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.
Last
week, we celebrated Grandma E’s 90th birthday with a “luncheon” at our
house. My mother-in-law didn’t want a big fuss, so we invited my
husband’s brother and sister-in-law to join us - and kept it simple. I
served a dish that is a local favorite…”Chicken Eden Isle.” This dish
consists of chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, sitting on top of dried
beef and baked in a sauce of cream cheese, cream of chicken soup and
sour cream. The chicken and sauce are served over a bed of rice. Since
this dish is rich and decadent, we serve it so seldom that it is a real
treat for all of us.
My mother-in-law told me that once, she
baked this recipe to enter in a chicken cooking contest. Because the
dish had to be “original,” she changed the ingredients to include curry
powder and renamed the concoction…and her recipe won! I told her that I
wasn’t sure everyone attending our lunch would like curry, so I was
going to stick with the original recipe…and she agreed that this was
best.
The “simple” recipe for Chicken Eden Isle over rice needs
no variations – unless you are entering an “original recipe” cooking
contest! It stands on its own merits and is more than complete. There
is nothing wrong with adding another spice or changing the mixture a
bit…although there is inherent risk that what is changed might make the
dish less tasty. But truly, all we need to have a complete and
delectable meal is the basic recipe for this chicken dish. And that is
what Matthew 7:12 tells us about our Christian discipleship, the teachings of Jesus, and all of the
laws and the prophecy.
Everything we read in the Old
Testament…every Law of Moses…every proverb of King Solomon…every
commandment of Jesus in the Gospels…and every admonition of the authors
of the New Testament...can be summed up in this one sentence - ”Treat
others as you
want them to treat you.” We don’t need “add-ons”…or variations. We
don’t need to try to do things another way and see if the outcome will
be as good – or even better. We know already that when we treat others
as we wish to be treated, there is every possibility that things will go
better…that the outcome will be a more positive one…that our grace,
mercy, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding will rub off
on others.
Sometimes, we think that we know best. If we just do
this or say that, everything will work out great! And sometimes, our
ideas get us into a heap of trouble! If we will only remember the
“recipe” that Jesus has given us…and treat others as we want them to
treat us…God will handle any other details and make sure that the end
result is perfect. Whose “Spiritual recipe” are you using these days?
Is it time for you to simplify and let God have control? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label following the commands of Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label following the commands of Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 16, 2016
Matthew 5:17-18
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
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.
When I was teaching kindergarten, our school district put every single teacher and administrator through an extensive (and expensive!) training program called PET…the Program for Effective Teaching. I won’t go into a lot of details about this program other than to say that we learned how to consistently present a lesson to students in a way that they could understand and retain. Some felt this program insulted their existing teaching abilities, but I felt it enhanced our skills and gave us common ground.
One of the basic principles of PET is that people remember what you tell them at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. So in my kindergarten classroom, I developed three simple “rules” that five-and-six-year-olds could understand and remember, and we reviewed and practiced them over and again.
1) Be kind to others.
2) Work and play quietly.
3) Respect other people’s property.
Everything we did had to fit into these parameters. Hit a classmate? That broke rules #1 and #2. Tear up a toy or even your school supplies? This violated Rule #3. There were tons of “sub-rules and guidelines,” but as long as the children followed the 3 simple rules of our classroom, all was well.
Here’s how this relates to Jesus. In the Old Testament, we are bombarded with laws and rules. You can’t do this…you must do that…if you break this law you must make XYZ sacrifice. And Jesus didn’t necessarily change these laws. He just drilled them down to something very basic and simple, as found in Luke 10:27…"That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”
This is SO EASY to remember. And yet, when we stop and examine our thoughts, words and actions, everything you could think of is covered. All you have to do is ask yourself, “Does this demonstrate love of God? Is this how I would want to be treated? Will this exemplify love of my neighbor?” If the answer is in any way negative, you know that you are not following the commands of Jesus. And maybe this isn’t your goal in life…but don’t you think it should be?
Trust Jesus to know what is best for you. Believe that His commands are true and perfect - and fully complete God’s word…today, tomorrow, and forever. Know that you are in His will beyond the shadow of a doubt. And live with peace and confidence as you fully surrender to Christ and serve at His pleasure. Love God…love others…trust Jesus…three “grown-up rules” for effective discipleship. Are you ready to put them into practice?
© Debbie Robus
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
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.
When I was teaching kindergarten, our school district put every single teacher and administrator through an extensive (and expensive!) training program called PET…the Program for Effective Teaching. I won’t go into a lot of details about this program other than to say that we learned how to consistently present a lesson to students in a way that they could understand and retain. Some felt this program insulted their existing teaching abilities, but I felt it enhanced our skills and gave us common ground.
One of the basic principles of PET is that people remember what you tell them at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. So in my kindergarten classroom, I developed three simple “rules” that five-and-six-year-olds could understand and remember, and we reviewed and practiced them over and again.
1) Be kind to others.
2) Work and play quietly.
3) Respect other people’s property.
Everything we did had to fit into these parameters. Hit a classmate? That broke rules #1 and #2. Tear up a toy or even your school supplies? This violated Rule #3. There were tons of “sub-rules and guidelines,” but as long as the children followed the 3 simple rules of our classroom, all was well.
Here’s how this relates to Jesus. In the Old Testament, we are bombarded with laws and rules. You can’t do this…you must do that…if you break this law you must make XYZ sacrifice. And Jesus didn’t necessarily change these laws. He just drilled them down to something very basic and simple, as found in Luke 10:27…"That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”
This is SO EASY to remember. And yet, when we stop and examine our thoughts, words and actions, everything you could think of is covered. All you have to do is ask yourself, “Does this demonstrate love of God? Is this how I would want to be treated? Will this exemplify love of my neighbor?” If the answer is in any way negative, you know that you are not following the commands of Jesus. And maybe this isn’t your goal in life…but don’t you think it should be?
Trust Jesus to know what is best for you. Believe that His commands are true and perfect - and fully complete God’s word…today, tomorrow, and forever. Know that you are in His will beyond the shadow of a doubt. And live with peace and confidence as you fully surrender to Christ and serve at His pleasure. Love God…love others…trust Jesus…three “grown-up rules” for effective discipleship. Are you ready to put them into practice?
© Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 30, 2016
Matthew 6:38-40
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.
“This, in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me by the Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole. This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.”
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.
For decades, a women’s circle at my church has hosted a breakfast for the graduating high school seniors shortly before their last day of school. This year, I offered to help with the preparation and serving of this breakfast. As the students finished their meal, the class sponsor went over some important information with them…dates and times for baccalaureate…when and where to be for graduation rehearsal…the rescheduling of a group photo… and more. She covered many details, making sure that everything was neatly prepared and tied together so that everyone will be ready for these events - and the final ceremony will hopefully go off without a hitch.
The sponsor also read a little devotional to the students and talked to them about what happens after high school…how college is different – and continual study is required. She reminded them that even those who are joining the workforce will need to learn to discipline themselves to get up and get going every day…that whatever happens in this next chapter of life for these almost-adults, effort will be required to be successful and productive.
Several times, this teacher told the group…”This is not my rule…it came from the administration.” Or she would say, “I did not decide this…I’m telling you what I was told to share.” As for the “life lesson,” she cited comments from several college students and graduates who had told her how challenging life can be after high school. In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples that “I came to do God’s will…and I am giving you EVERYTHING you need, so that when I return for those who believe in Me, you will all be ready.”
The students at the breakfast trust that the information the teacher/sponsor gave them is accurate and vital. We who have given our hearts to Jesus are expected to trust His word for us - and to follow His instructions. What does this include? Jesus has told us to love God with all our heart, mind and soul…and to love others as we love Him. He has commanded us to share His Good News with everyone we encounter…to trust Him in all things…and to have hope and faith that He is preparing a place for us with Him for all Eternity.
Jesus performed miracles to demonstrate that He is all-powerful…that anything is possible with Him. He demonstrated incomparable sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins. He rose from the grave three days later and instructed His disciples concerning how to minister to others in His absence. And He gave us the Holy Spirit to be our Forever Friend in the interim.
Jesus “covered all the bases.” He left nothing to chance or assumption. He was clear and distinct in His directives to us…and in His demonstrations of why we should trust Him and believe in Him. And if we follow through on these instructions, everything should go exactly as it is supposed to on the day when we are called to Heaven…whether this happens before Christ returns for His church – or during.
I hope all of the students were listening carefully yesterday to the words from the sponsor. More importantly, I hope that WE are listening to Jesus’ words for each of us. He has accomplished the will of the One who sent Him…now it is time to do OUR part to honor His commitment and commandments. How do you think you are doing so far?
©2016 Debbie Robus
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.
“This, in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me by the Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole. This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.”
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.
For decades, a women’s circle at my church has hosted a breakfast for the graduating high school seniors shortly before their last day of school. This year, I offered to help with the preparation and serving of this breakfast. As the students finished their meal, the class sponsor went over some important information with them…dates and times for baccalaureate…when and where to be for graduation rehearsal…the rescheduling of a group photo… and more. She covered many details, making sure that everything was neatly prepared and tied together so that everyone will be ready for these events - and the final ceremony will hopefully go off without a hitch.
The sponsor also read a little devotional to the students and talked to them about what happens after high school…how college is different – and continual study is required. She reminded them that even those who are joining the workforce will need to learn to discipline themselves to get up and get going every day…that whatever happens in this next chapter of life for these almost-adults, effort will be required to be successful and productive.
Several times, this teacher told the group…”This is not my rule…it came from the administration.” Or she would say, “I did not decide this…I’m telling you what I was told to share.” As for the “life lesson,” she cited comments from several college students and graduates who had told her how challenging life can be after high school. In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples that “I came to do God’s will…and I am giving you EVERYTHING you need, so that when I return for those who believe in Me, you will all be ready.”
The students at the breakfast trust that the information the teacher/sponsor gave them is accurate and vital. We who have given our hearts to Jesus are expected to trust His word for us - and to follow His instructions. What does this include? Jesus has told us to love God with all our heart, mind and soul…and to love others as we love Him. He has commanded us to share His Good News with everyone we encounter…to trust Him in all things…and to have hope and faith that He is preparing a place for us with Him for all Eternity.
Jesus performed miracles to demonstrate that He is all-powerful…that anything is possible with Him. He demonstrated incomparable sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins. He rose from the grave three days later and instructed His disciples concerning how to minister to others in His absence. And He gave us the Holy Spirit to be our Forever Friend in the interim.
Jesus “covered all the bases.” He left nothing to chance or assumption. He was clear and distinct in His directives to us…and in His demonstrations of why we should trust Him and believe in Him. And if we follow through on these instructions, everything should go exactly as it is supposed to on the day when we are called to Heaven…whether this happens before Christ returns for His church – or during.
I hope all of the students were listening carefully yesterday to the words from the sponsor. More importantly, I hope that WE are listening to Jesus’ words for each of us. He has accomplished the will of the One who sent Him…now it is time to do OUR part to honor His commitment and commandments. How do you think you are doing so far?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 21, 2016
John 14:15-21
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I honestly do not know how people function without faith. After my mother died, someone commented to me one day about how they felt like an orphan when both of her parents had passed. And I totally get that…it’s a really different feeling to realize that you have no parents living on this earth. All of my parents and grandparents are in heaven now. All of those heavy influences in my life are gone. But at the same time…they are still with me in so many ways.
I think of my parents every time I pass the china hutch and see their wedding dishes on display there. I look at old photos and remember happy times – and they are with me. I get out my heavy cast iron Dutch oven and cook something, and Mam-ma Polly is standing right beside me. One of the children curls up his/her mouth in a little smirky smile…and there’s my dad! More importantly, I hear their sage advice and Christian wisdom echo in my ear as I go about my day. I think of something I really would like to share with them…and realize that they already know!
In even a more profound way, Jesus is always with us. We may be reminded of His presence if we see a cross or other religious symbol…but it’s so much more than that. When we read scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks to us. When you start to “like” that ugly comment on Facebook, and “something” stops you…that’s Jesus speaking to you through His Holy Spirit!
When you are fearful or nervous…lonely or upset…and a sudden “calm” washes over you…that is your Advocate providing you with peace and courage. When you pray and ask God for answers…and they come…you are keenly aware that He is with you and meeting your needs. When something wonderful happens in your life, and you are filled with incredible joy and elation…you know that the Holy Spirit is celebrating with you – and cheering you on!
Again I say, it must feel incredibly empty to try to live without Jesus and His Holy Spirit. The sense of loneliness and hopelessness must be overwhelming at times. I am so grateful that I belong to Jesus and do not have to experience this. I am thankful that He has not only filled my heart with His truth in the form of the Holy Spirit…but He has also given me the confidence that my loved ones are waiting for me with Him in Heaven.
I do my very best to keep Jesus’ commands and honor this incredible gift…confident that He will never leave me or let me falter. Ours is a relationship that I want to nurture at every turn...and you can have this same connection. Paraphrasing the old hymn says…”Because Jesus lives [and His Holy Spirit is my Advocate and constant Truth]…I can face tomorrow.” What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I honestly do not know how people function without faith. After my mother died, someone commented to me one day about how they felt like an orphan when both of her parents had passed. And I totally get that…it’s a really different feeling to realize that you have no parents living on this earth. All of my parents and grandparents are in heaven now. All of those heavy influences in my life are gone. But at the same time…they are still with me in so many ways.
I think of my parents every time I pass the china hutch and see their wedding dishes on display there. I look at old photos and remember happy times – and they are with me. I get out my heavy cast iron Dutch oven and cook something, and Mam-ma Polly is standing right beside me. One of the children curls up his/her mouth in a little smirky smile…and there’s my dad! More importantly, I hear their sage advice and Christian wisdom echo in my ear as I go about my day. I think of something I really would like to share with them…and realize that they already know!
In even a more profound way, Jesus is always with us. We may be reminded of His presence if we see a cross or other religious symbol…but it’s so much more than that. When we read scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks to us. When you start to “like” that ugly comment on Facebook, and “something” stops you…that’s Jesus speaking to you through His Holy Spirit!
When you are fearful or nervous…lonely or upset…and a sudden “calm” washes over you…that is your Advocate providing you with peace and courage. When you pray and ask God for answers…and they come…you are keenly aware that He is with you and meeting your needs. When something wonderful happens in your life, and you are filled with incredible joy and elation…you know that the Holy Spirit is celebrating with you – and cheering you on!
Again I say, it must feel incredibly empty to try to live without Jesus and His Holy Spirit. The sense of loneliness and hopelessness must be overwhelming at times. I am so grateful that I belong to Jesus and do not have to experience this. I am thankful that He has not only filled my heart with His truth in the form of the Holy Spirit…but He has also given me the confidence that my loved ones are waiting for me with Him in Heaven.
I do my very best to keep Jesus’ commands and honor this incredible gift…confident that He will never leave me or let me falter. Ours is a relationship that I want to nurture at every turn...and you can have this same connection. Paraphrasing the old hymn says…”Because Jesus lives [and His Holy Spirit is my Advocate and constant Truth]…I can face tomorrow.” What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)