Daily Devotional for July 9, 2016

Proverbs 15:1
A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
    
Dallas Police - and the country at large - are dealing with the aftermath of the heinous murder of 5 officers and the injury of 7 other people on July 7th.  Today, warnings emerged that forced the Dallas Police Department headquarters to go on “lockdown” and search nearby buildings.  People were beginning to come together to honor the memory of those killed and to show support for the injured.  Kind words were being offered on all sides.  Surely the potential of this new threat had to stir up the feelings of fear, anger and frustration that were tantamount just two nights ago.

If you have ever watched young children at play, you know that one child can take a toy from another…and ugly words and actions can ensue.  Either an adult can step in to moderate…or the children can resolve this conflict on their own. A moment later, another child can dredge up the incident or “stir the pot” with an unkind word or gesture…and “WWIII” erupts all over again!

A friend can speak kindly to you…offer you words of encouragement and make you feel good about yourself.  And then he/she can turn around and post something derogatory or hateful on social media…share an off-color or racist joke in a group within your earshot…or speak unkindly of someone else to you…and your total opinion of that person changes. I have been incredibly disappointed by the words and actions of people I thought were kind, Godly individuals.  And I’ll tell you…sometimes, it has permanently colored my opinion of them.

It should come as no surprise to us that people are watching and listening…and that what we say and do matters.  But some of us have a hard time holding our tongue and refraining from sharing our thoughts and opinions – even when we know what we are about to say or do will be hurtful to others.  We need to understand that we often get one shot at getting this right…that the opinion others form of us happens in a few brief seconds.  And quite frequently, those telling moments determine whether we represent Jesus and offer others a Savior they would like to follow and emulate…or we totally negate our Christian witness.

I recently read an opinion editorial about political candidates and how people on both sides call them names and speak of them in a disparaging and derogatory manner. The suggestion was made that when we are told by the Chevy salesmen how bad the Fords are (or vice versa), we often are left feeling badly about both – and often seek to either buy something altogether different…or go home empty-handed.  If we put this in a Christian perspective, when we talk unkindly to someone – or about them – we give others the impression that there is an ugly side to serving Jesus. And sometimes, this might be enough to turn these people away forever…to steer them in the direction of another “god” or idol - or toward the devil himself.

Surely this is not what we want.  I know it is definitely not what Jesus wants!  We simply MUST start guarding our thoughts, words and actions.  We must focus on Jesus to the point that we automatically run everything by Him before we speak or act.  We must become so in tune with Jesus - and innately cautious - that it is virtually impossible to stir up trouble or embarrassment as His representatives.  And we have to start now.

Let’s start by praying for all people involved in the terrible tragedies of recent days across our nation.  Let’s talk to God about how we characterize others…the language we use as we speak of them to others – and the attitude we convey.  Let’s ask Him to guard our hearts – and our words and deeds – and guide us as His disciples, so that we leave others saying, “I want to serve Jesus, too!”

Jesus was bruised, beaten, spit upon – and crucified.  Yet His words were always kind and soothing.  He never spoke harshly to others…so why on earth should we?
    
©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 8, 2012

Ephesians 4:31-32
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

What if you asked Jesus to forgive you, and He said, “I’ll get back to you on that.”? Or what if He flatly refused? How would you feel? I would be devastated, and I’m pretty sure I would look at Jesus differently afterward. While Jesus is the only One who has every right to refuse to forgive us, He is also the last who would do this!

So it follows that those of us who desire to be more like Jesus - to deepen our relationship with Him - must also forgive as He does… quickly and unconditionally. Does this mean that we are to become the doormats for others’ abusive talk and actions? Not at all! God is just and fair… He will mete out the consequences of our actions – and those of others.

We are called to forgive as Christ forgave us… to love others and focus on seeing them through His eyes. The impact this will have on all concerned can be powerful. Forgiveness is healing – for the offender… but also for the one who forgives. Often the person we forgive doesn’t even have a clue what he/she has done. But Satan uses the offense to eat at us. Forgiveness releases this hold and frees us to enjoy our lives and operate fully in love and joy.

Don’t waste another minute. Make a clean break, as the scripture says. Give up gossip, criticism, negativity, profanity, and spitefulness. Forgive quickly and completely and never operate in viciousness or backstabbing. Guard your tongue and do all you can to avoid making unkind remarks. Remind yourself often, “What if Jesus treated me this way?” Ask yourself how you would feel. Let this be your constant guide for how you treat others.

I am so grateful that Jesus stands ready to forgive me quickly and completely. As His disciple, the least I can do is offer this same consideration to others. It may not always be easy. But we don’t stop to consider how hard it might be for God to forgive us, either. When we think in these terms, we understand more clearly that this is the right thing to do. We can’t ask God to forgive us and treat us well if we are unwilling to do the same toward our fellow man. Who do you need to forgive or treat more kindly today? Where shall we begin?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 30, 2012

1 Peter 3:8-11
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you.

The Scriptures say, "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

If you have ever been on the receiving end of a hateful insult, you know how hurtful such expressions can be. Maybe someone put you down in an attempt to look better… maybe he/she didn’t have all the facts… or maybe the person hurling the insult was just mean-spirited. Regardless, our first – and most human – instinct is to retaliate with something equally insulting, if not more so.

We don’t have to look very far to see that insults have become so much a part of the fabric of our lives that many of us hardly even look up any more. I believe that one of the best illustrations of how serious these actions can be is found in toothpaste. Once the paste has been squeezed from the tube, there is virtually no way to return it. The same can be said for insults, unkind words and actions. You can apologize… ask for forgiveness…make excuses and promise never to allow something like this to happen again. But the sting has been delivered… the hurt has been inflicted… and this cannot be retracted.

What if you are on the receiving end of insulting or unkind behavior? How does God want us to react? We have Biblical instruction regarding this. Jesus has told us in Luke 6:27-31…”Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt. Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others just as you want to be treated.”

I have literally had doors slammed while my foot was in the threshold. I’ve had lies told about me and unkind things spoken to my face. I’ve been the brunt of mean-spirited jokes, and I have been deliberately excluded or singled out in more than one instance. And I am fairly certain these things have all happened to you, also. We live in a world that frequently operates in lies, deceit, unkindness and insults… even among those who claim to be faith-filled Disciples of Christ. All of this is enough to make even the strongest and most devoted believer feel defeated. How in the world are we supposed to hold our heads up and stay positive?

The answer lies in one name… Jesus. For every insult and unkindness we have experienced, Jesus has endured gazillions. He was physically bruised, beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a cross. His name is slandered every day… and people deny Him, mock Him, and call Him a liar. Even so-called believers challenge Him constantly… “LORD, how could You allow this to happen? Who do You think You are? Where were You when I needed You?” All of these things are hurtful and deliver a punch to the gut. Yet Jesus continues to love us… to open His arms and say, “Come to me and let me have your burdens.” And the most important thing we need to remember is that He does this for those who insult us and treat us badly, too.

We must remember Jesus. We must act – and react – in a manner that honors His sacrifices on our behalf and glorifies His love, grace and mercy toward us. Is this easy? Not at all. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! The next time you feel insulted, think of Jesus. When you feel like retaliating or acting unkindly or hurling an insult… think of the toothpaste. How will you retract your actions? How will you love someone who has hurt you in some manner… how will you treat them as you wish to be treated? Again, think of Jesus. In Him, we find the perfect model for this. After all… He’s already done the same for each of us!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Father, I thank you for the perfect example of Jesus… and even more so, His love, grace and mercy for each of us. I pray that you will help us to honor You in our actions and reactions toward others… that we will remember the road to peace lies in treating others with love and kindness… especially when we feel they don’t deserve it. Forgive us when we fall short in this area… and help us to always remember Jesus – and to commit ourselves to walking more closely with Him every day. Amen.