Daily Devotional for January 11, 2017

2 Peter 1:20-21
For no prophecy recorded in Scripture was ever thought up by the prophet himself. It was the Holy Spirit within these godly men who gave them true messages from God.
    
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

One morning as the second graders in Timothy’s class lined up for lunch, another student and my nephew had an interesting conversation about the presidential election – and who was “the best.”  They waffled back and forth as they debated all of this…and clearly, both were parroting what they had heard at home - and in the media.  But in their 7-year-old minds, these ideas and opinions were totally “theirs!”

On one level, this was cute.  On another, it was rather disturbing…because these children were forming opinions and spouting “facts” that were based completely on hearsay.  And yet, they claimed these thoughts as their own original ideas. Or…they adamantly stated that someone in authority had told them these things – so they must be true!

Far too many Christians give themselves too much credit. They play “judge and jury” based on their personal interpretation of God’s word.  They try to scare the pants off of others with their predictions that “based on Scripture…this or that is about to happen.”  Do you realize that the imminence of “end times” has been predicted for thousands of years?  Do not misunderstand me…I believe Jesus will return again for His church.  But we truly don’t know when…and living in fear of this is 1) disrespectful to our Christian faith; and 2) a scare tactic to try to manipulate others into giving their hearts to Jesus.  Attempts to interpret scripture to try to predict when the “end of the world” will happen are not our job as Christian disciples.

By the same token, we do not have God’s authority to interpret countless other prophecies and messages in scripture. Yes, God speaks to us through His Holy Word.  And quite frankly, He might use the same verse to guide us in one manner today…and in a totally different way tomorrow. This is God’s prerogative. But it is not our job to judge others and declare certain “truths” based on personal interpretation of scripture.

The bottom line is this…study God’s word and let Him use the scriptures to speak to you and guide you through your day. Share YOUR experiences with others about how God has spoken and directed you.  But do not declare yourself to be an authority…or your “ways” and interpretations to be infallible. Prayerfully petition God to always guide your words and actions…and to enable you to represent Him in the manner that is pleasing to Him and furthers His kingdom. 

In essence, don’t use your Christian discipleship as a “license” to dictate God’s directives to others. God is looking for humble servants and disciples…not know-it-alls and fear mongers.  What does your faith and discipleship demonstrate?

©2017 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 9, 2017

1 Peter 3:13-18
Usually no one will hurt you for wanting to do good. But even if they should, you are to be envied, for God will reward you for it. Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.

Do what is right; then if men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good. Remember, if God wants you to suffer, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong!

Christ also suffered. He died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners although he himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that he might bring us safely home to God. But though his body died, his spirit lived on...

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
    
You’ve heard the joke about “I had a drug problem…I was drug to church.”  That pretty well describes me and my siblings. We didn’t go EVERY time the church doors were open…mainly because I don’t think my parents could manage the logistics of working several jobs and getting us there on Wednesday nights. But if we missed a Sunday morning or evening service, somebody had better be on his/her deathbed! We weren’t the only kids in our church who attended that “faithfully.”  There were a few more in the same boat. And we were often labeled by others as the “goody-two-shoes” - or laughed at because we tried to abide by the lessons (and fear of burning in Hell) that were drilled into us!

There were a few sympathetic adults who tried to commiserate with us when our parents were strict…while defending them for being that way. And more than one mentor told me that someday, I would understand the benefits of my childhood “suffering” for Jesus by doing good. At the time, I thought these folks were nuts…or just feeding me a line.  But over the years, I’ve come to see that doing what is good…and right…is always best.

There have been times when I wanted to lash out…and there have been times when I did just that (and almost always regretted it later, if not immediately). But there have been times when I have managed to hold my tongue and suppress the desire to express my feelings toward someone who was unkind or unfair…and I have always been better for it.  Whether that person recognized his/her mistake or not…I knew that GOD knew.  Whether I ever get an apology or better treatment, I know that God will bless my efforts.

Many years ago, I was in a situation where some pretty unfair things happened in the workplace because of one particular person. One day, a senior supervisor and I were talking, and he noted that these things were happening. And then he said, “I’ve been watching you…and I have never heard you say one unkind thing about this person. I’ve never seen you act inappropriately or voice your disagreement…and I KNOW you had to have been extremely frustrated at times.  But it never showed…and I am truly impressed.”

I had no clue this person had been paying attention. I really thought nobody knew or cared.  To be honest, things didn’t really improve all that much after this conversation…but at least I knew that I had an ally. And I knew that God was blessing my efforts to do the right thing and contain my frustrations.

We will all be faced with opportunities to “be good” – and to yell, kick, scream and show out when others “do us wrong.”  But let’s remember Who we really need to serve – and impress.  Let’s remind ourselves Who truly matters.  More importantly, let us never forget how Jesus suffered and was ridiculed…all because of us. It’s amazing to think about…but Jesus would do all of this again for us in a heartbeat!

Now with this in mind, how can WE behave any differently toward others?  How can we acknowledge and appreciate Jesus’ gift while lashing out at others and doing the wrong things?  Isn’t it time we trust God to handle ALL things…even the words and actions of those who would criticize and mistreat us?  Are you willing to “suffer” for your faith - and demonstrate honor and glory for Jesus’ great gift of suffering for us?  Isn’t it time you were?

©2017 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 30, 2016

1 Corinthians 8:8-9
But fortunately God doesn’t grade us on our diet. We’re neither commended when we clean our plate nor reprimanded when we just can’t stomach it. But God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a fellow believer still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track.

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.
 
A man was found dead recently in a hot tub at a residence in Northwest Arkansas.  The homeowner possessed an Amazon Echo…a hands-free voice-controlled speaker.  When someone says, “Alexa” or “Amazon” (the names assigned to this device), the machine begins recording your questions or comments, and a response is then given. It’s sort of an “in-home Siri” for those who have a smart-phone and are familiar with this feature.  Police want to confiscate the Amazon Echo device as evidence in this particular death.  They want to examine this device to see if anyone in the home the night the death occurred might have said something that was recorded. Amazon is refusing to comply, citing privacy concerns.
  
Let’s just label this the monthly “People Are Watching” devotional!  We apparently need plenty of reminders about this idea, because related scriptures pop up in my outline every few weeks.

Here’s the thing…a lot of us think that what we say and do in the privacy of our own home or car is our business…that nobody should know – or care.  In truth, we are now surrounded with surveillance. Unless you have been under a rock, you know that you can be hacked, observed, followed and monitored – even as you sit and read this devotional!  I don’t mean to make us paranoid - and you can Google ways to protect yourself from hackers and other “spies” at home and online.  But the bottom line is that people.are.watching…and this SHOULD affect how we conduct ourselves at all times.

Our Timothy is particularly astute. Tell him something once…and he never seems to forget.  He is also extremely observant. So the old notion of “Do as I say – not as I do” confuses him to no end. And honestly…this should be a signal to us as “grown-ups” that we cannot play this both ways. We cannot call people names and expect our children – or anyone we encounter – to refrain from doing this. If you have ever watched a little kid pretend to “smoke” a “cigarette,” you know that they already assume that SOMEDAY, this will be okay for them in reality.  Actually, just sit quietly sometime and watch and listen as your kids play. Most likely, you will get a pretty good picture of how you sound and act in their presence…and it might be pretty enlightening!

At every turn, we need to examine what we say and do…and how we behave. We should continually be asking ourselves if anything about our demeanor could cause someone else to sin or backslide.  Yes, God is in the business of forgiving us when we “fall short”…but our daily goal should be to never give Him a reason to have to do so!  Most certainly, we should make every effort to conduct our lives in a manner that no one else is tempted to falter.  We should be so steeped in self-control through the power and strength of Jesus Christ that others want the same kind of relationship with Him that we enjoy.

Is there something that you are saying or doing that could cause another person to be thrown off track?  Could your words and actions actually result in distance between someone else and their relationship with Jesus?  Perhaps we need to think of God as our own personal “Echo”…listening and recording everything about us – and act accordingly.  Will this be the day that you give yourself a head-to-toe exam and discover where you might be exercising your freedom in the salvation of Jesus in a way that could be harmful to others?  Will you then ask God to help you make necessary adjustments?  Don’t you think you should?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 28, 2016

1 Corinthians 1:10-13    
But, dear brothers, I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  For some of those who live at Chloe’s house have told me of your arguments and quarrels, dear brothers. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul”; and others say that they are for Apollos or for Peter; and some that they alone are the true followers of Christ.  And so, in effect, you have broken Christ into many pieces.

But did I, Paul, die for your sins? Were any of you baptized in my name?

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Twenty-nine years ago, my Mam-ma Polly gave me money for Christmas and said, “Buy whatever you want.” Greg and I had just started our new business venture…and there were plenty of things on which we could have spent this money (I think it was $25).  But I wanted to buy something that would last…a tangible reminder of my grandmother and this gift.  So I went to a local “Christmas store,” and I bought two nativity sets…a large 4-piece white ceramic Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus on a manger of straw…and a musical nativity scene snow-globe that played “Silent Night.”  With a few dollars left, I purchased a small wooden 3-piece set that had been hand-crafted by an Arkansas artisan.

Sadly, the snow globe leaked and ruined last year and had to be discarded…but over the last 3 decades, I have added to the collection, so that today has grown from the initial 3 sets to nearly 100 if you count “nativity” ornaments we hang on our tree.  I have enjoyed rescuing sets from the thrift store to go alongside those I purchased at estate auctions.  Many sets once graced the homes of people I knew who are in heaven now - from a plaster set that belonged to my mother’s first grade teacher to a beautiful towering Madonna that I purchased at the estate sale of dear friends.  And this year – the large creamy colored set that my parents purchased in Mexico several decades ago has a special place of honor among the other sets.

A few years ago I wrote a song about how “we set out nativities beside Santa Claus.”  Indeed, plenty of people collect “Santas”…and I will admit that I have a table of them in the same room with most of the nativities!  When starting my nativity collection, I decided that I would rather amass something that celebrated the birth of Jesus…the hope and faith of Mary…the “true meaning of Christmas.”  So while I have a few “Santas” on display…I have far more images of Jesus, Joseph and Mary.

Does this mean that I feel my collection is superior to those who collect “Santas?”  Absolutely not!  Does it mean that I disapprove of the secular compilations…or judge those who assemble them?  Never!  Can “Santa” and Jesus be recognized in the same space?  Most definitely!  Are we worshipping Santa and splintering our faith – or devaluing the true meaning of this holiday season?  I don’t think so…as long as we keep Jesus the real “reason for the season.”

But too many of us HAVE placed a great emphasis on the teachings of one person, like a particular evangelist or Bible scholar.  We have made too much of which form of worship is the best…traditional, contemporary – or even “communing with nature.”  We have drawn a line in the sand that only the King James Version of the Bible should be studied and quoted…or that traditional hymns are outdated and no longer “speak to us.”  And we have definitely made people who practice other religious beliefs feel inferior…or even evil!

In numerous ways that we don’t even realize, we have “broken Christ into many pieces.”  We have created division among us…the very thing that Jesus taught against.  And in so doing, we have dishonored and disrespected our Lord and Savior.

It is time to regain our focus.  In these waning days of 2016, let’s take some time to think about Jesus…the commandments He gave us…the sacrifice He made for each of us.  Let’s remember who the real KING of KINGS and LORD of Lords is! And let’s stop pitting ourselves against one another over petty issues.  Christian faith is not a competition…it is a unification – or it should be.

Now is the time to “be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”  Are you ready to be a part of the body of Christ? Will this be the day that you begin?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 23, 2016

Proverbs 3:27-29
Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
    your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time”
    or “Try me tomorrow”
    when the money’s right there in your pocket.
Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
    when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

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.

Christmas Eve 2011, Greg and I were hosting our family for a mid-afternoon lunch.  Grandma E was here, and my sister and her husband were on their way.  My mother and her sister drove up at our front door with my Mam-ma Polly riding in the front passenger seat, and Greg went to the door to greet them.  I was busy in the kitchen when I heard my mother yell.  Mam-ma had stepped out of the car before anyone could get to her to assist her…and she had fallen.  I stopped what I was doing and rushed to the driveway, where my grandmother lay outside the car like a stunned little bird that had flown into a window.  She was motionless, and blood was pouring from her head - and running down our driveway.

Greg called 911 and ran to get towels, and I applied pressure to the wound while doing my best to keep my grandmother still. She had “come around” and was saying, “I need to get up.” I encouraged her not to move until the ambulance and EMTs arrived.

Needless to say, the dinner plans were changed in a split second.  Greg and I took turn sitting in the ER with my grandmother, while my mother and her sister finished preparing the almost-ready meal for the others, then cleaning the kitchen. My grandmother  was admitted to the hospital for a couple of days to treat a concussion, and trips back and forth to sit with her became our “Christmas.”  I would not have had it any other way.

Mam-ma tried to send me home a couple of times…but we both knew she needed me.  The tables had turned, and I was now the “parent”…and she was the “child.”  More to the point, she was God’s child, and I was in many ways His hand for her.  Earlier in the same month, my grandmother had spent about a week in the hospital for congestive heart failure.  While sitting with her, I wrote Christmas cards, greeted visitors, and attended to her needs in between doctor and nurse visits.

It would have been so easy to say, “I have things to do…a house to decorate, gifts to purchase and wrap, cookies to bake…” and much more.  But my grandmother needed help…and God sent me.

I wish I could say that I have always been as attentive to God’s nudge…that I have never said, “Not this time,” or “Maybe later.”  But I have promised visits to people and never gotten there…I’ve said “If I can help you, please let me know” and hoped the whole time that no one would call me. I’ve gritted my teeth and helped someone while wishing the whole time that God had sent someone else.

Don’t misunderstand me…there are times when we genuinely are not available…when we are too busy, not up to the task – or we sense that God is not telling us to get involved in something or offer to help with a particular task.  We must be careful not to step into someone else’s mission or ministry, and we must pay very close attention to where and how God is calling us to serve.  But when we know that God is putting us in a position to be His hand to someone else, we MUST comply – and serve gladly.

There were several times in the years that I cared for my grandmother that I grew weary and frustrated…but I did my best to listen to God’s voice and help her whenever and however I could.  I’m sure there were times I missed the mark completely…and there were plenty of times that SHE felt I fell short!  But I have no regrets…and lots of blessings and happy memories.  And I want that to be the case in every instance where my hand is God’s hand to another.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 22, 2016

Proverbs 25:21-22
If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
    if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
    and God will look after 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.

One of the hardest things we will ever have to do as Christians is to show kindness to those who have been unkind to us. For me, the word “enemy” is a little strong…I don’t feel I have any personal enemies.  But this is the word used throughout the Bible for those who treat others in an unkind or unfair manner, and I have encountered unkind people and felt the sting of harsh words and excluding gestures. I bet you have, as well.

For me, the worst is when this comes from fellow church members or people who profess to be Christians.  But sadly, it happens…and I hope and pray that you and I am not guilty of doing the same thing to others.

It would be easy to turn and walk in the other direction when we encounter someone who has spoken to us unkindly. If a person has spread untruths about you, it would be understandable if you were not first in line to offer a helping hand when he/she was in need.  There have been instances in my life that have caused me to think, “I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on this person if he/she was on fire!”

But then, there is Proverbs 25:21-22 - not to mention Matthew 5:44!  We are called to “love our enemies” and surprise them with generosity…to pray for them and offer them every kindness. So that means speaking to the person who mistreated you – and doing so with a smile.  It means doing whatever God leads you to do to help ALL people in their time of need.  It means reaching out to those you would really rather show your back instead of a smile or a helping hand.

How do we manage this?  We call on God’s grace and mercy.  We ask Him to fill our hearts with compassion for the other person…and we do this because Jesus does it for us.  Certainly, Jesus had every reason to turn His back on you and me.  He doesn’t owe us even a smile…much less Salvation and a home with Him for all eternity.  Yet this is exactly what we are in line to receive.
  
Jesus provides us with His grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and understanding every single day – even though none of us deserves any of it. So how can we, as His disciples, offer others anything less?  I can almost hear Jesus saying, “Suck it up, Buttercup!  If you want to serve in MY army, you have to be willing to treat others as I would - even your ‘enemies.’”  Where does this apply to you today?  Who needs to see Jesus through your words and actions?

Are you making a point…or making a difference in your Christian discipleship?  Isn’t it time to get this right?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 21, 2016

Proverbs 19:17
Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.
 
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.

If you follow my daily devotionals, you know that this has been a rough year for us.  I wrote in our Christmas newsletter that 2016 kicked us in the gut…and it did.  But God ushered us through all of it. We even welcomed a new arrival last March – my cousin, Hudson Edward. Nothing blesses like a new baby to snuggle!

One of the things I have been keenly aware of this year is how God fills gaps.  When my mother died, Greg told me that he was worried about how I would fill in the time that she and I spent each day talking on the phone or exchanging email messages.  I can’t tell you how God did it…but I think I’ve coped with this loss better than I could have ever imagined – or explained. And somehow, those daily “gaps” were filled.

Greg and I kept our nephew, Nathan, on Mondays and Fridays for over a year…and when he went back to school in September, I went to school, too – the elementary school!  Each Friday, I find needs in all sizes, shapes and ages…and I try to give what I can to fill them. When I read this verse from Proverbs 19, it struck me that my “mercy” to students and teachers may be a loan to God and a gift to the “needy,” but it blesses ME most of all.

I’ve also learned to stop and be present in the moment more…and this is a form of “mercy to the needy,” as well.  When our 17+-year-old cat Mabel demands that I sit in a reclining chair and let her sleep between my feet, I comply.  These are moments I won’t ever get back…and they give me time to reflect on how well she has loved us all of these years – and the joy that this little calico bundle has brought to our lives.  They also give me time to sit, breathe and just “be” for a while…to slow down, rest, and regroup.  God knows that I need this…and out of my “mercy” for an elderly cat, He provides me with a reprieve.

These are only two illustrations…there are dozens more.  The point is that our concept of the “needy” and God’s are not the same.  His are far more encompassing.  We ALL have opportunities every single day to give to the “poor in spirit,” as well as those who are physically in some form of need.  Every time we share mercy, grace, forgiveness and kindness with someone else, we are doing this in Jesus’ name – or we should be.  In this way, we are “loaning” ourselves to God to serve on His behalf…and Scripture tells us that He repays these loans with interest!

We need to get to a point in our love of Christ and desire to serve Him where we would do this regardless of the “reward.”  We ought to be so in love with Jesus that we want to do everything we can to share Him with others – in whatever form they need and He directs…and this really should come “second-nature” to us.  Are you there yet?  Are you working toward this level of Christian discipleship?  Isn’t it time you were?

I don’t know what God is calling you to do…where He is asking you to offer mercy to the needy – or in what capacity.  But I do know that God wants to fill in the gaps in your life as He shows you how to fill in those for others.  Are you ready to follow His lead?  Will this be the day you get started?
 
©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 20, 2016

Proverbs 11:24-25
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The latest issue of our county’s historical journal has a reprint of an article that features my Mam-ma Polly.  The story was written by our dear friend Merrellyn, who was Mam-ma’s neighbor in the last 2 decades of her life. Merrellyn peppered the article with Mam-ma’s recollections of her childhood, as well as some interesting experiences from her adult life.  She notes how hard that she and her siblings worked to help my great-grandmother with chores…and that she did not have a home with electricity until 1938 - six years after she and my grandfather married. My dad was two by then. I cannot imagine life with a toddler and no electricity…can you?

I’ve said many times that I always thought my grandparents were rich…because they were always sharing SOMETHING with someone else.  By the same token, I grew up hearing about a few people in our community who legitimately were financially able to do a lot of good things for many people…but they were so attached to their money and possessions that they could not bear to think of parting with any of them – even for a “good” cause.  And when I thought of these people, they seemed lonely, bitter, and sad.

I’ve known more than a few people who isolated themselves and “hid their light under a barrel”…and when the time came that they were in need, there were few people who were even aware of them enough to step forward and help.  On the other hand, I’ve known people who gave generously of their time, energy and whatever they had to any and all who required what they had to offer…and there was practically a line around the block to help them whenever they needed assistance.

I’ve attended funerals for people who were virtually penniless…yet they gave all they could and lived a “rich,” full life filled with service, love and joy.  And I’ve attended services for some who lived such stingy, self-absorbed lives that barely a dozen people showed up to pay their respects.  I’m not saying that this is always how the equation works.  I’m sure there have been mitigating circumstances, and generous people who were neglected or “flew under the radar.”  I know there were probably some selfish folks who appeared to have a bevy of friends and people who cared about them in spite of their egocentric nature.  But Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:7 that “…a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!”

The goal is not to die surrounded by people who care and sing your praises…or those who will note how “rich” you were.  The aim should be to serve God with everything we have…because it ALL ultimately belongs to Him in the first place.  The rewards and blessings that come from giving are a nice byproduct - a bonus, if you will!  God does not bless us so that we can become self-centered hoarders of our time, talents and money.  He showers us with abundance so that we can share with others in the name of Jesus.  We can all do better at this.

My challenge today is that we all take inventory of our lives and see where we could “share the wealth” a little more - and glorify God in the process.  Are you willing to take a closer look?  Isn’t this the perfect week to do so?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 13, 2016

Matthew 10:40-42
“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

When I decorated for Christmas this year, it seemed I had “light” issues everywhere I turned.  I could not find the lights for the “big” tree…and the lights on the tree I place atop the piano would not come on and had to be replaced.  I could have thrown up my hands and gotten upset…but instead, I just knuckled down and got it done.  And part of what motivated me was a gift I received last Christmas.

Greg’s brother died on New Year’s Eve…and the following day, my mother entered the hospital – and subsequently was admitted to Hospice care.  The next twelve days are something of a blur, spent with family as we mourned the passing of a beloved brother…and sitting at my mother’s bedside in her living room. A lot of that time, Greg was with me…and other family members came and went, as well.  The first few nights, I came home to shower and sleep. Later, I stayed at my mother’s house pretty well around the clock.  But twice, I slipped away in the early morning hours to drive home, shower, and have a cup of coffee…to take a deep breath, hug my husband and our cat, and be “normal” for a few minutes.  And one of the things that I remember about coming home is the lights.

Every time I drove into our driveway, lights welcomed me.  Greg made sure to turn on all of the holiday lights inside and out…the trees, the mantel…all of it.  Those twinkling lights were a warm welcome that said, “You are home…you are loved…and it’s going to be okay.”

I don’t know how else to explain what I felt.  I’ve always loved lights. I keep several strands glowing year-round throughout our house.  But the thought that my husband made a point to turn on these holiday lights in the midst of such chaos and sadness was an extraordinary gift to me. He would probably shrug and say, “It was nothing.”  But I am here to tell you…the gesture spoke volumes.  In my eyes, it was huge.  This was my “cup of water” to quench my thirst for a small sense of normalcy – and a warm welcome.

This year, as I strung bright lights throughout our house, I thought of last year…and how the decorations became a much-needed “gift” of sorts.  And the extra effort to get them working just right brought me joy and peace.  As I read this passage today, I asked myself…”Who in my ‘circle’ is thirsty?  Who needs my smallest gesture of love and encouragement?  Who needs a smile…my prayers…a phone call or note of love and care?  Who needs a bag of cookies and hot cocoa mix – or a simple Christmas card?  What child needs an ‘angel tree’ gift?  Who needs my change in the bucket to help make it through the holidays and beyond?”

Sometimes the smallest gifts have the biggest impact.  Who needs your “cup of water” today…or for you to simply “turn on the Christmas lights?”  Are you ready to do your part in this “harvest work?”  Don’t you think it’s time you were?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 11, 2016

Luke 6:38
For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
  
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Early in my life, I learned what a joy it is to give to others – particularly from the examples of my paternal grandparents. My grandfather loved to show up on our doorstep on a Saturday morning with a truckload of new furniture. He “outfitted” all of our bedrooms over time with pieces that still fill my parents’ house today. But he and my grandmother also loved to share an extra bushel of peas or a few pounds of Black Angus beef with family and friends. My grandmother spent hours sewing tiny Barbie doll clothes for my sister and me… and they both enjoyed helping the needy and lending a hand where possible.

December 20, 1981, my grandparents’ house burned to the ground.  It was a crisp Sunday morning, and as my grandmother fried sausage for breakfast and Pap-pa fed his cows, the fire quickly consumed their very old farm house and virtually everything in it.  They managed to move their vehicles…grab their clothes, the mantel clock, and the family Bible…and get out with their lives. One year shy of their 50th wedding anniversary – at ages 70 and 69 – my grandparents were pretty well stripped bare of all physical belongings.

In the months that followed, a new house was built for them only yards away from the site of the old home…and people showered them with gifts of household items, furnishings, food, and money. Friends who wintered in the deep South offered the use of their home while they were away…so my grandparents had a cozy house in which to stay while theirs was under construction. The builder re-worked his already busy schedule, so that the house could be erected quickly, and my grandparents could get back to their farm as quickly as possible. 

By the time my grandparents moved into their new home in early 1982, they had all of the household items and furnishings they needed to be cozy and comfortable. Their lifetime of giving was pressed down and shaken together…and room was made for an overflow of contributions, as they pretty well started over.

This experience made me keenly aware of what a blessing it is go give to others. Once we understand the joy of giving, it often becomes second nature.  I am not talking about tangible gifts or monetary donations, although it can feel good to give these, as well.  But we all can give according to our abilities. Every one of us can serve others in some capacity.  We can share what we have with those who are in need…or just to put a smile on someone else’s face. 

In Giddy Up, Eunice!*, Sophie Hudson tells about her mother-in-law, Martha, who spent the entire afternoon with a friend who had moved into a nursing home.  She visited with the lady, folded her clothes, and just kept her company.  And when Martha left, the friend, said, “It was good to see you, Dot!”  Hudson notes that Martha kept going back to visit this lady.  Why?  Because that was Martha’s gift to her friend.  The friend didn’t remember Martha’s name…but she enjoyed the visit. They laughed together and shared conversation…and it didn’t matter what the friend knew who she was - or didn’t.  Martha got the blessing anyway.  And heaven forbid…should Martha ever end up in such a facility, it sounds like there would be a line out the door of folks waiting to spend an afternoon with her!

We shouldn’t give in order to be rewarded or blessed. We should give because God gave us the most perfect Gift – Jesus Christ. We should want give out of love and a desire to emulate Jesus. But the beautiful thing is that when we give, God blesses…sometimes to abundant excess…because He loves us so much!  Study the lives of those you know who are good at giving…and learn from their examples. Look around and see where you can give…not with the expectation of getting, but because it just feels that good!  Then be prepared to be blessed beyond measure…because that’s exactly how God operates!

©2016 Debbie Robus

*Giddy Up, Eunice! ~ https://www.amazon.com/Giddy-Up-Eunice-Because-Women/dp/1433643111

Daily Devotional for December 10, 2016

December 10 ~ Luke 6:30
Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don’t worry about getting them back.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

When I was about eight or nine, I got a brand new bicycle.  A boy my age came into our yard one day and asked if he could try out the bike.  His dad worked with my dad sometimes, so I said, “Yes.”  The boy hopped on the bicycle and rode away…like several blocks, across the highway, and across town.  My dad happened to be home, and when I told him what had happened, he got in to his truck, chased the boy down, and retrieved my bicycle.  Daddy told me to never let someone outside of the family ride my bike again…and I didn’t!

I learned a valuable lesson that day about lending to others.  Of course, the “lesson” is different for children and bicycles - or other toys and personal belongings.  But as an adult, I’ve learned that any “loan” I make could very well be a “gift.”  And let’s be honest…if the need is great enough for someone to ask you for a loan, there is a good chance that person has eaten a big slice of “humble pie” to do so.  My pastor has wisely noted that the time to help someone is when he/she asks.

So if a person asks to borrow money, a tool, an item of clothing, or a book or other personal belonging – and I can afford to help him/her…I “lend” with the assumption that I will never see this article again. Of course, God wants us to be wise. Don’t lend someone your car with the same supposition.  Don’t lend money you need for your mortgage, utilities, food…or daily living. Don’t give away your “nest egg!”

Be wise…pray about such loans before you commit to them…and make good choices.  But don’t be stingy.  Don’t expect people to jump through hoops to repay a few dollars – or to return a coat you never wore in the first place.  Be realistic and understand that even people with the best intentions sometimes don’t follow through on their promises. Give accordingly…with God’s guidance and blessing.

In short…don’t get hung up on your possessions or accrued wealth.  If someone else is truly in need and asks to borrow, be ready to prayerfully give what is needed.  If the loan is repaid, consider it a bonus.  If not, trust God for the “compensation.” And never, ever let someone outside of your trusted “family” take a spin on your new bicycle!

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 9, 2016

Luke 3:11
John told them, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
    
It was so cold today that the children had to have “indoor recess” at school.  Two classes combined in Timothy’s classroom, and his teacher turned on some classic Christmas cartoons from the 1940s. The children also had the option to do art projects. Some colored, others drew…and a couple of little girls attempted to make paper snowflakes.  I showed them how to fold the paper so that they would get a complete circle or square design.  They were enthralled.

Timothy and his friend Cage wanted to make snowflakes. I told them to get some paper.  Timothy said, “I don’t have any.” Cage pulled out a notebook filled with lined paper, and he said, “It’s no problem. I have plenty. Timmy, you don’t have to worry about it…I’ve got enough for both of us.” He tore out some paper, and I showed the boys how to cut the snowflakes, which we then taped to their desks.

Almost every Friday, I am moved by the kindness or generosity of a student I encounter…their unselfish spirit and willingness to look out for their fellow students. Yes, there are those who are selfish and never think of anyone but themselves.  But there are also plenty of kids who would gladly share an extra coat.  And while it is forbidden for health reasons, lots of kids are eager to share food in the cafeteria.  No child goes hungry, but they are not to eat food offered by another child.  However, that doesn’t stop some sneaky sharing from going on!  I guess where there is a will, there’s a way!

The point is that I believe God made us for giving.  He created us with an inherent spirit to share with our neighbor.  And somewhere along the line, some of us have lost that “heart.”  We’ve grown hard around the edges, selfish and self-centered.  And our closets and drawers bulge with more than we can ever use or enjoy.  Our cupboards and pantries are laden with food, and we think nothing of eating half a can of something and tossing the rest.  Meanwhile, there are countless people right in our own back yards who are “cold” and hungry…who have huge needs that we could fill.  And it’s time we started doing so!

The challenge for all of us is to get out of our comfort zone…to open our eyes and ears…and our hearts…and to figure out who needs a little of our abundance – and get it to them!  “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.”  A spirit of generosity and giving is really pretty simple…so why don’t we see evidence of these more often?  As I’ve said many times, if little kids can implement these concepts, why can’t we?  Isn’t it time we did?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 8, 2016

Luke 21:1-4
Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

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 reading a book written by one of my favorite authors, Sophie Hudson. It’s called Giddy Up, Eunice!* – and it is basically about how women can support and encourage one another.  “Eunice” is a biblical reference to the mother of Timothy (the one in the Bible…not my nephew!).  Sophie Hudson has a knack for relating to me in a meaningful way.  Perhaps it is the fact that we are both southern girls…or that we both have a deep affection for our mother-in-law.  Regardless of the reason, she makes a lot of points about the importance of encouraging relationships…in this case in particular, among women.

Now you may be wondering what this has to do with today’s scripture passage…and I’m about to tell you. When I think of the “widow’s mite,” three women automatically come to mind for me…my Mam-ma Polly, Mrs. Peggy, and a dear lady named Cora Mae.  My grandmother and Mrs. Peggy have left us for heaven, but at age 93, Cora Mae is still teaching me (and others) how to give your all.

None of these ladies was ever wealthy, by any monetary standard. All three worked hard and suffered many hardships in life. All three were like the “Energizer Bunny” when it came to serving others…and Cora Mae still puts many people half her age to shame. It’s not about money per se…what these women have given to countless people is priceless.  They have visited, cooked meals, served in their churches in a zillion capacities, prayed, encouraged, shown up, and given all they could – whatever that might entail at the moment.

The message for us in the example of these three women – and in this scripture passage – is that we all have something to give.  And there is a very good chance that it is more than we are currently offering. If for no other reason than to demonstrate our gratitude to God for HIS gift of Jesus, we should be digging deeply and giving our all. This is about more than writing a check to a charitable organization – or tithing to the church. You may need to write a note of encouragement – or pick up the phone and talk to someone.  You may need to stop in the store and listen to someone who really needs your ear. Or you may need to sit quietly in a chair with your children and read them a story…or really stop and listen to your spouse or child when he/she is talking.

My point is that some of the biggest lessons – and greatest gifts – that I have received have not been tangible, hold-in-your-hand gifts…or money. They have been the selfless gestures and expenditures of time, attention, encouragement – and examples of how to serve others.  Some of the greatest gifts I have received came from these three ladies who mentored me…and others who have demonstrated generosity of spirit.  They have shown me how to give my all…and now the rest is up to me.

I pray that you have been blessed with examples of those who gave their all…and that it has resonated with you. Examine your life and see where you are holding out – and holding back.  Learn from those who have mastered giving their all…and become one of them.

©2016 Debbie Robus

*Giddy Up, Eunice! ~ https://www.amazon.com/Giddy-Up-Eunice-Because-Women/dp/1433643111

Daily Devotional for December 5, 2016

John 3:16-18
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

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.

There are people in this world who are hard to love…but no one is unloveable.  If you don’t remember anything else I ever say, please remember this.  I get it…some people are rude and insensitive…some children never seem to behave themselves...and some folks simply smell bad.  Others do horrible, unspeakable things…treat each other with disrespect…and present conduct so terrible that nobody wants to be around them.  Some people act as if they don’t care…about anything or anyone (except maybe themselves.)  And God sent Jesus for all of them.

I frame these thoughts in the context of three locations…school, the workplace, and church.  If you are a teacher or someone who works with children, remember that your most important job every single day is to make each child feel worthwhile and special.  Building up their self-worth is far more critical than building their knowledge base.  School should be their safe haven…the place where they are accepted and acknowledged…the place where they feel that they belong.

If you are a student, you should be surrounded by people who encourage you and build your heart and character every day…and you should do all that YOU can to encourage your fellow students in the same manner.

In the workplace, you should recognize that every customer and employee has worth…that every one of the people you encounter each day brings a unique set of abilities, problems and concerns with him/her…and your most important role is to show kindness, respect, and tolerance.

Church should be the one place above all others where people feel loved and acknowledged.  Many who come through the doors are seeking respite and refuge…love and acceptance...someone who will offer them encouragement and hope.  Instead, I’m afraid that many find people arrogance, social cliques, criticism and judgment, and a strong dose of condemnation that makes them feel inferior.  There doesn’t seem to be much room in some of our churches for the broken - and brokenhearted.

The thing is…God sent Jesus for ALL of us…not just the nice ones – or the pretty ones.  He didn’t say, “I am only sending my Son to save those who are clean and behave themselves every single minute…the ones whose home life is perfect, and those who have no money problems or struggles with addiction.  I’m not sending Him for those who are emotionally a little off balance…are anything other than 100% heterosexual…and have less than creamy white skin and a fat bank account.

God did not put a single limitation or qualification on who could have salvation because of Jesus Christ.  So why do we?  God gave us the most perfect gift possible…a gift that not a single one of us can ever earn or deserve.  He loved every single one of us enough to do this. So what makes us think we can love others any less?

Most of us learned early in life to be gracious recipients of gifts…even the ones that we didn’t ask for – or really don’t like.  But there is nothing unlikeable about God’s gift of salvation.  In fact, the mere idea that someone would reject this gift is probably absurd to most of us – although there will be those who do so.  I trust that you are not among them.  And in accepting God’s gift of Jesus, we must also accept the command to love others as we love Him – and ourselves…and to treat them as we would wish to be treated.  As you go to school, work, church – or just out in the world each day – think about Jesus and what He did for you.  Ask yourself if how you are treating others and responding to them lines up with this perfect Gift.

Make every minute of your day a time to show God your gratitude for Jesus.  Do this with your words and actions – and by treating others as the precious recipients of this great Gift, as well.   Because of God’s great love for us…no one is unloveable. Are you demonstrating this in your daily living?  Isn’t it time you were?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 2, 2016

December 2 ~ Galatians 6:6-10

Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said.

You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up. We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

As I write this, Timothy is standing in front of me…building some of his favorite characters from an ottoman covered in Legos® while we watch our third movie since we got home from school today.  The three of us (Greg, Timothy and I) also watched two “reindeer” specials that I saved on the DVR. 

Fridays are my “day” to volunteer in Timothy’s class at school -and sometimes help Zola’s teacher. While I’m there, I go to lunch with both children. Trust me…it’s all about spending time with the kids, because no adult really has a burning desire to sit through 30-40 minutes in the cafeteria with elementary school children just for fun!

Greg and I hope the time we are investing in these children will reap a good harvest.  We sow seeds of love, kindness, positivity, and the teachings of Jesus into their little hearts and minds every chance we get. There is no guarantee that these efforts will “pay off,” but we prayerfully trust that God will bless our faithfulness.

You may be asking, “What does this have to do with me?”  You may not have elementary school children to nurture. Your “calling” may be totally different from ours. God may be providing you with other opportunities to help someone.  But the point is, we all have a “mission.”  There is someone, somewhere who needs your help.  You may not want to give it…you may grow tired of assisting and doing what God shows you to do.  But keep doing it!  You will harvest what you plant…and if you persevere and keep giving, God will bless your efforts.  Scripture says to do otherwise will reap a harvest of destruction.  I don’t know if this is a guarantee…but is it really worth the risk?

Don’t get tired of helping others.  God may not be calling you to sit in the elementary school cafeteria every Friday – or watch a marathon of kids’ movies all weekend.  But He is calling you to give all you can to someone – or something.  How you respond will make all the difference.  Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and start giving?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 1, 2016

Acts 20:32-35
I now place you in God’s care. Remember the message about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God’s people. I have never wanted anyone’s money or clothes. You know how I have worked with my own hands to make a living for myself and my friends. By everything I did, I showed how you should work to help everyone who is weak. Remember that our Lord Jesus said, “More blessings come from giving than from receiving.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

There is a little girl in my Sunday school class who went to a local bank today to see Santa. She and her little brother had their photo made with Santa.  The little girl’s mother posted on Facebook that “Julia has been so worried that everyone just asks Santa for presents and never asks what he wants. Julia did not ask for anything. She just asked Santa what he wanted.”  I would say that Julia is well on her way to developing a giving spirit!

There is nothing wrong with children sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him what they want for Christmas.  But too many of us have cultivated the “what’s-in-it-for-ME?” attitude to the point that it has become second nature to us. Everything we say and do is framed in this context.  We are envious of others…we fight to “keep up with the neighbors”…and some of us would step over our own family members to make an extra buck to acquire more “stuff.”

I grew up in an atmosphere of giving.  I watched my Mam-ma Polly give out of her abundance more times than I can count.  And let me be clear…my grandparents were NOT rich!  I thought they were when I was little, because they were ALWAYS giving something to someone.  Not until I was an adult did I realize how little they had…and how much they gave.  And it served them well.  My Mam-ma was one of the most loved women I’ve ever known.  And she was revered for her generous spirit.

Don’t misunderstand me…we don’t give so others will think we are wonderful.  We give because Jesus commanded us to do this…to meet the needs of others and think of these ahead of our own.  God has already given us Jesus and more than we ever could deserve.  The fact that He also blesses us with love and abundance because of our own generosity toward others is merely a nice side benefit.

Look around…especially this holiday season.  Who is in need…of a hug, a card, a bag of cookies or candy, a warm coat, a few bucks, a sack of groceries, a helping hand, a ride, or a few words of encouragement?  Who needs to know that you care…in whatever form that may take?  Who needs to see Jesus in the words and actions that you provide?  Who will be the catalyst for blessings you cannot even imagine, as you yield to Jesus’ command and “work to help everyone who is weak?”

Isn’t it time you asked someone else what they wanted – even Santa?  Will this be the day that you get started?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 19, 2016

Romans 13:1-7
Obey the rulers who have authority over you. Only God can give authority to anyone, and he puts these rulers in their places of power. People who oppose the authorities are opposing what God has done, and they will be punished. Rulers are a threat to evil people, not to good people. There is no need to be afraid of the authorities. Just do right, and they will praise you for it. After all, they are God’s servants, and it is their duty to help you.

If you do something wrong, you ought to be afraid, because these rulers have the right to punish you. They are God’s servants who punish criminals to show how angry God is. But you should obey the rulers because you know it is the right thing to do, and not just because of God’s anger.

You must also pay your taxes. The authorities are God’s servants, and it is their duty to take care of these matters. Pay all that you owe, whether it is taxes and fees or respect and honor.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I hope you will give me the courtesy of reading this entire message.  I did not want to write about this scripture passage.  It showed up in my outline, and frankly, I skipped it yesterday.  I read the words and said, “I hear You, LORD…but I just can’t do it.”  I understand that you may feel differently, and that is the beauty of a democratic republic…we are free to make our own choices.

I will tell you…this president-elect and the people he is tapping to assist him in leading our country scare me half to death!  It is my right to say this…although I will never resort to name calling or disrespectful words and actions.  Many did not afford President Obama respect and kindness. People who are supposed to be “Christian” friends…people I’ve known and loved all of my life…have called our current president every name in the book – and then some – and spoken terribly about him for the last eight years.  While I do not dare to judge, I feel that their words and actions have not been those of a person who would cause me want to follow Jesus, if this is how His disciples behave. But I do not believe that Jesus truly condones such behavior…and He must hang His head in disappointment quite often!

I’ve thought a lot about the election in the last two weeks…and I pondered these verses in Romans, as well.  I asked God NOT to make me write on them…and then I asked, “But why did you place them before me?”  Here’s what I feel that God is saying to me.  I believe this is a test of my faith. I feel that God is saying, “You know that I have told you to respect your government and its leaders.  I know that you are not comfortable with the incoming administration.  But do you trust Me?  Do you have enough faith to follow Me and do this hard thing…and believe that I will handle your worries and fears?”

There have been plenty of elected officials for whom I did not vote.  I have been disappointed more than once politically, and I bet you have, too.  I have always tried to be respectful and take the high road…even when others were not as kind in turn.  But I have to tell you, this one is really hard, because I have seen behavior and talk from this man and his “team” that I cannot help but believe troubles God terribly.  So I have to conclude that God is testing us…and when the day comes (and it will) when YOUR candidates are not elected, He will be watching to see if YOU listen to Him and show respect, obey the laws, pay your taxes, and behave as a good citizen.  I also am praying that the president-elect and his administration will take Paul’s words to the Romans to heart and take their roles as God’s servants (and ours) seriously.

Meanwhile…we have all got to figure out how to get along, regardless of who we support and/or endorse politically.  And I think this begins with all of us getting quiet and ceasing the hand-wringing for a while. I feel God calling for us to be still and listen for His voice…to allow Him room to work, and to trust His plans - even if we don’t see how they will possibly be good for any of us.

My mother had two sayings that are etched into my memory…”Two wrongs don’t make a right,” and “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything.”  Perhaps it’s time we brought these back and put them in to some heavy-duty practice, as we trust God to make a way where we cannot see one!  I’ll go first…will you join me?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 18, 2016

Romans 13:8-10
Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others—never finish paying that! For if you love them, you will be obeying all of God’s laws, fulfilling all his requirements. If you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself you will not want to harm or cheat him, or kill him or steal from him. And you won’t sin with his wife or want what is his, or do anything else the Ten Commandments say is wrong. All ten are wrapped up in this one, to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That’s why it fully satisfies all of God’s requirements. It is the only law you need.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Fridays have become a busy time for me.  I​ spend the morning and at least part of the afternoon helping in Timothy and Zola’s classrooms at school.  It is no secret that I love children.  I love getting to know them…teaching them and watching as their minds expand with knowledge.  I love “loving” them and seeing their faces light up when they receive a smile or a hug.  I love encouraging a child and seeing the joy that he/she experiences when the “light bulb” goes on and things improve or a concept is fully understood. I love the purity and innocence with which children give and receive love.

Sometimes, children have to be corrected.  After all, we do have work to do and academic goals to achieve!  I have to remind students to stay on task.  I have to tell children that I cannot give them the answers to the test…that I will help them all I can, but I can’t do their work for them. I must remind the children to stay quiet in the hallways  - and stay in their seats and listen to the teacher in the classroom - even though they have a bazillion things they feel they simply must tell me immediately!  But these moments of correction are peppered with love and kindness.  I may speak firmly…but hopefully I am never harsh.  I may give a child an answer that he/she doesn’t want to hear…but I never want to make anyone feel ashamed.

I found a blog called Swords&Snoodles*, written by a woman in the United Kingdom named Becci Nicholls.  She shared a meme on Pinterest that said…” Don't become preoccupied with your child's academic ability. But instead, teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer their help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to share. Teach them to look for the good.  This is how they'll change the world.”

At the end of the day…love is what matters. This scripture passage is right…”Love your neighbor as yourself” is the only law we need.  This one commandment encompasses everything else.  Love does no intentional wrong to anyone…ever. A lot of us seem to have forgotten this.  Don’t you think it’s time we were reminded?

Are you looking for the good and operating in love - at all times toward all people?  Isn’t it time you were?
          
©2016 Debbie Robus

* http://swordsandsnoodles.co.uk/

Daily Devotional for November 17, 2016

Romans 12:19-21
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. Don’t take the law into your own hands. Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be “heaping coals of fire on his head.” In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you. Don’t let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I’ve shared this story before, but when my siblings and I were little, my mother was nursing this pitiful magnolia tree sprout in our yard.  It must have been about 2½ feet tall and was almost laughable as a “tree.”  One day, the neighborhood kids and I were playing a little game of “Jack Jump Over the Candlestick” and hurdling this “tree.”  Let’s just say that my attempt was less than successful…and the top of the tree snapped off.

I knew I was in terrible trouble, so I did what any quick-thinking seven-or-eight-year-old would do…I blamed my little brother.  I can still see my mother – absolutely furious over this broken tree – switching my brother all the way into the house.  I can hear him crying.  I can feel the mixture of angst that he was being punished – and relief that I was not.  And this incident haunts me even today.

My brother did not retaliate toward me.  And years later when I begged his forgiveness once again, he laughed and assured me that there were no hard feelings.  Still, I cannot tell you how ashamed I am of that incident – and others, I’m sure, where I blamed him to save my own hide.

To be sure, we did our share of fighting as siblings.  I still remember the day that my brother hit me in the front yard, and my dad stood in the doorway and said, “Hit him back!”  I burst into tears, looked at my brother, and said, “I can’t!”

Today, the magnolia tree towers several stories high into the sky in the corner of my mother’s front yard. I have to say, I have a love-hate relationship with that tree!  It reminds me of a time when I behaved badly, and my brother graciously did not seek revenge.  The other incident reminds me that I had an opportunity to seek retribution for an offense…and I could not bring myself to do it.  Whatever the reason, I am truly grateful.  I don’t have to live with the guilt and shame of that day!

A lot of us are fighting battles that are not ours.  We are trying to “make them pay” (whoever “them” is) for something that offended or upset us.  Or maybe we are on the other end…we have said or done something we shouldn’t…and we’re pretty well waiting for “the shoe to fall” as we receive retribution. Here’s the thing…we need to let go and allow God to work…because He can, and He will – and in a far better manner than we ever imagined.

God is calling us to “go high”…to treat others as we wish to be treated and to offer others the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness and compassion that He gives to us every minute of the day.  We are called to feed the “hungry and thirsty”…to “heap coals of kindness” upon the heads of those who have mistreated us.  Maybe they will feel shame and remorse…and maybe not.  Either way, it won’t matter, because our response will please God…and He will make the difference – for us AND the other guy. Are you ready to let Him?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 16, 2016

Romans 12:17-18
Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through. Don’t quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Without going into details that might be hurtful to some, I will tell you that I have seen the results of paybacks…and they were not pretty.  Some furthered the hurt and anger…while others were, quite literally, lethal.  Retaliation and revenge do not serve us well.

I will be the first to admit that there are times when I have a hard time holding my tongue…and times when I truly am unsuccessful. I have “set a few people straight”…or tried.  Did it help?  I don’t know.  Sometimes, I think it just widened the divide between us.  In some cases, that might not seem like a big deal.  Who cares of you never speak to that acquaintance again or not?  So what if you go separate ways?

It is one thing to distance yourself from evil…to put space between you and people who cause you angst or disrupt your life.  But when we continue to churn internally over this…or to harbor ill feelings in our heart, this goes against everything Jesus has taught us.

I had an unsettling experience a few years ago with some people who were supposed to be Christian disciples. Ugly things were said that I felt did not represent the love of Christ for all of His people. Sadly, things got pretty heated.  I have had a hard time forgiving some of those involved in this situation. However, I realized that if I wanted to be like Jesus, I had to try to forgive and treat them as I wished to be treated. So, when I see one of the people involved, I smile and speak to them. More than once, the person has adopted the “duck and run” response.

This is okay…I’ve done my part.  Perhaps they feel guilty over how they behaved…or ashamed to receive grace and mercy after acting so unkindly. The best part for me is the peace that I feel because of MY reaction and response.  I know that God does not sanction holding grudges…and I try to let go of these as quickly as possible.

There is so much discourse in our country right now. People on both sides of many issues want to make “the other side” pay…to inflict pain and retribution…to prove that this one or that is right – and the others are wrong.  Please take time to prayerfully consider this message from Romans 12 today.  Be at peace with everyone, as much as possible.  Smile and walk away with confidence that you operated as Jesus commands…and offered His grace and mercy – even when you didn’t feel like doing so!

Let others see you as someone who operates in the love of Jesus Christ…not a person who says one thing and does another. Treat others as you wish to be treated…even those who appear to operate in evil talk and action.  Live in a way that brings no regrets or shame.  Learn to make a difference rather than a point.  Let go…and let God have control!  These are often difficult results to achieve…but we CAN do this! This is my goal…is it yours?

©2016 Debbie Robus