February 4 ~ Psalm 89:7
You are the most fearsome
of all who live in heaven;
all the others fear
and greatly honor you.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
When Greg and I started our
own business nearly 30 years ago, I did “PR” work on the side to help
pay for our office equipment. Some of this work had me “rubbing elbows”
with a few well-known public figures – and even a celebrity or two. I
don’t mean to name drop, but I’ve spent time with President Bill Clinton
(when he was Governor of Arkansas) – and even dined with Hillary. I’ve
met well-known authors like the late Norman Mailer…and I used to be on a
first-name basis with home, beauty and fashion editors from coast to
coast - and the CEO’s of several companies in the RV/Camping industry.
I
know a back-up singer for Christian recording artist CeCe Winans, three
former pro football players, and my childhood neighbor is a retired
Arkansas Supreme Court Judge. Another childhood friend edits videos for
the likes of Garth Brooks, Justin Bieber, and Lady Antebellum…and one of
my lifelong friends has been the secretary for every Arkansas
Razorbacks Football Coach since Lou Holtz!
How does this relate
to Psalm 89:7? As I have grown closer to God, I have learned a valuable
lesson…these are all just “plain folks” like you and me. Oh, a few
celebrities and notables may feel that they are more important…but I can
tell you that each one of them grew up pretty well as you and I did.
They had typical childhood experiences, played outside with friends,
went to school, and grew up similarly to us. They had challenges,
heartaches, and disappointments, too. Some of them may want you to think
they are “all that and a bag of chips” now…but their “roots” are
probably about as common as anyone else’s.
So I am not all that
impressed with “notoriety.” My heart does not pound faster when I’m
near someone with wide-spread recognition. I am not awed by them…nor
all that dazzled by an opportunity to meet them and shake their hands. I
can remember standing in line to get the autograph of a well-known
athlete…and yes, James Taylor actually signed my denim jacket at one of
his concerts. But I also remember passing up a chance to walk over and
speak to a US Olympic boxer and actor who was standing just a few feet
away.
There is only ONE who can bring me to my knees and cause me
to tremble in “fear” and excitement…and that is God Almighty. This
scripture passage says that even the angels shake in His presence! God
is the only “celebrity” worthy of my awe…the only One whose “autograph” I
truly wish to own. I want Him to write His name on my heart…and I’ll
keep it there forever. I am happy to “name drop” big time when it comes
to God…I want everyone to know that I know Him. I will never become
complacent about our relationship – He will always make my heart beat
faster.
What about you? Are you “star-struck” for mere
mortals? Do you have respect and reverence for God…and more
importantly, is He the object of your deepest “celebrity crush?” Have
you got your priorities in order…and do you understand that in God’s
eyes, we are all created equal…from the orphan and homeless woman on the
street to the drug addict, to the leader of the free world – and
everyone in between? Do you get that God is in a league all His own -
far and away superior to all others…and yet, He calls you His child?
Will
this be the day that you begin to give God the respect and “billing”
that He deserves? If angels tremble in His sight with respect and
reverence, don’t you think you should, as well? Who causes you to
tremble with fear and excitement? Isn’t it time you figured it out?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label misplaced reverence and respect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label misplaced reverence and respect. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 31, 2015
Matthew 17:1-8
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John to the top of a high and lonely hill, and as they watched, his appearance changed so that his face shone like the sun and his clothing became dazzling white.
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with him. Peter blurted out, “Sir, it’s wonderful that we can be here! If you want me to, I’ll make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
But even as he said it, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him. Obey him.”
At this the disciples fell face downward to the ground, terribly frightened. Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said, “don’t be afraid.”
And when they looked, only Jesus was with them.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Billy Graham…John Hagee…Joyce Meyer…Beth Moore…Dr. Phil…Deepak Chopra…the Dalai Lama…Bill O’Reilly…Anderson Cooper…Rachel Maddow…Megyn Kelly...your pastor…your children…your spouse or significant other…your home, car and possessions…your job…your hobby…your favorite team…your pet...your favorite entertainer or celebrity...
All of these, and countless other people and things that we could list, have been given a place of “worship” in the lives of many of us. We have essentially made “shelters” for people and things that are not nearly as worthy of adoration as we make them. In fact, God clearly indicates in this passage that only ONE is worthy of praise and reverence! Even the likes of Moses and Elijah – both great men of God – are not who we should place on such a pedestal.
There is nothing wrong with having respect and admiration for great men and women of God…or people whom we feel are intelligent and have their finger on the pulse of current events or seem to have figured out quite a bit about mental health and sound living. We should honor our spouses, children and pets – and care deeply about them. We need to work hard, do our best, and make every effort to be well-rounded and interesting. It’s fine to have hobbies and to support a team or three – or to enjoy the performances and talents of someone else.
But we must be careful to remember Who deserves our ultimate worship. We must remember that God chose Jesus…His beloved Son, to lead and guide us. He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins…and in return, we are told to obey Him…to follow His teachings and make Him the center of our being - not something or someone else.
So let’s examine our hearts and lives today and see Who we have made the object of our adoration. Where have we misplaced our loyalties…if only a little. Where do we need to shift and adjust our focus – and place it more squarely on Jesus Christ? Are we ready to make only ONE shelter in our hearts and minds – for the One who truly deserves it? Don’t you think this is a good day to start?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John to the top of a high and lonely hill, and as they watched, his appearance changed so that his face shone like the sun and his clothing became dazzling white.
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with him. Peter blurted out, “Sir, it’s wonderful that we can be here! If you want me to, I’ll make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
But even as he said it, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him. Obey him.”
At this the disciples fell face downward to the ground, terribly frightened. Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said, “don’t be afraid.”
And when they looked, only Jesus was with them.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Billy Graham…John Hagee…Joyce Meyer…Beth Moore…Dr. Phil…Deepak Chopra…the Dalai Lama…Bill O’Reilly…Anderson Cooper…Rachel Maddow…Megyn Kelly...your pastor…your children…your spouse or significant other…your home, car and possessions…your job…your hobby…your favorite team…your pet...your favorite entertainer or celebrity...
All of these, and countless other people and things that we could list, have been given a place of “worship” in the lives of many of us. We have essentially made “shelters” for people and things that are not nearly as worthy of adoration as we make them. In fact, God clearly indicates in this passage that only ONE is worthy of praise and reverence! Even the likes of Moses and Elijah – both great men of God – are not who we should place on such a pedestal.
There is nothing wrong with having respect and admiration for great men and women of God…or people whom we feel are intelligent and have their finger on the pulse of current events or seem to have figured out quite a bit about mental health and sound living. We should honor our spouses, children and pets – and care deeply about them. We need to work hard, do our best, and make every effort to be well-rounded and interesting. It’s fine to have hobbies and to support a team or three – or to enjoy the performances and talents of someone else.
But we must be careful to remember Who deserves our ultimate worship. We must remember that God chose Jesus…His beloved Son, to lead and guide us. He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins…and in return, we are told to obey Him…to follow His teachings and make Him the center of our being - not something or someone else.
So let’s examine our hearts and lives today and see Who we have made the object of our adoration. Where have we misplaced our loyalties…if only a little. Where do we need to shift and adjust our focus – and place it more squarely on Jesus Christ? Are we ready to make only ONE shelter in our hearts and minds – for the One who truly deserves it? Don’t you think this is a good day to start?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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