Matthew 7:6
“Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege."
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.
I saw this video on Facebook recently that was some guy doing dances that were supposed to depict stories in the Bible. This was promoted as a good five-minute “opener” for a church service, because so many churches run a video now as a “warm-up” to get people in a “worshipful” mood. And I’ve never had a problem with this concept.
But when I read today’s scripture, I did have to stop and think about some of the things we do - in the name of Jesus - and some of the slogans we wear on our clothing and accessories. It did cause me to ask…”Are we being respectful and reverent toward our sacred, holy relationship with God? Or are there times when we truly are rather flip and silly? Do we stop to consider what our appearance and actions says to others about an intimate relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?”
John 13:35 says…”This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” It’s okay to wear a (What Would Jesus Do?) WWJD bracelet or a t-shirt that says, “Got Jesus?” There is nothing wrong with a cute or thought-provoking video to signal that worship is about to begin. But make sure that you are treating your faith with the reverence and respect that your relationship with God deserves – and that when you wear something professing your relationship with Jesus, your actions line up with the slogan.
Demonstrate a deep and sincere love and concern for one another. Smile, and offer others a welcoming spirit. Let your love for Jesus shine through everything you do and engulf those whom you encounter like a warm hug. Take your relationship with Him seriously…and make sure that your actions reinforce this.
We find it so easy to get caught up in flash and dazzle. Everything these days has a tag line or a catch phrase. If things don’t sparkle and shine and perform a zillion operations, we tend to ignore them. Don’t reduce your relationship with Jesus in this manner. Christian faith is not always pretty…sometimes it can be downright messy. But the simplicity of inviting Jesus to be LORD of your life and receiving His amazing gift of salvation needs no “bells and whistles”. This holy relationship doesn’t need a t-shirt or a song and dance. All that is required is mutual love, respect and reverence.
What do your words and actions tell others about you? Can they recognize you as Christ’s disciple?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label guarding our words and actions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guarding our words and actions. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 9, 2015
Galatians 2:4
While we were in conference we were infiltrated by spies pretending to be Christians, who slipped in to find out just how free true Christians are. Their ulterior motive was to reduce us to their brand of servitude. We didn’t give them the time of day. We were determined to preserve the truth of the Message for you.
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.
Someone shared a link on Facebook to an article titled “Dear Church, Here's Why People Are Really Leaving You”* Of course, this title grabbed my attention…and I have to say, the article is filled with valid points. As I read this scripture passage from Galatians, I was reminded of one particular comment made in “Point #5”…
I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and Bible study and determine “the truth of the Message”…then do everything you can to preserve it. Honor your relationship with God – and your commitment to Him - by turning a deaf ear to the noise of those who have ulterior motives and/or a personal agenda. Appreciate that your fellow believer’s “path” may not be exactly like yours…that his/her missions and ministries may not exactly line up with yours – and that’s okay.
As long as we are serving God with an obedient, faithful heart, we belong to Him…and God is bigger than any “church”. If we are the problem – from either side of the equation – it’s time that we made some changes. This is a good day to begin…wouldn’t you agree?
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://www.faithit.com/dear-church-heres-why-people-are-really-leaving-you/.VK7OXdDwj30.facebook
While we were in conference we were infiltrated by spies pretending to be Christians, who slipped in to find out just how free true Christians are. Their ulterior motive was to reduce us to their brand of servitude. We didn’t give them the time of day. We were determined to preserve the truth of the Message for you.
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.
Someone shared a link on Facebook to an article titled “Dear Church, Here's Why People Are Really Leaving You”* Of course, this title grabbed my attention…and I have to say, the article is filled with valid points. As I read this scripture passage from Galatians, I was reminded of one particular comment made in “Point #5”…
I let you know how judged and ridiculed I feel when I'm with you, how much like a hopeless, failing outsider I feel on the periphery of your inward, judgmental communities, and you proceeded to tell me how "lost" I am, how hopelessly "in love with my sin" I must be to leave you, reminding me that I never really belonged with you anyway. Maybe you're right, Church. Maybe I am the problem.We always have to guard our heart – against discrimination and intolerance of others, AND against those who wish to judge us and make our relationship with God look just like theirs or fit their personal agenda. You do not have to “drink the Kool-Aid” for every single idea your fellow church members have. You should not be pressured with guilt or shamed into participating in missions or practices that you know in your heart are not what God has ordained for you. You don’t have to agree with the pervading positions on politics, economics, lifestyle choices, cultural differences, and more. Just because “everyone else is doing it” doesn’t make it right for you…even in the church!
I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and Bible study and determine “the truth of the Message”…then do everything you can to preserve it. Honor your relationship with God – and your commitment to Him - by turning a deaf ear to the noise of those who have ulterior motives and/or a personal agenda. Appreciate that your fellow believer’s “path” may not be exactly like yours…that his/her missions and ministries may not exactly line up with yours – and that’s okay.
As long as we are serving God with an obedient, faithful heart, we belong to Him…and God is bigger than any “church”. If we are the problem – from either side of the equation – it’s time that we made some changes. This is a good day to begin…wouldn’t you agree?
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://www.faithit.com/dear-church-heres-why-people-are-really-leaving-you/.VK7OXdDwj30.facebook
Daily Devotional for June 12, 2014
John 10:6-10
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I read a scripture passage and ask, “What does this mean?” Thank goodness for commentaries and the Internet search engines! So let me see if I can give a quick synopsis of what I believe Jesus means in these verses from the Book of John.
In New Testament times, sheep were prized possessions. They provided wool for clothing and blankets – and milk and meat to feed the family. Sheep have been characterized as less than intelligent animals…subject to wandering away from the flock and getting lost. Each shepherd took his sheep out into the pastures to graze during the day, but at night, many shepherds housed their flocks together in a common, walled area where they could rest safely…known as a sheepfold.
As dumb as sheep could be, they did have one particularly important knack…they could discern their shepherd’s voice from that of any other person. So when the shepherds came each morning to gather their flock, all they had to do was speak, and their particular sheep would assemble around them.
The sheepfold had thick stone walls and only one gate, which was guarded overnight by a doorkeeper – sometimes known as a “porter”. This was a good system, unless the porter fell asleep. Robbers and thieves would scale the wall and steal the sheep…and carry them back over the wall.
Commentaries suggest that Jesus is comparing the Jewish leaders to the thieves who came in the night – men who have created their own religion and tried to infiltrate through a back way to acquire followers. Jesus represents the gate…the One Way in and out for genuine nurture and rest. The thieves are not interested in the sheep…other than for their own personal gain…and the sheep certainly do not recognize the voices of these robbers. So they do not “follow” of their own volition. Jesus suggested that the Jewish leaders convinced people (the “sheep”) to follow them with clever lies and deceptions.
By now you are probably wondering what this has to do with us. After all, we are not sheep…at least not in a literal sense. But here’s the thing…too many of us are easily swayed by outside influences. I read a news report just today about a 4-year-old boy in a very small northwest Arkansas community who was approached by two men in a mini-van. They offered the child an ice cream sandwich. Thankfully, this little boy had been taught what to do in such situations, and he loudly yelled, “NO!” This brought his mother running from around the corner of the house! Police have compared this incident with other recent events that bear striking similarities, and they have determined that someone is in the area who is dead-set on abducting children.
While this is a tangible example…there are plenty of subtle situations that occur in our lives to which we fall victim out of either ignorance, peer pressure, apathy, or a lack of due diligence. In essence, we are either like the porter who falls asleep – or the sheep who are captivated and/or captured by the robber – or both. Often, we never even saw it coming! So we fall prey to warped ideas about religion and morality…we are tempted to participate in sinful activities…we are convinced that this or that conversation or activity is really not that bad – or that nobody is looking, so it doesn’t matter. And in some instances, we actually can be persuaded that there is more than one “Gate”…that salvation through Jesus Christ is not necessary in order to be considered one of God’s children…or to secure a place in His Kingdom.
Often we know these things are not coming from our Shepherd…that the voice we hear is not God’s…but we follow along anyway. Other times, we are so out of touch with God…so blind, deaf and dumb to His wisdom and instruction…that we are “easy pickin’s” for the devil and his band of robbers and their propaganda!
Just as I encourage my friends who are parents of young children to review “stranger danger” rules with their little ones, I believe we need to essentially do the same. We need to stay awake and alert to attempts to be lured “over the wall” and into sinful behaviors. We must listen for our Shepherd’s voice, and stay near to Him. We must recognize that there is only ONE WAY into the “sheepfold” of God’s Kingdom – and it ain’t over the wall! Remembering this should make it easier to recognize and identify the “thieves and robbers” in our lives.
Jesus stands at the gate and beckons us to come in and rest. He calls on us to learn His voice – and learn it well…to know when it is He who calls to us, and when the thieves and robbers are near. This is a good day for all of us to review our “stranger danger” rules…whether they are the guidelines for keeping young children safe or those that guard our hearts and our souls. When the devil’s thieves and robbers attempt to scale the walls of your heart, do you know what to do? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I read a scripture passage and ask, “What does this mean?” Thank goodness for commentaries and the Internet search engines! So let me see if I can give a quick synopsis of what I believe Jesus means in these verses from the Book of John.
In New Testament times, sheep were prized possessions. They provided wool for clothing and blankets – and milk and meat to feed the family. Sheep have been characterized as less than intelligent animals…subject to wandering away from the flock and getting lost. Each shepherd took his sheep out into the pastures to graze during the day, but at night, many shepherds housed their flocks together in a common, walled area where they could rest safely…known as a sheepfold.
As dumb as sheep could be, they did have one particularly important knack…they could discern their shepherd’s voice from that of any other person. So when the shepherds came each morning to gather their flock, all they had to do was speak, and their particular sheep would assemble around them.
The sheepfold had thick stone walls and only one gate, which was guarded overnight by a doorkeeper – sometimes known as a “porter”. This was a good system, unless the porter fell asleep. Robbers and thieves would scale the wall and steal the sheep…and carry them back over the wall.
Commentaries suggest that Jesus is comparing the Jewish leaders to the thieves who came in the night – men who have created their own religion and tried to infiltrate through a back way to acquire followers. Jesus represents the gate…the One Way in and out for genuine nurture and rest. The thieves are not interested in the sheep…other than for their own personal gain…and the sheep certainly do not recognize the voices of these robbers. So they do not “follow” of their own volition. Jesus suggested that the Jewish leaders convinced people (the “sheep”) to follow them with clever lies and deceptions.
By now you are probably wondering what this has to do with us. After all, we are not sheep…at least not in a literal sense. But here’s the thing…too many of us are easily swayed by outside influences. I read a news report just today about a 4-year-old boy in a very small northwest Arkansas community who was approached by two men in a mini-van. They offered the child an ice cream sandwich. Thankfully, this little boy had been taught what to do in such situations, and he loudly yelled, “NO!” This brought his mother running from around the corner of the house! Police have compared this incident with other recent events that bear striking similarities, and they have determined that someone is in the area who is dead-set on abducting children.
While this is a tangible example…there are plenty of subtle situations that occur in our lives to which we fall victim out of either ignorance, peer pressure, apathy, or a lack of due diligence. In essence, we are either like the porter who falls asleep – or the sheep who are captivated and/or captured by the robber – or both. Often, we never even saw it coming! So we fall prey to warped ideas about religion and morality…we are tempted to participate in sinful activities…we are convinced that this or that conversation or activity is really not that bad – or that nobody is looking, so it doesn’t matter. And in some instances, we actually can be persuaded that there is more than one “Gate”…that salvation through Jesus Christ is not necessary in order to be considered one of God’s children…or to secure a place in His Kingdom.
Often we know these things are not coming from our Shepherd…that the voice we hear is not God’s…but we follow along anyway. Other times, we are so out of touch with God…so blind, deaf and dumb to His wisdom and instruction…that we are “easy pickin’s” for the devil and his band of robbers and their propaganda!
Just as I encourage my friends who are parents of young children to review “stranger danger” rules with their little ones, I believe we need to essentially do the same. We need to stay awake and alert to attempts to be lured “over the wall” and into sinful behaviors. We must listen for our Shepherd’s voice, and stay near to Him. We must recognize that there is only ONE WAY into the “sheepfold” of God’s Kingdom – and it ain’t over the wall! Remembering this should make it easier to recognize and identify the “thieves and robbers” in our lives.
Jesus stands at the gate and beckons us to come in and rest. He calls on us to learn His voice – and learn it well…to know when it is He who calls to us, and when the thieves and robbers are near. This is a good day for all of us to review our “stranger danger” rules…whether they are the guidelines for keeping young children safe or those that guard our hearts and our souls. When the devil’s thieves and robbers attempt to scale the walls of your heart, do you know what to do? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 4, 2013
Isaiah 32:1,17
Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him.
And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
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.
A Facebook friend posted a link to a recent video of a preacher in Tulsa County, Oklahoma…having what was labeled a “hissy fit” before his congregation. In the 3-minute-plus tirade, this man walked out into the congregation and “woke up” a man he deemed to be sleeping during the sermon, berated another young man and his fiancée for their lifestyle and told them that there was no way he would marry them, and singled out a church member who ran the video booth and publicly humiliated him by name. During his rant, he said, “I’m important... I'm somebody...if you loved me and you submitted to me, you'd know what my heart is and my message is - and you wouldn't go about establishing your own kingdom...”
Somehow, I feel like Isaiah 32:1 and 17 must be missing completely from his Bible! Neither he nor any other pastor is the proprietor of the Kingdom of Heaven. While we are to respect our pastors, we are to submit to the authority of Righteous King… not his/hers. And here’s the real heartbreaker about this man’s outburst… my Facebook friend’s comment was, “Oh yes…this draws me to the church!” Can you hear the sarcasm in her voice?
Do you see that in less than four minutes, this man did more to harm the Kingdom of Heaven than he could ever imagine? He shrouded his diatribe in comments like, “I love you,” and expressions of concern for the eternal future of those he was reprimanding and criticizing by name. But any loving intentions or concern were lost completely, in my book. I commented to my friend and told her that nothing like this had ever happened in any church I’ve attended, and I do not believe this man’s actions were scriptural. They certainly did nothing to bring about the peace and quietness of a life in Christ!
Today, we are celebrating our nation’s independence. We are waving the flag, shooting fireworks and reveling in the freedoms we enjoy… including the freedoms of speech and religion. By these rights, this pastor can say whatever he pleases… even from the pulpit. But this doesn’t mean that what he says is righteous or produces peace and confidence in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ… and our salvation through His sacrifices on the cross.
While you are marking the holiday with fun, food, and fireworks, stop and take a look at your Christian conduct. Ask yourself… “Am I an ambassador for the Righteous King… the Honest Prince who brings peace, quiet and confidence? Are my words and actions pleasing to God – reverential and respectful of His sovereignty? Do they help to spread the GOOD NEWS… or do they make others question whether a life in Christ is something they want for themselves?”
In the middle of what I considered a vicious attack on his parishioners, this pastor noted that he and his wife could get into her Buick Enclave and head on down the road to find another church… if these members didn’t want to submit to his methods. I have to admit… I kinda hope they sent him packing! This is not who and what Christ is calling us to be.
Each July 4th, we hear sad reports of how just one careless spark from fireworks causes physical harm and/or destruction. Our words and actions are no different. We serve a Righteous King… and we should let others know it! We serve an honest Prince of Peace. Do others see Him when they look at us? Are you careful with your discipleship? Do you consider how others will perceive what you project? Are your words and actions helping - or hurting – Jesus’ message? There are sparks that ignite beautiful fireworks… and sparks that can start a firestorm. Which ones are you igniting as a Christian? How you answer makes all the difference! Have a safe – and peaceful – Fourth of July!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him.
And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
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.
A Facebook friend posted a link to a recent video of a preacher in Tulsa County, Oklahoma…having what was labeled a “hissy fit” before his congregation. In the 3-minute-plus tirade, this man walked out into the congregation and “woke up” a man he deemed to be sleeping during the sermon, berated another young man and his fiancée for their lifestyle and told them that there was no way he would marry them, and singled out a church member who ran the video booth and publicly humiliated him by name. During his rant, he said, “I’m important... I'm somebody...if you loved me and you submitted to me, you'd know what my heart is and my message is - and you wouldn't go about establishing your own kingdom...”
Somehow, I feel like Isaiah 32:1 and 17 must be missing completely from his Bible! Neither he nor any other pastor is the proprietor of the Kingdom of Heaven. While we are to respect our pastors, we are to submit to the authority of Righteous King… not his/hers. And here’s the real heartbreaker about this man’s outburst… my Facebook friend’s comment was, “Oh yes…this draws me to the church!” Can you hear the sarcasm in her voice?
Do you see that in less than four minutes, this man did more to harm the Kingdom of Heaven than he could ever imagine? He shrouded his diatribe in comments like, “I love you,” and expressions of concern for the eternal future of those he was reprimanding and criticizing by name. But any loving intentions or concern were lost completely, in my book. I commented to my friend and told her that nothing like this had ever happened in any church I’ve attended, and I do not believe this man’s actions were scriptural. They certainly did nothing to bring about the peace and quietness of a life in Christ!
Today, we are celebrating our nation’s independence. We are waving the flag, shooting fireworks and reveling in the freedoms we enjoy… including the freedoms of speech and religion. By these rights, this pastor can say whatever he pleases… even from the pulpit. But this doesn’t mean that what he says is righteous or produces peace and confidence in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ… and our salvation through His sacrifices on the cross.
While you are marking the holiday with fun, food, and fireworks, stop and take a look at your Christian conduct. Ask yourself… “Am I an ambassador for the Righteous King… the Honest Prince who brings peace, quiet and confidence? Are my words and actions pleasing to God – reverential and respectful of His sovereignty? Do they help to spread the GOOD NEWS… or do they make others question whether a life in Christ is something they want for themselves?”
In the middle of what I considered a vicious attack on his parishioners, this pastor noted that he and his wife could get into her Buick Enclave and head on down the road to find another church… if these members didn’t want to submit to his methods. I have to admit… I kinda hope they sent him packing! This is not who and what Christ is calling us to be.
Each July 4th, we hear sad reports of how just one careless spark from fireworks causes physical harm and/or destruction. Our words and actions are no different. We serve a Righteous King… and we should let others know it! We serve an honest Prince of Peace. Do others see Him when they look at us? Are you careful with your discipleship? Do you consider how others will perceive what you project? Are your words and actions helping - or hurting – Jesus’ message? There are sparks that ignite beautiful fireworks… and sparks that can start a firestorm. Which ones are you igniting as a Christian? How you answer makes all the difference! Have a safe – and peaceful – Fourth of July!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 27, 2013
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.
Regardless of how you feel about the Paula Deen debacle, I think we can all agree that hers is a perfect example of how even a couple of ill-chosen words can have powerful – even permanent – ramifications. A snide remark, criticism, off-color joke, or disagreement with another may not cost you national endorsements or ruin your business… but these actions can certainly affect your reputation, your personal relationships – and possibly your bond with God.
The lesson for all of us is to guard not only what we say… but also our heart. It’s sort of the “garbage in – garbage out” theory. Here’s a good example… when I was in junior high, one of my teachers told a joke about a little girl who was talking to her mother about a movie titled “Damn Yankees.” Her mother said, “You cannot SAY that word!” The little girl replied, “Oops… I’m sorry… Darn Yankees!” We laughed, because in the late 1960s, people really couldn’t/didn’t use that word – or many others. It was considered impolite, improper, and in the eyes of some… sinful.
Today, I am hearing not only that word, but also words and distasteful phrases - like the LORD’s name taken in vain - on cable television programs, along with other off-color terms, as if they were regular table conversation. I’m not talking HBO or Showtime… I’m talking Bravo, E, and other channels that are available on satellite and cable TV packages… programs that run all hours of the night and day that any young child could view with the click of a remote control. And the saddest part of this is that we have become so accustomed to hearing these words that we don’t even notice… much less change the channel! This doesn’t even take into account the words and phrases that are spoken on our mainstream channels and/or “bleeped”…even though most of us know what is being said!
My point is that hearing these words in such common, public settings makes them too familiar… and opens the door for them to become part of our everyday vernacular. We see people arguing, screaming, throwing things and getting into brawls on “reality” TV shows and even daytime television, and we grow accustomed to believing that this is how “real” people behave. We lose our sense of self-control… our ability to regulate our words, deeds – and thoughts. And we allow these “weeds” to take root in our lives with little to no thought for the consequences.
My husband and I have been reading a book about the events that led to the beginning of the Civil War, titled 1861. In more than one instance, we have learned of the actions of a single person that completely changed the course of events. The stories of these individuals attest to the power of one person… both positively and negatively. Creating an atmosphere of calm and harmony begins with each of us. Finding God’s peace starts at home… in our own hearts.
Examine your daily activities and encounters. Look for areas where you are allowing “weeds” into the “garden” of your life. Ask God to show you how you are, at the very least, setting yourself up to satisfy short-term appetites (fitting in by telling distasteful jokes… letting others know how you really feel at the expense of their feelings – and your own dignity…peppering your language with colorful expletives…being critical in an effort to appear more intelligent or superior). Allow God to reveal these “weeds” to you and help you to eradicate them.
Make it your primary goal to stay in a right relationship with God… to always check with Him before speaking or acting… to become so attuned to His ways that even when you start to say or do something unkind or inappropriate… you check yourself and change course! The more this happens, the more you will recognize God working in and through you… and the more you will realize His blessings in your everyday living. As we have seen with Paula Deen, it’s very hard to take back what has been said or done. In other words, it only takes a “weed” or two to really mess up the “garden” of your life. Stay close to God and make sure yours is “weed free” at all times!
©2013 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.
Regardless of how you feel about the Paula Deen debacle, I think we can all agree that hers is a perfect example of how even a couple of ill-chosen words can have powerful – even permanent – ramifications. A snide remark, criticism, off-color joke, or disagreement with another may not cost you national endorsements or ruin your business… but these actions can certainly affect your reputation, your personal relationships – and possibly your bond with God.
The lesson for all of us is to guard not only what we say… but also our heart. It’s sort of the “garbage in – garbage out” theory. Here’s a good example… when I was in junior high, one of my teachers told a joke about a little girl who was talking to her mother about a movie titled “Damn Yankees.” Her mother said, “You cannot SAY that word!” The little girl replied, “Oops… I’m sorry… Darn Yankees!” We laughed, because in the late 1960s, people really couldn’t/didn’t use that word – or many others. It was considered impolite, improper, and in the eyes of some… sinful.
Today, I am hearing not only that word, but also words and distasteful phrases - like the LORD’s name taken in vain - on cable television programs, along with other off-color terms, as if they were regular table conversation. I’m not talking HBO or Showtime… I’m talking Bravo, E, and other channels that are available on satellite and cable TV packages… programs that run all hours of the night and day that any young child could view with the click of a remote control. And the saddest part of this is that we have become so accustomed to hearing these words that we don’t even notice… much less change the channel! This doesn’t even take into account the words and phrases that are spoken on our mainstream channels and/or “bleeped”…even though most of us know what is being said!
My point is that hearing these words in such common, public settings makes them too familiar… and opens the door for them to become part of our everyday vernacular. We see people arguing, screaming, throwing things and getting into brawls on “reality” TV shows and even daytime television, and we grow accustomed to believing that this is how “real” people behave. We lose our sense of self-control… our ability to regulate our words, deeds – and thoughts. And we allow these “weeds” to take root in our lives with little to no thought for the consequences.
My husband and I have been reading a book about the events that led to the beginning of the Civil War, titled 1861. In more than one instance, we have learned of the actions of a single person that completely changed the course of events. The stories of these individuals attest to the power of one person… both positively and negatively. Creating an atmosphere of calm and harmony begins with each of us. Finding God’s peace starts at home… in our own hearts.
Examine your daily activities and encounters. Look for areas where you are allowing “weeds” into the “garden” of your life. Ask God to show you how you are, at the very least, setting yourself up to satisfy short-term appetites (fitting in by telling distasteful jokes… letting others know how you really feel at the expense of their feelings – and your own dignity…peppering your language with colorful expletives…being critical in an effort to appear more intelligent or superior). Allow God to reveal these “weeds” to you and help you to eradicate them.
Make it your primary goal to stay in a right relationship with God… to always check with Him before speaking or acting… to become so attuned to His ways that even when you start to say or do something unkind or inappropriate… you check yourself and change course! The more this happens, the more you will recognize God working in and through you… and the more you will realize His blessings in your everyday living. As we have seen with Paula Deen, it’s very hard to take back what has been said or done. In other words, it only takes a “weed” or two to really mess up the “garden” of your life. Stay close to God and make sure yours is “weed free” at all times!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 17, 2013
April 17 ~ James 3:7-12
This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and
blessings out of the same mouth!
My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?
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 morning, Timothy said he was hungry. I ran through a litany of items we had available, and none suited him. Finally, he said he would like a scrambled egg. When I sat it before him, he said, “That’s not the kind I wanted… it’s not white.” I asked if he wanted a fried egg… he said yes. So I fried him an egg. That wasn’t right either. I really think he wanted a hard-boiled egg. But I had already eaten a scrambled egg and a fried egg… and he had returned to his blocks and toys… so we didn’t boil any eggs!
Eggs can take on several different forms, depending on how you cook them. So you may be like Timothy and say, “No thanks!” when served a fried or scrambled egg. Your excuse would be that you simply do not care for fried or scrambled eggs. And while we all prefer our eggs prepared in different ways, nobody wants a raw or rotten egg.
When it comes to many of our words and actions, the “egg principle” directly applies. Everyone has their own personality. Some people are dry-witted or use a lot of sarcasm. Others are loud and brash, talk a lot and always say what is on their mind. Still others may be shy and hesitant… quiet and reserved. All have a voice… they just exercise it differently. But when those voices spew foul language, unkind words, disrespectful comments about someone else – or dishonorable talk against God – it’s the same as gushing raw or rotten eggs…distasteful and potentially harmful. And God is not pleased.
There are a lot of acceptable choices in life. There are plenty of instances where we are perfectly justified to say, “I prefer XYZ,” or “I do not care for fried or scrambled eggs.” But there are even more instances in which our words and actions matter greatly… and no excuses are acceptable. It is up to us to seek God’s will and wisdom and to check our behavior and our talk… to make sure we are pleasing Him at all times. Have you done this lately? Is it time for you to give yourself a “talk and action” tune-up? What sort of “eggs” are you serving these days?
©2013 Debbie Robus
This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and
blessings out of the same mouth!
My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?
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 morning, Timothy said he was hungry. I ran through a litany of items we had available, and none suited him. Finally, he said he would like a scrambled egg. When I sat it before him, he said, “That’s not the kind I wanted… it’s not white.” I asked if he wanted a fried egg… he said yes. So I fried him an egg. That wasn’t right either. I really think he wanted a hard-boiled egg. But I had already eaten a scrambled egg and a fried egg… and he had returned to his blocks and toys… so we didn’t boil any eggs!
Eggs can take on several different forms, depending on how you cook them. So you may be like Timothy and say, “No thanks!” when served a fried or scrambled egg. Your excuse would be that you simply do not care for fried or scrambled eggs. And while we all prefer our eggs prepared in different ways, nobody wants a raw or rotten egg.
When it comes to many of our words and actions, the “egg principle” directly applies. Everyone has their own personality. Some people are dry-witted or use a lot of sarcasm. Others are loud and brash, talk a lot and always say what is on their mind. Still others may be shy and hesitant… quiet and reserved. All have a voice… they just exercise it differently. But when those voices spew foul language, unkind words, disrespectful comments about someone else – or dishonorable talk against God – it’s the same as gushing raw or rotten eggs…distasteful and potentially harmful. And God is not pleased.
There are a lot of acceptable choices in life. There are plenty of instances where we are perfectly justified to say, “I prefer XYZ,” or “I do not care for fried or scrambled eggs.” But there are even more instances in which our words and actions matter greatly… and no excuses are acceptable. It is up to us to seek God’s will and wisdom and to check our behavior and our talk… to make sure we are pleasing Him at all times. Have you done this lately? Is it time for you to give yourself a “talk and action” tune-up? What sort of “eggs” are you serving these days?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 20, 2012
Matthew 5:21-26
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don’t, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are two things in our culture that seem to bring out the worst in people… sporting events and political elections! In both cases, people who claim to be obedient, filled-with-grace Christians give the impression that they are filled with anger. Name calling looks as if it is second nature. The refs are “idiots.” Candidates are called names I cannot even repeat. And the level of pure hatred that appears to emanate from every pore of many is disconcerting at best – and downright scary in some cases. You’ve heard the phrase, “If looks could kill, I’d be dead!” I’ve seen that look in the eyes of more than one person who was upset over a bad call at a ballgame – or those of someone speaking about the other party’s candidate!
I have to believe that God is so deeply disappointed in all of us. Clearly, we do not understand what Jesus has taught us… that anger is as much a sin as murder itself! And I will be the first to admit that I am not immune to name calling…as much as I would like to be. However, I have become more aware of how distasteful this is to God… how disrespectful we are when we lash out at another of His children. And I have to say, I think am doing a better job of catching myself before my thoughts and feelings become outward words and actions. It’s a step in the right direction… but I also need to corral my thoughts. And I’m betting you do, also.
We cannot “have it our way.” Jesus is not Burger King. If we are truly Disciples of Christ… if we really want to please God and serve Him honorably, we must get a handle on our anger. We must control our tongue. We must put a stop to body language that exudes disapproval, disgust, or revulsion of others. Yes, Jesus got angry. And yes, there is a time and place for anger about certain situations… abuses and mistreatments of others, for instance – or disrespect for God and His creation. But lashing out at another and calling him/her names, cursing, gesturing or even giving dirty looks does not accomplish anything except making us look like fools.
What is the solution? Jesus! When you are angry, go to a private corner and tell Him how you feel. Call on the Holy Spirit to calm you – to act like a balm on your heart and smooth out your ruffled feathers. Ask Him to show you how to proceed in a logical, loving manner that reflects the grace and mercy of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions… the words you speak – and those you write in places like social media. Make every word and action count for Jesus… and reflect your love and respect for the One who has given everything on your account.
Strive for the day when anger and hatred have no place in your heart. When you can begin to operate without these emotions, you will know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in you… and so will everyone else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don’t, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are two things in our culture that seem to bring out the worst in people… sporting events and political elections! In both cases, people who claim to be obedient, filled-with-grace Christians give the impression that they are filled with anger. Name calling looks as if it is second nature. The refs are “idiots.” Candidates are called names I cannot even repeat. And the level of pure hatred that appears to emanate from every pore of many is disconcerting at best – and downright scary in some cases. You’ve heard the phrase, “If looks could kill, I’d be dead!” I’ve seen that look in the eyes of more than one person who was upset over a bad call at a ballgame – or those of someone speaking about the other party’s candidate!
I have to believe that God is so deeply disappointed in all of us. Clearly, we do not understand what Jesus has taught us… that anger is as much a sin as murder itself! And I will be the first to admit that I am not immune to name calling…as much as I would like to be. However, I have become more aware of how distasteful this is to God… how disrespectful we are when we lash out at another of His children. And I have to say, I think am doing a better job of catching myself before my thoughts and feelings become outward words and actions. It’s a step in the right direction… but I also need to corral my thoughts. And I’m betting you do, also.
We cannot “have it our way.” Jesus is not Burger King. If we are truly Disciples of Christ… if we really want to please God and serve Him honorably, we must get a handle on our anger. We must control our tongue. We must put a stop to body language that exudes disapproval, disgust, or revulsion of others. Yes, Jesus got angry. And yes, there is a time and place for anger about certain situations… abuses and mistreatments of others, for instance – or disrespect for God and His creation. But lashing out at another and calling him/her names, cursing, gesturing or even giving dirty looks does not accomplish anything except making us look like fools.
What is the solution? Jesus! When you are angry, go to a private corner and tell Him how you feel. Call on the Holy Spirit to calm you – to act like a balm on your heart and smooth out your ruffled feathers. Ask Him to show you how to proceed in a logical, loving manner that reflects the grace and mercy of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions… the words you speak – and those you write in places like social media. Make every word and action count for Jesus… and reflect your love and respect for the One who has given everything on your account.
Strive for the day when anger and hatred have no place in your heart. When you can begin to operate without these emotions, you will know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in you… and so will everyone else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 18, 2012
Psalm 34:13
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
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.
According to information gathered at www.rotary.org, Rotary International is a world-wide (and widely respected) service organization whose mission is…”to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” I was a member of Rotary International for several years. Like most members, I carried a card in my wallet that outlined the Rotary “4-Way Test”…
We are on the threshold of a new school year… a new beginning for many – particularly those under the age of 25. When I was teaching, the end of August held more of a “New Year/Fresh Start” feeling for me than January 1st. So it is fitting that as we approach the “back-to-school” date on the calendar, we renew our determination to speak the truth… to avoid all unkind language (not just profanity)… to seek fairness, goodwill, better friendships…and to make sure that our words and actions are beneficial to all concerned.
Let’s make this our prayer for today and every day. Let’s incorporate the 4-Way Test into our daily Christian discipleship. Ask God to help you make this a great year… and to start it off on the right foot!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
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.
According to information gathered at www.rotary.org, Rotary International is a world-wide (and widely respected) service organization whose mission is…”to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” I was a member of Rotary International for several years. Like most members, I carried a card in my wallet that outlined the Rotary “4-Way Test”…
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
We are on the threshold of a new school year… a new beginning for many – particularly those under the age of 25. When I was teaching, the end of August held more of a “New Year/Fresh Start” feeling for me than January 1st. So it is fitting that as we approach the “back-to-school” date on the calendar, we renew our determination to speak the truth… to avoid all unkind language (not just profanity)… to seek fairness, goodwill, better friendships…and to make sure that our words and actions are beneficial to all concerned.
Let’s make this our prayer for today and every day. Let’s incorporate the 4-Way Test into our daily Christian discipleship. Ask God to help you make this a great year… and to start it off on the right foot!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 14, 2012
Proverbs 21:23
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
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 written an e-mail and hit the “send” button prematurely? Maybe you were in mid-sentence. Or you said something you shouldn’t because you didn’t edit first. Or maybe you sent the e-mail message to the wrong person(s). There is plenty of room for error with e-mail, if we are not careful.
There is also plenty of room for error with our spoken words. If we don’t stop and think about what we are going to say, things are spoken that shouldn’t be. We offer opinions that should be kept private… we say hurtful things… we judge and are judged for our comments. And I am guilty as the next person. My mouth engages before my brain does, and sometimes I have to deal with the grief over what has been said.
I have asked God to help me handle this. And lately, I’ve caught myself starting to write something in an e-mail message that I shouldn’t, and I’ve edited. I have opened my mouth to say something and realized that the comment would be better left unspoken. When I write a note to someone, I’ve begun to put it down in “Notepad” first, and I read it over a few times to make sure it says the right things in the right way.
God wants us to carefully edit before speaking, writing or acting. All it takes is a couple of minutes, a deep breath, or a “count to ten”…and a chance to utter a little prayer for guidance. With practice, you will get better at this. I find that I catch myself a little more often these days. I hear God saying, “You don’t really want to go there.” I take a moment to stop and think about my words or actions… and I’m often quite relieved that I did.
We are all going to say and do things we shouldn’t from time to time. But we have a greater chance of reducing the frequency of this when we stay in close communion with God. We must ask Him to help us check our language and actions – to engage our brain beforehand rather than afterward. And when we do make a mistake, we should ask God to help us do all we can to quickly and wisely make amends. Let Him help you edit before you hit the “send” button. Allow God to help you watch your words and hold your tongue…you’ll be glad you did!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
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 written an e-mail and hit the “send” button prematurely? Maybe you were in mid-sentence. Or you said something you shouldn’t because you didn’t edit first. Or maybe you sent the e-mail message to the wrong person(s). There is plenty of room for error with e-mail, if we are not careful.
There is also plenty of room for error with our spoken words. If we don’t stop and think about what we are going to say, things are spoken that shouldn’t be. We offer opinions that should be kept private… we say hurtful things… we judge and are judged for our comments. And I am guilty as the next person. My mouth engages before my brain does, and sometimes I have to deal with the grief over what has been said.
I have asked God to help me handle this. And lately, I’ve caught myself starting to write something in an e-mail message that I shouldn’t, and I’ve edited. I have opened my mouth to say something and realized that the comment would be better left unspoken. When I write a note to someone, I’ve begun to put it down in “Notepad” first, and I read it over a few times to make sure it says the right things in the right way.
God wants us to carefully edit before speaking, writing or acting. All it takes is a couple of minutes, a deep breath, or a “count to ten”…and a chance to utter a little prayer for guidance. With practice, you will get better at this. I find that I catch myself a little more often these days. I hear God saying, “You don’t really want to go there.” I take a moment to stop and think about my words or actions… and I’m often quite relieved that I did.
We are all going to say and do things we shouldn’t from time to time. But we have a greater chance of reducing the frequency of this when we stay in close communion with God. We must ask Him to help us check our language and actions – to engage our brain beforehand rather than afterward. And when we do make a mistake, we should ask God to help us do all we can to quickly and wisely make amends. Let Him help you edit before you hit the “send” button. Allow God to help you watch your words and hold your tongue…you’ll be glad you did!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 10, 2012
Proverbs 15:4
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
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.
I am fifty-five years old, and I still remember how insulted I was by something my first grade teacher said to me in 1963. I shared a table with three to five other children, and the little boy sitting next to me threw up his morning milk one day… all over the table and the floor. Understandably, I scooted my chair to the side and moved away from this boy. I can still picture it all vividly. My teacher (whom I adored) came over and said, “Debra, if that is getting you goat, then MOVE!” I was crushed! It wasn’t as much what she said as her tone. It was as if I had done something wrong. She seemed to have no sympathy that I might be negatively impacted in any way by this event!
By the same token, I remember a totally different event on my first day of school. My mother says that I refused to let her to come with me. I can’t imagine that she allowed me to call the shots like that, but it was a different time… and the elementary school was practically in our back yard. And in my mother’s defense, she had a five-year-old and a two-year-old to tend to at home. So I walked to the school by myself. But when I got there, the signs that listed the class rosters were posted too high for me to read. I could not find my name. My friend Martha’s mother, Mrs. Duncan, offered to help me and said something like, “Oh, look! There it is! You and Martha are in the same class!”
I still love my first grade teacher – gone to heaven now. And I dearly love Mrs. Duncan, who has shown me innumerable kindnesses over a lifetime. But a comment I am sure my teacher considered quite innocent – and delivered out of frustration that I came to understand later as a teacher myself – cut me deeply at the time. And I never forgot it. I have to wonder what I have said to others over the years that has not been forgotten… what cutting, hurtful words I might have uttered - even flippantly, or without a second thought - that have resonated for years with someone else.
I cannot change the past… but I most certainly can be awake and alert moving forward. I can guard my heart and my tongue… and make sure that I do my very best not to utter words that are hurtful or offensive to someone else. God is more than willing and able to help me with this. He will help you, as well… if only you will call on Him to do so.
We never know what impact our words and actions have on another. I want mine to be as positive, healing and supportive as possible… and I am calling on God to help me ensure that this happens. What about you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
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.
I am fifty-five years old, and I still remember how insulted I was by something my first grade teacher said to me in 1963. I shared a table with three to five other children, and the little boy sitting next to me threw up his morning milk one day… all over the table and the floor. Understandably, I scooted my chair to the side and moved away from this boy. I can still picture it all vividly. My teacher (whom I adored) came over and said, “Debra, if that is getting you goat, then MOVE!” I was crushed! It wasn’t as much what she said as her tone. It was as if I had done something wrong. She seemed to have no sympathy that I might be negatively impacted in any way by this event!
By the same token, I remember a totally different event on my first day of school. My mother says that I refused to let her to come with me. I can’t imagine that she allowed me to call the shots like that, but it was a different time… and the elementary school was practically in our back yard. And in my mother’s defense, she had a five-year-old and a two-year-old to tend to at home. So I walked to the school by myself. But when I got there, the signs that listed the class rosters were posted too high for me to read. I could not find my name. My friend Martha’s mother, Mrs. Duncan, offered to help me and said something like, “Oh, look! There it is! You and Martha are in the same class!”
I still love my first grade teacher – gone to heaven now. And I dearly love Mrs. Duncan, who has shown me innumerable kindnesses over a lifetime. But a comment I am sure my teacher considered quite innocent – and delivered out of frustration that I came to understand later as a teacher myself – cut me deeply at the time. And I never forgot it. I have to wonder what I have said to others over the years that has not been forgotten… what cutting, hurtful words I might have uttered - even flippantly, or without a second thought - that have resonated for years with someone else.
I cannot change the past… but I most certainly can be awake and alert moving forward. I can guard my heart and my tongue… and make sure that I do my very best not to utter words that are hurtful or offensive to someone else. God is more than willing and able to help me with this. He will help you, as well… if only you will call on Him to do so.
We never know what impact our words and actions have on another. I want mine to be as positive, healing and supportive as possible… and I am calling on God to help me ensure that this happens. What about you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 8, 2012
Ephesians 4:31-32
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
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.
What if you asked Jesus to forgive you, and He said, “I’ll get back to you on that.”? Or what if He flatly refused? How would you feel? I would be devastated, and I’m pretty sure I would look at Jesus differently afterward. While Jesus is the only One who has every right to refuse to forgive us, He is also the last who would do this!
So it follows that those of us who desire to be more like Jesus - to deepen our relationship with Him - must also forgive as He does… quickly and unconditionally. Does this mean that we are to become the doormats for others’ abusive talk and actions? Not at all! God is just and fair… He will mete out the consequences of our actions – and those of others.
We are called to forgive as Christ forgave us… to love others and focus on seeing them through His eyes. The impact this will have on all concerned can be powerful. Forgiveness is healing – for the offender… but also for the one who forgives. Often the person we forgive doesn’t even have a clue what he/she has done. But Satan uses the offense to eat at us. Forgiveness releases this hold and frees us to enjoy our lives and operate fully in love and joy.
Don’t waste another minute. Make a clean break, as the scripture says. Give up gossip, criticism, negativity, profanity, and spitefulness. Forgive quickly and completely and never operate in viciousness or backstabbing. Guard your tongue and do all you can to avoid making unkind remarks. Remind yourself often, “What if Jesus treated me this way?” Ask yourself how you would feel. Let this be your constant guide for how you treat others.
I am so grateful that Jesus stands ready to forgive me quickly and completely. As His disciple, the least I can do is offer this same consideration to others. It may not always be easy. But we don’t stop to consider how hard it might be for God to forgive us, either. When we think in these terms, we understand more clearly that this is the right thing to do. We can’t ask God to forgive us and treat us well if we are unwilling to do the same toward our fellow man. Who do you need to forgive or treat more kindly today? Where shall we begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
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.
What if you asked Jesus to forgive you, and He said, “I’ll get back to you on that.”? Or what if He flatly refused? How would you feel? I would be devastated, and I’m pretty sure I would look at Jesus differently afterward. While Jesus is the only One who has every right to refuse to forgive us, He is also the last who would do this!
So it follows that those of us who desire to be more like Jesus - to deepen our relationship with Him - must also forgive as He does… quickly and unconditionally. Does this mean that we are to become the doormats for others’ abusive talk and actions? Not at all! God is just and fair… He will mete out the consequences of our actions – and those of others.
We are called to forgive as Christ forgave us… to love others and focus on seeing them through His eyes. The impact this will have on all concerned can be powerful. Forgiveness is healing – for the offender… but also for the one who forgives. Often the person we forgive doesn’t even have a clue what he/she has done. But Satan uses the offense to eat at us. Forgiveness releases this hold and frees us to enjoy our lives and operate fully in love and joy.
Don’t waste another minute. Make a clean break, as the scripture says. Give up gossip, criticism, negativity, profanity, and spitefulness. Forgive quickly and completely and never operate in viciousness or backstabbing. Guard your tongue and do all you can to avoid making unkind remarks. Remind yourself often, “What if Jesus treated me this way?” Ask yourself how you would feel. Let this be your constant guide for how you treat others.
I am so grateful that Jesus stands ready to forgive me quickly and completely. As His disciple, the least I can do is offer this same consideration to others. It may not always be easy. But we don’t stop to consider how hard it might be for God to forgive us, either. When we think in these terms, we understand more clearly that this is the right thing to do. We can’t ask God to forgive us and treat us well if we are unwilling to do the same toward our fellow man. Who do you need to forgive or treat more kindly today? Where shall we begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)