Romans 12:4-5
Just as there are many parts to our
bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it
takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different
work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
We have a Greater
Roadrunner that lives in our yard – or close by – and I have to tell
you…I love that funny bird! Not only is he entertaining to watch as he
scurries across our yard or driveway…he’s a wonderful addition to our
neighborhood. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website*, “…
the Greater Roadrunner can outrace a human, kill a rattlesnake, and
thrive in the harsh landscapes of the Desert Southwest.” Between the
Greater Roadrunner and the large black rat snake we sometimes see in our
yard, I feel relatively comfortable that poisonous snakes are being
kept at bay around here!
I’ll be honest… I generally operate by
the philosophy that “the only good snake is a dead snake”…but I have
learned in recent years to let the harmless, non-poisonous variety be,
as everyone insists that they keep the “bad” snakes away. I am still
scared half out of my wits by them sometimes, but I’ve decided that they
do serve a purpose. Now, Greater Roadrunners don’t scare me (we humans
probably scare THEM!)…but I understand their importance to our
ecosystem…so I am always glad to see our little “Speedy Gonzales”!
As
I read this scripture passage, I wondered…what if we had no roadrunners
or “good” snakes to control the “bad” ones? I’ve been reading about
the decimation of our bee population and how detrimental this is to us
in so many ways. I read a quote by Albert Einstein that said something
to the effect of “When the bees are all gone, we humans have about four
years left.” So many of God’s creations are vital to our daily
survival…creatures we never even consider - like a honeybee or a Greater
Roadrunner!
By the same token, each one of us is vital to
God’s grand plan. And as Christians, we have critical roles in
furthering God’s Kingdom and spreading the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ.
When we sit on our hands or hang back in the shadows and fail to act,
we’re at best making it hard on the others who have to pick up our slack
…and we dishonor Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf - the precious gift of
salvation. We are the “honeybee” in God’s plan who helps to sustain and
develop new life in Christ! We are the “Great Roadrunner” or “King
Snake” who keeps the devil’s “bad snakes” at bay. We were important to
God already…but in terms of the body of Christ, we are even more
significant!
Now don’t misunderstand me. God is
all-powerful…all-knowing…perfectly capable of handling all of this on
His own. But He has chosen us…Jesus rescued us…and in return, we are
called to serve – and to “do our part”. Have you ever stubbed your
toe…or maybe even broken it? If you have, you know that the pain of
such a small body part can affect you profoundly. If you’ve ever
injured an arm, leg, hand, foot, eye or ear and had to function without
its use for a while, you understand that your whole lifestyle changes.
You become focused in large part on what is missing…and how to
accommodate getting along without it. In many cases, things probably
don’t go so well as a result. It’s like this in the body of Christ,
too!
We need to stop and thank God for our body and how well it
works…to praise Him for orchestrating nature and how it functions so
perfectly…and to glorify Him for giving us Jesus – and our new life in
Him. We must pay close attention to our role as part of Christ’s body
and make sure that we are pulling our share of the load…that we are
functioning at peak performance…that everything we do honors and
glorifies His name and shares in the proper functioning of the lives of
fellow believers.
This is a good day to stop and look at a
bumblebee or a roadrunner and remind ourselves that we all have a job to
do…and to do ours to the best of our ability – and to the glory of
God. How are you doing so far?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/greater_roadrunner/id
Showing posts with label working together to serve God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label working together to serve God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 3, 2013
Matthew 7:1-5
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, Greg and his mother and I attended a 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, which was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on October 3, 1963. Today’s keynote speaker was President Bill Clinton, who reminded us of President Kennedy’s remarks and the world events of that era. He noted the civil rights struggle and how Arkansas’ own governor disagreed with President Kennedy in this matter… that our country was just beginning to emerge from the effects of wars and global conflicts…and how there was a struggle in our country over voter rights. He also cited a famous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Dr. King reminded all of us to… “Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.” In other words, President Clinton used Dr. King’s words and those of President Kennedy to encourage us to set aside our personal affronts and differences, and reach out a hand to one another… to work together for a better future.
There is no room in this admonition for us to pick on one another… to argue and dole out blame. This is not just the wise caution of two former United States Presidents and a Nobel Peace Prize-winning clergyman and civil rights activist! These are also the words of Jesus Christ, as He tells us clearly to take a long, hard look in the mirror before we choose to criticize or belittle someone else. Jesus reminds us that we cannot call another person names, look down our nose at them, or demean them in anyway until we have become blameless, spotless, and inarguably perfect in every way! Can I tell you something? This will never happen!
We do have a choice. We can remain smug and find every possible reason to fail to get along. We can be critical and self-serving and find faults in others left and right. We can neglect to make any progress… and create a pretty sad legacy for future generations. Or we can heed the suggestions offered today in President Clinton’s remarks and this scripture passage… we can take the focus off of ourselves and our own agendas and find a way to get along. We don’t always have to agree. We don’t always have to be right. We just have to find a way to work together and make forward progress.
Our focus should not be on “us versus them”. Instead, we should be asking at every turn, “How does God want me to work with others for His purposes?” What does He desire that we build together? How does God want me to set aside my desires and differences for the greater good of His kingdom – and others? It’s simply not about you… or me! And the sooner we quit griping and complaining about the other guy and work on our own shortcomings… the sooner we stop being so critical of others and start looking for positives…the sooner we take the focus off of ourselves and put it where it belongs - on God and His plans and desires - the sooner things will improve on all fronts.
The choice is ours… the next move depends on us. How will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, Greg and his mother and I attended a 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, which was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on October 3, 1963. Today’s keynote speaker was President Bill Clinton, who reminded us of President Kennedy’s remarks and the world events of that era. He noted the civil rights struggle and how Arkansas’ own governor disagreed with President Kennedy in this matter… that our country was just beginning to emerge from the effects of wars and global conflicts…and how there was a struggle in our country over voter rights. He also cited a famous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Dr. King reminded all of us to… “Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.” In other words, President Clinton used Dr. King’s words and those of President Kennedy to encourage us to set aside our personal affronts and differences, and reach out a hand to one another… to work together for a better future.
There is no room in this admonition for us to pick on one another… to argue and dole out blame. This is not just the wise caution of two former United States Presidents and a Nobel Peace Prize-winning clergyman and civil rights activist! These are also the words of Jesus Christ, as He tells us clearly to take a long, hard look in the mirror before we choose to criticize or belittle someone else. Jesus reminds us that we cannot call another person names, look down our nose at them, or demean them in anyway until we have become blameless, spotless, and inarguably perfect in every way! Can I tell you something? This will never happen!
We do have a choice. We can remain smug and find every possible reason to fail to get along. We can be critical and self-serving and find faults in others left and right. We can neglect to make any progress… and create a pretty sad legacy for future generations. Or we can heed the suggestions offered today in President Clinton’s remarks and this scripture passage… we can take the focus off of ourselves and our own agendas and find a way to get along. We don’t always have to agree. We don’t always have to be right. We just have to find a way to work together and make forward progress.
Our focus should not be on “us versus them”. Instead, we should be asking at every turn, “How does God want me to work with others for His purposes?” What does He desire that we build together? How does God want me to set aside my desires and differences for the greater good of His kingdom – and others? It’s simply not about you… or me! And the sooner we quit griping and complaining about the other guy and work on our own shortcomings… the sooner we stop being so critical of others and start looking for positives…the sooner we take the focus off of ourselves and put it where it belongs - on God and His plans and desires - the sooner things will improve on all fronts.
The choice is ours… the next move depends on us. How will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 6, 2012
Ecclesiastes 2:24
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Scripture taken from the The King James Version present on BibleGateway.com, which matches the 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.
This morning I cooked a big breakfast. Then I cleaned the kitchen and even ran the vacuum. The kitchen floor felt a little sticky, so I ran the steam mop. Not wanting to step across the freshly steamed floor (in other words, I was in a hurry!), I jerked the plug from the outlet, and as the cord hung on something, I gave it another tug. I also pulled a Pyrex measuring pitcher off the counter in the bargain and broke it into smithereens on the freshly cleaned floor! Then I had to vacuum and mop again!
I could easily have gotten upset about this… and at one time, I would have had a really good pity party over it. But today, I looked around at my house that I love and thought of how blessed I am. I thanked God for a good vacuum, bright light to see the tiniest slivers of glass, and the fact that I am healthy, well, and have such a rich, full life. Sure, this delayed my plans to spend the afternoon sewing, but so what?! I vowed to be happy in the meantime.
In my prayer journal/sermon notes, I have written the following quotes alongside this verse. I believe they were from Joyce Meyer.
Are you “happy in the meantime?” Are you embracing every part of your life’s journey – the feasts AND the dirt? Do your actions reflect a trust in God? Who – and what – are you trying to change by your own power? Isn’t it time relinquish our self-appointed title of “Holy Ghost, Jr.” and truly recognize the hand of God in every aspect of our lives? Is this the day we will begin to make our souls enjoy good in His labor? Shouldn’t we?
©2012 Debbie Robus
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Scripture taken from the The King James Version present on BibleGateway.com, which matches the 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.
This morning I cooked a big breakfast. Then I cleaned the kitchen and even ran the vacuum. The kitchen floor felt a little sticky, so I ran the steam mop. Not wanting to step across the freshly steamed floor (in other words, I was in a hurry!), I jerked the plug from the outlet, and as the cord hung on something, I gave it another tug. I also pulled a Pyrex measuring pitcher off the counter in the bargain and broke it into smithereens on the freshly cleaned floor! Then I had to vacuum and mop again!
I could easily have gotten upset about this… and at one time, I would have had a really good pity party over it. But today, I looked around at my house that I love and thought of how blessed I am. I thanked God for a good vacuum, bright light to see the tiniest slivers of glass, and the fact that I am healthy, well, and have such a rich, full life. Sure, this delayed my plans to spend the afternoon sewing, but so what?! I vowed to be happy in the meantime.
In my prayer journal/sermon notes, I have written the following quotes alongside this verse. I believe they were from Joyce Meyer.
- “God didn’t put you with the person you are with so you could put them on the Potter’s wheel every day and try to rework them.” In other words, other people are not going to make us happy every minute of the day… but that isn’t their job – and it’s not ours to try to “fix” them!
- “Examine what you’re doing, and if it’s not working… don’t keep doing it!” I think this one explains itself!
- “Show by our actions that we trust God… not just in our words.” This is a tough one for some of us, but a good start is not letting the “broken glasses” of our world ruin our day!
- “Being content doesn’t mean we don’t seek change… it just means we are happy in the meantime. It’s about the journey. Learn to love the dirt! Stop trying to be ‘Holy Ghost, Jr.!”
Are you “happy in the meantime?” Are you embracing every part of your life’s journey – the feasts AND the dirt? Do your actions reflect a trust in God? Who – and what – are you trying to change by your own power? Isn’t it time relinquish our self-appointed title of “Holy Ghost, Jr.” and truly recognize the hand of God in every aspect of our lives? Is this the day we will begin to make our souls enjoy good in His labor? Shouldn’t we?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 27, 2012
Nehemiah 8:2
On the first day of the seventh month, the people came together in the open area in front of the Water Gate. Then they asked Ezra, who was a teacher of the Law of Moses, to read to them from this Law that the LORD had given his people. Ezra the priest came with the Law and stood before the crowd of men, women, and the children who were old enough to understand.
Philippians 1:1-7
From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To all of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all of your church officials and officers. I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
Every time I think of you, I thank my God. And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work that God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In my grandmother’s journal, she talks of getting together with other women who lived in her neck of the woods to make mattresses out of heavy fabric and cotton provided by the Red Cross. She writes… “We didn’t have mattresses, but we had straw beds and feather beds, until the Red Cross stepped in and started to furnish cotton to make mattresses and comforters. That was lots of fun. We made them in our front yard. Neighbors came in and we would make two or three a day till everyone had some good beds.” With today’s technology, we can order our “Sleep Number” bed online and have it delivered to our doorstep.
A few years ago, a local news reporter conducted an experiment. She rented an empty apartment, and with the aide of only a laptop and an Internet connection, she successfully purchased everything she needed – food, clothing, furnishings, and more – and had it all delivered directly to her. With a few keypad strokes, we can now order movies, concerts, sporting events, and more – and see them instantly on our TVs. We can ship and receive packages worldwide from our doorstep. Many of us can attend school online – or work from home via computer. We can socialize with our friends - and even worship - from the comforts of our easy chair. Think about this… it is entirely possible to go days, weeks – or even longer – without ever leaving home or physically “seeing” another person!
As a result, many of us have no clue how to really interact with others. We do not fully understand the meaning of true partnership and ministry… and how important this is to the body of Christ. Many of us get complacent and lazy as we retreat within ourselves and let our responsibilities as partakers in God’s anointing and favor fall by the wayside. We become self-absorbed and fail to look around at those directly in our path who need to hear from us... to know that we care – and more importantly - that God cares.
Now don’t misunderstand me… there are plenty of ways to serve God from your desk and the comfort of your own home. There are many who are unable to get out and make face-to-face contact with others for a number of reasons. These Disciples can be highly effective servants through prayer, sending notes and e-mail messages of encouragement, making phone calls, and more… doing their part as God directs them. But for many of us, serving God means getting up – and out – and working shoulder-to-shoulder with others.
We are all called to be partners in the ministry of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t know if God’s plan for you is to develop an e-mail prayer chain or to gather your friends to stuff mattresses for those who have no place to lay their head. I believe that God allowed us to create the technological advances that shape today’s world in great part to further His kingdom – and to enhance the ministries that involve actual physical interaction and labor. Our job is to figure out how to use all of the tools God has given us correctly to create partnerships with others… to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ… and to continue the good work He began in each of us. How successful is your partnership with God – and others - these days?
©2012 Debbie Robus
On the first day of the seventh month, the people came together in the open area in front of the Water Gate. Then they asked Ezra, who was a teacher of the Law of Moses, to read to them from this Law that the LORD had given his people. Ezra the priest came with the Law and stood before the crowd of men, women, and the children who were old enough to understand.
Philippians 1:1-7
From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To all of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all of your church officials and officers. I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
Every time I think of you, I thank my God. And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work that God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In my grandmother’s journal, she talks of getting together with other women who lived in her neck of the woods to make mattresses out of heavy fabric and cotton provided by the Red Cross. She writes… “We didn’t have mattresses, but we had straw beds and feather beds, until the Red Cross stepped in and started to furnish cotton to make mattresses and comforters. That was lots of fun. We made them in our front yard. Neighbors came in and we would make two or three a day till everyone had some good beds.” With today’s technology, we can order our “Sleep Number” bed online and have it delivered to our doorstep.
A few years ago, a local news reporter conducted an experiment. She rented an empty apartment, and with the aide of only a laptop and an Internet connection, she successfully purchased everything she needed – food, clothing, furnishings, and more – and had it all delivered directly to her. With a few keypad strokes, we can now order movies, concerts, sporting events, and more – and see them instantly on our TVs. We can ship and receive packages worldwide from our doorstep. Many of us can attend school online – or work from home via computer. We can socialize with our friends - and even worship - from the comforts of our easy chair. Think about this… it is entirely possible to go days, weeks – or even longer – without ever leaving home or physically “seeing” another person!
As a result, many of us have no clue how to really interact with others. We do not fully understand the meaning of true partnership and ministry… and how important this is to the body of Christ. Many of us get complacent and lazy as we retreat within ourselves and let our responsibilities as partakers in God’s anointing and favor fall by the wayside. We become self-absorbed and fail to look around at those directly in our path who need to hear from us... to know that we care – and more importantly - that God cares.
Now don’t misunderstand me… there are plenty of ways to serve God from your desk and the comfort of your own home. There are many who are unable to get out and make face-to-face contact with others for a number of reasons. These Disciples can be highly effective servants through prayer, sending notes and e-mail messages of encouragement, making phone calls, and more… doing their part as God directs them. But for many of us, serving God means getting up – and out – and working shoulder-to-shoulder with others.
We are all called to be partners in the ministry of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t know if God’s plan for you is to develop an e-mail prayer chain or to gather your friends to stuff mattresses for those who have no place to lay their head. I believe that God allowed us to create the technological advances that shape today’s world in great part to further His kingdom – and to enhance the ministries that involve actual physical interaction and labor. Our job is to figure out how to use all of the tools God has given us correctly to create partnerships with others… to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ… and to continue the good work He began in each of us. How successful is your partnership with God – and others - these days?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 20, 2011
1 Samuel 30:23-25
"Families don't do this sort of thing! Oh no, my brothers!" said David as he broke up the argument. "You can't act this way with what God gave us! God kept us safe. He handed over the raiders who attacked us. Who would ever listen to this kind of talk? The share of the one who stays with the gear is the share of the one who fights—equal shares. Share and share alike!" From that day on, David made that the rule in Israel—and it still is.
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.
During the NBA finals, Jimmy Kimmel and Usher did a parody video called “Bench Warmer,” in which they “thank” the athletes who come along for the ride and rarely – if ever – get a chance to play. We’re not talking about Lebron James, Jason Kidd, and Dwyane Wade… or even well-known players like Shaquille O’Neal. This video is aimed at such relative unknowns as Eddie House, Jamaal Magliore, and Corey Brewer.
Now, if you don’t follow pro basketball, you may not be familiar with any of these names, but let me assure you, Lebron and Shaq get a lot more recognition than House, Magliore, Brewer, and dozens more. Yet all are (or were) members of professional basketball teams. All make six-figure (or more) incomes. And while some of the “stars” may think they carry the load for their team, it is still a team sport. At the end of the day, all play a supporting role in the team’s overall performance. And they each get paid for their contributions.
By the same token, the guy who totes the water bottles and towels gets paid. He didn’t score the winning basket… he didn’t have any assists or steals… he didn’t make a single free throw. But he did his part in contributing to the team’s effort. And he, also, gets a paycheck.
Where am I going with this? After all, we can agree that the assistant who dispenses water and towels doesn’t make anything near the salary of someone like Lebron James or Dwyane Wade. But he is compensated. The team doesn’t say, “You weren’t on the court when the winning shot was made… so you don’t get a check this week.” In the same way, God does not bless only those in the limelight. You may feel like your contributions are small… but God sees their value in the grand scheme of things.
You may not be able to take foster children into your home for care and nurture… but you may be able to contribute money for clothing, diapers, and more. You might not have extra time to visit shut-ins, but you can take a few minutes to make a phone call or mail a card to someone and let them know you are thinking of them. You may not have the ability to play an instrument in the Praise Band or sing in the choir, but you can open your mouth and at least whisper words of worship and praise during the Sunday services.
As long as you are doing all you can to the best of your abilities and circumstances, God is pleased… and He will bless you. Your efforts are just as vital and significant to His Kingdom as those of the likes of Billy Graham, your pastor, or a missionary serving in a foreign land. There is no shame in being a “bench warmer” for Jesus… as long as you are supporting the team. If you are willing to get up and get in the game and serve to the best of your ability whenever He calls on you, your “bench warmer” status is as vital as that of the “stars”. At the end of the day, you get the “Championship Ring” just like everyone else. Our access to heaven is not determined by our “celebrity status” among God’s servants.
If you have decided you are an unworthy, insignificant “bench warmer” for Jesus, I encourage you to change your attitude. You are just as important as the next guy. “Bench warmers” may not get the recognition and credit of the “star players,” but their contributions are vital to the team effort. All God asks is that you do be awake, alert, and ready to get in the game whenever He calls your name.
A friend of mine once said of her son – a freshman on a high school athletic team - “He’s a great bench warmer!” Can people – and God – say this about you? Are you a “great bench warmer” for Jesus? Are you doing all you can to support His team? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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