John 3:8-9
As he was speaking, the Jewish leaders and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery and placed her out in front of the staring crowd.
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Moses’ law says to kill her. What about it?”
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, hurl the stones at her until she dies. But only he who never sinned may throw the first!”
Then he stooped down again and wrote some more in the dust. And the Jewish leaders slipped away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until only Jesus was left in front of the crowd with the woman.
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 truly believe that God allows us to experience many things in order to teach us empathy for others…including not only events like illness, personal loss, and natural disasters…but our own sins, as well. We are more empathetic when we have walked in another person’s shoes. Someone who has overcome a handicap is probably more understanding toward those like him/her. No one can talk to a smoker or another person with an addiction about quitting better than one who has already given up the habit. Unfortunately, the only way to truly understand grief and loss seems to be to experience it firsthand.
While personal knowledge and experience may increase our “street cred” when commiserating or encouraging someone else…this does not define our calling – and our ability – to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus with others. To put it another way, you do not have to be an adulterer, murderer, or addict in order to offer love, compassion, and encouragement to someone who is. Why? Because we all have sinned in some manner…and in the eyes of Jesus, no one is better or worse than another.
So while you judge the single mother whose significant other has been jailed for possession of drugs, you are overlooking that juicy tidbit of gossip you just shared with your best friend. While you shake your head and talk about the sexual predator who has moved into your neighborhood, you fail to acknowledge that you called someone (whether you know him/her personally or not) an unkind name – or you posted something derogatory about him/her on social media.
While you are busy looking down your nose at people you consider “less than” in some manner, you are completely oblivious to the fact that you have done your fair share of breaking Jesus’ commandments - just by passing judgment on another. If all of your sins were laid bare, the world would most likely see just how despicably you have behaved, as well.
The lesson for us is that while we want to pick up the stone and hurl it, we had best take a long hard look at all that we have asked God to forgive in our own lives first. The time has come to love others with the love of Christ, which means we are going to have to get down off our high horses and stop judging and condemning others. We need to start looking at everyone with the attitude that we could easily be the ones that other people are so eager to stone.
Look around. Who could use a smile…a hug…a handshake or an encouraging word that says, “I see you…not your mistakes.”? Do you love others with the love of Christ, regardless of who they are or what they have done? Do you understand that others look at you with the same disdain because of your own sins and shortcomings? When will we "put down the stone and" pick up an attitude of kindness and compassion for others, in order to ensure that they seek complete forgiveness from the only One who can truly give it?
Are you ready to practice true Christian discipleship and love of all people? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label sharing the love and teachings of Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharing the love and teachings of Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 8, 2016
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others.
What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!
Everyone who prophesies will stop, and unknown languages will no longer be spoken. All that we know will be forgotten.
We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn’t perfect will then disappear.
When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways. Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us.
For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our church’s Sunday school focus for this quarter is on “church”…what is it? Who makes up the “church”? How can we be the “church” to others? There are a lot of people who think they are the church, because they “do all the right things.” They attend worship services on Sundays…they participate in Bible studies and small groups…they wear the appropriate cross jewelry and t-shirts and/or have crosses, fish and bumper stickers on their vehicles. They might even have a sign in their yard that says, “This family attends XYZ church.” And they hang out with other people who attend their “church.”
But check these folks on any given day, and you will see someone who does not seem to represent the “church” described in the Book of Acts - in any way, shape or form. Yesterday, I asked a group of 2nd-3rd graders how they could better represent the church that Jesus commissioned in the Book of Acts. One child said, “I could watch my language and not say ugly words.” Another said, “I could pray more and tell others about Jesus.” Still another said, “I could control my temper."
All of the children in this class were sweet and sincere…they want to be loving servants. But they are children…and they are human. 1 Corinthians 13:11 tells us that most children think and reason differently from us. Unfortunately, we adults behave like children far too often. We do not operate in love…and we do not represent Jesus. We may “look the part,” on the outside…but our hearts are certainly not filled with love for others.
I told the children what I often remind each of us in these devotionals…people are watching. When they look at us, we want them to see the love of Jesus. We want others to see behaviors and hear talk that represents His teachings…offers hope, demonstrates faith, and surrounds them with love and acceptance. If we don’t truly have the love of Christ in our hearts…if we don’t carry His Holy Spirit with us…this will not be possible.
Examine your heart today. See where you have become nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Ask Jesus to fill you with His love…and to help you share His compassion tenderness, grace and mercy with others. We are called to “feed His sheep” by our demonstrations of love, hope and faith. How are you doing today?
©2016 Debbie Robus
What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others.
What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!
Everyone who prophesies will stop, and unknown languages will no longer be spoken. All that we know will be forgotten.
We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn’t perfect will then disappear.
When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways. Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us.
For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our church’s Sunday school focus for this quarter is on “church”…what is it? Who makes up the “church”? How can we be the “church” to others? There are a lot of people who think they are the church, because they “do all the right things.” They attend worship services on Sundays…they participate in Bible studies and small groups…they wear the appropriate cross jewelry and t-shirts and/or have crosses, fish and bumper stickers on their vehicles. They might even have a sign in their yard that says, “This family attends XYZ church.” And they hang out with other people who attend their “church.”
But check these folks on any given day, and you will see someone who does not seem to represent the “church” described in the Book of Acts - in any way, shape or form. Yesterday, I asked a group of 2nd-3rd graders how they could better represent the church that Jesus commissioned in the Book of Acts. One child said, “I could watch my language and not say ugly words.” Another said, “I could pray more and tell others about Jesus.” Still another said, “I could control my temper."
All of the children in this class were sweet and sincere…they want to be loving servants. But they are children…and they are human. 1 Corinthians 13:11 tells us that most children think and reason differently from us. Unfortunately, we adults behave like children far too often. We do not operate in love…and we do not represent Jesus. We may “look the part,” on the outside…but our hearts are certainly not filled with love for others.
I told the children what I often remind each of us in these devotionals…people are watching. When they look at us, we want them to see the love of Jesus. We want others to see behaviors and hear talk that represents His teachings…offers hope, demonstrates faith, and surrounds them with love and acceptance. If we don’t truly have the love of Christ in our hearts…if we don’t carry His Holy Spirit with us…this will not be possible.
Examine your heart today. See where you have become nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Ask Jesus to fill you with His love…and to help you share His compassion tenderness, grace and mercy with others. We are called to “feed His sheep” by our demonstrations of love, hope and faith. How are you doing today?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 7, 2015
Colossians 1:24-25
You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message.
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.
“Did you get my message?” This is a common question frequently asked by many of us…in many contexts… Did you receive my text? ~ Did you hear the voice mail message I left you? ~ Do you understand what I am saying to you? ~ ARE YOU LISTENING?
When it comes to the message of Jesus, we who have committed our lives to following and serving Him are to convey His teachings, sentiments, and desires for mankind to the world at large. And as Paul points out, we often get distracted or diverted. We are so busy making a point rather than making a difference that we fail to keep the main thing the main thing! (How do you like how I managed to work TWO clichés into one sentence there?!)
Many people are so busy promoting their own agendas and trying to instill fear in others that they have not only distorted the Message…they have quit listening to God for themselves. Rather than emphasize that Jesus died on the cross for ALL OF US…they would rather promote an “us vs. them” mentality – toward people of other religious beliefs, races, ethnicities, political viewpoints, sexual orientations, economic levels, and more.
Take a good hard look at Jesus…He practiced NONE of these behaviors. He did not say to the woman at the well, “You’re unworthy to talk to Me.” He did not look at those who were mentally ill and say, “I want nothing to do with you.” Jesus didn’t look down on the poor and afflicted, the Samaritans, or the tax collectors. Jesus did not choose one person or group of people over another!
If we want to be like Jesus…if we truly want to be His messengers…we have to follow His example. We have to stop sharing gossip, propaganda, and untruths. We have to start being kind to ALL people. We have to quit judging others. We must start loving every person and seeing him/her as God’s creation…worthy of that same incredible gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ which we have received. This is not the same as condoning sinful actions. Study Jesus…you will see how He made the distinction. We must learn to do this in our own daily living.
The Apostle Paul was exactly right…You don’t walk away from a gift like Jesus, and there is no other Message but His. Are you grounded and steady in a bond of trust, constantly tuned in and focused on Him? Are you truly a messenger of HIS Message? Isn’t it time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message.
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.
“Did you get my message?” This is a common question frequently asked by many of us…in many contexts… Did you receive my text? ~ Did you hear the voice mail message I left you? ~ Do you understand what I am saying to you? ~ ARE YOU LISTENING?
When it comes to the message of Jesus, we who have committed our lives to following and serving Him are to convey His teachings, sentiments, and desires for mankind to the world at large. And as Paul points out, we often get distracted or diverted. We are so busy making a point rather than making a difference that we fail to keep the main thing the main thing! (How do you like how I managed to work TWO clichés into one sentence there?!)
Many people are so busy promoting their own agendas and trying to instill fear in others that they have not only distorted the Message…they have quit listening to God for themselves. Rather than emphasize that Jesus died on the cross for ALL OF US…they would rather promote an “us vs. them” mentality – toward people of other religious beliefs, races, ethnicities, political viewpoints, sexual orientations, economic levels, and more.
Take a good hard look at Jesus…He practiced NONE of these behaviors. He did not say to the woman at the well, “You’re unworthy to talk to Me.” He did not look at those who were mentally ill and say, “I want nothing to do with you.” Jesus didn’t look down on the poor and afflicted, the Samaritans, or the tax collectors. Jesus did not choose one person or group of people over another!
If we want to be like Jesus…if we truly want to be His messengers…we have to follow His example. We have to stop sharing gossip, propaganda, and untruths. We have to start being kind to ALL people. We have to quit judging others. We must start loving every person and seeing him/her as God’s creation…worthy of that same incredible gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ which we have received. This is not the same as condoning sinful actions. Study Jesus…you will see how He made the distinction. We must learn to do this in our own daily living.
The Apostle Paul was exactly right…You don’t walk away from a gift like Jesus, and there is no other Message but His. Are you grounded and steady in a bond of trust, constantly tuned in and focused on Him? Are you truly a messenger of HIS Message? Isn’t it time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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