Luke 9:1-2
One day Jesus called together his
twelve apostles and gave them authority over all demons—power to cast
them out—and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them away to tell
everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
“Don’t
even take along a walking stick,” he instructed them, “nor a beggar’s
bag, nor food, nor money. Not even an extra coat. Be a guest in only one
home at each village.
“If the people of a town won’t listen to
you when you enter it, turn around and leave, demonstrating God’s anger
against it by shaking its dust from your feet as you go.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Suppose
a well-known televangelist came to visit your town for a week. He
entered the city on his private jet...a chauffeur picked him up at the
airport in a very expensive car. This evangelist was wearing expensive,
designer clothing, and he was taken to the home of some of the
community’s wealthiest citizens, where a private chef prepared a meal
for him before he spoke to a group at one of the area churches.
Throughout the week, this person moved from one expensive home to
another, dined on extravagant meals – many of which were brought in from
other cities or prepared by some of our state’s best chefs, as hosts
tried to "one-up" each other. He played golf during the day with the
city’s elite...toured area landmarks with an entourage of press and
public officials ...and was treated to V.I.P. treatment at every turn.
Each
night, this person “preached” in one of the local churches – and even
once in a community-wide gathering at the school’s gymnasium. He
admonished people to “come to Jesus,” and he concluded the services with
lengthy “invitations” and “altar calls” in which he practically
insisted that those in attendance should come forward and make some sort
of public profession...or face the wrath of God and the possibility of
eternity in Hell. Before leaving town, he disgustedly told many that
this community was filled with sin – and sinners! This person’s
week-long stay in the community was the “talk of the town” for a long,
long time...and not necessarily in a good way.
Contrast this
visit with one from a friend who drove into town in his old Ford pickup
with 150,000 miles or more on it. He came straight to your house and
asked if he could hang out there for about a week. He insisted that he
didn’t want to be a bother...that he would be “in and out” as he visited
with other friends and family members in town...and that he would be
treating you and others to a few meals – that you would not be expected
to feed him three times a day or entertain him for an entire week.
Over
the course of a week, this person walked or drove himself around your
community and visited with people; checked on friends and family members
who were elderly, infirm, or under the weather; helped out a couple of
folks with projects around their house or yard; and never missed an
opportunity to tell everyone he met how blessed he was because of
Jesus. He even spent extra time with a couple of friends who needed an
encouraging word and some spiritual direction and prayer – and he led a
couple of informal Bible studies in your living room. When the week
ended, people were genuinely sad to see him go...but they felt a renewed
sense of blessing and joy...and some were even moved to seek a deeper
relationship with God because of the things they had experienced and
witnessed in this person.
Now who do you think was the more
effective witness...the person who blazed in with fancy cars and more
and touted “his way or the highway”...or the friend who came for a visit
and met people right where they were, recognized their needs of all
kinds, and did what he could to address them in Jesus’ name?
Do
you see where you and I might fit into this scenario? Most of us
probably fall somewhere in the middle...certainly not the
high-and-mighty televangelist - but maybe not the humble servant,
either. Are we all about appearances...and “numbers”? How have we
interpreted our directive from Jesus to “heal all diseases” in His
name? Do we meet people at whatever level they find themselves? Do we
offer unadulterated grace, mercy, forgiveness, and unconditional love...
or do we give others the impression that they are inferior and have to
“step up their game” in order to receive the healing power of Jesus
Christ? Do we leave people wanting more of Jesus out of a deep love and
desire to be like Him...or a fear that they have to accept what He is
offering – or else?
Do we approach others with arrogance and a
“look-what-God-has-called-ME-to” attitude? Or do we come without even a
walking stick or a second coat and say, “Jesus is all you need” to
anyone who will listen? Do we try to beat down and berate others into
submission – or worse, to our way of thinking – or do we say, “I’d like
you to meet my Jesus,” and let Him to do the rest. Are we willing to do
what Jesus has called us to do...then walk away and give Him room to
work? Or do we feel we have to put on a show and gather as many
followers as possible?
If we have given our heart to Jesus and
believe that He is our Savior, He has called us to share His Good News
with others...to “heal all diseases” in His name. But Jesus has been
very clear about how we are to accomplish this...and it doesn’t involve a
flashy show, coercion, or throwing a hissy fit when others are not
receptive. We probably all have work to do in this area. I know I
do...what about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label how we approach others. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how we approach others. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 11, 2014
James 5:19-20
Dear brothers, if anyone has slipped away from God and no longer trusts the Lord and someone helps him understand the Truth again, that person who brings him back to God will have saved a wandering soul from death, bringing about the forgiveness of his many sins.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A friend of mine shared a blog post today from Jamie Jones*, a Christian speaker who is heartsick over world events. The title of her post was “The Reason I Don’t Pray for the Genocide in Iraq...” Jones acknowledged that events around the world have made her “numb”...and she doesn’t even know how to pray about them. But she points out in her post that in Romans 8:26, the scripture says that the Holy Spirit “prays for us with groanings” when we have no words to express our thoughts and feelings. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul describes us as “fragile clay jars” containing the treasure of God’s power. In other words...we don’t have to have all of the answers - we just have to trust God for them.
Here’s how this applies to the scripture passage in James 5...God doesn’t call on us to specifically do or say any particular thing to someone else about salvation, our faith, or sin – theirs or ours. He calls on us to be the “fragile clay jars”...then He supplies the power to evoke change. We are to operate in love, grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness...all of the blessings and gifts that Jesus bestows to us through His Holy Spirit...then give Him room to work.
So when your friend tells you over and again that he/she is an atheist, keep on loving and operating in kindness. Instead of hounding others to come to church with you, cook a meal for them – or invite them to dine with you. Be a friend in whatever way the other person needs – lend a listening ear, help with an errand, babysit, offer an occasional ride to work or school, pitch in to help with housekeeping or yard work, or do whatever you determine could make a difference for this person at the moment. Be available in ways great and small – and make sure the other person sees your willingness to love them and help however - and whenever - you can. Smile! Speak positively, and operate with a spirit of confidence, hopefulness and faith. Nobody sees the love and mercy of Jesus in someone who is always negative and critical.
I don’t want to cite specific examples, but trust me when I say that I have known more than a couple of people in my life who claimed there was no God...or renounced Him in some manner. Instead of chastising them, “preaching” to them, or even talking much about God in their presence, I have chosen to love them...to pray for them. I have not backed away from opportunities to share the GOOD NEWS with them...to include a scripture reference in a personal note or to mention how God blessed me or saw me through a specific situation. But I have tried very hard to be the “fragile clay jar” – and to allow God to handle the rest in his infinite wisdom and omnipotent power.
Here’s the thing...more than one of the people that I’ve referenced has started to come around. Some have made huge transformations and are now boldly declaring their devotion to Jesus. Others are starting to show chinks in the armor...their hardline attitudes have softened...talk of a “Higher Power” or “Christian love” finds its way into their conversations. And so I persevere...I offer myself as a disciple of Christ...His servant and “fragile clay jar” to be used to reach others.
Before you add stars to my crown, know that I don’t always get this right. None of us do! And the state of world affairs on any given day is enough to make any of us throw up our hands and say, “I simply don’t know what to do with this...or how to even pray about it!” The GOOD NEWS is that we don’t have to...we know a Potter who can work miracles with sinful lumps of clay! He can turn us in to “fragile jars” and fill us with His Holy Spirit, which has power that we cannot begin to comprehend. If we will remain steady and persistent...committed and willing love others with grace and mercy, He will handle the rest.
We have one job...to continually love others in Jesus name and to give Him a vessel from which to work. My question to you today is, “How are you using your jar?”
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://jamiejones.org/the-reason-i-dont-pray-for-the-genocide-in-iraq/
Dear brothers, if anyone has slipped away from God and no longer trusts the Lord and someone helps him understand the Truth again, that person who brings him back to God will have saved a wandering soul from death, bringing about the forgiveness of his many sins.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A friend of mine shared a blog post today from Jamie Jones*, a Christian speaker who is heartsick over world events. The title of her post was “The Reason I Don’t Pray for the Genocide in Iraq...” Jones acknowledged that events around the world have made her “numb”...and she doesn’t even know how to pray about them. But she points out in her post that in Romans 8:26, the scripture says that the Holy Spirit “prays for us with groanings” when we have no words to express our thoughts and feelings. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul describes us as “fragile clay jars” containing the treasure of God’s power. In other words...we don’t have to have all of the answers - we just have to trust God for them.
Here’s how this applies to the scripture passage in James 5...God doesn’t call on us to specifically do or say any particular thing to someone else about salvation, our faith, or sin – theirs or ours. He calls on us to be the “fragile clay jars”...then He supplies the power to evoke change. We are to operate in love, grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness...all of the blessings and gifts that Jesus bestows to us through His Holy Spirit...then give Him room to work.
So when your friend tells you over and again that he/she is an atheist, keep on loving and operating in kindness. Instead of hounding others to come to church with you, cook a meal for them – or invite them to dine with you. Be a friend in whatever way the other person needs – lend a listening ear, help with an errand, babysit, offer an occasional ride to work or school, pitch in to help with housekeeping or yard work, or do whatever you determine could make a difference for this person at the moment. Be available in ways great and small – and make sure the other person sees your willingness to love them and help however - and whenever - you can. Smile! Speak positively, and operate with a spirit of confidence, hopefulness and faith. Nobody sees the love and mercy of Jesus in someone who is always negative and critical.
I don’t want to cite specific examples, but trust me when I say that I have known more than a couple of people in my life who claimed there was no God...or renounced Him in some manner. Instead of chastising them, “preaching” to them, or even talking much about God in their presence, I have chosen to love them...to pray for them. I have not backed away from opportunities to share the GOOD NEWS with them...to include a scripture reference in a personal note or to mention how God blessed me or saw me through a specific situation. But I have tried very hard to be the “fragile clay jar” – and to allow God to handle the rest in his infinite wisdom and omnipotent power.
Here’s the thing...more than one of the people that I’ve referenced has started to come around. Some have made huge transformations and are now boldly declaring their devotion to Jesus. Others are starting to show chinks in the armor...their hardline attitudes have softened...talk of a “Higher Power” or “Christian love” finds its way into their conversations. And so I persevere...I offer myself as a disciple of Christ...His servant and “fragile clay jar” to be used to reach others.
Before you add stars to my crown, know that I don’t always get this right. None of us do! And the state of world affairs on any given day is enough to make any of us throw up our hands and say, “I simply don’t know what to do with this...or how to even pray about it!” The GOOD NEWS is that we don’t have to...we know a Potter who can work miracles with sinful lumps of clay! He can turn us in to “fragile jars” and fill us with His Holy Spirit, which has power that we cannot begin to comprehend. If we will remain steady and persistent...committed and willing love others with grace and mercy, He will handle the rest.
We have one job...to continually love others in Jesus name and to give Him a vessel from which to work. My question to you today is, “How are you using your jar?”
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://jamiejones.org/the-reason-i-dont-pray-for-the-genocide-in-iraq/
Daily Devotional for June 18, 2014
Luke 10:5-6
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all been there. You’re in your most comfortable – but somewhat ratty – pajamas or sweats…your hair is a mess…and maybe you need a shower. And someone knocks on your door. Delivery people like my mail carrier and the drivers for UPS and FedEx must think “That poor woman needs help!” when I answer their call. Worse yet is when a family member, friend or acquaintance drops by and catches you off guard. I’m pretty sure that in each case, we don’t exactly promote an air of peace!
Perhaps you have been on the “receiving end” of this experience. And maybe you have visited someone who was cordial, at best…but cool – or in some cases, quite short and rude. They did not make you feel welcome in their home, for whatever reason. Perhaps they were uncomfortable about their appearance…or you just caught them at a truly inconvenient time. Or maybe they really didn’t want to spend time with you…much less entertain you in their home for even the briefest of moments.
And that’s the point…there are all sorts of reasons for a reception that is less than welcoming. I have learned that most people are not noticing my appearance or the neatness and cleanliness of my house nearly as much as I am. I have also learned that I can’t possibly know everything that was happening right before I rang someone’s doorbell or approached them on the street or in a hallway at school, work or church…or in the grocery store or other public venue.
Think back to the old movies and television shows we watched when we were younger. Do you remember those where a stranger would approach a person or a group of people and say, “I come in peace!” This person was saying, “No need to be uneasy…I am not here to harm you or judge you in any way. I just want to talk.” In this passage, Jesus is instructing His disciples to let others know that “I come in peace!”
If we project a sense of acceptance and peace – and a lack of judgment and condemnation – we have a far better chance of getting a good reception. If we behave in this manner and offer the peace of God (if only in our demeanor and a silent prayer) and we are treated poorly, we’ve not really lost anything. It’s a “no-harm-no-foul” situation of sorts.
I’ll have to say, I have the best delivery people in the world. They treat me the same whether I look like I just rolled out of bed or I am dressed for a church service! I don’t know if they actually say, “Peace to this house” before they knock on my door…or if it just seems like it. I do know that one FedEx delivery man always says, “It’s been a pleasure to serve you” as he walks away. Whether he means that (and I think he does!) or not…this comment leaves me with a warm feeling.
When others come to your door, do they feel like it was a pleasure to be in your presence? When you visit others…do they know that you “come in peace”? Do you trust God to make the difference as you interact with others and offer His love, grace, mercy, peace, understanding – and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ – to them? Do you rest in the peace of God, regardless of how others treat you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all been there. You’re in your most comfortable – but somewhat ratty – pajamas or sweats…your hair is a mess…and maybe you need a shower. And someone knocks on your door. Delivery people like my mail carrier and the drivers for UPS and FedEx must think “That poor woman needs help!” when I answer their call. Worse yet is when a family member, friend or acquaintance drops by and catches you off guard. I’m pretty sure that in each case, we don’t exactly promote an air of peace!
Perhaps you have been on the “receiving end” of this experience. And maybe you have visited someone who was cordial, at best…but cool – or in some cases, quite short and rude. They did not make you feel welcome in their home, for whatever reason. Perhaps they were uncomfortable about their appearance…or you just caught them at a truly inconvenient time. Or maybe they really didn’t want to spend time with you…much less entertain you in their home for even the briefest of moments.
And that’s the point…there are all sorts of reasons for a reception that is less than welcoming. I have learned that most people are not noticing my appearance or the neatness and cleanliness of my house nearly as much as I am. I have also learned that I can’t possibly know everything that was happening right before I rang someone’s doorbell or approached them on the street or in a hallway at school, work or church…or in the grocery store or other public venue.
Think back to the old movies and television shows we watched when we were younger. Do you remember those where a stranger would approach a person or a group of people and say, “I come in peace!” This person was saying, “No need to be uneasy…I am not here to harm you or judge you in any way. I just want to talk.” In this passage, Jesus is instructing His disciples to let others know that “I come in peace!”
If we project a sense of acceptance and peace – and a lack of judgment and condemnation – we have a far better chance of getting a good reception. If we behave in this manner and offer the peace of God (if only in our demeanor and a silent prayer) and we are treated poorly, we’ve not really lost anything. It’s a “no-harm-no-foul” situation of sorts.
I’ll have to say, I have the best delivery people in the world. They treat me the same whether I look like I just rolled out of bed or I am dressed for a church service! I don’t know if they actually say, “Peace to this house” before they knock on my door…or if it just seems like it. I do know that one FedEx delivery man always says, “It’s been a pleasure to serve you” as he walks away. Whether he means that (and I think he does!) or not…this comment leaves me with a warm feeling.
When others come to your door, do they feel like it was a pleasure to be in your presence? When you visit others…do they know that you “come in peace”? Do you trust God to make the difference as you interact with others and offer His love, grace, mercy, peace, understanding – and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ – to them? Do you rest in the peace of God, regardless of how others treat you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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