Matthew 2:1-4
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”
When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
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.
Greg and I watched a sitcom recently in which a teenager found himself caught in a lie. His older sister convinced him that the best way to get out of it was to tell even BIGGER lies until people began to buy into the story and believe them to be truthful. Of course, this ultimately backfired, and the boy had to “come clean” about what had really happened.
Every single one of us has heard some news that had us scrambling to find out the details…to ask around and “get the skinny” on what was really going to happen. At the heart of the matter, we wanted to know what effect it would have on our own lives. Would this be good news for us…or bad news? When things are rocking along pretty well in our world, we don’t like to think about a change…especially one that might cause us some trouble!
Hopefully, such news has never left us terrified…at least not for the same reasons as Herod! Most assuredly, let’s hope that we never believe that the way to correct misinformation is with more untruths. At the heart of the matter, Herod was operating in fear and pride. His ego would not allow him to consider another king…not even one sent from God. So when he heard news that the Messiah had been born, all he could think about was figuring out a way to find Him and kill Him – or to convince his soldiers to do this! Now that’s some fear and pride at work!
I would hope that none of us plots evil things to cover our own sins – or to deal with our fears and the things that we believe will disrupt life as we know it! But just in case, let me leave you with this thought. Jesus is the light of the world. He tells us in John 10:10 that “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” There is nothing to fear about Jesus! With Him, ALL things are possible.
When a sense of fear or dread comes upon you, remember the Good News of Jesus Christ. Say a prayer and ask Him to help you squarely face whatever is in your path…and to give you wisdom and faith as you follow His lead. Like Herod and the “scholars”, we have two paths from which to choose. Make the right decision…follow Jesus, the King of Kings! Worship Him and walk in His ways, and you’ll never have to worry about the outcome.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label lies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lies. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 23, 2013
Psalm 52
Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
All day long you plot destruction.
Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
you’re an expert at telling lies.
You love evil more than good
and lies more than truth.
You love to destroy others with your words,
you liar!
But God will strike you down once and for all.
He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,
“Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people.
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.
You know the song, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. We’ve all sung it a zillion times. Remember the line where it says, “He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice”? We’ve all known people who were plenty “naughty”… and still seemed to manage to be on Santa’s “nice” list!
At some point, you have probably said of someone else… “If I did what he/she has done, I would be in jail… the poor house…big trouble…” (you fill in the blank). We all know people who seem to “get by with murder”. Maybe you know someone who never pays his/her bills, yet they always seem to get by somehow – and have nice things (like clothes, cars and homes) in the bargain. Or maybe you know someone who is dishonest…who makes promises and doesn’t keep them… someone who is unreliable or downright disruptive… yet people flock to this person and want him/her to be in their circle of friends and influences.
Perhaps you have worked very hard at school, at a job, for your team, or for a group in your church… and someone else who flies under the radar seems to take all of the glory and accolades. Or maybe you know those who waltz into a situation, toss around money and big talk, and make a big (and phony) splash to garner attention and credit, while the real workers were overshadowed on the sidelines. MAYBE…someone has lied about you – or to you – and somehow, he/she has managed to bully you and/or others into believing that you were actually the one who was “in the wrong” in a particular situation. It’s all enough to make you throw up your hands and claim that “Nice guys really DO finish LAST!”
But David is reminding all of us in this Psalm that no one gets by with anything! God is watching… and He is not amused by those who think they are above reproach. Like an olive tree (which is prized for its hard wood and durability - as well as its beauty), we are to remain strong and steady in our faith and our actions. We are to place our hope in God’s unfailing love… and trust His directives for our lives. We are to “keep on keepin’ on”… even when it seems like we are spinning our wheels.
Ultimately, God will take action. Those who have “misbehaved” will be reprimanded… there will be consequences for their actions. Those who have used wealth and influence to get ahead will have to answer for their actions… and those who have remained relentless and faithful in their trust and service will be rewarded.
I know it’s frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch people cut corners and appear to skate by in life. But I also know that God will reward those who remain loyal and serve Him well. Don’t be distracted by the ones who play fast and loose with God’s gifts. Focus on Jesus and His teachings. Keep doing what you know is right… and never lose hope that God is noticing. GOD knows who is really naughty and nice…and His “list” is the only one that truly matters! The most important question is…in which column will He place your name?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
All day long you plot destruction.
Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
you’re an expert at telling lies.
You love evil more than good
and lies more than truth.
You love to destroy others with your words,
you liar!
But God will strike you down once and for all.
He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,
“Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people.
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.
You know the song, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. We’ve all sung it a zillion times. Remember the line where it says, “He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice”? We’ve all known people who were plenty “naughty”… and still seemed to manage to be on Santa’s “nice” list!
At some point, you have probably said of someone else… “If I did what he/she has done, I would be in jail… the poor house…big trouble…” (you fill in the blank). We all know people who seem to “get by with murder”. Maybe you know someone who never pays his/her bills, yet they always seem to get by somehow – and have nice things (like clothes, cars and homes) in the bargain. Or maybe you know someone who is dishonest…who makes promises and doesn’t keep them… someone who is unreliable or downright disruptive… yet people flock to this person and want him/her to be in their circle of friends and influences.
Perhaps you have worked very hard at school, at a job, for your team, or for a group in your church… and someone else who flies under the radar seems to take all of the glory and accolades. Or maybe you know those who waltz into a situation, toss around money and big talk, and make a big (and phony) splash to garner attention and credit, while the real workers were overshadowed on the sidelines. MAYBE…someone has lied about you – or to you – and somehow, he/she has managed to bully you and/or others into believing that you were actually the one who was “in the wrong” in a particular situation. It’s all enough to make you throw up your hands and claim that “Nice guys really DO finish LAST!”
But David is reminding all of us in this Psalm that no one gets by with anything! God is watching… and He is not amused by those who think they are above reproach. Like an olive tree (which is prized for its hard wood and durability - as well as its beauty), we are to remain strong and steady in our faith and our actions. We are to place our hope in God’s unfailing love… and trust His directives for our lives. We are to “keep on keepin’ on”… even when it seems like we are spinning our wheels.
Ultimately, God will take action. Those who have “misbehaved” will be reprimanded… there will be consequences for their actions. Those who have used wealth and influence to get ahead will have to answer for their actions… and those who have remained relentless and faithful in their trust and service will be rewarded.
I know it’s frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch people cut corners and appear to skate by in life. But I also know that God will reward those who remain loyal and serve Him well. Don’t be distracted by the ones who play fast and loose with God’s gifts. Focus on Jesus and His teachings. Keep doing what you know is right… and never lose hope that God is noticing. GOD knows who is really naughty and nice…and His “list” is the only one that truly matters! The most important question is…in which column will He place your name?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 19, 2013
Psalm 34:11-14
Come, my children, listen as I teach you
to respect the Lord.
Do you want to live
and enjoy a long life?
Then don’t say cruel things
and don’t tell lies.
Do good instead of evil
and try to live at peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In our neck of the woods, today is “Back-To-School Day”. Facebook is flooded with photos of kiddos posing in fresh new outfits with their backpacks… ready to start another year of studies. Some hold signs declaring their grade level. Others look less than thrilled to be photographed. Mommas and daddies are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions… glad to see the kids shoot out the door and back to a routine – but also sad to see how quickly they grow.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I remember the teary-eyed mothers who could hardly bear to say “Goodbye” at the door – as if their child was going off to war or something. I remember children who clung to their parent’s leg and didn’t want them to leave – as if school was a big ole scary place… and I was the Wicked Witch of the West! Somehow, it all worked out after that first morning or two. I totally “get” the jumble of feelings that parents experience when they drop off their most precious cargo and place them in the hands of virtual strangers for 7+ hours a day. We have all been so excited about our own little Timothy starting to pre-K. But at the same time, it signals a major shift in the timeline of life. It seems like once children start to school – even a pre-K – the years really begin to fly.
School is a wonderful experience for most children. School is important… the place where we hope that learning will occur in a structured, organized continuum… a setting where social skills will be honed and we learn to get along with others and find our place in society. And as I read this passage from Psalm 34 today, I thought, “This would be a great starting point for learning!” If only we could start our school year by teaching these verses! In a round-about way, I believe this will happen in many classrooms. I started my first day each year with a lesson about the “ground rules”.
I reviewed three “rules” with my students… 1) Be kind to others; 2) Work and play quietly; and 3) Respect other people’s property. This encompassed pretty much every situation that might arise. Say something cruel or tell a lie? Remember to be kind to others. Raise your voice or yell and scream? Don’t forget to work and play quietly. Take a toy, crayon or book that doesn’t belong to you – or someone else was using? Gotta respect other people’s property!
The same verses – and rules – have application for us…even long after we have finished our school careers. If we will heed the words of this passage from Psalm 34, we will have a much better shot at living in God’s peace. If we will “be kind to others, work and play quietly, and respect other people’s property” – if we will strive to do good instead of evil… God will bless us and give us a good life in Him.
I’ve said before that as a former teacher, this time of year was more my “New Year” than January 1st. So why don’t we make this a time that we resolve to pay attention to these verses in Psalm 34… to listen to the LORD, to tell the truth and be kind… and to live in a way that pleases Him and frustrates the devil. In the words of the old John Lennon song… let’s “give peace a chance” to grow in our hearts - and enjoy a long, full life in the LORD. Happy “Back-to-School Day”… may yours be blessed and filled with peace!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Come, my children, listen as I teach you
to respect the Lord.
Do you want to live
and enjoy a long life?
Then don’t say cruel things
and don’t tell lies.
Do good instead of evil
and try to live at peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In our neck of the woods, today is “Back-To-School Day”. Facebook is flooded with photos of kiddos posing in fresh new outfits with their backpacks… ready to start another year of studies. Some hold signs declaring their grade level. Others look less than thrilled to be photographed. Mommas and daddies are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions… glad to see the kids shoot out the door and back to a routine – but also sad to see how quickly they grow.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I remember the teary-eyed mothers who could hardly bear to say “Goodbye” at the door – as if their child was going off to war or something. I remember children who clung to their parent’s leg and didn’t want them to leave – as if school was a big ole scary place… and I was the Wicked Witch of the West! Somehow, it all worked out after that first morning or two. I totally “get” the jumble of feelings that parents experience when they drop off their most precious cargo and place them in the hands of virtual strangers for 7+ hours a day. We have all been so excited about our own little Timothy starting to pre-K. But at the same time, it signals a major shift in the timeline of life. It seems like once children start to school – even a pre-K – the years really begin to fly.
School is a wonderful experience for most children. School is important… the place where we hope that learning will occur in a structured, organized continuum… a setting where social skills will be honed and we learn to get along with others and find our place in society. And as I read this passage from Psalm 34 today, I thought, “This would be a great starting point for learning!” If only we could start our school year by teaching these verses! In a round-about way, I believe this will happen in many classrooms. I started my first day each year with a lesson about the “ground rules”.
I reviewed three “rules” with my students… 1) Be kind to others; 2) Work and play quietly; and 3) Respect other people’s property. This encompassed pretty much every situation that might arise. Say something cruel or tell a lie? Remember to be kind to others. Raise your voice or yell and scream? Don’t forget to work and play quietly. Take a toy, crayon or book that doesn’t belong to you – or someone else was using? Gotta respect other people’s property!
The same verses – and rules – have application for us…even long after we have finished our school careers. If we will heed the words of this passage from Psalm 34, we will have a much better shot at living in God’s peace. If we will “be kind to others, work and play quietly, and respect other people’s property” – if we will strive to do good instead of evil… God will bless us and give us a good life in Him.
I’ve said before that as a former teacher, this time of year was more my “New Year” than January 1st. So why don’t we make this a time that we resolve to pay attention to these verses in Psalm 34… to listen to the LORD, to tell the truth and be kind… and to live in a way that pleases Him and frustrates the devil. In the words of the old John Lennon song… let’s “give peace a chance” to grow in our hearts - and enjoy a long, full life in the LORD. Happy “Back-to-School Day”… may yours be blessed and filled with peace!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 7, 2013
Proverbs 12:20
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
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.
Recently, a man in Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and confinement of three young women who he held hostage and abused for more than a decade. Captured between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16, and 20, these women were freed in May 2013, when one of the women managed to escape and secure help. During sentencing, the captor was given a chance to speak in court. He launched into a lengthy “explanation” of how he was not a bad person… but rather a victim of his own sexual abuse - and subject to impulsive behavior. He maintained that he was not a violent person, and he tried to claim that he and the women shared a “normal family” relationship.
What a perfect example this is of someone who plotted evil and filled his heart with deceit! In fact, one of the victims spoke in court and labeled this man a hypocrite for attending church services every Sunday… and coming home to torture them afterward. Clearly, this is a sick, evil individual. I cannot imagine that he has an ounce of peace in his heart.
As upsetting and disgusting as this story is, we must remember that horrible, evil incidents like this have occurred since even Old Testament times. The devil is alive and well… and he loves to fill hearts with deceit. Lest we start slinging mud too fast and far, we should stop and acknowledge that we all have a propensity for deceit. Thankfully, most of us are not kidnappers and rapists… but we plot evil just the same.
When we “call in sick” so that we can do something fun, we are deceitful. When we make up excuses for friends, family members, co-workers, teachers, and others, we are devious, at best. Many of us lie, cheat and steal in some form or another all week long, then attend church on Sunday like the most pious of believers! Often, we tiptoe from one lie to the next… scared to death we will be “found out”… and stressed to the max as we try to juggle all of the deceptions we have created. Think of the adage by Scottish author and novelist, Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)… “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Where is the peace in this statement?
I have to believe that the women this man captured clung to the hope of peace someday… that they planned for it… dreamed of it… and believed that peace would once again be theirs. If they experienced even the briefest moments of joy, these surely were found in thoughts of being free and reunited with family members and friends. And I ask you… how do you plan for peace? What do you anticipate… what is the focus of your hopes and dreams… where do you place your hope? I have no clue how you answer these questions, but I can tell you that my ambitions and aspirations ultimately begin and end with Jesus. I don’t know what my future holds… but I know that He holds my future. I don’t know where or how joy will come, but I know that He will ensure that my heart is filled.
A dear friend of mine told me just today that “I am wondering now how anyone functions without being covered in the Peace of God. Thank goodness He is growing me daily, carries my burdens, and leads me with a growing clarity.” My question for you today is this… “Who grows you daily, carries your burdens, and leads you with a growing clarity? Are you covered in God’s peace? Is your heart filled with His joy… or do you still make room there for the devil?” Won’t you stop and think about this today? Will you ask God to show you how and where you need to change your attitude… and your objectives? Will this be the day you begin to fill your heart with God’s joy by planning peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
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.
Recently, a man in Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and confinement of three young women who he held hostage and abused for more than a decade. Captured between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16, and 20, these women were freed in May 2013, when one of the women managed to escape and secure help. During sentencing, the captor was given a chance to speak in court. He launched into a lengthy “explanation” of how he was not a bad person… but rather a victim of his own sexual abuse - and subject to impulsive behavior. He maintained that he was not a violent person, and he tried to claim that he and the women shared a “normal family” relationship.
What a perfect example this is of someone who plotted evil and filled his heart with deceit! In fact, one of the victims spoke in court and labeled this man a hypocrite for attending church services every Sunday… and coming home to torture them afterward. Clearly, this is a sick, evil individual. I cannot imagine that he has an ounce of peace in his heart.
As upsetting and disgusting as this story is, we must remember that horrible, evil incidents like this have occurred since even Old Testament times. The devil is alive and well… and he loves to fill hearts with deceit. Lest we start slinging mud too fast and far, we should stop and acknowledge that we all have a propensity for deceit. Thankfully, most of us are not kidnappers and rapists… but we plot evil just the same.
When we “call in sick” so that we can do something fun, we are deceitful. When we make up excuses for friends, family members, co-workers, teachers, and others, we are devious, at best. Many of us lie, cheat and steal in some form or another all week long, then attend church on Sunday like the most pious of believers! Often, we tiptoe from one lie to the next… scared to death we will be “found out”… and stressed to the max as we try to juggle all of the deceptions we have created. Think of the adage by Scottish author and novelist, Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)… “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Where is the peace in this statement?
I have to believe that the women this man captured clung to the hope of peace someday… that they planned for it… dreamed of it… and believed that peace would once again be theirs. If they experienced even the briefest moments of joy, these surely were found in thoughts of being free and reunited with family members and friends. And I ask you… how do you plan for peace? What do you anticipate… what is the focus of your hopes and dreams… where do you place your hope? I have no clue how you answer these questions, but I can tell you that my ambitions and aspirations ultimately begin and end with Jesus. I don’t know what my future holds… but I know that He holds my future. I don’t know where or how joy will come, but I know that He will ensure that my heart is filled.
A dear friend of mine told me just today that “I am wondering now how anyone functions without being covered in the Peace of God. Thank goodness He is growing me daily, carries my burdens, and leads me with a growing clarity.” My question for you today is this… “Who grows you daily, carries your burdens, and leads you with a growing clarity? Are you covered in God’s peace? Is your heart filled with His joy… or do you still make room there for the devil?” Won’t you stop and think about this today? Will you ask God to show you how and where you need to change your attitude… and your objectives? Will this be the day you begin to fill your heart with God’s joy by planning peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 30, 2013
Mark 13:11
But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
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.
Once in a while, I think of my friend Theresa… the librarian at the elementary school where I taught. Theresa married a man named Tom, and to hear her tell it… he was perfect. He was a city cop who did everything well… treated her like a queen… loved their daughter and his children from a previous marriage like the best daddy in the world. No other man measured up to Tom, and Theresa made sure we knew it! Now I look back and see that Theresa must have spent hours/days/weeks preparing her spiels for us. She must have thought long and hard about how to spin the story of her marriage to Tom.
All of the glowing accolades Theresa heaped upon this man could not change the fact that he was an abusive husband. I can still see the bruise marks on her neck where Tom strangled her… the mottled purple and yellow areas that no amount of mortician’s makeup could hide. I don’t know how much of the marriage that Theresa was trapped in an abusive situation. When she managed to escape, Tom harassed her… and then he pleaded with her to come back to him. I’m sure he had his own rehearsed spiel… how things would be different this time… how he would never hurt her again. But his lies were lethal. In the end, he could not control himself…and it cost my friend her life.
A lot of us are caught in a trap of spending countless hours figuring out what to say… how to act… what image to project to others – and this is physically, mentally and spiritually exhausting, if not deadly! All we really need to do is “let go and let GOD”… to “move over and let Him drive the car!” We are not literally “on trial” for anything, as this scripture references… but we have placed ourselves in judgment by others – both real and imagined. We worry about whether we are smart enough, good looking, rich enough, wear the right clothes and drive the right car. We wonder if others think our home is nice enough… and whether we are sufficiently “spiritual”. We work ourselves into a tizzy trying to create the best image… to cover up our sins and shortcomings… to compensate for our perceived lack of whatever it is we think we need… and we make ourselves miserable in the process.
Life would be so much simpler if we would just let God have control. If we would shift our focus from making excuses to making time for God to work in and through us, we would never have to worry about most everything that concerns us. And if you think this is easy for me, you are sadly mistaken. This is a tough one for ALL of us… and I am including myself!
Today needs to be the day we stop the madness! This needs to be a day of change and reconciliation… a day when we say, “That’s it! I’m done letting the devil drive me crazy!” (Because we all know this is the devil’s doing… right?!) This should be the day that we stop and say, “LORD, I’m sorry I have shut you out… I’m ready to let your Holy Spirit have complete charge of my life. From now on, I will trust YOU to give me the words and actions that I need… and to handle the outcomes.”
Today can be the day we experience a transformation from someone who is frantically trying to be someone and something we are not… to the peace-filled person God has created us to be. Are you ready to make the switch? Won’t you hand over the keys to God and let Him “drive”?
©2013 Debbie Robus
But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
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.
Once in a while, I think of my friend Theresa… the librarian at the elementary school where I taught. Theresa married a man named Tom, and to hear her tell it… he was perfect. He was a city cop who did everything well… treated her like a queen… loved their daughter and his children from a previous marriage like the best daddy in the world. No other man measured up to Tom, and Theresa made sure we knew it! Now I look back and see that Theresa must have spent hours/days/weeks preparing her spiels for us. She must have thought long and hard about how to spin the story of her marriage to Tom.
All of the glowing accolades Theresa heaped upon this man could not change the fact that he was an abusive husband. I can still see the bruise marks on her neck where Tom strangled her… the mottled purple and yellow areas that no amount of mortician’s makeup could hide. I don’t know how much of the marriage that Theresa was trapped in an abusive situation. When she managed to escape, Tom harassed her… and then he pleaded with her to come back to him. I’m sure he had his own rehearsed spiel… how things would be different this time… how he would never hurt her again. But his lies were lethal. In the end, he could not control himself…and it cost my friend her life.
A lot of us are caught in a trap of spending countless hours figuring out what to say… how to act… what image to project to others – and this is physically, mentally and spiritually exhausting, if not deadly! All we really need to do is “let go and let GOD”… to “move over and let Him drive the car!” We are not literally “on trial” for anything, as this scripture references… but we have placed ourselves in judgment by others – both real and imagined. We worry about whether we are smart enough, good looking, rich enough, wear the right clothes and drive the right car. We wonder if others think our home is nice enough… and whether we are sufficiently “spiritual”. We work ourselves into a tizzy trying to create the best image… to cover up our sins and shortcomings… to compensate for our perceived lack of whatever it is we think we need… and we make ourselves miserable in the process.
Life would be so much simpler if we would just let God have control. If we would shift our focus from making excuses to making time for God to work in and through us, we would never have to worry about most everything that concerns us. And if you think this is easy for me, you are sadly mistaken. This is a tough one for ALL of us… and I am including myself!
Today needs to be the day we stop the madness! This needs to be a day of change and reconciliation… a day when we say, “That’s it! I’m done letting the devil drive me crazy!” (Because we all know this is the devil’s doing… right?!) This should be the day that we stop and say, “LORD, I’m sorry I have shut you out… I’m ready to let your Holy Spirit have complete charge of my life. From now on, I will trust YOU to give me the words and actions that I need… and to handle the outcomes.”
Today can be the day we experience a transformation from someone who is frantically trying to be someone and something we are not… to the peace-filled person God has created us to be. Are you ready to make the switch? Won’t you hand over the keys to God and let Him “drive”?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 14, 2013
Genesis 39
The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the king’s official in charge of the palace guard. So Joseph lived in the home of Potiphar, his Egyptian owner.
Soon Potiphar realized that the Lord was helping Joseph to be successful in whatever he did. Potiphar liked Joseph and made him his personal assistant, putting him in charge of his house and all of his property. Because of Joseph, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s family and fields. Potiphar left everything up to Joseph, and with Joseph there, the only decision he had to make was what he wanted to eat.
Joseph was well-built and handsome, and Potiphar’s wife soon noticed him. She asked him to make love to her, but he refused and said, “My master isn’t worried about anything in his house, because he has placed me in charge of everything he owns. No one in my master’s house is more important than I am. The only thing he hasn’t given me is you, and that’s because you are his wife. I won’t sin against God by doing such a terrible thing as this.” She kept begging Joseph day after day, but he refused to do what she wanted or even to go near her.
One day, Joseph went to Potiphar’s house to do his work, and none of the other servants were there. Potiphar’s wife grabbed hold of his coat and said, “Make love to me!” Joseph ran out of the house, leaving her hanging onto his coat.
When this happened, she called in her servants and said, “Look! This Hebrew has come just to make fools of us. He tried to rape me, but I screamed for help. And when he heard me scream, he ran out of the house, leaving his coat with me.”
Potiphar’s wife kept Joseph’s coat until her husband came home. Then she said, “That Hebrew slave of yours tried to rape me! But when I screamed for help, he left his coat and ran out of the house.”
Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king’s prisoners were kept.
While Joseph was in prison, the Lord helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. The jailer did not worry about anything, because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A dear family friend is celebrating his 80th birthday today. My husband and I shared a lunch table at a local restaurant with him and his wife and another lifelong friend, and he told us that the way to keep from getting older is to lie about your age! Of course, he was joking… but how often do we make excuses – or lie – in order to avoid the truth? At our worship service today, the pastor said, “You can say ‘I don’t want to,’ but don’t tell me you don’t have time for ministries of the church and Bible study, because everybody is busy.” I cannot judge another person’s time constraints, but maybe it is time for us to merely say, “I do not feel that God is calling me to do this now,” or simply to answer with, “I don’t want to do this.” After all, nobody truly cares to hear our excuses – even if they are sound and fair.
As for lying and making up justifications to cover our tracks or relocate blame… this is never acceptable. And we do this all the time. Oh, maybe we don’t deliberately lie or blame someone else… but our “excuses” shift the responsibility all the same…
Who do you want to be like…Potiphar’s wife – or Joseph? Are your words and actions such that you want to blame them on someone else… or are you a trustworthy, upright servant? Spend some time today with God and talk to Him about this… and about your own situation. Discover where you need to operate with more honesty and genuineness… and leave excuse making to the devil, where it belongs.
©2013 Debbie Robus
The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the king’s official in charge of the palace guard. So Joseph lived in the home of Potiphar, his Egyptian owner.
Soon Potiphar realized that the Lord was helping Joseph to be successful in whatever he did. Potiphar liked Joseph and made him his personal assistant, putting him in charge of his house and all of his property. Because of Joseph, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s family and fields. Potiphar left everything up to Joseph, and with Joseph there, the only decision he had to make was what he wanted to eat.
Joseph was well-built and handsome, and Potiphar’s wife soon noticed him. She asked him to make love to her, but he refused and said, “My master isn’t worried about anything in his house, because he has placed me in charge of everything he owns. No one in my master’s house is more important than I am. The only thing he hasn’t given me is you, and that’s because you are his wife. I won’t sin against God by doing such a terrible thing as this.” She kept begging Joseph day after day, but he refused to do what she wanted or even to go near her.
One day, Joseph went to Potiphar’s house to do his work, and none of the other servants were there. Potiphar’s wife grabbed hold of his coat and said, “Make love to me!” Joseph ran out of the house, leaving her hanging onto his coat.
When this happened, she called in her servants and said, “Look! This Hebrew has come just to make fools of us. He tried to rape me, but I screamed for help. And when he heard me scream, he ran out of the house, leaving his coat with me.”
Potiphar’s wife kept Joseph’s coat until her husband came home. Then she said, “That Hebrew slave of yours tried to rape me! But when I screamed for help, he left his coat and ran out of the house.”
Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king’s prisoners were kept.
While Joseph was in prison, the Lord helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. The jailer did not worry about anything, because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A dear family friend is celebrating his 80th birthday today. My husband and I shared a lunch table at a local restaurant with him and his wife and another lifelong friend, and he told us that the way to keep from getting older is to lie about your age! Of course, he was joking… but how often do we make excuses – or lie – in order to avoid the truth? At our worship service today, the pastor said, “You can say ‘I don’t want to,’ but don’t tell me you don’t have time for ministries of the church and Bible study, because everybody is busy.” I cannot judge another person’s time constraints, but maybe it is time for us to merely say, “I do not feel that God is calling me to do this now,” or simply to answer with, “I don’t want to do this.” After all, nobody truly cares to hear our excuses – even if they are sound and fair.
As for lying and making up justifications to cover our tracks or relocate blame… this is never acceptable. And we do this all the time. Oh, maybe we don’t deliberately lie or blame someone else… but our “excuses” shift the responsibility all the same…
- We claim we can’t participate in a certain group or event because of our past, when in truth the only judgments being made about us are our own. We all get about 15 minutes of “fame,” and chances are good that yours was over a long time ago!
- We use our family, friends, work, school, and extracurricular activities as an “alibi”… as in “I had to study,” or “I had a softball practice and couldn’t get there”… even when we know we could have made arrangements to juggle our schedule.
- We tell a friend that “I wasn’t going to share your secret, but So-and-so pried it out of me,” knowing all the time that we couldn’t wait to spread the gossip.
- We know that a friend or fellow Christian is lovingly making suggestions to help us, but since we don’t want to hear them, we become upset and defensive… and declare that “I can’t handle all of his/her pressure!”
- We don’t like an activity in which we agreed to participate… we don’t like our coursework at school… or we’re dissatisfied in our job. So rather than admit this and try to work on an alternative, we deliberately perform poorly and secretly hope that we will be asked to step aside... we’ll flunk out... or our employer will ask us to leave. This self-sabotage somehow seems better and easier to swallow than admitting the truth!
Who do you want to be like…Potiphar’s wife – or Joseph? Are your words and actions such that you want to blame them on someone else… or are you a trustworthy, upright servant? Spend some time today with God and talk to Him about this… and about your own situation. Discover where you need to operate with more honesty and genuineness… and leave excuse making to the devil, where it belongs.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 18, 2012
Psalm 34:13
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
According to information gathered at www.rotary.org, Rotary International is a world-wide (and widely respected) service organization whose mission is…”to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” I was a member of Rotary International for several years. Like most members, I carried a card in my wallet that outlined the Rotary “4-Way Test”…
We are on the threshold of a new school year… a new beginning for many – particularly those under the age of 25. When I was teaching, the end of August held more of a “New Year/Fresh Start” feeling for me than January 1st. So it is fitting that as we approach the “back-to-school” date on the calendar, we renew our determination to speak the truth… to avoid all unkind language (not just profanity)… to seek fairness, goodwill, better friendships…and to make sure that our words and actions are beneficial to all concerned.
Let’s make this our prayer for today and every day. Let’s incorporate the 4-Way Test into our daily Christian discipleship. Ask God to help you make this a great year… and to start it off on the right foot!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
According to information gathered at www.rotary.org, Rotary International is a world-wide (and widely respected) service organization whose mission is…”to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” I was a member of Rotary International for several years. Like most members, I carried a card in my wallet that outlined the Rotary “4-Way Test”…
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
We are on the threshold of a new school year… a new beginning for many – particularly those under the age of 25. When I was teaching, the end of August held more of a “New Year/Fresh Start” feeling for me than January 1st. So it is fitting that as we approach the “back-to-school” date on the calendar, we renew our determination to speak the truth… to avoid all unkind language (not just profanity)… to seek fairness, goodwill, better friendships…and to make sure that our words and actions are beneficial to all concerned.
Let’s make this our prayer for today and every day. Let’s incorporate the 4-Way Test into our daily Christian discipleship. Ask God to help you make this a great year… and to start it off on the right foot!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 11, 2012
Ephesians 4:25-32
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
©2012 Debbie Robus
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
- There is no room for ego in the life of a Christian. The choices and decisions we make affect others. “What about me?” will simply not cut it, if we truly want to live for Jesus. Virtually nothing in this life is totally about you or me.
- We must all realize that we can’t ask Jesus to forgive us… and then continue to judge others. We must operate in humility and an understanding that we are only one prayer for forgiveness away from being in the “hot seat” ourselves.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 30, 2012
1 Peter 3:8-11
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you.
The Scriptures say, "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever been on the receiving end of a hateful insult, you know how hurtful such expressions can be. Maybe someone put you down in an attempt to look better… maybe he/she didn’t have all the facts… or maybe the person hurling the insult was just mean-spirited. Regardless, our first – and most human – instinct is to retaliate with something equally insulting, if not more so.
We don’t have to look very far to see that insults have become so much a part of the fabric of our lives that many of us hardly even look up any more. I believe that one of the best illustrations of how serious these actions can be is found in toothpaste. Once the paste has been squeezed from the tube, there is virtually no way to return it. The same can be said for insults, unkind words and actions. You can apologize… ask for forgiveness…make excuses and promise never to allow something like this to happen again. But the sting has been delivered… the hurt has been inflicted… and this cannot be retracted.
What if you are on the receiving end of insulting or unkind behavior? How does God want us to react? We have Biblical instruction regarding this. Jesus has told us in Luke 6:27-31…”Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt. Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others just as you want to be treated.”
I have literally had doors slammed while my foot was in the threshold. I’ve had lies told about me and unkind things spoken to my face. I’ve been the brunt of mean-spirited jokes, and I have been deliberately excluded or singled out in more than one instance. And I am fairly certain these things have all happened to you, also. We live in a world that frequently operates in lies, deceit, unkindness and insults… even among those who claim to be faith-filled Disciples of Christ. All of this is enough to make even the strongest and most devoted believer feel defeated. How in the world are we supposed to hold our heads up and stay positive?
The answer lies in one name… Jesus. For every insult and unkindness we have experienced, Jesus has endured gazillions. He was physically bruised, beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a cross. His name is slandered every day… and people deny Him, mock Him, and call Him a liar. Even so-called believers challenge Him constantly… “LORD, how could You allow this to happen? Who do You think You are? Where were You when I needed You?” All of these things are hurtful and deliver a punch to the gut. Yet Jesus continues to love us… to open His arms and say, “Come to me and let me have your burdens.” And the most important thing we need to remember is that He does this for those who insult us and treat us badly, too.
We must remember Jesus. We must act – and react – in a manner that honors His sacrifices on our behalf and glorifies His love, grace and mercy toward us. Is this easy? Not at all. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! The next time you feel insulted, think of Jesus. When you feel like retaliating or acting unkindly or hurling an insult… think of the toothpaste. How will you retract your actions? How will you love someone who has hurt you in some manner… how will you treat them as you wish to be treated? Again, think of Jesus. In Him, we find the perfect model for this. After all… He’s already done the same for each of us!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Father, I thank you for the perfect example of Jesus… and even more so, His love, grace and mercy for each of us. I pray that you will help us to honor You in our actions and reactions toward others… that we will remember the road to peace lies in treating others with love and kindness… especially when we feel they don’t deserve it. Forgive us when we fall short in this area… and help us to always remember Jesus – and to commit ourselves to walking more closely with Him every day. Amen.
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you.
The Scriptures say, "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever been on the receiving end of a hateful insult, you know how hurtful such expressions can be. Maybe someone put you down in an attempt to look better… maybe he/she didn’t have all the facts… or maybe the person hurling the insult was just mean-spirited. Regardless, our first – and most human – instinct is to retaliate with something equally insulting, if not more so.
We don’t have to look very far to see that insults have become so much a part of the fabric of our lives that many of us hardly even look up any more. I believe that one of the best illustrations of how serious these actions can be is found in toothpaste. Once the paste has been squeezed from the tube, there is virtually no way to return it. The same can be said for insults, unkind words and actions. You can apologize… ask for forgiveness…make excuses and promise never to allow something like this to happen again. But the sting has been delivered… the hurt has been inflicted… and this cannot be retracted.
What if you are on the receiving end of insulting or unkind behavior? How does God want us to react? We have Biblical instruction regarding this. Jesus has told us in Luke 6:27-31…”Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt. Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others just as you want to be treated.”
I have literally had doors slammed while my foot was in the threshold. I’ve had lies told about me and unkind things spoken to my face. I’ve been the brunt of mean-spirited jokes, and I have been deliberately excluded or singled out in more than one instance. And I am fairly certain these things have all happened to you, also. We live in a world that frequently operates in lies, deceit, unkindness and insults… even among those who claim to be faith-filled Disciples of Christ. All of this is enough to make even the strongest and most devoted believer feel defeated. How in the world are we supposed to hold our heads up and stay positive?
The answer lies in one name… Jesus. For every insult and unkindness we have experienced, Jesus has endured gazillions. He was physically bruised, beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a cross. His name is slandered every day… and people deny Him, mock Him, and call Him a liar. Even so-called believers challenge Him constantly… “LORD, how could You allow this to happen? Who do You think You are? Where were You when I needed You?” All of these things are hurtful and deliver a punch to the gut. Yet Jesus continues to love us… to open His arms and say, “Come to me and let me have your burdens.” And the most important thing we need to remember is that He does this for those who insult us and treat us badly, too.
We must remember Jesus. We must act – and react – in a manner that honors His sacrifices on our behalf and glorifies His love, grace and mercy toward us. Is this easy? Not at all. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! The next time you feel insulted, think of Jesus. When you feel like retaliating or acting unkindly or hurling an insult… think of the toothpaste. How will you retract your actions? How will you love someone who has hurt you in some manner… how will you treat them as you wish to be treated? Again, think of Jesus. In Him, we find the perfect model for this. After all… He’s already done the same for each of us!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Father, I thank you for the perfect example of Jesus… and even more so, His love, grace and mercy for each of us. I pray that you will help us to honor You in our actions and reactions toward others… that we will remember the road to peace lies in treating others with love and kindness… especially when we feel they don’t deserve it. Forgive us when we fall short in this area… and help us to always remember Jesus – and to commit ourselves to walking more closely with Him every day. Amen.
Daily Devotional for January 26, 2012
1 John 2:20-27
But you belong. The Holy One anointed you, and you all know it. I haven't been writing this to tell you something you don't know, but to confirm the truth you do know, and to remind you that the truth doesn't breed lies.
So who is lying here? It's the person who denies that Jesus is the Divine Christ, that's who. This is what makes an antichrist: denying the Father, denying the Son. No one who denies the Son has any part with the Father, but affirming the Son is an embrace of the Father as well.
Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!
I've written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
Joshua 1:8
And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.
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 was a young girl learning to sew, I was taught to do a lot of hand-basting with needle and thread before sewing seams and top-stitches on the machine. This made for neater edges, more uniform “gathers,” and a nicer garment overall. It also took a lot longer. Over the years, I became convinced by articles I read and friends who sewed that a lot of this was not necessary. A steady hand with the steam iron would press open seams. Good pinning could eliminate the need for hand-basting and speed up the process.
After ripping out several seams that were not quite straight or even… and getting a less than stellar result several times, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to stay with what I was taught from the beginning… the original message.
In so many areas of life, the “shortcuts” are actually paths to a bad end. A lot of us want to cut corners… to have the blessings of God without doing the work… to pick and choose which of His commandments we follow… to follow the “in crowd” but also belong to the body of Christ – even if the two are completely divided. In other words, we buy into the world’s insistence that God will overlook our irregular stitches and wrinkled seams… and “good enough” is, indeed, good enough.
The truth is that God gave His very best – Jesus Christ – to pay for our sins… and He wants our very best in return. We don’t have to look far to find the truth… the Bible – the “Book of the Revelation” – tells us everything we need to know about how to live as Disciples of Christ. The trouble comes when we want to cut corners… to have things our way… to follow those who would try to convince us otherwise… and still count on God to bless and anoint us with all He stands ready to give.
Inviting Jesus to be LORD of your life and asking the Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart is vital… but living deeply in both Son and Father is critical. So many people take the first step, then rest on the promise of Eternal Life. They fail to truly live deeply in the Son and Father… to serve completely and humbly as God’s servants and to minister to others in His name. And often, the results are like many of the garments I’ve sewn… less than stellar. Don’t let this happen to you. Really study the Word of God. Dig deeply and live in what you were taught. Ponder and meditate on what you have learned… and communicate with God continually to be sure you always stay on the right track.
©2012 Debbie Robus
But you belong. The Holy One anointed you, and you all know it. I haven't been writing this to tell you something you don't know, but to confirm the truth you do know, and to remind you that the truth doesn't breed lies.
So who is lying here? It's the person who denies that Jesus is the Divine Christ, that's who. This is what makes an antichrist: denying the Father, denying the Son. No one who denies the Son has any part with the Father, but affirming the Son is an embrace of the Father as well.
Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!
I've written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
Joshua 1:8
And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.
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 was a young girl learning to sew, I was taught to do a lot of hand-basting with needle and thread before sewing seams and top-stitches on the machine. This made for neater edges, more uniform “gathers,” and a nicer garment overall. It also took a lot longer. Over the years, I became convinced by articles I read and friends who sewed that a lot of this was not necessary. A steady hand with the steam iron would press open seams. Good pinning could eliminate the need for hand-basting and speed up the process.
After ripping out several seams that were not quite straight or even… and getting a less than stellar result several times, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to stay with what I was taught from the beginning… the original message.
In so many areas of life, the “shortcuts” are actually paths to a bad end. A lot of us want to cut corners… to have the blessings of God without doing the work… to pick and choose which of His commandments we follow… to follow the “in crowd” but also belong to the body of Christ – even if the two are completely divided. In other words, we buy into the world’s insistence that God will overlook our irregular stitches and wrinkled seams… and “good enough” is, indeed, good enough.
The truth is that God gave His very best – Jesus Christ – to pay for our sins… and He wants our very best in return. We don’t have to look far to find the truth… the Bible – the “Book of the Revelation” – tells us everything we need to know about how to live as Disciples of Christ. The trouble comes when we want to cut corners… to have things our way… to follow those who would try to convince us otherwise… and still count on God to bless and anoint us with all He stands ready to give.
Inviting Jesus to be LORD of your life and asking the Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart is vital… but living deeply in both Son and Father is critical. So many people take the first step, then rest on the promise of Eternal Life. They fail to truly live deeply in the Son and Father… to serve completely and humbly as God’s servants and to minister to others in His name. And often, the results are like many of the garments I’ve sewn… less than stellar. Don’t let this happen to you. Really study the Word of God. Dig deeply and live in what you were taught. Ponder and meditate on what you have learned… and communicate with God continually to be sure you always stay on the right track.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 15, 2011
Proverbs 12:18-19, 22
Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise. Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
God can't stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have worked with some great people in my lifetime. I’ve gotten acquainted with some people of tremendous integrity and moral fiber… people who truly put the interests of others above their own and always do the right thing, even in situations where that is a darn tough choice! I’ve also encountered some people who would step over their own grandmother to make themselves look better. These people lie so often that nobody knows if – or when – they have uttered anything resembling the truth. A lot of people have been hurt along the way by this dishonesty… and I can assure you, God is not pleased by these lies.
In “the heat of the moment,” we often say and do things that are hurtful… dishonest… outrageous… disrespectful. And the effect of these behaviors can be powerful. Some of us become so skilled at distorting the facts that we honestly don’t know what is true and what isn’t any more. And some people know they are lying… and simply don’t care!
Early on, God blessed me with enough examples of honest people who “took the high road” to see that nothing good comes from lies and hurtful words. And while I am sure that I am still sometimes guilty of saying something rash and sharp, I pray that more often, I bite my tongue or find a way of expressing my viewpoint in a kind and loving manner. I have seen firsthand how God blesses this type of behavior.
Be assured that retaliating toward a bully will not get you anywhere. While it may seem like walking away and “taking it” is the coward’s way… it’s not. God will sustain you. He will give you what you need… and in the long run, YOU will be the one who is blessed. When people cheat you out of what is rightfully yours, know that God will make things right. I’m not talking about revenge… although that may be what God chooses to enact. But God will bless you for your honesty and integrity. It may take years… you may have to wait until you get to Heaven… but He will bless you for honoring Him in this way.
Sadly, Satan is the author of lies… and he has plenty of willing agents to present them. He has cheaters and deadbeats and vindictive people on every street corner, waiting to challenge our faith and our Spiritual integrity. Do not be fooled… do not fall into this trap. Take the High Road… walk above the dishonesty and stay close to Jesus. He will see you through… He will bless your loyalty. You will look back and realize that these tests have made you stronger and fortified your relationship with the One who matters… and you’ll be thankful for God’s gifts of wisdom and courage… and the healing of lasting truth.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise. Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.
God can't stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have worked with some great people in my lifetime. I’ve gotten acquainted with some people of tremendous integrity and moral fiber… people who truly put the interests of others above their own and always do the right thing, even in situations where that is a darn tough choice! I’ve also encountered some people who would step over their own grandmother to make themselves look better. These people lie so often that nobody knows if – or when – they have uttered anything resembling the truth. A lot of people have been hurt along the way by this dishonesty… and I can assure you, God is not pleased by these lies.
In “the heat of the moment,” we often say and do things that are hurtful… dishonest… outrageous… disrespectful. And the effect of these behaviors can be powerful. Some of us become so skilled at distorting the facts that we honestly don’t know what is true and what isn’t any more. And some people know they are lying… and simply don’t care!
Early on, God blessed me with enough examples of honest people who “took the high road” to see that nothing good comes from lies and hurtful words. And while I am sure that I am still sometimes guilty of saying something rash and sharp, I pray that more often, I bite my tongue or find a way of expressing my viewpoint in a kind and loving manner. I have seen firsthand how God blesses this type of behavior.
Be assured that retaliating toward a bully will not get you anywhere. While it may seem like walking away and “taking it” is the coward’s way… it’s not. God will sustain you. He will give you what you need… and in the long run, YOU will be the one who is blessed. When people cheat you out of what is rightfully yours, know that God will make things right. I’m not talking about revenge… although that may be what God chooses to enact. But God will bless you for your honesty and integrity. It may take years… you may have to wait until you get to Heaven… but He will bless you for honoring Him in this way.
Sadly, Satan is the author of lies… and he has plenty of willing agents to present them. He has cheaters and deadbeats and vindictive people on every street corner, waiting to challenge our faith and our Spiritual integrity. Do not be fooled… do not fall into this trap. Take the High Road… walk above the dishonesty and stay close to Jesus. He will see you through… He will bless your loyalty. You will look back and realize that these tests have made you stronger and fortified your relationship with the One who matters… and you’ll be thankful for God’s gifts of wisdom and courage… and the healing of lasting truth.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 21, 2011
Psalm 34:12-27
Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles.
The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Not one of their bones will ever be broken. Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You don’t have to look very far to find someone who is hurting these days. I read a post last week on Facebook from a mom whose teenage daughter was crushed because she felt she had been wrongly accused of something. I know how that feels… do you? We see reports on the news of people who have spent years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit, only to be proved innocent by DNA tests or other newly introduced evidence. And miraculously, in some instances, those victims are sometimes able to forgive their accusers.
We’ve seen reports of those who were able to forgive a drunk driver who killed their loved one. Just last week, I saw a television interview with Janet Jackson in which she acknowledged that her father beat her when she was a child… but she said, “I know he loves me in his own way.”
Forgiveness is a powerful, powerful thing. Grace and mercy are incredibly cleansing and healing. We can be mad and bitter toward others for a lot of things, from lousy childhoods to being wrongly accused or false assumptions to being mad at God because a loved one suffered and/or died. And all of these things may cause us to say cruel things… to lie and lash out at others… or at the very least, to live a life that is robbed of happiness and peace.
We do have an option. We can “cast all our cares” upon the Lord. We can run to God and ask Him for protection. We can ask Him to heal us and give us hope… to fight our battles for us… to fill in the gaps with grace and mercy where we feel we have none – for ourselves or toward others. Read this verse again: “Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished.”
I don’t believe most of us set out to intentionally be wicked, but let’s face it… in some way, we all are at one time or another. Let’s ask God to forgive us… give Him our struggles and our hurts and let HIM handle them for us. Let’s make today the day we start to live in the hope of God and trust Him to rescue us and set us on course for a long and happy life in Him. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles.
The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Not one of their bones will ever be broken. Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You don’t have to look very far to find someone who is hurting these days. I read a post last week on Facebook from a mom whose teenage daughter was crushed because she felt she had been wrongly accused of something. I know how that feels… do you? We see reports on the news of people who have spent years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit, only to be proved innocent by DNA tests or other newly introduced evidence. And miraculously, in some instances, those victims are sometimes able to forgive their accusers.
We’ve seen reports of those who were able to forgive a drunk driver who killed their loved one. Just last week, I saw a television interview with Janet Jackson in which she acknowledged that her father beat her when she was a child… but she said, “I know he loves me in his own way.”
Forgiveness is a powerful, powerful thing. Grace and mercy are incredibly cleansing and healing. We can be mad and bitter toward others for a lot of things, from lousy childhoods to being wrongly accused or false assumptions to being mad at God because a loved one suffered and/or died. And all of these things may cause us to say cruel things… to lie and lash out at others… or at the very least, to live a life that is robbed of happiness and peace.
We do have an option. We can “cast all our cares” upon the Lord. We can run to God and ask Him for protection. We can ask Him to heal us and give us hope… to fight our battles for us… to fill in the gaps with grace and mercy where we feel we have none – for ourselves or toward others. Read this verse again: “Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished.”
I don’t believe most of us set out to intentionally be wicked, but let’s face it… in some way, we all are at one time or another. Let’s ask God to forgive us… give Him our struggles and our hurts and let HIM handle them for us. Let’s make today the day we start to live in the hope of God and trust Him to rescue us and set us on course for a long and happy life in Him. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 7, 2011
Proverbs 30:6
Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Years ago, my husband worked with a man who liked to say, “If you lie, you fry. – Hezekiah 3:5.” For the record, there is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible… and this is not an actual scripture passage. We’ve laughed at this phrase and used it as a running joke for years. But there are other phrases that people use and claim to be scriptural… such as “God helps those who help themselves”… that are not actually found in the Bible, either.
While these phrases and others like them are relatively harmless… and they may even hint at an actual Biblical truth… some people want to interpret scripture to suit their own situation or desires… and this is very dangerous. When you hear someone say, “That may be what the scripture says, but that’s not what God meant,” your antenna should automatically be raised. A lot of us would like to twist God’s words to justify our own desires and behaviors. But this simply is not how we Christians should operate!
Everybody makes mistakes, and we will all have to admit at some point that we were wrong about one thing or another. But nothing will ever compare with the humility of having to admit you twisted God’s words to suit yourself. God will not be pleased, mocked, or misrepresented! If you believe there is “wiggle room” with the laws of God, you are greatly mistaken. The devil – the king of liars – has convinced you that God can be swayed… and I assure you, He cannot!
We cannot change what God has declared… and honestly, we don’t want to do this. His ways are perfect… His plans are exactly right for us… His will is for us to have everything He designed for us and to experience peace, prosperity and joy in Him. The only change necessary is how we are thinking… our attitude and our reactions to life circumstances. Don’t try to change what God has said… instead, ask Him to change YOU… to give you an attitude of humility and servitude - and confidence in His plans for your life.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Years ago, my husband worked with a man who liked to say, “If you lie, you fry. – Hezekiah 3:5.” For the record, there is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible… and this is not an actual scripture passage. We’ve laughed at this phrase and used it as a running joke for years. But there are other phrases that people use and claim to be scriptural… such as “God helps those who help themselves”… that are not actually found in the Bible, either.
While these phrases and others like them are relatively harmless… and they may even hint at an actual Biblical truth… some people want to interpret scripture to suit their own situation or desires… and this is very dangerous. When you hear someone say, “That may be what the scripture says, but that’s not what God meant,” your antenna should automatically be raised. A lot of us would like to twist God’s words to justify our own desires and behaviors. But this simply is not how we Christians should operate!
Everybody makes mistakes, and we will all have to admit at some point that we were wrong about one thing or another. But nothing will ever compare with the humility of having to admit you twisted God’s words to suit yourself. God will not be pleased, mocked, or misrepresented! If you believe there is “wiggle room” with the laws of God, you are greatly mistaken. The devil – the king of liars – has convinced you that God can be swayed… and I assure you, He cannot!
We cannot change what God has declared… and honestly, we don’t want to do this. His ways are perfect… His plans are exactly right for us… His will is for us to have everything He designed for us and to experience peace, prosperity and joy in Him. The only change necessary is how we are thinking… our attitude and our reactions to life circumstances. Don’t try to change what God has said… instead, ask Him to change YOU… to give you an attitude of humility and servitude - and confidence in His plans for your life.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 14, 2010
Proverbs 26:18-19
People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking, "Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.
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.
News reports have documented all too well what happens when a careless camper flicks a cigarette or leaves a smoldering campfire. Entire parks, neighborhoods and communities have gone up in flames due to this reckless behavior. In some cases, the perpetrator was caught and prosecuted. In others, it can be hoped that the person responsible was greatly remorseful for his/her actions.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen our share of incidents where people shrug off deliberate deceptions… from politicians who say, “It was all in the spirit of the campaign,” to those who have ridiculed and bullied homosexuals to the point of suicide and then tried to brush it off as a result of the victim’s own insecurities and emotional hangups. So many people fail to see how their single act of unkindness and insensitivity can spread as rampantly as the flames induced by the spark of a campfire or cigarette ember.
As a people, we fail to recognize the power of a single sentence… or even tone with which we utter a couple of words. The Bible tells us the tongue has the power of life or death. What we say can make all the difference… either negatively, or positively.
We cannot excuse our sinful behavior or hurtful comments and judgments with the phrase, “I was only kidding.” So often, what we say and do is truly not a joke… and it’s time we realized our impact on others. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the one who “burns down the forest!”
Let’s ask God to help us be more thoughtful… more Christ-like in our words and deeds. Let’s ask Him to show us how to overcome any hint of an urge to deceive others and then try to justify our behavior. Let’s be the people He has called us to be and operate in truth and love. God’s not kidding around with others’ feelings… and neither should we.
©2010 Debbie Robus
People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking, "Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.
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.
News reports have documented all too well what happens when a careless camper flicks a cigarette or leaves a smoldering campfire. Entire parks, neighborhoods and communities have gone up in flames due to this reckless behavior. In some cases, the perpetrator was caught and prosecuted. In others, it can be hoped that the person responsible was greatly remorseful for his/her actions.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen our share of incidents where people shrug off deliberate deceptions… from politicians who say, “It was all in the spirit of the campaign,” to those who have ridiculed and bullied homosexuals to the point of suicide and then tried to brush it off as a result of the victim’s own insecurities and emotional hangups. So many people fail to see how their single act of unkindness and insensitivity can spread as rampantly as the flames induced by the spark of a campfire or cigarette ember.
As a people, we fail to recognize the power of a single sentence… or even tone with which we utter a couple of words. The Bible tells us the tongue has the power of life or death. What we say can make all the difference… either negatively, or positively.
We cannot excuse our sinful behavior or hurtful comments and judgments with the phrase, “I was only kidding.” So often, what we say and do is truly not a joke… and it’s time we realized our impact on others. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the one who “burns down the forest!”
Let’s ask God to help us be more thoughtful… more Christ-like in our words and deeds. Let’s ask Him to show us how to overcome any hint of an urge to deceive others and then try to justify our behavior. Let’s be the people He has called us to be and operate in truth and love. God’s not kidding around with others’ feelings… and neither should we.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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