October 3 ~ Matthew 11:10-11
For John is the man mentioned in
the Scriptures—a messenger to precede me, to announce my coming, and
prepare people to receive me.
“Truly, of all men ever born, none
shines more brightly than John the Baptist. And yet, even the lesser
lights in the Kingdom of Heaven will be greater than he is!
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
We seem to be wired to be
“awestruck” by people who have public recognition…across all platforms.
And while I do not mean any disrespect, they are truly just regular
folk like you and me. I appreciate the work that people like Billy
Graham, Mother Teresa, and Pope Francis have done to further God’s
kingdom. But I also know some ordinary, everyday people who are quietly
doing incredible work every single day to disciple and minister to
others in the name of Jesus.
My own grandmother was about as
plain and simple as they come. She didn’t live in a fancy house…she
drove an Army-green 1965 Chevy Impala that resembled a tank. She made
most of her own clothing and did not have expensive jewelry – or
anything else of much monetary value. But she was ready and willing to
share everything she had with others. Her first question to a stranger
was usually, “Where do y’all go to church?” And quite often, she
followed that with an invitation to join her for a meal.
My
grandmother was not perfect. She could spit out some real zingers from
time to time…and her opinions had little to no filter. You knew where
you stood with her at all times. She could give you life advice as
quickly and easily as she told you how to give your heart to Jesus and
get to heaven! And I honestly believe that her “mansion” there is
probably bigger than many…certainly as fine as that of many “women of
the Bible” – and the likes of Mother Teresa and John Wesley! She
continually heralded Jesus to any and all she met, through word and
deed.
What does this all mean for us? You and I are just as
precious and important to Jesus as John the Baptist…maybe even more! I
don’t mean that to sound arrogant or disrespectful…but God sent John to
herald Jesus’ coming. John was physically WITH Jesus…he saw firsthand
who Jesus was – and why God sent Him. You and I do not have that
luxury…yet we have our own missions to accomplish based on sheer faith.
And as we obediently do so, we are building “equity” in our heavenly
mansion.
Every word we speak…every gesture of kindness…every
time we speak the name of Jesus to another – or demonstrate His power,
strength, love, grace, kindness, mercy, compassion and forgiveness to
someone – we are ensuring that our light will shine brightly in Heaven.
God notes all that we do…nothing is wasted. As anointed and redeemed
believers in Jesus, the “bad” is forgiven and scattered “as far as East
is from West”…and the “good” things are noted for all Eternity.
It’s
not about who we are…what matters is WHOSE we are – and how we share
Jesus with others. At my grandmother’s funeral, I stated that I learned
a LOT from her in our 56 years together. SHE is my role model for
ministering to others in Jesus’ name…and I hope that someday, we are
“next-door-neighbors” in heaven…right down the street from John the
Baptist! My prayer is that your house would be in our “neighborhood,”
too. Will we see you there?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label sharing our faith with others. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharing our faith with others. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 15, 2015
Hebrews 11:1
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Leap of faith…faith-based initiatives and organizations…faith ministries…childlike faith…”have faith”…”keep the faith”...walk by faith…we throw this word “faith” around pretty freely and broadly. But what do we truly believe? What does faith mean in our everyday lives?
We’ve all heard this scripture from Hebrews that pretty well defines the word “faith.” But how do we demonstrate and explain Christian faith to others…particularly those who are skeptical? In my own life, I believe God has allowed me to experience some “stuff” so that I have a base for sharing my faith with others. This is part of what I try to do with these daily devotionals.
I am genetically wired to worry. It’s just what we do in my family. When I was little, I worried about tornadoes, because my grandmother instilled a healthy (and experience-based) fear of them in my siblings and me. And now, Timothy has begun to worry about tornadoes after participating in a few drills at school and learning about weather and storms. Despite my best efforts to assure him that we have safe places to ride out any potential storms, he may just have to experience one firsthand to totally believe this.
But wait…isn’t that the opposite of faith? Isn’t faith about believing we are safe and protected without physical proof? Yes. But sometimes, we have to go through something difficult and see firsthand how God provides before we can trust Him for the unseen things yet to come. As I share my faith with others, I am able to say, “God saw me through ABC”…”He delivered me from XYZ”…”God protected me in this situation and solved that problem…and I know that He will do the same again and again – for me AND for you!”
I won’t say that I never worry any more…that I “keep the faith” every minute of the day. I have my moments just like we all do. But I try to quickly capture anxious thoughts and doubts and claim the promises of God to handle all things in my life and in the lives of others. I know that sometimes I need a “gentle reminder” of how well He cares for me in order to further strengthen my faith for things to come.
Whatever you are facing today, “keep the faith!” Believe that God is in complete control and that He will never give you more than you can handle – with His help and presence! When troubles come, ask God to show you how He is using them to strengthen you – and your trust in Him. Learn to use these situations to share with others how God has sheltered and guided you through even the roughest patches of life – and help them build up their own faith. And keep believing. What God has already done…He will do again – and then some!
Build on your past to shore up your future as you learn to increasingly “walk in faith” every single day. God’s got this! My prayer is that we would all grow in confidence and strengthen our “faith muscle” – and that we would begin today. Are you in?
©2015 Debbie Robus
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Leap of faith…faith-based initiatives and organizations…faith ministries…childlike faith…”have faith”…”keep the faith”...walk by faith…we throw this word “faith” around pretty freely and broadly. But what do we truly believe? What does faith mean in our everyday lives?
We’ve all heard this scripture from Hebrews that pretty well defines the word “faith.” But how do we demonstrate and explain Christian faith to others…particularly those who are skeptical? In my own life, I believe God has allowed me to experience some “stuff” so that I have a base for sharing my faith with others. This is part of what I try to do with these daily devotionals.
I am genetically wired to worry. It’s just what we do in my family. When I was little, I worried about tornadoes, because my grandmother instilled a healthy (and experience-based) fear of them in my siblings and me. And now, Timothy has begun to worry about tornadoes after participating in a few drills at school and learning about weather and storms. Despite my best efforts to assure him that we have safe places to ride out any potential storms, he may just have to experience one firsthand to totally believe this.
But wait…isn’t that the opposite of faith? Isn’t faith about believing we are safe and protected without physical proof? Yes. But sometimes, we have to go through something difficult and see firsthand how God provides before we can trust Him for the unseen things yet to come. As I share my faith with others, I am able to say, “God saw me through ABC”…”He delivered me from XYZ”…”God protected me in this situation and solved that problem…and I know that He will do the same again and again – for me AND for you!”
I won’t say that I never worry any more…that I “keep the faith” every minute of the day. I have my moments just like we all do. But I try to quickly capture anxious thoughts and doubts and claim the promises of God to handle all things in my life and in the lives of others. I know that sometimes I need a “gentle reminder” of how well He cares for me in order to further strengthen my faith for things to come.
Whatever you are facing today, “keep the faith!” Believe that God is in complete control and that He will never give you more than you can handle – with His help and presence! When troubles come, ask God to show you how He is using them to strengthen you – and your trust in Him. Learn to use these situations to share with others how God has sheltered and guided you through even the roughest patches of life – and help them build up their own faith. And keep believing. What God has already done…He will do again – and then some!
Build on your past to shore up your future as you learn to increasingly “walk in faith” every single day. God’s got this! My prayer is that we would all grow in confidence and strengthen our “faith muscle” – and that we would begin today. Are you in?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 17, 2014
Acts 10:42-43
God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were sitting at the VBS closing one night, and Timothy asked, “What does Jesus look like?” I explained that we really don’t know…because He lived a long, long time ago. But some people think Jesus had long hair and wore something called a robe…sort of like a man’s dress or a long shirt. His next question is, “But where IS Jesus?” I told him that Jesus lives in Heaven – with Mam-ma Polly – but His spirit lives in our heart…that He is always with us, sees everything we do and hears everything we say. “But we can’t SEE Him!” Timothy protested. No, I explained, He is with us like a spirit. I asked if he knew what a spirit was…sort of like a ghost. He nodded yes. “Well, this is how Jesus’ spirit lives in our heart with us.” “Okay!” Timothy said happily. He was more satisfied with my answers than I was!
Explaining Jesus to a small child is a challenge at best. You don’t want to say the wrong thing and make Jesus out to be some sort of cartoon character or magic fairy…but you have to describe Him in relatable terms that a child can understand. I’ll be honest…describing Jesus to grown-ups isn’t a whole lot easier!
What we can tell children of all ages is how much Jesus loves us. We can talk about His grace, mercy, compassion, and incredible sacrifice on our behalf. We can share His promises of being reunited in Heaven someday – of spending all eternity in His presence. And we can talk about how Jesus fills our heart and guides our steps each and every day.
Faith is an incredibly nebulous concept. People tell us to have faith that Jesus is with us…to trust that God will heal our bodies and those of our friends and loved ones…to have confidence that Jesus is coming back someday…to believe that Jesus died for our sins, and that all we have to do is invite Him to be our LORD and Savior, and we are guaranteed to spend Eternity in His presence. But all we have is the word of another…and the scriptures. We operate 100% on what we have been told by other people – and what we sense is true in our heart…our only visible example is that of believers and disciples among us who strive to emulate Jesus on a daily basis. It’s no wonder that we wonder…and sometimes doubt!
We must be merciful and tender toward those who question. We must demonstrate our own faithfulness to others. We must encourage them and give them reason to believe what they read and hear about Jesus as they observe how we demonstrate grace, mercy, forgiveness, love and compassion in His name. We must confidently declare that Jesus is real…and that His Holy Spirit is alive and well within us. And we must encourage child-like acceptance of these declarations and offerings.
Questions are normal…and necessary. But we Christians have to be ready with confident answers and a heavy dose of God’s grace and mercy. Are you prepared? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were sitting at the VBS closing one night, and Timothy asked, “What does Jesus look like?” I explained that we really don’t know…because He lived a long, long time ago. But some people think Jesus had long hair and wore something called a robe…sort of like a man’s dress or a long shirt. His next question is, “But where IS Jesus?” I told him that Jesus lives in Heaven – with Mam-ma Polly – but His spirit lives in our heart…that He is always with us, sees everything we do and hears everything we say. “But we can’t SEE Him!” Timothy protested. No, I explained, He is with us like a spirit. I asked if he knew what a spirit was…sort of like a ghost. He nodded yes. “Well, this is how Jesus’ spirit lives in our heart with us.” “Okay!” Timothy said happily. He was more satisfied with my answers than I was!
Explaining Jesus to a small child is a challenge at best. You don’t want to say the wrong thing and make Jesus out to be some sort of cartoon character or magic fairy…but you have to describe Him in relatable terms that a child can understand. I’ll be honest…describing Jesus to grown-ups isn’t a whole lot easier!
What we can tell children of all ages is how much Jesus loves us. We can talk about His grace, mercy, compassion, and incredible sacrifice on our behalf. We can share His promises of being reunited in Heaven someday – of spending all eternity in His presence. And we can talk about how Jesus fills our heart and guides our steps each and every day.
Faith is an incredibly nebulous concept. People tell us to have faith that Jesus is with us…to trust that God will heal our bodies and those of our friends and loved ones…to have confidence that Jesus is coming back someday…to believe that Jesus died for our sins, and that all we have to do is invite Him to be our LORD and Savior, and we are guaranteed to spend Eternity in His presence. But all we have is the word of another…and the scriptures. We operate 100% on what we have been told by other people – and what we sense is true in our heart…our only visible example is that of believers and disciples among us who strive to emulate Jesus on a daily basis. It’s no wonder that we wonder…and sometimes doubt!
We must be merciful and tender toward those who question. We must demonstrate our own faithfulness to others. We must encourage them and give them reason to believe what they read and hear about Jesus as they observe how we demonstrate grace, mercy, forgiveness, love and compassion in His name. We must confidently declare that Jesus is real…and that His Holy Spirit is alive and well within us. And we must encourage child-like acceptance of these declarations and offerings.
Questions are normal…and necessary. But we Christians have to be ready with confident answers and a heavy dose of God’s grace and mercy. Are you prepared? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 31, 2013
Matthew 10:17-23
“Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
“When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I can remember times when I was growing up that certain friends and acquaintances did not include me in an activity or conversation because they thought I would not approve, based on my church affiliation. Whether their assumption was correct or not, they must have assumed that I would judge them… so they judged me first! I wasn’t invited to certain parties… I was excluded from a few “cliques”. Honestly, I wasn’t all that popular. It wasn’t that I was judgmental – or even that I was especially vocal about my faith. It was more that since I attended a certain church with a reputation for believing particular things, others assumed that I felt the same way and would probably condemn those who attended elsewhere – or nowhere at all!
Like many, I was stung by these judgments… so much so that I distanced myself from church in my early adulthood. I never turned my back on God, but I tried to be more “regular”… to fit in and avoid situations where others might label me a “Jesus freak” – or even “religious” or “spiritual”. Maybe you have done this, too. It’s an easy trap to fall into…and there is a certain comfort level in hanging out “under the radar,” so to speak. Nobody expects very much of you there… and most never think to judge you one way or the other.
As God began to help me through some difficult and challenging situations, I realized that being bold in my faith was not an option… it was an obligation. But there is a caveat… we Christians walk a fine line between being effective examples of faith in Jesus Christ – and being obnoxious fools. There will always be those who label us as “the token Christian of the family”… a “Jesus freak”… “the Church lady”…”religious fanatics”…or some other tag meant to demean and offend us. The temptation will be there to close our mouths, lay low, and try to fit in with the rest of the world. But we must listen to Jesus’ words in this passage… “Don’t quit! Don’t cave in! It is all well worth it in the end.”
How do we do this? I don’t have a solid answer for you. But I can give you a couple of working examples. I have two very dear lifelong friends, JR and John, who have always been loved and accepted by others as kind, hardworking men… good husbands, fathers, and in one case – an adoring grandfather. You will see them at outings from school sporting events to civic gatherings. They take their wives to the movies – as one of them put it…“to see a chick flick with my chick!” And you will see them at church on Sundays, where one serves as a pastor – the other (also an ordained minister) serves as a minister of music.
These men are not “preachy” or pushy about their faith, but their quiet, wise demeanor speaks volumes about their Christian faith. Both have a way of offering a welcoming smile and calming, sage advice… of praying over a friend with wisdom and confidence… of saying just what needs to be said and showing up at exactly the right time. And I have seen both of them criticized for their stance…and judged unfairly.
In my book, these men have mastered the “dance” of proclaiming love in the midst of hate. They have figured out how to “win friends and influence people” by simply living for Jesus. Yes, they are pastors… but they do not “preach” outside of the pulpit. On the street on an ordinary weekday, they are just JR and John… men who love God and care deeply about His people… and it shows. They do more to win over the naysayers with their quiet strength than a dozen sidewalk evangelists! And we would do well to take a good long look at their “Christian business model” and copy it in our own daily living.
If you are persecuted or judged for your faith, I’m sorry… it’s often part of Discipleship. But there are things we can do to temper this. We don’t have to stop proclaiming the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ… or sharing what great things He has done in our own lives with those around us. But we can ask God to grant us the wisdom and good sense to know when to simply BE… to love others unconditionally and SHOW them how we have been blessed rather than by telling them… to quietly distance ourselves from activities and conversations that we know are wrong, rather than making a big noise about it… to show others that living for Jesus doesn’t make us weird or superior – or even dull and boring!
We can show others that a life in Christ is filled with peace, joy, and abiding comfort in all situations. Maybe then, others will want what we have for themselves. Isn’t it worth a shot?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
“When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I can remember times when I was growing up that certain friends and acquaintances did not include me in an activity or conversation because they thought I would not approve, based on my church affiliation. Whether their assumption was correct or not, they must have assumed that I would judge them… so they judged me first! I wasn’t invited to certain parties… I was excluded from a few “cliques”. Honestly, I wasn’t all that popular. It wasn’t that I was judgmental – or even that I was especially vocal about my faith. It was more that since I attended a certain church with a reputation for believing particular things, others assumed that I felt the same way and would probably condemn those who attended elsewhere – or nowhere at all!
Like many, I was stung by these judgments… so much so that I distanced myself from church in my early adulthood. I never turned my back on God, but I tried to be more “regular”… to fit in and avoid situations where others might label me a “Jesus freak” – or even “religious” or “spiritual”. Maybe you have done this, too. It’s an easy trap to fall into…and there is a certain comfort level in hanging out “under the radar,” so to speak. Nobody expects very much of you there… and most never think to judge you one way or the other.
As God began to help me through some difficult and challenging situations, I realized that being bold in my faith was not an option… it was an obligation. But there is a caveat… we Christians walk a fine line between being effective examples of faith in Jesus Christ – and being obnoxious fools. There will always be those who label us as “the token Christian of the family”… a “Jesus freak”… “the Church lady”…”religious fanatics”…or some other tag meant to demean and offend us. The temptation will be there to close our mouths, lay low, and try to fit in with the rest of the world. But we must listen to Jesus’ words in this passage… “Don’t quit! Don’t cave in! It is all well worth it in the end.”
How do we do this? I don’t have a solid answer for you. But I can give you a couple of working examples. I have two very dear lifelong friends, JR and John, who have always been loved and accepted by others as kind, hardworking men… good husbands, fathers, and in one case – an adoring grandfather. You will see them at outings from school sporting events to civic gatherings. They take their wives to the movies – as one of them put it…“to see a chick flick with my chick!” And you will see them at church on Sundays, where one serves as a pastor – the other (also an ordained minister) serves as a minister of music.
These men are not “preachy” or pushy about their faith, but their quiet, wise demeanor speaks volumes about their Christian faith. Both have a way of offering a welcoming smile and calming, sage advice… of praying over a friend with wisdom and confidence… of saying just what needs to be said and showing up at exactly the right time. And I have seen both of them criticized for their stance…and judged unfairly.
In my book, these men have mastered the “dance” of proclaiming love in the midst of hate. They have figured out how to “win friends and influence people” by simply living for Jesus. Yes, they are pastors… but they do not “preach” outside of the pulpit. On the street on an ordinary weekday, they are just JR and John… men who love God and care deeply about His people… and it shows. They do more to win over the naysayers with their quiet strength than a dozen sidewalk evangelists! And we would do well to take a good long look at their “Christian business model” and copy it in our own daily living.
If you are persecuted or judged for your faith, I’m sorry… it’s often part of Discipleship. But there are things we can do to temper this. We don’t have to stop proclaiming the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ… or sharing what great things He has done in our own lives with those around us. But we can ask God to grant us the wisdom and good sense to know when to simply BE… to love others unconditionally and SHOW them how we have been blessed rather than by telling them… to quietly distance ourselves from activities and conversations that we know are wrong, rather than making a big noise about it… to show others that living for Jesus doesn’t make us weird or superior – or even dull and boring!
We can show others that a life in Christ is filled with peace, joy, and abiding comfort in all situations. Maybe then, others will want what we have for themselves. Isn’t it worth a shot?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 16, 2013
James 2:14-24
Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.”
Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
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.
Have you ever said to someone, “Call me if you need me!” and then secretly whispered, “Oh, LORD, please don’t let them really call!”? Or maybe you have told someone, “If there is anything I can do for you,” and hoped they wouldn’t take you up on the offer. When they DID, you griped and groaned (at least secretly) because you had to make good on your promise. I’m afraid we are all guilty of some form of this response at one time or another.
When someone makes some form of these statements to me, I generally discard their comments. I assume that the person who made this offer was providing “lip service” and walked away feeling like, “My work is done here… I’m off the hook!” However, there are a few people I know who say this and mean it. I have seen their faith in action. When they tell me they are ready and willing to help me, I know they truly are! Do you know people like this? I hope so!
So what can you do if you are one of these people who “talk the talk” and don’t “walk the walk?” Start by making sincere offers to help others. Say…“Can I give you a ride… cook you a meal or go through a drive-thru and pick up lunch…come over and visit with you for a while (as you recuperate or because you are lonely)…help you with your house work or yard work… serve in XYZ ministry at church?” (You fill in the blanks!) Think of concrete offers to make… and stand behind them. As your reputation grows for keeping your word and your “works of faith,” people will begin to trust that you mean it when you offer to do something for them.
By the same token, James reminds us in this scripture passage that we cannot say we trust God to care for us and then “trouble our troubles” to death! We cannot ask God to help us with such-and-such and then tell everyone we meet how worried we are about this situation. It is one thing to say, “Would you join me in prayer over a concern”… believing that God is listening and will handle the situation. It is quite another to ask others to pray out of fear and apprehension that your prayers are not sufficient on their own merits!
On his Facebook page, Pastor Rick Warren (Saddleback Church – author of The Purpose Driven Life) said…” Every time you make a bad choice, it becomes harder to make a good one.” Today, start making good choices… faith-filled choices that bring you the peace and joy of a complete relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t just offer Him “lip service”. Go “all in” with your mindset and your acts of faith!
How “fruitful in works” is your relationship with Jesus? Is it time for an attitude adjustment? Isn’t today a good time to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.”
Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
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.
Have you ever said to someone, “Call me if you need me!” and then secretly whispered, “Oh, LORD, please don’t let them really call!”? Or maybe you have told someone, “If there is anything I can do for you,” and hoped they wouldn’t take you up on the offer. When they DID, you griped and groaned (at least secretly) because you had to make good on your promise. I’m afraid we are all guilty of some form of this response at one time or another.
When someone makes some form of these statements to me, I generally discard their comments. I assume that the person who made this offer was providing “lip service” and walked away feeling like, “My work is done here… I’m off the hook!” However, there are a few people I know who say this and mean it. I have seen their faith in action. When they tell me they are ready and willing to help me, I know they truly are! Do you know people like this? I hope so!
So what can you do if you are one of these people who “talk the talk” and don’t “walk the walk?” Start by making sincere offers to help others. Say…“Can I give you a ride… cook you a meal or go through a drive-thru and pick up lunch…come over and visit with you for a while (as you recuperate or because you are lonely)…help you with your house work or yard work… serve in XYZ ministry at church?” (You fill in the blanks!) Think of concrete offers to make… and stand behind them. As your reputation grows for keeping your word and your “works of faith,” people will begin to trust that you mean it when you offer to do something for them.
By the same token, James reminds us in this scripture passage that we cannot say we trust God to care for us and then “trouble our troubles” to death! We cannot ask God to help us with such-and-such and then tell everyone we meet how worried we are about this situation. It is one thing to say, “Would you join me in prayer over a concern”… believing that God is listening and will handle the situation. It is quite another to ask others to pray out of fear and apprehension that your prayers are not sufficient on their own merits!
On his Facebook page, Pastor Rick Warren (Saddleback Church – author of The Purpose Driven Life) said…” Every time you make a bad choice, it becomes harder to make a good one.” Today, start making good choices… faith-filled choices that bring you the peace and joy of a complete relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t just offer Him “lip service”. Go “all in” with your mindset and your acts of faith!
How “fruitful in works” is your relationship with Jesus? Is it time for an attitude adjustment? Isn’t today a good time to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 27, 2013
1 Corinthians 14:20
To be perfectly frank, I’m getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before you grow up and use your head—your adult head? It’s all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that’s needed there. But there’s far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I will probably step on some toes today, but I feel like I have to share this. On my Facebook feed today, I found a post from an organization claiming that Beyoncé flashed a sign of the devil during her Super Bowl halftime performance this year. Additionally, these folks claim that Beyoncé’s husband, rapper Jay-Z, uses this sign on t-shirts and other products that promote his own celebrity as a public figure and entertainer. The claim is that Beyoncé and Jay-Z are part of a Satanic cult, and they are using their prominence to spread their message. Regardless of how you feel about Beyoncé (and I am neither endorsing nor condemning her and Jay-Z), I do not believe they have a hidden – and/or Satanic – agenda!
What does this have to do with 1 Corinthians 14:20? I’ll tell you! God wants us to be cognizant of evil. He want us to operate in wisdom… to be awake and alert to danger and attempts by the devil to creep into the tiniest corners of our lives. But God wants us to be smart, too. He doesn’t want us to fall for every claim we see and hear. Just because someone makes such statements on behalf of a “Christian” organization doesn’t mean they are speaking the truth – much less for God!
Just as we know that scammers contact us on e-mail and by telephone claiming to represent our bank or credit card company and needing vital information in order to “protect” us, we must be aware that the devil is plenty busy finding so-called “believers” to do his dirty work by keeping Christians riled up unnecessarily and “chasing rabbit trails.” To better understand this passage, I considered the verses before and after it. I also consulted several leading commentaries.
My conclusion is that Paul is reminding us to be innocent and child-like in our faith… to accept Jesus Christ and fully believe in Him even though we have not seen Him with our own eyes… to fully serve as His disciples and share His Good News with others. But at the same time, he is warning us not to get high and mighty in our actions and behaviors as Christians. We are not superior to others… we do not have a “secret code” or “inside scoop.” Moreover, we are not to run off on a tangent… to engage in hateful protests, or promote rumors and – at best – half-truths that look for the “boogey man” behind every rock. Instead of condemning others or acting as if we have it all figured out, we are to operate in child-like humility and faith… to earnestly and continually seek God and His wisdom and will for our lives.
Furthermore, I believe we are called to look out for one another… to share the knowledge and wisdom God provides us with fellow believers and those with whom we are sharing the Good News of Jesus. But we are called to refrain from perpetuating the falsehoods and negativity that some want to offer in the name of God…and in fact, to speak out against these things when we see and hear them being proffered. I know this is not always easy or popular, but serving God is not always a smooth ride. I know that by even sharing this with you today, some could decide not to read these daily devotionals any longer. It’s a chance I’m willing to take. I want to be child-like in my faith… and mature in God’s wisdom. Don’t you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
To be perfectly frank, I’m getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before you grow up and use your head—your adult head? It’s all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that’s needed there. But there’s far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I will probably step on some toes today, but I feel like I have to share this. On my Facebook feed today, I found a post from an organization claiming that Beyoncé flashed a sign of the devil during her Super Bowl halftime performance this year. Additionally, these folks claim that Beyoncé’s husband, rapper Jay-Z, uses this sign on t-shirts and other products that promote his own celebrity as a public figure and entertainer. The claim is that Beyoncé and Jay-Z are part of a Satanic cult, and they are using their prominence to spread their message. Regardless of how you feel about Beyoncé (and I am neither endorsing nor condemning her and Jay-Z), I do not believe they have a hidden – and/or Satanic – agenda!
What does this have to do with 1 Corinthians 14:20? I’ll tell you! God wants us to be cognizant of evil. He want us to operate in wisdom… to be awake and alert to danger and attempts by the devil to creep into the tiniest corners of our lives. But God wants us to be smart, too. He doesn’t want us to fall for every claim we see and hear. Just because someone makes such statements on behalf of a “Christian” organization doesn’t mean they are speaking the truth – much less for God!
Just as we know that scammers contact us on e-mail and by telephone claiming to represent our bank or credit card company and needing vital information in order to “protect” us, we must be aware that the devil is plenty busy finding so-called “believers” to do his dirty work by keeping Christians riled up unnecessarily and “chasing rabbit trails.” To better understand this passage, I considered the verses before and after it. I also consulted several leading commentaries.
My conclusion is that Paul is reminding us to be innocent and child-like in our faith… to accept Jesus Christ and fully believe in Him even though we have not seen Him with our own eyes… to fully serve as His disciples and share His Good News with others. But at the same time, he is warning us not to get high and mighty in our actions and behaviors as Christians. We are not superior to others… we do not have a “secret code” or “inside scoop.” Moreover, we are not to run off on a tangent… to engage in hateful protests, or promote rumors and – at best – half-truths that look for the “boogey man” behind every rock. Instead of condemning others or acting as if we have it all figured out, we are to operate in child-like humility and faith… to earnestly and continually seek God and His wisdom and will for our lives.
Furthermore, I believe we are called to look out for one another… to share the knowledge and wisdom God provides us with fellow believers and those with whom we are sharing the Good News of Jesus. But we are called to refrain from perpetuating the falsehoods and negativity that some want to offer in the name of God…and in fact, to speak out against these things when we see and hear them being proffered. I know this is not always easy or popular, but serving God is not always a smooth ride. I know that by even sharing this with you today, some could decide not to read these daily devotionals any longer. It’s a chance I’m willing to take. I want to be child-like in my faith… and mature in God’s wisdom. Don’t you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 7, 2012
James 3:1-2
Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].
For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)
As a public school teacher who spent several years obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Education degree - and summers, nights and weekends adding my Master of Science in Education credentials - I will tell you that not all people who receive said degrees belong in the classroom. I supervised more than one student teacher who had satisfied all of the requisite requirements to get to the point of “practice teaching.” But this did not mean that he/she was qualified to actually teach small children. Good teachers possess innate qualities that cannot be gleaned from textbooks – many simply have what it takes to be good teachers. Others hone their abilities over time and continually improve as they gain on-the-job experience.
My assessment was based on the observed skills (or lack thereof), as student teachers interacted with the students. I didn’t even consider their personal life or how they might conduct themselves outside the classroom… although this does matter! I don’t want the teachers who are charged with the care and education of our children to be engaged in illicit or illegal behaviors. And sadly, all we have to do to learn about people who have no business being teachers is to pay attention to current news reports.
There are many stations in life where we find that we are called to a higher standard of behavior (or we should be)… as parents, Sunday school teachers and leaders in the church or community, mentors, and yes – writers of daily devotionals! This does not mean we are to place ourselves on a pedestal and lord it over others… but that we must seriously consider the significance of what we say and do. We must always be aware that people are watching and listening… and they are checking to see if our words and actions align.
In this regard, we Christians are all “teachers.” Just because you don’t lead a Sunday school class each week or fill another sort of leadership role does not mean that you are immune to these standards. As a Disciple of Christ, you are very much a “teacher” of sorts. We must stay awake, alert, and on guard that our behavior and our attitudes reflect those of the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ. At the same time, we must be very careful not to place our own witness above that of someone else. We must not think more highly of ourselves… or condescend to others who are sharing their witness.
I will be the first to tell you that I don’t always agree with others’ interpretation of what it means to be a Christian. Based on my own prayer and Bible study, there are times when I vehemently disagree with another person’s “take” on things and/or interpretation of scripture. But I try to be very careful in offering a dissenting opinion. Our goal must never be to shame or insult the other person… but rather to lovingly offer our viewpoint… to say, “This is what God has shown me… perhaps this is another way to consider what you are saying,” rather than, “That is NOT what the Bible says… you are so very wrong!”
I don’t know about you, but I have been “called out” for what I have shared from time to time by those who disagree. I have been “reproved” and judged… and I have tried to examine these criticisms and make doubly sure they had no validity… or to make adjustments if I find that I am mistaken. We won’t always get it right. As James points out, to do so would make us perfect…and we all know that this ain’t happenin’! But we can strive to get closer to the mark… to be gentle, accepting, and humble… and to prayerfully and carefully share the love of Jesus Christ with others through our words and actions.
Just as teaching degrees and credentials do not make one a capable, competent teacher… claiming to be a Christian doesn’t make us a Disciple of Christ, either. What about you? What are your credentials? Does your daily living match up with what you speak and demonstrate to others? Don’t you think it should?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].
For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)
As a public school teacher who spent several years obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Education degree - and summers, nights and weekends adding my Master of Science in Education credentials - I will tell you that not all people who receive said degrees belong in the classroom. I supervised more than one student teacher who had satisfied all of the requisite requirements to get to the point of “practice teaching.” But this did not mean that he/she was qualified to actually teach small children. Good teachers possess innate qualities that cannot be gleaned from textbooks – many simply have what it takes to be good teachers. Others hone their abilities over time and continually improve as they gain on-the-job experience.
My assessment was based on the observed skills (or lack thereof), as student teachers interacted with the students. I didn’t even consider their personal life or how they might conduct themselves outside the classroom… although this does matter! I don’t want the teachers who are charged with the care and education of our children to be engaged in illicit or illegal behaviors. And sadly, all we have to do to learn about people who have no business being teachers is to pay attention to current news reports.
There are many stations in life where we find that we are called to a higher standard of behavior (or we should be)… as parents, Sunday school teachers and leaders in the church or community, mentors, and yes – writers of daily devotionals! This does not mean we are to place ourselves on a pedestal and lord it over others… but that we must seriously consider the significance of what we say and do. We must always be aware that people are watching and listening… and they are checking to see if our words and actions align.
In this regard, we Christians are all “teachers.” Just because you don’t lead a Sunday school class each week or fill another sort of leadership role does not mean that you are immune to these standards. As a Disciple of Christ, you are very much a “teacher” of sorts. We must stay awake, alert, and on guard that our behavior and our attitudes reflect those of the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ. At the same time, we must be very careful not to place our own witness above that of someone else. We must not think more highly of ourselves… or condescend to others who are sharing their witness.
I will be the first to tell you that I don’t always agree with others’ interpretation of what it means to be a Christian. Based on my own prayer and Bible study, there are times when I vehemently disagree with another person’s “take” on things and/or interpretation of scripture. But I try to be very careful in offering a dissenting opinion. Our goal must never be to shame or insult the other person… but rather to lovingly offer our viewpoint… to say, “This is what God has shown me… perhaps this is another way to consider what you are saying,” rather than, “That is NOT what the Bible says… you are so very wrong!”
I don’t know about you, but I have been “called out” for what I have shared from time to time by those who disagree. I have been “reproved” and judged… and I have tried to examine these criticisms and make doubly sure they had no validity… or to make adjustments if I find that I am mistaken. We won’t always get it right. As James points out, to do so would make us perfect…and we all know that this ain’t happenin’! But we can strive to get closer to the mark… to be gentle, accepting, and humble… and to prayerfully and carefully share the love of Jesus Christ with others through our words and actions.
Just as teaching degrees and credentials do not make one a capable, competent teacher… claiming to be a Christian doesn’t make us a Disciple of Christ, either. What about you? What are your credentials? Does your daily living match up with what you speak and demonstrate to others? Don’t you think it should?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 5, 2012
James 2:21-14
Wasn't our ancestor Abraham "made right with God by works" when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are "works of faith"? The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
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.
Labor Day 2011, Timothy awoke wheezing. He could hardly catch his breath. The noise was so loud that my husband rushed from his upstairs office and said, “He’s having an asthma attack.” Thankfully, Timothy did not have asthma – just a serious allergic reaction to leaves and grass he had played in the day before. But it took a trip to our local hospital Emergency Room to determine this. And the entire event scared our little guy half to death… particularly some of the devices used to examine him, like a blood pressure cuff and a nebulizer mask applied for a “breathing treatment.”
The doctor ordered a chest x-ray, and the technician came to our exam room to get us. Timothy was terrified and did not want to cooperate. He most certainly did not want to let go of me. In frustration, the technician finally ordered us to leave the x-ray lab. We did NOT want to do this, but nurses and the respiratory therapist assured me that they would not leave Timothy… and that he would be in good hands. So my husband and I reluctantly stepped out of the room and left our little guy sitting on the x-ray table, screaming at the top of his lungs. I told my husband, “They have five minutes.” Some three minutes and one decent x-ray later, we were allowed to return.
I don’t begin to compare this experience to that of Abraham placing Isaac on the altar and preparing to kill him in sacrifice. But I have a glimpse of how hard it is to entrust your child to others who are assuring you that “this is the right thing to do,” and “it will be okay,” when your gut is telling you something completely different. I have a little clearer picture of operating in faith. I knew that we needed the x-ray. I knew some of these nurses and trusted them to take care of Timothy. The doctor had explained that he had to rule out pneumonia… and this was the least invasive procedure they offered. But I still hear the screams and terror in my nephew’s voice. Nobody ever said being a “parent” was easy… and certainly no one ever said walking in faith with Jesus would be simple, either.
My point is that we often realize that what God is calling us to do is going to be difficult… or at best, something we really don’t want to do. Other times, we are simply a little lazy. God is requiring effort on our part that we do not want to provide. Regardless of the reason, there will be times when walking in faith is incredibly hard… but extremely vital. As the scripture states, that “mesh of believing and acting” is what brings the results we so desperately seek… the relationship with God that creates the genuine “friendship.”
As Christians, there will be many times in our lives when God calls upon us to demonstrate incredible faith in Him and the promises He has given us. The word “demonstrate” is not passive… it is a call to action! This may mean actively getting up and getting busy – or it may simply mean behaving in a manner that exudes a positive, hopeful attitude. Whatever and wherever God calls us, we must be ready to do what is required… even if it means temporarily leaving our child in the care of trained medical staff members who are trying to help. Are you up for the challenges of living in Christian faith? Where do you need to make necessary adjustments – in your actions and your attitude? Are you ready to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Wasn't our ancestor Abraham "made right with God by works" when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are "works of faith"? The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
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.
Labor Day 2011, Timothy awoke wheezing. He could hardly catch his breath. The noise was so loud that my husband rushed from his upstairs office and said, “He’s having an asthma attack.” Thankfully, Timothy did not have asthma – just a serious allergic reaction to leaves and grass he had played in the day before. But it took a trip to our local hospital Emergency Room to determine this. And the entire event scared our little guy half to death… particularly some of the devices used to examine him, like a blood pressure cuff and a nebulizer mask applied for a “breathing treatment.”
The doctor ordered a chest x-ray, and the technician came to our exam room to get us. Timothy was terrified and did not want to cooperate. He most certainly did not want to let go of me. In frustration, the technician finally ordered us to leave the x-ray lab. We did NOT want to do this, but nurses and the respiratory therapist assured me that they would not leave Timothy… and that he would be in good hands. So my husband and I reluctantly stepped out of the room and left our little guy sitting on the x-ray table, screaming at the top of his lungs. I told my husband, “They have five minutes.” Some three minutes and one decent x-ray later, we were allowed to return.
I don’t begin to compare this experience to that of Abraham placing Isaac on the altar and preparing to kill him in sacrifice. But I have a glimpse of how hard it is to entrust your child to others who are assuring you that “this is the right thing to do,” and “it will be okay,” when your gut is telling you something completely different. I have a little clearer picture of operating in faith. I knew that we needed the x-ray. I knew some of these nurses and trusted them to take care of Timothy. The doctor had explained that he had to rule out pneumonia… and this was the least invasive procedure they offered. But I still hear the screams and terror in my nephew’s voice. Nobody ever said being a “parent” was easy… and certainly no one ever said walking in faith with Jesus would be simple, either.
My point is that we often realize that what God is calling us to do is going to be difficult… or at best, something we really don’t want to do. Other times, we are simply a little lazy. God is requiring effort on our part that we do not want to provide. Regardless of the reason, there will be times when walking in faith is incredibly hard… but extremely vital. As the scripture states, that “mesh of believing and acting” is what brings the results we so desperately seek… the relationship with God that creates the genuine “friendship.”
As Christians, there will be many times in our lives when God calls upon us to demonstrate incredible faith in Him and the promises He has given us. The word “demonstrate” is not passive… it is a call to action! This may mean actively getting up and getting busy – or it may simply mean behaving in a manner that exudes a positive, hopeful attitude. Whatever and wherever God calls us, we must be ready to do what is required… even if it means temporarily leaving our child in the care of trained medical staff members who are trying to help. Are you up for the challenges of living in Christian faith? Where do you need to make necessary adjustments – in your actions and your attitude? Are you ready to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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