Acts 5:1-11
But a man named Ananias—his wife,
Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land, secretly kept
part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the
apostles and made an offering of it.
Peter said, “Ananias, how
did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part
of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and
after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what
got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to
God.”
Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That
put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it. The younger men went
right to work and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.
Not
more than three hours later, his wife, knowing nothing of what had
happened, came in. Peter said, “Tell me, were you given this price for
your field?”
“Yes,” she said, “that price.”
Peter
responded, “What’s going on here that you connived to conspire against
the Spirit of the Master? The men who buried your husband are at the
door, and you’re next.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than
she also fell down, dead. When the young men returned they found her
body. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
By
this time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these
things had a healthy respect for God. They knew God was not to be
trifled with.
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.
This story reminds me of a
television commercial that aired in the 1970s for Chiffon margarine. A
woman dressed in white and dubbed “Mother Nature” was given Chiffon
margarine for her porridge, and she argued that she was eating butter.
When the off-camera announcer insisted that she had been tricked – that
she was eating Chiffon margarine instead, lightning flashed, thunder
crashed, and she announced, “It’s not NICE to fool Mother Nature!”™
This
ad became iconic…probably anyone alive in the seventies remembers - and
thinks of it often in certain contexts. But as bad as it is to fool
“Mother Nature,” it is far more serious to play fast and loose with
God. I’m not saying that God will strike you dead if you lie to
Him…although He could! But I do believe that when we are deceitful and
dishonest – with ANYONE – we are treading on dangerous territory.
Remember
the story from the Gospels where Jesus says that when we do something
to – or for – the least among us, we have done this to/for Him. So when
we lie, cheat, steal, undercut or mistreat ANYONE, we have as good as
done this to Jesus – and our Heavenly Father.
I don’t believe that God causes bad things to happen to us…but I do think that sometimes He allows
us to go through a few things – particularly when we have sinned and
disobeyed Him. But let’s be honest…God is plenty capable of taking us
out of this world if/when He wants. There have been a few times that I
felt like maybe God called someone to Heaven to interrupt their sinful
behavior(s) on this earth and the impact these had on others. God will
not allow us to wreak havoc with His perfect plans, as the deaths of
Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 so clearly illustrate!
Search your
heart today and see where you are harboring even the tiniest smidgeon
of deception or ill will. Ask God to show you how you might be
operating in dishonesty, trickery, rumors, hatred, fear mongering, and
other sinful activities and behaviors. Humbly beg His forgiveness and
vow to do better. The “Mother Nature” commercial was funny…and the tag
line is STILL a good one. It’s not nice to fool “Mother Nature”™…but trying to deceive God is truly no laughing matter.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label thinking too highly of ourselves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thinking too highly of ourselves. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 29, 2016
 |
| Celebrating my brother's first birthday. |
And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own? Should you say, ‘Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,’ when you can’t even see because of the board in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today, I am thinking of my brother, Tim, who was born 55 years ago on June 29, 1961. I am also thinking of a childhood friend, Aaron, who came into this world 2 years later. Both men are in heaven now…Tim left us in 1998 after a lengthy struggle with liver disease…and Aaron fought a valiant battle with cancer that resulted in his death in 2008. Tim was a Registered Nurse (RN) who specialized in cardiac care. Aaron was a well-respected general surgeon. Tim was a gay man who never got to have a spouse and children. Aaron was married – and the father of Colby and Aubrey.
Both Tim and Aaron loved God, medicine – and people. I am confident that neither of them saw others in terms of race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, or even gender. They saw people who had medical needs that they could address…God’s creations…someone who had issues that they were capable of mending in some way. Both men were very good at what they did and used the gifts that God gave them well. Both men epitomized the kind of person that I would want to treat me, should I need medical care.
Sadly, as in any profession, I know that there are cases where this is not the norm. I have personally witnessed people in need of medical care who received the “third degree” because of how they looked…what they were wearing…a perceived idea of their socio-economic level or sexual orientation, and more. I saw it happen to my Tim…as if because he was a gay man, he was not worthy of the same treatment, kindness, and courtesy as others. I always found this rather odd, because I have a feeling that those same people would have been GLAD to have Tim’s expertise on their side, should they have experienced cardiac arrest! This even happened to Tim once as he filled out a medical history for two nurses – who both knew that he was an RN and “one of THEM!”
I know there are probably people who think I am something of a “drum-beater” on this issue. But once it happens to you, the perspective shifts dramatically. Once you see firsthand how hurtful, destructive, and hypocritical such criticism of others can be, surely one can’t help but behave differently – and champion the feelings of our fellow man. I feel like God has allowed me to see these things in order to sound the bell for others before similar things happen to them – or they engage in such behaviors. This is my reason for being so vocal about discrimination and mistreatment of others…for any reason. And I hope and pray that I am never guilty of these things myself…although I suspect that at times, I have indeed been critical - and even hurtful.
Not all of us are called to be surgeons and nurses. Thankfully, we won’t all have to live out our Christian witness via terminal illness. God has given each one of us a unique purpose on this earth…but each one of us also has our own “plank in the eye.” None of us is perfect. We will all have moments where we speak without thinking…and say or do things that are hurtful to others – and detrimental to our Christian witness.
God has called us to further His kingdom…not just by TELLING others about Jesus – but also by demonstrating in thought, word and deed that we embrace His teachings of grace, mercy, forgiveness, acceptance, tolerance, kindness, and compassion. I am so glad that God allowed me to know Tim and Aaron…to see them grow into examples of men who fully accepted their mission and represented Jesus in their daily work. I hope that I am fulfilling my own Godly assignments…and doing so in a way that honors and glorifies my relationship with Jesus.
Today, I celebrate my brother, Tim, and my sweet friend, Aaron…and all who serve Jesus with unconditional love and kindness. I am striving to get rid of the “board in my eye” – and keep it at bay forever and ever. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 13, 2015
John 8:6-8
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
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.
The first year I taught, I had 31 first-grade students…and a year-long supply budget of $50. This was supposed to furnish me with everything from chalk to “magic markers” to paper for arts and crafts. So I made a list of things that I thought I might need to supplement this tiny budget…and I asked each child to bring one item on the list. One child brought potting soil…another brought tissues…another brought some construction paper, and so on. One little girl was asked to bring plastic cups. I planned to use these for things like planting beans as a science experiment (hence the potting soil I had requested!).
One morning, this child arrived with a big brown paper sack and a smile that covered her face. “Here are the cups,” she said proudly. “My mom got married, and they were left over from her wedding.” Inside were more than two dozen plastic wine glasses with snap-on “stems”. You can’t make this stuff up! I thanked her for the contribution and put them on the shelf with the other supplies. Some almost-40 years later, I cannot recall what we did with the cups, but I know we used them for something. We had to…it meant too much to this little girl.
Never mind that a lot of the other parents would be less than thrilled for their child to bring home a bean growing out of a stemmed wine “goblet”…forget that this was not really a suitable “planter” for the science project. To have tossed these aside as less than acceptable would have been the same as telling this darling little brown-eyed girl that she was not worthy – that her contribution was no good. And yet, we do this to people every single day in some form or another.
We make snap judgments and criticize…we blame others for things that there is no way they could have controlled…we lift ourselves by trying to make other people look small…we “cast stones” and pretend that we are sinless. We know better…but somehow, we cannot seem to do better!
I wonder just how long Jesus will continue to draw and dig in the sand and be patient with us. He’s already shown us more mercy and tolerance than any of us could ever deserve. Isn’t it time we started checking ourselves a little more closely? Shouldn’t we be asking that proverbial question, “What would Jesus do?” a little more often…and then making our thoughts, words and actions line up with His? Aren’t you ready to drop the stones…and have others drop the ones they have lined up for you? Wouldn’t this be a good day to begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
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.
The first year I taught, I had 31 first-grade students…and a year-long supply budget of $50. This was supposed to furnish me with everything from chalk to “magic markers” to paper for arts and crafts. So I made a list of things that I thought I might need to supplement this tiny budget…and I asked each child to bring one item on the list. One child brought potting soil…another brought tissues…another brought some construction paper, and so on. One little girl was asked to bring plastic cups. I planned to use these for things like planting beans as a science experiment (hence the potting soil I had requested!).
One morning, this child arrived with a big brown paper sack and a smile that covered her face. “Here are the cups,” she said proudly. “My mom got married, and they were left over from her wedding.” Inside were more than two dozen plastic wine glasses with snap-on “stems”. You can’t make this stuff up! I thanked her for the contribution and put them on the shelf with the other supplies. Some almost-40 years later, I cannot recall what we did with the cups, but I know we used them for something. We had to…it meant too much to this little girl.
Never mind that a lot of the other parents would be less than thrilled for their child to bring home a bean growing out of a stemmed wine “goblet”…forget that this was not really a suitable “planter” for the science project. To have tossed these aside as less than acceptable would have been the same as telling this darling little brown-eyed girl that she was not worthy – that her contribution was no good. And yet, we do this to people every single day in some form or another.
We make snap judgments and criticize…we blame others for things that there is no way they could have controlled…we lift ourselves by trying to make other people look small…we “cast stones” and pretend that we are sinless. We know better…but somehow, we cannot seem to do better!
I wonder just how long Jesus will continue to draw and dig in the sand and be patient with us. He’s already shown us more mercy and tolerance than any of us could ever deserve. Isn’t it time we started checking ourselves a little more closely? Shouldn’t we be asking that proverbial question, “What would Jesus do?” a little more often…and then making our thoughts, words and actions line up with His? Aren’t you ready to drop the stones…and have others drop the ones they have lined up for you? Wouldn’t this be a good day to begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 16, 2014
Acts 3:12-16
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “Men of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why look at us as though we by our own power and godliness had made this man walk? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and of all our ancestors who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. I refer to the Jesus whom you rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s determination to release him. You didn’t want him freed—this holy, righteous one. Instead you demanded the release of a murderer. And you killed the Author of Life; but God brought him back to life again. And John and I are witnesses of this fact, for after you killed him we saw him alive!
“Jesus’ name has healed this man—and you know how lame he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name—faith given us from God—has caused this perfect healing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Some of you may be watching the resurrected version of the television series “Dallas”. Back in the 70s and 80s when this show first aired, one of the main characters, “Bobby Ewing”, played by Patrick Duffy, was killed when the sister of his brother’s wife ran over him with a car...or so we thought. We learned in a subsequent season that this “death” had all been the “bad dream” of Bobby’s ex-wife Pamela. Still with me? I know this is crazy, and even writing it all down made me wonder, “What were we thinking?!”
I share this to tell you that we are no strangers to modern-day “resurrection” stories. They happen all the time in television series, movies...and even our favorite novels. Someone appears to be dead, but we discover that they really aren’t. Children watch cartoons in which the characters come back to life over and again. All of this combines to create a sort of “numbness” and indifference in each of us...and on certain levels, it causes us to detach from reality.
It is no surprise that we are somewhat numb to the profound significance of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection...that we are not as cognizant of Jesus’ healing power as we should be. It isn’t even that big of a stretch to see how we could give ourselves and the “healers” in our midst more credit than we deserve for our health and well-being in every area of life. Although it’s a “slippery slope”, one can see how easy it might be to give too much credit to physicians, therapists, coaches, teachers, parents, friends, and even clergy for enabling us to put one foot in front of the other.
While these people may play a significant role in our overall health and well-being...their true power comes from Jesus. We may benefit from their wisdom, expertise, kindness, compassion, mercy, and life experiences, but none of this would be available to us without our Savior. Jesus knows what we need...when we need it...and how to get it to us. He uses human beings as the vehicle for our healing...but ultimately, He is the Great Healer.
Unlike the original “Dallas” series and its 2012 revival, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were no television soap opera. Jesus is as real as it gets...and His power to heal and restore us – and meet our every need – is unsurpassed. His use of ordinary people like you and me to carry out His missions is equally real.
Maybe it’s time for us to open our eyes and re-align our focus a bit. Maybe we need to be more aware of Who is really running the show...and give Him the appropriate measure of gratitude. Maybe we need to stop thinking so highly of ourselves and stop to recognize Who fuels our every breath! Perhaps we need to start looking a little more closely at Who is truly the Author of our lives...and give credit where it is due. Isn’t this the perfect time to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “Men of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why look at us as though we by our own power and godliness had made this man walk? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and of all our ancestors who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. I refer to the Jesus whom you rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s determination to release him. You didn’t want him freed—this holy, righteous one. Instead you demanded the release of a murderer. And you killed the Author of Life; but God brought him back to life again. And John and I are witnesses of this fact, for after you killed him we saw him alive!
“Jesus’ name has healed this man—and you know how lame he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name—faith given us from God—has caused this perfect healing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Some of you may be watching the resurrected version of the television series “Dallas”. Back in the 70s and 80s when this show first aired, one of the main characters, “Bobby Ewing”, played by Patrick Duffy, was killed when the sister of his brother’s wife ran over him with a car...or so we thought. We learned in a subsequent season that this “death” had all been the “bad dream” of Bobby’s ex-wife Pamela. Still with me? I know this is crazy, and even writing it all down made me wonder, “What were we thinking?!”
I share this to tell you that we are no strangers to modern-day “resurrection” stories. They happen all the time in television series, movies...and even our favorite novels. Someone appears to be dead, but we discover that they really aren’t. Children watch cartoons in which the characters come back to life over and again. All of this combines to create a sort of “numbness” and indifference in each of us...and on certain levels, it causes us to detach from reality.
It is no surprise that we are somewhat numb to the profound significance of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection...that we are not as cognizant of Jesus’ healing power as we should be. It isn’t even that big of a stretch to see how we could give ourselves and the “healers” in our midst more credit than we deserve for our health and well-being in every area of life. Although it’s a “slippery slope”, one can see how easy it might be to give too much credit to physicians, therapists, coaches, teachers, parents, friends, and even clergy for enabling us to put one foot in front of the other.
While these people may play a significant role in our overall health and well-being...their true power comes from Jesus. We may benefit from their wisdom, expertise, kindness, compassion, mercy, and life experiences, but none of this would be available to us without our Savior. Jesus knows what we need...when we need it...and how to get it to us. He uses human beings as the vehicle for our healing...but ultimately, He is the Great Healer.
Unlike the original “Dallas” series and its 2012 revival, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were no television soap opera. Jesus is as real as it gets...and His power to heal and restore us – and meet our every need – is unsurpassed. His use of ordinary people like you and me to carry out His missions is equally real.
Maybe it’s time for us to open our eyes and re-align our focus a bit. Maybe we need to be more aware of Who is really running the show...and give Him the appropriate measure of gratitude. Maybe we need to stop thinking so highly of ourselves and stop to recognize Who fuels our every breath! Perhaps we need to start looking a little more closely at Who is truly the Author of our lives...and give credit where it is due. Isn’t this the perfect time to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 1, 2013
Luke 14:10-11
“When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I’m saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
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.
My lifelong friend, Adam Little, is a video editor in Nashville… a very good video editor whose work has won numerous awards. He posted on Facebook today that two of his videos are up for CMA awards... Miranda Lambert’s "Mama's Broken Heart" and Blake Shelton's "Boys Round Here". He noted that “both were directed by the talented Trey Fanjoy.” Now here’s the deal… most of you have heard of Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. But I bet a lot of you had no clue who Adam Little and Trey Fanjoy were a few minutes ago! Yet, without a good director… and a very good video editor, the work of these famous performers might go fairly unrecognized. I can assure you that the advent of video and the Internet opened up a whole new world for entertainers in all genres… particularly music. Now, artists can put their work on YouTube and send it out through other mass media venues. They can now reach an audience of millions in minutes. This used to take months and years as the singers drove from radio station to station and peddled their latest recording.
Still, Lambert and Shelton will take home the glory at the CMAs while Adam and Trey simply smile and “do what they do”, so to speak. And I am not here to imply that Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton walk around with their noses in the air. I don’t know either of them… they very well may be humble, truly nice people. But I know that they will take the accolades and the credit – and thank a few people if they win (hopefully including Adam and Trey!)… and they will continue to be the people everyone talks about. It is my hope that in some format, the artists will give Adam and Trey and others who worked on their projects due recognition. I trust that they will find a way to essentially say to them, “Friend, come up to the front!” But I know Adam… he will be fine either way, because he is content to simply be himself. And that makes him more famous in my book than a thousand Blake Sheltons or Miranda Lamberts!
What about you? Do you seek the limelight? Do you crave recognition for your accomplishments and good deeds? Have you ever asked someone, “Do you have any idea who you are dealing with… do you know who I am?” Even if you didn’t say these words out loud… have you ever given someone else this impression? Do you aspire to hang out with “the rich and famous”? Is it your goal to become one of them?
I know people who think they are “all that and a bag of chips”… and people who truly are all that – and could care less who knew it! And I will tell you that those in the latter category truly have it going on… with other people – and with God! You’re not fooling anyone when you put on airs. It may seem as if people flock to you and want to be around you – or to be you! But in truth, an attitude of arrogance and/or superiority only appears to take one places. True humility and respect for others, regardless of their station or accomplishments – or yours, is what counts.
God will bless those who are simply themselves… the ones who quietly go about their work and move behind the scenes… the “video editors and directors” of life. Are you one of them? Don’t you think you should be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I’m saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
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.
My lifelong friend, Adam Little, is a video editor in Nashville… a very good video editor whose work has won numerous awards. He posted on Facebook today that two of his videos are up for CMA awards... Miranda Lambert’s "Mama's Broken Heart" and Blake Shelton's "Boys Round Here". He noted that “both were directed by the talented Trey Fanjoy.” Now here’s the deal… most of you have heard of Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. But I bet a lot of you had no clue who Adam Little and Trey Fanjoy were a few minutes ago! Yet, without a good director… and a very good video editor, the work of these famous performers might go fairly unrecognized. I can assure you that the advent of video and the Internet opened up a whole new world for entertainers in all genres… particularly music. Now, artists can put their work on YouTube and send it out through other mass media venues. They can now reach an audience of millions in minutes. This used to take months and years as the singers drove from radio station to station and peddled their latest recording.
Still, Lambert and Shelton will take home the glory at the CMAs while Adam and Trey simply smile and “do what they do”, so to speak. And I am not here to imply that Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton walk around with their noses in the air. I don’t know either of them… they very well may be humble, truly nice people. But I know that they will take the accolades and the credit – and thank a few people if they win (hopefully including Adam and Trey!)… and they will continue to be the people everyone talks about. It is my hope that in some format, the artists will give Adam and Trey and others who worked on their projects due recognition. I trust that they will find a way to essentially say to them, “Friend, come up to the front!” But I know Adam… he will be fine either way, because he is content to simply be himself. And that makes him more famous in my book than a thousand Blake Sheltons or Miranda Lamberts!
What about you? Do you seek the limelight? Do you crave recognition for your accomplishments and good deeds? Have you ever asked someone, “Do you have any idea who you are dealing with… do you know who I am?” Even if you didn’t say these words out loud… have you ever given someone else this impression? Do you aspire to hang out with “the rich and famous”? Is it your goal to become one of them?
I know people who think they are “all that and a bag of chips”… and people who truly are all that – and could care less who knew it! And I will tell you that those in the latter category truly have it going on… with other people – and with God! You’re not fooling anyone when you put on airs. It may seem as if people flock to you and want to be around you – or to be you! But in truth, an attitude of arrogance and/or superiority only appears to take one places. True humility and respect for others, regardless of their station or accomplishments – or yours, is what counts.
God will bless those who are simply themselves… the ones who quietly go about their work and move behind the scenes… the “video editors and directors” of life. Are you one of them? Don’t you think you should be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 22, 2013
Romans 2:9-11
If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you’re from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended. But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs, again without regard to where you are from or how you were brought up. Being a Jew won’t give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind.
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 a lot of young children, Timothy has become interested lately in getting married. He wants to marry me, his grandmother, and his mom. He knows he can’t, and he told Greg and me (and his Sunday school teachers) that… “Someday, I’m going to marry a nice lady!” My niece told me that last week, Timothy “got married” at pre-K to one of his classmates. A few days later when Timothy’s mom dropped him off for school, the little girl who had won his heart was entering the building. My niece said to Timothy… “There’s your ‘wife’… don’t you want to give her a hug?” He replied, “No, she’s not my wife… we’re not married anymore.” My niece feigned surprise and asked, “Oh, really? What happened?” Timothy’s answer… “She’s not wearing a hair bow today!” What can I say? Four-year-olds apparently have high standards!
Don’t we do the same thing? We make assumptions about others based on their appearance…the opinions (and gossip) of others…or their lineage. A friend of my grandmother’s used to make a point to tell me that one of her grandchildren was a doctor… and she told me this nearly every time I saw her! That was more important to her than the fact that this person was a parent, a spouse, and an active volunteer in church activities! We assume people are wonderful… or awful… based on what we think we know about them – or their public accolades, accomplishments… or shame.
Conversely, we tend to “trade” on certain attributes ourselves. When was the last time you tried to “pull rank” somehow because of who you thought you were… or what you thought you knew? It could be anything from saying, “Let me talk to So-and-so… he/she will listen to me,” to “I don’t have to worry about getting a speeding ticket… I’m friends with the police officers,” to “I can say what I want… I’m a senior citizen and I’ve earned the right!”
If we are honest, we have to admit that a lot of times we base our respect for others – and we command respect for ourselves – while “going against the grain”. We act entitled… we bank on the “good name” of our parents or other family members or friends to gain us a “foot in the door”… or we try to “get away with murder” by claiming special privilege. Worse yet, we try this with God… “But LORD… look at what all I’ve done for you! Surely you can fix this for me” or “LORD, why are you doing this to me – or letting this happen to me? Everyone says I’m such a good, faithful Christian… why are you punishing ME?”
I have to tell you… it’s time we got over ourselves! We truly are not “all that and a bag of chips”… in anyone’s eyes – at least not in the way we think. The time has come for us to operate with humility and respect… to recognize that our true value and stature is not measured as we think… but rather by how we conduct ourselves in all things – and how genuinely we serve God and others. You might fool a few people some of the time, but you will never bamboozle God… and the very idea that you might even try disappoints Him greatly!
So the message for us today is to truly embrace God and His teachings. Honor and respect Him in everything we say and do… to every person we encounter. Make a concerted effort to keep your thoughts, words and actions above reproach at all times. Serve the LORD with gladness and a pure heart, and make His glory your primary focus. Bask in the payoffs He provides… not because that is your goal, but because it is your joy and reward for faithful obedience. Like Timothy, we must learn that choosing a suitable mate is important… but maintaining high standards for God is tantamount. But if your friend doesn’t wear a hair bow every day, it’s probably okay to let that one go!
©2013 Debbie Robus
If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you’re from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended. But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs, again without regard to where you are from or how you were brought up. Being a Jew won’t give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind.
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 a lot of young children, Timothy has become interested lately in getting married. He wants to marry me, his grandmother, and his mom. He knows he can’t, and he told Greg and me (and his Sunday school teachers) that… “Someday, I’m going to marry a nice lady!” My niece told me that last week, Timothy “got married” at pre-K to one of his classmates. A few days later when Timothy’s mom dropped him off for school, the little girl who had won his heart was entering the building. My niece said to Timothy… “There’s your ‘wife’… don’t you want to give her a hug?” He replied, “No, she’s not my wife… we’re not married anymore.” My niece feigned surprise and asked, “Oh, really? What happened?” Timothy’s answer… “She’s not wearing a hair bow today!” What can I say? Four-year-olds apparently have high standards!
Don’t we do the same thing? We make assumptions about others based on their appearance…the opinions (and gossip) of others…or their lineage. A friend of my grandmother’s used to make a point to tell me that one of her grandchildren was a doctor… and she told me this nearly every time I saw her! That was more important to her than the fact that this person was a parent, a spouse, and an active volunteer in church activities! We assume people are wonderful… or awful… based on what we think we know about them – or their public accolades, accomplishments… or shame.
Conversely, we tend to “trade” on certain attributes ourselves. When was the last time you tried to “pull rank” somehow because of who you thought you were… or what you thought you knew? It could be anything from saying, “Let me talk to So-and-so… he/she will listen to me,” to “I don’t have to worry about getting a speeding ticket… I’m friends with the police officers,” to “I can say what I want… I’m a senior citizen and I’ve earned the right!”
If we are honest, we have to admit that a lot of times we base our respect for others – and we command respect for ourselves – while “going against the grain”. We act entitled… we bank on the “good name” of our parents or other family members or friends to gain us a “foot in the door”… or we try to “get away with murder” by claiming special privilege. Worse yet, we try this with God… “But LORD… look at what all I’ve done for you! Surely you can fix this for me” or “LORD, why are you doing this to me – or letting this happen to me? Everyone says I’m such a good, faithful Christian… why are you punishing ME?”
I have to tell you… it’s time we got over ourselves! We truly are not “all that and a bag of chips”… in anyone’s eyes – at least not in the way we think. The time has come for us to operate with humility and respect… to recognize that our true value and stature is not measured as we think… but rather by how we conduct ourselves in all things – and how genuinely we serve God and others. You might fool a few people some of the time, but you will never bamboozle God… and the very idea that you might even try disappoints Him greatly!
So the message for us today is to truly embrace God and His teachings. Honor and respect Him in everything we say and do… to every person we encounter. Make a concerted effort to keep your thoughts, words and actions above reproach at all times. Serve the LORD with gladness and a pure heart, and make His glory your primary focus. Bask in the payoffs He provides… not because that is your goal, but because it is your joy and reward for faithful obedience. Like Timothy, we must learn that choosing a suitable mate is important… but maintaining high standards for God is tantamount. But if your friend doesn’t wear a hair bow every day, it’s probably okay to let that one go!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 26, 2012
Matthew 7:1-5
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
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 was watching a show on HGTV the other night where a couple was shopping for a new house, and the husband complained about virtually everything. He was one grumpy house hunter! At one point, he and his wife were sitting at a table talking about the houses they had seen, and the man said, “I don’t like to complain, but…” and his wife laughed and sarcastically interjected, “Oh, noooooooooo… you would NEVER complain!” Then she began to laugh. This man apparently had no clue that he griped and complained all the time… but he found fault with everything and everyone else!
Have you ever known someone who criticized others for the very things he/she did all the time? Maybe someone who is a picky eater might say, “Can you believe that Jack won’t let ANY food touch on his plate? What a picky eater!” At the same time, this person won’t taste pretty much anything except meat and potatoes! Or it’s possible you know someone who complains about every call the referees make at a ballgame… unless the “bad calls” are against the other team!
Then there are those who say, “I wonder why So-and-so is not helping with this ministry or that one…” when these critics have no clue what is “on the plate” of the other person? Or maybe you judge someone who doesn’t go to church regularly… supports a different political candidate than you… or wears his/her hair a certain way. I sat at the courthouse this week to cast my early vote, and an older man covered almost from head to toe in tattoos and piercings came in… and you should have heard the whispers that rustled through the crowd waiting in line. Someone even said aloud, “I’m not sure I want him to vote!” Really? So, if one of your family members or dear friends gets tattoos and piercings – or does something else appearance-wise that you find odd, you will criticize them and show disrespect – or giggle and snicker under your breath about them?
Suppose someone doesn’t like YOUR hairstyle, the way you talk, the color of your skin… or some quirky personality trait you have. Won’t their criticisms sting? Would people be judging you unfairly to base their opinion of you on these things? What if others make assumptions about you… or point out your shortcomings? How does this make you feel?
This is such an important scripture passage. When we really begin to stop and think about what we are about to say – or even think – about another person… or to another person, we can make two choices. We can decide to err on the side of caution, recognizing that we have our own sets of flaws, quirks and shortcomings. Or we can be that person who (incorrectly) acts better than the other guy – gripes, complains, judges, and basically acts foolishly. Before you can genuinely and fairly criticize others, you have to be sure your own life is completely impeccable… and I challenge you to find such a human!
We need to learn to leave the criticisms and complaining out of our lives. There is no place for such behavior in the life of a true servant of Jesus Christ. Take a good look at how YOU are looking at others, and see where you need to wash your own face for a change…instead of always offering the cloth to someone else!
©2012 Debbie Robus
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
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 was watching a show on HGTV the other night where a couple was shopping for a new house, and the husband complained about virtually everything. He was one grumpy house hunter! At one point, he and his wife were sitting at a table talking about the houses they had seen, and the man said, “I don’t like to complain, but…” and his wife laughed and sarcastically interjected, “Oh, noooooooooo… you would NEVER complain!” Then she began to laugh. This man apparently had no clue that he griped and complained all the time… but he found fault with everything and everyone else!
Have you ever known someone who criticized others for the very things he/she did all the time? Maybe someone who is a picky eater might say, “Can you believe that Jack won’t let ANY food touch on his plate? What a picky eater!” At the same time, this person won’t taste pretty much anything except meat and potatoes! Or it’s possible you know someone who complains about every call the referees make at a ballgame… unless the “bad calls” are against the other team!
Then there are those who say, “I wonder why So-and-so is not helping with this ministry or that one…” when these critics have no clue what is “on the plate” of the other person? Or maybe you judge someone who doesn’t go to church regularly… supports a different political candidate than you… or wears his/her hair a certain way. I sat at the courthouse this week to cast my early vote, and an older man covered almost from head to toe in tattoos and piercings came in… and you should have heard the whispers that rustled through the crowd waiting in line. Someone even said aloud, “I’m not sure I want him to vote!” Really? So, if one of your family members or dear friends gets tattoos and piercings – or does something else appearance-wise that you find odd, you will criticize them and show disrespect – or giggle and snicker under your breath about them?
Suppose someone doesn’t like YOUR hairstyle, the way you talk, the color of your skin… or some quirky personality trait you have. Won’t their criticisms sting? Would people be judging you unfairly to base their opinion of you on these things? What if others make assumptions about you… or point out your shortcomings? How does this make you feel?
This is such an important scripture passage. When we really begin to stop and think about what we are about to say – or even think – about another person… or to another person, we can make two choices. We can decide to err on the side of caution, recognizing that we have our own sets of flaws, quirks and shortcomings. Or we can be that person who (incorrectly) acts better than the other guy – gripes, complains, judges, and basically acts foolishly. Before you can genuinely and fairly criticize others, you have to be sure your own life is completely impeccable… and I challenge you to find such a human!
We need to learn to leave the criticisms and complaining out of our lives. There is no place for such behavior in the life of a true servant of Jesus Christ. Take a good look at how YOU are looking at others, and see where you need to wash your own face for a change…instead of always offering the cloth to someone else!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 14, 2012
Acts 17:24-29
"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
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.
One night a few years ago, I played a song for some of my friends. It was one I had written… and I was quite pleased with it. No sooner had I finished, than one of these friends came to the piano, slid me over on the bench, and said, “What if you did such-and-such… I think that would be so much better. Just leave off this word and that note and change the tempo a little.” He began to play HIS rendition…”There! he said, “that’s better!” I have to tell you, I was insulted! It’s not that I can’t take criticism… it was more the attitude of the critic. He knew better than I how a song I had created should sound – and what the lyrics should be – and he wasted no time in telling tell me!
Here’s the thing… we do this all the time to God. He made us... created us just like He wants us… planned for our lives and instilled us with His hopes and dreams. But instead of listening to God and seeking His will for our lives, we dare to tell Him, “If I just do this my way… if I tweak Your plans just a little bit here and there… they will be so much better!”
Who do we think we are to try to mold God in OUR image? What makes us think that we can tell our Creator that He needs to adapt to OUR specifications? Are we really so out of tune with God that we think we know better than He what should transpire in our lives?
The time has come for a reality check. We don’t like other people telling us that their way is better than ours… so what makes us think this would ever fly with God? The bigger question is… who do we think we are? It’s time to come down off our high horse and humble ourselves before Almighty God… to bow at His feet and say, “LORD… You are my creator... my constant companion… my very being. Work in and through me according to YOUR plans… not mine.” We did not create God… He created us… and He did so perfectly! The question becomes… who do we worship? Are we acting like God’s perfect creations and worshipping Him – or have we decided we are the ones worthy of worship?
This is a good day to search our hearts and get things in perfect order again… to humbly acknowledge our place in the scheme of things as a disciple of Christ… and to let Him have complete control of the design process. Who is “running your show” these days? In your daily living, Who is truly worshipped?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
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.
One night a few years ago, I played a song for some of my friends. It was one I had written… and I was quite pleased with it. No sooner had I finished, than one of these friends came to the piano, slid me over on the bench, and said, “What if you did such-and-such… I think that would be so much better. Just leave off this word and that note and change the tempo a little.” He began to play HIS rendition…”There! he said, “that’s better!” I have to tell you, I was insulted! It’s not that I can’t take criticism… it was more the attitude of the critic. He knew better than I how a song I had created should sound – and what the lyrics should be – and he wasted no time in telling tell me!
Here’s the thing… we do this all the time to God. He made us... created us just like He wants us… planned for our lives and instilled us with His hopes and dreams. But instead of listening to God and seeking His will for our lives, we dare to tell Him, “If I just do this my way… if I tweak Your plans just a little bit here and there… they will be so much better!”
Who do we think we are to try to mold God in OUR image? What makes us think that we can tell our Creator that He needs to adapt to OUR specifications? Are we really so out of tune with God that we think we know better than He what should transpire in our lives?
The time has come for a reality check. We don’t like other people telling us that their way is better than ours… so what makes us think this would ever fly with God? The bigger question is… who do we think we are? It’s time to come down off our high horse and humble ourselves before Almighty God… to bow at His feet and say, “LORD… You are my creator... my constant companion… my very being. Work in and through me according to YOUR plans… not mine.” We did not create God… He created us… and He did so perfectly! The question becomes… who do we worship? Are we acting like God’s perfect creations and worshipping Him – or have we decided we are the ones worthy of worship?
This is a good day to search our hearts and get things in perfect order again… to humbly acknowledge our place in the scheme of things as a disciple of Christ… and to let Him have complete control of the design process. Who is “running your show” these days? In your daily living, Who is truly worshipped?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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