Daily Devotional for November 8, 2016

Matthew 7:12
Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Well, here we are!  For months, we have said we were anxious for Election Day to arrive…and now it’s upon us!  People have been saying, “I’m so ready for this to be over.”  And that’s a reasonable statement.  But let’s be honest…for a lot of Americans, this day will not bring the results they desired or anticipated.  Even those who are happy about the election of one candidate or another are sure to have disappointments in the outcomes of other races.

It’s a pretty safe assumption that there are people serving in office today who did not receive your vote - or mine.  Yet somehow, the world continues to spin on its axis. This was my eleventh presidential election in which to vote.  Like all of us, I’ve seen my candidates win…and lose.  I’ve been disappointed, worried about our country – and the world at large - and downright mad at times.  But I have never resorted to disrespect or name calling.

As a teacher, aunt, and friend to dozens of young children, I have never spoken disdainfully to them about another candidate.  I’ve never criticized the adults who voted for the opposition…or told a child that his/her parents and adult relatives were wrong for supporting a certain candidate. I may have explained why I supported the people who got my vote…but I have never attacked the choices of another.

When my candidates have lost, I’ve done my best to be kind and respectful of those who were elected.  I might not sing their praises, but I don’t belittle them or treat them unkindly – even with words. I have been greatly dismayed by the judgment of others…and I’ve mentally questioned their thinking in supporting certain candidates.  But I still love them. I will still be kind to them when we meet…I will still smile and treat them with respect.  I will honor their right and privilege to support whoever they choose…and I will hope that they afford me the same respect.

In the words of First Lady, Michelle Obama, God is calling us to “go high.”  Jesus has commanded us to treat others as we wish to be treated…and that includes those who did not get our vote.  So tomorrow, when the ballots have been tallied, I will hold my head high and move ahead with my efforts to serve God to the best of my ability…even if that means keeping my mouth shut about people I did not elect!  This election IS important…but honoring God and serving Him in faithful obedience is so much more critical.

When you wake up tomorrow, how will you behave?  Who will you serve and honor?  Will your words and actions show others a faith-filled disciple of Christ…or a sore loser who doesn’t really demonstrate that “with God, ALL things are possible?”  Take some time today to prayerfully seek God’s strength and resolve. Let Him fill you with His power and confidence – even when you are feeling defeated.  Always “go high” with God and show others His amazing grace and mercy.  Pull the lever, then walk away with confidence that God in still in control - today and always - and let others always see this in your daily living.

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 8, 2013

Matthew 25:40
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"
 
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.
 
There is a lot of talk in the news about the Miami Dolphins linebacker Richie Incognito and his hazing of rookie lineman Jonathan Martin.  There are people who are backing up Martin’s claims that Incognito took things too far… and others who are defending Incognito and saying this was blown out of proportion… that Martin “broke the rookie code” and should have handled this internally rather than going public with it.  Either way, people have been disrespected… perhaps even bullied...and emotions are running high on both sides of the dilemma.
 
More than once, I have repeated the words of my pastor… “There is a heartache on every pew.” Several experiences in my life have left me with a mixed bag of emotions… confusion, frustration, anger, deep sadness, disappointment, betrayal, heartbreak - and an incredible weariness.  And maybe you have felt the same way.  In some cases, I’ve wanted to raise my hands and say, “That’s it!’  I’m DONE!”  Sometimes it seems as though it would be so much easier to just walk away and let things happen… to turn our backs, move ahead with our lives, and let the chips fall where they may.
 
What keeps me from throwing in the towel?  Every time I get even remotely close, I think of Jesus.  Each and every time, He reminds me that I do this same thing to Him all the time.  And He’s.Still.Here.
 
I am humbled and ashamed when I think that I have disrespected Jesus after all He has so generously and mercifully done for me.  When I think that for one instant I frustrated Him, made Him angry, or caused Him a deep and penetrating sadness or heartache, I am incredibly grieved.  To even imagine that I spoke unkindly – and my comments stung Jesus and broke His heart - is almost more than I can bear.  To think that I could accept all that Jesus offers me and then treat Him in a manner that leaves him confused and asking, “Where did THAT come from?  What in the world is she thinking?” makes me incredibly remorseful, embarrassed and ashamed.  And still, He is here…doing what He does best – loving… forgiving… restoring…blessing.  So how could I do any less in the situations that I encounter?
 
Don’t misunderstand… it hurts to be disrespected… and bullying at any age is simply not cool.  None of us like to be mistreated, betrayed, or taken for fools.  Everyone has feelings… even big ole pro football linebackers!  Just because a person is at a certain stage in life or a “rookie” at something does not give others license to ridicule and torment.  Just because someone is educated, has money and/or a respectable position - or seems to have everything in life going his/her way doesn’t mean that this person is numb to disrespect.  Just because a person operates in faith and appears to be able to handle life’s challenges rather easily doesn’t mean that he/she will not be affected by mistreatment or disrespect.
 
We all need to take a long hard look at our daily living and our relationships with others.  Where have we disrespected one another… and in doing so, disrespected Jesus?  Where have we mistreated someone with our words and/or actions… and done the same thing to Jesus in the bargain?  How have we been angered, frustrated, betrayed, and disappointed?  How have we done these things to others… and to Jesus?
 
How have we responded to the disrespect of others?  Does it fall in line with how Jesus treats us?  Do we offer compassion, forgiveness, grace and mercy – even when it isn’t requested, much less deserved?  Are we willing to love unconditionally, just as He does? Or do we tuck tail and run at the first sign that things are getting rough?  When do we say, “Enough is enough?” and walk away… and when do we say, “Maybe God can show me how to repair and restore this situation or relationship.”?
 
I don’t know what is right in every situation… and I certainly don’t know what is the right answer to the apparent problem with hazing in the NFL!  But I do know that we serve a God of second chances to the Nth degree…a God who continues to love us even when we disrespect Him.  And this keeps me going.
 
We must make every effort to be respectful of others in all situations.  At the same time, we must continue to work at showing our respect for Jesus… and that includes working through the frustrating situations that each of us encounters.  It’s a tall order… and often, it’s not a whole lot of fun!  We were not promised “free and easy” as Christians… but the blessings that we enjoy each and every day far outweigh any burdens.  Don’t you agree?
 
I pray that you will join me in asking God to instill in your heart a newfound desire to seek ways to operate with respect… toward others AND toward Him.  It may not change how everyone treats us in return, but at least we will know that we are honoring Jesus and His amazing love for us in our own daily living.  If we are certain that we are pleasing Him, surely He will give us the courage and strength to handle the rest.  Isn’t it worth a shot?

©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 29, 2012

1 Peter 2:13-17
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

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.

Oh, how we need these scripture verses nowadays! From every side, our government has become fair game for human target practice. Somehow, we tend to gloss over the Bible’s admonition to respect our leaders. We are not told to agree with them… but we are commanded to respect them. Yet all you have to do is scroll down the “Home” page on any social media outlet to see people disrespecting leaders on both sides of the political aisle. I’m not talking about statements of disagreement or disapproval… I’m talking about venomous, bigoted, spiteful comments that reek of disdain – if not outright hatred – for those who have been elected to office.

I will be the first to tell you that there are unscrupulous legislators, public officials, judges and government leaders at every level. But God calls us to treat them – and all people – with respect and decorum. To treat anyone with less than the utmost dignity belies the grace and mercy that was given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus died for those in public office, too! He died for your fellow church members and the other citizens in your city, state, country…and around the globe. If you think for one minute your salvation is exclusive in any way, you have totally missed Jesus’ message!

Today, I am thinking of several people in the public eye – and some “ordinary folk” as well – who claim to be Christians yet never miss an opportunity to say something unkind and distasteful about our government leaders. I have to wonder if they ever stop to consider what God thinks about this behavior. Do they ever read their Bible… and more importantly, do they truly hear what God is saying through passages like this one?

The time has come for us to wake up and realize that hiding behind God’s name and bashing others – for any reason – is disrespectful… and un-Christian! If you want to please God (and we all should want this!), you have to listen to what He is saying and do what He tells you – even if that means showing respect for elected officials and others you do not like. The only way to truly be free is to follow God’s rules and let Him have complete control. Are you fully exercising your freedoms today? Are you showing respect for God… and for others? Isn’t it time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus