Matthew 25:30-46
“But when I, the Messiah, shall come
in my glory, and all the angels with me, then I shall sit upon my
throne of glory. And all the nations shall be gathered before me. And I
will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the
goats, and place the sheep at my right hand, and the goats at my left.
“Then
I, the King, shall say to those at my right, ‘Come, blessed of my
Father, into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the
world. For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me
water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and
you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then
these righteous ones will reply, ‘Sir, when did we ever see you hungry
and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger,
and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or
in prison, and visit you?’
“And I, the King, will tell them,
‘When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!’ Then I
will turn to those on my left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was
hungry and you wouldn’t feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn’t give me
anything to drink; a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked,
and you wouldn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit
me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you
hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not
help you?’
“And I will answer, ‘When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.’
“And they shall go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous into everlasting life.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
In 2003, I published a book that I had been writing in my head for several years - What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do.
This book was borne out of my own experiences with loved ones who were
ill and dying – and the grieving process itself. Many people told me
some version of the phrase, “I just didn’t know WHAT to do…so I did
nothing.” Or they would tell me, “I didn’t know what to say.”
As
a then-junior high Sunday school teacher and former public school
teacher, I also knew that many “good deeds” go unnoticed…and the
encouragement and nurture of others – especially young people - can go a
long way toward demonstrating Christian love and care. So I wrote a
little booklet to share my thoughts and ideas about how to “be the hands
and feet of Jesus” and included some suggestions of things to say and
do – in all sorts of situations.
This is one of my favorite
scripture passages, because Jesus clearly outlines one of our biggest
missions as His disciples. He notes that what we DON’T do in His
name is just as important as what is done. And the point is that there
are countless ways every single day that we can be a “sheep” or a
“goat.” My question to you this day is “Which one are you?”
Ask
God to show you how to help others, through your words AND your
actions. It really takes far less time than you would imagine to send a
message of encouragement or sympathy…or to congratulate someone on
his/her accomplishments. It doesn’t take much effort at all to stop for
a minute or two and ask someone how he/she is doing…or to express
concern about someone’s struggles – or delight over their successes.
Yes,
there are things that God calls us to that require more effort and
sacrifice, such as becoming a foster parent or caring for our aging
relatives. But whenever God places opportunities and tasks in our path,
He will equip us for the mission.
God is waiting and watching to see how we respond to His call. What will He discover in you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label what to say and do. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what to say and do. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 18, 2016
John 14:15-16
It is because of this solemn fear of the Lord, which is ever present in our minds, that we work so hard to win others. God knows our hearts, that they are pure in this matter, and I hope that, deep within, you really know it too.
Are we trying to pat ourselves on the back again? No, I am giving you some good ammunition! You can use this on those preachers of yours who brag about how well they look and preach but don’t have true and honest hearts. You can boast about us that we, at least, are well intentioned and honest.
Are we insane to say such things about ourselves? If so, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If you saw something happening that could potentially harm a person you know and love, you would tell him/her…right? Let’s say your friend was out on the lake in a boat, and you knew that a storm was headed toward them. Even if you felt like this person might have access to weather radar, you would probably phone or text him/her and say, “Heads up! A storm is coming!”…just to be sure and safe! You would not be doing this to be a “know-it-all”…you would be trying to keep your friend or loved one from getting hurt in a storm!
Suppose you saw someone about to step in a hole. You could keep quiet and vow not to meddle…or you could speak up and prevent a potential disaster – or this person being injured. Which would you choose?
This seems like a no-brainer. But getting involved can sometimes be a slippery slope. We could easily be labeled as one who meddles…or people could decide we are arrogant and/or condescending – or that we don’t have all of the facts. We have to prayerfully work at letting others know that we care…that we are not acting out of a sense of superiority, but rather from our heart and a desire for them to enjoy God’s best – and we have to sincerely mean what we say!
How do we accomplish this? We must first remind ourselves that people don’t care what we know until they know that we care. Let’s say that a dear friend of mine who I trust tells me she thinks I have misjudged a situation and have blown it totally out of proportion. I would probably listen to her and interpret this comment as one offered in love and kindness. But if someone I barely know said this to me, I would most likely be insulted and consider it a criticism – and meddling on his/her part!
Even with close, dear friends and loved ones, we must temper our thoughts and actions – and always ask God…”Am I saying/doing the right thing?” We want to be good Disciples of Christ…we want to encourage others and stand up for God’s commandments and the teachings of Jesus. But there is a right and wrong way to do these things…and it only takes one act of arrogance or criticism to ruin our witness with that person – possibly forever.
So guard your heart – and your words and actions. Prayerfully ask God to show you what to say and do…how to demonstrate the love of Jesus to others - and when it is appropriate to speak up about something. Ask Him to guide you and give you wisdom, tact, and the ability to convey genuine concern and care to others. Ask God to help you develop a heart for His children - all of them - and to always act and speak with sincerity and Christian love.
There will be times when we will still miss the mark – or someone will misinterpret our most sincere comments and actions. But when we focus on making a difference, rather than making a point – and seek God’s wisdom in all of these things – we have a far better shot of getting it right. And shouldn’t that be our goal?
©2016 Debbie Robus
It is because of this solemn fear of the Lord, which is ever present in our minds, that we work so hard to win others. God knows our hearts, that they are pure in this matter, and I hope that, deep within, you really know it too.
Are we trying to pat ourselves on the back again? No, I am giving you some good ammunition! You can use this on those preachers of yours who brag about how well they look and preach but don’t have true and honest hearts. You can boast about us that we, at least, are well intentioned and honest.
Are we insane to say such things about ourselves? If so, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If you saw something happening that could potentially harm a person you know and love, you would tell him/her…right? Let’s say your friend was out on the lake in a boat, and you knew that a storm was headed toward them. Even if you felt like this person might have access to weather radar, you would probably phone or text him/her and say, “Heads up! A storm is coming!”…just to be sure and safe! You would not be doing this to be a “know-it-all”…you would be trying to keep your friend or loved one from getting hurt in a storm!
Suppose you saw someone about to step in a hole. You could keep quiet and vow not to meddle…or you could speak up and prevent a potential disaster – or this person being injured. Which would you choose?
This seems like a no-brainer. But getting involved can sometimes be a slippery slope. We could easily be labeled as one who meddles…or people could decide we are arrogant and/or condescending – or that we don’t have all of the facts. We have to prayerfully work at letting others know that we care…that we are not acting out of a sense of superiority, but rather from our heart and a desire for them to enjoy God’s best – and we have to sincerely mean what we say!
How do we accomplish this? We must first remind ourselves that people don’t care what we know until they know that we care. Let’s say that a dear friend of mine who I trust tells me she thinks I have misjudged a situation and have blown it totally out of proportion. I would probably listen to her and interpret this comment as one offered in love and kindness. But if someone I barely know said this to me, I would most likely be insulted and consider it a criticism – and meddling on his/her part!
Even with close, dear friends and loved ones, we must temper our thoughts and actions – and always ask God…”Am I saying/doing the right thing?” We want to be good Disciples of Christ…we want to encourage others and stand up for God’s commandments and the teachings of Jesus. But there is a right and wrong way to do these things…and it only takes one act of arrogance or criticism to ruin our witness with that person – possibly forever.
So guard your heart – and your words and actions. Prayerfully ask God to show you what to say and do…how to demonstrate the love of Jesus to others - and when it is appropriate to speak up about something. Ask Him to guide you and give you wisdom, tact, and the ability to convey genuine concern and care to others. Ask God to help you develop a heart for His children - all of them - and to always act and speak with sincerity and Christian love.
There will be times when we will still miss the mark – or someone will misinterpret our most sincere comments and actions. But when we focus on making a difference, rather than making a point – and seek God’s wisdom in all of these things – we have a far better shot of getting it right. And shouldn’t that be our goal?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 25, 2016
Psalm 111:10
How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from obeying his laws. Praise his name forever.
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 lost a fellow classmate to breast cancer in 1994. Sandra and I were not all that close in high school, but as adults, we became better friends – particularly as she fought her illness and drew close to death. When she passed, mutual classmates lamented that they didn’t know what to say or do…so many chose not to do or say anything. Somehow, that didn’t seem like a viable option to me.
When my brother passed in 1998…and my dad followed him to heaven thirteen months later, I noticed that a lot of people chose the option of disappearing. I wasn’t necessarily keeping score, but it was sad to greet a close friend in public and feel their discomfort…or to hear him/her say, “I didn’t call or come by because I didn’t know how to respond to you.”
So I wrote a little booklet…What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do*. Understand that I do not have all the answers – didn’t then, and don’t today! But I trusted God to show me how to explain in written word some of the things that are helpful – and hurtful – when responding to others. This applies to both times of sadness, illness, death and sorrow – and even happier times that often go unrecognized.
One of the things I discovered in this process was how God will always equip us with the right things to say and do - in any and every circumstance - if only we will listen for His voice. If we say to someone “I’m sorry” with the love of Christ in our heart for that person, this compassion will be conveyed…and the simplicity of these two words will be magnified to mean so much more. If we show up when God prompts us…and allow Him to give us the words and expressions of love and sympathy (or enthusiasm for a happy time)...everyone involved will receive a blessing – and God will be glorified.
The wisdom of the LORD is a precious gift that can only be obtained by listening for His voice and staying attuned to His word and commands. Are you listening today? When the time comes to reach out to someone in the name of Jesus, will you be equipped to say and do the right things? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do ~ ©2003 Debbie Robus ~ http://auntdebsattic.blogspot.com ~ Proceeds from all sales go directly to Hospice.
How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from obeying his laws. Praise his name forever.
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 lost a fellow classmate to breast cancer in 1994. Sandra and I were not all that close in high school, but as adults, we became better friends – particularly as she fought her illness and drew close to death. When she passed, mutual classmates lamented that they didn’t know what to say or do…so many chose not to do or say anything. Somehow, that didn’t seem like a viable option to me.
When my brother passed in 1998…and my dad followed him to heaven thirteen months later, I noticed that a lot of people chose the option of disappearing. I wasn’t necessarily keeping score, but it was sad to greet a close friend in public and feel their discomfort…or to hear him/her say, “I didn’t call or come by because I didn’t know how to respond to you.”
So I wrote a little booklet…What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do*. Understand that I do not have all the answers – didn’t then, and don’t today! But I trusted God to show me how to explain in written word some of the things that are helpful – and hurtful – when responding to others. This applies to both times of sadness, illness, death and sorrow – and even happier times that often go unrecognized.
One of the things I discovered in this process was how God will always equip us with the right things to say and do - in any and every circumstance - if only we will listen for His voice. If we say to someone “I’m sorry” with the love of Christ in our heart for that person, this compassion will be conveyed…and the simplicity of these two words will be magnified to mean so much more. If we show up when God prompts us…and allow Him to give us the words and expressions of love and sympathy (or enthusiasm for a happy time)...everyone involved will receive a blessing – and God will be glorified.
The wisdom of the LORD is a precious gift that can only be obtained by listening for His voice and staying attuned to His word and commands. Are you listening today? When the time comes to reach out to someone in the name of Jesus, will you be equipped to say and do the right things? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do ~ ©2003 Debbie Robus ~ http://auntdebsattic.blogspot.com ~ Proceeds from all sales go directly to Hospice.
Daily Devotional for January 14, 2014
Hebrews 11:1-3
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
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.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “card person”. I enjoy making cards for others…but I also keep a stash of “store-bought” cards handy, so that I always have something available for sending a note of encouragement, expressing gratitude or condolences…or just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.” Sometimes a person is experiencing something of which I have first-hand knowledge…the loss of a parent or sibling, a particular illness or injury – or caring for a loved one who is ill or injured, or the loss of a pet, to name a few.
Other times, I have absolutely no personal background that equips me to say, “I know what you are going through… I get it.” Thankfully, I do not have a terminal illness…I have never lost a child...I’ve never had to say “Goodbye” to a loved one who was deployed overseas or put in harm’s way…I have not endured a divorce or the loss of my husband. Let’s be honest…words of “wisdom” and “understanding” can seem pretty hollow when they come from someone who has never walked in our shoes!
Does this mean that we should not offer compassion and expressions of encouragement to others when we have no first-hand knowledge of what they are experiencing? Absolutely not! But we must carefully consider our words and actions…how they are conveyed…and how they will be received. For instance, telling someone who has lost a child that “he/she is in a better place” does not truly offer them comfort in the moment. When someone is ill or injured, describing your own illnesses and injuries in detail serves no purpose. If friends divorce, suggesting that they “get over it” isn’t right, any more than coddling them and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity is appropriate.
So what are we to do? How do we show compassion and encouragement to others? In these scriptures, we are given a great model. We can share our faith. Where we have first-hand knowledge, we can say, “This is how God got me through my loss/illness/divorce/challenge.” We can tell others, “I know that right now it seems impossible that things will ever be better…but I can tell you from my own experiences that you will look back someday and see how God was orchestrating things and caring for you the whole time.”
If you do not have personal experience, you can still encourage…by lending quiet support, doing little things behind the scenes, and more. A simple hug can speak volumes. You can offer to run an errand that might seem difficult or stir an upsetting memory. You can send a note or e-mail to simply say, “I’m here if you need me… for anything.” When you do speak, you can say, “I can’t possibly understand what you are going through. I know this must be incredibly hard. But I know that God has never failed me in anything…and He isn’t about to fail you, either.”
This is “unseen faith”! We don’t know where, when or how… we just know that God is…that He is ever-present – and always working for us. When our foundation is firmly established in a relationship with God and fortified by salvation through Jesus Christ, we can endure the unthinkable…the improbable…the devastatingly difficult and impossible. Our faith in God – seen and unseen – makes life worth living. It truly is our “handle on what we can’t see.” And one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else is to offer them compassion because of our faith…and to invite them to share in it, as well.
Sometimes it is so hard to know what to say and do for another person. But if we really, truly love Jesus and trust Him, we always have a response that is appropriate. Simply tell them that God loves them… that He is with them…that He has never failed you, and that you have confidence He isn’t going to start now. What God has done for us, He will surely do for others. Who needs to hear this from you today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
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.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “card person”. I enjoy making cards for others…but I also keep a stash of “store-bought” cards handy, so that I always have something available for sending a note of encouragement, expressing gratitude or condolences…or just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.” Sometimes a person is experiencing something of which I have first-hand knowledge…the loss of a parent or sibling, a particular illness or injury – or caring for a loved one who is ill or injured, or the loss of a pet, to name a few.
Other times, I have absolutely no personal background that equips me to say, “I know what you are going through… I get it.” Thankfully, I do not have a terminal illness…I have never lost a child...I’ve never had to say “Goodbye” to a loved one who was deployed overseas or put in harm’s way…I have not endured a divorce or the loss of my husband. Let’s be honest…words of “wisdom” and “understanding” can seem pretty hollow when they come from someone who has never walked in our shoes!
Does this mean that we should not offer compassion and expressions of encouragement to others when we have no first-hand knowledge of what they are experiencing? Absolutely not! But we must carefully consider our words and actions…how they are conveyed…and how they will be received. For instance, telling someone who has lost a child that “he/she is in a better place” does not truly offer them comfort in the moment. When someone is ill or injured, describing your own illnesses and injuries in detail serves no purpose. If friends divorce, suggesting that they “get over it” isn’t right, any more than coddling them and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity is appropriate.
So what are we to do? How do we show compassion and encouragement to others? In these scriptures, we are given a great model. We can share our faith. Where we have first-hand knowledge, we can say, “This is how God got me through my loss/illness/divorce/challenge.” We can tell others, “I know that right now it seems impossible that things will ever be better…but I can tell you from my own experiences that you will look back someday and see how God was orchestrating things and caring for you the whole time.”
If you do not have personal experience, you can still encourage…by lending quiet support, doing little things behind the scenes, and more. A simple hug can speak volumes. You can offer to run an errand that might seem difficult or stir an upsetting memory. You can send a note or e-mail to simply say, “I’m here if you need me… for anything.” When you do speak, you can say, “I can’t possibly understand what you are going through. I know this must be incredibly hard. But I know that God has never failed me in anything…and He isn’t about to fail you, either.”
This is “unseen faith”! We don’t know where, when or how… we just know that God is…that He is ever-present – and always working for us. When our foundation is firmly established in a relationship with God and fortified by salvation through Jesus Christ, we can endure the unthinkable…the improbable…the devastatingly difficult and impossible. Our faith in God – seen and unseen – makes life worth living. It truly is our “handle on what we can’t see.” And one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else is to offer them compassion because of our faith…and to invite them to share in it, as well.
Sometimes it is so hard to know what to say and do for another person. But if we really, truly love Jesus and trust Him, we always have a response that is appropriate. Simply tell them that God loves them… that He is with them…that He has never failed you, and that you have confidence He isn’t going to start now. What God has done for us, He will surely do for others. Who needs to hear this from you today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 13, 2013
September 13 ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My late cousin Carla Lou came from Ohio for a visit one year near the end of November. As I decorated our house for Christmas, she sat on the couch and read recipes aloud to me from some of my cookbooks. We would discuss whether the dish sounded tasty or not and exactly how we would prepare it. She came to a recipe for peanut butter cookies… and it only had 3 ingredients – 1 egg, 1 cup of peanut butter, and 1 cup of sugar. “That can’t be right!” we agreed… but we both said we were going to try it and see what happened!
That peanut butter cookie recipe has become one of my staples…a family favorite that is quick and easy – and oh, so delicious! No one can believe that there isn’t more to the recipe. How can something so simple be so perfect? Doesn’t it need flour, salt, baking powder… SOMETHING else? The answer is a solid, “NO!”
Do you realize that this is how we often are in our relationship with God? We want to add unnecessary things to the mix… rituals, rules that He never established, ideas and expectations that don’t belong. In short, we want to take something that is sheer perfection and ruin it with added ingredients. What we need to do is to study this scripture passage and take it to heart… “Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about.”
In everything we do, we need ask only one question… “Does this respect and obey God?” Getting ready to judge someone else or say something hateful or unkind? Does this respect and obey God? Want to cheat… anyone or on anything? Will God be respected and obeyed? Feel like doing as you please, regardless of who gets hurt or what responsibilities are shirked? Do your actions represent respect and obedience to God’s will? Choose to take a little time off from serving God to serve yourself? How do you think God will judge this?
In every word and action of our lives… every choice… every breath… if we would only ask this question, the end result might be far more beautiful…more perfect… more pleasing, and even more peaceful. If only we would consider how God will judge what we are about to say or do, we might choose otherwise. Instead, we often choose to add our own interpretation to the mix… to “play with the recipe” – often with horrible results.
Today, let’s stop and ask this simple question… “Will this choice reflect respect and obedience to God?” Let’s let this question guide how we decide… what we choose. We know His “recipe” is perfect… so why do we insist on tinkering with it? If you are swayed to decide in favor of God’s judgment, I’m betting the outcome will be far better. It’s worth a shot… isn’t it?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My late cousin Carla Lou came from Ohio for a visit one year near the end of November. As I decorated our house for Christmas, she sat on the couch and read recipes aloud to me from some of my cookbooks. We would discuss whether the dish sounded tasty or not and exactly how we would prepare it. She came to a recipe for peanut butter cookies… and it only had 3 ingredients – 1 egg, 1 cup of peanut butter, and 1 cup of sugar. “That can’t be right!” we agreed… but we both said we were going to try it and see what happened!
That peanut butter cookie recipe has become one of my staples…a family favorite that is quick and easy – and oh, so delicious! No one can believe that there isn’t more to the recipe. How can something so simple be so perfect? Doesn’t it need flour, salt, baking powder… SOMETHING else? The answer is a solid, “NO!”
Do you realize that this is how we often are in our relationship with God? We want to add unnecessary things to the mix… rituals, rules that He never established, ideas and expectations that don’t belong. In short, we want to take something that is sheer perfection and ruin it with added ingredients. What we need to do is to study this scripture passage and take it to heart… “Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about.”
In everything we do, we need ask only one question… “Does this respect and obey God?” Getting ready to judge someone else or say something hateful or unkind? Does this respect and obey God? Want to cheat… anyone or on anything? Will God be respected and obeyed? Feel like doing as you please, regardless of who gets hurt or what responsibilities are shirked? Do your actions represent respect and obedience to God’s will? Choose to take a little time off from serving God to serve yourself? How do you think God will judge this?
In every word and action of our lives… every choice… every breath… if we would only ask this question, the end result might be far more beautiful…more perfect… more pleasing, and even more peaceful. If only we would consider how God will judge what we are about to say or do, we might choose otherwise. Instead, we often choose to add our own interpretation to the mix… to “play with the recipe” – often with horrible results.
Today, let’s stop and ask this simple question… “Will this choice reflect respect and obedience to God?” Let’s let this question guide how we decide… what we choose. We know His “recipe” is perfect… so why do we insist on tinkering with it? If you are swayed to decide in favor of God’s judgment, I’m betting the outcome will be far better. It’s worth a shot… isn’t it?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 27, 2013
Romans 14:19-21
So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.
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 two best times to keep your mouth shut are when you are swimming and when you are angry.” This quote appeared a few months ago on the Facebook wall of my friend Mich Magness, who was celebrated and buried in Oklahoma today. Mich was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor known as Glioblastoma on June 14th and died August 23rd. He was only 52. I’ve talked about Mich in previous devotionals, so I won’t repeat the story of how we became friends. But I have to mention Mich today, because he truly understood these verses in Romans 14. Mich stood up for what was right… and he spoke out when necessarily. But Mich was very careful not to judge others… or to criticize or speak in a way that would make the other person feel inferior or unimportant. And that’s why so many people loved him so dearly.
Sunday afternoon, Greg, my mother-in-law Elaine, and I went to see the movie, The Butler. We found the film to be extraordinarily good. As my dear friend John Birdsong put it, “I thought it was an amazingly courageous look at an ugly time in America, and even though we have granted racial equality in our country by law, there are many people who never saw what was going on or understood the human toll our racial divide took on real people and real families. I thought the movie told a story that needs to be heard again and again.”
John is one of the most fair, honest men I know. He always presents his thoughts in a careful, gentle manner. Still, he took flak over his movie review… as he has for other comments in the past. In many cases, Facebook commenters lodge their attacks and ugliness at John himself. At times, it’s gotten very personal. This happens all the time… not just on Facebook, but all over the place. Even in church and Sunday school classrooms, people often voice their opinions as if they are straight from the Gospel, giving little consideration to who might take offense. These people are entitled to their views… but one statement spoken unkindly or with judgment can condemn someone else (even inadvertently) and cause him/her to turn away from God – possibly forever! In other words, these people may decide that…”If this is how those who serve God feel… and perhaps even how GOD feels… then I don’t want any part of Him!” And in essence, the “meal around Jesus’ table” is ruined.
Again, I am not asking you to compromise your values… or even to sugarcoat the hard teachings of the Bible. But I am suggesting that you think carefully about what you say and how you act… that you temper your opinions with a hefty dose of grace and mercy – and the love of Christ. Be gentle. Make sure that you are acting and speaking in a way that represents Jesus Christ and everything He stands for… compassion, generosity, forgiveness, acceptance, and kindness. Remember our place in the word as Christ’s disciples. We are not the judge and jury… we are His hands and feet – His humble servants. Nurture others and quietly guide them toward a right relationship with Jesus… don’t hit them over the head with a hammer!
For the most part, critical, opinionated Christians are not bad people…they just don’t pause to think about their words and actions and how they might affect others. I’m asking each of us to take a hard look at our lives and see where we have “spoiled the meal” with our behavior. Like the quote from Mich’s wall reminds us…let’s learn to keep our mouths shut more often – and not only when we go swimming!
©2013 Debbie Robus
So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.
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 two best times to keep your mouth shut are when you are swimming and when you are angry.” This quote appeared a few months ago on the Facebook wall of my friend Mich Magness, who was celebrated and buried in Oklahoma today. Mich was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor known as Glioblastoma on June 14th and died August 23rd. He was only 52. I’ve talked about Mich in previous devotionals, so I won’t repeat the story of how we became friends. But I have to mention Mich today, because he truly understood these verses in Romans 14. Mich stood up for what was right… and he spoke out when necessarily. But Mich was very careful not to judge others… or to criticize or speak in a way that would make the other person feel inferior or unimportant. And that’s why so many people loved him so dearly.
Sunday afternoon, Greg, my mother-in-law Elaine, and I went to see the movie, The Butler. We found the film to be extraordinarily good. As my dear friend John Birdsong put it, “I thought it was an amazingly courageous look at an ugly time in America, and even though we have granted racial equality in our country by law, there are many people who never saw what was going on or understood the human toll our racial divide took on real people and real families. I thought the movie told a story that needs to be heard again and again.”
John is one of the most fair, honest men I know. He always presents his thoughts in a careful, gentle manner. Still, he took flak over his movie review… as he has for other comments in the past. In many cases, Facebook commenters lodge their attacks and ugliness at John himself. At times, it’s gotten very personal. This happens all the time… not just on Facebook, but all over the place. Even in church and Sunday school classrooms, people often voice their opinions as if they are straight from the Gospel, giving little consideration to who might take offense. These people are entitled to their views… but one statement spoken unkindly or with judgment can condemn someone else (even inadvertently) and cause him/her to turn away from God – possibly forever! In other words, these people may decide that…”If this is how those who serve God feel… and perhaps even how GOD feels… then I don’t want any part of Him!” And in essence, the “meal around Jesus’ table” is ruined.
Again, I am not asking you to compromise your values… or even to sugarcoat the hard teachings of the Bible. But I am suggesting that you think carefully about what you say and how you act… that you temper your opinions with a hefty dose of grace and mercy – and the love of Christ. Be gentle. Make sure that you are acting and speaking in a way that represents Jesus Christ and everything He stands for… compassion, generosity, forgiveness, acceptance, and kindness. Remember our place in the word as Christ’s disciples. We are not the judge and jury… we are His hands and feet – His humble servants. Nurture others and quietly guide them toward a right relationship with Jesus… don’t hit them over the head with a hammer!
For the most part, critical, opinionated Christians are not bad people…they just don’t pause to think about their words and actions and how they might affect others. I’m asking each of us to take a hard look at our lives and see where we have “spoiled the meal” with our behavior. Like the quote from Mich’s wall reminds us…let’s learn to keep our mouths shut more often – and not only when we go swimming!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 2, 2013
April 2 ~ Titus 2:7-8Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach. Use clean language that no one can criticize. Do this, and your enemies will be too ashamed to say anything against you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I heard a conversation on “The View” about children repeating improper language they hear from us. The conversation centered on how you handle this… do you chastise a child for repeating a word you use frequently? Of course, the solution is to refrain from using these words in the first place. The ladies discussed how “we all slip sometimes,” and also pointed out that “less-than-clean” language is now peppering our television shows unapologetically. So the comment was also made that… “Children are bound to hear these words somewhere.” The implication was that “it’s not our fault – this behavior has become mainstream!”
So what are we to do? I believe that we are given some pretty good guidelines in Titus 2:7-8. First, make sure that YOU are not using unclean language… that no one can criticize what you are saying – or how you say it. Don’t call people names, gossip, or pepper your conversations with expletives. We need to all take a deep breath before we speak… count to ten when we are angry… and choose our words carefully in every situation. Yes, there are times when we slip… there are instances when we really want to let someone have it… there are circumstances that make us all want to pull out every hair on our head – and utter an expletive or two! But we must make a concerted effort to keep this in check…and God can help us do this, if we will call on Him!
Lest you think that I am a “goody-two-shoes” or something, let me assure you, I know all too well about foul language. When I was just entering high school, I hung around with some older kids who “cussed like sailors.” They thought it made them look cool, and they taught me every four-letter word in the book – and then some. I would venture to say that NONE of us speak like this or use this sort of language today. While I can’t say that we didn’t know what we were doing when we were teenagers – because we got a kick out of using this language for shock value – we grew up in more ways than one and learned that this is not acceptable behavior. We came to understand the significance of behaving above reproach – and for the most part, we know and do better today. We are sincere and serious… we recognize the importance of setting a good example for others. We also understand that people are always watching… always!
Your words and actions tell the world a lot about your values. The person who has the least materially but presents a neat, clean, well-mannered, respectable appearance and behaves genuinely and honorably gives others far less to discuss and/or criticize than the “wealthiest” person who spews garbage and acts dishonestly and with condescension or disrespect. Our challenge as Christ’s disciples is to behave in such a way that our “enemies” would be ashamed to criticize us. How are you doing? Are there areas in which you can improve? Are you taking this walk with Christ seriously and leading by example? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I heard a conversation on “The View” about children repeating improper language they hear from us. The conversation centered on how you handle this… do you chastise a child for repeating a word you use frequently? Of course, the solution is to refrain from using these words in the first place. The ladies discussed how “we all slip sometimes,” and also pointed out that “less-than-clean” language is now peppering our television shows unapologetically. So the comment was also made that… “Children are bound to hear these words somewhere.” The implication was that “it’s not our fault – this behavior has become mainstream!”
So what are we to do? I believe that we are given some pretty good guidelines in Titus 2:7-8. First, make sure that YOU are not using unclean language… that no one can criticize what you are saying – or how you say it. Don’t call people names, gossip, or pepper your conversations with expletives. We need to all take a deep breath before we speak… count to ten when we are angry… and choose our words carefully in every situation. Yes, there are times when we slip… there are instances when we really want to let someone have it… there are circumstances that make us all want to pull out every hair on our head – and utter an expletive or two! But we must make a concerted effort to keep this in check…and God can help us do this, if we will call on Him!
Lest you think that I am a “goody-two-shoes” or something, let me assure you, I know all too well about foul language. When I was just entering high school, I hung around with some older kids who “cussed like sailors.” They thought it made them look cool, and they taught me every four-letter word in the book – and then some. I would venture to say that NONE of us speak like this or use this sort of language today. While I can’t say that we didn’t know what we were doing when we were teenagers – because we got a kick out of using this language for shock value – we grew up in more ways than one and learned that this is not acceptable behavior. We came to understand the significance of behaving above reproach – and for the most part, we know and do better today. We are sincere and serious… we recognize the importance of setting a good example for others. We also understand that people are always watching… always!
Your words and actions tell the world a lot about your values. The person who has the least materially but presents a neat, clean, well-mannered, respectable appearance and behaves genuinely and honorably gives others far less to discuss and/or criticize than the “wealthiest” person who spews garbage and acts dishonestly and with condescension or disrespect. Our challenge as Christ’s disciples is to behave in such a way that our “enemies” would be ashamed to criticize us. How are you doing? Are there areas in which you can improve? Are you taking this walk with Christ seriously and leading by example? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 27, 2013
March 27 ~ Psalm 15:1-5
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Suppose you wanted to throw a dinner party in your home. Who would be on your guest list? Would you include someone you do not like… or someone whose company you don’t enjoy? Would you invite people who have a reputation for gossip or those who speak evil of their friends? Would your list include some who you know to be dishonest and deceitful? Would bigots and those who are brazen and foul-mouthed be allowed? Would you ask known thieves to attend?
If some of these people showed up uninvited, how would you treat them? Would you usher them out and tell them never to visit your home again… or would you treat them kindly and gently – but with guarded hospitality? Would you make sure that they were sufficiently humiliated in front of the other guests… or would you be gracious toward them?
This is what God does for us. He prefers that His “house” be filled with those who operate with integrity. But God is gracious and will not embarrass those of us who behave inappropriately. God does not appreciate our disrespect and dishonor... but He will not stoop to our level. Instead, God blesses and rewards those who lead blameless lives and do what is right. He bestows incredible favor on those who speak the truth from sincere hearts. He promises perpetual love and care to those who keep their promises even when it hurts… the honest and upright who cannot be bribed or persuaded to disobey.
I know it may seem like some people skirt through life doing as they please and getting by with it. You may be able to name a few people who appear to live a charmed life and “have it made” even though they have a penchant for impropriety and ill-gotten gain. But I can assure you, they do not have God’s favor… and their assurances of His blessings and care will not be everlasting and secure. I don’t know about you, but I’m in it with God for the long haul. I want all He offers… and I plan to do everything possible to live in a way that ensures that He is pleased with me!
Lest you think that this is about what God can do for me… I assure you, it is not! The truth is that God has done far and above anything I could ever hope to deserve for me already… He sent His only Son to die on a cross for my sins. He sacrificed everything for someone who can give Him little to nothing in return… who certainly can never repay this tremendous gift. And that person is me! It is also you… and the next guy… and the next! We cannot earn God’s favor or blessings. But we can honor and respect Him by living with integrity… by leading blameless lives, operating with sincerity and authenticity… and a having genuine heart. Even when we are ridiculed and mistreated, we can continue to show love, grace, mercy and forgiveness… and in doing so, we can say, “I’m striving to imitate you as closely as possible, LORD!”
THESE are the kinds of people who find sanctuary in the LORD. These are the ones whom He desires to invite to His table… the ones who will find blessings and favor… who will stand firm forever. I want to be among them… don’t you? Are you a worthy dinner guest? Aren’t you ready to become one?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Suppose you wanted to throw a dinner party in your home. Who would be on your guest list? Would you include someone you do not like… or someone whose company you don’t enjoy? Would you invite people who have a reputation for gossip or those who speak evil of their friends? Would your list include some who you know to be dishonest and deceitful? Would bigots and those who are brazen and foul-mouthed be allowed? Would you ask known thieves to attend?
If some of these people showed up uninvited, how would you treat them? Would you usher them out and tell them never to visit your home again… or would you treat them kindly and gently – but with guarded hospitality? Would you make sure that they were sufficiently humiliated in front of the other guests… or would you be gracious toward them?
This is what God does for us. He prefers that His “house” be filled with those who operate with integrity. But God is gracious and will not embarrass those of us who behave inappropriately. God does not appreciate our disrespect and dishonor... but He will not stoop to our level. Instead, God blesses and rewards those who lead blameless lives and do what is right. He bestows incredible favor on those who speak the truth from sincere hearts. He promises perpetual love and care to those who keep their promises even when it hurts… the honest and upright who cannot be bribed or persuaded to disobey.
I know it may seem like some people skirt through life doing as they please and getting by with it. You may be able to name a few people who appear to live a charmed life and “have it made” even though they have a penchant for impropriety and ill-gotten gain. But I can assure you, they do not have God’s favor… and their assurances of His blessings and care will not be everlasting and secure. I don’t know about you, but I’m in it with God for the long haul. I want all He offers… and I plan to do everything possible to live in a way that ensures that He is pleased with me!
Lest you think that this is about what God can do for me… I assure you, it is not! The truth is that God has done far and above anything I could ever hope to deserve for me already… He sent His only Son to die on a cross for my sins. He sacrificed everything for someone who can give Him little to nothing in return… who certainly can never repay this tremendous gift. And that person is me! It is also you… and the next guy… and the next! We cannot earn God’s favor or blessings. But we can honor and respect Him by living with integrity… by leading blameless lives, operating with sincerity and authenticity… and a having genuine heart. Even when we are ridiculed and mistreated, we can continue to show love, grace, mercy and forgiveness… and in doing so, we can say, “I’m striving to imitate you as closely as possible, LORD!”
THESE are the kinds of people who find sanctuary in the LORD. These are the ones whom He desires to invite to His table… the ones who will find blessings and favor… who will stand firm forever. I want to be among them… don’t you? Are you a worthy dinner guest? Aren’t you ready to become one?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 23, 2013
Romans 15:1-2
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
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.
Someone shared with me that her friend was really hurting after the loss of a close family member. This person said, “It’s all just family drama… but she has a LOT of problems right now.” Knowing both parties well, I quickly pointed out… “She has no more problems than you have… they are just different.” And the truth is that all of us have problems. While it may seem that some have more than others – or that one person’s problems are more insurmountable than those of another – each one of us is dealing with something. And often, the true measure comes not in how many tribulations or troubles a person has… but more in how they handle them.
So when you have your own “heapin’ helpin’ of troubles”… or you have overcome tremendous obstacles through faith in God… and you see another who is struggling to cope…share your story. Say to him/her, “I know this is not the same thing, but when XYZ happened to me, this is how God helped me handle it.” Or tell the person, “I can see that you are hurting, and I get it. I’ve been tested. And I can tell you that God is still on your side.” Show the person whose faith is faltering that God does answer prayers… that He does bring us out of tests, trials, and great big messes… that nothing is impossible with God – or too difficult for Him to handle.
Be prepared to “put your money where your mouth is.” Don’t be one of those people who asks, “How are you?” as you walk away or start talking about something else. Ask…and wait around for the answer! Be engaged and present in the conversation. When you offer to help someone else, mean it. Show up! Be ready to work! Say what you mean and mean what you say! You may have had other plans… you may be in a hurry at the grocery store when you encounter someone who wants to tell you a litany of troubles. But you may be the very presence of God for that person in the moment. Convenience is not always a part of the mature Christian’s vocabulary.
Almost two decades ago, I wrote a book called What to Say and Do… When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. This book was born out of more than one situation where I heard the sentence, “I just didn’t know what to say or do” uttered… and the person chose to say and do nothing. Even a simple “I’m sorry,” or “I’m here” – or even better… “I’m praying” beats that! I discovered that a lot of loving, kind, well-meaning Christians simply didn’t know how to handle a lot of situations in everyday life… but I’d met several who did. So I wrote a book and shared what I observed in others that worked… and what works for me.
The point is that we have to be prepared to stand up and be accountable to God by being available to help others. We have to offer grace, mercy, love, forgiveness and encouragement to those who truly need it… and we often have to be awake and alert to spot them! We must be willing to set aside our own agendas in order to help a friend. In doing so, we are saying, “LORD… I’m here… send me!” You can see that to do nothing gives God the opposite message!
So what will you do? Will you sit back and do nothing? Will you “rest on your laurels”… bask in your own salvation and let someone else see to the needs of others? Or will you step up and share the tremendous gift of Jesus Christ by lending a helping hand to those in need? Your problems may be huge… you may need help yourself. Sometimes, in order to receive help for ourselves, we must first be willing to give a hand to others. Are you willing to do this? Are you looking after the good of others in Jesus’ name? Shouldn’t you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
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.
Someone shared with me that her friend was really hurting after the loss of a close family member. This person said, “It’s all just family drama… but she has a LOT of problems right now.” Knowing both parties well, I quickly pointed out… “She has no more problems than you have… they are just different.” And the truth is that all of us have problems. While it may seem that some have more than others – or that one person’s problems are more insurmountable than those of another – each one of us is dealing with something. And often, the true measure comes not in how many tribulations or troubles a person has… but more in how they handle them.
So when you have your own “heapin’ helpin’ of troubles”… or you have overcome tremendous obstacles through faith in God… and you see another who is struggling to cope…share your story. Say to him/her, “I know this is not the same thing, but when XYZ happened to me, this is how God helped me handle it.” Or tell the person, “I can see that you are hurting, and I get it. I’ve been tested. And I can tell you that God is still on your side.” Show the person whose faith is faltering that God does answer prayers… that He does bring us out of tests, trials, and great big messes… that nothing is impossible with God – or too difficult for Him to handle.
Be prepared to “put your money where your mouth is.” Don’t be one of those people who asks, “How are you?” as you walk away or start talking about something else. Ask…and wait around for the answer! Be engaged and present in the conversation. When you offer to help someone else, mean it. Show up! Be ready to work! Say what you mean and mean what you say! You may have had other plans… you may be in a hurry at the grocery store when you encounter someone who wants to tell you a litany of troubles. But you may be the very presence of God for that person in the moment. Convenience is not always a part of the mature Christian’s vocabulary.
Almost two decades ago, I wrote a book called What to Say and Do… When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. This book was born out of more than one situation where I heard the sentence, “I just didn’t know what to say or do” uttered… and the person chose to say and do nothing. Even a simple “I’m sorry,” or “I’m here” – or even better… “I’m praying” beats that! I discovered that a lot of loving, kind, well-meaning Christians simply didn’t know how to handle a lot of situations in everyday life… but I’d met several who did. So I wrote a book and shared what I observed in others that worked… and what works for me.
The point is that we have to be prepared to stand up and be accountable to God by being available to help others. We have to offer grace, mercy, love, forgiveness and encouragement to those who truly need it… and we often have to be awake and alert to spot them! We must be willing to set aside our own agendas in order to help a friend. In doing so, we are saying, “LORD… I’m here… send me!” You can see that to do nothing gives God the opposite message!
So what will you do? Will you sit back and do nothing? Will you “rest on your laurels”… bask in your own salvation and let someone else see to the needs of others? Or will you step up and share the tremendous gift of Jesus Christ by lending a helping hand to those in need? Your problems may be huge… you may need help yourself. Sometimes, in order to receive help for ourselves, we must first be willing to give a hand to others. Are you willing to do this? Are you looking after the good of others in Jesus’ name? Shouldn’t you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 4, 2012
Matthew 9:35-38
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, NBC news reporter Anne Curry interviewed a woman on Staten Island who looked into the camera and said, “…you need to come here and help us. We need assistance…PLEASE!” Even though thousands of people were either helping already… or headed to the East Coast to give a hand… more were needed. The President and many on his staff were on-site, doing their job… but “harvest hands” were needed to carry out the directives and provide necessary aid and “ground support.”
Truly, the people who live on America’s East Coast are bruised and hurting. Many are indeed aimless… like sheep with no shepherd. But help has arrived…and amazingly in many cases, life is returning to normalcy. Lights are coming on, water is receding or being pumped out, debris is being shoveled up and hauled away, and helping hands are on scene to see that everything is repaired, restored, and renewed.
Can I tell you something? We have a bit of a “Spiritual disaster” on our hands… and it’s happening in our own back yards! Everywhere you look, people are sick, hungry, bruised and hurting. Many are confused and aimless. Others just need to know that someone cares. And the “disastrous” part of this is that few “harvest hands” are answering the call. We are all too busy with our own lives – or our own agendas – to bother with the needs of others. We have decided to let the church or community (i.e. a handful of people who seem to answer EVERY call) handle these issues. Or we have written these people off as simply unworthy of time and attention… most certainly ours!
This is really a sore spot with me. There seem to be plenty of people who are concerned with numbers… how many names are on membership rolls…how much money is in the coffers… how much we are able to afford to purchase (houses, cars, clothes, entertainment, and more)…where our team ranks in the standings…how well our children or grandchildren are doing in school, sports and more…or even how significant our latest ailment/illness was - or what he said/she said. But when it comes to helping the needy… whether the sick and infirm, the poor, the elderly or the orphans, or just the neighbor or fellow church member whose problems are weighing on them like a ton of bricks, most of us simply do not have the time, energy or inclination to do anything.
We are collectively a group who is mostly talk… and very little action. And this is NOT what Jesus expects of His disciples. This.has.to.stop! We have to start caring, at least… and praying for “harvest hands”… our own, and those of fellow Disciples. If you have ever felt neglected or needy in any way and wondered where the “hands and feet of Jesus” were, you can understand in some small way how significant this must be for others in similar situations. How are we ever to add to God’s Kingdom if we show others a body of Christ who is self-centered, disinterested and uncaring?
Jesus has called us to fall to our knees and pray for “harvest hands”… and the first sets to report for duty should be our own. Who needs to hear from you today? Where are the needs in your neighborhood, church, community, and at large? What are you doing to meet these needs? How worn are your “work gloves?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, NBC news reporter Anne Curry interviewed a woman on Staten Island who looked into the camera and said, “…you need to come here and help us. We need assistance…PLEASE!” Even though thousands of people were either helping already… or headed to the East Coast to give a hand… more were needed. The President and many on his staff were on-site, doing their job… but “harvest hands” were needed to carry out the directives and provide necessary aid and “ground support.”
Truly, the people who live on America’s East Coast are bruised and hurting. Many are indeed aimless… like sheep with no shepherd. But help has arrived…and amazingly in many cases, life is returning to normalcy. Lights are coming on, water is receding or being pumped out, debris is being shoveled up and hauled away, and helping hands are on scene to see that everything is repaired, restored, and renewed.
Can I tell you something? We have a bit of a “Spiritual disaster” on our hands… and it’s happening in our own back yards! Everywhere you look, people are sick, hungry, bruised and hurting. Many are confused and aimless. Others just need to know that someone cares. And the “disastrous” part of this is that few “harvest hands” are answering the call. We are all too busy with our own lives – or our own agendas – to bother with the needs of others. We have decided to let the church or community (i.e. a handful of people who seem to answer EVERY call) handle these issues. Or we have written these people off as simply unworthy of time and attention… most certainly ours!
This is really a sore spot with me. There seem to be plenty of people who are concerned with numbers… how many names are on membership rolls…how much money is in the coffers… how much we are able to afford to purchase (houses, cars, clothes, entertainment, and more)…where our team ranks in the standings…how well our children or grandchildren are doing in school, sports and more…or even how significant our latest ailment/illness was - or what he said/she said. But when it comes to helping the needy… whether the sick and infirm, the poor, the elderly or the orphans, or just the neighbor or fellow church member whose problems are weighing on them like a ton of bricks, most of us simply do not have the time, energy or inclination to do anything.
We are collectively a group who is mostly talk… and very little action. And this is NOT what Jesus expects of His disciples. This.has.to.stop! We have to start caring, at least… and praying for “harvest hands”… our own, and those of fellow Disciples. If you have ever felt neglected or needy in any way and wondered where the “hands and feet of Jesus” were, you can understand in some small way how significant this must be for others in similar situations. How are we ever to add to God’s Kingdom if we show others a body of Christ who is self-centered, disinterested and uncaring?
Jesus has called us to fall to our knees and pray for “harvest hands”… and the first sets to report for duty should be our own. Who needs to hear from you today? Where are the needs in your neighborhood, church, community, and at large? What are you doing to meet these needs? How worn are your “work gloves?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 9, 2012
James 3:7-12
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A friend of mine once shared a story about ironing her clothes one afternoon while she watched Oprah on TV. As she ironed the clothes, she sprayed them with lemon-scented “starch” to give the fabrics body, a crisp appearance, and longer-lasting wear. But she was also totally engrossed in the television show, so she wasn’t watching her work as closely as she should have been. When she was finished and the show was over, she looked at the items on her ironing board and discovered she had “starched” all of her clean laundry with Pledge® Lemon Clean furniture spray! She laughed about it and said “At least the clothes smelled good!”
Hopefully, the laundry was not ruined… but everything surely had to be washed and ironed again. All of my friend’s efforts were wasted because she was not paying close enough attention. And that’s how we are so much of the time with what we say and do. We get sidetracked and distracted… or we simply are not careful… and we make a mess of things. At the very least, what we have said or done has to be repeated and/or corrected. And too often, the damage is irreparable.
There is no way we will ever be able to control our words – and many of our actions – under our own power. If we have any hope of controlling our tongue, we must stay in constant communication with God. Our effectiveness as a Christian disciple will correlate directly to how well we interconnect with our Heavenly Father – and our daily exchanges with the Holy Spirit.
How are you doing these days? Are you “ironing with Pledge®” instead of spray starch? Are you making messes with your talk and action where you should be sharing the message of Jesus Christ? Are you distracted and sidetracked by the things of this world… the “busyness” of each and every day? Do you allow your mouth to engage before your brain has time to kick into gear? Isn’t it time to take a step back and regain your focus? Wouldn’t you rather say and do the right thing the first time and not have to worry about repairing the damage later?
Ask God to help you guard your heart – and your tongue. Call on the Holy Spirit to guide you each and every minute of the day. We can’t tame our tongue on our own… but God can give us a spirit of self-control. Have you asked Him to do this in your life? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A friend of mine once shared a story about ironing her clothes one afternoon while she watched Oprah on TV. As she ironed the clothes, she sprayed them with lemon-scented “starch” to give the fabrics body, a crisp appearance, and longer-lasting wear. But she was also totally engrossed in the television show, so she wasn’t watching her work as closely as she should have been. When she was finished and the show was over, she looked at the items on her ironing board and discovered she had “starched” all of her clean laundry with Pledge® Lemon Clean furniture spray! She laughed about it and said “At least the clothes smelled good!”
Hopefully, the laundry was not ruined… but everything surely had to be washed and ironed again. All of my friend’s efforts were wasted because she was not paying close enough attention. And that’s how we are so much of the time with what we say and do. We get sidetracked and distracted… or we simply are not careful… and we make a mess of things. At the very least, what we have said or done has to be repeated and/or corrected. And too often, the damage is irreparable.
There is no way we will ever be able to control our words – and many of our actions – under our own power. If we have any hope of controlling our tongue, we must stay in constant communication with God. Our effectiveness as a Christian disciple will correlate directly to how well we interconnect with our Heavenly Father – and our daily exchanges with the Holy Spirit.
How are you doing these days? Are you “ironing with Pledge®” instead of spray starch? Are you making messes with your talk and action where you should be sharing the message of Jesus Christ? Are you distracted and sidetracked by the things of this world… the “busyness” of each and every day? Do you allow your mouth to engage before your brain has time to kick into gear? Isn’t it time to take a step back and regain your focus? Wouldn’t you rather say and do the right thing the first time and not have to worry about repairing the damage later?
Ask God to help you guard your heart – and your tongue. Call on the Holy Spirit to guide you each and every minute of the day. We can’t tame our tongue on our own… but God can give us a spirit of self-control. Have you asked Him to do this in your life? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 7, 2012
Romans 15:1-6
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?”
That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
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 grew up in an atmosphere of “seeing after” others. It was common to “take a dish” when someone died or got sick. I’ve seen my grandmother make everything from vegetable soup to a pan of hot rolls to a full meal for others who were going through a rough patch. I’ve heard her talk about going to someone’s home and taking care of them and their family when they were sick and in need. My late cousin Eddie was known for the smoked or baked hams he delivered to families who had suffered a loss. I remember how a dear neighbor brought a delicious meal to the home of my husband’s parents the night my father-in-law died.
As important as food and nurture are when we are in need, human contact and support are equally vital. I will never forget the half dozen or more ladies who came from my parents’ church and organized shifts to prepare meals and run my mom’s kitchen and household when my dad and brother died. It seemed as if there was someone there to organize everything from the morning breakfast to mopping the floors before bedtime – for almost a week! I can still picture a dear friend who lay across a bed with my grandmother and consoled her after my dad – her only son – had died. I still recall the weekly visits of a certain pastor in our town when my dad and brother were ill. Neither of them were members of his congregation… yet, he found time to visit and offer support to all of us.
I know as surely as I am writing this devotional that there are people in my community – and in my own circle of family and friends – who are in need of help, strength and encouragement today… the kind that I can offer. And I am sure that it is the same for you. Who is sick? Who has been injured? Who has suffered the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, their health, a home, and more? Who is moving or working on a project that could use a couple of extra hands and feet? Where are you able to offer God’s love and a little hope to someone who might need it? Can you “take a dish” and offer physical sustenance? Can you offer a hug, write a note of encouragement, or share a conversation to let someone know that you care? Can you give someone a ride, care for a pet, or babysit for a few hours?
I guarantee you, as much as people notice when you help them, they also notice when you don’t. And we can all come up with dozens of excuses for not coming to the aid of those around us who are in need – even down to our own family members. The tasks are not always pleasant. It’s often downright difficult. Knowing what to say and do takes prayer… and practice!
Meeting the needs of others may not come as easily for you as it seems to for some… but that doesn’t give you a “free pass.” God will equip you with exactly what you need to say and do… but you have to get up and get going. You have to be willing to take a risk and “take on the troubles of the troubled” in Jesus’ name.
Who will you reach out to this day? Where will you lend a hand… offer God’s hope… surrender yourself and do what is less than convenient? I can assure you already that you will never regret it. You will find that in blessing others in God’s name, you always get the bigger blessing. Are you ready to truly count for God? Are you ready to serve Him and exercise your “faith muscle?” Where will you “wade in” and make a difference today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?”
That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
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 grew up in an atmosphere of “seeing after” others. It was common to “take a dish” when someone died or got sick. I’ve seen my grandmother make everything from vegetable soup to a pan of hot rolls to a full meal for others who were going through a rough patch. I’ve heard her talk about going to someone’s home and taking care of them and their family when they were sick and in need. My late cousin Eddie was known for the smoked or baked hams he delivered to families who had suffered a loss. I remember how a dear neighbor brought a delicious meal to the home of my husband’s parents the night my father-in-law died.
As important as food and nurture are when we are in need, human contact and support are equally vital. I will never forget the half dozen or more ladies who came from my parents’ church and organized shifts to prepare meals and run my mom’s kitchen and household when my dad and brother died. It seemed as if there was someone there to organize everything from the morning breakfast to mopping the floors before bedtime – for almost a week! I can still picture a dear friend who lay across a bed with my grandmother and consoled her after my dad – her only son – had died. I still recall the weekly visits of a certain pastor in our town when my dad and brother were ill. Neither of them were members of his congregation… yet, he found time to visit and offer support to all of us.
I know as surely as I am writing this devotional that there are people in my community – and in my own circle of family and friends – who are in need of help, strength and encouragement today… the kind that I can offer. And I am sure that it is the same for you. Who is sick? Who has been injured? Who has suffered the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, their health, a home, and more? Who is moving or working on a project that could use a couple of extra hands and feet? Where are you able to offer God’s love and a little hope to someone who might need it? Can you “take a dish” and offer physical sustenance? Can you offer a hug, write a note of encouragement, or share a conversation to let someone know that you care? Can you give someone a ride, care for a pet, or babysit for a few hours?
I guarantee you, as much as people notice when you help them, they also notice when you don’t. And we can all come up with dozens of excuses for not coming to the aid of those around us who are in need – even down to our own family members. The tasks are not always pleasant. It’s often downright difficult. Knowing what to say and do takes prayer… and practice!
Meeting the needs of others may not come as easily for you as it seems to for some… but that doesn’t give you a “free pass.” God will equip you with exactly what you need to say and do… but you have to get up and get going. You have to be willing to take a risk and “take on the troubles of the troubled” in Jesus’ name.
Who will you reach out to this day? Where will you lend a hand… offer God’s hope… surrender yourself and do what is less than convenient? I can assure you already that you will never regret it. You will find that in blessing others in God’s name, you always get the bigger blessing. Are you ready to truly count for God? Are you ready to serve Him and exercise your “faith muscle?” Where will you “wade in” and make a difference today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 18, 2011
Proverbs 18:20-21
Make your words good – you will be glad you did. Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend recently sent me a video from YouTube that portrayed a blind man sitting on a sidewalk with a sign that read, “I’m blind… please help.” People would pass him, and occasionally someone would toss a coin his way. Then a woman stopped, walked back, picked up the sign and scribbled something on the back of it. She turned the cardboard over and stood it up beside the man… and he began to be flooded with coins.
The woman returned, and the man asked, “What did you do to my sign?” She replied, “I wrote a sign… but with different words.” Her words were… “It’s a beautiful day, and I can’t see it.” You can see this video for yourself at http://youtu.be/Hzgzim5m7oU.
How often are we guilty of choosing the wrong words? Do you suppose you are more persuasive when you tell a child, “Don’t!” or “No!”… or when you say, “That stove is hot… if you touch it, you will get burned.”? When you tell a friend, “You’re turning into a jerk,” do you really think he/she will listen? But if you say, “You know I love you, but other people are starting to avoid you because of how you are acting,” you might get his/her attention.
When you tell someone, “You really need to be coming to church” – how do you suppose they feel? But if you say… “We have such a great time at church, and we’d love it if you would come with us” – you might have a chance of getting them there. If you tell someone, “God loves you so much and wants to bless you in ways you can’t imagine,” won’t that get you farther than saying, “You better turn to God… or else!”?
Often we say things out of love and care or concern… but that’s not how they are received. I’ve heard people (who usually are known for a rather sharp tongue and blunt attitude anyway) say, “Well, I told them that for their own good!” No… these people failed to choose good words… and in doing so, they did far more harm than any good they ever hoped to accomplish. The Bible tells us that the tongue holds the power of life or death… and the difference is often determined by how we choose our words.
What about you? Are you a blind man today… or is it a beautiful day and you can’t see it? The difference is all in a matter of words. Have you asked God to help you choose yours wisely today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Make your words good – you will be glad you did. Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend recently sent me a video from YouTube that portrayed a blind man sitting on a sidewalk with a sign that read, “I’m blind… please help.” People would pass him, and occasionally someone would toss a coin his way. Then a woman stopped, walked back, picked up the sign and scribbled something on the back of it. She turned the cardboard over and stood it up beside the man… and he began to be flooded with coins.
The woman returned, and the man asked, “What did you do to my sign?” She replied, “I wrote a sign… but with different words.” Her words were… “It’s a beautiful day, and I can’t see it.” You can see this video for yourself at http://youtu.be/Hzgzim5m7oU.
How often are we guilty of choosing the wrong words? Do you suppose you are more persuasive when you tell a child, “Don’t!” or “No!”… or when you say, “That stove is hot… if you touch it, you will get burned.”? When you tell a friend, “You’re turning into a jerk,” do you really think he/she will listen? But if you say, “You know I love you, but other people are starting to avoid you because of how you are acting,” you might get his/her attention.
When you tell someone, “You really need to be coming to church” – how do you suppose they feel? But if you say… “We have such a great time at church, and we’d love it if you would come with us” – you might have a chance of getting them there. If you tell someone, “God loves you so much and wants to bless you in ways you can’t imagine,” won’t that get you farther than saying, “You better turn to God… or else!”?
Often we say things out of love and care or concern… but that’s not how they are received. I’ve heard people (who usually are known for a rather sharp tongue and blunt attitude anyway) say, “Well, I told them that for their own good!” No… these people failed to choose good words… and in doing so, they did far more harm than any good they ever hoped to accomplish. The Bible tells us that the tongue holds the power of life or death… and the difference is often determined by how we choose our words.
What about you? Are you a blind man today… or is it a beautiful day and you can’t see it? The difference is all in a matter of words. Have you asked God to help you choose yours wisely today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 1, 2011
Proverbs 16:7
When we please the LORD, even our enemies make friends with us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In my book, clear-headed, rational thinking and the ability to remain calm in trying situations are God-given attributes! And my husband has them in spades. So when I am in a situation where I would tend to “fly off the handle,” I often use him as a sounding board first. And I have to admit, I have gotten better at stopping and saying a prayer… asking God to give me the right words and actions… and thinking about what advice my husband would give me, also.
A lot of times, we are called to “take the high road,” even when what we really want to do is thump a few heads. There are always going to be people who challenge our patience… who fabricate the truth to suit their own needs… and who are, for whatever reason, just a little off their rocker! But lowering yourself to their level accomplishes nothing – and it only pleases the devil.
When you know you are right… when you know you are in God’s will and pleasing Him with your decisions and your behavior… you have nothing for which to apologize. You can stand tall and proud and politely say, “We may just have to agree to disagree” – or walk away without saying anything. When you are being attacked, ask God to give you the strength and courage to smile at your attacker and keep your cool. The first year I taught school, I had a few parents and a principal who thought I was too young and dumb to know what I was doing… and they tried to make things pretty hard on me. One of my fellow teachers said repeatedly, “Just kill ‘em with kindness.” That stuck with me… it was – and is - great advice.
God knows your heart. He knows if/when you are doing the right thing… and He knows when you are being attacked, mistreated, or disrespected. If He approves of your life, nothing else matters… and neither does the opinion of anyone else. Hold your head up… take the high road… “kill ‘em with kindness” – and let God handle the rest. Your enemies may not literally end up shaking your hand, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did not disappoint yourself… or more importantly – your Heavenly Father. Whether you realize it or not, you will have emerged the true winner – in this life and for all Eternity!
©2011 Debbie Robus
When we please the LORD, even our enemies make friends with us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In my book, clear-headed, rational thinking and the ability to remain calm in trying situations are God-given attributes! And my husband has them in spades. So when I am in a situation where I would tend to “fly off the handle,” I often use him as a sounding board first. And I have to admit, I have gotten better at stopping and saying a prayer… asking God to give me the right words and actions… and thinking about what advice my husband would give me, also.
A lot of times, we are called to “take the high road,” even when what we really want to do is thump a few heads. There are always going to be people who challenge our patience… who fabricate the truth to suit their own needs… and who are, for whatever reason, just a little off their rocker! But lowering yourself to their level accomplishes nothing – and it only pleases the devil.
When you know you are right… when you know you are in God’s will and pleasing Him with your decisions and your behavior… you have nothing for which to apologize. You can stand tall and proud and politely say, “We may just have to agree to disagree” – or walk away without saying anything. When you are being attacked, ask God to give you the strength and courage to smile at your attacker and keep your cool. The first year I taught school, I had a few parents and a principal who thought I was too young and dumb to know what I was doing… and they tried to make things pretty hard on me. One of my fellow teachers said repeatedly, “Just kill ‘em with kindness.” That stuck with me… it was – and is - great advice.
God knows your heart. He knows if/when you are doing the right thing… and He knows when you are being attacked, mistreated, or disrespected. If He approves of your life, nothing else matters… and neither does the opinion of anyone else. Hold your head up… take the high road… “kill ‘em with kindness” – and let God handle the rest. Your enemies may not literally end up shaking your hand, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did not disappoint yourself… or more importantly – your Heavenly Father. Whether you realize it or not, you will have emerged the true winner – in this life and for all Eternity!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Luke 12:11-12
"When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don't worry about defending yourselves—what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes."
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.
Recently I dropped my sister off for work, and as I sat in the parking lot, a woman I’ve known since high school approached my car. She said, “I don’t know if I ever told you, but the card you sent me when my dad died meant more to me than just about any card I received. You said all the right things.” I thanked her for sharing that with me. I cannot begin to tell you what I said in that card, but I’m glad to know it was what she needed to hear at the time.
Years ago, I wrote a book called What to Say and Do… When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. I wrote this book after experiencing the death of several family members and friends and hearing people say over and over, “I just didn’t know what to say.” Often, their solution was to say and do nothing… and the silence was in some ways more hurtful than if they had said the wrong thing.
My own experiences caused me to pay closer attention to making sure I did not fall into this pattern myself. I began to make more of an effort to send cards and notes to people... cards expressing sympathy, get-well wishes, and even cards of encouragement and thanks. But more importantly, I started really praying about what I said before I wrote the note. And just like the woman who thanked me for the card when her dad passed away, others have told me, “Your words meant so much.”
The truth is… they were not my words. I always ask God to tell me the right things to say in cards. I wish I were better at making sure I ask God to tell me the right things to say before I speak, but I’m afraid my mouth often still engages before my brain does. And once words are spoken, they can be very hard to retract!
Do not miss this… the Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes. He is always ready… his words are always perfect. But we have to ask Him for help. We have to stop and say, “LORD… guide my words. Let me say what you want me to say… the things that will be pleasing to you and helpful to this person. Give me the right answers… the kind words… the best solutions to offer in this situation.” And He will do just that!
I’ve come to understand that the fear of saying the wrong thing is just another tool of the devil. This is just one more way he wants to squelch us and keep us from truly living for Jesus and serving as His disciple. And I am not willing to let him have that kind of satisfaction… are you? Ask God for help in choosing your words… then don’t be afraid to step out and speak up in His name. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.
©2011 Debbie Robus
"When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don't worry about defending yourselves—what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes."
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.
Recently I dropped my sister off for work, and as I sat in the parking lot, a woman I’ve known since high school approached my car. She said, “I don’t know if I ever told you, but the card you sent me when my dad died meant more to me than just about any card I received. You said all the right things.” I thanked her for sharing that with me. I cannot begin to tell you what I said in that card, but I’m glad to know it was what she needed to hear at the time.
Years ago, I wrote a book called What to Say and Do… When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. I wrote this book after experiencing the death of several family members and friends and hearing people say over and over, “I just didn’t know what to say.” Often, their solution was to say and do nothing… and the silence was in some ways more hurtful than if they had said the wrong thing.
My own experiences caused me to pay closer attention to making sure I did not fall into this pattern myself. I began to make more of an effort to send cards and notes to people... cards expressing sympathy, get-well wishes, and even cards of encouragement and thanks. But more importantly, I started really praying about what I said before I wrote the note. And just like the woman who thanked me for the card when her dad passed away, others have told me, “Your words meant so much.”
The truth is… they were not my words. I always ask God to tell me the right things to say in cards. I wish I were better at making sure I ask God to tell me the right things to say before I speak, but I’m afraid my mouth often still engages before my brain does. And once words are spoken, they can be very hard to retract!
Do not miss this… the Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes. He is always ready… his words are always perfect. But we have to ask Him for help. We have to stop and say, “LORD… guide my words. Let me say what you want me to say… the things that will be pleasing to you and helpful to this person. Give me the right answers… the kind words… the best solutions to offer in this situation.” And He will do just that!
I’ve come to understand that the fear of saying the wrong thing is just another tool of the devil. This is just one more way he wants to squelch us and keep us from truly living for Jesus and serving as His disciple. And I am not willing to let him have that kind of satisfaction… are you? Ask God for help in choosing your words… then don’t be afraid to step out and speak up in His name. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 4, 2011
April 4 ~ Luke 5:14
Jesus instructed him, "Don't talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed self to the priest, along with the offering ordered by Moses. Your cleansed and obedient life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done." But the man couldn't keep it to himself, and the word got out. Soon a large crowd of people had gathered to listen and be healed of their ailments. As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer.
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.
Do you ever have what I call a “light-bulb moment”? I’m talking about a time when you are confused or don’t seem to understand something, and then all of a sudden… you get it! The “light goes on,” and you see the whole picture. That’s what happened to me when I read this passage in Luke recently. I’ve read this same story more times than I can count… and always, I wondered why in the world Jesus told this man not to tell about his miraculous healing. Surely this would be a true witness to the power of Jesus Christ! Certainly people would see this man, whom they had known to be ill for a long time… and they would know that he was Supernaturally healed!
As always… Jesus had a reason for His instructions. His point was that we shouldn’t have to always TELL people about what He is doing in our lives… others should be able to SEE for themselves the wonders and miracles because of our behavior and how we are living! Let’s be honest… anybody can talk a good game… but far fewer can live out their faith.
It’s one thing to say you forgive someone… but to truly forgive them in your heart is another. Lots of people vow to give up sinful ways and live for Jesus… but talk is cheap. Far fewer really follow through. Many of us talk about how great our faith is… how our relationship with Jesus Christ has made everything in our lives so much better… and then we fall apart at the first sign of trouble or when the first crisis or challenge occurs.
Jesus wants us to “talk the talk”… but He wants us to “walk the walk”, too. To do any less makes us something of a “lopsided Christian!” So the challenge for us today is to become more balanced in our faith… to back up any claims we make with real action. We must live in such a way that others see the power and healing of Jesus Christ working in and through us… even when we don’t say a word.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus instructed him, "Don't talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed self to the priest, along with the offering ordered by Moses. Your cleansed and obedient life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done." But the man couldn't keep it to himself, and the word got out. Soon a large crowd of people had gathered to listen and be healed of their ailments. As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer.
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.
Do you ever have what I call a “light-bulb moment”? I’m talking about a time when you are confused or don’t seem to understand something, and then all of a sudden… you get it! The “light goes on,” and you see the whole picture. That’s what happened to me when I read this passage in Luke recently. I’ve read this same story more times than I can count… and always, I wondered why in the world Jesus told this man not to tell about his miraculous healing. Surely this would be a true witness to the power of Jesus Christ! Certainly people would see this man, whom they had known to be ill for a long time… and they would know that he was Supernaturally healed!
As always… Jesus had a reason for His instructions. His point was that we shouldn’t have to always TELL people about what He is doing in our lives… others should be able to SEE for themselves the wonders and miracles because of our behavior and how we are living! Let’s be honest… anybody can talk a good game… but far fewer can live out their faith.
It’s one thing to say you forgive someone… but to truly forgive them in your heart is another. Lots of people vow to give up sinful ways and live for Jesus… but talk is cheap. Far fewer really follow through. Many of us talk about how great our faith is… how our relationship with Jesus Christ has made everything in our lives so much better… and then we fall apart at the first sign of trouble or when the first crisis or challenge occurs.
Jesus wants us to “talk the talk”… but He wants us to “walk the walk”, too. To do any less makes us something of a “lopsided Christian!” So the challenge for us today is to become more balanced in our faith… to back up any claims we make with real action. We must live in such a way that others see the power and healing of Jesus Christ working in and through us… even when we don’t say a word.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 1, 2011
Mark 7:14-16; 20-23
Jesus called the crowd together again and said, "Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean."
Then Jesus said: What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Some of you know that I have food allergies… and my primary culprit is corn. If you go to the grocery store and start reading labels, you will find that corn is in thousands of things we eat every day. It has fancy names, such as microcrystalline cellulose, propylene glycol, citric acid, and modified food starch. All of these ingredients… and dozens more… may be derived from corn.
A “natural” ingredient that is readily grown throughout the world can cause all sorts of unpleasant things to happen to people who are allergic… hives, swelling, nausea and stomach pain, headaches and stuffy head, and in some cases – death. The corn itself is not harmful to most people… but how it reacts in my body and the bodies of others with this allergy causes all sorts of potentially bad things to happen. The problem is what my body does with the corn products.
Jesus is telling us in this passage that what we say or do may seem harmless on the surface, but it’s what our heart does with this that matters. So it may seem like you are not hurting anyone else by drinking a little or popping a few pills… but when you get behind the wheel and drive – or your activities get out of hand and you start behaving irrationally or irresponsibly – there is trouble. Telling a couple of “white lies” to supposedly protect the feelings and/or reputation of someone else may not seem like a big deal. But over time, it gets easier and easier to lie and distort things… and before long, the lines between reality and your fabrications are more than a little blurry.
As I’ve mentioned before, we all “fly off the handle” once in awhile, and we may even apologize quickly and say, “I didn’t mean it!” But our words and actions, if not kept in check, can get away from us in a hurry. Soon we are known as someone who “has a short fuse” or is “radical and unreasonable”… someone others don’t want to be around for very long, and certainly not a good witness for Jesus Christ.
The point is… we have to look at the big picture. On the surface, a ritual may seem important to our faith… a behavior or comment may seem inconsequential. But when internalized in our body – when these things penetrate our heart – what we send back out into the world may not be pleasing to anyone, especially God. We need to examine every facet of our lives closely. We need to “read the labels” and make sure that we are not ingesting anything harmful. We must be certain that the things we say and do – the behaviors and choices we internalize – will enable us to model Christian behavior to others that honors God and pleases Him. The old adage… “Garbage in – garbage out”… applies totally in this situation. It’s time to kick our garbage to the curb – and leave it there. Have you taken out the trash lately?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus called the crowd together again and said, "Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean."
Then Jesus said: What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Some of you know that I have food allergies… and my primary culprit is corn. If you go to the grocery store and start reading labels, you will find that corn is in thousands of things we eat every day. It has fancy names, such as microcrystalline cellulose, propylene glycol, citric acid, and modified food starch. All of these ingredients… and dozens more… may be derived from corn.
A “natural” ingredient that is readily grown throughout the world can cause all sorts of unpleasant things to happen to people who are allergic… hives, swelling, nausea and stomach pain, headaches and stuffy head, and in some cases – death. The corn itself is not harmful to most people… but how it reacts in my body and the bodies of others with this allergy causes all sorts of potentially bad things to happen. The problem is what my body does with the corn products.
Jesus is telling us in this passage that what we say or do may seem harmless on the surface, but it’s what our heart does with this that matters. So it may seem like you are not hurting anyone else by drinking a little or popping a few pills… but when you get behind the wheel and drive – or your activities get out of hand and you start behaving irrationally or irresponsibly – there is trouble. Telling a couple of “white lies” to supposedly protect the feelings and/or reputation of someone else may not seem like a big deal. But over time, it gets easier and easier to lie and distort things… and before long, the lines between reality and your fabrications are more than a little blurry.
As I’ve mentioned before, we all “fly off the handle” once in awhile, and we may even apologize quickly and say, “I didn’t mean it!” But our words and actions, if not kept in check, can get away from us in a hurry. Soon we are known as someone who “has a short fuse” or is “radical and unreasonable”… someone others don’t want to be around for very long, and certainly not a good witness for Jesus Christ.
The point is… we have to look at the big picture. On the surface, a ritual may seem important to our faith… a behavior or comment may seem inconsequential. But when internalized in our body – when these things penetrate our heart – what we send back out into the world may not be pleasing to anyone, especially God. We need to examine every facet of our lives closely. We need to “read the labels” and make sure that we are not ingesting anything harmful. We must be certain that the things we say and do – the behaviors and choices we internalize – will enable us to model Christian behavior to others that honors God and pleases Him. The old adage… “Garbage in – garbage out”… applies totally in this situation. It’s time to kick our garbage to the curb – and leave it there. Have you taken out the trash lately?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 12, 2010
Jeremiah 9:5
They wear themselves out, always looking for a new way to cheat their friends.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We need look no further than late-night infomercials on television to see the power of the line, “Have I got a deal for YOU!” Dozens, if not hundreds, of entrepreneurs stand ready to sell you their latest invention, sure to make your life better in every way imaginable. And maybe a few of these products work. I’ve been tempted to order a few… the incredible clothes hangers, the orange cleaner for your floors and other surfaces, and even the slap-chopper thingy that is supposed to make dicing onions and other veggies a breeze.
I have also seen a segment on a local news station broadcast called, “We Try It Before You Buy It.” And I’ve seen some of the niftiest looking gadgets go down in flames when the show hosts cannot make them work… or they fail to come through as promised by the merchant on TV. These “inventors” are wearing themselves out looking for a new way to make a buck. Maybe they don’t set out to intentionally cheat the public with a product that doesn’t deliver. But I have to believe that quite a few of them know their product is worthless and won’t work for the consumers who purchase it.
What are we “selling” that can’t deliver? How are we wearing ourselves out chasing our tail, so to speak… spending time and energy on things that are less than honest or fair, rather than be the real deal for Jesus? How often do we ask ourselves, “What’s in this for me?” rather than “What would Jesus do?”
I would like to think that none of us deliberately sets out to cheat our friends – or even those we don’t know! But that’s exactly what happens sometimes when we put ourselves first. Maybe you just wanted a day to yourself, but by not offering your friend a ride, he/she didn’t get to attend something important to them. Maybe you bought yourself a cup of hot coffee instead of putting your change in the Salvation Army bucket outside the store… and now someone who really needed a hot cup of coffee won’t get it. Maybe you decided you would rather be lazy and stay home than attend the funeral of a close friend’s relative… and a whole lot of other people did the same things, so the crowd of supporters was noticeably small. Each time, your excuse was good, but it was just that - an excuse (and maybe even a dishonest one!).
While these things may not quite literally be considered cheating or lying, we tend to narrow our definition of these actions to fit our own desires… when in God’s eyes, a whole lot of things we would discount are truly dishonest and wrong behaviors. When we start to truly walk in the ways of God… to let Him live in and through us, our selfish desires become secondary to non-existent. Lying and cheating are not even on our radar screen… in ways great and small. Are you there yet? Have you made this commitment… and can others see it in your daily living? Isn’t it time we began to turn the corner?
©2010 Debbie Robus
They wear themselves out, always looking for a new way to cheat their friends.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We need look no further than late-night infomercials on television to see the power of the line, “Have I got a deal for YOU!” Dozens, if not hundreds, of entrepreneurs stand ready to sell you their latest invention, sure to make your life better in every way imaginable. And maybe a few of these products work. I’ve been tempted to order a few… the incredible clothes hangers, the orange cleaner for your floors and other surfaces, and even the slap-chopper thingy that is supposed to make dicing onions and other veggies a breeze.
I have also seen a segment on a local news station broadcast called, “We Try It Before You Buy It.” And I’ve seen some of the niftiest looking gadgets go down in flames when the show hosts cannot make them work… or they fail to come through as promised by the merchant on TV. These “inventors” are wearing themselves out looking for a new way to make a buck. Maybe they don’t set out to intentionally cheat the public with a product that doesn’t deliver. But I have to believe that quite a few of them know their product is worthless and won’t work for the consumers who purchase it.
What are we “selling” that can’t deliver? How are we wearing ourselves out chasing our tail, so to speak… spending time and energy on things that are less than honest or fair, rather than be the real deal for Jesus? How often do we ask ourselves, “What’s in this for me?” rather than “What would Jesus do?”
I would like to think that none of us deliberately sets out to cheat our friends – or even those we don’t know! But that’s exactly what happens sometimes when we put ourselves first. Maybe you just wanted a day to yourself, but by not offering your friend a ride, he/she didn’t get to attend something important to them. Maybe you bought yourself a cup of hot coffee instead of putting your change in the Salvation Army bucket outside the store… and now someone who really needed a hot cup of coffee won’t get it. Maybe you decided you would rather be lazy and stay home than attend the funeral of a close friend’s relative… and a whole lot of other people did the same things, so the crowd of supporters was noticeably small. Each time, your excuse was good, but it was just that - an excuse (and maybe even a dishonest one!).
While these things may not quite literally be considered cheating or lying, we tend to narrow our definition of these actions to fit our own desires… when in God’s eyes, a whole lot of things we would discount are truly dishonest and wrong behaviors. When we start to truly walk in the ways of God… to let Him live in and through us, our selfish desires become secondary to non-existent. Lying and cheating are not even on our radar screen… in ways great and small. Are you there yet? Have you made this commitment… and can others see it in your daily living? Isn’t it time we began to turn the corner?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 7, 2010
Matthew 5:43-44
You have heard people say, "Love your neighbors and hate your enemies." But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, I learned a valuable lesson about “loving your enemies.” If you have heard this story before, please forgive me… but I think it bears repeating. I had driven my brother to Little Rock to be admitted to the hospital for experimental medication to help and control the rapid advances of his acute liver failure. The doctors felt that a “medical cocktail” used for the treatment of AIDS might be beneficial, although my brother did not have the “numbers” to support the need for this treatment. And ultimately, after a few days of having the drugs administered, Tim returned home, where the treatment did little more than make him violently ill, and he decided to suspend the medications.
But on the day he was admitted, my brother sat in the admissions area of the Oncology Unit with two Registered Nurses and answered the questions on the admissions form. Tim was an R.N., and as the nurses asked questions, he rattled off medically complicated answers that meant something to the three of them, but totally went over my head. And then one of the nurses asked, “So exactly why are you being admitted?” Without a second thought, he answered, “I’m HIV positive.”
There was no audible gasp, but I felt it anyway. And the room turned icy. The once-friendly nurses began to ask curt, to-the-point questions and offered little to no reaction as my brother responded. To his credit, he appeared not to notice, while I sat on the couch nearby and fumed. I was furious. These women were supposed to be professionals. They dealt with HIV patients every single day… they knew there was nothing to fear. Yet they acted as if my brother had just told them he was radioactive.
And then, Tim did something I will never forget. He reached into his duffle bag and produced a package of Smarties® Candies. Tim was a fanatic about candy – he loved the stuff, and he never traveled without it. He pulled out that package, held it in the air and asked, “Smarties®, anyone?” Taken aback, the nurses looked up, and then one of them began to laugh. I knew in that moment that by the end of the week, my brother would have won the hearts of every person on that floor of the hospital, and then some. His ability to “love his enemy” had made the difference. And sure enough, when he left five days later, I think more than one nurse cried.
See, we have a choice… we can let the devil have his way with us and take things personally and make mountains out of molehills. We can develop vendettas against those we think have “done us wrong,” and go around sad and miserable over every single transgression dealt us… and there will be plenty! Or, we can choose to pray for those who would dare to wrong us. We can rise above the pettiness and the judgment… the disrespect and the dismissal of others… and we can be the children of the Most High God we’re called to be. We can be the ones who don’t get upset… who don’t have ruffled feathers… who love even the unlovely, just as Jesus did.
What mode of operation will you chose? Will you only love those you perceive to love you in return, or will you offer the love of Christ to even your “enemies?” Do you have what it takes to say, “Smarties®, anyone?”
©2010 Debbie Robus
You have heard people say, "Love your neighbors and hate your enemies." But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, I learned a valuable lesson about “loving your enemies.” If you have heard this story before, please forgive me… but I think it bears repeating. I had driven my brother to Little Rock to be admitted to the hospital for experimental medication to help and control the rapid advances of his acute liver failure. The doctors felt that a “medical cocktail” used for the treatment of AIDS might be beneficial, although my brother did not have the “numbers” to support the need for this treatment. And ultimately, after a few days of having the drugs administered, Tim returned home, where the treatment did little more than make him violently ill, and he decided to suspend the medications.
But on the day he was admitted, my brother sat in the admissions area of the Oncology Unit with two Registered Nurses and answered the questions on the admissions form. Tim was an R.N., and as the nurses asked questions, he rattled off medically complicated answers that meant something to the three of them, but totally went over my head. And then one of the nurses asked, “So exactly why are you being admitted?” Without a second thought, he answered, “I’m HIV positive.”
There was no audible gasp, but I felt it anyway. And the room turned icy. The once-friendly nurses began to ask curt, to-the-point questions and offered little to no reaction as my brother responded. To his credit, he appeared not to notice, while I sat on the couch nearby and fumed. I was furious. These women were supposed to be professionals. They dealt with HIV patients every single day… they knew there was nothing to fear. Yet they acted as if my brother had just told them he was radioactive.
And then, Tim did something I will never forget. He reached into his duffle bag and produced a package of Smarties® Candies. Tim was a fanatic about candy – he loved the stuff, and he never traveled without it. He pulled out that package, held it in the air and asked, “Smarties®, anyone?” Taken aback, the nurses looked up, and then one of them began to laugh. I knew in that moment that by the end of the week, my brother would have won the hearts of every person on that floor of the hospital, and then some. His ability to “love his enemy” had made the difference. And sure enough, when he left five days later, I think more than one nurse cried.
See, we have a choice… we can let the devil have his way with us and take things personally and make mountains out of molehills. We can develop vendettas against those we think have “done us wrong,” and go around sad and miserable over every single transgression dealt us… and there will be plenty! Or, we can choose to pray for those who would dare to wrong us. We can rise above the pettiness and the judgment… the disrespect and the dismissal of others… and we can be the children of the Most High God we’re called to be. We can be the ones who don’t get upset… who don’t have ruffled feathers… who love even the unlovely, just as Jesus did.
What mode of operation will you chose? Will you only love those you perceive to love you in return, or will you offer the love of Christ to even your “enemies?” Do you have what it takes to say, “Smarties®, anyone?”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 6, 2010
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the last few months, I’ve become more aware of the use of the word “hate.” We so casually say, “Oh, I hate such-and-such.” Or “So-and-so hates me!” And maybe we don’t literally mean “hate” – but use of this word leaves room for a lot of misinterpretation… and the Bible warns us not to operate in hate. In truth, this word shouldn’t be in our vocabulary!
Newton’s law of motion says for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For hate, the equal/opposite reaction is love. For negativity, this reaction is positivity. It’s time for us to “spin the dial”, so to speak. It’s time for us to start operating in love and positives rather than hate and negativity. Instead of seeing the glass half empty, we need to see it half full.
We must learn to look for the good in others. We must learn to see them as children of God, not the devil’s agents. We must try to find a positive side to situations we deem hopeless or unpleasant. One exercise that has helped me lately is to view others through the eyes of a parent. Every single person we encounter was once someone’s precious baby. We all know how cute and adorable babies are… how we overlook their flaws and stand ready to gently correct them and forgive them.
If you will stop and picture the person or persons involved in a situation you are drawn to “hate” as a once innocent baby or toddler, you will be more apt to find a loving solution. How would you correct the youngster? How much would you be willing to tolerate and “love away?” What is different now? Sure, the older we get, the more responsible we must become for our actions. But the principle of finding a loving solution still applies.
In everything we do, we are called to look at others with God’s eyes… to see HIS child – the one He loves – and to find a peaceful solution to the problem. Operating in hate is a tool of the devil… not our Heavenly Father. Who are you emulating these days? Whose tools are in your arsenal?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the last few months, I’ve become more aware of the use of the word “hate.” We so casually say, “Oh, I hate such-and-such.” Or “So-and-so hates me!” And maybe we don’t literally mean “hate” – but use of this word leaves room for a lot of misinterpretation… and the Bible warns us not to operate in hate. In truth, this word shouldn’t be in our vocabulary!
Newton’s law of motion says for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For hate, the equal/opposite reaction is love. For negativity, this reaction is positivity. It’s time for us to “spin the dial”, so to speak. It’s time for us to start operating in love and positives rather than hate and negativity. Instead of seeing the glass half empty, we need to see it half full.
We must learn to look for the good in others. We must learn to see them as children of God, not the devil’s agents. We must try to find a positive side to situations we deem hopeless or unpleasant. One exercise that has helped me lately is to view others through the eyes of a parent. Every single person we encounter was once someone’s precious baby. We all know how cute and adorable babies are… how we overlook their flaws and stand ready to gently correct them and forgive them.
If you will stop and picture the person or persons involved in a situation you are drawn to “hate” as a once innocent baby or toddler, you will be more apt to find a loving solution. How would you correct the youngster? How much would you be willing to tolerate and “love away?” What is different now? Sure, the older we get, the more responsible we must become for our actions. But the principle of finding a loving solution still applies.
In everything we do, we are called to look at others with God’s eyes… to see HIS child – the one He loves – and to find a peaceful solution to the problem. Operating in hate is a tool of the devil… not our Heavenly Father. Who are you emulating these days? Whose tools are in your arsenal?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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