Daily Devotional for February 28, 2019 – Are you a godly person…or do you just “sound religious”?

Matthew 7:21-23
“Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’

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

Our six-year-old nephew, Nathan, is trying to figure out the whole “angels/heaven/hell” issue.  So when he visited recently, he said, “I may go to ‘that place’ (meaning hell) for awhile, but I am not going to be an angel for the devil.” I explained to him that “You won’t go to hell if you give your heart to Jesus and live for Him.” We talked about how to pray and ask Jesus to forgive our sins…and that we have to mean it and want to live for Him and serve as He directs. Later that night when we said our bedtime prayers, Nathan wanted me to pray with him for Jesus to forgive his sins and fill his heart. So we did.

I wasn’t sure that Nathan fully understood the gravity of this, but I didn’t mind to pray with him in this manner, knowing that at least groundwork was being laid for his future and a true commitment to Christ.  A few days later, we were driving home from church with all three children.  Nine-year-old Timothy was in a silly mood.  As we discussed our Sunday school lessons and what we had learned about God, he said, “Oh, I know…you’re supposed to be a ‘good person’ and love God, and you’ll go to Heaven.”

Nathan spoke up and said, “No, Tim!  That’s not right!  You have to ask Jesus to forgive your sins – and mean it – and then you have to ask Him to live in your heart forever and ever and follow His rules. I was one proud aunt! This little guy had absorbed more than I realized. I still maintain that he may have more if a true “conversion” moment someday…but for a six-year-old kindergartner, I’d say he has a pretty firm grasp on his relationship with Jesus.

My question to you is this…do YOU have a firm grasp on what it takes to ensure that you will be welcomed in Heaven?  Do you truly belong to Christ?  Have you genuinely and earnestly given your heart to Jesus and made a concerted effort to follow His commands – and share His love and teachings with others?  Or are you merely a “good person” who “plays Christian” and makes a big impression on others, with little to nothing to back it up? Do you talk a good game but lack deeds and actions to substantiate your claims – and a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ?

Timothy’s guitar teacher tells me…”I can teach anyone to play chords…but I cannot teach rhythm. Someone either has it or he doesn’t.” You and I can learn the lingo and do all of the right things to appear to be faithful, Godly servants.  But if we haven’t fully surrendered our sins and our will to Jesus – and filled our hearts with His Holy Spirit, we are “lost” and destined for eternity in Hell.

I daresay that those who “play Christian” are among the most despicable of sinners in the eyes of Jesus. That we would fool around with His amazing gifts of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, salvation and the promise of Eternal Life in His presence and pretend that we are immersed in them is profane sacrilege…and it must break His heart.

Search your heart today…ask the hard question, “Have I really surrendered to Jesus?” If the answer is “No,” stop what you are doing and get this corrected…here and now. Make it right with Christ and vow to be authentic in your discipleship and your faithful witness.  If little children can get this right, we adults truly have no excuse.

Do you really belong to Jesus?  Isn’t this the day to decide?

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 27, 2019 – Producing good fruit or bad? How to tell the difference!

Matthew 7:15-20
Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you. You can tell what they are by what they do. No one picks grapes or figs from thornbushes. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that produces bad fruit will be chopped down and burned. You can tell who the false prophets are by their deeds.

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

In the “Left Behind” series of novels written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, the Book of Revelation is brought to life in something of a modern adventure story.  While the books themselves are fictional, they are based on scriptural references.  One of the central characters is a man named Nicolae Carpathia, who ultimately proves to be the Antichrist. This man is charming, engaging, charismatic, and perceived to be powerful and successful.

People are drawn to Nicolae…but ultimately, his true nature is revealed.  The “good fruit” that many believed he was producing proves to be not only rotten – but pure evil. He made everything sound good in the beginning.  People eagerly believed everything he said. But ultimately, they learned just how duped and deceived they were. In many cases, the dishonesty had deadly consequences.

I cannot say that I have literally encountered the Antichrist, but I will tell you that the devil has presented me with several “Nicolae wannabes” over the years. I would like to tell you that I have never been duped…that I never once discovered a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. But that would not be a true statement.  I imagine you have met your share of “Nicolae wannabes” in your own life. The devil is crafty…he can often make it difficult to determine who is truthful, genuine, and a real Disciple of Christ.<

So what are we to do?  How can we know that someone is “the real deal”?  How can others know that you and I are not “Nicolae wannabes”? How can they believe that we aren’t agents of the devil disguised as faithful, obedient servants of Christ while in truth, we seek to serve his purposes and our own agendas?  The answer is at once simple, and complicated.

Simply put, we must strive to emulate Jesus in everything we say and do.  We must operate completely in love…our love for God, our love for others as Christ loves us, and a continual love of others as we treat them as we wish to be treated. This is complicated by outside influences and the devil’s attempts to fool us and derail our discipleship. There will be people and situations we truly want to believe. There will be instances where we are presented with false information, flattery, experiences and circumstances that could prove personally beneficial, and plenty of peer pressure. Satan will use any and all devices to derail us.

I urge you to put your relationship and communication with God above everything else. Talk with Him about all situations and circumstances. Even when you are convinced that you are on the right path – or that someone is genuine in their interactions with you – ask God to give you clear confirmation of your impressions and opinions. He will lead you to scripture passages and other “indicators” that provide clarity. Don’t be afraid to choose differently from others when you know that this is how God is directing you. Dare to express alternate opinions…to love those who others disparage…to speak up for truth…and to step away from those who try to mislead you in some way.

There will always be “Nicolae wannabes” among us. Don’t include them in your circle of influence, and above all, do not be one yourself. Make sure that everything you say and do honors God and follows the commands of Jesus.  Check and balance all of your words and actions against the wisdom of scripture and prayer. And never let another person influence you in a way that contradicts what God tells you. Be known as one who produces good fruit. Live in such a way that others recognize Jesus in your daily living and desire to also be His Disciple for themselves.

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 26, 2019 – Shortcuts or deep cleaning…what is your level of commitment?

Matthew 7:13-14
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”

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.

Everybody’s looking for a shortcut, it seems.  We want a quick, easy way to lose weight and get in shape.  We’re all about the latest gadgets and products that make housecleaning a breeze. We get our “news” off of social media in limited-character posts, and we’ll take a meme over a lengthy article any day.  Some of you are already prepared to stop reading this devotional, because you’ve reached your limit for sitting still and concentrating!

Several years ago, we had a wonderful housekeeper who spent 5 to 6 hours every week scrubbing our house. She worked hard, and it showed – the house was virtually spotless when she finished. When this woman took another job, we hired a two-person housekeeping team who could “clean” our house in less than 3 hours. Initially, this was impressive…and on the surface, everything looked great.  There were vacuum marks in the carpet, and the counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms glistened.  Everything was in its place…and we lulled ourselves into thinking this duo was amazingly efficient and effective.

Then one day, something made me kneel down and lean in for a closer inspection…and I was astounded. Our house was anything but clean. Everything looked great on the surface, but in truth, there were areas of downright filth.  I spent one whole day thoroughly cleaning one bathroom!

It’s my own fault…I was not paying close enough attention to the details. And in some ways, you and I are probably guilty of this in our Spiritual life, too.  We’ve done the quick, easy things that we think please God. We’ve confessed our sins and vowed to serve Jesus. We pray…go to church on Sunday…and sometimes we even crack open our Bibles. We can be cordial and friendly to others…and if pressed, we might even help with a mission project or two.  We may have even participated in a group study of the latest Christian book or Bible study that is supposed to “fix” our Spirituality once and for all.

Here’s the thing…we haven’t gotten down in the mud and mire with Jesus.  We haven’t dug deeply and asked hard questions. We have not petitioned God to show us where and how HE wants us to serve, because we honestly don’t want to know.  We have not “come clean” with God about everything, because there are more than a few “vices” we still want to “enjoy”…and we know in reason that He might suggest we ditch them.  We’re not bad people…we just want what we want – and this doesn’t always line up with God’s will for our lives.

The question for us to answer today is this…”Are we all in with God?  Are we ready to do the truly hard work and spend the necessary time and energy to ‘ who would rather condense everything to a manageable – and comfortable – level of commitment and ministry?  I think we know which one God requires.  Now it’s up to us to make the right choice.  What will you decide?

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 25, 2019 – How we treat others…what difference does it really make?

Matthew 7:12
Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.

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

A few months ago, I was shopping for new appliances. I really wanted to “buy local”, so I visited one of the stores in our community that sold the appliances I needed.  There were at least three sales people standing near the door as I entered. Not a single one of them even looked in my direction. No one came to help me. I wandered around and tried to find the items I was seeking. Nobody asked, “How are you today?  Do you have any questions?  Is there anything I can do for you?” No one said, “Come back again!” I came and went from that store without a single gesture from any of the people who worked there.  And I vowed that I would never return.

I bought my appliances elsewhere – in another community – where service was spectacular, and people practically fell over themselves to assist my husband and me.  Every question we had was answered quickly and expertly, and the items were delivered and installed within a week by two men who answered every question and were cordial and engaging. I will shop at this store in the future, and have recommended it to many in the weeks since our purchase.

I don’t know why the salespeople were so unwelcoming at the local store. But I know this is not an isolated incident.  And you want to know the worst of it? You and I are these “salespeople” in our daily living…and some of us behave this way all the time.  We see someone approach our church doors who doesn’t look like “one of us”, and we turn and look the other way.  We make it known that we have a problem with certain groups…those of other races, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, economic level, and more.  We have no room beside us on the pew for someone we suspect of drug addiction, sexual misconduct, abuse and neglect of some kind – or even the elderly.  We only want young, pretty, “perfect” people in our world…and we demonstrate this every day with our words, actions, body language, and more.  And I believe it’s getting worse.

So what do we do?  The Bible is clear…treat others as you wish to be treated.  Smile and speak to them when appropriate. Welcome all people to your church, and engage with folks as is appropriate when you are “out and about”. Don’t offer a disparaging or disapproving look to someone in the checkout line who is dressed differently.  Don’t show your impatience with the mother who is juggling a basket full of groceries and three disheveled and rowdy children. Don’t walk right past an elderly person who is struggling to manage a walker and opening the door.  Offer to reach something on a high shelf for someone who seems to be straining to do so.

Don’t engage in talk with your friends and neighbors about how despicable Such-and-such or So-and-So is…and how you don’t want that in your church or neighborhood. In short…don’t judge…and don’t “play God”. Instead ask God to show you how to behave…when to politely withdraw from a situation or circle rather than create a scene…and when to actually step up and embrace someone that others might be ignoring or mistreating in some manner.

Live intentionally by seeking those who are hungry for the love of Christ – and meet them where they are.  Be the person who anticipates others’ needs – and attends to them.  I’ve reminded you before that everybody has something. No matter how “put together” a person appears, he/she likely is dealing with an issue that could use a little TLC – if only a hug or a prayer.  The last thing we need is more divisiveness and discrimination. Nobody wants to be treated like that. So as Christians, why do we of all people think this is in any way appropriate?

Love others with the love of Christ – as He loves you, and as you love yourselves. Then treat others as you wish to be treated.  You cannot begin to imagine how much this will please God – and make a difference in the world at large.  I dare you to see for yourself…and to begin this very day.

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 23, 2019 – Use your words!

Matthew 7:7-11
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

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.

Timothy is visiting for a sleepover.  Earlier, he was playing with his LEGOs®, when he abruptly started toward the laundry room and called to me.  I asked what he needed, and Timothy pointed to the laundry room.  I knew what he wanted – we keep gum in a container on the counter by the door.  But I said to him, “Use your words…what are you wanting?” Timothy asked, “May I have some gum, please?” Of course, I said, “Yes!”

God knows what we want – and what we need.  He understands more about us than we will ever figure out about ourselves.  But God doesn’t play games.  He wants us to come to Him with a humble spirit and ask for the things we want and need.  I can’t say that He will grant your every wish. But He will answer you according to His perfect plans – and you will both be pleased with the results.

So “use your words” and tell God what you need and how you feel.  Even though He already knows, He wants you to verbalize this to Him. You will discover countless benefits and blessings in this exercise. What are you waiting for? Talk to God, and give Him room to work!

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 22, 2019 – “Knowing your audience” as a Christian disciple…are you making a point or making a difference?

Matthew 7:6
“Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.

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.

We’ve all heard the proverbial story about the child who asks his mother, “Where did I come from?” and she gives a lengthy, detailed explanation of how babies are conceived and delivered.  The child then says, “Well, Billy said he came from Cleveland, and I just wondered where I am from.” This is a classic case of why we must “know our audience”.

As Christians, we often like to share our “knowledge”.  Someone loses a loved one, and we recite the opening verses of John 14 or offer other trite phrases like “He/she is in a better place.”  We assume that the person to whom we are speaking has a deep and abiding relationship with the Holy Spirit, while disregarding their profound grief.  Even Jesus grieved for his dear “brother” Lazarus.  I seriously doubt anyone spouted scripture to Him in an attempt at comfort and consolation!

What would be a better approach and “witness”?  How about offering a hug or acknowledging that the person who is grieving will miss their loved one for a long time. Why not tell them that you are asking God to bring them comfort and surround them with love and support?  What if we quit declaring that “The LORD helps those who help themselves,” and start demonstrating in our daily words and actions how He actually does help us in every situation and circumstance.

In other words, we need to be more careful in our “delivery”. We need to stop tossing around scriptures and phrases we feel will “get an ‘Amen!’” or draw a chuckle. Stop quoting scripture in place of genuine Christian empathy. Quit trying to look like the world’s greatest Bible scholar or most faithful churchgoer…and start being the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are lost, hungry and hurting. There are a lot of people in this world who need the love, grace and mercy of Jesus – not a lesson in Bible history or church doctrine.

I recently read an illustration about a man who forgot to turn off his cell phone in church…and of course, it rang loudly.  The pastor gave him an ugly look…his wife and some other congregants chastised him after the service.  In short, everyone made the man feel like a total heel…and he was so hurt and embarrassed that he stopped going to church. This same man went into a bar, where he accidentally spilled a drink. The bartender and waitress hurried to help him clean up the mess. They offered him a free refill…and the waitress even gave him a gentle hug and acknowledged that “It could happen to anyone.”  Of course, the man felt accepted, forgiven, welcomed and loved. And yes, he was eager to return to this establishment.

So I ask you…what is your demonstration of “the sacred” saying to others?  Are you pious in your witness?  Are you trying to be cute and “hip” – and disrespecting Jesus in the process?  Are you more concerned with demonstrating your knowledge of scripture and church doctrine…or meeting people right where they are?  Do you “know your audience” as a Christian disciple?  Are you talking over their heads – or giving them a reason to dig deeper and discover the joys of a life in Christ for themselves?

Are you serving Christ in a way that honors His blessings and teachings…or are you trying to make yourself stand out in the crowd?  Are you making a point – or making a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven? Isn’t it time you decide?

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 21, 2019 – Getting the board out of your eye…a lesson in judgment and criticism

Matthew 7:1-5
“Don’t criticize, and then you won’t be criticized. For others will treat you as you treat them. And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own? Should you say, ‘Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,’ when you can’t even see because of the board in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother.

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

I don’t know exactly how it happens, but we learn at an early age to criticize others…and many of us get pretty good at it. We tell our children they are not doing things correctly – or behaving nicely.  Our children tell us we have it all wrong…about everything from what they are thinking and feeling to how to play a board game!

Criticism and judgment come so easy to us, because we all use these “tools” to try and elevate our own importance, talents or abilities. In truth, all we do is make ourselves look pretty ridiculous and hypocritical.  And clearly, Jesus felt this was important enough to address in scripture.

I don’t have a lot to add to this…because we all know that we judge and criticize – and that we shouldn’t do this! So the question becomes…will you continue with a “do as I say and not as I do attitude” and disobey God?  Or will you make a concerted effort to stay in your lane, seek God’s will for your life, and make every effort to mind your own business?

People are watching…and they are fully aware of others who make a career out of judgments and criticisms.  Hopefully you are not among the latter group. But even if you have been, you can make a change…and you can begin today.  Are you ready to take the plank out of your eye and address your own shortcomings, rather than those of others?  Don’t you think you should be?

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 20, 2019 – An act of the will vs. the temperature of the heart – finding a way to forgive

Matthew 6:14-15
If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

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

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” ~ Corrie ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian whose family helped Jews escape the Nazis in WWII.  The family was imprisoned when the Nazis learned of this activity.  Corrie ten Boom was freed from a concentration camp only days after her sister died there.  She wrote several books about her experience – and her faith. One of the more recognized titles is The Hiding Place*, based on Psalm 119:114…” Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”(KJV)

Corrie ten Boom had plenty of reasons to harbor unforgiveness toward others.  She saw atrocities we don’t even want to imagine.  A review of The Hiding Place on amazon.com includes a blurb from the publisher that describes Corrie and her sister Betsie standing naked before a concentration camp matron as she brutally beat another prisoner.  Betsie prayed for God to forgive her. Corrie realized that Betsie was praying for the matron and the Nazi guards.

Could you do this?  Could you pray forgiveness over someone who was hurting or abusing another living creature?  Can you forgive those who offend you?  What about the ones who disparage others…the bigots, homophobes, racists, elitists and snobs? Can you genuinely pray for terrorists, criminals, drug addicts, people of other religious faiths and practices…and your “ex”?

Corrie ten Boom reminds us that this is an act of will…not an act of the heart.  It is also an act of faithful obedience to God. It is a demonstration that we accept His forgiveness and honor His grace and mercy over us by extending the same to others.  It is a way to show that we belong completely and unequivocally to God…and whatever He commands, we will comply.

Do we really understand the connection between our forgiveness of others – and God’s forgiveness of us?  This might be one of the hardest lessons we ever have to address as Christians…but it is also one of the most important.  Who do you need to pray for today?  Who do you need to forgive?

If a young girl in a Nazi concentration camp can forgive her oppressors and pray for them, surely you and I can find a way to offer forgiveness, grace, mercy – and love – to those in our midst. If my unforgiveness has the potential to block even one iota of God’s blessings and care in my own life, I don’t want any part of it. This is just not a risk I am willing to take.  What about you?

©2019 Debbie Robus

* https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Place-Triumphant-Story-Corrie/dp/0553256696

Daily Devotional for February 19, 2019 – I’m a Christian…worrying is NOT my job!

Matthew 6:31-34
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.

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

In the movie, “Uncle Buck,” young Miles interrogates his Uncle Buck with a litany of questions and observations. Buck comments that Miles is very observant, and Miles replies, “I’m a kid, that’s my job!” Apparently, more than a few of us have decided that it is our job to worry, because we have all but made a career of it!

When Greg and I graduated from college, my mother made me a new dress.  It was green with white dots, and I loved it. This was pretty much my only “decent” dress.  I wore it to a panel interview for a teaching job. I was called for a second interview the following week. There was no opportunity to search for a new dress, so I had to wear the same one again. And the superintendent noted this.

I was embarrassed, but he acted as if it were a good thing. Apparently, he was impressed that I didn’t make a big fuss about my clothing. He was more interested in my teaching abilities than what I wore. He was focused on my work ethic, not my fashion sense. And I got the job! I wish I could say that this experience was a monumental turning point – and that I learned “not to sweat the small stuff”…but I am a slow learner, like many.

We wring our hands about so many things that never materialize. We waste time and energy…and in the process, we totally belie our professed faith in Jesus Christ to be with us at all times in the form of His Holy Spirit. In essence, we say, “I know you SAY you will take care of me, LORD…but…I’m not fully convinced. Maybe if I fret and stew, it will help at least a little.”  Trust me on this one…it doesn’t! And in the process, God is disrespected and disappointed.

I tell you this with the caveat that I will probably worry again – possibly before the day is over!  As I tell you often, I am a work in progress.  But I am working to worry less and trust God more. When the devil fills my head and heart with doubt and trepidation (and that is the devil’s work, y’all!), I make a concerted effort to call on Jesus and ask Him to come near. When Jesus is my focus, there is no room for the devil and his evil tools – like worry and frustration.

I am learning to ask Jesus to meet me where I am – and to guide me and protect me throughout this day. We will “worry” about tomorrow together…tomorrow! I know that Jesus is more than able to do this for me.  I’ve seen how He cares for the birds and the flowers and all of His creatures. I believe Him when He tells me, “I’ve got this – and you!”

The more I focus on Jesus, the more I experience His peace and calm. There is less angst and frustration as the devil shrinks away. The more I engage in calling on Christ and releasing my worries, the more I realize that they no longer consume and control me. I am convinced that God has met my every need thus far…even to providing a green and white dress for a job interview. The more I release my worries to Him, the more I see His hand at work in my life. After all, we’re Christians…trusting God is kinda our job! How well are you doing these days?

©2019 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 18, 2019 – Stored treasure and sweet tea…what are your priorities?

Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

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.

For many years, Jay Grelen, former newspaper columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, wrote a folksy column called “Sweet Tea”.  He even included a “recipe” once for Sweet Tea – and also one for a Hot Cocoa Mix that my family enjoys to this day.  In both recipes, sugar was the star…and Grelen’s mantra was, “Life is short – and sugar is cheap!” In truth, this is a metaphor for how we should look at life in general.

I admit that I am as guilty as the next person of getting my priorities out of whack. I will also tell you that three young children have helped tremendously to change my perspective.  If you miss a daily devotional or two, I am probably either sick – or doing something with a family member. If I have learned nothing else in recent years, I have discovered that “life is short, sugar is cheap…and we are not promised tomorrow.”

When I die, I don’t want someone to say, “She didn’t have time to sit with me/play with me/listen to me…but her last devotional was a doozy!”  I don’t want others to see me as someone who loved her “stuff” more than helping others and giving to them in their time of need.  I don’t want to be known as someone who was “too busy” or too consumed with making another dollar to stop and smell the roses. In short, I want to be known and remembered as someone who stored my treasure in heaven, where it will be poured out to me in abundance according to God’s perfect will.”

I want to be known and remembered as someone who would gladly drop everything to visit with a friend…or to read a book, watch a movie, or play a board game with a beloved child.  I want to be the person who will skip sweeping the floor in order to put on a coat and take a walk with a loved one…who understands that time spent in fun and fellowship while eating a cheese sandwich far surpasses the delight of a gourmet meal that took hours to prepare – and just as long or longer to clean up afterward.

As you read Matthew 6:19-21, consider your own life.  Where have you put substance and personal gratification over genuine interaction with others? Where have you placed your interests ahead of God’s?  Where have you been so caught up in “making a living” that you forgot to truly live? Life is short, and sugar IS cheap…and “treasure” stored in this earthly lifetime is rife with opportunity for theft and destruction.

We aren’t promised another day…so what are you doing with this one?  What are your priorities…and how do they line up with God’s plans?  Isn’t it time you decide?

©2019 Debbie Robus