1 Peter 4:7-11
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
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.
My brother Tim started to lose his hair in his late 20s. By his mid-thirties, he wore his hair trimmed very closely to his head, because he was almost bald on top. But shortly before he died at age 37, his hair started to grow for some reason. He didn’t necessarily reclaim the receding hairline, but he had enough hair that he started to look shaggy around the edges. Tim was very sick and had trouble breathing. So our friend Shelly, who is a hairdresser, came to my parents’ house and gave Tim a haircut. It was a simple task that comes very easily for Shelly. But to us, it was a huge gift. This was an act of love for our Tim…a gesture of compassion from one friend to another. I can still see my brother sitting on the carport on a stool as Shelly trimmed his hair and gave him a neat, clean appearance…and lifted his mood in the process.
Not everyone can offer someone else a haircut. After my brother died, our friend Allison, who is a veterinarian, came and got Tim’s dog Carmen for the day…bathed her and checked her over. My cousin Franklin took Carmen out for a car ride and a romp. These don’t seem like a big deal…but trust me, it was to us! A young friend of ours had all four wisdom teeth removed at once. His mom reported that his face was swollen – and he was in a lot of pain. I made him a “rice bag” that could be placed in the freezer and used like an ice pack. The young man’s mom said that this was the only thing that felt gentle and soothing to him. It took all of maybe 10 minutes to make this bag…and a little side trip to deliver when I ran errands. But it meant the world to a mother who doesn’t sew and her son who was in pain.
The words of this scripture are pretty clear. Every one of us has “gifts” we can use to help others. Some possess skills like cutting hair, sewing and veterinary care…while others are “gifted” cooks, chauffeurs, pet-sitters, listeners, and all-around good friends. Some know just what to say and when to say it…others are better at “doing” things to show their care and concern.
I don’t know what “gifts” you possess…but just as these verses in 1 Peter tell us – each of us has been blessed with certain gifts and skills from God…and He wants us to use them! When we offer others God’s love and care through the gifts He has given us, He gets the glory. This is what true Christian discipleship is all about!
Our job as disciples of Christ is to show our gratitude for all we have been given by prayerfully asking God continually to show us how – and where – to love others. Notice how important Peter says this is - he tells us to “love each other as your life depended on it”…because truly it does! A full life in Christ Jesus happens when we love cheerfully, unconditionally, and generously. Ask God to reveal your “gifts” to you…and to show you what you are supposed to do with them. Someone needs you…even now! Are you ready to offer “God’s hearty help” today? How will you honor His gifts to you by giving to others?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label good gifts from God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good gifts from God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 17, 2013
Galatians 5:22-24
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
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.
Timothy is learning about rewards and consequences. When he eats all of his dinner, a “treat” afterward is often offered. Last night it was ice cream and a small piece of chocolate. Sometimes it is a special video or a trip to the park. And this morning, I surprised him with a big fat marshmallow – one of his favorite treats – because he had been polite, obedient, and well-mannered. I hope he and his siblings will learn to develop patience, compassion, and an innate sense of holiness. Last week during his birthday party (which happened to be on Mother’s Day), Timothy climbed the ladder to his little slide, stopped and said, “Hey, Happy Mother’s Day everyone!” I count that a victory… an unforced expression of love and kindness that was followed a few minutes later by an unprompted “Thanks for telling me ‘Happy Birthday,’ guys!”
Every day is different, and today, Timothy wanted to be a superhero. He asked for a cape and a mask, and I tied a kitchen towel around his neck and gave him a quickly-fashioned paper eye mask. He was delighted. He didn’t need a fancy, store-bought costume. He was every much “Super Timmy” in his home-made duds. All the television commercials in the world for fancy toys and wacky-flavored cereals cannot compete with a quick home-made costume and a marshmallow for this kid!
Let’s be honest… not all four-year-old boys develop patience, kindness, and a loving heart and spirit so early. And in any given minute, Timothy is anything but all of these things - because he is only four and still learning. In fact, he had a "meltdown" as I wrote this, because I would not produce another marshmallow on demand! Sadly, many forty-year-old (or older) men and women behave in much the same way! They still have not developed a heart for the “fruits of the Spirit”… they operate in the things of this world – the unwritten laws which dictate that we must have this or that… and everything should always go our way! So they experience all sorts of dilemmas and challenges… debt, disappointment, lack of respect in the home and workplace, frustration, failed relationships, and a reputation for being disagreeable or a hothead, just to name a few. Worse yet, many people fail to receive all of the good gifts that God wishes to send their way. Like a little boy who didn’t eat his dinner or couldn’t play nicely, there is no “treat” or surprise.
When we fully experience a transformation from the ways of this world to a life in Christ… when we allow the Holy Spirit to have complete authority over our heart… we are forever changed. And everyone notices. We operate from a totally different perspective than other people. We are kinder and more patient… we have more compassion for others and the circumstances of the world… and we operate with a sense of inner peace and calm in even the craziest and most challenging situations. And God responds by blessing us beyond what we could ever have hoped or imagined.
I don’t know about you, but I want this kind of life… for myself, and for my family and friends. That’s why I am sharing this message with you. I want you to understand what a hope we have in Jesus Christ… how much God wants to give us, if only we will allow Him to fill our heart. When we make serving God – and serving others in His name – second nature, we are free of the world’s “rules” and ways and able to fully experience all that He has in store for us. Won’t you ask God today to help you fill your heart with His Holy Spirit? Won’t you learn to walk in the ways of the LORD and to experience life like never before? Whether you are four or forty-four… or even twice that age… God still has plenty in store for you. Are you ready to receive His good gifts?
©2013 Debbie Robus
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
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.
Timothy is learning about rewards and consequences. When he eats all of his dinner, a “treat” afterward is often offered. Last night it was ice cream and a small piece of chocolate. Sometimes it is a special video or a trip to the park. And this morning, I surprised him with a big fat marshmallow – one of his favorite treats – because he had been polite, obedient, and well-mannered. I hope he and his siblings will learn to develop patience, compassion, and an innate sense of holiness. Last week during his birthday party (which happened to be on Mother’s Day), Timothy climbed the ladder to his little slide, stopped and said, “Hey, Happy Mother’s Day everyone!” I count that a victory… an unforced expression of love and kindness that was followed a few minutes later by an unprompted “Thanks for telling me ‘Happy Birthday,’ guys!”
Every day is different, and today, Timothy wanted to be a superhero. He asked for a cape and a mask, and I tied a kitchen towel around his neck and gave him a quickly-fashioned paper eye mask. He was delighted. He didn’t need a fancy, store-bought costume. He was every much “Super Timmy” in his home-made duds. All the television commercials in the world for fancy toys and wacky-flavored cereals cannot compete with a quick home-made costume and a marshmallow for this kid!
Let’s be honest… not all four-year-old boys develop patience, kindness, and a loving heart and spirit so early. And in any given minute, Timothy is anything but all of these things - because he is only four and still learning. In fact, he had a "meltdown" as I wrote this, because I would not produce another marshmallow on demand! Sadly, many forty-year-old (or older) men and women behave in much the same way! They still have not developed a heart for the “fruits of the Spirit”… they operate in the things of this world – the unwritten laws which dictate that we must have this or that… and everything should always go our way! So they experience all sorts of dilemmas and challenges… debt, disappointment, lack of respect in the home and workplace, frustration, failed relationships, and a reputation for being disagreeable or a hothead, just to name a few. Worse yet, many people fail to receive all of the good gifts that God wishes to send their way. Like a little boy who didn’t eat his dinner or couldn’t play nicely, there is no “treat” or surprise.
When we fully experience a transformation from the ways of this world to a life in Christ… when we allow the Holy Spirit to have complete authority over our heart… we are forever changed. And everyone notices. We operate from a totally different perspective than other people. We are kinder and more patient… we have more compassion for others and the circumstances of the world… and we operate with a sense of inner peace and calm in even the craziest and most challenging situations. And God responds by blessing us beyond what we could ever have hoped or imagined.
I don’t know about you, but I want this kind of life… for myself, and for my family and friends. That’s why I am sharing this message with you. I want you to understand what a hope we have in Jesus Christ… how much God wants to give us, if only we will allow Him to fill our heart. When we make serving God – and serving others in His name – second nature, we are free of the world’s “rules” and ways and able to fully experience all that He has in store for us. Won’t you ask God today to help you fill your heart with His Holy Spirit? Won’t you learn to walk in the ways of the LORD and to experience life like never before? Whether you are four or forty-four… or even twice that age… God still has plenty in store for you. Are you ready to receive His good gifts?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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