Titus 2:11-14
God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
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.
My cousin’s wife started taking a dietary supplement a few months ago, and now she is selling the product and encouraging others to try it. She is always posting photos and information about this product on Facebook…sharing testimonials for how much weight she and others have lost while using it - and talking about how much more energy they have now. Another friend recently signed on as a salesperson for a company that sells a mascara that instantly gives you longer, thicker eyelashes. She has been posting “before” and “after” pictures on Facebook.
Both of these women cannot stop telling others about these products. And while neither of these products is right for me, I have to admit that these ladies are excellent salespersons! They are so excited about their products that I can’t help but be intrigued. Their enthusiasm is definitely contagious! In addition to selling these products themselves, both women are encouraging others to join the company and become “team members”, as well.
I did not share these examples in order to encourage you to start selling these products – or any others promoted and sold in this manner. But I do think we can learn a lot from these sales methods. Here’s a novel idea…what if we were so enthused about our “new life in Christ” that we couldn’t stop sharing this news with others?! What if our excitement about how Jesus has changed our lives was so powerful that we wanted to tell people about Him all the time? What if our transformation was clearly visible to others in our “before” and “after” demonstrations – or “pictures”, so to speak. Suppose we lived as profound examples of the power, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ. What would happen if we behaved in a way that others couldn’t help but want to try Jesus for themselves?
This sounds so simple…like maybe I’ve “drilled it down” too plainly. But truthfully, Jesus’ gift of salvation is at once simple – and oh, so vast! The multi-level-marketing salespeople like to tell potential “team members” that…”the sky is the limit!” The sky IS the limit with Jesus! There is nothing that He cannot do for us…nothing that He will not do, if only we will “join” and choose to follow Him. He wants us to tell others…to be walking billboards for His love and the power of salvation in Him. Jesus not only wants to transform our lives…He wants us to share His GOOD NEWS with everyone we encounter.
My friends are happily sharing the amounts of their “royalties” checks from these companies on their Facebook posts. They are promoting the financial benefits of selling their products…along with what they claim to be actual physical advantages. Sharing the love of Christ with others may not literally provide you with a hefty paycheck. But the “dividends” are far greater than any others you might ever hope to receive…”freedom from a dark, rebellious life”… a “good pure life” that honors Jesus and makes Him proud…joy and energy…and Someone we can lean on anytime – for anything!
Call me crazy. But what if we exercised the same level of enthusiasm and energy that we give to a weight-loss product or a lash-enhancing mascara to serve Jesus and share His message with others? What if we offered Jesus the same level of “customer service” that we would consider a no-brainer in our businesses and friendships? What if we truly became spokespersons for the salvation of Jesus Christ…and encouraged others to “sign on” and get in on these benefits for themselves? Are you ready to find out? Who are you actively promoting these days?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label living example for God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living example for God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 17, 2013
Psalm 25:3
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
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.
I wasn’t going to tell you this… but…I guess this is as good a time as any for the “Christmas Bicycle” story. I’m guessing my brother was about 8 years old the Christmas he asked for a “real bicycle”. You see, the only bicycle he had ever owned was a second-hand, cobbled-up affair that someone had fixed for him, and he wanted a “Stingray” bicycle with the banana seat and all the trimmings. He was positive that Santa Claus… a.k.a. Mom and Dad… would bring him this bicycle. That was all he talked about… for weeks. “When I get my bicycle”… or “Santa is bringing me a bicycle”… or “I will do this or that on my new bicycle.” My sister and I… older than he by 3 and 4 years… were ready to gag. When Tim got on a run about something like that, he would NOT let it go!
We always spent Christmas Eve at the farm with my grandparents… my Mam-ma Polly and Pap-pa Truman. That year, Tim got a cassette tape recorder from them. But all the way home, he talked about the bicycle he would get the next morning. So my sister and I asked to “borrow” the tape recorder, and we made little bedtime recording for Tim. We told him that there was not enough money to get him the bicycle he wanted. We explained that Mom and Dad had bought a wig for my sister Suzanne, and I don’t remember what they got me, but when they finished paying for those items, there just was not enough money for the bike. We asked him to “buck up”… to try not to be upset… to essentially be a sore loser and give the bicycle nonsense a rest!
We delivered the tape recording to Tim and said, “Listen to this!”… and then we returned to our room. Soon, we heard crying. Our little brother was Devastated (and yes, I meant to use a capital “D”!). He was so heartbroken, and we were immediately sorry that we had done this. We tried and tried to convince him that it was a joke… that we made it all up… that he WAS getting a bicycle for Christmas. But the damage was done.
The next morning, Tim was one sad little boy as he dragged himself into the living room. Mom and Dad tried to coax him to look out the dining room window onto the patio. They told him that “Santa” had left something there for him. He did not seem the least bit enthused… and of course, my parents were totally baffled by his behavior. So my sister and I had to confess. Then we threw open the curtain and revealed the shiny new bike, and Tim was beyond excited again. But Suzanne and I were not nearly as jubilant… and our parents were even less thrilled with us!
To this day, the “Christmas Bicycle Story” is a situation that makes us groan. How could we have been so deceptive and so cruel? Even given how annoying our little brother could be, that was an awful thing to do to him. But Tim, being “Tim” forgave us over and again through the years and offered both of us more grace for that incident - and other times we blamed Little Brother for our own misdeeds - than either of us deserved. To say that we are ashamed and disgraced by our behavior would be a major understatement… but we take comfort in knowing that we truly were forgiven.
I have said many times that even when nobody discovers your wrongdoings… God knows about them. Even if you seem to “skate by” with transgressions, deceptions and lies…God knows the truth. I don’t know about you, but the one thing I cannot bear to face is the thought that I might stand before God in disgrace. Thankfully, I don’t have to. I have given Him my heart and soul… I have invited Jesus to be the LORD of my life and to fill my heart with His Holy Spirit. I have been forgiven and offered unending love, grace and mercy. And while this is not a license to lie, cheat and steal, I know that if/when I do falter (because we are human and will have our moments), God will pick me up, dust me off, and set me upright again.
Because of all of this, I have hope. I will do my very best never to operate in deceit… and certainly I will make every effort not to disgrace myself… much less God. I will thank Him every day for His forgiveness and unconditional love and care. And I will live expectantly…anticipating the day when I will not only be able to share a laugh again about the “Christmas Bicycle” with my brother… but also to receive another hug of forgiveness from him.
Best of all, I will enjoy the glory and wonderment of God’s presence face-to-face… and that will be the best “Christmas” present ever! Are you hoping for… and expecting the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
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.
I wasn’t going to tell you this… but…I guess this is as good a time as any for the “Christmas Bicycle” story. I’m guessing my brother was about 8 years old the Christmas he asked for a “real bicycle”. You see, the only bicycle he had ever owned was a second-hand, cobbled-up affair that someone had fixed for him, and he wanted a “Stingray” bicycle with the banana seat and all the trimmings. He was positive that Santa Claus… a.k.a. Mom and Dad… would bring him this bicycle. That was all he talked about… for weeks. “When I get my bicycle”… or “Santa is bringing me a bicycle”… or “I will do this or that on my new bicycle.” My sister and I… older than he by 3 and 4 years… were ready to gag. When Tim got on a run about something like that, he would NOT let it go!
We always spent Christmas Eve at the farm with my grandparents… my Mam-ma Polly and Pap-pa Truman. That year, Tim got a cassette tape recorder from them. But all the way home, he talked about the bicycle he would get the next morning. So my sister and I asked to “borrow” the tape recorder, and we made little bedtime recording for Tim. We told him that there was not enough money to get him the bicycle he wanted. We explained that Mom and Dad had bought a wig for my sister Suzanne, and I don’t remember what they got me, but when they finished paying for those items, there just was not enough money for the bike. We asked him to “buck up”… to try not to be upset… to essentially be a sore loser and give the bicycle nonsense a rest!
We delivered the tape recording to Tim and said, “Listen to this!”… and then we returned to our room. Soon, we heard crying. Our little brother was Devastated (and yes, I meant to use a capital “D”!). He was so heartbroken, and we were immediately sorry that we had done this. We tried and tried to convince him that it was a joke… that we made it all up… that he WAS getting a bicycle for Christmas. But the damage was done.
The next morning, Tim was one sad little boy as he dragged himself into the living room. Mom and Dad tried to coax him to look out the dining room window onto the patio. They told him that “Santa” had left something there for him. He did not seem the least bit enthused… and of course, my parents were totally baffled by his behavior. So my sister and I had to confess. Then we threw open the curtain and revealed the shiny new bike, and Tim was beyond excited again. But Suzanne and I were not nearly as jubilant… and our parents were even less thrilled with us!
To this day, the “Christmas Bicycle Story” is a situation that makes us groan. How could we have been so deceptive and so cruel? Even given how annoying our little brother could be, that was an awful thing to do to him. But Tim, being “Tim” forgave us over and again through the years and offered both of us more grace for that incident - and other times we blamed Little Brother for our own misdeeds - than either of us deserved. To say that we are ashamed and disgraced by our behavior would be a major understatement… but we take comfort in knowing that we truly were forgiven.
I have said many times that even when nobody discovers your wrongdoings… God knows about them. Even if you seem to “skate by” with transgressions, deceptions and lies…God knows the truth. I don’t know about you, but the one thing I cannot bear to face is the thought that I might stand before God in disgrace. Thankfully, I don’t have to. I have given Him my heart and soul… I have invited Jesus to be the LORD of my life and to fill my heart with His Holy Spirit. I have been forgiven and offered unending love, grace and mercy. And while this is not a license to lie, cheat and steal, I know that if/when I do falter (because we are human and will have our moments), God will pick me up, dust me off, and set me upright again.
Because of all of this, I have hope. I will do my very best never to operate in deceit… and certainly I will make every effort not to disgrace myself… much less God. I will thank Him every day for His forgiveness and unconditional love and care. And I will live expectantly…anticipating the day when I will not only be able to share a laugh again about the “Christmas Bicycle” with my brother… but also to receive another hug of forgiveness from him.
Best of all, I will enjoy the glory and wonderment of God’s presence face-to-face… and that will be the best “Christmas” present ever! Are you hoping for… and expecting the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 20, 2013
Titus 2:7
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A fellow church member phoned me this week and asked if I would help with a sewing project for one of our local ministries. I questioned her about the details to make sure this was something I could handle. It involved recovering some chair cushions. My friend asked, “Couldn’t we just wrap the new fabric around the cushions and staple them?” I told her we could do this… but 1) it would not look nice, and 2) it would not hold up to the wear and tear these cushions will receive. When she brought me the cushions and fabric, she stressed that… “This does not have to look good.” Her words said one thing, but I also knew that she and the others working on redecorating a room for this ministry were anxious for everything to have a pretty appearance.
I won’t say that I am particularly proud of the finished result… but I know I did my very best to make the cushions look nice. I am a “details person,” and yes, I can be picky. But I also know that anything worth doing is worth doing right… as “old-fashioned” and trite as that may sound. So I try to always be respectful of whatever task I have been given… even those that seem mundane or insignificant. By the same token, I always try to be respectful of others, regardless of who they are or how they have treated me in return.
Consider this…suppose that God did not show respect for you. Certainly He would be justified. We are not worthy of God’s respect. When it comes to caring for us when we are in need, He might just as well “throw a piece of fabric over us and staple us together”! We truly don’t deserve more meticulous attention! And as for how He treats us in general… by all rights, He should do everything possible to embarrass, demean and disgrace us. We are in no way/shape/form worthy of God’s respect. And yet, He offers us this with love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. He treats us like precious jewels… even when we act like a dirty pile of trash.
Today, I want you to think about how God treats you… and how you treat Him in return. More than this, I want you to think about how you treat others… and how you handle your words and actions – and your daily activities. Are you respectful toward others? Do you treat even the most mundane activities with care and give them the attention that you should? Do your words demonstrate respect – for God and for all He has created? Do you realize that others are watching – and noticing – how you treat your relationships with God and those around you? Do you fully get it that others notice whether you give a task 100% of your effort… or treat it with disregard and contempt? Does it compute with you that everything you say and do is a reflection of your true bond with God… and it could make the difference not only in how you are treated, but whether or not the other guy wants a relationship with God for himself?
So many things in life are “only a chair cushion”… but how we handle them is immeasurably significant. Are you respectful of God and the life with which He has blessed you? What sort of example are you setting for His Kingdom? Is there seriousness in your model of Christian discipleship? Are you “teaching” others anything that they would truly want to experience for themselves? Isn’t this a good day to start making any necessary adjustments?
©2013 Debbie Robus
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A fellow church member phoned me this week and asked if I would help with a sewing project for one of our local ministries. I questioned her about the details to make sure this was something I could handle. It involved recovering some chair cushions. My friend asked, “Couldn’t we just wrap the new fabric around the cushions and staple them?” I told her we could do this… but 1) it would not look nice, and 2) it would not hold up to the wear and tear these cushions will receive. When she brought me the cushions and fabric, she stressed that… “This does not have to look good.” Her words said one thing, but I also knew that she and the others working on redecorating a room for this ministry were anxious for everything to have a pretty appearance.
I won’t say that I am particularly proud of the finished result… but I know I did my very best to make the cushions look nice. I am a “details person,” and yes, I can be picky. But I also know that anything worth doing is worth doing right… as “old-fashioned” and trite as that may sound. So I try to always be respectful of whatever task I have been given… even those that seem mundane or insignificant. By the same token, I always try to be respectful of others, regardless of who they are or how they have treated me in return.
Consider this…suppose that God did not show respect for you. Certainly He would be justified. We are not worthy of God’s respect. When it comes to caring for us when we are in need, He might just as well “throw a piece of fabric over us and staple us together”! We truly don’t deserve more meticulous attention! And as for how He treats us in general… by all rights, He should do everything possible to embarrass, demean and disgrace us. We are in no way/shape/form worthy of God’s respect. And yet, He offers us this with love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. He treats us like precious jewels… even when we act like a dirty pile of trash.
Today, I want you to think about how God treats you… and how you treat Him in return. More than this, I want you to think about how you treat others… and how you handle your words and actions – and your daily activities. Are you respectful toward others? Do you treat even the most mundane activities with care and give them the attention that you should? Do your words demonstrate respect – for God and for all He has created? Do you realize that others are watching – and noticing – how you treat your relationships with God and those around you? Do you fully get it that others notice whether you give a task 100% of your effort… or treat it with disregard and contempt? Does it compute with you that everything you say and do is a reflection of your true bond with God… and it could make the difference not only in how you are treated, but whether or not the other guy wants a relationship with God for himself?
So many things in life are “only a chair cushion”… but how we handle them is immeasurably significant. Are you respectful of God and the life with which He has blessed you? What sort of example are you setting for His Kingdom? Is there seriousness in your model of Christian discipleship? Are you “teaching” others anything that they would truly want to experience for themselves? Isn’t this a good day to start making any necessary adjustments?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 26, 2013
Romans 14:17-18
God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around 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.
My mom posted on Facebook about a guest speaker at her church who admonished members not to glare at those who sat on “their” pew. She went on to recall a man who did exactly this to our family one Sunday when we lived in Gore, Oklahoma. Apparently everyone in the church congregation knew this was the man’s regular “spot” each Sunday… but we were clueless. I double-checked with my mom… she says we moved - RIGHT AWAY! She also says that the church members were not friendly… that for the six months or so that we lived in this town and attended church there, most did not ever introduce themselves, so we didn’t know their names. She also recalls that she thought my Sunday school teacher was really nice… until she learned that the woman had gotten into a fight with another woman at the beauty shop…and hit her on the head and flattened her hair curlers!
Now you may be asking yourself what this all has to do with today’s scripture passage. In the example of the man claiming a pew, I believe this is much like Biblical references to those who claimed that certain foods were “unclean” and should not be eaten. It’s another case of imposing rules that take on a religious importance or significance… but God didn’t put any there! They really have nothing to do with authentic service to Christ. In fact, such “rules” can be quite disruptive and destructive.
As for the Sunday school teacher who fought at the beauty parlor and the unfriendly church members… neither of these behaviors were pleasing to God. And by acting in this manner, these folks were discounting their faith to those around them. Nobody wants what you are offering if you serve it up unkindly. And those who focus on rituals and routines… or fail to exhibit the qualities and characteristics of Jesus and His love, grace and mercy… often negate their supposed “faith” and do far more harm than good!
Because we are human… and imperfect… we often find it easy to lose sight of what is important. Our attention span is generally that of a gnat… and we fail to stay focused on Jesus – and to single-mindedly serve Him. When this happens, things go haywire… God is not glorified… and peace is nowhere to be found. Remember… people are watching. They notice when you put things, traditions and personal agendas ahead of God. They see how you play fast and loose with your faith and take the “it’s nobody else’s business” approach to your relationship with our Heavenly Father. They take a long, hard look at your attitude that “I’m not hurting anyone… this is between God and me” and they wonder just how much you desire to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. You may even cause them to question the motives and sincerity of Jesus himself! Did He really mean it when He said He loves us? Was His gentle care, grace and mercy for real? Or would Jesus be first in line to glare at us from the end of a pew or smash our hair curlers when He didn’t like something we said or did?
At the end of the day, what matters is pretty simple… our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we serve Him. If we let anything get in the way or take our focus off of Jesus, we are setting ourselves up to operate in chaos… and we are opening the door to offer a poor example of Christian faith to others. Neither sounds peaceful… or desirable to me. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around 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.
My mom posted on Facebook about a guest speaker at her church who admonished members not to glare at those who sat on “their” pew. She went on to recall a man who did exactly this to our family one Sunday when we lived in Gore, Oklahoma. Apparently everyone in the church congregation knew this was the man’s regular “spot” each Sunday… but we were clueless. I double-checked with my mom… she says we moved - RIGHT AWAY! She also says that the church members were not friendly… that for the six months or so that we lived in this town and attended church there, most did not ever introduce themselves, so we didn’t know their names. She also recalls that she thought my Sunday school teacher was really nice… until she learned that the woman had gotten into a fight with another woman at the beauty shop…and hit her on the head and flattened her hair curlers!
Now you may be asking yourself what this all has to do with today’s scripture passage. In the example of the man claiming a pew, I believe this is much like Biblical references to those who claimed that certain foods were “unclean” and should not be eaten. It’s another case of imposing rules that take on a religious importance or significance… but God didn’t put any there! They really have nothing to do with authentic service to Christ. In fact, such “rules” can be quite disruptive and destructive.
As for the Sunday school teacher who fought at the beauty parlor and the unfriendly church members… neither of these behaviors were pleasing to God. And by acting in this manner, these folks were discounting their faith to those around them. Nobody wants what you are offering if you serve it up unkindly. And those who focus on rituals and routines… or fail to exhibit the qualities and characteristics of Jesus and His love, grace and mercy… often negate their supposed “faith” and do far more harm than good!
Because we are human… and imperfect… we often find it easy to lose sight of what is important. Our attention span is generally that of a gnat… and we fail to stay focused on Jesus – and to single-mindedly serve Him. When this happens, things go haywire… God is not glorified… and peace is nowhere to be found. Remember… people are watching. They notice when you put things, traditions and personal agendas ahead of God. They see how you play fast and loose with your faith and take the “it’s nobody else’s business” approach to your relationship with our Heavenly Father. They take a long, hard look at your attitude that “I’m not hurting anyone… this is between God and me” and they wonder just how much you desire to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. You may even cause them to question the motives and sincerity of Jesus himself! Did He really mean it when He said He loves us? Was His gentle care, grace and mercy for real? Or would Jesus be first in line to glare at us from the end of a pew or smash our hair curlers when He didn’t like something we said or did?
At the end of the day, what matters is pretty simple… our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we serve Him. If we let anything get in the way or take our focus off of Jesus, we are setting ourselves up to operate in chaos… and we are opening the door to offer a poor example of Christian faith to others. Neither sounds peaceful… or desirable to me. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 22, 2013
Ephesians 4:31-32
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who has offended us. And let’s be honest, our natural tendency when we have been insulted or wounded in some way is to vent to others. If someone speaks unkindly about us or makes claims that are inaccurate at best – or downright untruthful – we rush to “set the record straight” with the general public… if not directly with the person who upset us. It usually doesn’t do any good… or make that person behave nicely… but at least for a while, we seem to feel better.
But how do we treat the person who has offended us afterward? What do we do when someone who has hurt us or shown us unkindness has a problem of his/her own – or a crisis? Do we sit back and laugh? Do we declare this to be “karma?” Or do we extend the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ… and offer a kind word or a helping hand? Are we gentle with these people? Do we forgive as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave us?
This is a terribly hard thing to do sometimes. When we have been insulted… our trust has been violated… someone has attempted to stain our reputation… or we have been treated with incredible disrespect…it is often difficult to feel generous and gentle - much less sensitive toward the person who did this. But nothing about obedience to God involves our feelings. It’s not about us. If we want to fully obey God… to wholeheartedly be His disciple and share the love of Jesus Christ with others, we have to be willing to love them without any strings attached.
I will be the first to tell you that I struggle with this. I am not good at “being the bigger person.” I want to rail to God and ask, “Why, LORD? What did I do to deserve this? How can I make this person understand the damage he/she did to me and/or my reputation? How can I ever be kind toward this person again?” And maybe you feel the same way. The answer is not necessarily one we want to hear… but it’s really quite simple. God says, “I already did this for you. Now…are you still unwilling to do this for someone else?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who has offended us. And let’s be honest, our natural tendency when we have been insulted or wounded in some way is to vent to others. If someone speaks unkindly about us or makes claims that are inaccurate at best – or downright untruthful – we rush to “set the record straight” with the general public… if not directly with the person who upset us. It usually doesn’t do any good… or make that person behave nicely… but at least for a while, we seem to feel better.
But how do we treat the person who has offended us afterward? What do we do when someone who has hurt us or shown us unkindness has a problem of his/her own – or a crisis? Do we sit back and laugh? Do we declare this to be “karma?” Or do we extend the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ… and offer a kind word or a helping hand? Are we gentle with these people? Do we forgive as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave us?
This is a terribly hard thing to do sometimes. When we have been insulted… our trust has been violated… someone has attempted to stain our reputation… or we have been treated with incredible disrespect…it is often difficult to feel generous and gentle - much less sensitive toward the person who did this. But nothing about obedience to God involves our feelings. It’s not about us. If we want to fully obey God… to wholeheartedly be His disciple and share the love of Jesus Christ with others, we have to be willing to love them without any strings attached.
I will be the first to tell you that I struggle with this. I am not good at “being the bigger person.” I want to rail to God and ask, “Why, LORD? What did I do to deserve this? How can I make this person understand the damage he/she did to me and/or my reputation? How can I ever be kind toward this person again?” And maybe you feel the same way. The answer is not necessarily one we want to hear… but it’s really quite simple. God says, “I already did this for you. Now…are you still unwilling to do this for someone else?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 18, 2012
James 5:9-11
Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
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.
Last week, my dad’s first cousin passed away in Texas. A graveside funeral was held in Arkansas, just outside my hometown in a family cemetery. I saw cousins I had not seen in a long, long time – some for more than four decades. And I was reminded of my grandparents, aunts and uncles… the parents of my dad and his cousin and others. These were hard-working people who faced many challenges and adversities.
Some of my uncles were “characters” who probably drove my aunts crazy. But to a woman, I remember my aunts as gracious, generous, loving women who always had a smile for me – and room at their table for one more. When I hear my grandmother talk about all that she has experienced in 100 years, I marvel at her strength. I know that most of it comes from her deeply rooted faith in God. She will tell you that He has seen her through more than her fair share of trials and tribulations. And she is living proof that God never gives us more than we can handle – nor does He leave us to fend for ourselves.
For all of my grandmother’s good qualities, she was always one to “tell it like it is” – and I am afraid I inherited a hefty dose of this trait. I will admit that I have to work very hard at not being so frank - or being critical of others… even if I believe that what I am saying is the truth. None of us is perfect. And truly, nobody knows what is in another person’s heart… his/her motives… what the “back-story” is for their actions and behaviors. Most of the time, we simply don’t have all the facts. And even if we did… judgment is not OUR responsibility. To judge others is to say that we know better than God.
In talking with another of my dad’s cousins, I told her that my grandmother and I used to talk on the phone several times a week… if not daily. I shared with my cousin that my grandmother and I have a close relationship – I have always been able to talk to her about virtually anything. Now, she is lucky if she can get out one or two words… and talking on the phone is out of the question. I commented that I probably miss our conversations even more than I realize. But I have her legacy… her example of faith and courage, love and generosity. For all of her sauciness, my grandmother has treated others very well in her lifetime… and her reputation is one of a Godly woman who stayed the course, emulated Jesus in her service to others, and trusted God to meet her needs. “The LORD will take care of me,” was not just a catch-phrase… it has been her standard.
In all honesty, I have never heard my grandmother say, “I quit.” When one door closed, she figured out a way to open a window – with God’s help. In recent months when her body has failed her, she has expressed a desire to die… not because she is done, but because she is ready for heaven and the next chapter.
I pray that you have a mentor in your life to share with you how God cares about you down to the last detail. I pray that you are kind to others, generous, tolerant, and slow to criticize. Remember that “The LORD will take care of you” – no matter what happens. When you are discouraged, stop and think of those who have demonstrated this so well… and take a page from their book.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
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.
Last week, my dad’s first cousin passed away in Texas. A graveside funeral was held in Arkansas, just outside my hometown in a family cemetery. I saw cousins I had not seen in a long, long time – some for more than four decades. And I was reminded of my grandparents, aunts and uncles… the parents of my dad and his cousin and others. These were hard-working people who faced many challenges and adversities.
Some of my uncles were “characters” who probably drove my aunts crazy. But to a woman, I remember my aunts as gracious, generous, loving women who always had a smile for me – and room at their table for one more. When I hear my grandmother talk about all that she has experienced in 100 years, I marvel at her strength. I know that most of it comes from her deeply rooted faith in God. She will tell you that He has seen her through more than her fair share of trials and tribulations. And she is living proof that God never gives us more than we can handle – nor does He leave us to fend for ourselves.
For all of my grandmother’s good qualities, she was always one to “tell it like it is” – and I am afraid I inherited a hefty dose of this trait. I will admit that I have to work very hard at not being so frank - or being critical of others… even if I believe that what I am saying is the truth. None of us is perfect. And truly, nobody knows what is in another person’s heart… his/her motives… what the “back-story” is for their actions and behaviors. Most of the time, we simply don’t have all the facts. And even if we did… judgment is not OUR responsibility. To judge others is to say that we know better than God.
In talking with another of my dad’s cousins, I told her that my grandmother and I used to talk on the phone several times a week… if not daily. I shared with my cousin that my grandmother and I have a close relationship – I have always been able to talk to her about virtually anything. Now, she is lucky if she can get out one or two words… and talking on the phone is out of the question. I commented that I probably miss our conversations even more than I realize. But I have her legacy… her example of faith and courage, love and generosity. For all of her sauciness, my grandmother has treated others very well in her lifetime… and her reputation is one of a Godly woman who stayed the course, emulated Jesus in her service to others, and trusted God to meet her needs. “The LORD will take care of me,” was not just a catch-phrase… it has been her standard.
In all honesty, I have never heard my grandmother say, “I quit.” When one door closed, she figured out a way to open a window – with God’s help. In recent months when her body has failed her, she has expressed a desire to die… not because she is done, but because she is ready for heaven and the next chapter.
I pray that you have a mentor in your life to share with you how God cares about you down to the last detail. I pray that you are kind to others, generous, tolerant, and slow to criticize. Remember that “The LORD will take care of you” – no matter what happens. When you are discouraged, stop and think of those who have demonstrated this so well… and take a page from their book.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 13, 2012
Romans 15:1-2
If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord’s followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My grandmother was a great dancer in her day. She and her sisters grew up dancing while their dad and uncle played the fiddle and other musical instruments and sang. I find this funny – and ironic – because we grew up in a denomination that did not approve of dancing. Yet my grandmother and her dancing sisters were some of the Godliest women I have ever known! Still, we were taught that dancing was wrong – if we danced in public, something bad was bound to happen! We feared for the souls of our Methodist friends up the street who held dances… and enjoyed themselves!
I’m joking just a little… but not totally. Dancing was serious – and sinful -business when I was a teenager! I’m happy to say that attitudes seem to have relaxed a bit… although there will probably not be any dances held at the church of my childhood anytime soon! But my point is this… when people get an idea in their heads, it takes time – and often tenderness and patience – to try and persuade them to change. When someone tells you that all churches are filled with hypocrites who don’t practice what they preach, you will have to lovingly – and patiently – show him/her that you are different… that not all church members fit this description.
When a person is convinced that a loving God can’t exist, or bad things would never happen, you will not change their mind overnight. It will take time… and strong examples of living in faith. You will have to show this person how God uses bad situations for positive outcomes…how the people who go through them can experience His presence and blessings - even in the midst of some pretty nasty conditions.
Bad habits, long-held beliefs, and a history of skepticism cannot be changed overnight. We must exercise tolerance, endurance, and complete unflappability as we share the love of Christ – and His grace, mercy, peace and forgiveness – with others. We may never see a visible change. Evidence of making any inroad may elude us. But when we walk in faith and perseverance – operate in serenity and confidence that God can make a difference – He will do just that. And isn’t this the very essence of Christian faith?
We must learn to be the picture of kindness and sensitivity toward others. We must be the hands and feet of Jesus and reflect His love, grace and mercy to others. We must patiently trust God to change what we cannot… and rely on His perfect timing in these matters. We exhibit faith in God by exercising our own. Are you living by example? How strong is your faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord’s followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My grandmother was a great dancer in her day. She and her sisters grew up dancing while their dad and uncle played the fiddle and other musical instruments and sang. I find this funny – and ironic – because we grew up in a denomination that did not approve of dancing. Yet my grandmother and her dancing sisters were some of the Godliest women I have ever known! Still, we were taught that dancing was wrong – if we danced in public, something bad was bound to happen! We feared for the souls of our Methodist friends up the street who held dances… and enjoyed themselves!
I’m joking just a little… but not totally. Dancing was serious – and sinful -business when I was a teenager! I’m happy to say that attitudes seem to have relaxed a bit… although there will probably not be any dances held at the church of my childhood anytime soon! But my point is this… when people get an idea in their heads, it takes time – and often tenderness and patience – to try and persuade them to change. When someone tells you that all churches are filled with hypocrites who don’t practice what they preach, you will have to lovingly – and patiently – show him/her that you are different… that not all church members fit this description.
When a person is convinced that a loving God can’t exist, or bad things would never happen, you will not change their mind overnight. It will take time… and strong examples of living in faith. You will have to show this person how God uses bad situations for positive outcomes…how the people who go through them can experience His presence and blessings - even in the midst of some pretty nasty conditions.
Bad habits, long-held beliefs, and a history of skepticism cannot be changed overnight. We must exercise tolerance, endurance, and complete unflappability as we share the love of Christ – and His grace, mercy, peace and forgiveness – with others. We may never see a visible change. Evidence of making any inroad may elude us. But when we walk in faith and perseverance – operate in serenity and confidence that God can make a difference – He will do just that. And isn’t this the very essence of Christian faith?
We must learn to be the picture of kindness and sensitivity toward others. We must be the hands and feet of Jesus and reflect His love, grace and mercy to others. We must patiently trust God to change what we cannot… and rely on His perfect timing in these matters. We exhibit faith in God by exercising our own. Are you living by example? How strong is your faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 23, 2012
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If someone asked you what your sole purpose in life is, what would you tell them? Why do you suppose you are here? What has God placed you on this earth to accomplish? There is a “short answer” to this question… and it is the same for all Christians – or should be. Our sole purpose in life is to walk in the fear of the LORD and keep His commandments.
Let this soak in for a minute. If our primary purpose in life is to respect and revere God and keep His commandments, won’t this affect every aspect of our lives? If God has called you to be a great physician, and you spend your life working to keep others healthy, you have fulfilled God’s desires for you… if you have kept His commandments at the same time. If God calls you to be a teacher, lawyer, builder, laborer, mother, father, pastor, policeman, coach, salesman, farmer… or whatever… and you do this to the best of your ability and keep His commandments, you have fulfilled your purpose in life.
When we try to do anything on our own… or when we ignore God’s commandments and do things the way we want, we are fulfilling our own purposes – not God’s. If we try to minister to others while we are not walking in the fear of the LORD and His commandments, we can really mess things up. I know that God wants me to share this message with you today, because He has revealed it to me twice in the last two hours. My daily devotional from the book God Calling spoke of learning to “be” for God rather than “speak” for Him. In other words, we are far more effective witnesses for God when we live in a manner that exhibits respect, reverence and obedience for His commandments than when we try to tell someone else how to live for God. Sometimes, we need to be quiet and let the actions of our life speak for us rather than try to “win someone to the LORD” with our words.
Show others what your sole purpose is by showing them your “soul purpose.” Live in such a way that it is evident to all who know you that your primary purpose is to serve God and obey His commands. Show God how much you love Him by following His commandments and operating within His will for your life. In doing so, you will say to everyone you meet that the fear of the LORD is the foundation of all happiness. Keeping God’s commandments will open the door for God to reveal His will for your life… and bless you and others in your path.
What is your “sole purpose” today… and what is your “soul purpose?” Are they the same thing? Shouldn’t they be?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If someone asked you what your sole purpose in life is, what would you tell them? Why do you suppose you are here? What has God placed you on this earth to accomplish? There is a “short answer” to this question… and it is the same for all Christians – or should be. Our sole purpose in life is to walk in the fear of the LORD and keep His commandments.
Let this soak in for a minute. If our primary purpose in life is to respect and revere God and keep His commandments, won’t this affect every aspect of our lives? If God has called you to be a great physician, and you spend your life working to keep others healthy, you have fulfilled God’s desires for you… if you have kept His commandments at the same time. If God calls you to be a teacher, lawyer, builder, laborer, mother, father, pastor, policeman, coach, salesman, farmer… or whatever… and you do this to the best of your ability and keep His commandments, you have fulfilled your purpose in life.
When we try to do anything on our own… or when we ignore God’s commandments and do things the way we want, we are fulfilling our own purposes – not God’s. If we try to minister to others while we are not walking in the fear of the LORD and His commandments, we can really mess things up. I know that God wants me to share this message with you today, because He has revealed it to me twice in the last two hours. My daily devotional from the book God Calling spoke of learning to “be” for God rather than “speak” for Him. In other words, we are far more effective witnesses for God when we live in a manner that exhibits respect, reverence and obedience for His commandments than when we try to tell someone else how to live for God. Sometimes, we need to be quiet and let the actions of our life speak for us rather than try to “win someone to the LORD” with our words.
Show others what your sole purpose is by showing them your “soul purpose.” Live in such a way that it is evident to all who know you that your primary purpose is to serve God and obey His commands. Show God how much you love Him by following His commandments and operating within His will for your life. In doing so, you will say to everyone you meet that the fear of the LORD is the foundation of all happiness. Keeping God’s commandments will open the door for God to reveal His will for your life… and bless you and others in your path.
What is your “sole purpose” today… and what is your “soul purpose?” Are they the same thing? Shouldn’t they be?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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