1 Peter 3:9
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap
back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s
help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us
for it.
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
I was little, I’m pretty sure that adults sugar-coated the story of the
crucifixion for me. I knew that Jesus loved me, but I had no idea how
greatly He suffered for my sins. Today, our children are subjected to
so much violence in movies - and the media in general - that they are
(sadly) accustomed to seeing horrific scenes of people being maimed and
mutilated. So when Timothy and Nathan asked me about the crucifixion and
“What happened to Jesus?” I told them, “Soldiers nailed his hands and
feet to the cross.”
Seven-year-old Timothy asked, “Did they
stab Him?” Well…yes. “Did they beat Him up?” “Yes, they did that,
too.” This is when the boys began their dialog about how they
would beat up those horrible people who did this to their Jesus. And as
I noted in yesterday’s devotional message, we had to have a talk about
forgiveness and how Jesus would not want us to retaliate for Him.
Timothy,
Zola, and Nathan see very little television news. And I am honestly
glad of that. I don’t want them hearing how people talk to one
another…the horrible name calling that is going on publicly between
people running for the highest offices of our nation. It is very hard
to tell children not to say unkind things about each other when all they
have to do is turn on the TV and hear adults doing this ad nauseam.
And maybe someone has said something unkind toward you – or about
you…and you have a personal experience (if not actual familiarity) with
the desire to retaliate and “set him/her straight.”
I am glad
that God gave me this scripture passage today. Now I have a good
“solution” for the boys. I will suggest that they pray for those who
hurt others…especially those who hurt Jesus. We cannot turn back the
clock and change what happened on Calvary that day (and we wouldn’t want
to do this!)…but we can pray for those who offend or insult us – and
Jesus – today. We can be kind to those who are unkind to us. We don’t
have to be “doormats” and let others walk all over us…but we don’t have
to lower ourselves to that level, either.
I’ll be honest…there
are a few people who have insulted or offended me, and my solution has
been to pretty well ignore them. This isn’t right, either. I don’t
have to make them my new best friends…but I need to make an effort to be
kind to them. To do otherwise indicates that when we offend or insult
Jesus, He turns His back on us…and that is simply NOT the case!
It
is time to treat others as Jesus taught us…and as He treats us. If we
are going to be His disciples and represent Him on this earth, we have
to emulate Him. And that means operating in forgiveness, grace and
mercy…to all people at all times. How are you doing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label modeling Christian discipleship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modeling Christian discipleship. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 8, 2016
Mark 16:15
Then he told them:
Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I Googled “Your mission, should you choose to accept it,” and I actually got about 77,700,000 results! If you do not know this phrase, you’ve probably never seen a “Mission Impossible” movie or television show, because this is how they all begin…with a message to the agent about his assignment - and this phrase.
If you go back and read Mark 16:14, you will see that Jesus is talking to His disciples. In fact, Jesus has just given them “what-for” because some of them did not believe those who saw Him after He was raised to life. He appears to the disciples and lays out their “mission”…to “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” And this is OUR mission, too. Jesus follows this with an admonition in verse 16 that...”Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.”
The message is quite clear…but just in case you have any questions about what Jesus said, let’s break this down a bit. First, we are called to believe in Jesus, even though we have never seen Him. We are to surrender our heart, mind and soul to a God we have never seen in the flesh…to trust that He is the ultimate Authority in our lives…and to surrender completely to Him. Then, we are to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and what He did for us with everyone we encounter. We are to demonstrate our faith, behave in a way that honors His teachings to love others and treat them as we wish to be treated, and to trust God to handle every aspect of our daily living according to His will and in perfect fashion.
There are also a couple of things this passage does NOT say. First, Jesus does not say that we must be baptized in order to be saved. Yes, in verse 16, He says that those who believe in Him and are “baptized” will be saved, but those who refuse to believe in Him will be condemned. But let’s be clear…this does not necessarily mean a “water baptism.” If it did, the thief on the cross would not have been promised an Eternity with Jesus in heaven. I believe that the word “baptized” in this context means that we must die to our sins and old way of life and be “washed clean” (or baptized), in the blood of Jesus.
Additionally, Jesus is not telling us that we have to go around the world as missionaries. When He says to share His GOOD NEWS with the world…I believe He uses that word collectively. Your “world” and mine may not be the same. You may travel for recreation or work and encounter people, quite literally, around the world. You may go on mission trips for this specific purpose. Or you may be like me - pretty well a “homebody” who does not venture out of her community often…so your “world” is your own backyard. I also feel blessed to be able to share Jesus with “the world” via the Internet and any and all who may read these devotionals. Each one of us has a different “world,” and this is where Jesus has called us to share His message.
Ultimately, Jesus’ commission is for us to live out our faith - wherever we are and whoever we encounter. Frankly, I’ve been concerned lately about how some of us are doing in this area. As we become more aggressive and assertive in expressing our thoughts and opinions, I fear we are losing sight of Jesus’ message to us. We are confusing the “mission” to share the Good News with our desire to impose our attitudes and judgments on others. So we are comfortable with name calling – and accepting those who seem to effortlessly throw barbs, criticisms and judgments – and we claim the name of Jesus while acting like downright jerks and bullies at times!
We give people in our “world” the impression that “I’m right, you’re wrong,” and God said so! We behave badly, laugh at ugly jokes and remarks, and give our children (and others who are watching), the impression that this is all okay – that this is how “good Christians” act. And surely God must hang His head in shame at how His children attempt to carry out the “mission.”
©2016 Debbie Robus
Then he told them:
Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I Googled “Your mission, should you choose to accept it,” and I actually got about 77,700,000 results! If you do not know this phrase, you’ve probably never seen a “Mission Impossible” movie or television show, because this is how they all begin…with a message to the agent about his assignment - and this phrase.
If you go back and read Mark 16:14, you will see that Jesus is talking to His disciples. In fact, Jesus has just given them “what-for” because some of them did not believe those who saw Him after He was raised to life. He appears to the disciples and lays out their “mission”…to “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” And this is OUR mission, too. Jesus follows this with an admonition in verse 16 that...”Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.”
The message is quite clear…but just in case you have any questions about what Jesus said, let’s break this down a bit. First, we are called to believe in Jesus, even though we have never seen Him. We are to surrender our heart, mind and soul to a God we have never seen in the flesh…to trust that He is the ultimate Authority in our lives…and to surrender completely to Him. Then, we are to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and what He did for us with everyone we encounter. We are to demonstrate our faith, behave in a way that honors His teachings to love others and treat them as we wish to be treated, and to trust God to handle every aspect of our daily living according to His will and in perfect fashion.
There are also a couple of things this passage does NOT say. First, Jesus does not say that we must be baptized in order to be saved. Yes, in verse 16, He says that those who believe in Him and are “baptized” will be saved, but those who refuse to believe in Him will be condemned. But let’s be clear…this does not necessarily mean a “water baptism.” If it did, the thief on the cross would not have been promised an Eternity with Jesus in heaven. I believe that the word “baptized” in this context means that we must die to our sins and old way of life and be “washed clean” (or baptized), in the blood of Jesus.
Additionally, Jesus is not telling us that we have to go around the world as missionaries. When He says to share His GOOD NEWS with the world…I believe He uses that word collectively. Your “world” and mine may not be the same. You may travel for recreation or work and encounter people, quite literally, around the world. You may go on mission trips for this specific purpose. Or you may be like me - pretty well a “homebody” who does not venture out of her community often…so your “world” is your own backyard. I also feel blessed to be able to share Jesus with “the world” via the Internet and any and all who may read these devotionals. Each one of us has a different “world,” and this is where Jesus has called us to share His message.
Ultimately, Jesus’ commission is for us to live out our faith - wherever we are and whoever we encounter. Frankly, I’ve been concerned lately about how some of us are doing in this area. As we become more aggressive and assertive in expressing our thoughts and opinions, I fear we are losing sight of Jesus’ message to us. We are confusing the “mission” to share the Good News with our desire to impose our attitudes and judgments on others. So we are comfortable with name calling – and accepting those who seem to effortlessly throw barbs, criticisms and judgments – and we claim the name of Jesus while acting like downright jerks and bullies at times!
We give people in our “world” the impression that “I’m right, you’re wrong,” and God said so! We behave badly, laugh at ugly jokes and remarks, and give our children (and others who are watching), the impression that this is all okay – that this is how “good Christians” act. And surely God must hang His head in shame at how His children attempt to carry out the “mission.”
- Let’s stop and take a hard look at what Jesus called us to do.
- Let’s renew our commitment to love Him wholeheartedly and serve Him according to His will – not our own.
- Let’s surrender our sins to Him and ask for baptism in His cleansing blood.
- Let’s resolve to carry out Jesus’ mission – not our own…and to behave in a manner that is befitting of our “station” as His precious and redeemed children.
- Let’s share the GOOD NEWS with those in our “world” and make every effort to never contaminate this message with our words or actions.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 6, 2016
Genesis 1:1-5
When God began creating the heavens and the earth, the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors.
Then God said, “Let there be light.” And light appeared. And God was pleased with it and divided the light from the darkness. He called the light “daytime,” and the darkness “nighttime.” Together they formed the first day.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If you want to have your “disciple muscle” tested, try to explain God to a 3½-year-old! I was reading a children’s Bible story to Nathan a few days ago about Jesus’ last days on earth. Nathan always asks a zillion questions when we read books. But this time, as he looked at the pictures he asked, “Is THAT God? Is THAT God? Well…where IS God?”
At first I told him that “God is in Heaven,” and he would nod and say, “Granny is in Heaven with God.” “Yes,” I would agree…that’s right.” But then he asked more insistently, “But where IS God? Can’t we see Him?” I tried to explain that we cannot see God in the same way that we see each other – or even that people saw Jesus. But Nathan didn’t seem satisfied with this. Finally, I said, “God is in your heart.” “God is in my HEART?” “Not IN your heart,” I tried to explain again…”but we can feel God with us. His spirit is in our heart and helps us…He loves us and we love HIM.”
This will have to be revisited often. I have a sneaky feeling that right now, Nathan thinks that God is like a little battery pack that physically resides in his heart. But over time, I hope that “the lights will go on” and he will understand more fully. This was how it happened for Timothy – and it was a remarkable transformation to observe. I am not sure how firm a grasp Zola has yet, but I know that she does have some understanding of who God is.
I cannot put into words what it means to know that these three little ones know God – at least as well as their young intellectual minds will allow. More importantly, they have a HEART for God. They understand that He loves and cares for them like no other. They are learning about how God created the heavens and earth…day and night…the land, sea and sky…and all of the plants and animals that inhabit our world.
It is humbling to think that God created ALL of this for ALL of us…including me and my family. I am honored to be able to share the love of Christ – and His message – with others, especially young children. I am so privileged to be able to have a front-row seat to observe how these little ones are transforming in their relationship with God and growing to know and love Him more each day. I am honored to be able to share the love of Christ – and His messages for us – with others each and every day.
It started with darkness…murky, shapeless, vapor. But oh, what God has done with that abyss! And He’s not finished! We are called to share His love and light with others…to tell them of the amazing sacrifices that He made for us in the form of Jesus…and to encourage them to make a space in their own hearts for His spirit to permanently reside. Where IS God for you today…and how will you share Him with others? Isn’t it time you found the answer?
©2016 Debbie Robus
When God began creating the heavens and the earth, the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors.
Then God said, “Let there be light.” And light appeared. And God was pleased with it and divided the light from the darkness. He called the light “daytime,” and the darkness “nighttime.” Together they formed the first day.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If you want to have your “disciple muscle” tested, try to explain God to a 3½-year-old! I was reading a children’s Bible story to Nathan a few days ago about Jesus’ last days on earth. Nathan always asks a zillion questions when we read books. But this time, as he looked at the pictures he asked, “Is THAT God? Is THAT God? Well…where IS God?”
At first I told him that “God is in Heaven,” and he would nod and say, “Granny is in Heaven with God.” “Yes,” I would agree…that’s right.” But then he asked more insistently, “But where IS God? Can’t we see Him?” I tried to explain that we cannot see God in the same way that we see each other – or even that people saw Jesus. But Nathan didn’t seem satisfied with this. Finally, I said, “God is in your heart.” “God is in my HEART?” “Not IN your heart,” I tried to explain again…”but we can feel God with us. His spirit is in our heart and helps us…He loves us and we love HIM.”
This will have to be revisited often. I have a sneaky feeling that right now, Nathan thinks that God is like a little battery pack that physically resides in his heart. But over time, I hope that “the lights will go on” and he will understand more fully. This was how it happened for Timothy – and it was a remarkable transformation to observe. I am not sure how firm a grasp Zola has yet, but I know that she does have some understanding of who God is.
I cannot put into words what it means to know that these three little ones know God – at least as well as their young intellectual minds will allow. More importantly, they have a HEART for God. They understand that He loves and cares for them like no other. They are learning about how God created the heavens and earth…day and night…the land, sea and sky…and all of the plants and animals that inhabit our world.
It is humbling to think that God created ALL of this for ALL of us…including me and my family. I am honored to be able to share the love of Christ – and His message – with others, especially young children. I am so privileged to be able to have a front-row seat to observe how these little ones are transforming in their relationship with God and growing to know and love Him more each day. I am honored to be able to share the love of Christ – and His messages for us – with others each and every day.
It started with darkness…murky, shapeless, vapor. But oh, what God has done with that abyss! And He’s not finished! We are called to share His love and light with others…to tell them of the amazing sacrifices that He made for us in the form of Jesus…and to encourage them to make a space in their own hearts for His spirit to permanently reside. Where IS God for you today…and how will you share Him with others? Isn’t it time you found the answer?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 13, 2016
1 Timothy 2:1-3
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.
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.
This morning I assisted with the 6th grade Sunday school class. The lesson was from John 12, where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples…even Judas, His subsequent betrayer. The point was made that we cannot pick and choose who we will serve, if we are truly Christ’s disciples. And as the Apostle Paul notes in these verses to Timothy, we must also pray for everyone.
I love how this translation says to “pray every way you know how.” Lately, there have been circumstances in my life where I found it hard to pray for certain people and situations…and yet, I knew that prayer was the only “resource” I had – and truly all that I needed. God answered, and I once again laughed at how I had worried needlessly. Here’s one instance…my husband, Greg, had surgery on Tuesday that led to the need for another procedure two days later…in another city more than an hour away.
The forecast was for us to receive as much as nine inches of rain, which could have led to flooded roads and possibly prevented us from getting to the hospital. I asked for prayer on Facebook, and one friend replied, “Today is Tuesday…don't project what will be [happening on] Thursday. It's in the hands of YKW (You Know Who). Prayers.” And she was right! The rains came – but there were no floods in our driving area. We made it to the hospital and back in one piece, and the procedure went better than expected. All is well.
God answered our prayers. He has answered all of my prayers perfectly. Notice I did not say that God always answers as I prefer! But I know in my heart that He has answered according to His perfect plans…and He will continue to do so. I am learning to live “simply, in humble contemplation”…and to pray for everyone and everything - in every way I know how! What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.
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.
This morning I assisted with the 6th grade Sunday school class. The lesson was from John 12, where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples…even Judas, His subsequent betrayer. The point was made that we cannot pick and choose who we will serve, if we are truly Christ’s disciples. And as the Apostle Paul notes in these verses to Timothy, we must also pray for everyone.
I love how this translation says to “pray every way you know how.” Lately, there have been circumstances in my life where I found it hard to pray for certain people and situations…and yet, I knew that prayer was the only “resource” I had – and truly all that I needed. God answered, and I once again laughed at how I had worried needlessly. Here’s one instance…my husband, Greg, had surgery on Tuesday that led to the need for another procedure two days later…in another city more than an hour away.
The forecast was for us to receive as much as nine inches of rain, which could have led to flooded roads and possibly prevented us from getting to the hospital. I asked for prayer on Facebook, and one friend replied, “Today is Tuesday…don't project what will be [happening on] Thursday. It's in the hands of YKW (You Know Who). Prayers.” And she was right! The rains came – but there were no floods in our driving area. We made it to the hospital and back in one piece, and the procedure went better than expected. All is well.
God answered our prayers. He has answered all of my prayers perfectly. Notice I did not say that God always answers as I prefer! But I know in my heart that He has answered according to His perfect plans…and He will continue to do so. I am learning to live “simply, in humble contemplation”…and to pray for everyone and everything - in every way I know how! What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 22, 2015
James 1:12
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I took the children to swim at our community’s Aquatic Center. The local swim team was practicing in the lanes adjacent to the open pool area where we were swimming. The children were so impressed. They knew some of the team members from church, and I encouraged them to “race” in our section of the pool “like the swim team.” Timothy eagerly said, “Okay, okay…and you be our coach!”
I lined the three children up along one wall of the pool and then backed away some 15 feet into the deeper water. I would say, “Ready, set, GO!” and have them swim to me. All three children would start out working hard, but about three or four feet into the swim, Zola would stop dead in her tracks and start to try to cry! “I can’t go!” she would say. “You’re not trying,” I would tell her. “Kick your legs and pull with your arms and hands.” “But I can’t!” she would wail.
Meanwhile, Timothy and Nathan would have happily reached me, both excitedly squealing that “I won! I won!” They did not give up. Even when a sibling moved into their path and blocked them temporarily…they skirted around and kept swimming.
This is what we are being told to do in James 1:12…keep swimming. Don’t give up when things get tough. When you get stuck “dead in the water” for a brief moment, don’t just throw up your hands and try to squeeze out a few tears of defeat. Keep swimming! Keep trying, and stay faithful. I held out my hands and encouraged Zola to “Come on! Keep coming to me. I’m right here.” And you know what? That is exactly what God is saying. “Come on…hang on just a little longer…I am right here with you.”
This verse says that those who remain faithful and do not quit will be rewarded with “a glorious life.” And I will agree with you that there are days and circumstances in this earthly life that seem anything but glorious. Some are downright hard and unpleasant – and we want to run screaming into the night and say, “ENOUGH! I am DONE!” But here’s the thing…God understands this…and He’s not going anywhere. He can make even the lousiest day or circumstances bearable…He will ultimately deliver us and give us joy and peace again. And when we learn to remain faithful and trust God even in the worst times, we discover that the rewards increase exponentially - in ways we never ever dreamed.
So keep swimming. Stay focused on God and trust His promises. Propel yourself forward toward His outstretched hands. You can’t begin to imagine how He will bless you…but He surely will. And in the end, you will also shout, “I won! I won!” Today is the day…Ready…Set…GO!
©2015 Debbie Robus
God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I took the children to swim at our community’s Aquatic Center. The local swim team was practicing in the lanes adjacent to the open pool area where we were swimming. The children were so impressed. They knew some of the team members from church, and I encouraged them to “race” in our section of the pool “like the swim team.” Timothy eagerly said, “Okay, okay…and you be our coach!”
I lined the three children up along one wall of the pool and then backed away some 15 feet into the deeper water. I would say, “Ready, set, GO!” and have them swim to me. All three children would start out working hard, but about three or four feet into the swim, Zola would stop dead in her tracks and start to try to cry! “I can’t go!” she would say. “You’re not trying,” I would tell her. “Kick your legs and pull with your arms and hands.” “But I can’t!” she would wail.
Meanwhile, Timothy and Nathan would have happily reached me, both excitedly squealing that “I won! I won!” They did not give up. Even when a sibling moved into their path and blocked them temporarily…they skirted around and kept swimming.
This is what we are being told to do in James 1:12…keep swimming. Don’t give up when things get tough. When you get stuck “dead in the water” for a brief moment, don’t just throw up your hands and try to squeeze out a few tears of defeat. Keep swimming! Keep trying, and stay faithful. I held out my hands and encouraged Zola to “Come on! Keep coming to me. I’m right here.” And you know what? That is exactly what God is saying. “Come on…hang on just a little longer…I am right here with you.”
This verse says that those who remain faithful and do not quit will be rewarded with “a glorious life.” And I will agree with you that there are days and circumstances in this earthly life that seem anything but glorious. Some are downright hard and unpleasant – and we want to run screaming into the night and say, “ENOUGH! I am DONE!” But here’s the thing…God understands this…and He’s not going anywhere. He can make even the lousiest day or circumstances bearable…He will ultimately deliver us and give us joy and peace again. And when we learn to remain faithful and trust God even in the worst times, we discover that the rewards increase exponentially - in ways we never ever dreamed.
So keep swimming. Stay focused on God and trust His promises. Propel yourself forward toward His outstretched hands. You can’t begin to imagine how He will bless you…but He surely will. And in the end, you will also shout, “I won! I won!” Today is the day…Ready…Set…GO!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 14, 2015
Matthew 7:15-20
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the last couple of decades, “rock stars” have emerged in the area of Christian faith. Everyone knows Billy Graham …but a lot of us also know his son Franklin and daughter Anne Graham Lotz, as well as Beth Moore, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Jen Hatmaker, Priscilla Shirer, Joel Osteen, Charles Stanley, and dozens of other evangelists, musicians, and authors who have made a name for themselves because of their Christian faith. I am in no way suggesting that any of these folks are insincere, exploitive, or only interested in your pocketbook…and some do tremendous things with the proceeds from their sales.
My shelves are filled with books by Max Lucado, Joyce Meyer, Charles Swindoll, Pastor Rick Warren, and others. I love reading the insights of fellow believers…and discovering how God speaks to them. I have dozens of Contemporary Christian music CDs, and I appreciate the talents of someone who can produce such artistry and give me a great “background” that (in my mind) makes me sound good when I sing along! We have plaques and crosses in our house that profess our love of Jesus…and I wear jewelry with crosses and fish that further symbolize my allegiance to God.
Christian music writer/performer Michael W. Smith created a song several years ago called “Cross of Gold*”…and in part, the lyrics say:
The short answer is, “Yes!” The lesson is 1) we must understand that not everyone who wears a cross or claims to love Jesus truly has a passion for Him and serving as His disciple. We must be discerning in our relationships and trust…and rely on God to show us who is the “real deal” – and who is out to rip you off…mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually; and 2) we must make sure that our own motives are pure…that we are genuine in our faith and service…and in what we share with others.
Wear your crosses…read the books that inspire you to love Jesus more (especially God’s word!)…listen to music that uplifts and encourages you in your faith…and pay attention to the “signs” that God gives you with regard to what you see and hear. Be genuine and real in YOUR discipleship, and live in a way that pleases God rather than others. If you are sincere in your faith and Christian witness, people will know…and if you’re not, they’ll know that, too!
©2015 Debbie Robus
*https://michaelwsmith.twoseventwoshop.com/product/Change-Your-World
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the last couple of decades, “rock stars” have emerged in the area of Christian faith. Everyone knows Billy Graham …but a lot of us also know his son Franklin and daughter Anne Graham Lotz, as well as Beth Moore, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Jen Hatmaker, Priscilla Shirer, Joel Osteen, Charles Stanley, and dozens of other evangelists, musicians, and authors who have made a name for themselves because of their Christian faith. I am in no way suggesting that any of these folks are insincere, exploitive, or only interested in your pocketbook…and some do tremendous things with the proceeds from their sales.
My shelves are filled with books by Max Lucado, Joyce Meyer, Charles Swindoll, Pastor Rick Warren, and others. I love reading the insights of fellow believers…and discovering how God speaks to them. I have dozens of Contemporary Christian music CDs, and I appreciate the talents of someone who can produce such artistry and give me a great “background” that (in my mind) makes me sound good when I sing along! We have plaques and crosses in our house that profess our love of Jesus…and I wear jewelry with crosses and fish that further symbolize my allegiance to God.
Christian music writer/performer Michael W. Smith created a song several years ago called “Cross of Gold*”…and in part, the lyrics say:
It's confusing to me ~ The message you're sending ~ And I don't know if I can relate ~ What's your line ~ Tell me why you wear your cross of gold ~ State of mind ~ Or does it find a way into your soul ~ Is it a flame ~ Is it a passion ~ A symbol of love living in you ~ Or is it a game ~ Religion in fashion ~ Some kind of phase you're going throughI do not think this passage in Matthew is literally about preachers as much as it is a warning for all Christians to be very clear in our message and our motives. Are we “playing the game” with our faith? Are some on board with Jesus merely to make money? I once was “greeted” at Walmart by an associate who was trying to sell a shopping cartload of potato chips. He said to me, “You’re wearing crosses on your earrings, so you must be a Christian…surely YOU will buy a package of these chips!” I smiled and said, “I am a Christian, but I don’t need chips today.” Are people making certain assumptions about us based on our appearance and demeanor...or what we say and how we say it?
The short answer is, “Yes!” The lesson is 1) we must understand that not everyone who wears a cross or claims to love Jesus truly has a passion for Him and serving as His disciple. We must be discerning in our relationships and trust…and rely on God to show us who is the “real deal” – and who is out to rip you off…mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually; and 2) we must make sure that our own motives are pure…that we are genuine in our faith and service…and in what we share with others.
Wear your crosses…read the books that inspire you to love Jesus more (especially God’s word!)…listen to music that uplifts and encourages you in your faith…and pay attention to the “signs” that God gives you with regard to what you see and hear. Be genuine and real in YOUR discipleship, and live in a way that pleases God rather than others. If you are sincere in your faith and Christian witness, people will know…and if you’re not, they’ll know that, too!
©2015 Debbie Robus
*https://michaelwsmith.twoseventwoshop.com/product/Change-Your-World
Daily Devotional for November 7, 2014
Colossians 2:6-7
You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A cattle farmer purchased harvested timber land to develop for his farming operation. The land had originally been covered in timber, which the previous owner sold and had cleared. This left the ground littered with stumps – and ruts where the equipment had dragged the logs away.
The farmer had to do extensive work to get the soil in condition to produce grass for his cattle. Once he removed all of the stumps and filled in the ruts, he had to treat the land with fertilizers and other nutrients, just to get it to a point where grass would grow. In other words, a lot of work had to be done before the grass would actually take root and rise from the ground. It all began with the soil…a firm foundation for the vegetation that would ultimately feed and sustain his cattle and bring him good prices for them.
When Jesus came to earth and taught His disciples, healed the sick and the lame, and demonstrated how to serve and honor God – then died for our sins on the cross – He laid the foundation for our faith and salvation. He also gave us the promise of spending Eternity with Him in God’s Heavenly home. Jesus “worked the soil” so that we could confidently “plant our roots” in Him and be assured that they would grow and produce good fruit.
The farmer’s “soil reclamation” took a lot of time and hard work. I would venture to say that it also required some wisdom and understanding about just which mixture of nutrients would make the ground the most fertile and receptive to plants and grasses.
This is what Jesus did for us. He invested His time and hard work…the incredible sacrifices that extended to His very life…so that we could be confident of a life in Him that would grow and bloom. Try as we might, we can never calculate – or fully comprehend what this cost Jesus…and it was all done for each of us. But we can offer Him our very best. We can be grateful for His amazing and selfless grace, mercy, forgiveness and love…and we can honor Him with our thoughts, words and actions.
Are you a visible, grateful representation of Jesus’ “fertile soil” and all that He endured to establish a firm foundation for you? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A cattle farmer purchased harvested timber land to develop for his farming operation. The land had originally been covered in timber, which the previous owner sold and had cleared. This left the ground littered with stumps – and ruts where the equipment had dragged the logs away.
The farmer had to do extensive work to get the soil in condition to produce grass for his cattle. Once he removed all of the stumps and filled in the ruts, he had to treat the land with fertilizers and other nutrients, just to get it to a point where grass would grow. In other words, a lot of work had to be done before the grass would actually take root and rise from the ground. It all began with the soil…a firm foundation for the vegetation that would ultimately feed and sustain his cattle and bring him good prices for them.
When Jesus came to earth and taught His disciples, healed the sick and the lame, and demonstrated how to serve and honor God – then died for our sins on the cross – He laid the foundation for our faith and salvation. He also gave us the promise of spending Eternity with Him in God’s Heavenly home. Jesus “worked the soil” so that we could confidently “plant our roots” in Him and be assured that they would grow and produce good fruit.
The farmer’s “soil reclamation” took a lot of time and hard work. I would venture to say that it also required some wisdom and understanding about just which mixture of nutrients would make the ground the most fertile and receptive to plants and grasses.
This is what Jesus did for us. He invested His time and hard work…the incredible sacrifices that extended to His very life…so that we could be confident of a life in Him that would grow and bloom. Try as we might, we can never calculate – or fully comprehend what this cost Jesus…and it was all done for each of us. But we can offer Him our very best. We can be grateful for His amazing and selfless grace, mercy, forgiveness and love…and we can honor Him with our thoughts, words and actions.
Are you a visible, grateful representation of Jesus’ “fertile soil” and all that He endured to establish a firm foundation for you? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 16, 2014
Mark 16:17-18
“And those who believe shall use my authority to cast out demons, and they shall speak new languages. They will be able even to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them; and they will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal 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.
It seems that much of the world is presently in a tizzy over the Ebola virus. And yes, those who are directly involved with people who have come in contact with this potentially deadly illness – or who have been to countries where the sickness is prevalent – should be cautious and concerned. But those of us who live hours and days away from this contagion truly have little to nothing to fear. Moreover, we should be thankful that there are medical personnel who are specifically trained to treat those with this virus, which will help to contain it and prevent further spread, while aiding those who are infected.
Here’s how I see this...Jesus told us over and again in Scripture that He came to earth, suffered, bled and died, so that we might live! Through His sacrifices, God has granted us not only the assurance of safety and security, but also the wisdom to know how to survive! So when this passage talks of “handling snakes” and “drinking poison”...don’t take this so literally. The “snakes and poisons” of life are all around us – physical dangers, relationship difficulties, temptations, challenges, sins of all kinds – and yes, deadly viruses. But we have the ultimate “Hazmat Suit” of all...the healing power Jesus Christ!
Because of Jesus’s healing power, we don’t have to operate in fear...about anything. And honestly, when you boil this all down...that’s what is happening. “Fearmongering” is at an all-time high these days...in current events, politics, and even the latest “health news”. Just watch The Dr. Oz Show, and you will feel like you have failed your own body in more than a dozen ways with each episode!
We need to pull out our Bibles, find a quiet place to read and reflect, and CALM DOWN!!! We need to call on the authority of Jesus to cast out these demons of fear...to operate in the confidence of His healing power...and to lead by example and “heal” others as we interact with them each day. This is “Christian Discipleship 101”, people! Have you read The Book and taken notes from the Teacher? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“And those who believe shall use my authority to cast out demons, and they shall speak new languages. They will be able even to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them; and they will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal 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.
It seems that much of the world is presently in a tizzy over the Ebola virus. And yes, those who are directly involved with people who have come in contact with this potentially deadly illness – or who have been to countries where the sickness is prevalent – should be cautious and concerned. But those of us who live hours and days away from this contagion truly have little to nothing to fear. Moreover, we should be thankful that there are medical personnel who are specifically trained to treat those with this virus, which will help to contain it and prevent further spread, while aiding those who are infected.
Here’s how I see this...Jesus told us over and again in Scripture that He came to earth, suffered, bled and died, so that we might live! Through His sacrifices, God has granted us not only the assurance of safety and security, but also the wisdom to know how to survive! So when this passage talks of “handling snakes” and “drinking poison”...don’t take this so literally. The “snakes and poisons” of life are all around us – physical dangers, relationship difficulties, temptations, challenges, sins of all kinds – and yes, deadly viruses. But we have the ultimate “Hazmat Suit” of all...the healing power Jesus Christ!
Because of Jesus’s healing power, we don’t have to operate in fear...about anything. And honestly, when you boil this all down...that’s what is happening. “Fearmongering” is at an all-time high these days...in current events, politics, and even the latest “health news”. Just watch The Dr. Oz Show, and you will feel like you have failed your own body in more than a dozen ways with each episode!
We need to pull out our Bibles, find a quiet place to read and reflect, and CALM DOWN!!! We need to call on the authority of Jesus to cast out these demons of fear...to operate in the confidence of His healing power...and to lead by example and “heal” others as we interact with them each day. This is “Christian Discipleship 101”, people! Have you read The Book and taken notes from the Teacher? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 15, 2014
3 John 1:2
Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning as I left the pool at our local Aquatic Center, I met my Mam-ma Polly’s best friend, Ruby. She was just getting into the therapy pool for a morning exercise class. Ruby has a number of health issues, including diabetes and neuropathy. She is also 95 years young, still lives in her own home, and drives her own car...even to the community Aquatic Center on a rainy Monday morning! If Ruby misses a church service or Sunday school, you know that she is more than a little under the weather!
Ruby is like my Mam-ma Polly – she comes from “good stock!” She has endured a number of challenges and heartaches in her life, including the deaths of two husbands and her daughter. Ruby took it hard when Mam-ma Polly had to move to the Assisted Living Facility – and even harder when she went to heaven. Mam-ma Polly was Ruby’s “partner in crime” in many things for a number of years! You hardly saw one without the other, so I know she has been lonely without her friend.
Still, Ruby is one of the most upbeat and cheerful women I know...and she reminds me of the “Engergizer® Bunny”! Her soul is incredibly healthy, even as her body ages and declines...and I don’t think this is any accident. I’ve known quite a few remarkable men and women who lived well into their 90s...and some to nearly 100. And when I say “lived well”...I mean, they lived well! If you take a good look at these amazing role models, you can see a common thread...they all have/had healthy souls! Their hearts belong to Jesus...they trust Him to meet their needs and keep them upright and moving forward...and they eagerly and joyfully anticipate spending eternity in His presence!
There are “Rubys” and “Pollys” in our midst...and we would do well to watch and learn from their extraordinary examples of faith and Christian service. Look around you and see who demonstrates a healthy soul – even when their body may not be serving them so well. Pay attention to how they persevere...what keeps them motivated and encouraged. Learn from their “spiritual fitness regimen”... and incorporate their methods into your own life.
Many of us have a role model for physical fitness...and/or someone to whom we look for guidance in business and personal matters. And our “health” in these areas is important to God. But fewer of us have found a role model for a healthy “faith walk,” and it’s time we made this a priority. There are people around us who are, for the most part, getting it right! Ask God to reveal their presence...then pay attention to how they serve Him! Thank God for examples of “good stock” who trust Him for their health and well-being in every area of their lives...and take a page from their book for your own circumstances.
Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with YOU this day, and that your body - AND your soul - are both very well and healthy.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning as I left the pool at our local Aquatic Center, I met my Mam-ma Polly’s best friend, Ruby. She was just getting into the therapy pool for a morning exercise class. Ruby has a number of health issues, including diabetes and neuropathy. She is also 95 years young, still lives in her own home, and drives her own car...even to the community Aquatic Center on a rainy Monday morning! If Ruby misses a church service or Sunday school, you know that she is more than a little under the weather!
Ruby is like my Mam-ma Polly – she comes from “good stock!” She has endured a number of challenges and heartaches in her life, including the deaths of two husbands and her daughter. Ruby took it hard when Mam-ma Polly had to move to the Assisted Living Facility – and even harder when she went to heaven. Mam-ma Polly was Ruby’s “partner in crime” in many things for a number of years! You hardly saw one without the other, so I know she has been lonely without her friend.
Still, Ruby is one of the most upbeat and cheerful women I know...and she reminds me of the “Engergizer® Bunny”! Her soul is incredibly healthy, even as her body ages and declines...and I don’t think this is any accident. I’ve known quite a few remarkable men and women who lived well into their 90s...and some to nearly 100. And when I say “lived well”...I mean, they lived well! If you take a good look at these amazing role models, you can see a common thread...they all have/had healthy souls! Their hearts belong to Jesus...they trust Him to meet their needs and keep them upright and moving forward...and they eagerly and joyfully anticipate spending eternity in His presence!
There are “Rubys” and “Pollys” in our midst...and we would do well to watch and learn from their extraordinary examples of faith and Christian service. Look around you and see who demonstrates a healthy soul – even when their body may not be serving them so well. Pay attention to how they persevere...what keeps them motivated and encouraged. Learn from their “spiritual fitness regimen”... and incorporate their methods into your own life.
Many of us have a role model for physical fitness...and/or someone to whom we look for guidance in business and personal matters. And our “health” in these areas is important to God. But fewer of us have found a role model for a healthy “faith walk,” and it’s time we made this a priority. There are people around us who are, for the most part, getting it right! Ask God to reveal their presence...then pay attention to how they serve Him! Thank God for examples of “good stock” who trust Him for their health and well-being in every area of their lives...and take a page from their book for your own circumstances.
Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with YOU this day, and that your body - AND your soul - are both very well and healthy.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 14, 2014
Luke 22:34
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Between now and tomorrow morning when the rooster crows, you will deny me three times, declaring that you don’t even know me.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The late actress Bette Davis said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.” More than a few of us have had to make the excruciating admission that we can no longer adequately care for Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa at home...that skilled care is required, if not a facility where security is critical in order to assure our loved one’s safety. As the mind fades, so does the capacity to behave rationally. Some become violent – or tend to wander. Others are simply mad at the world and make everyone around them miserable, too.
I still remember my own grandmother’s stint at a hospital in a nearby city, after she mixed up her prescription medications and over-the-counter “aids” and began to hallucinate. She lost her ability to speak for a while...but the day that we wheeled her into a local nursing home, she plainly and angrily asked, “Why did you put me here?” Her attitude about the facility was expected...her verbalized response was not. But overall, her anger about the situation was not a surprise...and it happens every day in skilled care nursing facilities around the world.
Often, there are situations in our lives where we know that others will be angry and upset with us. Children protest their parents’ directives to take a bath and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Teens complain that their curfew is too early...their “dress code” is too stringent...and their parents and other adults simply don’t understand – anything! Seniors insist that they can still drive, after their eyesight and hearing fail...that they can still live alone and make their one decisions, even though they can’t remember to pay bills – or what they ate for breakfast...that they do not need around-the-clock assistance, even though they fall often and can no longer care for their personal needs adequately!
Alcoholics and addicts of all kinds assure loved ones that they are “never going to do this again.” And some do make a change! But others have not fully “turned the corner”...and we know almost as quickly as they utter the phrase that their next binge is on the horizon. In many relationships, friends and partners assure the other one that they are sorry for what has been said or done, and declare that this “won’t happen again”...and often the other person knows fully well that they are receiving “lip service.”
Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him three times in one night. Peter insisted that there was NO WAY that he would ever do this! But he did. Peter was heartsick...ashamed...devastated beyond description that He could sink to such a low point. Scripture indicates that he assumed that Jesus was done with him. Surely He wouldn’t want a disciple who was so despicable and disloyal. But the thing is...Jesus treated Peter with incredible mercy – and forgave him. Then He used Peter to serve in His ministry and do tremendous things to further His kingdom.
So where does that leave us? I think you know the answer. When people rail against us, say or do hurtful things, make promises we know they can’t – or won’t – keep, we must look at Jesus’ treatment of Peter and ask, “How can I do any less?” If Jesus could forgive Peter and offer Him mercy, how can we refuse to treat others any differently? How can we operate in anything but love, kindness, grace and mercy?
Will we be hurt and insulted at times? Probably. Will we want to retaliate...or alienate the person who has betrayed or belittled us? Possibly. Will we be angry and upset...will we throw a fit and tell everyone we know how badly we have been treated? More than likely. These are common human reactions...responses that many would consider perfectly normal and appropriate. Is this how Jesus treated Peter? Absolutely not!
As Disciples of Christ, we are called to operate above the fray. If Jesus truly is the LORD of our lives...if His Holy Spirit fills our heart and guides our words and actions...our reactions to others must mirror His. We are not called to crucifixion on a cross...we will most likely never be literally beaten and bloodied for our conduct...our insults and indignations pale in comparison to those inflicted upon Jesus. Do you want to respond to others as the world at large would...or with the grace and mercy of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ?
On a much smaller scale, we will be “denied three times” over and again throughout our lives. Let me ask you...how will you react?
©2014 Debbie Robus
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Between now and tomorrow morning when the rooster crows, you will deny me three times, declaring that you don’t even know me.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The late actress Bette Davis said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.” More than a few of us have had to make the excruciating admission that we can no longer adequately care for Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa at home...that skilled care is required, if not a facility where security is critical in order to assure our loved one’s safety. As the mind fades, so does the capacity to behave rationally. Some become violent – or tend to wander. Others are simply mad at the world and make everyone around them miserable, too.
I still remember my own grandmother’s stint at a hospital in a nearby city, after she mixed up her prescription medications and over-the-counter “aids” and began to hallucinate. She lost her ability to speak for a while...but the day that we wheeled her into a local nursing home, she plainly and angrily asked, “Why did you put me here?” Her attitude about the facility was expected...her verbalized response was not. But overall, her anger about the situation was not a surprise...and it happens every day in skilled care nursing facilities around the world.
Often, there are situations in our lives where we know that others will be angry and upset with us. Children protest their parents’ directives to take a bath and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Teens complain that their curfew is too early...their “dress code” is too stringent...and their parents and other adults simply don’t understand – anything! Seniors insist that they can still drive, after their eyesight and hearing fail...that they can still live alone and make their one decisions, even though they can’t remember to pay bills – or what they ate for breakfast...that they do not need around-the-clock assistance, even though they fall often and can no longer care for their personal needs adequately!
Alcoholics and addicts of all kinds assure loved ones that they are “never going to do this again.” And some do make a change! But others have not fully “turned the corner”...and we know almost as quickly as they utter the phrase that their next binge is on the horizon. In many relationships, friends and partners assure the other one that they are sorry for what has been said or done, and declare that this “won’t happen again”...and often the other person knows fully well that they are receiving “lip service.”
Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him three times in one night. Peter insisted that there was NO WAY that he would ever do this! But he did. Peter was heartsick...ashamed...devastated beyond description that He could sink to such a low point. Scripture indicates that he assumed that Jesus was done with him. Surely He wouldn’t want a disciple who was so despicable and disloyal. But the thing is...Jesus treated Peter with incredible mercy – and forgave him. Then He used Peter to serve in His ministry and do tremendous things to further His kingdom.
So where does that leave us? I think you know the answer. When people rail against us, say or do hurtful things, make promises we know they can’t – or won’t – keep, we must look at Jesus’ treatment of Peter and ask, “How can I do any less?” If Jesus could forgive Peter and offer Him mercy, how can we refuse to treat others any differently? How can we operate in anything but love, kindness, grace and mercy?
Will we be hurt and insulted at times? Probably. Will we want to retaliate...or alienate the person who has betrayed or belittled us? Possibly. Will we be angry and upset...will we throw a fit and tell everyone we know how badly we have been treated? More than likely. These are common human reactions...responses that many would consider perfectly normal and appropriate. Is this how Jesus treated Peter? Absolutely not!
As Disciples of Christ, we are called to operate above the fray. If Jesus truly is the LORD of our lives...if His Holy Spirit fills our heart and guides our words and actions...our reactions to others must mirror His. We are not called to crucifixion on a cross...we will most likely never be literally beaten and bloodied for our conduct...our insults and indignations pale in comparison to those inflicted upon Jesus. Do you want to respond to others as the world at large would...or with the grace and mercy of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ?
On a much smaller scale, we will be “denied three times” over and again throughout our lives. Let me ask you...how will you react?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 23, 2014
Ephesians 1:7-10
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
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.
Recently, I did an online search for some free sheet music for piano arrangements of hymns. The search results included a site that sounded perfect. So when I visited the actual website, I was disappointed to see that each piano arrangement had a “click here to purchase” button. Where was the “free” stuff? Then I noticed that there was a button to click for “free information” about piano arrangements of hymns. Deceptive advertising? Yes...but sadly, not all that uncommon. These days, you truly have to read the fine print...on virtually everything!
But here’s the GOOD NEWS...there is no “fine print” when it comes to Jesus. His blood paid for our sins on the cross...ALL.OF.THEM. Just like this scripture passage tells us, God thought of absolutely everything and sent Jesus to handle it all for us. There is nothing that was left undone...no plans are incomplete. God loves us so much that He accounted for everything.
This does not give us license to go on our merry way and do whatever we please, confident that Jesus has us, quite literally...covered! This actually adds to our responsibilities and duties. Such a Gift as our salvation and the promise of eternal life begs for our devotion and discipleship in return! But God knows us...He knows we are human – and therefore imperfect. We will have days when things simply do not go well for us...or anyone else in our line of fire! And on those days, God says, “It’s paid for...I’ve got this! Jesus has already paid the price in full. Now go...and do better tomorrow.”
Isn’t this wonderful news? Aren’t you grateful to God for such an amazing sacrifice in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ? Doesn’t the very thought of this make you love Him even more...and desire to worship and serve Him with every fiber of your being? Will you stop today and affirm your promise to honor Jesus in everything you say and do...to give Him the glory and the reverence that He is due...and to show your respect with every single word and gesture?
Not all “free gifts” are truly free...but Jesus’ gift of salvation most certainly is! Isn’t it time we held this in the highest regard? Wouldn’t today be a perfect time to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
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.
Recently, I did an online search for some free sheet music for piano arrangements of hymns. The search results included a site that sounded perfect. So when I visited the actual website, I was disappointed to see that each piano arrangement had a “click here to purchase” button. Where was the “free” stuff? Then I noticed that there was a button to click for “free information” about piano arrangements of hymns. Deceptive advertising? Yes...but sadly, not all that uncommon. These days, you truly have to read the fine print...on virtually everything!
But here’s the GOOD NEWS...there is no “fine print” when it comes to Jesus. His blood paid for our sins on the cross...ALL.OF.THEM. Just like this scripture passage tells us, God thought of absolutely everything and sent Jesus to handle it all for us. There is nothing that was left undone...no plans are incomplete. God loves us so much that He accounted for everything.
This does not give us license to go on our merry way and do whatever we please, confident that Jesus has us, quite literally...covered! This actually adds to our responsibilities and duties. Such a Gift as our salvation and the promise of eternal life begs for our devotion and discipleship in return! But God knows us...He knows we are human – and therefore imperfect. We will have days when things simply do not go well for us...or anyone else in our line of fire! And on those days, God says, “It’s paid for...I’ve got this! Jesus has already paid the price in full. Now go...and do better tomorrow.”
Isn’t this wonderful news? Aren’t you grateful to God for such an amazing sacrifice in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ? Doesn’t the very thought of this make you love Him even more...and desire to worship and serve Him with every fiber of your being? Will you stop today and affirm your promise to honor Jesus in everything you say and do...to give Him the glory and the reverence that He is due...and to show your respect with every single word and gesture?
Not all “free gifts” are truly free...but Jesus’ gift of salvation most certainly is! Isn’t it time we held this in the highest regard? Wouldn’t today be a perfect time to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 19, 2014
Acts 4:8-12
With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago, I signed up to receive e-mails from Christian
author/speaker Jen Hatmaker. Several days ago, I was notified of the
opportunity to be one of 250 bloggers to review an advanced copy of
Hatmaker’s newest book, Interrupted*. This is actually a
rewrite of a Bible study by the same name. I submitted my contact
information...and I was selected to become one of the reviewers. I
received a downloaded copy of the book, and I will be sent a hard copy
in the mail later. In exchange for reading this book, I must post at
least one review of it on my blog (http://auntdebsattic.blogspot.com). I
am more than halfway through the book now, and I have already begun
sharing information to alert readers of a formal book release in August.
Interrupted tells the story of how Jen and Brandon Hatmaker came to redefine their idea of church...how God spoke to them and revealed new (to them) insights into what He wanted the church to be. In other words, God “Interrupted” their cozy “as-we-know-it” Christian faith and challenged them to think differently.
In one particular chapter, the Hatmakers refer to their epiphany as a discovery of “barefoot church”. The Hatmakers were invited to attend an Easter Sunday night service at a small church in a rough area of Austin, Texas. They nervously left their car in a roughshod parking lot and hurried past a weird-looking homeless guy (who turned out to be their speaker in disguise). During one of the opening songs, Brandon Hatmaker had a vision of a homeless guy yelling from the sidewalk, “Hey, give me your boots!”
It so happened that this was an unusually chilly evening in Austin, Texas, and the Hatmakers were both wearing cowboy boots...nice, expensive ones they had given each other for Christmas. As the service ended, the speaker told the group that he had ministered that morning to homeless people in San Antonio. He had asked the homeless what their biggest need was, and they told him...shoes. It seems that homeless people are on their feet a lot, and the shoes they receive from Goodwill and shelters are used – and often worn down. They do not offer adequate support for people who are walking or standing on their feet a lot.
So the speaker said to his group, “...if you want to, you can leave your shoes at the altar when you take Communion. Oh! And leave your socks, too. We’ll wash them and deliver them to the homeless community in San Antonio tomorrow.” Now imagine...there stand this young minister and his author/speaker wife, desperately seeking a closer walk with Jesus...wanting to go “all in” for Him...yet being asked to surrender some expensive, and admittedly treasured possessions – not to mention they would be stepping out into the cold night completely barefoot. But as Jen Hatmaker explains it, she felt Jesus telling her, “I want you and Brandon to figure out what it means to be a barefooted church.” And Brandon Hatmaker says of his earlier vision, “God had spoken loudly and very personally. ‘Yes, Brandon, I’m in this.’”
What does this story have to do with the disciples healing a sick man on the Sabbath? Pretty much everything. Because the disciples who had mercy on a sick man and healed him without any consideration for what day it was served the same Jesus who would have us give up our shoes and go barefooted so that homeless people - who have literally NOTHING - can at least walk more comfortably. Until we start to operate in the grace and mercy of Jesus rather than the ritualistic rules that have governed us for so long...until we step out of our comfort zone when Jesus calls us to do something and listen for HIS voice instead of others’...we won’t truly get it. As Brandon Hatmaker explained it, we need to take the focus off of ourselves and place it on others, specifically “the least of these” as described in Matthew 25 (specifically, verse 45).
Are we “all in” for Jesus? Is He truly our cornerstone...the foundation on which we do everything? Do others really see Him in us? Do they experience His grace and mercy through our words and actions? Or are we so busy keeping up appearances – both personally and as a church – that we have neglected to truly operate in the teachings of Jesus...much less represent Him to others?
How far are you willing to go for Jesus? Would you be able to give up a valuable pair of shoes for Him – much less something more significant? Are you prepared to be judged and ridiculed for your faith in action? Are you ready to be a “barefooted disciple” for the one Who gave His very life for yours? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*Order your copy of Interrupted before July 31st and receive a 20% discount. Click here to order.
With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago, I signed up to receive e-mails from Christian
author/speaker Jen Hatmaker. Several days ago, I was notified of the
opportunity to be one of 250 bloggers to review an advanced copy of
Hatmaker’s newest book, Interrupted*. This is actually a
rewrite of a Bible study by the same name. I submitted my contact
information...and I was selected to become one of the reviewers. I
received a downloaded copy of the book, and I will be sent a hard copy
in the mail later. In exchange for reading this book, I must post at
least one review of it on my blog (http://auntdebsattic.blogspot.com). I
am more than halfway through the book now, and I have already begun
sharing information to alert readers of a formal book release in August.Interrupted tells the story of how Jen and Brandon Hatmaker came to redefine their idea of church...how God spoke to them and revealed new (to them) insights into what He wanted the church to be. In other words, God “Interrupted” their cozy “as-we-know-it” Christian faith and challenged them to think differently.
In one particular chapter, the Hatmakers refer to their epiphany as a discovery of “barefoot church”. The Hatmakers were invited to attend an Easter Sunday night service at a small church in a rough area of Austin, Texas. They nervously left their car in a roughshod parking lot and hurried past a weird-looking homeless guy (who turned out to be their speaker in disguise). During one of the opening songs, Brandon Hatmaker had a vision of a homeless guy yelling from the sidewalk, “Hey, give me your boots!”
It so happened that this was an unusually chilly evening in Austin, Texas, and the Hatmakers were both wearing cowboy boots...nice, expensive ones they had given each other for Christmas. As the service ended, the speaker told the group that he had ministered that morning to homeless people in San Antonio. He had asked the homeless what their biggest need was, and they told him...shoes. It seems that homeless people are on their feet a lot, and the shoes they receive from Goodwill and shelters are used – and often worn down. They do not offer adequate support for people who are walking or standing on their feet a lot.
So the speaker said to his group, “...if you want to, you can leave your shoes at the altar when you take Communion. Oh! And leave your socks, too. We’ll wash them and deliver them to the homeless community in San Antonio tomorrow.” Now imagine...there stand this young minister and his author/speaker wife, desperately seeking a closer walk with Jesus...wanting to go “all in” for Him...yet being asked to surrender some expensive, and admittedly treasured possessions – not to mention they would be stepping out into the cold night completely barefoot. But as Jen Hatmaker explains it, she felt Jesus telling her, “I want you and Brandon to figure out what it means to be a barefooted church.” And Brandon Hatmaker says of his earlier vision, “God had spoken loudly and very personally. ‘Yes, Brandon, I’m in this.’”
What does this story have to do with the disciples healing a sick man on the Sabbath? Pretty much everything. Because the disciples who had mercy on a sick man and healed him without any consideration for what day it was served the same Jesus who would have us give up our shoes and go barefooted so that homeless people - who have literally NOTHING - can at least walk more comfortably. Until we start to operate in the grace and mercy of Jesus rather than the ritualistic rules that have governed us for so long...until we step out of our comfort zone when Jesus calls us to do something and listen for HIS voice instead of others’...we won’t truly get it. As Brandon Hatmaker explained it, we need to take the focus off of ourselves and place it on others, specifically “the least of these” as described in Matthew 25 (specifically, verse 45).
Are we “all in” for Jesus? Is He truly our cornerstone...the foundation on which we do everything? Do others really see Him in us? Do they experience His grace and mercy through our words and actions? Or are we so busy keeping up appearances – both personally and as a church – that we have neglected to truly operate in the teachings of Jesus...much less represent Him to others?
How far are you willing to go for Jesus? Would you be able to give up a valuable pair of shoes for Him – much less something more significant? Are you prepared to be judged and ridiculed for your faith in action? Are you ready to be a “barefooted disciple” for the one Who gave His very life for yours? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*Order your copy of Interrupted before July 31st and receive a 20% discount. Click here to order.
Daily Devotional for July 14, 2014
1 Corinthians 5:17-20
Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.
God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with 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.
As Greg and I waited with the children for our lunch to be served at a local restaurant after church on Sunday, I passed out some coloring sheets and opened a brand new box of 24 crayons. The children eagerly went to work on their “masterpieces”…thrilled to have fresh, bright new crayons to use. Only a couple of Sundays earlier, I had given the children coloring sheets and some old pieces of crayons from our crayon box at home, and they had used them…but with far less enthusiasm.
It’s a funny thing how something as seemingly ordinary as a fresh new box of crayons can make such a difference. The mechanics of said crayons is the same…they still transform the images on the paper with color and shading. But somehow, using new crayons makes a difference. There is something about the look, feel, and yes – even the smell – of a new box of crayons that just transports us to our childhood and makes us happy little kids again!
As born-again Christians, we are a lot like that box of new crayons. We’re still the same person…we still look much the same, physically. Our voice doesn’t change…we still walk with the same gait. But when the blood of Jesus transforms us, there is something tangibly different about our demeanor. We are altered spiritually…and that change affects everything else. We “color” better…or we should!
There is no grace, mercy and forgiveness in a box of new crayons…unless it is the affection of a great-aunt for her nephew and niece - mixed with a ploy to entice them to stay a little busier and happier while waiting for Sunday lunch! But the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness of salvation through Jesus Christ changes us from our former sinful selves into His Disciples…representatives who love others and extend these gifts to them on His behalf.
So my question for you today is this…”How are you ‘coloring’?” Are you happily creating a “masterpiece” for God…using the brilliant colors of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness? Do you demonstrate these gifts as applied to your own life…and do you extend them to others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.
God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with 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.
As Greg and I waited with the children for our lunch to be served at a local restaurant after church on Sunday, I passed out some coloring sheets and opened a brand new box of 24 crayons. The children eagerly went to work on their “masterpieces”…thrilled to have fresh, bright new crayons to use. Only a couple of Sundays earlier, I had given the children coloring sheets and some old pieces of crayons from our crayon box at home, and they had used them…but with far less enthusiasm.
It’s a funny thing how something as seemingly ordinary as a fresh new box of crayons can make such a difference. The mechanics of said crayons is the same…they still transform the images on the paper with color and shading. But somehow, using new crayons makes a difference. There is something about the look, feel, and yes – even the smell – of a new box of crayons that just transports us to our childhood and makes us happy little kids again!
As born-again Christians, we are a lot like that box of new crayons. We’re still the same person…we still look much the same, physically. Our voice doesn’t change…we still walk with the same gait. But when the blood of Jesus transforms us, there is something tangibly different about our demeanor. We are altered spiritually…and that change affects everything else. We “color” better…or we should!
There is no grace, mercy and forgiveness in a box of new crayons…unless it is the affection of a great-aunt for her nephew and niece - mixed with a ploy to entice them to stay a little busier and happier while waiting for Sunday lunch! But the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness of salvation through Jesus Christ changes us from our former sinful selves into His Disciples…representatives who love others and extend these gifts to them on His behalf.
So my question for you today is this…”How are you ‘coloring’?” Are you happily creating a “masterpiece” for God…using the brilliant colors of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness? Do you demonstrate these gifts as applied to your own life…and do you extend them to others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 16, 2014
Matthew 6:9
You should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
help us to honor your name.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The “LORD’s Prayer…we probably all know it by heart. Many of us recite it every Sunday during our weekly worship service. Yet most of us rarely stop to consider the words we are speaking…the meaning they impart…the intention of their phrasing. We might as well be reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb”! Many of the prayers, hymns – and even scripture verses – we learned as children have become nothing more than rote recitations. We have gotten so complacent in our speaking of them that we no longer realize what we are saying!
Stop and read this scripture verse again. Truly think about the words of this sentence...”Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name.” What does this really imply? How do we honor God’s name?
The first step is to find God and genuinely get to know Him…to understand who He is and what He desires for us – and from us. We cannot do this by osmosis…merely sitting in a park and soaking up the sun and scenery won’t cut it. We can’t assume that just because our parents, grandparents, friends and acquaintances know God…we know Him, too. God cannot be the friend of a friend of a friend. We have to become truly familiar with Him…we must get to know Him intimately.
How do we do this? How do you get to know anyone? You spend time with them…you converse…you study their interests and behavior patterns and learn their likes and dislikes. It’s no different with God…it’s just more important! A relationship with God is the most critical bond you will ever cultivate.
Once you become familiar with God, you will better understand what is required to honor His name. You will know what words, thoughts and actions please Him…and which ones break His heart. You will understand what living for Him entails…you will discover how to recognize – and seize – opportunities to serve and minister on His behalf. When you truly find God and develop a connection with Him, you will find that your desire to honor His name increases exponentially. Hopefully this will eventually become second nature to you!
The “LORD’s Prayer” is rich with the message of Jesus…each line and phrase is important. But we must start with getting to know God and learning to honor His name. Once we have a good handle on this, the petitions that follow become even more profound and compelling.
Have YOU found God? Do you know Him intimately? Do you have a strong, interactive relationship with Him? Do you honor His name with the thoughts, words and actions of your daily living? When you pray the “LORD’s Prayer,” do the words express your genuine intentions with regard to your faith…or are you merely reciting a lesson of your youth? Isn’t it time to get to know God…and give power and meaning to your pledge to honor His name? Will this be the day you get started?
©2014 Debbie Robus
You should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
help us to honor your name.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The “LORD’s Prayer…we probably all know it by heart. Many of us recite it every Sunday during our weekly worship service. Yet most of us rarely stop to consider the words we are speaking…the meaning they impart…the intention of their phrasing. We might as well be reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb”! Many of the prayers, hymns – and even scripture verses – we learned as children have become nothing more than rote recitations. We have gotten so complacent in our speaking of them that we no longer realize what we are saying!
Stop and read this scripture verse again. Truly think about the words of this sentence...”Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name.” What does this really imply? How do we honor God’s name?
The first step is to find God and genuinely get to know Him…to understand who He is and what He desires for us – and from us. We cannot do this by osmosis…merely sitting in a park and soaking up the sun and scenery won’t cut it. We can’t assume that just because our parents, grandparents, friends and acquaintances know God…we know Him, too. God cannot be the friend of a friend of a friend. We have to become truly familiar with Him…we must get to know Him intimately.
How do we do this? How do you get to know anyone? You spend time with them…you converse…you study their interests and behavior patterns and learn their likes and dislikes. It’s no different with God…it’s just more important! A relationship with God is the most critical bond you will ever cultivate.
Once you become familiar with God, you will better understand what is required to honor His name. You will know what words, thoughts and actions please Him…and which ones break His heart. You will understand what living for Him entails…you will discover how to recognize – and seize – opportunities to serve and minister on His behalf. When you truly find God and develop a connection with Him, you will find that your desire to honor His name increases exponentially. Hopefully this will eventually become second nature to you!
The “LORD’s Prayer” is rich with the message of Jesus…each line and phrase is important. But we must start with getting to know God and learning to honor His name. Once we have a good handle on this, the petitions that follow become even more profound and compelling.
Have YOU found God? Do you know Him intimately? Do you have a strong, interactive relationship with Him? Do you honor His name with the thoughts, words and actions of your daily living? When you pray the “LORD’s Prayer,” do the words express your genuine intentions with regard to your faith…or are you merely reciting a lesson of your youth? Isn’t it time to get to know God…and give power and meaning to your pledge to honor His name? Will this be the day you get started?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 26, 2014
Philippians 4:10-14
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
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.
Do you know someone who seems to be totally self-sufficient? When you think of this person, you readily assume that he/she has everything under control, lacks for little to nothing, and seems to always manage quite nicely. We all know people who seem to need lots of help. But don’t we also know those who seem to always have all of their bases covered?
Here’s the thing…nobody’s life is THAT together all the time! And while you may feel like there is very little you can do for some people, you must never underestimate the power of letting them know how much you care. The person who seems so busy caring for others needs a little tender “caregiving” from time to time. The friend or co-worker who never appears to have a bad day is probably putting on a good front. Everyone gets sick once in a while. At some point, every person will have troubles, grieve, or feel discouraged. And even if we never see this side of a person, we must assume that these things happen in his/her life.
So what can you do? Reach out to others. The Apostle Paul says quite clearly that he is content…that all of his needs are met, and he has learned how to live with little – or a lot. But at the same time, he is clearly grateful for the love and support of others. In our own “ministry”, this support might come in the form of a phone call or note of encouragement. It might mean just being friendly to others and offering a smile…asking “How is your day going?”…or saying, “I really appreciate how hard you are working on XYZ.” It might mean asking, “Is there anything I could do for you?”… or just saying, “If you ever need anything – even just a friendly ear – I’m here for you.”
When given an opportunity to meet physical needs of someone else, we must be first in line to do so. We must be ready, willing, and able to share a meal, a ride, a hand with a task, or even a few dollars when possible. This goes beyond the obvious…the canned food drives…the mission projects at church and in our community...the public fundraisers for this cause or that. I’m talking about meeting people on a personal level…sharing and caring…showing compassion and concern – even for those who seem to have no needs and are in fact busy meeting the needs of others.
Everyone gets weary. Everyone has needs on any given day. A good example is our pastors. They are human beings with families and daily challenges just like the rest of us. Yet we expect them to be superheroes that come to our rescue and minister to us at the drop of a hat! So while this scripture passage is often referred to for other reasons…while the focus is usually on the verses about learning to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves…I want to emphasize other sentences today.
Let’s look at three phrases:
©2014 Debbie Robus
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
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.
Do you know someone who seems to be totally self-sufficient? When you think of this person, you readily assume that he/she has everything under control, lacks for little to nothing, and seems to always manage quite nicely. We all know people who seem to need lots of help. But don’t we also know those who seem to always have all of their bases covered?
Here’s the thing…nobody’s life is THAT together all the time! And while you may feel like there is very little you can do for some people, you must never underestimate the power of letting them know how much you care. The person who seems so busy caring for others needs a little tender “caregiving” from time to time. The friend or co-worker who never appears to have a bad day is probably putting on a good front. Everyone gets sick once in a while. At some point, every person will have troubles, grieve, or feel discouraged. And even if we never see this side of a person, we must assume that these things happen in his/her life.
So what can you do? Reach out to others. The Apostle Paul says quite clearly that he is content…that all of his needs are met, and he has learned how to live with little – or a lot. But at the same time, he is clearly grateful for the love and support of others. In our own “ministry”, this support might come in the form of a phone call or note of encouragement. It might mean just being friendly to others and offering a smile…asking “How is your day going?”…or saying, “I really appreciate how hard you are working on XYZ.” It might mean asking, “Is there anything I could do for you?”… or just saying, “If you ever need anything – even just a friendly ear – I’m here for you.”
When given an opportunity to meet physical needs of someone else, we must be first in line to do so. We must be ready, willing, and able to share a meal, a ride, a hand with a task, or even a few dollars when possible. This goes beyond the obvious…the canned food drives…the mission projects at church and in our community...the public fundraisers for this cause or that. I’m talking about meeting people on a personal level…sharing and caring…showing compassion and concern – even for those who seem to have no needs and are in fact busy meeting the needs of others.
Everyone gets weary. Everyone has needs on any given day. A good example is our pastors. They are human beings with families and daily challenges just like the rest of us. Yet we expect them to be superheroes that come to our rescue and minister to us at the drop of a hat! So while this scripture passage is often referred to for other reasons…while the focus is usually on the verses about learning to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves…I want to emphasize other sentences today.
Let’s look at three phrases:
- “I know that you have always been concerned for me.” Do people know this about you? Do they sense your concern and compassion for them? Do they believe that you truly care?
- “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Do you trust God to give you the strength, courage, wisdom and compassion as you meet the needs of others each day?
- “... you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.” Have you modeled true Christian discipleship by sharing with others in their present difficulties? Have you opened your eyes and ears to the needs of those in your midst…and done your best – with God’s help – to meet them?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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