Proverbs 27:11
My child, show good sense! Then I will be happy and able to answer anyone who criticizes me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This passage seemed hard to understand at first, and then I began to think about it in terms of recent events… particularly the general election. I am not going to “talk politics” here, but while many were elated over at least some of the outcomes, a lot of folks were disappointed. So what do we do when “our guy” loses? How do we react? I laughingly told one friend whose outcome was not as hoped that “I don’t know whether to cry or hit something.”
But honestly, while elections are important, the world isn’t coming to an end because one or more of our candidates didn’t win. And the real “acid test” of our faith and our Christian discipleship lies in how we react now. God wants us to show good sense and leave no room for criticism.
So if your candidates won, congratulations! I pray that you will conduct yourself with dignity and decency… that you won’t gloat over those on “the other side,” and that you will kindly and quietly go about helping your candidate work for the good of all people. I pray that you will ask God to show you how and where to concentrate your efforts in the days to come… to outline your role as His disciple and what you must do to accomplish His work.
If your candidate was on the short end of the vote, I pray that you will also behave with dignity and decency… gracious in defeat and ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work on whatever God has in store for you next.
In the days leading up to the election, I did not pray for specific candidates to win… not even “my” candidates. I prayed that sensibility, responsibility, and decency would prevail… that God would allow candidates who could move our country forward and work together for common goals to be elected. I did pray that God would bless and care for each candidate and move in him/her according to His will and purposes.
Now, I have to be sensible and trust these outcomes. I know that God is just as much in control today as he was yesterday or the day before. I know that He has plans for each of us, regardless of the election results… and it’s our job to figure out what those plans are and get busy working on them! Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and do your part? Are you ready to be sensible and make God proud?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label sensible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sensible. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 30, 2010
Proverbs 23:19
Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently some former schoolmates of mine were having a discussion on Facebook about climbing Sugar Loaf. One of them said she had never made the climb, and she had heard it is quite dangerous. The rest of us remarked that yes, the climb could possibly be dangerous if you took the wrong path or tried to ascend to the top in the wrong divide in the rocks.
Honestly, the path is pretty clear. There is very little room for error… until you get to the rock outcropping. If you venture too far, you’ll find yourself at a crevice that is too steep and treacherous to climb… and there is a faint path that leads in this direction (probably from those who have so frequently gone too far!). We suggested to this friend that she take someone with her who is familiar with the mountain and has made the climb… a seasoned guide who can “show her the ropes.”
I know you see where I’m going with this. The path to living for Jesus is pretty clear, but there are times we need a Guide to help us with the more difficult areas or to keep us on the right course… and we have One! All we have to do is listen to God… to follow His lead and stay on the path He shows us, and we will “ascend to the top” safely and with relative ease. But so often, we are not sensible. We listen to the voice of the devil whispering in our ear that “our way is better, or more fun, faster, or easier.” And the next thing you know, we’ve made a huge mess of things.
We need to learn to listen to God. We need to pay attention to His guidance and stick to His pathway. He will NEVER steer us wrong. He will ALWAYS keep us safe. And as a bonus, the “views at the Top” are amazing! Who are you listening to these days? Do you have enough sense to follow the right path?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently some former schoolmates of mine were having a discussion on Facebook about climbing Sugar Loaf. One of them said she had never made the climb, and she had heard it is quite dangerous. The rest of us remarked that yes, the climb could possibly be dangerous if you took the wrong path or tried to ascend to the top in the wrong divide in the rocks.
Honestly, the path is pretty clear. There is very little room for error… until you get to the rock outcropping. If you venture too far, you’ll find yourself at a crevice that is too steep and treacherous to climb… and there is a faint path that leads in this direction (probably from those who have so frequently gone too far!). We suggested to this friend that she take someone with her who is familiar with the mountain and has made the climb… a seasoned guide who can “show her the ropes.”
I know you see where I’m going with this. The path to living for Jesus is pretty clear, but there are times we need a Guide to help us with the more difficult areas or to keep us on the right course… and we have One! All we have to do is listen to God… to follow His lead and stay on the path He shows us, and we will “ascend to the top” safely and with relative ease. But so often, we are not sensible. We listen to the voice of the devil whispering in our ear that “our way is better, or more fun, faster, or easier.” And the next thing you know, we’ve made a huge mess of things.
We need to learn to listen to God. We need to pay attention to His guidance and stick to His pathway. He will NEVER steer us wrong. He will ALWAYS keep us safe. And as a bonus, the “views at the Top” are amazing! Who are you listening to these days? Do you have enough sense to follow the right path?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 28, 2010
Proverbs 23:15-16
My children, if you show good sense, I will be happy, and if you are truthful, I will really be glad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Watching a child master something you have taught him/her is incredibly rewarding. I remember countless times when I was teaching kindergarten and first grade students and a child would master a task or skill… learning to tie his/her shoes, being able to write his/her name legibly, counting to twenty or more, reading a passage in a book and understanding the meaning… so many accomplishments. Each one was a victory for the child… but also for me as I watched this child grow and develop with my guidance.
I related to someone recently how my husband and I have observed the little boy we sponsor through Compassion International go from drawing self-portraits that consisted of a circle with two big eyes and a smile and stick arms and legs protruding to intricately detailed drawings of himself, cars, buildings, and more… all in the span of four years. We can physically see the growth and development that is occurring in Kodjo, and we are proud of all he is accomplishing.
God takes the same kind of pride in seeing us grow… mentally, physically, and spiritually. And as we develop a deeper relationship with Him and truly start to “get it,” He is delighted. But the real joy comes when we begin to share His truths with others… and to genuinely walk in them and speak them.
It’s one thing to love God and want to serve Him, but it’s quite another to cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Him… one where He is front and center, and the focus of your very being is to serve Him truthfully in everything you say and do. Imagine the joy you can experience, knowing that you are pleasing God. Envision His joy and pride in you, as you serve Him truthfully, with good sense!
This should be our goal as Christian disciples. Once we get to a point (or closer to it) where we operate totally from a desire to please God… to always use good sense and speak His truths… doors open, opportunities to serve Him even more appear, and blessings flow. Ask God to show you how you can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. Ask Him to give you common sense and the wisdom to always speak His truths. He will be glad you asked… and so will you.
©2010 Debbie Robus
To learn more about Compassion, International - or to sponsor your own child - visit www.compassion.com.
My children, if you show good sense, I will be happy, and if you are truthful, I will really be glad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Watching a child master something you have taught him/her is incredibly rewarding. I remember countless times when I was teaching kindergarten and first grade students and a child would master a task or skill… learning to tie his/her shoes, being able to write his/her name legibly, counting to twenty or more, reading a passage in a book and understanding the meaning… so many accomplishments. Each one was a victory for the child… but also for me as I watched this child grow and develop with my guidance.
I related to someone recently how my husband and I have observed the little boy we sponsor through Compassion International go from drawing self-portraits that consisted of a circle with two big eyes and a smile and stick arms and legs protruding to intricately detailed drawings of himself, cars, buildings, and more… all in the span of four years. We can physically see the growth and development that is occurring in Kodjo, and we are proud of all he is accomplishing.
God takes the same kind of pride in seeing us grow… mentally, physically, and spiritually. And as we develop a deeper relationship with Him and truly start to “get it,” He is delighted. But the real joy comes when we begin to share His truths with others… and to genuinely walk in them and speak them.
It’s one thing to love God and want to serve Him, but it’s quite another to cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Him… one where He is front and center, and the focus of your very being is to serve Him truthfully in everything you say and do. Imagine the joy you can experience, knowing that you are pleasing God. Envision His joy and pride in you, as you serve Him truthfully, with good sense!
This should be our goal as Christian disciples. Once we get to a point (or closer to it) where we operate totally from a desire to please God… to always use good sense and speak His truths… doors open, opportunities to serve Him even more appear, and blessings flow. Ask God to show you how you can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. Ask Him to give you common sense and the wisdom to always speak His truths. He will be glad you asked… and so will you.
©2010 Debbie Robus
To learn more about Compassion, International - or to sponsor your own child - visit www.compassion.com.
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