Hebrews 12:14-17
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In Genesis 25 the story of the “Esau syndrome” is explained. Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac. One day he came in from the fields, and found his younger twin brother, Jacob, cooking a big stew. Esau was starving, and he asked for a serving. I don’t know if Jacob was teasing him at first, or if he was truly serious…but he basically said to Esau, “I’ll give you a bowl of stew in exchange for your rights as the firstborn.” And Esau said, “Okay!” In other words, Esau traded his lifelong heritage and the blessings that God and Isaac intended to be his for a belly full of food that satisfied an immediate appetite.
When we picked Timothy and Zola up after Sunday school yesterday, Timothy’s teacher handed him an empty toilet paper roll covered in cotton balls and said, “Don’t forget your ‘Esau arm’!” All the way to the car, Timothy told his Uncle Greg, “Jacob LIED to his father! He LIED! We aren’t supposed to LIE!” The Sunday school lesson had come from Genesis 27… a further development in the “Jacob and Esau saga”. You should read the whole story for yourself, but here’s a quick synopsis. Esau was a very hairy redhead. Scripture doesn’t fully describe Jacob’s appearance, but it is assumed that he looked nothing like Esau.
Isaac was old, blind and dying, and he had told Esau that he would bless him and his future. Scripture indicates that Isaac was partial to Esau. Jacob and his mother Rebekah were jealous of this, and they concocted a scheme to cover Jacob’s arms in animal fur, so that he would feel and smell like Esau. He would then go to Isaac and ask for the blessing, and Isaac would give it – thinking he was giving this sacred sign to Esau. Pick up your Bible and read the rest of the story to get a full account…but let’s just say that Jacob got himself into a huge heap of trouble!
This story made a big impact on Timothy. He was very impressed with his “hairy arm”…and even more affected by the message that lying is NOT a good thing! I am not sure that this lesson for 4-year-olds fully explored trading God’s lifelong gift for a short-term appetite…but the seeds were planted for learning more about this at a future date. But it is most certainly time for us to understand this lesson and get the whole picture!
Here’s the thing…we cannot make ourselves look better in God’s eyes than the next guy. All we do is end up hurting ourselves and others in the process. Sibling rivalry is as old as Cain and Abel…and jealousy and the desire to satisfy human appetites is documented in the Garden of Eden! Because of the devil and his power, we are vulnerable to sin…we lie, cheat, gossip, get caught up in jealousies, bicker, and plot “evil” against others in the form of deceptions – and even retributions. These are often the “weeds” in the “garden” that is our life. But this is not God’s desire for us…and in Jesus, we find the perfect role model for how to treat others, regardless of our circumstances.
Every time I read the account of Jesus’ trial before the Romans and Pontius Pilate and the horrific beating He endured before a single nail was ever pounded into His flesh, I am reminded that the “indignities” and insults we experience are nothing by comparison. And yet, Jesus did not retaliate – although He surely could have! Instead, Jesus forgave…thieves on the cross, Roman soldiers who mocked Him…and ultimately, you and me!
I have to say, that little cardboard toilet paper roll with cotton balls made an impact on me, too. I will think of it when I think about how I treat others…how I react – and respond – to them. I will remind myself of the “Esau syndrome” and the “Esau arm”…and I will ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” I so want to get at least a glimpse of God face-to-face someday… and the Bible tells me this is an important part of how it’s done! Will you remember the “hairy arm” of Esau…and the compassion, grace and mercy of Jesus? Will you choose the latter as your model for daily living? Shouldn’t you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label jealousy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jealousy. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 30, 2013
Isaiah 11:13
Then at last the jealousy between Israel and Judah will end. They will not be rivals anymore.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My mother-in-law dog sits for several families. She keeps their dogs for anywhere from one day to a few weeks, as needed. One couple has two little dogs… Breezy and Cookie. Breezy is an older dog… Cookie is fairly young and new… both are what I call “dust mops!” Cookie is all energetic and friendly… Breezy is old and tired. But Breezy was here first… and she is jealous of Cookie! So when Cookie runs past her and jumps into my mother-in-law’s lap, Breezy barks and growls. She knows that she cannot jump up that high… but she does not like it that Cookie can!
Of course, petty jealousy among animals is to be expected… and fairly uncontrollable. By nature, most animals are territorial. They do not like when another encroaches on their space. This can cause some pretty good ruckuses and commotions! And we are all jealous at one time or another. Even God is jealous… He does not like it when we give our attention and devotion to something or someone other than Him!
But a lot of our acts of envy, resentment, suspicion, distrust, and desire of another’s possessions or traits are unnecessary… and could be avoided. As a result, we could have a whole lot more peace in our daily living! The first step in achieving this can begin with Isaiah 11. Start at the beginning of this chapter. We are told of the coming of “a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root”. This “Branch” is Jesus Christ. Isaiah describes Him this way…
God’s jealousy over us is a protective one… a possessiveness of us borne out of our Father’s deep abiding love for His children. His is not necessarily envy as much as a desire to be first and foremost in our lives… to be the only focus of our worship and devotion. Human jealousy has an ugly side and features suspicion, distrust, covetousness, resentfulness, and selfish desires. Because of God’s jealousy, we find peace in belonging solely to Him. Because of our own human jealousy, we often experience anything but peace!
In Jesus, we find the perfect example of how to honor and obey the LORD… to discover complete peace in Him…and to bear “good fruit.” Unlike Cookie and Breezy and other canines, we humans DO have a choice. We can do our best to model the teachings of Jesus Christ. We can seek lives of peace and calm rather than discord and commotion.
We can “bear good fruit” that reflects our relationship to the “Branch”. We can call on God to end our internal rivalries and fill us with serenity and an inner stillness… and He will gladly do this. Aren’t you ready to experience this for yourself? Will this be the day your “rivalries” end?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Then at last the jealousy between Israel and Judah will end. They will not be rivals anymore.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My mother-in-law dog sits for several families. She keeps their dogs for anywhere from one day to a few weeks, as needed. One couple has two little dogs… Breezy and Cookie. Breezy is an older dog… Cookie is fairly young and new… both are what I call “dust mops!” Cookie is all energetic and friendly… Breezy is old and tired. But Breezy was here first… and she is jealous of Cookie! So when Cookie runs past her and jumps into my mother-in-law’s lap, Breezy barks and growls. She knows that she cannot jump up that high… but she does not like it that Cookie can!
Of course, petty jealousy among animals is to be expected… and fairly uncontrollable. By nature, most animals are territorial. They do not like when another encroaches on their space. This can cause some pretty good ruckuses and commotions! And we are all jealous at one time or another. Even God is jealous… He does not like it when we give our attention and devotion to something or someone other than Him!
But a lot of our acts of envy, resentment, suspicion, distrust, and desire of another’s possessions or traits are unnecessary… and could be avoided. As a result, we could have a whole lot more peace in our daily living! The first step in achieving this can begin with Isaiah 11. Start at the beginning of this chapter. We are told of the coming of “a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root”. This “Branch” is Jesus Christ. Isaiah describes Him this way…
- The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
- He will delight in obeying the Lord.
- He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.
- He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited.
- The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
- He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
God’s jealousy over us is a protective one… a possessiveness of us borne out of our Father’s deep abiding love for His children. His is not necessarily envy as much as a desire to be first and foremost in our lives… to be the only focus of our worship and devotion. Human jealousy has an ugly side and features suspicion, distrust, covetousness, resentfulness, and selfish desires. Because of God’s jealousy, we find peace in belonging solely to Him. Because of our own human jealousy, we often experience anything but peace!
In Jesus, we find the perfect example of how to honor and obey the LORD… to discover complete peace in Him…and to bear “good fruit.” Unlike Cookie and Breezy and other canines, we humans DO have a choice. We can do our best to model the teachings of Jesus Christ. We can seek lives of peace and calm rather than discord and commotion.
We can “bear good fruit” that reflects our relationship to the “Branch”. We can call on God to end our internal rivalries and fill us with serenity and an inner stillness… and He will gladly do this. Aren’t you ready to experience this for yourself? Will this be the day your “rivalries” end?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 26, 2013
Haggai 2:6-9
Soon I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake the nations, and their treasures will be brought here. Then the brightness of my glory will fill this temple. All silver and gold belong to me, and I promise that this new temple will be more glorious than the first one. I will also bless this city with peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This was my daily quote…I am sorry I don’t have the source to cite…”A Sunday school teacher was reading a Bible story to her class. ‘The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and turned to salt.’ A little boy softly asked, ‘What happened to the flea?’”
Today’s scripture passage was included in an outline I created for scriptures on peace… gleaned from several Internet searches for such verses. I almost deleted these particular verses from the outline. Frankly, I didn’t understand a lot about Haggai. I knew that he was a prophet, but I didn’t know much about the meaning or history behind his 2-chapter book in the Old Testament.
The Internet is an amazing resource! I found several commentaries on Haggai and read a few of them. Still, there was little to no clarity about what these chapters had to do with finding God’s peace. Then I discovered a commentary at http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/haggai.pdf by Thomas L. Constable, Th.D., Senior Professor Emeritus of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Thomas took 26 pages to outline and explain Haggai’s prophecy and why he believes God allowed it to be included in the Old Testament writings. He narrowed it down to four “perils” that we face… 1) misplaced priorities; 2) incorrect perspectives, 3) unrealistic expectations; and 4) unnecessary fears. Dr. Thomas noted the verses in these chapters in which Haggai demonstrates these perils. Solomon’s temple has been destroyed. There is a movement to rebuild this temple, but the people of Israel appear to be too busy and preoccupied with building their own homes and other endeavors to fully concentrate on rebuilding God’s temple (misplaced priorities).
Once building does begin, those involved decide that the temple is not going to be as grand and glorious as the one built by King Solomon, and they become discouraged and disheartened (incorrect perspectives). They expect lavish blessings and gifts from God for their efforts to rebuild… and they are disappointed (unrealistic expectations). After the temple is completed, the people of Israel compare themselves to the Gentiles and decide that they are inferior as a people… that they will never be as respected and valued by God as others (unnecessary fears). Haggai reminds us how wrong the Israelites were on all counts.
Don’t these “perils” ring a bell? Haven’t we all had misplaced priorities… incorrect perspectives…unrealistic expectations… and unnecessary fears? The people of Israel failed to put God’s work ahead of their own… don’t we sometimes do this? They based their value and the value of their contributions on personal wealth. In other words, those who didn’t have a lot of gold and silver to give to the “building fund” didn’t believe their contributions would be valued in the project. How many times have you decided that you or your contributions were not “good enough” to be offered?
The people of Israel thought that any efforts they did make for God would be instantly and tremendously rewarded. Do we expect “immediate gratification and reward” from God for our “good deeds?” They looked around and compared themselves to others… and promptly felt like they did not measure up. How often do you look in the mirror and wish you looked more like So-and-So? Do you sometimes wish you had another person’s possessions, appearance… or their life in general? Like the Israelites, do you diminish your own value in God’s eyes and long for the “favor” He appears to grant to another? Truly, we are all exactly like the people of Israel that Haggai describes!
Can we possibly hope to experience God’s peace in the midst of these pressures? I think you know the answer. Haggai dispels every one of these “perils” with promises from God… “Don’t worry. My Spirit is right here with you…I promise that this new temple will be more glorious than the first one... I will also bless this city with peace.”
We are all a lot like the little boy hearing the Sunday school lesson… we’re focused on the flea and completely missed the real message! Don’t overlook the significance of Haggai’s words… make God’s plans for your life a top priority. Recognize that God doesn’t care about your material wealth – He just wants you to do your best with what you have. Celebrate God’s timing and learn to appreciate even His smallest blessings and gifts as much or more than the extravagant ones. Recognize that we are all precious in His sight. The talents, abilities and strengths He gave to you are uniquely yours… and would never be right for someone else. By the same token, theirs would never be right for you!
Who knew there was such “meat” in a 2-chapter Old Testament prophecy? If we change these four “life pressures” into positive actions that glorify God and His love for us, I believe that the peace in our lives will grow exponentially. God has pretty much guaranteed it. Now it’s up to us to do our part. What will you do? Will you start to turn these pressures around… or are you still too busy worrying about what happened to the flea?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Soon I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake the nations, and their treasures will be brought here. Then the brightness of my glory will fill this temple. All silver and gold belong to me, and I promise that this new temple will be more glorious than the first one. I will also bless this city with peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This was my daily quote…I am sorry I don’t have the source to cite…”A Sunday school teacher was reading a Bible story to her class. ‘The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and turned to salt.’ A little boy softly asked, ‘What happened to the flea?’”
Today’s scripture passage was included in an outline I created for scriptures on peace… gleaned from several Internet searches for such verses. I almost deleted these particular verses from the outline. Frankly, I didn’t understand a lot about Haggai. I knew that he was a prophet, but I didn’t know much about the meaning or history behind his 2-chapter book in the Old Testament.
The Internet is an amazing resource! I found several commentaries on Haggai and read a few of them. Still, there was little to no clarity about what these chapters had to do with finding God’s peace. Then I discovered a commentary at http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/haggai.pdf by Thomas L. Constable, Th.D., Senior Professor Emeritus of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Thomas took 26 pages to outline and explain Haggai’s prophecy and why he believes God allowed it to be included in the Old Testament writings. He narrowed it down to four “perils” that we face… 1) misplaced priorities; 2) incorrect perspectives, 3) unrealistic expectations; and 4) unnecessary fears. Dr. Thomas noted the verses in these chapters in which Haggai demonstrates these perils. Solomon’s temple has been destroyed. There is a movement to rebuild this temple, but the people of Israel appear to be too busy and preoccupied with building their own homes and other endeavors to fully concentrate on rebuilding God’s temple (misplaced priorities).
Once building does begin, those involved decide that the temple is not going to be as grand and glorious as the one built by King Solomon, and they become discouraged and disheartened (incorrect perspectives). They expect lavish blessings and gifts from God for their efforts to rebuild… and they are disappointed (unrealistic expectations). After the temple is completed, the people of Israel compare themselves to the Gentiles and decide that they are inferior as a people… that they will never be as respected and valued by God as others (unnecessary fears). Haggai reminds us how wrong the Israelites were on all counts.
Don’t these “perils” ring a bell? Haven’t we all had misplaced priorities… incorrect perspectives…unrealistic expectations… and unnecessary fears? The people of Israel failed to put God’s work ahead of their own… don’t we sometimes do this? They based their value and the value of their contributions on personal wealth. In other words, those who didn’t have a lot of gold and silver to give to the “building fund” didn’t believe their contributions would be valued in the project. How many times have you decided that you or your contributions were not “good enough” to be offered?
The people of Israel thought that any efforts they did make for God would be instantly and tremendously rewarded. Do we expect “immediate gratification and reward” from God for our “good deeds?” They looked around and compared themselves to others… and promptly felt like they did not measure up. How often do you look in the mirror and wish you looked more like So-and-So? Do you sometimes wish you had another person’s possessions, appearance… or their life in general? Like the Israelites, do you diminish your own value in God’s eyes and long for the “favor” He appears to grant to another? Truly, we are all exactly like the people of Israel that Haggai describes!
Can we possibly hope to experience God’s peace in the midst of these pressures? I think you know the answer. Haggai dispels every one of these “perils” with promises from God… “Don’t worry. My Spirit is right here with you…I promise that this new temple will be more glorious than the first one... I will also bless this city with peace.”
We are all a lot like the little boy hearing the Sunday school lesson… we’re focused on the flea and completely missed the real message! Don’t overlook the significance of Haggai’s words… make God’s plans for your life a top priority. Recognize that God doesn’t care about your material wealth – He just wants you to do your best with what you have. Celebrate God’s timing and learn to appreciate even His smallest blessings and gifts as much or more than the extravagant ones. Recognize that we are all precious in His sight. The talents, abilities and strengths He gave to you are uniquely yours… and would never be right for someone else. By the same token, theirs would never be right for you!
Who knew there was such “meat” in a 2-chapter Old Testament prophecy? If we change these four “life pressures” into positive actions that glorify God and His love for us, I believe that the peace in our lives will grow exponentially. God has pretty much guaranteed it. Now it’s up to us to do our part. What will you do? Will you start to turn these pressures around… or are you still too busy worrying about what happened to the flea?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 20, 2010
April 20 ~ Luke 14:8-11
When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the best place. Someone more important may have been invited. Then the one who invited you will come and say, "Give your place to this other guest!" You will be embarrassed and will have to sit in the worst place.
When you are invited to be a guest, go and sit in the worst place. Then the one who invited you may come and say, "My friend, take a better seat!" You will then be honored in front of all the other guests. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For three years in the late 80’s/early 90’s, I handled publicity for a locally-based company that sold its products internationally. My job was to get the products mentioned in magazines, newspapers, and other media. I also wrote press releases and traveled with company executives and employees to promote their products at markets, parties, and special events. I jetted around the country, dined in fancy restaurants and stayed in posh hotels. In my job, I often functioned in a world completely the opposite of my quiet home life with my husband and two cats on a little farm outside of Heber Springs.
This was before the Internet really came into everyday use, so I spent countless hours on the phone with magazine editors, designers, and other PR people. I became well acquainted with magazine editors from VOGUE, HOME, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, and dozens more. I met many famous people and even dined with a few.
Are you impressed? Don’t be! These were all ordinary people who happened to be in extraordinary positions. One of the best lessons I learned from this three-year experience was not to be affected by celebrity. It’s not that I became numb to the fame and fortune. I simply realized that when you strip away the fancy clothes, the jets, the money, the cameras and media recognition, each is an ordinary person who probably grew up very much like you and I did. They may still have “regular” home towns and families… and probably plenty of “regular” problems and challenges. We want to define them by their surroundings and “things,” but we are mistaken to do so.
I came to appreciate some of these people as genuine folks who happened to have interesting jobs or lifestyles. Some of them recognized me as a person and not just the means to a good story or photo for their magazine spread. Some I realized were really lonely human beings hiding behind a façade of fame and fortune. Still others were caught up in the hoopla and wanted others to think they were really “special!” Looking back, I see all of these people I met very differently. I wonder, “How did they see me? Did I reflect Jesus to them? Did they think I saw them as real people, or just a means to a mention for my company’s products?”
I pray that we would all take a good hard look at ourselves and see what sort of image we are projecting. Are we the “real deal” – a true, humble servant of Christ who reflects His love and light to others? Or are we hangers-on… wannabes… blinded by the lure of recognition and celebrity? Do we teeter on the brink of embarrassment, should others find out who we really are? Or have we stripped away any layers of phoniness, blind ambition, greed, and self-service, and let Jesus use us for His purposes? The question of the day is, “Where does God see you sitting… and how did you get there?”
©2010 Debbie Robus
When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the best place. Someone more important may have been invited. Then the one who invited you will come and say, "Give your place to this other guest!" You will be embarrassed and will have to sit in the worst place.
When you are invited to be a guest, go and sit in the worst place. Then the one who invited you may come and say, "My friend, take a better seat!" You will then be honored in front of all the other guests. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For three years in the late 80’s/early 90’s, I handled publicity for a locally-based company that sold its products internationally. My job was to get the products mentioned in magazines, newspapers, and other media. I also wrote press releases and traveled with company executives and employees to promote their products at markets, parties, and special events. I jetted around the country, dined in fancy restaurants and stayed in posh hotels. In my job, I often functioned in a world completely the opposite of my quiet home life with my husband and two cats on a little farm outside of Heber Springs.
This was before the Internet really came into everyday use, so I spent countless hours on the phone with magazine editors, designers, and other PR people. I became well acquainted with magazine editors from VOGUE, HOME, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, and dozens more. I met many famous people and even dined with a few.
Are you impressed? Don’t be! These were all ordinary people who happened to be in extraordinary positions. One of the best lessons I learned from this three-year experience was not to be affected by celebrity. It’s not that I became numb to the fame and fortune. I simply realized that when you strip away the fancy clothes, the jets, the money, the cameras and media recognition, each is an ordinary person who probably grew up very much like you and I did. They may still have “regular” home towns and families… and probably plenty of “regular” problems and challenges. We want to define them by their surroundings and “things,” but we are mistaken to do so.
I came to appreciate some of these people as genuine folks who happened to have interesting jobs or lifestyles. Some of them recognized me as a person and not just the means to a good story or photo for their magazine spread. Some I realized were really lonely human beings hiding behind a façade of fame and fortune. Still others were caught up in the hoopla and wanted others to think they were really “special!” Looking back, I see all of these people I met very differently. I wonder, “How did they see me? Did I reflect Jesus to them? Did they think I saw them as real people, or just a means to a mention for my company’s products?”
I pray that we would all take a good hard look at ourselves and see what sort of image we are projecting. Are we the “real deal” – a true, humble servant of Christ who reflects His love and light to others? Or are we hangers-on… wannabes… blinded by the lure of recognition and celebrity? Do we teeter on the brink of embarrassment, should others find out who we really are? Or have we stripped away any layers of phoniness, blind ambition, greed, and self-service, and let Jesus use us for His purposes? The question of the day is, “Where does God see you sitting… and how did you get there?”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 18, 2010
March 18 ~ Psalm 37:3-8
Trust the LORD and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe. Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire. Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right. Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you stopped to notice lately how many celebrities are hitting rock bottom? Addictions of all sorts plague them… long term relationships are almost non-existent… they end up in bankruptcy court and some even fall so far they take their own life – or lose it because of carelessness and the activities that consume them. So why do we sometimes aspire to be like these people? Why do we look at them and say, “Well THEY are doing it and getting rich, or THEY have all the luck.” Really?
We don’t often hear the “real-life stories” of those who are living right and trusting the Lord and how He delivered them, but I assure you, they are out there. And “Spiritual success stories” exist in your own community. Maybe you know someone who made a difficult choice and passed up what seemed like a great deal, lots of money, or the “chance of a lifetime.” But their prayerful consideration led them to believe God wanted them to do something else. I know a teacher who was once a successful sales manager for several states, but he felt God calling him to the classroom. I know others who sold their home, packed up their belongings, and moved into a small apartment in another city to start an urban ministry, because they felt God calling them to do so. I know people who gave up their vacation to do mission work in Costa Rica and other areas of need. They could have chosen to go to the beach and relax for a week, but instead, they chose to spend the time building needed facilities for a poor community and sharing God’s love with its people.
I could go on, but you get the picture. When we trust in God, and live right, even when it isn’t easy or fun, He blesses us. It may seem like the “sinners” have all the fun, but I assure you, they do not… and certainly not for the long haul. We’re heading into spring break for many. It is a time when there is always a lot of temptation to party all week and sorta go nuts. It’s all in good fun, right? It’s just one week, right? Let me tell you – a lot can happen in a week – both good and bad. Trust God to show you how to spend your spring break. If He tells you to go to the beach with your friends, ask Him how you should conduct yourself while you are there… and live right.
Whatever challenges and choices you face in life, be patient. This spring break – and beyond - don’t be angry with those who choose to do things you do not… and don’t be critical. Just stand firm, trust God, and stay safe, knowing that in the end, God will bless you and your efforts. The land will be yours, and God will show you that you made the right choices.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Trust the LORD and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe. Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire. Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right. Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you stopped to notice lately how many celebrities are hitting rock bottom? Addictions of all sorts plague them… long term relationships are almost non-existent… they end up in bankruptcy court and some even fall so far they take their own life – or lose it because of carelessness and the activities that consume them. So why do we sometimes aspire to be like these people? Why do we look at them and say, “Well THEY are doing it and getting rich, or THEY have all the luck.” Really?
We don’t often hear the “real-life stories” of those who are living right and trusting the Lord and how He delivered them, but I assure you, they are out there. And “Spiritual success stories” exist in your own community. Maybe you know someone who made a difficult choice and passed up what seemed like a great deal, lots of money, or the “chance of a lifetime.” But their prayerful consideration led them to believe God wanted them to do something else. I know a teacher who was once a successful sales manager for several states, but he felt God calling him to the classroom. I know others who sold their home, packed up their belongings, and moved into a small apartment in another city to start an urban ministry, because they felt God calling them to do so. I know people who gave up their vacation to do mission work in Costa Rica and other areas of need. They could have chosen to go to the beach and relax for a week, but instead, they chose to spend the time building needed facilities for a poor community and sharing God’s love with its people.
I could go on, but you get the picture. When we trust in God, and live right, even when it isn’t easy or fun, He blesses us. It may seem like the “sinners” have all the fun, but I assure you, they do not… and certainly not for the long haul. We’re heading into spring break for many. It is a time when there is always a lot of temptation to party all week and sorta go nuts. It’s all in good fun, right? It’s just one week, right? Let me tell you – a lot can happen in a week – both good and bad. Trust God to show you how to spend your spring break. If He tells you to go to the beach with your friends, ask Him how you should conduct yourself while you are there… and live right.
Whatever challenges and choices you face in life, be patient. This spring break – and beyond - don’t be angry with those who choose to do things you do not… and don’t be critical. Just stand firm, trust God, and stay safe, knowing that in the end, God will bless you and your efforts. The land will be yours, and God will show you that you made the right choices.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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