Daily Devotional for November 19, 2016

Romans 13:1-7
Obey the rulers who have authority over you. Only God can give authority to anyone, and he puts these rulers in their places of power. People who oppose the authorities are opposing what God has done, and they will be punished. Rulers are a threat to evil people, not to good people. There is no need to be afraid of the authorities. Just do right, and they will praise you for it. After all, they are God’s servants, and it is their duty to help you.

If you do something wrong, you ought to be afraid, because these rulers have the right to punish you. They are God’s servants who punish criminals to show how angry God is. But you should obey the rulers because you know it is the right thing to do, and not just because of God’s anger.

You must also pay your taxes. The authorities are God’s servants, and it is their duty to take care of these matters. Pay all that you owe, whether it is taxes and fees or respect and honor.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I hope you will give me the courtesy of reading this entire message.  I did not want to write about this scripture passage.  It showed up in my outline, and frankly, I skipped it yesterday.  I read the words and said, “I hear You, LORD…but I just can’t do it.”  I understand that you may feel differently, and that is the beauty of a democratic republic…we are free to make our own choices.

I will tell you…this president-elect and the people he is tapping to assist him in leading our country scare me half to death!  It is my right to say this…although I will never resort to name calling or disrespectful words and actions.  Many did not afford President Obama respect and kindness. People who are supposed to be “Christian” friends…people I’ve known and loved all of my life…have called our current president every name in the book – and then some – and spoken terribly about him for the last eight years.  While I do not dare to judge, I feel that their words and actions have not been those of a person who would cause me want to follow Jesus, if this is how His disciples behave. But I do not believe that Jesus truly condones such behavior…and He must hang His head in disappointment quite often!

I’ve thought a lot about the election in the last two weeks…and I pondered these verses in Romans, as well.  I asked God NOT to make me write on them…and then I asked, “But why did you place them before me?”  Here’s what I feel that God is saying to me.  I believe this is a test of my faith. I feel that God is saying, “You know that I have told you to respect your government and its leaders.  I know that you are not comfortable with the incoming administration.  But do you trust Me?  Do you have enough faith to follow Me and do this hard thing…and believe that I will handle your worries and fears?”

There have been plenty of elected officials for whom I did not vote.  I have been disappointed more than once politically, and I bet you have, too.  I have always tried to be respectful and take the high road…even when others were not as kind in turn.  But I have to tell you, this one is really hard, because I have seen behavior and talk from this man and his “team” that I cannot help but believe troubles God terribly.  So I have to conclude that God is testing us…and when the day comes (and it will) when YOUR candidates are not elected, He will be watching to see if YOU listen to Him and show respect, obey the laws, pay your taxes, and behave as a good citizen.  I also am praying that the president-elect and his administration will take Paul’s words to the Romans to heart and take their roles as God’s servants (and ours) seriously.

Meanwhile…we have all got to figure out how to get along, regardless of who we support and/or endorse politically.  And I think this begins with all of us getting quiet and ceasing the hand-wringing for a while. I feel God calling for us to be still and listen for His voice…to allow Him room to work, and to trust His plans - even if we don’t see how they will possibly be good for any of us.

My mother had two sayings that are etched into my memory…”Two wrongs don’t make a right,” and “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything.”  Perhaps it’s time we brought these back and put them in to some heavy-duty practice, as we trust God to make a way where we cannot see one!  I’ll go first…will you join me?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 28, 2015

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 Eugeterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
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Earlier this week, I listened to a press conference held by our President, Barack Obama, when the French president, François Hollande, visited the United States.  President Obama talked about the terroristic acts committed in Paris a few weeks ago…and the upcoming summit of world leaders in this city where they will discuss climate change.  My gut instinct was to think, “Oh, NO!  They cannot all assemble there at once!”  And I admit…I have had this same reaction a few other times when I heard of a public appearance by our President and/or other world leaders - including when President Hollande recently walked the streets of Paris shortly after the heinous acts that were committed there.

But then I heard God say to me, “What do you fear?”  And surely, our own President and other leaders have noted that the greatest power these terrorists have is to make us fearful.  I began to think about fear…and how we as Christians so often operate in this mode.  We talk a good game…we say we trust God and believe in Him…and then we act in a way that demonstrates complete and utter fear and trepidation.

We are afraid of people who are different from us – in any way…color, creed, ethnic background, sexual orientation, socioeconomic level, or even just physical appearance.  We fear those who practice other religious beliefs.  We get a bad diagnosis, and we wring our hands and worry and stew over what will happen to us.

We are scared to death that someone will make us take down our nativity scene on public property or say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” – and we act like the whole world will end if this happens!  This is not a message about the commercialization of our holiday seasons…because I’m right there with you that this has gotten out of hand.

But I have to ask…what are we demonstrating to others – especially those who do not believe in Jesus?  When we treat people with disrespect and set ourselves up on pedestals, what are we saying about the love of Jesus for all people?  When we claim salvation through Jesus Christ and declare that God can do ALL things…then we run and hide under the covers at the first sign of danger or difficulty, how does that reflect a faith and trust in God to heal, rescue and redeem us?

The words of this passage are so beautiful and true…”Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” If we would only start to walk in these tenets and kick fear to the curb…imagine what might happen.  I’m more than willing to find out…are you?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 20, 2013

1 Peter 2:17
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.
 
This scripture passage contains four simple sentences… four basic concepts that seem so logical and easy to accomplish.  If only we would take these four commands to heart and genuinely - and diligently - put them into action…any number of things could be accomplished.  Life would surely be more peaceful and pleasant!
 
So why are we so disrespectful? Why can’t we get along?  What keeps us from being obedient, reverent, and loving our neighbor?  I don’t have all of the answers, but I suspect that one of our biggest problems is lack of focus.  We have failed to remain diligent in pursuing a relationship with God… and when we do interact with Him, we tend to do all of the talking!  It seems to me that more than a few of us don’t listen to God in the first place…and if we do hear Him, we choose to ignore what He tells us.
 
“Oh, surely God didn’t mean for me to treat So-and-So with dignity!  Not after what he/she said or did to me!” you may say.  Or maybe you have decided that people of a certain socio-economic status, lifestyle, race or political leaning are “beneath you.”  Surely God didn’t mean for you to treat THEM with dignity?
 
Perhaps you have decided that certain “Christians” can’t possibly be sincere, because they don’t agree with you on social, political, or moral issues.  “Surely they are not reading the Bible!” you’ve declared – if only to yourself.  As for reverence to God, we all know that none of us does our best in this department!
 
And rather than respect our government and its leaders, many have decided that these folks are not Godly and do not deserve to be regarded with anything less than disdain.  We don’t pray, “LORD, please help the best candidates get elected… and give them wisdom to decide what is best for us as a people.”  We tell Him, “Please let MY candidate win!”  And then we gripe and complain about everything from taxes to legislation to the leaders themselves.
 
Four simple rules could make everything run more smoothly – in our individual lives and in the world at large.  Won’t you join me today in reviewing these guidelines?  Won’t you pray over them and ask God to show you how and where you have failed to give your very best?  Will this be the week that things begin to change in your relationships… in your perspective… and in your discipleship?  Shouldn’t it?
 
My prayer for today is this… “Father, we have failed to show respect… for You and for each other.  We have acted selfishly and judged unfairly.  We have been critical and undignified, and we know that our actions and attitudes grieve You.  Forgive us, LORD… help us to be more attentive to Your word and Your will.  Show us how to treat others as You would… to offer love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and respect.  Help us to figure out how to get along… heal our hearts and set us on the right path.  We ask this in the precious name of Jesus.  Amen.”
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 26, 2013

Romans 13:3-7
Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live.
 
That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
 
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.
 
Greg and I were driving home the other day, and we pulled up to the stoplight at a major intersection.  There was a car in front of us when the green arrow began flashing… indicating that we were cleared to “go”!  The driver sat stock-still, until Greg honked the horn.  Just as we suspected, this man was talking on his cell phone and not paying attention to his driving!  We see this so often.  We hear about the dangers of texting and driving… of becoming distracted by our phone, the radio, eating or some other non-driving-related activity.  I kid you not… we passed a woman on a bridge approaching the Arkansas River entering Little Rock yesterday, and she had a pen and pad in her hands. She was making notes to herself as she drove along this incredibly busy stretch of interstate.  The irony is that the traffic had just begun to move in this area again, following a major accident!  Still, we always seem to think that calamity will strike “the other guy” and never ourselves.
 
In many areas of life, we try to “skate by” and dance around the fringe of the law… and reckless driving is only one of them.  We fail to recognize that we are not only “breaking the rules”… we are also disrespecting God-sanctioned government and its officers.  While there may be laws and rules with which we disagree, none of us is above them.  Speed limits are not for the other guy.  The payment of taxes is not arbitrary.  Can you imagine checking out at Wal-Mart and telling the cashier…”Just leave off the sales tax today… I don’t feel like paying it!”?  No!  The privilege of living in a city/state/country comes with some conditions… and taxation is one of them!  Respect for the laws and those who create and enforce them is another.
 
On a more personal level, we have to pay for what we purchase and/or consume.  God calls us to show respect for those who employ us… and those whom we must pay, including our landlords, our lending agents, storekeepers, and persons who provide us with services.  We should not expect anyone to be at our beck and call out of the goodness of their heart.  People may do kind and generous things for us along the way, but to “ride their coat-tails” is incredibly disrespectful.  And God is not pleased.  I always go back to the family of a student I taught who depended on the assistance of Social Services for the basic necessities – food, clothing and shelter.  The father told his caseworker one day that he needed a car – and he told her this in an “I-expect-you-to-get-this-for-me” voice.  The caseworker calmly asked, “What color would you like?”
 
See, the demand was so preposterous… so disrespectful on every level imaginable, that the caseworker couldn’t help but answer with a ridiculous statement.  I wonder how often we are telling God, in essence, “I need a car!” – and expecting Him to deliver? How often are we disobeying and disrespecting Him and those He has placed in our path?  How frequently do we take everything that God has granted us and pretty well throw it back at Him and say, “I need more!”?  When and where have you essentially said to God, “I deserve everything You do for me…but don’t expect me to do anything for You in return.”?
 
Do you see that this is about so much more than obeying law enforcement officers, paying taxes… and paying your bills in general?  Do you understand that God has blessed us exceedingly above all that we could ever deserve… that the very least we can offer Him in return is our respect and appreciation?  Does it make sense to you that anytime you disrespect someone else, you have insulted God?  What do you have to say for yourself?  How can you rectify this situation going forward?  Are you ready to humble yourself before God and thank Him for His many blessings… are you ready to live in obedience and reverence – to honor Him and behave responsibly in all things?  Isn’t today the perfect day to begin?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 2, 2013

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.

Recently on a national cable news program, elected officials from my home state were featured… and not in a good light. These men were making some pretty radical statements…lodging criticisms that were unfair, at best – and in at least one instance, inaccurate. I was embarrassed – not only by these people, but also by the fact that they have in any way colored others’ impression of people from my area.

I did not vote for these men, and I do not agree with their positions. However, I am mandated by God to love them… to behave respectfully toward them and refrain from calling them names or criticizing them personally. They have a right to their beliefs. Do I think that what they propose is good for our state or country? Absolutely not! If their mandates are enacted by a majority vote, I won’t like it. But I will do my best to behave honorably and work within our democratic system to bring about changes. And I will trust God to handle the rest.

I have been amazed and deeply saddened by the comments I have seen and heard from people who claim to be disciples of Christ - mentors in our schools, communities and churches – who have spoken unkindly (and in some cases downright hatefully) about our government and its leaders. You cannot call an elected official a hateful name and then expect children and students of all ages to refrain from name calling in their daily living. You can’t blame the government, the President, or even your city council representative for everything that is wrong in your life, then assume that people will believe you when you say you have faith in God to handle the worries of your day.

In our country, we operate under the tenets of a democracy, which means the majority rule. As individuals, we are not always going to be a part of that majority. This is when we have to trust God to handle what we cannot. We can’t reverse the results of elections… but we can trust God to handle things - regardless of the outcome.

We may feel we have very sound reasons for disliking an elected official and/or the way our government is being run. But God still expects us to show respect. God commands us to honor Him… to follow the rules, serve Him, and trust His ability to handle all things on our behalf. God requires us to love one another – even those who didn’t get our vote. We must behave with dignity, use common sense, and focus on our roles as Disciples of Christ. Some of us have lost sight of this. It’s time we took a serious look at how well we offer grace, mercy and forgiveness to others… even those who didn’t get our vote!

©2013 Debbie Robus