John 13:34-35
“And so I am giving a new
commandment to you now—love each other just as much as I love you. Your
strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my
disciples.”
The Living
Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
Greg and I have a front-row seat for
observing sibling rivalry in action! Zola had a day off from school
recently, so she came with Nathan to our house while their parents
worked. Nathan was in a “snit” about it all day long. He did NOT want
to share us with his sister. When I poured “shoklit” milk for lunch, he
had a fit because that was “his” milk and Zola was not to have any. I
assured him that I had plenty for both of them. “But it’s MINE!” he
tearfully insisted.
By contrast, Zola had come to our house to
spend the night about a week ago, and she was totally “in the zone” when
she arrived…so much that she would not even look up at her dad and
Timothy and tell them “Good-bye” as they left. So Timothy took matters
into his own hands, walked over to Zola, cupped her face in his little
hands and planted a big kiss on her forehead - and told her to have a
good time!
Here’s where I am going with these illustrations…1)
when it comes to God’s love, we do not have a “corner on the market;”
and 2) we cannot pick and choose who we love – or how and when.
We are commanded to love others as God loves us. And God loves each one of us
– the good, the bad, and the ugly! He doesn’t love Joe more than
Bill…He doesn’t provide for the needs of Sue and not Betty. God doesn’t
have a fridge full of “shoklit milk” for Nick and refuse to share any
with Nora! God’s gifts of love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, healing,
wisdom, and so much more are available to each and every one of us.
If
we want to enjoy God’s love and blessings, we have to be willing to
share them with others…and we must be ready to treat them as God treats
us. So this means that we have to not only be willing to “plant a kiss
on the forehead” of a brother or sister in Christ who might not deserve
it…we have to watch and listen for needs that must be met. We have to
be alert to joys and heartaches that should be recognized…to
insecurities and problems that we cannot even begin to imagine that
cause people to behave in a sometimes off-putting manner. We have to
understand that God loves each of us, warts and all…and we are supposed
to do the same. Does this mean that we have to be “best buds” with
someone who rubs us the wrong way? Absolutely not! But we must learn
to look at that person as God sees him/her…and to remind ourselves that
WE have idiosyncrasies, too!
I will be honest…when I was younger,
I saw a lot of people through the “lenses” of older adults – my parents
and grandparents, teachers, adult church members and pastors. I judged
a lot of people based on the opinions of these people and those of my
peers. And I “loved” accordingly. In doing this, I almost missed out
on some really lovely friendships and relationships. Kids who we
thought were “weird” or “crazy” might have simply been too intellectual
and “nerdy” for us at the time – but they were - and are - great people.
Others,
we liked or disliked merely because those in our circle felt this way.
And this had consequences – both good and bad, depending on the
circumstances. Ultimately, we often failed to recognize that each
person, no matter how much he/she irritates us, is precious to God. I
still struggle with this in many instances. It is hard for me to accept
that God loves some persons I consider pretty despicable, like those
who murder, rape, and abuse or molest people and animals.
I
wrestle with kindness toward those whose minds are closed - who want to
discriminate against people of other races, ethnic backgrounds,
religious preferences, sexual orientations, and more…particularly when
they tout their views on these people as “Gospel” and try to set
themselves apart – and above – the other guy. I want to scream when I
hear “Christians” denounce the ideas and opinions of those who disagree
with them – on any subject – and declare that they are “right” and
others are “wrong”…then use whatever measures they deem necessary to
prove their point, including the suggestion that certain people should
be exiled, jailed, or even killed for their opinions.
And yet…I
love Jesus more than life itself. I am “all in” with Him…so I must love
ALL of God’s children and treat them as Jesus would…with grace, mercy,
humility, forgiveness, compassion and kindness. I must meet their needs
as God directs…I must “feed His sheep” - even the unlovable ones.
I
will not sugarcoat this - it’s hard work! But if we want to be like
Jesus, we have to be like Jesus in everything…and toward everyone. We
have to “share our shoklit milk” and be the one to take the first step,
cup another person’s face in our hands and plant a kiss on their
forehead – and let them know, “I care about you regardless of who you
are or how you act. I love you with the love of Christ anyway!” Have
you committed to Jesus enough to do this? Will this be the day that you
begin?
© Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label picking and choosing who to love and what laws of God to follow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label picking and choosing who to love and what laws of God to follow. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 10, 2015
John 3:16-18
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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.
Our nephew Nathan will be three in August, and we recently started taking him to church with us. To be honest, we didn’t feel we could manage all three children by ourselves when Nathan was younger…particularly if we ate out after church. But after a lot of prayer and consideration, I recently felt God suggest that we make adjustments and come home after church with the children – and maybe do a “take-out” lunch. So far, this has worked very well for us.
Nowadays, I cannot imagine not including Nathan…in any activity! So when Timothy and Zola take swim lessons next week, Nathan will go along, and I will work with him on some swimming basics in something of a “mini-lesson.” There are still a few things that one child gets to do without the others, for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is that each child is loved equally. Each child has feelings and needs…thoughts, ideas and opinions…and each child is important and deserves to be included and acknowledged.
This is not only my opinion…it is scriptural! God sent Jesus for all of us…and Jesus taught us to love others as He loves us, which means we must include everyone! The Bible tells us in John 3:16-18 that God sent His Only Son to live as a man and die on the cross for the sins of everyone. Jesus’ love is for all people. Let me say that again in case it didn’t soak into your soul…the love of Jesus Christ is for everyone…each of us…ALL people!
We don’t get to pick and choose. We can’t say, “Oh, he’s a Jew or a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or atheist, so Jesus surely doesn’t love him – and neither should I!” or “There is no way that Jesus loves sexual predators, those who abuse children and animals, murderers, and those who would behead others in the name of their Christian faith! Surely we don’t have to pray for these people and treat them with love and grace!” The truth is that we cannot pick people who are “like us” to love and care about…and decide either that all others are wrong, terribly flawed, or so deeply sinful that there is no hope for them – so we are right to dismiss or disrespect them.
I keep thinking about the young man who claims to have shot those nine Christians in South Carolina. Why were there no bullets left in the guns when he turned them on himself? Why was he unable to take his own life? Could it be that God wants him to have another opportunity to give his heart to Jesus? Wouldn’t this be the some semblance of vindication and victory for the nine lives he cut short? Who will step up to minister to him? I am praying that someone does!
I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but lately, I have heard so many “Christians” make comments that were filled with judgment, fear, and downright hatred for this person/group or that one. I am so disheartened by this…and I know that God must be totally disgusted. This is NOT what Jesus taught. Nowhere in scripture will you find where God says that it is okay for us to be selective with regard to whom we minister, which persons are deserving of our love and respect, or which sinners merit a “pass” – and which ones should be condemned.
This is dangerous territory…and God is not pleased when we take matters into our own hands. We are all guilty of being judgmental and discriminatory at one time and in one way or another. Each of us should fall to our knees and ask God to forgive us. We all need to be asking God daily to show us a “work-around,” if you will…a new way to look at things and a new perspective on how we are treating each other. Just as He showed me a way to include little Nathan in our family activities, God will give each of us insights into how to be more loving – and inclusive – in our daily living.
God loved us so much that He sent Jesus. Does your treatment of others reflect your gratitude and respect? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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.
Our nephew Nathan will be three in August, and we recently started taking him to church with us. To be honest, we didn’t feel we could manage all three children by ourselves when Nathan was younger…particularly if we ate out after church. But after a lot of prayer and consideration, I recently felt God suggest that we make adjustments and come home after church with the children – and maybe do a “take-out” lunch. So far, this has worked very well for us.
Nowadays, I cannot imagine not including Nathan…in any activity! So when Timothy and Zola take swim lessons next week, Nathan will go along, and I will work with him on some swimming basics in something of a “mini-lesson.” There are still a few things that one child gets to do without the others, for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is that each child is loved equally. Each child has feelings and needs…thoughts, ideas and opinions…and each child is important and deserves to be included and acknowledged.
This is not only my opinion…it is scriptural! God sent Jesus for all of us…and Jesus taught us to love others as He loves us, which means we must include everyone! The Bible tells us in John 3:16-18 that God sent His Only Son to live as a man and die on the cross for the sins of everyone. Jesus’ love is for all people. Let me say that again in case it didn’t soak into your soul…the love of Jesus Christ is for everyone…each of us…ALL people!
We don’t get to pick and choose. We can’t say, “Oh, he’s a Jew or a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or atheist, so Jesus surely doesn’t love him – and neither should I!” or “There is no way that Jesus loves sexual predators, those who abuse children and animals, murderers, and those who would behead others in the name of their Christian faith! Surely we don’t have to pray for these people and treat them with love and grace!” The truth is that we cannot pick people who are “like us” to love and care about…and decide either that all others are wrong, terribly flawed, or so deeply sinful that there is no hope for them – so we are right to dismiss or disrespect them.
I keep thinking about the young man who claims to have shot those nine Christians in South Carolina. Why were there no bullets left in the guns when he turned them on himself? Why was he unable to take his own life? Could it be that God wants him to have another opportunity to give his heart to Jesus? Wouldn’t this be the some semblance of vindication and victory for the nine lives he cut short? Who will step up to minister to him? I am praying that someone does!
I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but lately, I have heard so many “Christians” make comments that were filled with judgment, fear, and downright hatred for this person/group or that one. I am so disheartened by this…and I know that God must be totally disgusted. This is NOT what Jesus taught. Nowhere in scripture will you find where God says that it is okay for us to be selective with regard to whom we minister, which persons are deserving of our love and respect, or which sinners merit a “pass” – and which ones should be condemned.
This is dangerous territory…and God is not pleased when we take matters into our own hands. We are all guilty of being judgmental and discriminatory at one time and in one way or another. Each of us should fall to our knees and ask God to forgive us. We all need to be asking God daily to show us a “work-around,” if you will…a new way to look at things and a new perspective on how we are treating each other. Just as He showed me a way to include little Nathan in our family activities, God will give each of us insights into how to be more loving – and inclusive – in our daily living.
God loved us so much that He sent Jesus. Does your treatment of others reflect your gratitude and respect? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 11, 2012
Joshua 24:14-18
“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. For the Lord our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.
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.
For the person with an addictive personality, there is no middle ground. An alcoholic can’t have “just one drink.” The person addicted to nicotine cannot smoke a lone cigarette every month or two. Someone hooked on gambling is not able to play one slot machine and walk away. Even if we do not have an addictive personality, many of us have trouble drawing a line in the sand on certain things.
Some of us are permissive parents who cannot say “No” to our children. Others have trouble with budgets and making wise decisions about where and how to spend their money. Still others are so eager to be popular and accepted that they say one thing to one person and another to someone else – and hope the two never meet! The bottom line is that in many instances in life, we are all over the map with regard to who we associate with – and how… where our allegiances lie…and what matters to us!
Even worse, a lot of us cannot decide whether we are totally in with God or not. We want desperately to be “good Christians” – to live well and please God… and most certainly to be assured of an eternity in heaven. But we still want to dabble in sin… to share in juicy gossip or enjoy our “one little vice”… to occasionally slip a little slur or expletive into our conversation or behave badly and chalk it up to “too much to drink” or a “night out with the boys/girls.” You know the phrase… “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!” We want to play fast and loose with our faith… and hope that no one (especially GOD) notices!
None of us is perfect, and there will certainly be slip-ups for each of us. But when we come to a place where we can boldly claim, “I am serving the LORD - I have decided to be totally in… to go whole hog… to make every effort to follow Him and live more like Jesus every day,” we have turned a HUGE corner in our Christian faith walk. When we make a concerted effort to lay down the vices and sins – even the most minor of infractions – we have stepped onto a higher plain. We have attained a deeper level of commitment and intimacy with God.
In a way, this passage is telling us to get off the fence. You’re either totally in, or you’re not in at all. You can’t be a recovering addict and still dabble in your addiction. You can’t be a follower of Jesus who desires a deep and meaningful relationship with Him then choose to fiddle with occasional sin or “little vices.” And honestly, if you are fully committed to Christ, you won’t want to do this! But it takes dedication, effort, and a concerted determination to do better – a steadfastness to live for Jesus each and every day.
I can’t adequately express how incredible this is. But I can tell you that the transformation is profound. Living with purpose and an “all-in” commitment to serve and obey God is a game changer! Everything about your life will feel different… better… more focused… and joyful! I know that many people feel that choosing to wholeheartedly serve God will mean giving up something “fun” or comfortable. But the truth is that this is liberation in its highest form!
Choose who you will serve… the choice IS yours! But as for me and my house, we are serving the LORD… and this has made all the difference! Are you ready to do the same?
©2012 Debbie Robus
“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. For the Lord our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.
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.
For the person with an addictive personality, there is no middle ground. An alcoholic can’t have “just one drink.” The person addicted to nicotine cannot smoke a lone cigarette every month or two. Someone hooked on gambling is not able to play one slot machine and walk away. Even if we do not have an addictive personality, many of us have trouble drawing a line in the sand on certain things.
Some of us are permissive parents who cannot say “No” to our children. Others have trouble with budgets and making wise decisions about where and how to spend their money. Still others are so eager to be popular and accepted that they say one thing to one person and another to someone else – and hope the two never meet! The bottom line is that in many instances in life, we are all over the map with regard to who we associate with – and how… where our allegiances lie…and what matters to us!
Even worse, a lot of us cannot decide whether we are totally in with God or not. We want desperately to be “good Christians” – to live well and please God… and most certainly to be assured of an eternity in heaven. But we still want to dabble in sin… to share in juicy gossip or enjoy our “one little vice”… to occasionally slip a little slur or expletive into our conversation or behave badly and chalk it up to “too much to drink” or a “night out with the boys/girls.” You know the phrase… “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!” We want to play fast and loose with our faith… and hope that no one (especially GOD) notices!
None of us is perfect, and there will certainly be slip-ups for each of us. But when we come to a place where we can boldly claim, “I am serving the LORD - I have decided to be totally in… to go whole hog… to make every effort to follow Him and live more like Jesus every day,” we have turned a HUGE corner in our Christian faith walk. When we make a concerted effort to lay down the vices and sins – even the most minor of infractions – we have stepped onto a higher plain. We have attained a deeper level of commitment and intimacy with God.
In a way, this passage is telling us to get off the fence. You’re either totally in, or you’re not in at all. You can’t be a recovering addict and still dabble in your addiction. You can’t be a follower of Jesus who desires a deep and meaningful relationship with Him then choose to fiddle with occasional sin or “little vices.” And honestly, if you are fully committed to Christ, you won’t want to do this! But it takes dedication, effort, and a concerted determination to do better – a steadfastness to live for Jesus each and every day.
I can’t adequately express how incredible this is. But I can tell you that the transformation is profound. Living with purpose and an “all-in” commitment to serve and obey God is a game changer! Everything about your life will feel different… better… more focused… and joyful! I know that many people feel that choosing to wholeheartedly serve God will mean giving up something “fun” or comfortable. But the truth is that this is liberation in its highest form!
Choose who you will serve… the choice IS yours! But as for me and my house, we are serving the LORD… and this has made all the difference! Are you ready to do the same?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 31, 2012
James 2:8-11
You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.
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.
An auctioneer will often bundle several items together in a box and offer them for bid as one item. There is a “cardinal rule” among seasoned auction-goers that you don’t mess with the items on the table! If you only care about one particular item in a box and don’t want the others, you had better be prepared to purchase everything. Taking out the item you want and putting it somewhere else is considered a huge “no-no!” Still, there will often be people who try to stealthily move their favored item to another box – or another spot on the table. I’ve seen more than one bidder “win” a box of items only to find that the very thing he/she was after had gone missing!
While this sort of action will not be the end of the world in the context of an auction purchase, such behavior matters tremendously in Spiritual terms. I am truly amazed that many “Christians” want to categorize actions according to their own preferences. They “grade” the deeds of some and deem their behaviors to be significant, while others’ exploits are just “discards in the box.” And then they rate each person according to their “sin meter.” Many of us also select the people with whom we want to associate - much like an auction bidder picks out the best item(s) in the box - and then we toss the others to the curb.
Christianity does not work this way. We cannot pick and choose… who we love and treat with respect and care…or which actions and behaviors are unacceptable (or sinful) and which of them will be tolerated or excused. We are called to love others as we love ourselves. We are expected to love God and obey His law… and to prayerfully study God’s directives, so that we are clear about what He is saying. In other words, we cannot interpret God’s commands in a manner that suits our desires and whims… or makes us popular with others in our social group.
I don’t know about you, but I am pretty weary of those who claim the name of Jesus and then mistreat others. I cannot imagine that a single person who feels this sort of judgment and/or disdain has a desire to become like these so-called “Christians”… or to follow the God they follow. Surely this must break God’s heart…and as Disciples of Christ, it should cut us to the very core.
My prayer for each of us today is that we would truly examine our hearts… that we would spend time in prayer and meditation, really listening for God’s voice. Hear what He is telling you and follow His lead. If you are judging others or picking and choosing which of God’s laws to follow – or interpreting them to suit your own agenda – change today. If you are discriminating against any of God’s children in any fashion… or if you are choosing to associate only with those you consider like-minded or “lovable,” get over yourself this minute! Ask God to genuinely - and completely - change your heart. To offer God anything less dishonors Him. I can’t imagine that any among us wants to do this… can you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.
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.
An auctioneer will often bundle several items together in a box and offer them for bid as one item. There is a “cardinal rule” among seasoned auction-goers that you don’t mess with the items on the table! If you only care about one particular item in a box and don’t want the others, you had better be prepared to purchase everything. Taking out the item you want and putting it somewhere else is considered a huge “no-no!” Still, there will often be people who try to stealthily move their favored item to another box – or another spot on the table. I’ve seen more than one bidder “win” a box of items only to find that the very thing he/she was after had gone missing!
While this sort of action will not be the end of the world in the context of an auction purchase, such behavior matters tremendously in Spiritual terms. I am truly amazed that many “Christians” want to categorize actions according to their own preferences. They “grade” the deeds of some and deem their behaviors to be significant, while others’ exploits are just “discards in the box.” And then they rate each person according to their “sin meter.” Many of us also select the people with whom we want to associate - much like an auction bidder picks out the best item(s) in the box - and then we toss the others to the curb.
Christianity does not work this way. We cannot pick and choose… who we love and treat with respect and care…or which actions and behaviors are unacceptable (or sinful) and which of them will be tolerated or excused. We are called to love others as we love ourselves. We are expected to love God and obey His law… and to prayerfully study God’s directives, so that we are clear about what He is saying. In other words, we cannot interpret God’s commands in a manner that suits our desires and whims… or makes us popular with others in our social group.
I don’t know about you, but I am pretty weary of those who claim the name of Jesus and then mistreat others. I cannot imagine that a single person who feels this sort of judgment and/or disdain has a desire to become like these so-called “Christians”… or to follow the God they follow. Surely this must break God’s heart…and as Disciples of Christ, it should cut us to the very core.
My prayer for each of us today is that we would truly examine our hearts… that we would spend time in prayer and meditation, really listening for God’s voice. Hear what He is telling you and follow His lead. If you are judging others or picking and choosing which of God’s laws to follow – or interpreting them to suit your own agenda – change today. If you are discriminating against any of God’s children in any fashion… or if you are choosing to associate only with those you consider like-minded or “lovable,” get over yourself this minute! Ask God to genuinely - and completely - change your heart. To offer God anything less dishonors Him. I can’t imagine that any among us wants to do this… can you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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