Acts 3:17-20
“Dear brothers, I realize that what you
did to Jesus was done in ignorance; and the same can be said of your
leaders. But God was fulfilling the prophecies that the Messiah must
suffer all these things. Now change your mind and attitude to God and
turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful
times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord and send Jesus your
Messiah back to you again.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
It happens every day...all
over the world...in workplaces, among family members and friends, on
social media, and yes – in even in our churches. People make snap
judgments, say and do hurtful things, and mistreat others out of their
own ignorance – or at best, a failure to collect all of the facts
beforehand.
- “We wouldn’t need Food Stamps and other forms of public assistance if people would quit being so lazy and get a job.”
There is no effort to understand how difficult some families and
individuals find it to stretch a dollar while working at a minimum wage
job.
- “He has such musical talent...if he really loved the LORD, he’d sing in the choir.”
Perhaps this person has a “plate” already so full - and burdens so big
- that there simply is not a spare minute to devote to such an
activity, even if he wanted to do so!
- “She must not
care about her aging mother...I never see her visit, and I’ve noticed
that other people are always doing things for this dear woman that her
daughter should be doing.” Maybe this person’s needs exceed what
the daughter is medically qualified to handle...or maybe she visits at
odd hours. Perhaps she has a spouse who is ill...or small children -
and a job...and others have offered to step in and help her with these
duties. Or perhaps her mother has told her that she does not want her
care and “interference”.
- “I don’t understand why that child’s parents allow him/her to look/behave that way...they should try harder.”
Perhaps this child has special needs that offer a challenge to everyone
concerned with his/her care. Maybe the parents ARE trying...or maybe
they need a loving, caring person to offer them gentle, concrete
assistance and guidance.
- “Tell your mom that you all need to get to church on time...your family is always late!”
Is this really the child’s fault? Does this help get the family to
church sooner, or will it make the children feel badly – and irritate
the parents that someone nagged them? Shouldn’t this person be glad the
children actually came to church, rather than berate them for their
tardiness?
- “That kid is just weird. He never does
anything with other students. He isn’t all that friendly, and all he
does is read or stare into space.” This kid lives with a single mom
who has a drug addiction and an eating disorder. He never knows if she
will be alive when he returns home. Or perhaps there is abuse and neglect in his home. His heart is heavy...and his mind
is full. It’s all he can do to get back and forth to school each day.
These
are but a few examples of judgments that we pass on others...often
without all of the facts or a “Spiritual filter” in place. Whether we
know what we are doing or truly do act out of innocence and ignorance,
we must often depend on the forgiveness and mercy of the other guy...and
God...to set us straight and keep us in “good graces”. And I would be
willing to bet that all of us have experienced the refreshment of said
grace and forgiveness at least once in our own lives!
Here’s the
thing...we would all do well to stop “shooting from the hip” so often.
We would be better served to pause, look, listen...and PRAY before we
pass judgment, open our mouths, or jump into action. We need to start
at the top...and treat our relationship with Jesus more tenderly,
reverently and respectfully...then ask Him to help us expand these
mercies outwardly in our interactions and associations with others. We
should remember that we are representatives of Jesus to the world at
large...and when we fail to operate in grace and mercy, we project a
false depiction of the love of Christ and the refreshing renewal that He
offers to each of us through His blood on the Cross.
We have
been given such an incredible gift in the form of salvation through
Jesus. His mercies toward us are poured out new every single day –
often many times! Now it is our time to share these mercies with
others...to turn around and face His cleansing refreshment, receive His
restoring love and care – and share it with the world.
Which direction are you facing today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Deuteronomy 4:29-31
In all of your troubles, you may finally decide that you want to worship only the Lord. And if you turn back to him and obey him completely, he will again be your God. The Lord your God will have mercy—he won’t destroy you or desert you. The Lord will remember his promise, and he will keep the agreement he made with your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our five-year-old nephew, Timothy, plays this little game with me sometimes when we are at the park or out in the yard where he runs and expects me to chase him. He will look back and say, “You can’t catch me!” I often laugh and tease him, “I don’t want to catch you!” I’m fairly certain that he will not go very far…that he will double back pretty quickly and return to me. Timothy will dart from tree to tree in the park, stopping to pick up a leaf or a stick. Or he will amble along singing to himself and just basking in his “freedom”. Once in a while I have to take a few steps toward him and reel him in a bit…but usually I simply stand back and watch…and allow him to find his way back to the playground or driveway. I’m not about to let him get too close to the lake or run into the street…but I have let him wander far enough away that he couldn’t see me momentarily (I can always see him!)…and he gets a little concerned and returns pretty swiftly!
Timothy also seems to worry just a little about getting older. He recently told his barber that his hair was growing fast because…“I’m just getting old.” When we tell him that he is growing up and becoming such a big boy, he will quickly ask, “But I’m still your baby…right?” It is very important to him to be reassured that we will always love him…always be here for him, no matter how old he gets or what happens.
Can I tell you something? You will always be God’s baby! There very well may be a time in your life when you run from God…a time when you decide that you can do a better job of managing your life on your own. You may conclude that you don’t like His “rules”…that Christian discipleship is just not your thing – or that it isn’t working well for you. You might determine that life would be a whole lot more fun if you weren’t constantly worried about God looking over your shoulder. And so you take off and run. You dabble with this “leaf” or that “twig”…and you may actually think you have gotten out of God’s sight!
But you are only fooling yourself. I promise you, for every minute of “fun” you think you are having in the devil’s world, you are missing out on real joy that comes from the freedom of living in God’s will. Yes, I said freedom. Because keeping God at the forefront of your life will provide you with the true liberation to fully live…to enjoy everything He has given you with abandonment. No more looking over your shoulder to see if someone is judging you or poised to check you for your choices and behaviors. No more worrying about whether you are doing the right thing…no more uneasiness that this might not be the best path to take. You know that you know that you know that you are living within God’s plan…that He is guiding each and every step and giving you all you need to enjoy your journey.
Does this mean everything will be easy and a bed of roses? No…but it won’t matter, because you will know that God has your back! Trust me…this makes a world of difference! ABC News anchor Robin Roberts has written a new book titled Everybody’s Got Something…and she is exactly right. But Roberts would be the first to tell you that when God is in charge of your life, you can handle anything with His help!
I know that I have to allow Timothy to try a few things…and to make his own mistakes along the way. And this is what God does with us. But He is always there…willing and waiting to welcome us back into His arms. Don’t keep wandering farther and farther away. Turn back to Him…sooner than later…and start experiencing all that He has to offer you. God has not deserted you. He is waiting for you to turn around and recognize Him…to return to Him – or maybe to call on Him for the first time ever. As the Nike slogan says, “Just do it!” You’re still God’s baby…turn around and come back to Him. Make this the day that you stop running from God…and really start to live!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Malachi 2:4-5
I am telling you this, so I can continue to keep my agreement with your ancestor Levi. I blessed him with a full life, as I had promised, and he kept his part of the agreement by honoring me and respecting my name. He taught the truth and never told lies, and he led a lot of people to turn from sin, because he obeyed me and lived right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently our church held a baptism at our city’s public beach. Ten children and youth and 2 adults were baptized. After the service, a friend approached us and began to share how she had been touched by this event. One of the young girls baptized was a member of her “small group”, and she explained that she loved her “girls” like her own daughters. She said (I’m paraphrasing here)…“We talk about everything. I have told them that I made my share of mistakes… and they will, too… and God will still love them.”
This is the message of today’s scripture passage. I went back to Genesis and Exodus and refreshed my memory about Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah. In Genesis 34, we read how Levi and his brother Simeon sought revenge on the family of Shechem, who had raped their sister Dinah. The brothers killed Shechem and his family and pillaged their home and property… and Jacob was not pleased. In fact, he cursed Levi and Simeon for this. (Does this sound like “Real Housewives – or House Men – of the Bible?!”)
We also read in Exodus 32 how the people of Levi’s tribe (Levites) waited for Moses to bring the tablets with God’s commands down from Mt. Sinai. They did not worship the golden calf that had been created by Aaron and his followers. For this, God blessed the tribe of Levi. He didn’t promise them land, which was a common reward in that era. Instead, God promised them something far more valuable and enduring... God promised to scatter His love and care throughout the subsequent generations of Levi. He promised to bless their honor, respect and obedience with the gift of a full life in Him.
Remember, these were Old Testament writings. Jesus had not come to die on the cross. He was yet another of God’s gifts to those who are respectful, honest and obedient… those who trust in Him to meet their every need. I tell you all of this to reiterate what my friend said… we all make mistakes. We may not kill and loot an entire village of people… rob and steal, abuse animals and people alike, as Levi and Simeon did to Shechem’s family. But we will sin, just the same. And there is nothing we can do that God cannot forgive – if we are truly repentant and humble. There is nothing we can do to make God stop loving us!
The only way we could possibly make God turn His back on us would be to turn our backs on Him and renounce Him for good. Trust me… some have tried this for a while. They have wandered away from God for a season… maybe even claimed that God does not exist. But even these people can experience God’s love and blessings again… if only they will turn around and claim Him once more. This should give us all tremendous peace and comfort!
Someone needs this message today. Someone needs to know that God still loves them! One or more of us need to hear that God will take us back…set us upright…forgive us whatever it is we have done that seems so horrid and shameful… and bless us beyond anything we could ever imagine! All we have to do is turn to Him… give Him our honest, humble, obedient love and respect… acknowledge His son, Jesus Christ, as our savior…and earnestly ask for forgiveness. It truly is that simple.
Peace and restoration are just a prayer away. What are you waiting for?
©2013 Debbie Robus
