. Everyone who has stepped on the backs of others to become “successful”… those who have been abusive and unkind – or just downright deceptive - will have to answer for their insults and indiscretions. And God will not be lenient!
It’s frustrating to see others operate in dishonesty and deception… and to watch them seem to breeze by doing so. It’s hard to feel like you did the right thing… gave your very best… and you were slapped down and penalized for it. But I can assure you, God will bless your efforts. It may take a long time… or seem like it’s taking forever… but He will do this. God measures success by a far different ruler… and His is the only one that matters.
Do the right thing. Avoid evil, deception, lying, cheating and stealing. Any “quick-fix” or shortcut that involves these behaviors will never be worth it in the end. Plant your roots firmly in the promises of God… trust Him to make things right on your behalf… and delight in pleasing Him. The goal is to hear God say, “Well done!” What will He say to you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.
That isn’t true of those who are evil, because they are like straw blown by the wind. Sinners won’t have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won’t have a place with the people of God.
The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine purchased a personalized item for Christmas, and when she went to pick it up, the business had misspelled one of the names on the item. Of course, my friend was disappointed. She had paid a lot of money for this item, and the name of one of her children was spelled incorrectly. The store owner offered my friend a $10 coupon good on her next purchase as compensation. Afraid she might say something ugly, my friend left quickly. However, she voiced her frustration on Facebook, and her friends responded in large numbers with all sorts of advice. More importantly, many asked for the name of the business so that they could avoid patronizing that particular store.
In fairness, the store owner thought better of her offer and called later to say she would replace the tray with a new one – spelled correctly. So in the end, she did the right thing. To have done otherwise would have been incredibly damaging to her business, because word of things like this travels quickly. But she probably still did major harm to her business by the initial response. And it does make one stop and wonder… “Why was there any hesitation?” In business, the motto that “The customer is always right” should have applied here… and that store owner should have immediately offered to replace the item.
This is sort of a loose illustration of how we don’t always do what is right… with regrettable consequences. It is important that we stay awake and alert… on our toes… and that doing the right thing becomes our second nature. I don’t know if this person was momentarily caught off guard and became defensive… or if she was thinking selfishly and decided that she was not going to “eat” her profit… or if her bottom line was so tight that she simply felt like she could not afford to forfeit this sale. But I do know that sometimes, doing the right thing seems expensive on the surface. Let me assure you, it’s always worth any perceived trouble.
There will be people who will lie, cheat, and steal… and appear to get ahead by doing so. But someday, the jig will be up! They will have to answer... if not to other mere mortals… to God Almighty. Everyone who has stepped on the backs of others to become “successful”… those who have been abusive and unkind – or just downright deceptive - will have to answer for their insults and indiscretions. And God will not be lenient!
It’s frustrating to see others operate in dishonesty and deception… and to watch them seem to breeze by doing so. It’s hard to feel like you did the right thing… gave your very best… and you were slapped down and penalized for it. But I can assure you, God will bless your efforts. It may take a long time… or seem like it’s taking forever… but He will do this. God measures success by a far different ruler… and His is the only one that matters.
Do the right thing. Avoid evil, deception, lying, cheating and stealing. Any “quick-fix” or shortcut that involves these behaviors will never be worth it in the end. Plant your roots firmly in the promises of God… trust Him to make things right on your behalf… and delight in pleasing Him. The goal is to hear God say, “Well done!” What will He say to you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 25, 2011
Luke 12:1-3
By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other's toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus' primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, "Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever been in a situation where someone told you just what you wanted to hear… nice compliments… positive statements… big promises? In essence, they “buttered you up” and made you feel really good about yourself and/or a particular situation. Maybe a coach promised you that you would play at a certain position and be a key component to the success of the team. Or maybe an employer promised you all sorts of great things about a new job – or a new position in your present job.
Maybe someone promised to love you and take care of you and “be yours forever.” Maybe someone who had not behaved well in the past promised to turn over a new leaf and “do better this time.” But as time went along in each of these situations, things changed. The person who had made all the big promises and statements revealed his/her “true self,” and things were markedly different than what you had believed.
We like to think we are pretty good at spotting phonies. Nobody wants to think they are gullible or can be taken advantage of easily. But the truth is, the devil has people waiting on every corner to do just that. So we have to be on guard… we have to ask God to give us wisdom and discernment… and we have to take everything to Him in prayer and seek His opinion before we make any commitments of any kind… body, mind, and/or soul!
In the same way, we must ask God to help us never to be guilty of deceiving another person. We must always be “the real deal.” We can’t be hypocritical and say we are disciples of Christ, then act foolishly or behave in ways that make others question our faith. We can’t treat someone kindly in public and then talk badly about him/her in private. We cannot write a letter to the editor and disrespect our President or another person or group of people - or be derogatory or cruel - and then stand on Sunday and sing praises to God in a worship service, read scripture with the congregation, or lead others in Bible study.
Think about this… imagine being in a group of people who are kind to you, include you in their conversations, and speak respectfully – even loyally to you. Then you walk away, and later you learn that the minute you were gone, at least one person in that group began to talk about you. Maybe they even called you every name in the book. At the very least, they were critical, unkind, and cruel… and they encouraged others to behave in the same way. Hurts even to think about it, doesn’t it?! Now realize that, in essence, that is exactly what we do to Jesus day in and day out… in dozens of ways. Every time we are phony or hypocritical, we are treating Jesus just like this. How much does that hurt to consider?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a phony. I do not want to disrespect my LORD and Savior – or anyone else – in this way. I want to be “the real deal” at all times, because that is who Jesus calls me to be. I want my faith to be honest and genuine… and I want others to know that I mean what I say, and I take my cues from God. What about you? Are you wearing a mask and using it to hide who you really are? Do you pretend to be Godly and then “act a fool” when you think nobody’s looking? Isn’t it time you got real with God… and with others? Wouldn’t today be a good time to start?
©2011 Debbie Robus
By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other's toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus' primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, "Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever been in a situation where someone told you just what you wanted to hear… nice compliments… positive statements… big promises? In essence, they “buttered you up” and made you feel really good about yourself and/or a particular situation. Maybe a coach promised you that you would play at a certain position and be a key component to the success of the team. Or maybe an employer promised you all sorts of great things about a new job – or a new position in your present job.
Maybe someone promised to love you and take care of you and “be yours forever.” Maybe someone who had not behaved well in the past promised to turn over a new leaf and “do better this time.” But as time went along in each of these situations, things changed. The person who had made all the big promises and statements revealed his/her “true self,” and things were markedly different than what you had believed.
We like to think we are pretty good at spotting phonies. Nobody wants to think they are gullible or can be taken advantage of easily. But the truth is, the devil has people waiting on every corner to do just that. So we have to be on guard… we have to ask God to give us wisdom and discernment… and we have to take everything to Him in prayer and seek His opinion before we make any commitments of any kind… body, mind, and/or soul!
In the same way, we must ask God to help us never to be guilty of deceiving another person. We must always be “the real deal.” We can’t be hypocritical and say we are disciples of Christ, then act foolishly or behave in ways that make others question our faith. We can’t treat someone kindly in public and then talk badly about him/her in private. We cannot write a letter to the editor and disrespect our President or another person or group of people - or be derogatory or cruel - and then stand on Sunday and sing praises to God in a worship service, read scripture with the congregation, or lead others in Bible study.
Think about this… imagine being in a group of people who are kind to you, include you in their conversations, and speak respectfully – even loyally to you. Then you walk away, and later you learn that the minute you were gone, at least one person in that group began to talk about you. Maybe they even called you every name in the book. At the very least, they were critical, unkind, and cruel… and they encouraged others to behave in the same way. Hurts even to think about it, doesn’t it?! Now realize that, in essence, that is exactly what we do to Jesus day in and day out… in dozens of ways. Every time we are phony or hypocritical, we are treating Jesus just like this. How much does that hurt to consider?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a phony. I do not want to disrespect my LORD and Savior – or anyone else – in this way. I want to be “the real deal” at all times, because that is who Jesus calls me to be. I want my faith to be honest and genuine… and I want others to know that I mean what I say, and I take my cues from God. What about you? Are you wearing a mask and using it to hide who you really are? Do you pretend to be Godly and then “act a fool” when you think nobody’s looking? Isn’t it time you got real with God… and with others? Wouldn’t today be a good time to start?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 24, 2011
Matthew 12:35-37
A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am utilizing a Bible study guide designed to help me read the entire Bible in one year. Each day, I read a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Recently, this passage from Matthew 12 was accompanied by scripture from Genesis 37 and 38. In Chapter 37, the story of Joseph is told – how his father made him a beautiful coat that caused great jealousy among his brothers. They captured Joseph and ripped off his beautiful coat, tossed him into a dry well, and left him to die. The brothers bloodied the coat with an animal carcass. When they returned home, they showed it to their father and let him assume that animals attacked Joseph and killed him.
I’ll let you read Genesis 38 and the story of Judah for yourself, but suffice it to say it’s pretty dicey reading… and a good example of someone who gave their word and kept it – albeit for a stiff price! If you want to read it in Contemporary English Version and don’t have a copy of this translation, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2038&version=CEV.
The point is, our words mean something… but we’ve gotten pretty fast and loose with them. We are quick to judge others… and to publicly condemn. We casually commit to one relationship after another. And while Genesis 38 points out that having sex with someone and getting them pregnant is nothing new, stepping up to the plate and owning responsibility for our actions – keeping our word – has become much less commonplace. We lie when it suits our purpose. We are all too quick to act like Joseph’s brothers – to do one thing and say another… and never give it a second thought.
My mother and I have been having a conversation lately about some things that have taken place where people said one thing and did another, and how frustrating it can be if you are on the “receiving end.” I made the comment that the people who make promises and do not keep their word will have to answer for this someday. As long as I know that I am doing what is right and pleases God, I cannot worry about what the other guy chooses to do. She replied that my dad used to say, “If they can live with it… so can I.”
This is well and good if you are living right… if your word truly is your bond. But some of us have taken the position that we can live with half-truths and saying things we don’t mean… and we will deal with the fallout as it comes – or sometime down the road. The trouble is… while we may be okay with this, God is not. He will hold us accountable for what we said… for promises and commitments made… for lies and misdeeds. And as this passage so eloquently expresses… careless words will come back to haunt you.
It’s time for us to take a long, hard look at our lives… to see where we need to make serious changes. We must assess how well we are lined up with the word – and will – of God. The time for becoming a person who chooses words carefully and honors commitments – whose word is a solid bond – is now! If each of us will do our part to make sure that we produce good deeds and words, season after season, we will be amazed at the ripple effect.
We need to live in such a way that we know we can live with what we have said and done because it pleases God. We need to set the bar high – and to be a good example for others. Who knows… maybe they will be impressed enough with our integrity and example that they want to make these changes in their own lives. Isn’t it worth a shot?
©2011 Debbie Robus
A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I am utilizing a Bible study guide designed to help me read the entire Bible in one year. Each day, I read a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Recently, this passage from Matthew 12 was accompanied by scripture from Genesis 37 and 38. In Chapter 37, the story of Joseph is told – how his father made him a beautiful coat that caused great jealousy among his brothers. They captured Joseph and ripped off his beautiful coat, tossed him into a dry well, and left him to die. The brothers bloodied the coat with an animal carcass. When they returned home, they showed it to their father and let him assume that animals attacked Joseph and killed him.
I’ll let you read Genesis 38 and the story of Judah for yourself, but suffice it to say it’s pretty dicey reading… and a good example of someone who gave their word and kept it – albeit for a stiff price! If you want to read it in Contemporary English Version and don’t have a copy of this translation, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2038&version=CEV.
The point is, our words mean something… but we’ve gotten pretty fast and loose with them. We are quick to judge others… and to publicly condemn. We casually commit to one relationship after another. And while Genesis 38 points out that having sex with someone and getting them pregnant is nothing new, stepping up to the plate and owning responsibility for our actions – keeping our word – has become much less commonplace. We lie when it suits our purpose. We are all too quick to act like Joseph’s brothers – to do one thing and say another… and never give it a second thought.
My mother and I have been having a conversation lately about some things that have taken place where people said one thing and did another, and how frustrating it can be if you are on the “receiving end.” I made the comment that the people who make promises and do not keep their word will have to answer for this someday. As long as I know that I am doing what is right and pleases God, I cannot worry about what the other guy chooses to do. She replied that my dad used to say, “If they can live with it… so can I.”
This is well and good if you are living right… if your word truly is your bond. But some of us have taken the position that we can live with half-truths and saying things we don’t mean… and we will deal with the fallout as it comes – or sometime down the road. The trouble is… while we may be okay with this, God is not. He will hold us accountable for what we said… for promises and commitments made… for lies and misdeeds. And as this passage so eloquently expresses… careless words will come back to haunt you.
It’s time for us to take a long, hard look at our lives… to see where we need to make serious changes. We must assess how well we are lined up with the word – and will – of God. The time for becoming a person who chooses words carefully and honors commitments – whose word is a solid bond – is now! If each of us will do our part to make sure that we produce good deeds and words, season after season, we will be amazed at the ripple effect.
We need to live in such a way that we know we can live with what we have said and done because it pleases God. We need to set the bar high – and to be a good example for others. Who knows… maybe they will be impressed enough with our integrity and example that they want to make these changes in their own lives. Isn’t it worth a shot?
©2011 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
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