Jude 1:3-4
Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
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.
Over the weekend, Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, for disorderly conduct. Witherspoon’s husband, Jim Toth, was stopped for driving erratically, given a field sobriety test, and subsequently booked on DUI charges. Witherspoon would not stay in the car, as instructed by the police officer. She reportedly asked him, “Do you know my name? You are about to find out who I am!” Witherspoon has now apologized for her actions, saying in part… “I do want to say, I clearly had one drink too many, and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said. It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that is no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. I have nothing but respect for the police, and I'm very sorry for my behavior.”
We may not have been arrested for disorderly conduct or DUI, but we are all guilty of claiming entitlement at one time or another. Because of our accomplishments, our position, or our pedigree, we decide that our words and actions are above reproach. The other guy simply “has no idea who he/she is dealing with!” We shouldn’t have to wait in line, abide by certain rules or laws that were clearly created for “the other guy.” The concert tickets may have said “no cameras,” but this didn’t mean we couldn’t snap one picture with our phone! The city-wide alert may have said, “Everyone stay in your homes and lock your doors,” but one little peak outside won’t hurt! Curfews are for someone else... speed limits aren’t for “good drivers” like us… and it is understood that the sign on the door that said, “Don’t enter if you have flu-like symptoms” implies that “if you’re sick, but your family member is housed here, this doesn’t apply to you!”
Moreover, because you gave your heart to Jesus when you were twelve, you are “covered” forever. You are now free to do as you please without concern for repercussions. If anyone checks you on this, you can ask them, “Do you know my name? I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ!” Of course, you realize I am being facetious! Just as claiming to be an Academy-Award-winning actress does not allow you to be disorderly and disrespectful to a police officer, being a born-again Christian does not entitle you to live as you please for the rest of your time on earth!
Jesus made an incredible sacrifice for us on the cross… one that entitles all who accept the gift of salvation to spend Eternity with Him in heaven. But too many of us forget what came after the cross! In essence, Jesus said, “I did this for you… now here’s what you need to do for Me in return.” He doesn’t ask much… just that we love Him with all our hearts, love others as we love ourselves, and spread His Good News with the world. Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus say, “I bought and paid for you on the cross… now go do as you please!”
I know you may be thinking that the Bible also doesn’t specifically say “Don’t drink and drive or exceed the speed limit… you are not entitled to special treatment… and the rules always apply to everyone.” But actually, it does. Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” He tells us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus commands us to love Him with all our heart, mind, body and soul. If you “drill it down,” you would have to agree that being a born-again disciple of Christ entitles you to the Kingdom of heaven… but this does not put you above the rules and order of this earth!
I firmly believe that we who claim salvation through Jesus Christ are entitled… just not in the way you think! I believe that we have been freely given a Gift we cannot even comprehend, much less ever deserve. But with this endowment comes incredible responsibility. We must check our words and actions at all times and make sure they are 100% respectful to God. We must live in such a way that we truly can ask, “Do you know my name? I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ!” – not to excuse our behavior… but rather, because we are glorifying His name.
How are you doing these days? Are you claiming the name of Jesus as your “excuse” – or as your heritage? Do others know who – and Whose – you are… for all the right reasons?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label respect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label respect. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 29, 2012
1 Peter 2:13-17
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
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.
Oh, how we need these scripture verses nowadays! From every side, our government has become fair game for human target practice. Somehow, we tend to gloss over the Bible’s admonition to respect our leaders. We are not told to agree with them… but we are commanded to respect them. Yet all you have to do is scroll down the “Home” page on any social media outlet to see people disrespecting leaders on both sides of the political aisle. I’m not talking about statements of disagreement or disapproval… I’m talking about venomous, bigoted, spiteful comments that reek of disdain – if not outright hatred – for those who have been elected to office.
I will be the first to tell you that there are unscrupulous legislators, public officials, judges and government leaders at every level. But God calls us to treat them – and all people – with respect and decorum. To treat anyone with less than the utmost dignity belies the grace and mercy that was given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus died for those in public office, too! He died for your fellow church members and the other citizens in your city, state, country…and around the globe. If you think for one minute your salvation is exclusive in any way, you have totally missed Jesus’ message!
Today, I am thinking of several people in the public eye – and some “ordinary folk” as well – who claim to be Christians yet never miss an opportunity to say something unkind and distasteful about our government leaders. I have to wonder if they ever stop to consider what God thinks about this behavior. Do they ever read their Bible… and more importantly, do they truly hear what God is saying through passages like this one?
The time has come for us to wake up and realize that hiding behind God’s name and bashing others – for any reason – is disrespectful… and un-Christian! If you want to please God (and we all should want this!), you have to listen to what He is saying and do what He tells you – even if that means showing respect for elected officials and others you do not like. The only way to truly be free is to follow God’s rules and let Him have complete control. Are you fully exercising your freedoms today? Are you showing respect for God… and for others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
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.
Oh, how we need these scripture verses nowadays! From every side, our government has become fair game for human target practice. Somehow, we tend to gloss over the Bible’s admonition to respect our leaders. We are not told to agree with them… but we are commanded to respect them. Yet all you have to do is scroll down the “Home” page on any social media outlet to see people disrespecting leaders on both sides of the political aisle. I’m not talking about statements of disagreement or disapproval… I’m talking about venomous, bigoted, spiteful comments that reek of disdain – if not outright hatred – for those who have been elected to office.
I will be the first to tell you that there are unscrupulous legislators, public officials, judges and government leaders at every level. But God calls us to treat them – and all people – with respect and decorum. To treat anyone with less than the utmost dignity belies the grace and mercy that was given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus died for those in public office, too! He died for your fellow church members and the other citizens in your city, state, country…and around the globe. If you think for one minute your salvation is exclusive in any way, you have totally missed Jesus’ message!
Today, I am thinking of several people in the public eye – and some “ordinary folk” as well – who claim to be Christians yet never miss an opportunity to say something unkind and distasteful about our government leaders. I have to wonder if they ever stop to consider what God thinks about this behavior. Do they ever read their Bible… and more importantly, do they truly hear what God is saying through passages like this one?
The time has come for us to wake up and realize that hiding behind God’s name and bashing others – for any reason – is disrespectful… and un-Christian! If you want to please God (and we all should want this!), you have to listen to what He is saying and do what He tells you – even if that means showing respect for elected officials and others you do not like. The only way to truly be free is to follow God’s rules and let Him have complete control. Are you fully exercising your freedoms today? Are you showing respect for God… and for others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 16, 2011
Psalm 128:1-2
The LORD will bless you if you respect him and obey his laws. Your fields will produce, and you will be happy and all will go well.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was discussing child discipline with a group of friends recently, and I explained that I do not believe in spanking. I tried it early in my teaching career with lousy results. Once I began using a method called “assertive discipline” and stopped spanking, I virtually quit having any discipline problems in the classroom. Assertive discipline works that well and will work in any setting – school, home, Sunday School, and more! What is the secret to its success? Respect!
Rules are clearly taught at the beginning of the school year… as are consequences for breaking them. Everything is cut and dried. You break this rule… this happens. You break another, that happens… and so on. The consequences begin with a warning and progress to a more serious level. For my kindergarten students, these ranged from “time out” to losing a recess or other privileges, to calling parents. I think maybe I called three parents over the course of several years. The children knew the “laws” we learned together, and they obeyed them. They respected my authority to decide when a rule was broken and to administer the consequence.
There is another part of this discipline plan… and it is vital to the success of the overall program - rewards. Good behavior is rewarded, and the students learn that there is merit in their efforts beyond operating in fear of consequences. The respect is mutual. The teacher is respected as the authority figure, and the students are respected and rewarded for their obedience and cooperation.
Do you see where I’m headed with this? Because of the blood of Jesus, we don’t have to operate in fear, guilt and shame. We can serve obediently because we respect God… and because He respects us and rewards our efforts. We don’t serve and obey to get something… any more than God blesses us simply for our compliance. It’s a two-way street… and that is so cool!
We know what God asks of us… we know His laws. We also know the consequences of disobeying Him. But we may not fully understand how He stands ready to bless us when we show Him respect and submission to His authority. I promise, finding out what He has in store for us is worth it… are you willing to discover this for yourself?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD will bless you if you respect him and obey his laws. Your fields will produce, and you will be happy and all will go well.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was discussing child discipline with a group of friends recently, and I explained that I do not believe in spanking. I tried it early in my teaching career with lousy results. Once I began using a method called “assertive discipline” and stopped spanking, I virtually quit having any discipline problems in the classroom. Assertive discipline works that well and will work in any setting – school, home, Sunday School, and more! What is the secret to its success? Respect!
Rules are clearly taught at the beginning of the school year… as are consequences for breaking them. Everything is cut and dried. You break this rule… this happens. You break another, that happens… and so on. The consequences begin with a warning and progress to a more serious level. For my kindergarten students, these ranged from “time out” to losing a recess or other privileges, to calling parents. I think maybe I called three parents over the course of several years. The children knew the “laws” we learned together, and they obeyed them. They respected my authority to decide when a rule was broken and to administer the consequence.
There is another part of this discipline plan… and it is vital to the success of the overall program - rewards. Good behavior is rewarded, and the students learn that there is merit in their efforts beyond operating in fear of consequences. The respect is mutual. The teacher is respected as the authority figure, and the students are respected and rewarded for their obedience and cooperation.
Do you see where I’m headed with this? Because of the blood of Jesus, we don’t have to operate in fear, guilt and shame. We can serve obediently because we respect God… and because He respects us and rewards our efforts. We don’t serve and obey to get something… any more than God blesses us simply for our compliance. It’s a two-way street… and that is so cool!
We know what God asks of us… we know His laws. We also know the consequences of disobeying Him. But we may not fully understand how He stands ready to bless us when we show Him respect and submission to His authority. I promise, finding out what He has in store for us is worth it… are you willing to discover this for yourself?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 4, 2011
Proverbs 22:3
Respect and serve the LORD! Your reward will be wealth, a long life, and honor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The days around July 4th are a time of great reflection for many Americans. We stop… if only momentarily… and think about the tremendous freedoms we enjoy in this country. We recognize the monumental sacrifices of so many fellow countrymen and women, so that we can enjoy these freedoms and privileges. We salute them with parades and fireworks displays… and the wearing of red, white and blue. We give them respect by hanging flags and singing patriotic songs in their honor.
We are able to muster up quite the celebration for the United States of America and its people, yet we don’t seem to be able to do the same for our LORD and Savior! Oh, sure, we have Christmas and Easter… and Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny! And yes, there are other activities and festivities on July 4th that take some of our focus – picnics, water activities, car races, baseball games and more. But it seems that for many of us, we are more fervent and enthusiastic about recognizing and celebrating our patriotism than we are our faith!
We need to stop and realize that the only reason we have the freedoms we do in this country is because of the grace of God. The ultimate gift of freedom came on the cross, when Jesus Christ died for our sins. If ever we are going to wave a flag and light a firecracker, it ought to be for HIM! And honestly, in the context of our faith walk, every single day should be the Fourth of July!
So today, as you celebrate, light a firework for Jesus. As it soars toward the heavens, pause and say, “Thank you, LORD!” Have your picnics, eat your ice cream and watermelon, and wave flags… and thank God for His gift of the great freedom we enjoy in America every single day. Give God the glory, honor and respect He deserves as you commemorate this holiday… and make every day your Independence Day in Christ!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Respect and serve the LORD! Your reward will be wealth, a long life, and honor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The days around July 4th are a time of great reflection for many Americans. We stop… if only momentarily… and think about the tremendous freedoms we enjoy in this country. We recognize the monumental sacrifices of so many fellow countrymen and women, so that we can enjoy these freedoms and privileges. We salute them with parades and fireworks displays… and the wearing of red, white and blue. We give them respect by hanging flags and singing patriotic songs in their honor.
We are able to muster up quite the celebration for the United States of America and its people, yet we don’t seem to be able to do the same for our LORD and Savior! Oh, sure, we have Christmas and Easter… and Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny! And yes, there are other activities and festivities on July 4th that take some of our focus – picnics, water activities, car races, baseball games and more. But it seems that for many of us, we are more fervent and enthusiastic about recognizing and celebrating our patriotism than we are our faith!
We need to stop and realize that the only reason we have the freedoms we do in this country is because of the grace of God. The ultimate gift of freedom came on the cross, when Jesus Christ died for our sins. If ever we are going to wave a flag and light a firecracker, it ought to be for HIM! And honestly, in the context of our faith walk, every single day should be the Fourth of July!
So today, as you celebrate, light a firework for Jesus. As it soars toward the heavens, pause and say, “Thank you, LORD!” Have your picnics, eat your ice cream and watermelon, and wave flags… and thank God for His gift of the great freedom we enjoy in America every single day. Give God the glory, honor and respect He deserves as you commemorate this holiday… and make every day your Independence Day in Christ!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 20, 2011
Psalm 34:1-11
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 11, 2010
Proverbs 23:22-25
Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her. Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!
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.
I can’t tell you how many times we have been watching a sporting event, such as a college football game, and the camera has zoomed in on a group of students who are being absolutely ridiculous. Maybe they are wearing goofy clothing – or very little clothing at all. Often, the weather is frigid, yet young men have stripped down to a pair of shorts and painted their body in the colors representing their team, and they are screaming at the top of their lungs. I’m all for being a good fan, but in these extreme situations, I frequently comment, “Don’t you know their mommas are proud!”
I’m being sarcastic. But I’m also making a point. If we were more careful to behave in such a way that we would always make our parents proud, our behavior might improve. If you stopped and asked yourself, “Would I say/do this if my mom or dad were here?” would you still do it? What about your grandparents? Would they approve of your language and actions?
And even if your parents/grandparents did approve of your behavior and language, would God? Are you showing respect to the Heavenly Father who has given you the gift of Eternal Life? Do you neglect Him? Do you live according to your own “rule book” and totally disrespect the influences of those who have loved and nurtured you to this point?
Someday, you may have children of your own… or maybe you are already parents or grandparents. Are you behaving in a way that makes those around you proud? Are you honoring the love and nurture you received and paying it forward? More importantly, are you giving God the honor and glory He deserves as your Heavenly Father?
Showing out at a football game may seem fun, silly, and innocent. You may feel you are just being a good fan. But when your drunken face appears larger than life on the big screen for all the world to see… including your momma… won’t you be just a little bit embarrassed? And even if your parents never see/hear the things you say and do, God will know. Isn’t that reason enough to behave yourself?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her. Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!
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.
I can’t tell you how many times we have been watching a sporting event, such as a college football game, and the camera has zoomed in on a group of students who are being absolutely ridiculous. Maybe they are wearing goofy clothing – or very little clothing at all. Often, the weather is frigid, yet young men have stripped down to a pair of shorts and painted their body in the colors representing their team, and they are screaming at the top of their lungs. I’m all for being a good fan, but in these extreme situations, I frequently comment, “Don’t you know their mommas are proud!”
I’m being sarcastic. But I’m also making a point. If we were more careful to behave in such a way that we would always make our parents proud, our behavior might improve. If you stopped and asked yourself, “Would I say/do this if my mom or dad were here?” would you still do it? What about your grandparents? Would they approve of your language and actions?
And even if your parents/grandparents did approve of your behavior and language, would God? Are you showing respect to the Heavenly Father who has given you the gift of Eternal Life? Do you neglect Him? Do you live according to your own “rule book” and totally disrespect the influences of those who have loved and nurtured you to this point?
Someday, you may have children of your own… or maybe you are already parents or grandparents. Are you behaving in a way that makes those around you proud? Are you honoring the love and nurture you received and paying it forward? More importantly, are you giving God the honor and glory He deserves as your Heavenly Father?
Showing out at a football game may seem fun, silly, and innocent. You may feel you are just being a good fan. But when your drunken face appears larger than life on the big screen for all the world to see… including your momma… won’t you be just a little bit embarrassed? And even if your parents never see/hear the things you say and do, God will know. Isn’t that reason enough to behave yourself?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 16, 2010
James 2:9
But if you treat some people better than others, you have done wrong, and the Scriptures teach that you have sinned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read a letter to the editor of our local paper from someone who was terribly upset because our annual area Lake and River Cleanup was held on September 11th. The writer felt that this was disrespectful, and he was incensed that the event was not changed to another date. I have maintained correspondence with the families of two New York firefighters killed on September 11, 2001, and I can assure you, they would disagree. I think they would feel that the act of a community coming together for a common cause – i.e. picking up trash and litter – would be a fantastic way to honor the lives and service of their loved ones.
Isn’t the point of remembering 9.11 in large part the unity of us as a citizenry? Isn’t actually doing something constructive as a group as much of a tribute as standing underneath an American flag and listening to “Taps”? And for the record, probably very few of us did anything to mark the day, short of turning on our televisions and listening to news reports about ceremonies taking place in faraway cities.
So what’s my point with regard to James 2:9? I believe we are way too quick to judge others … and to treat them accordingly. Many editorial comments and recent “Letters to the Editor” in our local paper and elsewhere have disturbed me. People are claiming Christianity and passing judgment in the same sentences. If someone doesn’t totally agree with our thinking, we decide – consciously or subconsciously – that this person is beneath us and deserves to be treated as lesser … or even in an unkind manner. We say hateful things. We pick sides. We decide they are beneath us.
So when we go to church, we won’t sit near “So-and-so” because he belongs to “the other party.” At school, we make sure people know us by the crowd with whom we run … and we make it clear that certain people are not included. We look down our noses at people in the grocery store who don’t look like us. I’ll tell you, I have laughed as hard as the next person over those e-mails with the “People of Wal-Mart.” But I do not think of them as beneath me. I’m sure on any given day, God wonders about my “style” and dress just as much as these people – and I’ve become very aware of trying not to give them a sideways glance in person!
We don’t have to “dress down.” We don’t have to live in hovel … or even sell all of our earthly belongings … in order to humble ourselves and become more in tune with others. But we need to drop the attitudes and opinions. We need to realize that God is no respecter of person – and we shouldn’t be, either. We cannot truly begin to serve until we become more like Him … and that means losing the sin of judgment. Remember … people are watching. They will know by your body language, the tone of your voice, what you say and how you act, and whether you are loving others unconditionally – or looking down your nose at some. Don’t be guilty of the latter. God would never look down His nose at you – so what makes you think this is acceptable behavior?
Today, I pray we will all find time to humble ourselves before God and ask Him to show us where we need to drop the attitude and the condescension. Ask Him to forgive you for judging others and to reveal to you areas where you could use improvement. Ask God to bless you with an attitude of love, grace, and mercy toward all people. Then receive His forgiveness and blessings … and go get busy serving honorably.
©2010 Debbie Robus
But if you treat some people better than others, you have done wrong, and the Scriptures teach that you have sinned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read a letter to the editor of our local paper from someone who was terribly upset because our annual area Lake and River Cleanup was held on September 11th. The writer felt that this was disrespectful, and he was incensed that the event was not changed to another date. I have maintained correspondence with the families of two New York firefighters killed on September 11, 2001, and I can assure you, they would disagree. I think they would feel that the act of a community coming together for a common cause – i.e. picking up trash and litter – would be a fantastic way to honor the lives and service of their loved ones.
Isn’t the point of remembering 9.11 in large part the unity of us as a citizenry? Isn’t actually doing something constructive as a group as much of a tribute as standing underneath an American flag and listening to “Taps”? And for the record, probably very few of us did anything to mark the day, short of turning on our televisions and listening to news reports about ceremonies taking place in faraway cities.
So what’s my point with regard to James 2:9? I believe we are way too quick to judge others … and to treat them accordingly. Many editorial comments and recent “Letters to the Editor” in our local paper and elsewhere have disturbed me. People are claiming Christianity and passing judgment in the same sentences. If someone doesn’t totally agree with our thinking, we decide – consciously or subconsciously – that this person is beneath us and deserves to be treated as lesser … or even in an unkind manner. We say hateful things. We pick sides. We decide they are beneath us.
So when we go to church, we won’t sit near “So-and-so” because he belongs to “the other party.” At school, we make sure people know us by the crowd with whom we run … and we make it clear that certain people are not included. We look down our noses at people in the grocery store who don’t look like us. I’ll tell you, I have laughed as hard as the next person over those e-mails with the “People of Wal-Mart.” But I do not think of them as beneath me. I’m sure on any given day, God wonders about my “style” and dress just as much as these people – and I’ve become very aware of trying not to give them a sideways glance in person!
We don’t have to “dress down.” We don’t have to live in hovel … or even sell all of our earthly belongings … in order to humble ourselves and become more in tune with others. But we need to drop the attitudes and opinions. We need to realize that God is no respecter of person – and we shouldn’t be, either. We cannot truly begin to serve until we become more like Him … and that means losing the sin of judgment. Remember … people are watching. They will know by your body language, the tone of your voice, what you say and how you act, and whether you are loving others unconditionally – or looking down your nose at some. Don’t be guilty of the latter. God would never look down His nose at you – so what makes you think this is acceptable behavior?
Today, I pray we will all find time to humble ourselves before God and ask Him to show us where we need to drop the attitude and the condescension. Ask Him to forgive you for judging others and to reveal to you areas where you could use improvement. Ask God to bless you with an attitude of love, grace, and mercy toward all people. Then receive His forgiveness and blessings … and go get busy serving honorably.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 14, 2010
1 Timothy 5:2
…and treat older women as you would your own mother. Show the same respect to younger women that you would to your sister.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was in a local place of business several years ago, and an elderly lady was at the service counter ahead of me. I knew this little lady. She was a faithful member of another church in my community … and a true servant to many. She was always caring for others and her family, and she was an extraordinary prayer warriors. The man at the counter who was assisting this lady was treating her as if she was an idiot. He was condescending, and downright rude. This poor little lady was probably having trouble hearing him and understanding his instructions … and I’m sure he had a lot of challenging customers. But this was no excuse. I was heartsick to see this happening.
While directed toward women, this scripture passage is really about how we treat people in general. Elderly people can certainly challenge our patience. And let’s be honest, some of us don’t treat our own mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and acquaintances all that respectfully at times. I know it’s hard. I know other people can sometimes test us and cause us to want to lose our tempers. But I also know that we often forget that the very people who upset us are those who have loved us through thick and thin, supported our endeavors and prayed for our well-being. I know that those who frustrate us are God’s children, and only He knows what is truly in their heart – and why they act as they do.
If you have ever been on the receiving end of disrespect, rudeness, ungratefulness, or even abuse and hatred, you know how bad it feels. These are not the stock in trade of Jesus Christ, and they have no place in our “repertoire” either! Again, we must set aside our own selfish feelings and ask ourselves, “How would Jesus treat this person?” This is hard to do sometimes, but nobody ever said being a disciple of Christ was easy. And compared to what He did for us on the cross, this truly is small potatoes. Treating others with respect and kindness should be a no-brainer, but the devil is doing all he can to see that we struggle with this. Who will win the battle? Don’t give Satan a second of satisfaction! Take the high road … honor your life in Christ, and treat others as well as He would.
©2010 Debbie Robus
…and treat older women as you would your own mother. Show the same respect to younger women that you would to your sister.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was in a local place of business several years ago, and an elderly lady was at the service counter ahead of me. I knew this little lady. She was a faithful member of another church in my community … and a true servant to many. She was always caring for others and her family, and she was an extraordinary prayer warriors. The man at the counter who was assisting this lady was treating her as if she was an idiot. He was condescending, and downright rude. This poor little lady was probably having trouble hearing him and understanding his instructions … and I’m sure he had a lot of challenging customers. But this was no excuse. I was heartsick to see this happening.
While directed toward women, this scripture passage is really about how we treat people in general. Elderly people can certainly challenge our patience. And let’s be honest, some of us don’t treat our own mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and acquaintances all that respectfully at times. I know it’s hard. I know other people can sometimes test us and cause us to want to lose our tempers. But I also know that we often forget that the very people who upset us are those who have loved us through thick and thin, supported our endeavors and prayed for our well-being. I know that those who frustrate us are God’s children, and only He knows what is truly in their heart – and why they act as they do.
If you have ever been on the receiving end of disrespect, rudeness, ungratefulness, or even abuse and hatred, you know how bad it feels. These are not the stock in trade of Jesus Christ, and they have no place in our “repertoire” either! Again, we must set aside our own selfish feelings and ask ourselves, “How would Jesus treat this person?” This is hard to do sometimes, but nobody ever said being a disciple of Christ was easy. And compared to what He did for us on the cross, this truly is small potatoes. Treating others with respect and kindness should be a no-brainer, but the devil is doing all he can to see that we struggle with this. Who will win the battle? Don’t give Satan a second of satisfaction! Take the high road … honor your life in Christ, and treat others as well as He would.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 25, 2010
June 25 ~ Romans 8:15
God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about television fathers of the fifties and sixties (or for some of you, from today’s reruns on TV Land). Consider Andy Griffith, or Fred McMurray’s character on “My Three Sons,” or even Ward Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver.” These men were “large and in charge” and commanded respect. But when their sons misbehaved or made a mistake, they had nothing to fear. Sure, there were consequences, and sometimes the dads were disappointed or upset. But these fathers lovingly showed their sons their mistakes and how to correct them… and how to avoid repeating them in the future. The sons respected their fathers. Oh, sure, Beaver acted like he was afraid of his dad at times, but he wasn’t really… and he never felt like his slave.
In my mind, God is the same kind of Father as Andy Griffith – only super-sized and far more powerful. God takes things in stride… enjoys my successes, cries when I’m sad, and is disappointed and upset with me when I disobey Him or make wrong choices. But He is not a “slave-owner,” and He is not waiting to beat me into submission… or keep score of every time I’ve failed Him. At the day’s end, I am still His child, and He loves me. He wants me to have the very best He can provide – and to be all that I can be. Like most fathers, He wants me to live up to my full potential as His child – and to get all I can out of life on this earth… and my life in Him. If we are honest, we all want to please our parents. We want to feel that they are proud of us, and that we lived up to their expectations. And God is no exception to this.
If you view God as anything besides loving, just, fair, and taking your best interests to heart, you’ve misunderstood Him. If you think of God as a fierce judge who is waiting with a list of your infractions and a whip and chain to beat you into submission and correction, you are dead wrong. God loves us. He may correct us from time to time or allow us to suffer consequences of our actions, but He does not want us to serve Him out of fear. If you have any feelings toward God other than love and a healthy respect and reverence, I encourage you to spend some time reading His word and getting to really know him. Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a keyword search for “God’s love,” or “love of God” or other phrases about our Father and His love. See for yourself how deeply He cares. Discover Him in a new way, and serve Him joyfully as His child… and not a slave. God wants us to serve Him willingly and out of a deep joy and love. He’s worthy of that, and more. Find out why… and get busy being His child.
©2010 Debbie Robus
God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about television fathers of the fifties and sixties (or for some of you, from today’s reruns on TV Land). Consider Andy Griffith, or Fred McMurray’s character on “My Three Sons,” or even Ward Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver.” These men were “large and in charge” and commanded respect. But when their sons misbehaved or made a mistake, they had nothing to fear. Sure, there were consequences, and sometimes the dads were disappointed or upset. But these fathers lovingly showed their sons their mistakes and how to correct them… and how to avoid repeating them in the future. The sons respected their fathers. Oh, sure, Beaver acted like he was afraid of his dad at times, but he wasn’t really… and he never felt like his slave.
In my mind, God is the same kind of Father as Andy Griffith – only super-sized and far more powerful. God takes things in stride… enjoys my successes, cries when I’m sad, and is disappointed and upset with me when I disobey Him or make wrong choices. But He is not a “slave-owner,” and He is not waiting to beat me into submission… or keep score of every time I’ve failed Him. At the day’s end, I am still His child, and He loves me. He wants me to have the very best He can provide – and to be all that I can be. Like most fathers, He wants me to live up to my full potential as His child – and to get all I can out of life on this earth… and my life in Him. If we are honest, we all want to please our parents. We want to feel that they are proud of us, and that we lived up to their expectations. And God is no exception to this.
If you view God as anything besides loving, just, fair, and taking your best interests to heart, you’ve misunderstood Him. If you think of God as a fierce judge who is waiting with a list of your infractions and a whip and chain to beat you into submission and correction, you are dead wrong. God loves us. He may correct us from time to time or allow us to suffer consequences of our actions, but He does not want us to serve Him out of fear. If you have any feelings toward God other than love and a healthy respect and reverence, I encourage you to spend some time reading His word and getting to really know him. Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a keyword search for “God’s love,” or “love of God” or other phrases about our Father and His love. See for yourself how deeply He cares. Discover Him in a new way, and serve Him joyfully as His child… and not a slave. God wants us to serve Him willingly and out of a deep joy and love. He’s worthy of that, and more. Find out why… and get busy being His child.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 29, 2010
April 29 ~ Proverbs 3:27-32
Do all you can for everyone who deserves your help. Don't tell your neighbor to come back tomorrow, if you can help today. Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you. Don't argue just to be arguing, when you haven't been hurt. Don't be jealous of cruel people or follow their example. The LORD doesn't like anyone who is dishonest, but he lets good people be his friends.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, we were hosting a party during the Christmas holidays. As we sent out invitations, we learned that another couple who lived in our town was hosting a party the same evening – and many of our mutual friends were invited to both. We had invited this couple to the party we were hosting, but we had not received an RSVP. The day before our party, I got a phone call, and the host of the other party said, “We’d love to come to your party, but some relatives have come to visit, and we are going to be busy with them. So maybe we can make it another time.” I thanked him for letting me know – but all the while, I knew the real reason they weren’t coming was because of their own party. I don’t know why this person didn’t want to tell me that they were hosting a party. I wasn’t seeking an invitation to join them. And many of our friends came to our party and left early to attend the other party…and that was fine with us.
The problem I had with this whole scenario is that it colored how I thought of these friends. If this person would create such a detailed lie about something so insignificant as a party invitation, what else would he lie about? If this was considered acceptable behavior, how did he treat others – both socially and in his profession? In the end, I decided to “take the high road” and try to let it go… and you can see how well I’ve done! The point is… even though I have let it go for the most part, deep down it still impacts how I view this person. I try to think that he was either having a bad day and not thinking clearly, or he felt the lie would be less hurtful than saying, “We’re having our own party and can’t come to yours.” Still, I wonder on some levels… is he trustworthy?
If we are going to be disciples of Christ and represent Him to the world, we have to be honest and real at all times and in all things. This is not a license to be cruel or overly blunt with people. But we do need to consider how we treat others and why we say the things we do. We need to analyze our behavior to see where we need to be more loving, considerate, and honest. There is a good way and a bad way to deliver the truth… and with God’s help, we can operate in the former. If we are cruel, dishonest, or uncaring toward others, we risk permanent damage to the image they have of us… and very possibly we nullify our Christian witness with that person. Remember the “Golden Rule” – treat others as you wish to be treated – and rest in the knowledge that God is pleased and wants you for His friend.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Do all you can for everyone who deserves your help. Don't tell your neighbor to come back tomorrow, if you can help today. Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you. Don't argue just to be arguing, when you haven't been hurt. Don't be jealous of cruel people or follow their example. The LORD doesn't like anyone who is dishonest, but he lets good people be his friends.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, we were hosting a party during the Christmas holidays. As we sent out invitations, we learned that another couple who lived in our town was hosting a party the same evening – and many of our mutual friends were invited to both. We had invited this couple to the party we were hosting, but we had not received an RSVP. The day before our party, I got a phone call, and the host of the other party said, “We’d love to come to your party, but some relatives have come to visit, and we are going to be busy with them. So maybe we can make it another time.” I thanked him for letting me know – but all the while, I knew the real reason they weren’t coming was because of their own party. I don’t know why this person didn’t want to tell me that they were hosting a party. I wasn’t seeking an invitation to join them. And many of our friends came to our party and left early to attend the other party…and that was fine with us.
The problem I had with this whole scenario is that it colored how I thought of these friends. If this person would create such a detailed lie about something so insignificant as a party invitation, what else would he lie about? If this was considered acceptable behavior, how did he treat others – both socially and in his profession? In the end, I decided to “take the high road” and try to let it go… and you can see how well I’ve done! The point is… even though I have let it go for the most part, deep down it still impacts how I view this person. I try to think that he was either having a bad day and not thinking clearly, or he felt the lie would be less hurtful than saying, “We’re having our own party and can’t come to yours.” Still, I wonder on some levels… is he trustworthy?
If we are going to be disciples of Christ and represent Him to the world, we have to be honest and real at all times and in all things. This is not a license to be cruel or overly blunt with people. But we do need to consider how we treat others and why we say the things we do. We need to analyze our behavior to see where we need to be more loving, considerate, and honest. There is a good way and a bad way to deliver the truth… and with God’s help, we can operate in the former. If we are cruel, dishonest, or uncaring toward others, we risk permanent damage to the image they have of us… and very possibly we nullify our Christian witness with that person. Remember the “Golden Rule” – treat others as you wish to be treated – and rest in the knowledge that God is pleased and wants you for His friend.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 12, 2010
March 12 ~ Psalm 9:10
Everyone who honors your name can trust you, because you are faithful to all who depend on you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have lived any time at all, you have probably had someone depending on you – a friend, a relative, a pet, a co-worker or boss, a child perhaps – maybe even a parent or grandparent. And because we are humans, most likely, that person has done something that was hurtful, disrespectful – or at the very least, inconsiderate – and you probably felt like, “I don’t want this person to depend on me any longer. I don’t want to ‘be there’ for him/her.”
This doesn’t make you a bad person to feel this way. Hopefully, you asked God for strength, and you “sucked it up” and went ahead being the trustworthy, dependable person for the one who seemed so ungrateful.
The next time you are ready to “throw in the towel” with someone, stop and ask yourself this… “What if God threw in the towel with me?” Because you see, we all know that we are hurtful, insulting, disrespectful, and downright inconsiderate toward God – and often. We don’t honor His name like we should. We don’t listen to Him and do what He tells us… and some of us are just flat determined to do quite the opposite! And yet, He loves us and is faithful to us. He never “throws in the towel” with us… He never gives up… God never quits on our behalf.
If God is so loving and faithful to us when we dishonor Him, how much more do you suppose He would bless us if we honored and obeyed Him? We all know that we find it much easier to do things for those who are appreciative and grateful… even if that is not our reason for serving. So what if we were appreciative and grateful toward God?
Let’s do two things: 1) let’s make a concerted effort to keep loving and serving those who are unlovely and ungrateful, because that is what God commands us to do, and 2) let’s step up our gratitude toward God, on whom we depend. He is faithful to us even when we don’t deserve His care, and we would do well to find every opportunity possible to honor Him.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Everyone who honors your name can trust you, because you are faithful to all who depend on you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have lived any time at all, you have probably had someone depending on you – a friend, a relative, a pet, a co-worker or boss, a child perhaps – maybe even a parent or grandparent. And because we are humans, most likely, that person has done something that was hurtful, disrespectful – or at the very least, inconsiderate – and you probably felt like, “I don’t want this person to depend on me any longer. I don’t want to ‘be there’ for him/her.”
This doesn’t make you a bad person to feel this way. Hopefully, you asked God for strength, and you “sucked it up” and went ahead being the trustworthy, dependable person for the one who seemed so ungrateful.
The next time you are ready to “throw in the towel” with someone, stop and ask yourself this… “What if God threw in the towel with me?” Because you see, we all know that we are hurtful, insulting, disrespectful, and downright inconsiderate toward God – and often. We don’t honor His name like we should. We don’t listen to Him and do what He tells us… and some of us are just flat determined to do quite the opposite! And yet, He loves us and is faithful to us. He never “throws in the towel” with us… He never gives up… God never quits on our behalf.
If God is so loving and faithful to us when we dishonor Him, how much more do you suppose He would bless us if we honored and obeyed Him? We all know that we find it much easier to do things for those who are appreciative and grateful… even if that is not our reason for serving. So what if we were appreciative and grateful toward God?
Let’s do two things: 1) let’s make a concerted effort to keep loving and serving those who are unlovely and ungrateful, because that is what God commands us to do, and 2) let’s step up our gratitude toward God, on whom we depend. He is faithful to us even when we don’t deserve His care, and we would do well to find every opportunity possible to honor Him.
©2009 Debbie Robus
November 2009 Devotionals - Week 2
November 14 ~ 1 Chronicles 29:16-17
Our LORD God, we have brought all these things for building a temple to honor you. They belong to you, and you gave them to us. But we are happy, because everyone has voluntarily given you these things. You know what is in everyone's heart, and you are pleased when people are honest.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever gone to church on Sunday when you would rather have stayed home? But you went to church anyway, thinking all the while you wished you were home, still in bed or sipping coffee and reading the Sunday newspaper. I’m not saying that anytime we wake up on Sunday and wish we could sleep in, we should skip church. But when we go to church wishing we were somewhere else, God knows what is in our heart. So maybe I am suggesting an “attitude adjustment” is in order on our part?
When we give to the church or charities or make any donation, and we do it because “it’s the thing to do,” or our friends are giving - or we feel obligated in any way - God knows our heart. When we pretend to be nice to people but talk about them behind their backs, God sees our heart. When we act one way in front of some people and another when they aren’t around, God sees this.
God knows our heart. He knows when we do things out of love and a desire to serve and honor Him. He sees when we are genuinely kind to others… when we give generously out of a desire to help others… when we strive to be moral and upright out of respect for Him – and for ourselves. And this pleases Him immensely.
Doesn’t it seem a little preposterous to think that God wouldn’t know our heart? Doesn’t it seem phony and disrespectful to try to pretend to Him that we feel one way when He knows good and well our feelings are the opposite? Do we really want to please God? Isn’t being honest and showing Him a genuine heart a good place to start? Open up to God and share your true self… He knows already, but He will be so pleased when you are real with Him. When you honor God and respect your relationship with Him in this manner, you be blessed with joy and satisfaction in knowing you did the right thing.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 13 ~ 1 Chronicles 16:10
Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We have no trouble cheering and celebrating when the home team wins a football game. Pretty well everybody in Arkansas and several surrounding states knows how to “call the Hogs!” Little girls (and a few not-so-little ones) go ga-ga over Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift… and people line up for days to see the American Idol tour. We “celebrate with all our heart” at these events and others.
But when we think of God, do we celebrate as fervently? Do we feel so excited and genuinely ecstatic that we want to jump for joy in our heart, if not with our physical body? When we worship, are we totally in the moment, forgetting everything from what we will do after church service to the pot roast we left in the oven to the friends we hung out with the night before?
Doesn’t God deserve better?
Let’s make an effort to give God the celebration and worship He deserves. I’m not saying we have to jump up and shout – or even wiggle our big toe! But let’s focus totally on Him when we pray, read the Bible, or gather together for a worship service. Let’s celebrate Him in the way we live our daily lives and demonstrate clearly to others Who we serve.
God DOES deserve better than we give Him. Let’s start making changes and truly celebrate and worship His holy name with all our heart.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 12 ~ 1 Kings 8:39
You know what is in everyone's heart. So from your home in heaven answer their prayers, according to the way they live and what is in their hearts.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Suppose you are struggling to make ends meet. There always seems to be a whole lot more month than money. But in your heart, you desire to do great things for God… to accomplish things that you cannot physically afford. If you pray about this, and pour out your desires to God, don’t you think He will figure out a way for these things to be accomplished? Let’s be more specific. Our church is having a “Shoe Box Drive” to send decorated shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, toiletries, and more to needy children. Sounds like a great project, right? But what if your financial situation doesn’t match your desire to participate? How can you possibly help?
I believe that in this situation, you could pray and ask God to see that enough boxes were donated. Ask Him to soften the hearts of those who can afford to pack a shoe box. This would be one example of God looking at your heart and answering according to what He finds there, rather than on what you were physically able to accomplish. The same could be said for being a prayer warrior. When you don’t feel you can do anything else, you can certainly pray for others and their needs. This shows God your heart… your desire to serve, witness and make changes in His name.
God looks at our heart… and when He sees that what we harbor there is pure and loving and obedient, He is moved… and He does move! Keep a close check on your heart and its motives… be bold and ask God for great things from the depths of your heart… then sit back and watch Him work!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 11 ~ 1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Man, is this ever a hard lesson for us! We form our impressions of people in the first few seconds… and often, we don’t give them – or ourselves – a chance to decide otherwise! How many times have you met someone, and instantly you disliked something about him/her, only to find out later what a wonderful person he/she was.
Think about a coconut. On the outside, it looks pretty rough, doesn’t it! In fact, the hard, ugly brown shell is fairly impenetrable. But once you get inside, you find this wonderful milk and coconut “meat.” The heart is home to the good stuff! Imagine if God judged us by outward appearances. If God judged us by the things we said and how we looked and acted, most of us would be in pretty sad shape. Aren’t you glad He looks at the heart?
Let’s make sure our heart is right… that when God looks deep within us, He sees someone who is striving to serve Him and be obedient, even if it doesn’t always show on the outside. And let’s give others a second look. Let’s look at their heart and not make rash judgments. Surely if God judges us by our hearts, we should do the same for others. How are you evaluating others these days? Do you only see the “coconut shell” on the outside? What is in your heart?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 10 ~ 1 Samuel 12:20-24
Even though what you did was wrong, you don't need to be afraid. But you must always follow the LORD and worship him with all your heart. Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble. But the LORD has chosen you to be his own people. He will always take care of you so that everyone will know how great he is.
I would be disobeying the LORD if I stopped praying for you! I will always teach you how to live right. You also must obey the LORD - you must worship him with all your heart and remember the great things he has done for you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
When you were a child, did you ever do something wrong and then hide, hoping nobody would find you and discover what had happened? Or maybe you hoped your grandparents would come along and stick up for you. If only you could find someone to be on your side and protect you from punishment and disapproval! If you are like most people, there has been at least one time in your life when you felt like you had messed things up so badly that God would never forgive you! Or maybe you feared that the “wrath of God” was about to rain down on you for your sins or misdeeds. And sometimes, in fear, we turn to people we think can help us… or worse yet, we turn to Satan. “Devil,” we say… “help me create a story to cover this. Give me an alibi… justify what I did, so that I can get out of this mess!”
The truth is, we go “looking for love in all the wrong places.” God is not standing with a whip and a chair, ready to beat us senseless for our sins. Hello! Jesus took every single one of those when He died on the cross. They are paid in full! If someone bought your lunch at a restaurant, you wouldn’t try to pay again, would you? So why do we think we have to pay over and over for the sins that Jesus bought with His own blood? This is not what God desires. All He wants is for us to love and worship Him out of the depths of our heart (that means with everything we have in us!). If we love with our whole heart, it will be harder and harder for us to sin… it just won’t feel right to us… it will go against everything we hold dear.
Our grandparents and others may be able to save us from certain troubles when we are children, but that doesn’t work well for very long. It’s time we grew up in our faith and trusted God for the promises He has given us… and loved Him with our whole heart. This is true protection and freedom… this is true safety and comfort… this is where the real blessings lie. Who has your heart today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 9 ~ Deuteronomy 30:11-14
You know God's laws, and it isn't impossible to obey them. His commands aren't in heaven, so you can't excuse yourselves by saying, "How can we obey the LORD's commands? They are in heaven, and no one can go up to get them, then bring them down and explain them to us." And you can't say, "How can we obey the LORD's commands? They are across the sea, and someone must go across, then bring them back and explain them to us." No, these commands are nearby and you know them by heart. All you have to do is obey!
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
This is one of the hardest things for some people to grasp. How do we worship and obey a God we have never physically seen? How do we trust that what is written in the Bible is infallible… that the Bible really IS God’s word? How do we know for sure that following God’s commands will work… that this really IS the way to Heaven?
For me, this is where the heart comes into play. See, for nearly 35 years, I knew in my head that God was real and that the Bible was filled with guidance and perfect law for my life. I had heard this over and over from countless people. I had studied and prayed and attended church services and Sunday School classes. I had participated in Training Union on Sunday nights, “Bible drills,” youth classes and more.
But it wasn’t until I began to truly invite the Holy Spirit to penetrate my heart and I revisited a scripture verse… John 20:29, in which…”Jesus said, ‘Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!’" I realized that Jesus was talking about you and ME! We have never seen Him, yet we believe, so we are blessed because of our faith!
As I meditated on this thought… and internalized it, I began to understand that yes, this IS all a leap of faith, but I learned something else. I learned to look for God in ordinary and unusual places… places besides just the Bible and my prayer time. I began to see His hand in the order and circumstances of my day… and in the timing and care of His children and the events of their lives. I began to see how much God blesses those who obey Him – and how hard things are for those who don’t. This is not because God punishes, but rather because He allows us to wander aimlessly if we choose… He allows us free will.
I don’t know about you, but I want every blessing God stands ready to give me. I want to obey Him – not out of fear or concern that He won’t bless – but out of love and adoration… gratefulness for all He has given me… and a deep desire of the heart to serve Him completely. If you love someone from the depths of your heart, you understand this desire. Who deserves our heartfelt love more than God? Are His commands in your heart? Won’t you make room for them and begin living in His abundance?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 8 ~ Deuteronomy 30:10
But you must decide once and for all to worship him with all your heart and soul and to obey everything in The Book of God's Law.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
On the surface, you may be thinking… “This is an easy one… I’ve already done it!” And maybe you have – if so, God bless you! But think about it… have you truly decided to worship Him with all your heart and soul and obey His word completely? Or do you still disrespect your parents? Do you send out disrespectful messages about others via e-mail or make derogatory comments on social network sites? Do you party too much and ask forgiveness later? Do you use foul language – in person and/or on the Internet? Are you unkind and/or quick-tempered with others? What haven’t you given to God?
Last week I told you about a friend suggesting that I write about loving God with our head and our heart. We all know what the Bible says… we all know the Ten Commandments… and even the commandments of Jesus to love others as we love ourselves, and to love God with our heart, mind, soul and strength. And intellectually, we do this… and we say, “I love God with all of these things.” But deep in our heart… do we? Do we love Him enough to say, “Lord, whatever You desire from me, I’ll give you. I will live for You and love You even when it is hard, painful, or even grieves me. If I have to give up some old habits – or even my friends, I’ll do it. If I have to step out of my comfort zone and serve you by serving someone else, I will do that!
I didn’t notice in this passage anything about whether or not we like doing this, necessarily. This may come in time, but not all of the choices to follow God are easy ones. Still, we will never experience God and His plans for us – or His blessings – until we decide once and for all to worship Him completely with our heart and soul. What’s holding you back today? What else do you need to surrender to God?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Our LORD God, we have brought all these things for building a temple to honor you. They belong to you, and you gave them to us. But we are happy, because everyone has voluntarily given you these things. You know what is in everyone's heart, and you are pleased when people are honest.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever gone to church on Sunday when you would rather have stayed home? But you went to church anyway, thinking all the while you wished you were home, still in bed or sipping coffee and reading the Sunday newspaper. I’m not saying that anytime we wake up on Sunday and wish we could sleep in, we should skip church. But when we go to church wishing we were somewhere else, God knows what is in our heart. So maybe I am suggesting an “attitude adjustment” is in order on our part?
When we give to the church or charities or make any donation, and we do it because “it’s the thing to do,” or our friends are giving - or we feel obligated in any way - God knows our heart. When we pretend to be nice to people but talk about them behind their backs, God sees our heart. When we act one way in front of some people and another when they aren’t around, God sees this.
God knows our heart. He knows when we do things out of love and a desire to serve and honor Him. He sees when we are genuinely kind to others… when we give generously out of a desire to help others… when we strive to be moral and upright out of respect for Him – and for ourselves. And this pleases Him immensely.
Doesn’t it seem a little preposterous to think that God wouldn’t know our heart? Doesn’t it seem phony and disrespectful to try to pretend to Him that we feel one way when He knows good and well our feelings are the opposite? Do we really want to please God? Isn’t being honest and showing Him a genuine heart a good place to start? Open up to God and share your true self… He knows already, but He will be so pleased when you are real with Him. When you honor God and respect your relationship with Him in this manner, you be blessed with joy and satisfaction in knowing you did the right thing.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 13 ~ 1 Chronicles 16:10
Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We have no trouble cheering and celebrating when the home team wins a football game. Pretty well everybody in Arkansas and several surrounding states knows how to “call the Hogs!” Little girls (and a few not-so-little ones) go ga-ga over Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift… and people line up for days to see the American Idol tour. We “celebrate with all our heart” at these events and others.
But when we think of God, do we celebrate as fervently? Do we feel so excited and genuinely ecstatic that we want to jump for joy in our heart, if not with our physical body? When we worship, are we totally in the moment, forgetting everything from what we will do after church service to the pot roast we left in the oven to the friends we hung out with the night before?
Doesn’t God deserve better?
Let’s make an effort to give God the celebration and worship He deserves. I’m not saying we have to jump up and shout – or even wiggle our big toe! But let’s focus totally on Him when we pray, read the Bible, or gather together for a worship service. Let’s celebrate Him in the way we live our daily lives and demonstrate clearly to others Who we serve.
God DOES deserve better than we give Him. Let’s start making changes and truly celebrate and worship His holy name with all our heart.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 12 ~ 1 Kings 8:39
You know what is in everyone's heart. So from your home in heaven answer their prayers, according to the way they live and what is in their hearts.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Suppose you are struggling to make ends meet. There always seems to be a whole lot more month than money. But in your heart, you desire to do great things for God… to accomplish things that you cannot physically afford. If you pray about this, and pour out your desires to God, don’t you think He will figure out a way for these things to be accomplished? Let’s be more specific. Our church is having a “Shoe Box Drive” to send decorated shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, toiletries, and more to needy children. Sounds like a great project, right? But what if your financial situation doesn’t match your desire to participate? How can you possibly help?
I believe that in this situation, you could pray and ask God to see that enough boxes were donated. Ask Him to soften the hearts of those who can afford to pack a shoe box. This would be one example of God looking at your heart and answering according to what He finds there, rather than on what you were physically able to accomplish. The same could be said for being a prayer warrior. When you don’t feel you can do anything else, you can certainly pray for others and their needs. This shows God your heart… your desire to serve, witness and make changes in His name.
God looks at our heart… and when He sees that what we harbor there is pure and loving and obedient, He is moved… and He does move! Keep a close check on your heart and its motives… be bold and ask God for great things from the depths of your heart… then sit back and watch Him work!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 11 ~ 1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Man, is this ever a hard lesson for us! We form our impressions of people in the first few seconds… and often, we don’t give them – or ourselves – a chance to decide otherwise! How many times have you met someone, and instantly you disliked something about him/her, only to find out later what a wonderful person he/she was.
Think about a coconut. On the outside, it looks pretty rough, doesn’t it! In fact, the hard, ugly brown shell is fairly impenetrable. But once you get inside, you find this wonderful milk and coconut “meat.” The heart is home to the good stuff! Imagine if God judged us by outward appearances. If God judged us by the things we said and how we looked and acted, most of us would be in pretty sad shape. Aren’t you glad He looks at the heart?
Let’s make sure our heart is right… that when God looks deep within us, He sees someone who is striving to serve Him and be obedient, even if it doesn’t always show on the outside. And let’s give others a second look. Let’s look at their heart and not make rash judgments. Surely if God judges us by our hearts, we should do the same for others. How are you evaluating others these days? Do you only see the “coconut shell” on the outside? What is in your heart?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 10 ~ 1 Samuel 12:20-24
Even though what you did was wrong, you don't need to be afraid. But you must always follow the LORD and worship him with all your heart. Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble. But the LORD has chosen you to be his own people. He will always take care of you so that everyone will know how great he is.
I would be disobeying the LORD if I stopped praying for you! I will always teach you how to live right. You also must obey the LORD - you must worship him with all your heart and remember the great things he has done for you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
When you were a child, did you ever do something wrong and then hide, hoping nobody would find you and discover what had happened? Or maybe you hoped your grandparents would come along and stick up for you. If only you could find someone to be on your side and protect you from punishment and disapproval! If you are like most people, there has been at least one time in your life when you felt like you had messed things up so badly that God would never forgive you! Or maybe you feared that the “wrath of God” was about to rain down on you for your sins or misdeeds. And sometimes, in fear, we turn to people we think can help us… or worse yet, we turn to Satan. “Devil,” we say… “help me create a story to cover this. Give me an alibi… justify what I did, so that I can get out of this mess!”
The truth is, we go “looking for love in all the wrong places.” God is not standing with a whip and a chair, ready to beat us senseless for our sins. Hello! Jesus took every single one of those when He died on the cross. They are paid in full! If someone bought your lunch at a restaurant, you wouldn’t try to pay again, would you? So why do we think we have to pay over and over for the sins that Jesus bought with His own blood? This is not what God desires. All He wants is for us to love and worship Him out of the depths of our heart (that means with everything we have in us!). If we love with our whole heart, it will be harder and harder for us to sin… it just won’t feel right to us… it will go against everything we hold dear.
Our grandparents and others may be able to save us from certain troubles when we are children, but that doesn’t work well for very long. It’s time we grew up in our faith and trusted God for the promises He has given us… and loved Him with our whole heart. This is true protection and freedom… this is true safety and comfort… this is where the real blessings lie. Who has your heart today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------------
November 9 ~ Deuteronomy 30:11-14
You know God's laws, and it isn't impossible to obey them. His commands aren't in heaven, so you can't excuse yourselves by saying, "How can we obey the LORD's commands? They are in heaven, and no one can go up to get them, then bring them down and explain them to us." And you can't say, "How can we obey the LORD's commands? They are across the sea, and someone must go across, then bring them back and explain them to us." No, these commands are nearby and you know them by heart. All you have to do is obey!
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
This is one of the hardest things for some people to grasp. How do we worship and obey a God we have never physically seen? How do we trust that what is written in the Bible is infallible… that the Bible really IS God’s word? How do we know for sure that following God’s commands will work… that this really IS the way to Heaven?
For me, this is where the heart comes into play. See, for nearly 35 years, I knew in my head that God was real and that the Bible was filled with guidance and perfect law for my life. I had heard this over and over from countless people. I had studied and prayed and attended church services and Sunday School classes. I had participated in Training Union on Sunday nights, “Bible drills,” youth classes and more.
But it wasn’t until I began to truly invite the Holy Spirit to penetrate my heart and I revisited a scripture verse… John 20:29, in which…”Jesus said, ‘Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!’" I realized that Jesus was talking about you and ME! We have never seen Him, yet we believe, so we are blessed because of our faith!
As I meditated on this thought… and internalized it, I began to understand that yes, this IS all a leap of faith, but I learned something else. I learned to look for God in ordinary and unusual places… places besides just the Bible and my prayer time. I began to see His hand in the order and circumstances of my day… and in the timing and care of His children and the events of their lives. I began to see how much God blesses those who obey Him – and how hard things are for those who don’t. This is not because God punishes, but rather because He allows us to wander aimlessly if we choose… He allows us free will.
I don’t know about you, but I want every blessing God stands ready to give me. I want to obey Him – not out of fear or concern that He won’t bless – but out of love and adoration… gratefulness for all He has given me… and a deep desire of the heart to serve Him completely. If you love someone from the depths of your heart, you understand this desire. Who deserves our heartfelt love more than God? Are His commands in your heart? Won’t you make room for them and begin living in His abundance?
©2009 Debbie Robus
----------------------------------------------------------------
November 8 ~ Deuteronomy 30:10
But you must decide once and for all to worship him with all your heart and soul and to obey everything in The Book of God's Law.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
On the surface, you may be thinking… “This is an easy one… I’ve already done it!” And maybe you have – if so, God bless you! But think about it… have you truly decided to worship Him with all your heart and soul and obey His word completely? Or do you still disrespect your parents? Do you send out disrespectful messages about others via e-mail or make derogatory comments on social network sites? Do you party too much and ask forgiveness later? Do you use foul language – in person and/or on the Internet? Are you unkind and/or quick-tempered with others? What haven’t you given to God?
Last week I told you about a friend suggesting that I write about loving God with our head and our heart. We all know what the Bible says… we all know the Ten Commandments… and even the commandments of Jesus to love others as we love ourselves, and to love God with our heart, mind, soul and strength. And intellectually, we do this… and we say, “I love God with all of these things.” But deep in our heart… do we? Do we love Him enough to say, “Lord, whatever You desire from me, I’ll give you. I will live for You and love You even when it is hard, painful, or even grieves me. If I have to give up some old habits – or even my friends, I’ll do it. If I have to step out of my comfort zone and serve you by serving someone else, I will do that!
I didn’t notice in this passage anything about whether or not we like doing this, necessarily. This may come in time, but not all of the choices to follow God are easy ones. Still, we will never experience God and His plans for us – or His blessings – until we decide once and for all to worship Him completely with our heart and soul. What’s holding you back today? What else do you need to surrender to God?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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