Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and the disciples
continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a
woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister Mary sat on
the floor, listening to Jesus as he talked.
But Martha was the jittery type and was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.
She
came to Jesus and said, “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my
sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help
me.”
But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so
upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being
concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from
her!”
The Living Bible
copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights
reserved.
For the last few years, I have worked with
children at church as a Sunday school teacher and VBS assistant. Now
that Timothy, Zola and Nathan are in school, I also volunteer in their
classrooms. I never lost my love for teaching – or children…but as I
work with children nowadays, I am reminded of an incredibly critical
objective – to keep the main thing the main thing!
What does
this mean? As I look at the children in each classroom, I see little
minds ready to be filled with wisdom and knowledge. But more
importantly, I see little hearts that need to be filled with love…the
love of Jesus - and my own. On any given day, we have no clue what kids
bring to the classroom. Some are foster children who may have been
shuffled from home to home. Some are living in dysfunctional families
with parents who argue constantly or have mountains of problems that
fill the home with stress and strife. Some have special needs –
physically and mentally - while others just have trouble fitting in with
their peers.
Some are brilliant thinkers…or are highly creative
and need lots of stimulation to nurture their gifts, while others
struggle to grasp even the simplest concepts and need extra attention
and repetition. Some are incredibly athletic and fit, while others can
barely walk a straight line or dribble a ball.
The bottom line is
that each and every child comes hungry for love and attention…for
someone to meet them right where they are in that moment. And if we
miss this as teachers/leaders/volunteers, we have missed the most
important detail of the day. As I look back to the years that I was
actually a public school teacher, I wonder how many days I was more
concerned with getting all of my reports in on time - or meeting stated
goals - and I missed an opportunity to reassure a child. How many times
was I so frustrated and stressed out that I didn’t smile and offer a
kind word to a child who really needed that more than anything else?
I
cannot return to my kindergarten classroom of the 80s…but I can make a
concerted effort moving forward to meet “children” of all ages, right
where they are. We live in “Martha’s” world…but I want “Mary’s” heart!
At the end of the day, my “to-do” list may still be full. But if I hear
the voice of Jesus – and follow His lead, it won’t matter what else is
left unchecked.
Have you discovered the One Thing worth
worrying about…or are you busy with all of the little details? Don’t
miss out on the most important part of Christian discipleship. Learn to
focus on sharing Jesus with others every day – in all that you do.
Trust Him to organize your details. Ensure that the ones that truly
matter are accomplished. Are you ready to focus more on Jesus’ details
and missions than your own? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label sharing Jesus with others. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharing Jesus with others. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 3, 2016
John 20:24-29
But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
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.
In a recent television interview, Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach, Bret Bielema, shared the story of his 27-year-old sister Betsy’s death in 1990. Betsy Bielema was in Seattle, Washington, working with underprivileged children. She broke her neck when she landed on her head after a horse she was riding encountered a snake and threw her. Bret Bielema was understandably devastated by this shocking loss. But he shared that after her passing, his pastor asked him, “What is something you will always remember about Betsy?” Bielema noted that his sister LOVED donuts.
The pastor told Bret Bielema that from now on, whenever he sees donuts, he should stop and tell SOMEONE about his sister…that this will keep her memory alive. Bielema asked the reporter [paraphrased]…”Do you know how many airports I’m in and how many Cinnabon® shops I pass?” He added that he always stops and tells someone about Betsy - sometimes even complete strangers! But Bielema admitted that talking about his sister and remembering keeps her “alive” in his heart and memories.
Even our little children understand that when someone dies, we cannot see them any longer – but they are still “with us.” Just yesterday, four-year-old Nathan was telling me (more to reassure himself) that “God is in our hearts…just like Granny. Granny died, but she is still in our hearts!” And he is so right. We talk about my mother, look at pictures, and carry on some of her “traditions” in an effort to keep her memory strong - and recognize her “presence.”
Quite often, my mother hosted a birthday dinner for my niece, Jasmine. She did this as recently as last year. So this year…Greg and I hosted the dinner. A cousin applauded our efforts to “keep the family strong” and noted that…”It would be way easier to let it all go.” I thought about Coach Bielema…how busy he is and how it must be incredibly inconvenient at times to stop in an airport - or wherever he happens to encounter donuts – and tell someone about his sister.
But what if we just let go of these people? More importantly, what if we just “let Jesus go?” What if we didn’t carry on His work and “believe without seeing?” I still remember the first time I heard this scripture passage taught and realized that people who have never “seen” Jesus (like you and I) – yet believe in Him with our whole hearts – are extra precious to God. It’s easy to love someone, talk about them, and share in their experiences when they are physically with us. But to keep them “alive” after they have passed takes effort…faith…hope…strength…and perseverance.
So this is our mission for today…to “Keep Jesus Alive!” We must go the extra mile to do His work and share His message with others. We must be willing to “stop people in an airport” and tell them about this amazing Prince of Peace that none of us can physically “see”…but Who is completely present with us at all times - in ways great and small. We must honor the importance that God has given to each of us in His Kingdom. We must trust in an unseen Savior…and “make Him real” to others.
It would be way easier to let it all go…but then we would be left with absolutely nothing. And I want no part of a life without Jesus…what about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
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.
In a recent television interview, Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach, Bret Bielema, shared the story of his 27-year-old sister Betsy’s death in 1990. Betsy Bielema was in Seattle, Washington, working with underprivileged children. She broke her neck when she landed on her head after a horse she was riding encountered a snake and threw her. Bret Bielema was understandably devastated by this shocking loss. But he shared that after her passing, his pastor asked him, “What is something you will always remember about Betsy?” Bielema noted that his sister LOVED donuts.
The pastor told Bret Bielema that from now on, whenever he sees donuts, he should stop and tell SOMEONE about his sister…that this will keep her memory alive. Bielema asked the reporter [paraphrased]…”Do you know how many airports I’m in and how many Cinnabon® shops I pass?” He added that he always stops and tells someone about Betsy - sometimes even complete strangers! But Bielema admitted that talking about his sister and remembering keeps her “alive” in his heart and memories.
Even our little children understand that when someone dies, we cannot see them any longer – but they are still “with us.” Just yesterday, four-year-old Nathan was telling me (more to reassure himself) that “God is in our hearts…just like Granny. Granny died, but she is still in our hearts!” And he is so right. We talk about my mother, look at pictures, and carry on some of her “traditions” in an effort to keep her memory strong - and recognize her “presence.”
Quite often, my mother hosted a birthday dinner for my niece, Jasmine. She did this as recently as last year. So this year…Greg and I hosted the dinner. A cousin applauded our efforts to “keep the family strong” and noted that…”It would be way easier to let it all go.” I thought about Coach Bielema…how busy he is and how it must be incredibly inconvenient at times to stop in an airport - or wherever he happens to encounter donuts – and tell someone about his sister.
But what if we just let go of these people? More importantly, what if we just “let Jesus go?” What if we didn’t carry on His work and “believe without seeing?” I still remember the first time I heard this scripture passage taught and realized that people who have never “seen” Jesus (like you and I) – yet believe in Him with our whole hearts – are extra precious to God. It’s easy to love someone, talk about them, and share in their experiences when they are physically with us. But to keep them “alive” after they have passed takes effort…faith…hope…strength…and perseverance.
So this is our mission for today…to “Keep Jesus Alive!” We must go the extra mile to do His work and share His message with others. We must be willing to “stop people in an airport” and tell them about this amazing Prince of Peace that none of us can physically “see”…but Who is completely present with us at all times - in ways great and small. We must honor the importance that God has given to each of us in His Kingdom. We must trust in an unseen Savior…and “make Him real” to others.
It would be way easier to let it all go…but then we would be left with absolutely nothing. And I want no part of a life without Jesus…what about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 3, 2016
Ephesians 2:8-9
You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Look what I got!” Have you ever said this? Have you ever showed a gift to someone else and said, “Look what XYZ got me!” as if you had really done something special. In truth, you did nothing to merit this gift…someone presented it to you out of love and care. Still, we seem to act as if we really earned such a present!
I heard a sermon lately in which the pastor made a very good point about the crucifixion – and our relationship to it. He noted that during the beatings, the trials and “kangaroo court” that was conducted prior to Jesus' “conviction,” Jesus never spoke. Over and again, Jesus was asked who He really was…or why He didn’t save himself. And we find multiple notations in scripture where Jesus said nothing.
Then, when soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross…when His hands and feet were spiked to the wood, and He hung there for all to see…He asked God to “forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” The pastor pointed out that many – perhaps including you and I – have internalized this to mean that we must forgive others for how they treat us. And in doing so…we have effectively elevated ourselves to a position on the cross - right along with Jesus.
This is absolutely not the case! We could never do what Jesus did…suffer the physical blows that He was dealt…endure His torture and agony – much less ask God to forgive those who did these horrific things to us. In truth, WE are the Roman soldiers, just as much as the men who stood there and drove the nails or flung the whip.
So this amazing, incredible, indescribable gift of salvation for ALL of our sins is completely that – a GIFT! We did nothing to earn it. There is no way we can repay Jesus for it. He gave freely, from His heart…because He cared. So we have no business telling others, “Look what I’ve got!” or “See what I’ve done!” – because we have not done a single thing. It’s all Jesus. I am reminded of a phrase that the late actor Walter Brennan made famous on a TV western in the 60s…”The Guns of Will Sonnet.” Brennan’s character, an old army scout, liked to tell people that he could draw his gun faster than his son. He would qualify this statement by saying…”No brag – just fact!”
In this case, we would have to say, “No brag…just JESUS!” The FACT is that Jesus died for our sins and saved us - and we are called to live in humble gratitude …to honor Him with our servanthood and obedience. We are to let others know that Jesus will extend this same gift to anyone who will surrender to Him and accept His offer. We must live in such a way that others see the gift we have been given – and want in on it for themselves. “No brag…just JESUS!” He deserves all of the credit for our salvation and redemption. Have you been giving Him all that is due?
©2016 Debbie Robus
You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Look what I got!” Have you ever said this? Have you ever showed a gift to someone else and said, “Look what XYZ got me!” as if you had really done something special. In truth, you did nothing to merit this gift…someone presented it to you out of love and care. Still, we seem to act as if we really earned such a present!
I heard a sermon lately in which the pastor made a very good point about the crucifixion – and our relationship to it. He noted that during the beatings, the trials and “kangaroo court” that was conducted prior to Jesus' “conviction,” Jesus never spoke. Over and again, Jesus was asked who He really was…or why He didn’t save himself. And we find multiple notations in scripture where Jesus said nothing.
Then, when soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross…when His hands and feet were spiked to the wood, and He hung there for all to see…He asked God to “forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” The pastor pointed out that many – perhaps including you and I – have internalized this to mean that we must forgive others for how they treat us. And in doing so…we have effectively elevated ourselves to a position on the cross - right along with Jesus.
This is absolutely not the case! We could never do what Jesus did…suffer the physical blows that He was dealt…endure His torture and agony – much less ask God to forgive those who did these horrific things to us. In truth, WE are the Roman soldiers, just as much as the men who stood there and drove the nails or flung the whip.
So this amazing, incredible, indescribable gift of salvation for ALL of our sins is completely that – a GIFT! We did nothing to earn it. There is no way we can repay Jesus for it. He gave freely, from His heart…because He cared. So we have no business telling others, “Look what I’ve got!” or “See what I’ve done!” – because we have not done a single thing. It’s all Jesus. I am reminded of a phrase that the late actor Walter Brennan made famous on a TV western in the 60s…”The Guns of Will Sonnet.” Brennan’s character, an old army scout, liked to tell people that he could draw his gun faster than his son. He would qualify this statement by saying…”No brag – just fact!”
In this case, we would have to say, “No brag…just JESUS!” The FACT is that Jesus died for our sins and saved us - and we are called to live in humble gratitude …to honor Him with our servanthood and obedience. We are to let others know that Jesus will extend this same gift to anyone who will surrender to Him and accept His offer. We must live in such a way that others see the gift we have been given – and want in on it for themselves. “No brag…just JESUS!” He deserves all of the credit for our salvation and redemption. Have you been giving Him all that is due?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 20, 2016
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God. For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning, I asked a group of fourth graders a few thought-provoking questions…”If you were given a million dollars to spend as you pleased, what would you buy? If you could change places with any person, who would it be? If you could be any animal in the world, what would you choose?” The point of this exercise was to get the kids thinking about their choices.
The answers were interesting – and even sweet. Three of the seven children said they would give some of their $1 million to the poor…and then spend the rest on fun things like cars, houses and land. Two boys said they would not trade places with anyone…they are perfectly content with who they are and the life they have. And one girl (who said she would spend her money on land and horses) said she wished to be a horse. But the best answer of the morning came when I asked the kids who among them had given his/her heart to Jesus…and every single hand in the class was raised.
We talked at length today about how Jesus was sinless…and how He chose to take OUR sins upon himself to free us of their burden. We talked about what this cost Jesus…and whether or not we could have physically endured what Christ did. We also talked about how giving our heart to Jesus is not enough…we “have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk,” as one student put it.
I have to say, I was humbled by how these mostly-10-year-old kids seemed to understand the story of “Good Friday” and its events…as well as the crucifixion and what this means for each of us. The theme of our lesson was choices, and I stressed to each person present how important it is for us to choose to put our Christian faith into action. And this is also the theme of this scriptural message from Paul to the Corinthians.
As I shared with the students this morning, there is a difference between giving your heart to Jesus and living for Him - and demonstrating Christian faith and the teachings of Christ afterwards. Baptism doesn’t “save” us and is not a prerequisite for getting into heaven. The thief on the cross who believed in Jesus proved that. But as Paul points out, Jesus exchanged our sin for God’s goodness…and we are expected to demonstrate this to others…every day, in every thought, word and action. Will we make mistakes? You betcha! Must we strive to continually do better? Absolutely.
Are you ready to live out your faith and salvation in this manner? I surely hope so! The start of Holy Week is the perfect time for us to renew our commitment to live for Jesus. There is NO WAY we can ever repay Him for all that he has done for us…but we can make our best effort to live in God’s goodness and share Christ’s message with others. Scriptures tell us that Jesus humbled Himself on our behalf. Isn’t it time we swallowed our pride and did whatever He asks of us? Will this be the week that you begin?
©2016 Debbie Robus
We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God. For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning, I asked a group of fourth graders a few thought-provoking questions…”If you were given a million dollars to spend as you pleased, what would you buy? If you could change places with any person, who would it be? If you could be any animal in the world, what would you choose?” The point of this exercise was to get the kids thinking about their choices.
The answers were interesting – and even sweet. Three of the seven children said they would give some of their $1 million to the poor…and then spend the rest on fun things like cars, houses and land. Two boys said they would not trade places with anyone…they are perfectly content with who they are and the life they have. And one girl (who said she would spend her money on land and horses) said she wished to be a horse. But the best answer of the morning came when I asked the kids who among them had given his/her heart to Jesus…and every single hand in the class was raised.
We talked at length today about how Jesus was sinless…and how He chose to take OUR sins upon himself to free us of their burden. We talked about what this cost Jesus…and whether or not we could have physically endured what Christ did. We also talked about how giving our heart to Jesus is not enough…we “have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk,” as one student put it.
I have to say, I was humbled by how these mostly-10-year-old kids seemed to understand the story of “Good Friday” and its events…as well as the crucifixion and what this means for each of us. The theme of our lesson was choices, and I stressed to each person present how important it is for us to choose to put our Christian faith into action. And this is also the theme of this scriptural message from Paul to the Corinthians.
As I shared with the students this morning, there is a difference between giving your heart to Jesus and living for Him - and demonstrating Christian faith and the teachings of Christ afterwards. Baptism doesn’t “save” us and is not a prerequisite for getting into heaven. The thief on the cross who believed in Jesus proved that. But as Paul points out, Jesus exchanged our sin for God’s goodness…and we are expected to demonstrate this to others…every day, in every thought, word and action. Will we make mistakes? You betcha! Must we strive to continually do better? Absolutely.
Are you ready to live out your faith and salvation in this manner? I surely hope so! The start of Holy Week is the perfect time for us to renew our commitment to live for Jesus. There is NO WAY we can ever repay Him for all that he has done for us…but we can make our best effort to live in God’s goodness and share Christ’s message with others. Scriptures tell us that Jesus humbled Himself on our behalf. Isn’t it time we swallowed our pride and did whatever He asks of us? Will this be the week that you begin?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 3, 2015
2 Timothy 1:6-8
...I want to remind you to stir into flame the strength and boldness that is in you, that entered into you when I laid my hands upon your head and blessed you. For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.
If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord or to let them know that I am your friend even though I am here in jail for Christ’s sake. You will be ready to suffer with me for the Lord, for he will give you strength in suffering.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In October 2014, I shared some of my Mam-ma Polly’s prized “Kentucky Wonder” bean seeds with friends who were visiting from Pennsylvania. These friends are gardening enthusiasts extraordinaire! They planted the seeds last summer and harvested a bumper crop of beans. And a couple of days ago, a squishy padded envelope arrived in our mailbox – dried beans that our friends returned to us with best wishes for a good crop of our own next year. I shared this story with my mother, and we agreed that my Mam-ma Polly would be tickled pink by this. To her, “Kentucky Wonder” beans were like gold!
This got me thinking about my Mam-ma Polly. She’s been on my mind a lot lately. My grandmother was not afraid to speak her mind – about anything! As I noted at her funeral, she was a mess – but she was our mess! For all of the 56 years that I knew her, my Mam-ma Polly was never shy about sharing Jesus with others. She did this in direct ways…and in subtle gestures. Her table always had room for one more. When she met a new neighbor, her first question was always, “Where do you go to church?” She cared for the sick, shared with the needy, and prayed without ceasing. She was an extraordinary role model for love of others and Christian discipleship…and I am blessed by her legacy.
In this letter from the Apostle Paul, we see him encourage Timothy to be bold and courageous…to call on the strength and inner power of God’s Holy Spirit as he represented the love and mercy of Jesus Christ to others. And this is what we are called to do. This is a season of generosity…of sharing love and giving to others. We seem to find it easier to do this in December as we “get in the Christmas mood.” But we need to expand our boldness and discipleship to the other eleven months as well.
It’s easier to share Jesus in these holiday weeks. We smile more…we say “Merry Christmas” and display signage on everything from ornaments to sweatshirts that says, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” We give to charities, bake goodies for friends and acquaintances, and carefully select gifts for everyone from family members to co-workers and needy children. We attend programs that proclaim the “Joy to the World” of Jesus’ coming. We generally demonstrate in ways great and small how much we love Jesus - and how glad we are to celebrate His birth.
My challenge for all of us is to take a page from my Mam-ma Polly’s book and extend this spirit to encompass the entire year. Let’s be more bold and courageous in our demonstrations of Christian faith and love. Let’s do whatever it takes to become more comfortable sharing our story and telling others what Jesus has done in our lives. This may require some practice…but I can tell you, repetition does make it easier! Let’s get in the pattern of smiling more and representing the joy that comes from the peace of our salvation and faith in Jesus.
Even something as simple as the exchange of some pole bean seed can be an act of Christian love and discipleship. I shared one of my grandmother’s most prized possessions with friends…and they reciprocated. This opened the door for dialog and the exchange of love and friendship halfway across the country…and that’s sometimes all it takes to allow others to see Jesus in us…and to spur a deeper discussion of Christian faith.
So get started…just jump in with both feet and do it! Reach out to someone with a smile and a kind word or gesture, and see where God takes you. Love people and genuinely enjoy being with them…and discover where and how God will stir the flame of boldness to further His Kingdom.
©2015 Debbie Robus
...I want to remind you to stir into flame the strength and boldness that is in you, that entered into you when I laid my hands upon your head and blessed you. For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.
If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord or to let them know that I am your friend even though I am here in jail for Christ’s sake. You will be ready to suffer with me for the Lord, for he will give you strength in suffering.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In October 2014, I shared some of my Mam-ma Polly’s prized “Kentucky Wonder” bean seeds with friends who were visiting from Pennsylvania. These friends are gardening enthusiasts extraordinaire! They planted the seeds last summer and harvested a bumper crop of beans. And a couple of days ago, a squishy padded envelope arrived in our mailbox – dried beans that our friends returned to us with best wishes for a good crop of our own next year. I shared this story with my mother, and we agreed that my Mam-ma Polly would be tickled pink by this. To her, “Kentucky Wonder” beans were like gold!
This got me thinking about my Mam-ma Polly. She’s been on my mind a lot lately. My grandmother was not afraid to speak her mind – about anything! As I noted at her funeral, she was a mess – but she was our mess! For all of the 56 years that I knew her, my Mam-ma Polly was never shy about sharing Jesus with others. She did this in direct ways…and in subtle gestures. Her table always had room for one more. When she met a new neighbor, her first question was always, “Where do you go to church?” She cared for the sick, shared with the needy, and prayed without ceasing. She was an extraordinary role model for love of others and Christian discipleship…and I am blessed by her legacy.
In this letter from the Apostle Paul, we see him encourage Timothy to be bold and courageous…to call on the strength and inner power of God’s Holy Spirit as he represented the love and mercy of Jesus Christ to others. And this is what we are called to do. This is a season of generosity…of sharing love and giving to others. We seem to find it easier to do this in December as we “get in the Christmas mood.” But we need to expand our boldness and discipleship to the other eleven months as well.
It’s easier to share Jesus in these holiday weeks. We smile more…we say “Merry Christmas” and display signage on everything from ornaments to sweatshirts that says, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” We give to charities, bake goodies for friends and acquaintances, and carefully select gifts for everyone from family members to co-workers and needy children. We attend programs that proclaim the “Joy to the World” of Jesus’ coming. We generally demonstrate in ways great and small how much we love Jesus - and how glad we are to celebrate His birth.
My challenge for all of us is to take a page from my Mam-ma Polly’s book and extend this spirit to encompass the entire year. Let’s be more bold and courageous in our demonstrations of Christian faith and love. Let’s do whatever it takes to become more comfortable sharing our story and telling others what Jesus has done in our lives. This may require some practice…but I can tell you, repetition does make it easier! Let’s get in the pattern of smiling more and representing the joy that comes from the peace of our salvation and faith in Jesus.
Even something as simple as the exchange of some pole bean seed can be an act of Christian love and discipleship. I shared one of my grandmother’s most prized possessions with friends…and they reciprocated. This opened the door for dialog and the exchange of love and friendship halfway across the country…and that’s sometimes all it takes to allow others to see Jesus in us…and to spur a deeper discussion of Christian faith.
So get started…just jump in with both feet and do it! Reach out to someone with a smile and a kind word or gesture, and see where God takes you. Love people and genuinely enjoy being with them…and discover where and how God will stir the flame of boldness to further His Kingdom.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 29, 2015
Matthew 15:3-9
But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:
These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”
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.
Nathan has developed a new “game” that he likes to play where he hides behind an open door (in the little wedge of space between the door and the wall), peers through the crack where the hinges are…and says, “I’m hiding! You can’t see me!” Whether he realizes that we indeed can see him or not, he revels in his perceived “cover.”
This is his way of saying, “I know you are there, but since you can’t see what I’m really doing behind this door, it doesn’t count!” I’ve warned him repeatedly that he is going to pinch is little fingers in that hinge space someday…and he continues to test this idea. It will be a sad day if/when this happens.
We are all hiding and testing God, in some way. We go to church on Sunday, read our Bible, and “say and do all the right things.” But then we hide behind the “door” of our Christian faith and judge others. We pretend that no one can see us when we commit sins – of all kinds (I’ll let you fill in the blank). We claim the name of Jesus as we interpret scripture to suit our own needs and desires…or to condemn others…and we try to mold the meaning of Christian discipleship to fit the way we want things to be. In a nutshell, we fail to keep the main thing (Jesus), the Main Thing! And someday, a lot of us are going to get our fingers pinched in the doorway.
Nowhere in the Bible will you find a lot of the things that “Christians” hold to so dearly as the be-all-end-all tenets of their faith. Scripture doesn’t say that we have to shove God’s commandments down the throats of others – or plaster them on our walls. There is no Bible verse that tells us that we must pray at a certain hour each day – in a certain place…or that we must offer a prayer before every meal or ballgame. There is no specific commandment that tells us that we are to let every person who thinks or feels differently from us know that we are right – and they are wrong.
If you boil it down to what the Bible does say, you will see that we are commanded to love and respect God…to love others as He loves them and as we love ourselves…and to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus with our words and actions. Everything else is just a smokescreen that the devil likes to use to make us think we are something we aren’t…that we can hide behind God and have it our way – and drag others along for the ride. Yes, someday, a whole lot of us are going to get pinched!
Where are you hiding today? How are you using God and your Christian faith as a “cover” to do as you please? Where have you twisted scripture to suit your desires and attitudes? Are you really ready to step out into the light of day and be who God has called you to be…to serve Him as He desires…to truly dig into His word and find out what He is saying…and to act on His intentions, not your own? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:
These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”
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.
Nathan has developed a new “game” that he likes to play where he hides behind an open door (in the little wedge of space between the door and the wall), peers through the crack where the hinges are…and says, “I’m hiding! You can’t see me!” Whether he realizes that we indeed can see him or not, he revels in his perceived “cover.”
This is his way of saying, “I know you are there, but since you can’t see what I’m really doing behind this door, it doesn’t count!” I’ve warned him repeatedly that he is going to pinch is little fingers in that hinge space someday…and he continues to test this idea. It will be a sad day if/when this happens.
We are all hiding and testing God, in some way. We go to church on Sunday, read our Bible, and “say and do all the right things.” But then we hide behind the “door” of our Christian faith and judge others. We pretend that no one can see us when we commit sins – of all kinds (I’ll let you fill in the blank). We claim the name of Jesus as we interpret scripture to suit our own needs and desires…or to condemn others…and we try to mold the meaning of Christian discipleship to fit the way we want things to be. In a nutshell, we fail to keep the main thing (Jesus), the Main Thing! And someday, a lot of us are going to get our fingers pinched in the doorway.
Nowhere in the Bible will you find a lot of the things that “Christians” hold to so dearly as the be-all-end-all tenets of their faith. Scripture doesn’t say that we have to shove God’s commandments down the throats of others – or plaster them on our walls. There is no Bible verse that tells us that we must pray at a certain hour each day – in a certain place…or that we must offer a prayer before every meal or ballgame. There is no specific commandment that tells us that we are to let every person who thinks or feels differently from us know that we are right – and they are wrong.
If you boil it down to what the Bible does say, you will see that we are commanded to love and respect God…to love others as He loves them and as we love ourselves…and to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus with our words and actions. Everything else is just a smokescreen that the devil likes to use to make us think we are something we aren’t…that we can hide behind God and have it our way – and drag others along for the ride. Yes, someday, a whole lot of us are going to get pinched!
Where are you hiding today? How are you using God and your Christian faith as a “cover” to do as you please? Where have you twisted scripture to suit your desires and attitudes? Are you really ready to step out into the light of day and be who God has called you to be…to serve Him as He desires…to truly dig into His word and find out what He is saying…and to act on His intentions, not your own? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 3, 2015
Romans 5:6-8
Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday while I was working out in the pool, a mother arrived with two toddlers. The oldest was about 2½, and I am guessing his little sister was just past one. Both children were wearing “puddle jumpers” – a type of flotation device that secures around the middle of the body and has additional flotation bands for each arm. Our kids have them, and they work great!
The older brother got right into the water and began paddling around. Soon he got out and talked with his mother and baby sister, and then he moved to the edge of the pool and positioned himself to jump back into the water. Except he didn’t jump. He counted…”1…2…” His mother counted…”1…2…3…JUMP!” I watched this little guy as he tried so hard to make the leap. He wanted to so badly, but there was a part of him that just wasn’t ready. He even trembled a little. And there was no one in the water to catch him. I was positioned quite a distance away, and his mom and sister were sitting on the pool deck.
After a few seconds, the child did jump. And everyone applauded. Subsequently, he jumped in several times…demonstrating a little fear and trepidation each time. But with every successive leap, he went a little farther a little sooner – and made a bigger splash.
As I read this passage today, I thought of the little boy. Whether we will admit it or not, some of us have made up our minds to jump fully into a life with Christ – but something holds us back. Let’s be honest…a lot of times, our sins are fun – or feel pretty good! It’s tough to make that final leap and give it all up – even to the One who gave up EVERYTHING for us. For whatever reason, we are quite often simply “not ready” – or “not ready enough”!
It is indeed a great thing that Jesus didn’t wait on us to make up our minds…that He didn’t say, “When Debbie…(or you…or that other guy) decides that she/he is ready to go all in for Me and surrender fully from sin, I will be ready to allow the soldiers to nail me to a cross.” Jesus knew that this would never happen. He knows how weak we humans are. But the bigger thing is that our salvation is not based on when, where and how we are ready to live for Jesus. He has always been ready to live – and die - for us!
This is what makes Salvation in Jesus Christ so special and amazing…that He has been ready to sacrifice so much for us whether we were ready to live for Him and serve Him or not. Because you see, we do have a choice…and sadly, there will be some who are never ready. I cannot understand this…and you probably can’t either. We must do all we can to demonstrate how glorious a life in Christ is…how amazing it is to love and serve a Risen Savior…how He makes every aspect of our lives better and more hopeful. We must give others a reason to choose Jesus by living in a way that causes them to say, “I want what he/she has!”
I completely identify with the toddler learning to jump. There are a lot of things in this big ole world that can be pretty scary! And fully surrendering your life to Christ Jesus can be one of them. But oh, the rewards are so amazing! There may not be visible or audible applause and cheering – but I assure you that there is some clapping going on in heaven. And as we learn to give God control and walk in His ways instead of our own, the “jumps” get easier…and the “splashes” get bigger!
My question for you today is…”Have you let go of the edge and ‘jumped in’ with Jesus?” Whether you are “ready” or not…the time to take this leap is now! Don’t look back…just jump! Jesus will be waiting to catch you.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday while I was working out in the pool, a mother arrived with two toddlers. The oldest was about 2½, and I am guessing his little sister was just past one. Both children were wearing “puddle jumpers” – a type of flotation device that secures around the middle of the body and has additional flotation bands for each arm. Our kids have them, and they work great!
The older brother got right into the water and began paddling around. Soon he got out and talked with his mother and baby sister, and then he moved to the edge of the pool and positioned himself to jump back into the water. Except he didn’t jump. He counted…”1…2…” His mother counted…”1…2…3…JUMP!” I watched this little guy as he tried so hard to make the leap. He wanted to so badly, but there was a part of him that just wasn’t ready. He even trembled a little. And there was no one in the water to catch him. I was positioned quite a distance away, and his mom and sister were sitting on the pool deck.
After a few seconds, the child did jump. And everyone applauded. Subsequently, he jumped in several times…demonstrating a little fear and trepidation each time. But with every successive leap, he went a little farther a little sooner – and made a bigger splash.
As I read this passage today, I thought of the little boy. Whether we will admit it or not, some of us have made up our minds to jump fully into a life with Christ – but something holds us back. Let’s be honest…a lot of times, our sins are fun – or feel pretty good! It’s tough to make that final leap and give it all up – even to the One who gave up EVERYTHING for us. For whatever reason, we are quite often simply “not ready” – or “not ready enough”!
It is indeed a great thing that Jesus didn’t wait on us to make up our minds…that He didn’t say, “When Debbie…(or you…or that other guy) decides that she/he is ready to go all in for Me and surrender fully from sin, I will be ready to allow the soldiers to nail me to a cross.” Jesus knew that this would never happen. He knows how weak we humans are. But the bigger thing is that our salvation is not based on when, where and how we are ready to live for Jesus. He has always been ready to live – and die - for us!
This is what makes Salvation in Jesus Christ so special and amazing…that He has been ready to sacrifice so much for us whether we were ready to live for Him and serve Him or not. Because you see, we do have a choice…and sadly, there will be some who are never ready. I cannot understand this…and you probably can’t either. We must do all we can to demonstrate how glorious a life in Christ is…how amazing it is to love and serve a Risen Savior…how He makes every aspect of our lives better and more hopeful. We must give others a reason to choose Jesus by living in a way that causes them to say, “I want what he/she has!”
I completely identify with the toddler learning to jump. There are a lot of things in this big ole world that can be pretty scary! And fully surrendering your life to Christ Jesus can be one of them. But oh, the rewards are so amazing! There may not be visible or audible applause and cheering – but I assure you that there is some clapping going on in heaven. And as we learn to give God control and walk in His ways instead of our own, the “jumps” get easier…and the “splashes” get bigger!
My question for you today is…”Have you let go of the edge and ‘jumped in’ with Jesus?” Whether you are “ready” or not…the time to take this leap is now! Don’t look back…just jump! Jesus will be waiting to catch you.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 29, 2015
1 Peter 1:23
For you have a new life. It was not passed on to you from your parents, for the life they gave you will fade away. This new one will last forever, for it comes from Christ, God’s ever-living Message to men.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I’ve been scanning old photographs recently…and taking a trip down “Memory Lane” in the process. As I look back over the years at pictures of my family members, I’ve thought a lot about how certain people have played significant roles in my life…special times we have shared…and the “life lessons” they have provided.
My own parents have been “accomplished” in many ways. My dad was talented and creative…and he never met a stranger. Half of the wrought iron and metal work in this county was probably created by my daddy in his welding shop – and designed on a paper napkin as he ate a bologna sandwich for lunch! He could literally put out fires as a volunteer fireman, or console grieving families in his role as a funeral director. My dad was the ultimate jack-of-all-trades…and I thought there was nothing that he couldn’t do.
Countless children got their “start” at the feet of my mother as she taught kindergarten, both in our home and then in the public schools. She is responsible for the musical foundation of more than one accomplished pianist or organist, including the woman who been the heart and soul our local public school music program for over 40 years. Mother is a well-known and respected writer… author of seven books to date. “Granny”, as the kids call her, is known for her tuna casserole, chicken pie, pimiento cheese and sweet potatoes with marshmallows. And she is a “documented” dog lover. Countless people know her as the lady whose dogs walked HER all over town!
My parents gave me a wonderful start in life…and I am proud of both of them. But they gave me something else that is far more important…an example of what it means to have New Life in Christ. In recent years, I have gained a new appreciation for how both of my parents embraced Jesus and served Him…not only through service to their church and its missions – but in the community at large. None of us is perfect, but my parents both have reputations for loving and encouraging others, demonstrating tremendous faith and courage in the face of crises and difficulties, and recognizing that their New Life in Christ is the one that truly matters.
Here’s the thing…we can have great parents who give us tremendous examples of how to live well. We can be nurtured, encouraged, trained and inspired by them and other “parental figures” in our lives…and we can turn out to be pretty great people, by all accounts. But if we are not reborn in Christ Jesus, none of it matters. You can have the best parents in the world, but if you don’t claim your place as a child of the Most High God, you can’t truly “live”. And we must “pay this forward” and encourage others to invite Jesus to live in our hearts…and join His heavenly family, as well.
I am so very grateful for all that my parents have given me. But at the same time, I am even more indebted to Jesus for what HE did for me…how He suffered, bled and died for my sins…how He came to earth to show us how to truly live. And I am convicted that we who are His children are called to tell others about the New Life that Jesus offers…to encourage others to be reborn in Him and secure THEIR place at His heavenly table forever and ever.
The question we have to ask ourselves is which life we are living…the one our natural parents gave us…or the one secured for us by Jesus Christ. Your answer matters…for all Eternity. Which “life” will you choose?
©2015 Debbie Robus
For you have a new life. It was not passed on to you from your parents, for the life they gave you will fade away. This new one will last forever, for it comes from Christ, God’s ever-living Message to men.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I’ve been scanning old photographs recently…and taking a trip down “Memory Lane” in the process. As I look back over the years at pictures of my family members, I’ve thought a lot about how certain people have played significant roles in my life…special times we have shared…and the “life lessons” they have provided.
My own parents have been “accomplished” in many ways. My dad was talented and creative…and he never met a stranger. Half of the wrought iron and metal work in this county was probably created by my daddy in his welding shop – and designed on a paper napkin as he ate a bologna sandwich for lunch! He could literally put out fires as a volunteer fireman, or console grieving families in his role as a funeral director. My dad was the ultimate jack-of-all-trades…and I thought there was nothing that he couldn’t do.
Countless children got their “start” at the feet of my mother as she taught kindergarten, both in our home and then in the public schools. She is responsible for the musical foundation of more than one accomplished pianist or organist, including the woman who been the heart and soul our local public school music program for over 40 years. Mother is a well-known and respected writer… author of seven books to date. “Granny”, as the kids call her, is known for her tuna casserole, chicken pie, pimiento cheese and sweet potatoes with marshmallows. And she is a “documented” dog lover. Countless people know her as the lady whose dogs walked HER all over town!
My parents gave me a wonderful start in life…and I am proud of both of them. But they gave me something else that is far more important…an example of what it means to have New Life in Christ. In recent years, I have gained a new appreciation for how both of my parents embraced Jesus and served Him…not only through service to their church and its missions – but in the community at large. None of us is perfect, but my parents both have reputations for loving and encouraging others, demonstrating tremendous faith and courage in the face of crises and difficulties, and recognizing that their New Life in Christ is the one that truly matters.
Here’s the thing…we can have great parents who give us tremendous examples of how to live well. We can be nurtured, encouraged, trained and inspired by them and other “parental figures” in our lives…and we can turn out to be pretty great people, by all accounts. But if we are not reborn in Christ Jesus, none of it matters. You can have the best parents in the world, but if you don’t claim your place as a child of the Most High God, you can’t truly “live”. And we must “pay this forward” and encourage others to invite Jesus to live in our hearts…and join His heavenly family, as well.
I am so very grateful for all that my parents have given me. But at the same time, I am even more indebted to Jesus for what HE did for me…how He suffered, bled and died for my sins…how He came to earth to show us how to truly live. And I am convicted that we who are His children are called to tell others about the New Life that Jesus offers…to encourage others to be reborn in Him and secure THEIR place at His heavenly table forever and ever.
The question we have to ask ourselves is which life we are living…the one our natural parents gave us…or the one secured for us by Jesus Christ. Your answer matters…for all Eternity. Which “life” will you choose?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 19, 2014
Acts 5:15-16
Sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow would fall across some of them as he went by! And crowds came in from the Jerusalem suburbs, bringing their sick folk and those possessed by demons; and every one of them was healed.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning on ABC’s The View, I watched Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal present a tribute to their dear friend, Robin Williams, who left this earth two months ago. Essentially, both comics described a person who “lit up a room” when he entered. Just the mention of the name - “Robin Williams” – evokes memories of hilarious routines, a favorite movie or television episode, “Nanu! Nanu!”, and more. I am sure you have your favorites...but it’s safe to assume that when you hear Robin Williams’ name, you can’t help but smile. His effect on people was like that of a healing balm.
Greg and I learned yesterday that a childhood friend of ours succumbed to cancer. Sherman was something of our own personal “Robin Williams”. He entered the doorway telling a hilarious story, and he left everyone smiling – and sometimes shaking their heads in the context of “what just happened?!” We can’t help but smile when we hear Sherman’s name. Just the thought of our sweet friend makes us happy - even in his passing.
Here’s how this passage about healing relates to the recollections of these two men...we can easily understand how the thought of a brilliant, witty comedian or friend is enough to make us smile. But we cannot comprehend how the “passing shadow” of one of Christ’s disciples could heal the sick and possessed. We cannot fathom being so filled with Jesus that His healing power flows through us to the point that even our walking past someone who is sick or in need could result in their healing. Furthermore, we can’t imagine a faith so strong that we would believe that falling underneath the shadow of such an anointed person could result in making us well.
But this is exactly what happened.
What does this all mean for us? Are we to begin seeking anointed healers – or those who claim to be – and believing in their healing powers as agents of Jesus? Are we to seek this power in our own lives? I don’t believe that we will physically become able to heal the sick in Jesus’ name – although some would claim otherwise. For me, this passage says two things: 1) do not underestimate Jesus’ ability and desire to use you as His disciple – in whatever way He sees fit; and 2) grow your faith in Christ’s “healing power” over your own life. In other words, be ready and willing to reach out to others in Jesus’ name - wherever and whenever He sends you. Trust in a God who is so powerful that His healing power can flow through the shadow of a mere mortal and restore another – if He so desires.
Live in such a way that the mention of your name causes others to conjure a mental image of Jesus Christ and His love and care. We can’t BE Jesus...but we can be more like Him! And we can be servants that honor and glorify His name in all that we do. Recognize the power of even a smile delivered to a stranger by someone whose heart is filled with Jesus.
I thank God for the joy that was Robin Williams and our friend Sherman...for the happiness and brightness they brought to the lives of so many. You can cast a “shadow” of the love of Christ over others...you really can - if you are closely attuned to His word and will for your life. You can be the “healing balm” that brightens another person’s day and “soothes their soul” – if not their body. Time’s a wastin’! None of us is promised tomorrow, so we need to get started! Learn to recognize Jesus’ power and presence in your own life...discover how – and where – He wants you to represent His love and care...and go “light up a room” in His name!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow would fall across some of them as he went by! And crowds came in from the Jerusalem suburbs, bringing their sick folk and those possessed by demons; and every one of them was healed.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning on ABC’s The View, I watched Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal present a tribute to their dear friend, Robin Williams, who left this earth two months ago. Essentially, both comics described a person who “lit up a room” when he entered. Just the mention of the name - “Robin Williams” – evokes memories of hilarious routines, a favorite movie or television episode, “Nanu! Nanu!”, and more. I am sure you have your favorites...but it’s safe to assume that when you hear Robin Williams’ name, you can’t help but smile. His effect on people was like that of a healing balm.
Greg and I learned yesterday that a childhood friend of ours succumbed to cancer. Sherman was something of our own personal “Robin Williams”. He entered the doorway telling a hilarious story, and he left everyone smiling – and sometimes shaking their heads in the context of “what just happened?!” We can’t help but smile when we hear Sherman’s name. Just the thought of our sweet friend makes us happy - even in his passing.
Here’s how this passage about healing relates to the recollections of these two men...we can easily understand how the thought of a brilliant, witty comedian or friend is enough to make us smile. But we cannot comprehend how the “passing shadow” of one of Christ’s disciples could heal the sick and possessed. We cannot fathom being so filled with Jesus that His healing power flows through us to the point that even our walking past someone who is sick or in need could result in their healing. Furthermore, we can’t imagine a faith so strong that we would believe that falling underneath the shadow of such an anointed person could result in making us well.
But this is exactly what happened.
What does this all mean for us? Are we to begin seeking anointed healers – or those who claim to be – and believing in their healing powers as agents of Jesus? Are we to seek this power in our own lives? I don’t believe that we will physically become able to heal the sick in Jesus’ name – although some would claim otherwise. For me, this passage says two things: 1) do not underestimate Jesus’ ability and desire to use you as His disciple – in whatever way He sees fit; and 2) grow your faith in Christ’s “healing power” over your own life. In other words, be ready and willing to reach out to others in Jesus’ name - wherever and whenever He sends you. Trust in a God who is so powerful that His healing power can flow through the shadow of a mere mortal and restore another – if He so desires.
Live in such a way that the mention of your name causes others to conjure a mental image of Jesus Christ and His love and care. We can’t BE Jesus...but we can be more like Him! And we can be servants that honor and glorify His name in all that we do. Recognize the power of even a smile delivered to a stranger by someone whose heart is filled with Jesus.
I thank God for the joy that was Robin Williams and our friend Sherman...for the happiness and brightness they brought to the lives of so many. You can cast a “shadow” of the love of Christ over others...you really can - if you are closely attuned to His word and will for your life. You can be the “healing balm” that brightens another person’s day and “soothes their soul” – if not their body. Time’s a wastin’! None of us is promised tomorrow, so we need to get started! Learn to recognize Jesus’ power and presence in your own life...discover how – and where – He wants you to represent His love and care...and go “light up a room” in His name!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 14, 2014
1 Corinthians 5:17-20
Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.
God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.
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.
As Greg and I waited with the children for our lunch to be served at a local restaurant after church on Sunday, I passed out some coloring sheets and opened a brand new box of 24 crayons. The children eagerly went to work on their “masterpieces”…thrilled to have fresh, bright new crayons to use. Only a couple of Sundays earlier, I had given the children coloring sheets and some old pieces of crayons from our crayon box at home, and they had used them…but with far less enthusiasm.
It’s a funny thing how something as seemingly ordinary as a fresh new box of crayons can make such a difference. The mechanics of said crayons is the same…they still transform the images on the paper with color and shading. But somehow, using new crayons makes a difference. There is something about the look, feel, and yes – even the smell – of a new box of crayons that just transports us to our childhood and makes us happy little kids again!
As born-again Christians, we are a lot like that box of new crayons. We’re still the same person…we still look much the same, physically. Our voice doesn’t change…we still walk with the same gait. But when the blood of Jesus transforms us, there is something tangibly different about our demeanor. We are altered spiritually…and that change affects everything else. We “color” better…or we should!
There is no grace, mercy and forgiveness in a box of new crayons…unless it is the affection of a great-aunt for her nephew and niece - mixed with a ploy to entice them to stay a little busier and happier while waiting for Sunday lunch! But the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness of salvation through Jesus Christ changes us from our former sinful selves into His Disciples…representatives who love others and extend these gifts to them on His behalf.
So my question for you today is this…”How are you ‘coloring’?” Are you happily creating a “masterpiece” for God…using the brilliant colors of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness? Do you demonstrate these gifts as applied to your own life…and do you extend them to others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.
God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.
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.
As Greg and I waited with the children for our lunch to be served at a local restaurant after church on Sunday, I passed out some coloring sheets and opened a brand new box of 24 crayons. The children eagerly went to work on their “masterpieces”…thrilled to have fresh, bright new crayons to use. Only a couple of Sundays earlier, I had given the children coloring sheets and some old pieces of crayons from our crayon box at home, and they had used them…but with far less enthusiasm.
It’s a funny thing how something as seemingly ordinary as a fresh new box of crayons can make such a difference. The mechanics of said crayons is the same…they still transform the images on the paper with color and shading. But somehow, using new crayons makes a difference. There is something about the look, feel, and yes – even the smell – of a new box of crayons that just transports us to our childhood and makes us happy little kids again!
As born-again Christians, we are a lot like that box of new crayons. We’re still the same person…we still look much the same, physically. Our voice doesn’t change…we still walk with the same gait. But when the blood of Jesus transforms us, there is something tangibly different about our demeanor. We are altered spiritually…and that change affects everything else. We “color” better…or we should!
There is no grace, mercy and forgiveness in a box of new crayons…unless it is the affection of a great-aunt for her nephew and niece - mixed with a ploy to entice them to stay a little busier and happier while waiting for Sunday lunch! But the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness of salvation through Jesus Christ changes us from our former sinful selves into His Disciples…representatives who love others and extend these gifts to them on His behalf.
So my question for you today is this…”How are you ‘coloring’?” Are you happily creating a “masterpiece” for God…using the brilliant colors of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness? Do you demonstrate these gifts as applied to your own life…and do you extend them to others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 24, 2014
John 6:35-37
Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don’t really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.
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.
There is presently a Facebook challenge circulating where “friends” are posting: “To start this year off in a loving way I'm participating in the Pay-it-Forward initiative...The first FIVE people who comment on this status with ‘I'm in’ will receive a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year…anything from a book, something homemade, a postcard, absolutely any surprise! There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These five people must make the same offer in their FB status and distribute their own joy.”
This idea sounds great…five people do something nice for five people who do something nice for five more people…you get the idea. But why stop there? Why only do something nice for the first five people who comment? Are they truly the ones who need a “nice surprise” in their life? Why not look around your everyday situations and find people who could use a lift…a note of encouragement…a phone call “buddy check”…a meal…help with an errand or chore…or another gesture that says, “I care about you!”…and put Christian love and compassion into action?
In this scripture passage, Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.” Jesus adds that once that person is with Him, He will hold on and never let go. I keep hearing Jesus say, “I am for EVERYONE! What I offer one, I offer ALL! I will never EVER let you go…you can always count on me to love you and care about your every need! I know you don’t seem to always believe this, but I am telling you…take this to the BANK!”
Are we like Jesus? Are we modeling His discipleship and compassion? Are we offering His “Bread of Life” to others in the form of conscious efforts to make their day better introduce them to His love and care in action? Or are we waiting for people to come to us and say, “I could use a hug…a handout…support in some manner…”? Have we made a convincing demonstration of love and compassion to others? Do they believe that we really care…or do we only meet the needs of those select few who raise their hands and voices and say, “I’m in!”?
Suppose Jesus said, “I will meet the needs of the first five people who come to Me and say, “I’m in”…and His efforts to “feed the sheep” stopped there? Suppose He never expended any energy to pursue those “on the fringes”…those with great needs who never asked for help – for whatever reasons. Suppose His salvation, love and care were not all-encompassing…or eternal! Because we have been so blessed…because of the heritage we are given in Christ Jesus…we should be eager to share our gifts with others. In doing so, we essentially say, “I love you and care for you with the love of Christ, which is fully and equally available to you!”
If you want to participate in this Facebook challenge, by all means… go for it! I do not mean to criticize this concept. But I dare you to go even further… to embrace the love of Christ that has been extended to you… and to “pay it forward” to those who may least suspect that someone else cares - but are the ones who need to know this the most! In doing so, you will truly extend Jesus’ offering of the “Bread of Life”. In return, you will “hunger and thirst no more” for His love and blessings. Whaddya say…are you “in”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don’t really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.
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.
There is presently a Facebook challenge circulating where “friends” are posting: “To start this year off in a loving way I'm participating in the Pay-it-Forward initiative...The first FIVE people who comment on this status with ‘I'm in’ will receive a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year…anything from a book, something homemade, a postcard, absolutely any surprise! There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These five people must make the same offer in their FB status and distribute their own joy.”
This idea sounds great…five people do something nice for five people who do something nice for five more people…you get the idea. But why stop there? Why only do something nice for the first five people who comment? Are they truly the ones who need a “nice surprise” in their life? Why not look around your everyday situations and find people who could use a lift…a note of encouragement…a phone call “buddy check”…a meal…help with an errand or chore…or another gesture that says, “I care about you!”…and put Christian love and compassion into action?
In this scripture passage, Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.” Jesus adds that once that person is with Him, He will hold on and never let go. I keep hearing Jesus say, “I am for EVERYONE! What I offer one, I offer ALL! I will never EVER let you go…you can always count on me to love you and care about your every need! I know you don’t seem to always believe this, but I am telling you…take this to the BANK!”
Are we like Jesus? Are we modeling His discipleship and compassion? Are we offering His “Bread of Life” to others in the form of conscious efforts to make their day better introduce them to His love and care in action? Or are we waiting for people to come to us and say, “I could use a hug…a handout…support in some manner…”? Have we made a convincing demonstration of love and compassion to others? Do they believe that we really care…or do we only meet the needs of those select few who raise their hands and voices and say, “I’m in!”?
Suppose Jesus said, “I will meet the needs of the first five people who come to Me and say, “I’m in”…and His efforts to “feed the sheep” stopped there? Suppose He never expended any energy to pursue those “on the fringes”…those with great needs who never asked for help – for whatever reasons. Suppose His salvation, love and care were not all-encompassing…or eternal! Because we have been so blessed…because of the heritage we are given in Christ Jesus…we should be eager to share our gifts with others. In doing so, we essentially say, “I love you and care for you with the love of Christ, which is fully and equally available to you!”
If you want to participate in this Facebook challenge, by all means… go for it! I do not mean to criticize this concept. But I dare you to go even further… to embrace the love of Christ that has been extended to you… and to “pay it forward” to those who may least suspect that someone else cares - but are the ones who need to know this the most! In doing so, you will truly extend Jesus’ offering of the “Bread of Life”. In return, you will “hunger and thirst no more” for His love and blessings. Whaddya say…are you “in”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 22, 2014
Romans 8:1-2
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
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.
Greg and I have been blessed with the good fortune to live on a bluff with a panoramic view to the east and northeast… across the river valley – and on a good day, into the next county. So as the weather fronts pass through our area, we are sometimes treated to a stark - and literal - visual image of low-lying black clouds that are cleared away by strong winds. I have stood at the windows and watched a dark cloud band literally be blown farther and farther east until it disappeared over the horizon. When I read this passage, I immediately could picture this in my mind, and it gave me pause to consider my new life in Christ in this context.
If you backtrack to Romans 7 and read the last few verses, you see where Paul is wrestling with his human dilemma of wanting to be sinless and do what God desires…yet doing the opposite much of the time. The sinful mind and the Christian heart seem to be locked in some sort of battle. Paul says in Romans 7:21-23: “It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.” In verse 24, he says, “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?” And in verse 25, we find the response…”The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.”
So in the first two verses of Romans 8, we are presented with the incredible compassion of God through Jesus Christ…so much love and empathy for us that he sacrificed Jesus and allowed Him to suffer “brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death” so that the “low-lying black cloud” of our sins could be blown away by the strong wind of Christ’s Holy Spirit! If you really stop and think of it… if you truly form that mental image of the black storm cloud being forcefully blown away and completely out of view…this is almost overwhelming. We are not truly capable of imagining a love such as this! And yet…this is what Jesus offers to each of us.
Now here’s the thing…we are not Jesus. We cannot possibly love like He does…nor are we as individuals capable of the powerful things that Christ accomplishes. But with His power and through His Holy Spirit, we are able to offer grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion… and love…even when our sinful head says “That is the last thing you want to do!” So the question becomes…are you operating in the strong wind of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit? Or are you allowing the sinful rationale of the devil’s dark cloud to control you? Are you sharing the tremendous gift of compassion that Christ extends to you with others in your midst…and honoring your commitment and gratitude to Him in the process?
Many in your midst are operating under a dark cloud of some sort. If Christ found you worth the sacrifice…worth the “redeeming wind” of His love and compassion…don’t you think you should pay this forward to others in His name? Isn’t this a good day to stir up the breeze?
©2014 Debbie Robus
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
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.
Greg and I have been blessed with the good fortune to live on a bluff with a panoramic view to the east and northeast… across the river valley – and on a good day, into the next county. So as the weather fronts pass through our area, we are sometimes treated to a stark - and literal - visual image of low-lying black clouds that are cleared away by strong winds. I have stood at the windows and watched a dark cloud band literally be blown farther and farther east until it disappeared over the horizon. When I read this passage, I immediately could picture this in my mind, and it gave me pause to consider my new life in Christ in this context.
If you backtrack to Romans 7 and read the last few verses, you see where Paul is wrestling with his human dilemma of wanting to be sinless and do what God desires…yet doing the opposite much of the time. The sinful mind and the Christian heart seem to be locked in some sort of battle. Paul says in Romans 7:21-23: “It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.” In verse 24, he says, “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?” And in verse 25, we find the response…”The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.”
So in the first two verses of Romans 8, we are presented with the incredible compassion of God through Jesus Christ…so much love and empathy for us that he sacrificed Jesus and allowed Him to suffer “brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death” so that the “low-lying black cloud” of our sins could be blown away by the strong wind of Christ’s Holy Spirit! If you really stop and think of it… if you truly form that mental image of the black storm cloud being forcefully blown away and completely out of view…this is almost overwhelming. We are not truly capable of imagining a love such as this! And yet…this is what Jesus offers to each of us.
Now here’s the thing…we are not Jesus. We cannot possibly love like He does…nor are we as individuals capable of the powerful things that Christ accomplishes. But with His power and through His Holy Spirit, we are able to offer grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion… and love…even when our sinful head says “That is the last thing you want to do!” So the question becomes…are you operating in the strong wind of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit? Or are you allowing the sinful rationale of the devil’s dark cloud to control you? Are you sharing the tremendous gift of compassion that Christ extends to you with others in your midst…and honoring your commitment and gratitude to Him in the process?
Many in your midst are operating under a dark cloud of some sort. If Christ found you worth the sacrifice…worth the “redeeming wind” of His love and compassion…don’t you think you should pay this forward to others in His name? Isn’t this a good day to stir up the breeze?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 18, 2014
Matthew 9:35-38
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”
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.
Like many other people across America, I’ve become a huge fan of the PBS Masterpiece Theater mini-series Downton Abbey. I am intrigued with this program on many levels. The writing is compelling…the costuming and set design are both like art in motion…and the character development is complex and compelling. I find the “class structure” particularly interesting…how serving as a butler or footman – or working in the kitchen – is considered better than working as a clerk in a village shop…something that is spoken of with such disdain by the servants that you would think this type of work was unbelievably humiliating and degrading! Apparently in early 20th-Century England, the definition of an “honest day’s work” was relative!
Another thing that I find interesting is how the whole household panics when they are “short” a servant or two. If one footman falls ill or gets injured and cannot serve dinner, there is a mad scramble to find someone to replace him. When a “ladies maid” or valet moves to another house to serve another matriarch or “lord”, the whole place goes into a tailspin! They all fret and stew about how they will manage… who will dress Lady So-and-So? How will they juggle the dinner service and attending to “Lord” Grantham? In the little world of “Downton Abbey”, there are sometimes not enough “harvest hands”!
I know…this sounds ridiculous – and it is, to us. But these were very real problems for these manors “back in the day”. And while this was not a serious problem in the scheme of things, a true need for “harvest hand workers” is right under our noses – and many of us don’t even see it. I could list several instances of people I know personally who are battling unimaginable problems…terminal illness…incredible struggles and worries of all sorts…bruised and hurt lives. To all who observe them, there is often no outward indication that something is amiss.
A friend blogged that during a recent cab ride to an appointment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the cabbie asked her and her husband, “Which one of you is the patient?” See, they both looked so “normal” and well that he was unable to determine this. And that’s the way it is for so many. We cannot tell “which one is the patient” just by looking…but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t great needs. The question is…are we even looking for these “lost sheep”?
When Jesus looked out over the crowds of bruised and hurting people, His heart broke. Does ours? Are we attuned to the problems around us…and do we really care about those who are confused, aimless, sick, injured and hurting? Are we seeking those who need a “harvest” and ministering to them? This goes well beyond reaching un-believers and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Certainly there is a great need for this type of witness and ministry. But winning souls to Christ is not enough. It’s a “been there, done that…now what?” situation. Are we leaving people in the dust and failing to share Jesus with them at the very core? Are we saying, “You’ve been saved by the blood of Jesus…the rest is up to you!”…or are we saying, “Welcome to the family…how can I help you?” There IS a difference!
Everywhere we turn, people are in need of something that only Jesus can offer. But He is counting on each of us to serve as His vehicle for delivery. Perhaps we could learn something from Downton Abbey and care a little more about having enough “servants” to handle the workload. Unlike the characters in this mini-series, no task performed in the name of Jesus is beneath our “station”…no ministry and/or service is too great or small for us to gladly execute.
Do you truly have Christian compassion for others? Are you doing your part as a member of Christ’s body? Look around…see who needs to feel the love of Christ through your “harvest hands”. It’s time for all of us to get busy and go to work!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”
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.
Like many other people across America, I’ve become a huge fan of the PBS Masterpiece Theater mini-series Downton Abbey. I am intrigued with this program on many levels. The writing is compelling…the costuming and set design are both like art in motion…and the character development is complex and compelling. I find the “class structure” particularly interesting…how serving as a butler or footman – or working in the kitchen – is considered better than working as a clerk in a village shop…something that is spoken of with such disdain by the servants that you would think this type of work was unbelievably humiliating and degrading! Apparently in early 20th-Century England, the definition of an “honest day’s work” was relative!
Another thing that I find interesting is how the whole household panics when they are “short” a servant or two. If one footman falls ill or gets injured and cannot serve dinner, there is a mad scramble to find someone to replace him. When a “ladies maid” or valet moves to another house to serve another matriarch or “lord”, the whole place goes into a tailspin! They all fret and stew about how they will manage… who will dress Lady So-and-So? How will they juggle the dinner service and attending to “Lord” Grantham? In the little world of “Downton Abbey”, there are sometimes not enough “harvest hands”!
I know…this sounds ridiculous – and it is, to us. But these were very real problems for these manors “back in the day”. And while this was not a serious problem in the scheme of things, a true need for “harvest hand workers” is right under our noses – and many of us don’t even see it. I could list several instances of people I know personally who are battling unimaginable problems…terminal illness…incredible struggles and worries of all sorts…bruised and hurt lives. To all who observe them, there is often no outward indication that something is amiss.
A friend blogged that during a recent cab ride to an appointment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the cabbie asked her and her husband, “Which one of you is the patient?” See, they both looked so “normal” and well that he was unable to determine this. And that’s the way it is for so many. We cannot tell “which one is the patient” just by looking…but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t great needs. The question is…are we even looking for these “lost sheep”?
When Jesus looked out over the crowds of bruised and hurting people, His heart broke. Does ours? Are we attuned to the problems around us…and do we really care about those who are confused, aimless, sick, injured and hurting? Are we seeking those who need a “harvest” and ministering to them? This goes well beyond reaching un-believers and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Certainly there is a great need for this type of witness and ministry. But winning souls to Christ is not enough. It’s a “been there, done that…now what?” situation. Are we leaving people in the dust and failing to share Jesus with them at the very core? Are we saying, “You’ve been saved by the blood of Jesus…the rest is up to you!”…or are we saying, “Welcome to the family…how can I help you?” There IS a difference!
Everywhere we turn, people are in need of something that only Jesus can offer. But He is counting on each of us to serve as His vehicle for delivery. Perhaps we could learn something from Downton Abbey and care a little more about having enough “servants” to handle the workload. Unlike the characters in this mini-series, no task performed in the name of Jesus is beneath our “station”…no ministry and/or service is too great or small for us to gladly execute.
Do you truly have Christian compassion for others? Are you doing your part as a member of Christ’s body? Look around…see who needs to feel the love of Christ through your “harvest hands”. It’s time for all of us to get busy and go to work!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 11, 2013
Exodus 20:12
Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You can’t make this stuff up! I tried and tried to figure out what to say about today’s scripture passage. I prayed and prayed… and I finally told God, “LORD, I just have nothing to share that seems right. No words are coming. Maybe this is not the verse you want me to use today.” I went back to my outline and selected the next passage… Ephesians 6:1-3… “Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says, ‘Obey your father and your mother, and you will have a long and happy life.’” Clearly, God wants me to address this passage today! And because I have the utmost respect for my Heavenly Father, I will do what He asks!
You may not be aware of this, but November 2013 is “National Adoption Month.” My church is incredibly supportive of a foster care program in our state… The C.A.L.L. – Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime. At a recent presentation during a worship service, several foster parents shared the blessings – and challenges – of parenting foster children. They also introduced us to the photo of an 8-year-old boy in the foster care system who would love to find a “forever home”… and they asked us to pray for him. I am certain that he will find a parent or parents who will nurture him into adulthood… and I have tremendous respect for adults who are willing to open their hearts and their homes to these orphans.
This brings me to my thoughts for today. How do some children end up in foster care or needing to be adopted in the first place? I wish I could say that every parent is genuinely worthy of our respect. But we all know there are some rotten people in this world… and more than a few of them are parents. It’s not that these are necessarily bad people… they just don’t have the proper parenting skills and/or the right circumstances for creating a positive and loving atmosphere for children. And on any given day, we’ve all been a crummy “parent”. I know there have been times that I have snapped at Timothy or Zola and deeply regretted it almost instantly. The children I love more than anything have sometimes provoked me to speak harshly… if even for an instant. And all of the apologies and remorse in the world cannot take back my hasty words.
I know that there are parents who claim to love their children, yet they neglect them terribly and/or abuse them – sometimes beyond what most humans can comprehend. Many are verbally offensive. In one breath they are calling these children every name in the book and telling them how “You ruined my life,” and in the next breath they are saying, “I love you! I can’t live without you!”
I also understand that there is a difference between “biological parents” and those who truly love, nurture and rear (or “parent”) children. And while I believe God calls us to respect ALL people as His creatures, I have concluded that He is particularly referring in this passage to those who have physically “done the work” of parenting. Let’s face it… some have done a better job than others. Regardless of what kind of parents, grandparents, or parental figures you have/had, God calls us to respect them… to honor them. Does this mean you must approve of and/or endorse everything they say and do? No! Does this mean you have to put their wishes and needs above your own… or make them the center of your universe? Absolutely not! Should children in unsafe or abusive situations excuse their parents for this treatment? Not in the least!
So how do we respect our parents? How do you love and “respect” someone who is abusive, unkind or neglectful? I believe that God is calling us to be loving, gracious, merciful, forgiving, morally upright, and kind to others. Regardless of our situation, when we model Jesus’ example to others, we can’t help but be respectful and honorable. And honestly, if you don’t forgive others in your heart for any offenses they may have committed, it will eat you alive… and YOU will be the loser. Look at this scripture again. God says that when you respect your parents, you will live a long time in the land He gives you. That means you will be BLESSED! God… your HEAVENLY FATHER… will take care of you, meet your needs, and give you strength and peace.
You may have wonderful parents who do an excellent job of caring for you, loving you, and offering you incredible nurture and support. Or you may not have much of a relationship with your parents, for a myriad of reasons. God is not asking you to “look the other way” and allow anyone to mistreat or abuse you. But you must always treat your parents with love and kindness. God calls us to honor and respect Him by showing respect for those He allowed to give us life. It may not always be easy or feel right… but ultimately, I believe you will experience God’s blessings when you honor Him in all things.
Recently on NBC’s Today, correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman was featured in a story about her return to Little Rock, Arkansas, for a reunion of Snyderman’s now 27-year-old adopted daughter, Kate, and her birth mother, Cheryl. Of course Kate had questions… and Cheryl explained that she was young and felt unable to properly care for her. She said, “I have always been proud of you. Being a single teenage mom, I couldn't give you a life that you would amount to anything. I know you will amount to a lot of stuff right now.” Kate spoke of the wonderful childhood she had been given… and she thanked both mothers for their part in this. She told Cheryl… “I have had a wonderful life. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank you for everything you have given me. In her own way, to the best of her ability, this young woman respects the woman who gave her life… but she also respects and honors the woman she calls “Mom”.
God is asking us to recognize our parents and those who have “parented” us…to respect the role they played… and to treat each and every one as Jesus treats us. Whether you find this easy or challenging, it IS a command of our Father. If you respect Him, you will do this. You may not receive immediate blessings or feedback, but God has promised that He will bless you when you honor His commands. And God never breaks a promise.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You can’t make this stuff up! I tried and tried to figure out what to say about today’s scripture passage. I prayed and prayed… and I finally told God, “LORD, I just have nothing to share that seems right. No words are coming. Maybe this is not the verse you want me to use today.” I went back to my outline and selected the next passage… Ephesians 6:1-3… “Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says, ‘Obey your father and your mother, and you will have a long and happy life.’” Clearly, God wants me to address this passage today! And because I have the utmost respect for my Heavenly Father, I will do what He asks!
You may not be aware of this, but November 2013 is “National Adoption Month.” My church is incredibly supportive of a foster care program in our state… The C.A.L.L. – Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime. At a recent presentation during a worship service, several foster parents shared the blessings – and challenges – of parenting foster children. They also introduced us to the photo of an 8-year-old boy in the foster care system who would love to find a “forever home”… and they asked us to pray for him. I am certain that he will find a parent or parents who will nurture him into adulthood… and I have tremendous respect for adults who are willing to open their hearts and their homes to these orphans.
This brings me to my thoughts for today. How do some children end up in foster care or needing to be adopted in the first place? I wish I could say that every parent is genuinely worthy of our respect. But we all know there are some rotten people in this world… and more than a few of them are parents. It’s not that these are necessarily bad people… they just don’t have the proper parenting skills and/or the right circumstances for creating a positive and loving atmosphere for children. And on any given day, we’ve all been a crummy “parent”. I know there have been times that I have snapped at Timothy or Zola and deeply regretted it almost instantly. The children I love more than anything have sometimes provoked me to speak harshly… if even for an instant. And all of the apologies and remorse in the world cannot take back my hasty words.
I know that there are parents who claim to love their children, yet they neglect them terribly and/or abuse them – sometimes beyond what most humans can comprehend. Many are verbally offensive. In one breath they are calling these children every name in the book and telling them how “You ruined my life,” and in the next breath they are saying, “I love you! I can’t live without you!”
I also understand that there is a difference between “biological parents” and those who truly love, nurture and rear (or “parent”) children. And while I believe God calls us to respect ALL people as His creatures, I have concluded that He is particularly referring in this passage to those who have physically “done the work” of parenting. Let’s face it… some have done a better job than others. Regardless of what kind of parents, grandparents, or parental figures you have/had, God calls us to respect them… to honor them. Does this mean you must approve of and/or endorse everything they say and do? No! Does this mean you have to put their wishes and needs above your own… or make them the center of your universe? Absolutely not! Should children in unsafe or abusive situations excuse their parents for this treatment? Not in the least!
So how do we respect our parents? How do you love and “respect” someone who is abusive, unkind or neglectful? I believe that God is calling us to be loving, gracious, merciful, forgiving, morally upright, and kind to others. Regardless of our situation, when we model Jesus’ example to others, we can’t help but be respectful and honorable. And honestly, if you don’t forgive others in your heart for any offenses they may have committed, it will eat you alive… and YOU will be the loser. Look at this scripture again. God says that when you respect your parents, you will live a long time in the land He gives you. That means you will be BLESSED! God… your HEAVENLY FATHER… will take care of you, meet your needs, and give you strength and peace.
You may have wonderful parents who do an excellent job of caring for you, loving you, and offering you incredible nurture and support. Or you may not have much of a relationship with your parents, for a myriad of reasons. God is not asking you to “look the other way” and allow anyone to mistreat or abuse you. But you must always treat your parents with love and kindness. God calls us to honor and respect Him by showing respect for those He allowed to give us life. It may not always be easy or feel right… but ultimately, I believe you will experience God’s blessings when you honor Him in all things.
Recently on NBC’s Today, correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman was featured in a story about her return to Little Rock, Arkansas, for a reunion of Snyderman’s now 27-year-old adopted daughter, Kate, and her birth mother, Cheryl. Of course Kate had questions… and Cheryl explained that she was young and felt unable to properly care for her. She said, “I have always been proud of you. Being a single teenage mom, I couldn't give you a life that you would amount to anything. I know you will amount to a lot of stuff right now.” Kate spoke of the wonderful childhood she had been given… and she thanked both mothers for their part in this. She told Cheryl… “I have had a wonderful life. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank you for everything you have given me. In her own way, to the best of her ability, this young woman respects the woman who gave her life… but she also respects and honors the woman she calls “Mom”.
God is asking us to recognize our parents and those who have “parented” us…to respect the role they played… and to treat each and every one as Jesus treats us. Whether you find this easy or challenging, it IS a command of our Father. If you respect Him, you will do this. You may not receive immediate blessings or feedback, but God has promised that He will bless you when you honor His commands. And God never breaks a promise.
©2013 Debbie Robus
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