Daily Devotional for October 11, 2015

October 11 ~ Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Timothy and I have had several conversations lately about tattling.  He is six…his younger sister and brother are 4 and 3 – just enough age difference that they often get on his last nerve!  And he is quick to report to any adult within earshot that “he bothered my things,” or “she’s touching me.”  Timmy’s Taekwondo instructor has assured him that “I’m aware of it!  I will handle it.”  I’ve warned Timothy that Mr. Roy will make him do pushups if he keeps tattling…and he may just have to do a few to really learn this lesson!

Part of growing up is learning to get along.  And I get it…when my sister, brother and I were young, we fought like cats and dogs!  There is a reason they call it “sibling rivalry!”  But as we age and mature, we are supposed to learn to tolerate one another – to forgive mistakes and overlook quirks and differences. 

I have to say, this is truly hard – even for us as adults.  We get irritated with others.  We worry and stew over what they have said and done…we are aggravated, frustrated, and just plain mad sometimes!  And we don’t stop to consider that none of these represent a heart filled with the peace that comes from Christ!  I can hear some of you now…”But I just need a little time to be mad!”  No, you don’t.  You’re not six…and besides, giving the devil even a “little time” to control your heart opens the door for him to take an even bigger space – for an even longer time!  We cannot do this!

I’m definitely a work in progress in this area – with “work” being the operative word.  I have to truly stay saturated in God’s word, in prayer, and in a focused mind and heart in order not to be affected by the devil’s attempt to irritate or frustrate me in some way.  I thank God every day for giving me Jesus…and for the safety and refuge I find in Him.  I am grateful that I don’t have to be mad and angry – upset and agitated.  I can call, “Come, Holy Spirit!” and He will calm me and remove my worries and aggravations.

If you have to choose between peace and worry, which wins in your life?  How many times do we have to relearn this lesson?  Don’t you want to feel the calm serenity of Jesus Christ filling your heart in all situations?  Will this be the day that you take the necessary steps to make that happen? 

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 14, 2014

Malachi 4:2-3
But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play. When I come to bring justice, you will trample those who are evil, as though they were ashes under your feet. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!

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

In 2005, former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood received a Grammy Award for the Best Female Country Vocal Performance of “Before He Cheats*”.  The lyrics to this song say in part...

I dug my key into the side
of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seats...

I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights,
slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.

Maybe you haven’t felt like taking a key to someone’s car, slashing the seats and tires, or smashing in the headlights.  But let’s be honest...we’ve all been irritated about something or someone at one time or another - and at least secretly wished that “someday, he/she will be sorry.”  At the end of the day, we are human – and sinful...which means we all will eventually seek “revenge” of some kind...even if it is to delight in a “tit for tat” bad call during a ballgame – or to take comfort in the thought that one of these days, another person will have to answer for his/her “sins” and missteps.  Our victorious “jumping around like calves at play” is often somewhat misguided!

I found this passage rich with message and meaning on several levels:

• When you drill it all down, we don’t have to worry about the other guy – God will handle him/her.
• All we are called to do is honor the name of God - every day, in all things.
• Doing the right thing will be its own reward...God will fill us with joy and a lightness of heart and mind that has us practically leaping in the air with delight.
• God is in complete control.  This should “lighten our load”.  We should feel calmer...more peaceful, collected and confident as we leave our worries and concerns in God’s hands and focus only on loving and serving Him in everything.

God will deal with those who are evil.  Even though this passage says that when Christ returns, we will trample those who do evil under our feet like ashes and dirt...this “word” is truly for another day and time.  It should not be our main focus today.  Thoughts of revenge really shouldn’t even be on our radar.  We shouldn’t care about whether someone “thinks before he cheats”.  We should be focused on our own lives and making sure that we operate fully in God’s will.

If only we could learn to operate more in the joy of the LORD and focus on pleasing Him.  If only we could learn to more fully trust His power to handle our worries and concerns...to heal our heartaches just as surely as He heals our wounds and diseases...we would surely be more effective disciples – with contented souls!  I am so ready to “let go and let God”...to trust that He’s got my back – now and for all eternity.  I’m ready to focus less on the other guy and more on Jesus.  I’m ready to bask in the healing rays of God’s sunshine – and to feel my heart leaping with joy like young calves at play.  Aren’t you?

©2014 Debbie Robus

*Before He Cheats ~ ©2005 ~ written by Chris Tompkins & Josh Kear ~ Performed by Carrie Underwood for Arista Nashville Records ~ Sony Music Nashville (US)  www.aristanashville.com