Daily Devotional for May 31, 2024 – A meme, Scripture, and a National Spelling Bee… “How-to” lessons for the kid in all of us…

1 Peter 3:8-12
And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.

If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers; but the Lord’s face is hard against those who do 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.

This morning, a friend shared a meme with a list titled “40 Old-fashioned Skills That Kids Need to Know.” I copied the list (which actually has 51 items), and here are a few that I thought were particularly good…

How to write a letter

How to make a phone call

How to take a message

How to converse with an elder

How to play with a baby

How to sew on a button

How to genuinely apologize

How to introduce yourself

How to notice the needs of others

How to make scrambled eggs

How to balance a checkbook

How to write a thank you note

How to do laundry

How to wash dishes

How to budget

How to wait and save for something

How to ask questions to get to know someone better

How to read a map

How to find a book in the library

How to seek counsel from someone more experienced

How to care for a pet

How to select a thoughtful gift

How to admit a mistake

How to iron a shirt

How to give someone the benefit of the doubt

How to weigh pros and cons

How to have good table manners

How to use a fire extinguisher

How to address and stamp an envelope

How to write a check

How to refill a stapler

How to put air in a bike tire

How to pump gas

How to change a flat tire

I was particularly struck by the ones that spoke of relationships…how to give someone the benefit of the doubt; how to weigh pros and cons; how to admit a mistake; and how to genuinely apologize. This scripture would suggest that we add…“How to be gracious and refrain from gloating” and “How to guard our tongue and avoid snapping back.” I would also add, “How to pray for those who are evil, unkind, deceitful and dishonest.” And while the Bible is filled with guidance on the “mechanics” of these…the bottom line is that we simply need to begin.
 
Pray for those who snap back and are unkind – or downright mean. Pray for those who gloat, the liars, cheats, and deceitful ones who are always looking for a scapegoat or an excuse. When things go well for you, humbly praise God for the blessing and/or victory…but don’t lord over those who disagree or find themselves on the other side of an issue or situation. 
 
I watched a news report about two 12-year-olds who squared off in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee. In the second-only “spell-off” ever, winner Bruhat Soma spelled 29 words correctly to the 20 words of Faizan Zaki. According to information at APNews.com, “Scripps said Bruhat’s winning word was ‘abseil,’ defined as ‘descent in mountaineering by means of a rope looped over a projection above.’” After his defeat, young Zaki walked over and politely shook the hand of Soma and congratulated him. I read where Zaki had shown encouragement to other students in the earlier rounds of the spell-off. He was humble in his own victory – and congratulated their efforts to make it as far as they did. 
 
We could learn a lot from these seventh graders. We could simply begin to be better people…to be kinder, more loving and gracious, and merciful. We don’t have to give anyone a “pass” for bad behavior – and there is nothing wrong with celebrating our triumphs and accomplishments. But we can be more like Christ in the way we approach and relate to others. We can love one another with tender hearts and humble minds. With God’s help, we can do this – and we must! So, let’s get started! Alleluia!

©2024 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 18, 2021 – It’s time to “wash some feet!”

John 13:3-9
Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”

Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”

Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”

Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”

“Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”

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.

Just a few days ago, I saw a warning from the CDC that a deadly parasite called Strongyloides has come to the US. This worm enters the body through bare feet and literally works its way through the body to the lungs, then to the stomach, where it has a perfect environment to begin reproducing. The simplest way to protect yourself is to wear shoes when outdoors – and don’t go barefoot!

Truly, the feet are a “gateway” – for many things. Even the cleanest person can have “dirty” feet or step on something with a bare foot that could cause physical damage. And in this passage from John, we read about the “Spiritual” significance of the feet. In the days when Jesus and His disciples were living, a person’s feet were always dirty.

If you’ve ever worn sandals and walked across a sandy beach or a dusty yard, you know how filthy your feet can become in a short period of time. So foot washing was an important ritual…and something many did when first entering a home in Old and New Testament times. I would assume that some families had servants who did this – or maybe young children in the home were assigned this “duty.” But here, we see Jesus prepare to wash the feet of His disciples…and at least one of them considered this ritual too menial and lowly for his Lord to perform.

Jesus explained to Peter that washing his feet was not about getting the dust off and becoming “clean” in this manner. It was a symbol that Peter was “cleaned” by his Lord, Jesus Christ, and ordained for discipleship. This was an act of love on the part of Jesus…and a demonstration that these men belonged to Him and were redeemed, anointed, and chosen to serve in His name. And as you see, Peter told Jesus to wash all of him, if it would help!

I know people who absolutely detest anyone even looking at their feet…much less touching them. And this is not really about “feet” as much as it is about our complete submission to Jesus. This is about obedience and humility…and how we demonstrate our faithfulness to our Lord and Savior. We must be ready to obey Him in all things. We must be willing to accept what Jesus has sacrificed for us – and to internalize this. We must allow Jesus to wash our feet and signal to the world that we are His forever and ever.

As we serve in the name of Jesus, we humbly show others how precious they are to Christ. Not one of us is better or more significant than another. I believe this was what Jesus was trying to show His disciples…and us. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is willing to kneel at our feet and wash away the dirt and muck. He is willing to rid us of the “parasites” of sin and make us clean and whole. We must be ready to accept this gift and live in a way that reflects Christ’s love – and demonstrates humble, inclusive service to others. In other words, as Christ’s disciples, we receive His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness…and we must pay it forward. It’s time to “wash some feet!” Hallelujah!

©2021 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 22, 2020 -Listening to God and acting on what you hear…are you a “scatterbrain Christian”?

James 1:22-25
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.

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 am watching a docu-drama that recently aired on the History Channel about George Washington. In the first episode, an account was given of a battle that Washington (then in his twenties) and fellow British soldiers engaged in with the French. Aided by Native Americans, Washington ambushed a French troop and massacred them. One of the French leaders tried to present Washington with a document that stated that a diplomatic resolution was desired….but Washington’s men killed him before the declaration could be read.

Washington was so eager to show the British authorities that he was “officer material” that he charged ahead and acted on impulse and the poor “intel” of the Native Americans. He then penned three hastily-prepared letters to the Virginia Lieutenant Governor, Robert Dinwiddie, in an effort to justify his actions. The young George Washington was apparently not who we think of today – and tend to revere – as a great leader in the early life of our country!

I often find that I am “listening” to a news story or program on television – and doing something else at the same time – and I miss a good deal of what was said. Often, I have to back up and watch the report or episode again in order to absorb what I missed. I would venture to guess that this happens to you, also.

We have become a society of “multi-taskers” who are easily distracted. We often lack focus. We grasp half of the story and tend to misconstrue the facts because of it. Still, we mimic Washington and charge ahead as if we have all of the facts and necessary information. As a friend noted on Facebook, we read the headline and hit the “share” button without investigating further to determine whether the story might be truthful, outdated, or downright propaganda. The end result is that we perpetuate half-truths and misinformation…and we misrepresent many situations and circumstances.

While this may not directly result in the actual death of someone, the fact remains that people are watching. They may see you as a person of integrity…someone they respect. More critically, they may believe that you are an obedient Christian servant – and they may strive to emulate you. If you are only half-listening – or perpetuating falsehoods – you are misguiding others and dishonoring God. And we’ve all done it. Whether we are deliberately promoting a personal agenda – or inadvertently spreading fabrications, disinformation, and outright lies – our inattentiveness to the getting the facts straight and listening for God’s truth can cause a ton of damage.

One of the historians who offers commentary during the Washington docu-drama notes that we have all been taught that this “Father of our Country” was a man who “could not tell a lie.” Yet George Washington lied. He misrepresented facts and situations. This doesn’t negate his entire life’s work, any more than our sins define us. But this does show just how important it is to pay close attention…to regain focus…to listen to God’s directives, hear them, and truly obey His commands. Will we always get everything right? Probably not…but we will have a far better shot at doing so.

If you have become a bit of a “scatterbrain” like I have, make this the day that you vow to do better. Regain focus and live more intentionally in the will of God. Pay closer attention – especially to what God is telling you. Make every effort to really hear His orders – and fulfill them. Be the example of truth for others…a faithful, obedient servant of God Almighty who operates in facts and fairness. God is counting on us to be “the real deal” for Him. And people.are.watching! What are you showing them?

©2020 Debbie Robus