Aunt Deb's Attic: September 2006

Devos for Week of September 24

September 24 Read Acts 20:32

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Have you ever been dealing with a situation that left you confused and concerned – maybe even frustrated? You needed an answer, and it just wasn’t coming – from friends, family, or anywhere. The next time this happens, why not get out your Bible and see what God has to say about your situation. I can almost guarantee that He will have an answer for you… and it will be the RIGHT answer! Use your index or concordance to look up a word related to your problem or issue, and see what the Bible has to say. If you are like me, that will lead to even more study and discovery, and pretty soon, you will feel such a comfort at having all of the answers so handy in one place. You will also have the peace and satisfaction of knowing that your answers are from God, and He never gives you bad advice or a wrong answer!

September 25 Read Psalms 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Have you ever walked down a dark path, or through a dark room and you held your hands out in front of you to prevent bumping into things. You probably felt a little uneasy, or at least had a sense of uncertainty about what might be in your path. Life is like this sometimes. We don’t know what is in front of us, and we walk around with our hands out, so to speak, to protect us from bumping into something and being hurt. If we turn on the light, we see clearly what lies ahead. If we even have a flashlight to light the walkway ahead of us, we feel better.

The Bible is our light. It can give us a clear path to walk, so that we know what lies ahead without fear of bumping into things and situations that might cause us harm and/or distress.

I encourage you to study the Bible, to learn what God has to say to you about your life and your life situations. I hope the Bible will truly be a lamp to guide your feet and a light to illuminate your path.

September 26 Read Psalms 119:11

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Studying the Bible, and committing some verses to memory will give you tools for daily living that you can’t get anywhere else. There will be countless situations that arise in your life where bringing the word of God to mind will help you get through quickly and safely. A good one for me is Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Another is Psalms 23. Just remembering that “the Lord is my Shepherd – I shall not want” brings me comfort.

What about you? Is the word of the Lord in your heart? Can you recall a scripture in a time of stress or personal need? Have you spent enough time studying your Bible to know how to use it to find what you need when you need it? If not, I urge you to start making this part of your week – to find some time to study the Bible instead of playing a video game or visiting with a friend on the phone or the Internet. Give God and His Word a few minutes – it’s vitally important!

September 27 Read James Psalms 119:130

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

I heard an evangelist say that people run all over the country seeking a therapist who can help them solve their problems, when every answer we need is in the Bible. Now, I’m not saying you won’t ever have problems that require a therapist, or that people who use therapists are wrong or bad. But, so often we overlook the Word of God and its strength for our lives.

God has a plan for you, and He has made it so simple and clear, so that you can easily understand it. The KEY is to study His Word, so that you can find out what this Plan is! He will give you all the answers… if you will only open your Bible and find them!

September 28 Read John 15:7

If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

WOW! Isn’t that awesome?! If we abide in God, and He abides in us, we can ask whatever we desire, and it will be done for us! So, that means we can ask for a shiny new sports car, and we’ll get it right? Absolutely not! It means that whatever we desire – within His will – will be done for us. But, wait! Nothing was said about doing His will, was it? Oh, yes, it was! It says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you…” which means that you are doing God’s will, and that the things you desire are His will for you. It just may be that His will truly IS for you to have a shiny new sports car. But he may also desire you to drive a clunky old bucket!

The key is that, by studying His word and keeping it in your heart and following His will, no matter what, you won’t care which ride you have! Will this be easy? Probably not always. But will it be right, and can you handle it? Sure! Remember, with God ALL things are possible!

September 29 Read James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Again, we can ask anything of God, according to His will and His word… BUT… we must have faith and believe that He will hear us and answer. We must not only study the word of God – we must BELIEVE it, too, and believe with faith that God will do what He has said He will do.

God is very true to His word and He does answer us. But God will not push Himself or His word on us. We must seek -- and believe! It’s a faith thing… what about you – are you up for it?

September 30 Read Psalms 91:1-16

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler, you shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicket. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.

This pretty much says it all. The Lord and His word are our refuge. If we stay close to Him and dwell in His will, He has promised that He will be with us in trouble, that he will satisfy us with long life and salvation. What more could we possibly want or need.

Devos for Week of September 24

September 24 Read Acts 20:32

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Have you ever been dealing with a situation that left you confused and concerned – maybe even frustrated? You needed an answer, and it just wasn’t coming – from friends, family, or anywhere. The next time this happens, why not get out your Bible and see what God has to say about your situation. I can almost guarantee that He will have an answer for you… and it will be the RIGHT answer! Use your index or concordance to look up a word related to your problem or issue, and see what the Bible has to say. If you are like me, that will lead to even more study and discovery, and pretty soon, you will feel such a comfort at having all of the answers so handy in one place. You will also have the peace and satisfaction of knowing that your answers are from God, and He never gives you bad advice or a wrong answer!

September 25 Read Psalms 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Have you ever walked down a dark path, or through a dark room and you held your hands out in front of you to prevent bumping into things. You probably felt a little uneasy, or at least had a sense of uncertainty about what might be in your path. Life is like this sometimes. We don’t know what is in front of us, and we walk around with our hands out, so to speak, to protect us from bumping into something and being hurt. If we turn on the light, we see clearly what lies ahead. If we even have a flashlight to light the walkway ahead of us, we feel better.

The Bible is our light. It can give us a clear path to walk, so that we know what lies ahead without fear of bumping into things and situations that might cause us harm and/or distress.

I encourage you to study the Bible, to learn what God has to say to you about your life and your life situations. I hope the Bible will truly be a lamp to guide your feet and a light to illuminate your path.

September 26 Read Psalms 119:11

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Studying the Bible, and committing some verses to memory will give you tools for daily living that you can’t get anywhere else. There will be countless situations that arise in your life where bringing the word of God to mind will help you get through quickly and safely. A good one for me is Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Another is Psalms 23. Just remembering that “the Lord is my Shepherd – I shall not want” brings me comfort.

What about you? Is the word of the Lord in your heart? Can you recall a scripture in a time of stress or personal need? Have you spent enough time studying your Bible to know how to use it to find what you need when you need it? If not, I urge you to start making this part of your week – to find some time to study the Bible instead of playing a video game or visiting with a friend on the phone or the Internet. Give God and His Word a few minutes – it’s vitally important!

September 27 Read James Psalms 119:130

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

I heard an evangelist say that people run all over the country seeking a therapist who can help them solve their problems, when every answer we need is in the Bible. Now, I’m not saying you won’t ever have problems that require a therapist, or that people who use therapists are wrong or bad. But, so often we overlook the Word of God and its strength for our lives.

God has a plan for you, and He has made it so simple and clear, so that you can easily understand it. The KEY is to study His Word, so that you can find out what this Plan is! He will give you all the answers… if you will only open your Bible and find them!

September 28 Read John 15:7
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

WOW! Isn’t that awesome?! If we abide in God, and He abides in us, we can ask whatever we desire, and it will be done for us! So, that means we can ask for a shiny new sports car, and we’ll get it right? Absolutely not! It means that whatever we desire – within His will – will be done for us. But, wait! Nothing was said about doing His will, was it? Oh, yes, it was! It says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you…” which means that you are doing God’s will, and that the things you desire are His will for you. It just may be that His will truly IS for you to have a shiny new sports car. But he may also desire you to drive a clunky old bucket!

The key is that, by studying His word and keeping it in your heart and following His will, no matter what, you won’t care which ride you have! Will this be easy? Probably not always. But will it be right, and can you handle it? Sure! Remember, with God ALL things are possible!

Devotionals for Week of September 17

September 17 Read Acts 2:42-48

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Have you ever felt especially close to God at Sunday School or church? Maybe another person in the room really seemed to receive the Holy Spirit, and you were moved, also… not just because of what you saw or heard, but because you truly felt something, too. Spending time with fellow Christians, especially at Sunday School and church can have a profound effect on your spiritual life. I won’t say that other Christians “rub off” on you, necessarily, but those who are so in tune with the Holy Spirit and walk closely with Christ seem to just “glow” and give off an aura – a sense that of peace, love and joy. Now, why on earth would we not want to be near that?!

Come to church and Sunday School, and literally, “catch the Spirit!”

September 18 Read Ephesians 4:15-16

…but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Have you ever heard someone talk about “the body of Christ?” Did you know you are part of that body? You can think of it this way. Jesus is the heart and soul of the church, but the church needs arms to reach out to people. It needs legs to carry aid to the needy. It needs a voice to share the gospel. It needs eyes to see the needs and ears to hear and lungs to breathe in the Holy Spirit. Every body part is important. Every part does its share to keep the body alive and well. The question becomes… what body part are you? And more importantly… are you working effectively? Are you doing your part for the body of Christ and His church?

Pray that God will give you strength, wisdom, and courage to be the best “body part” possible.

September 19 Read Acts 20:7-12

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

I could say that this scripture is a lesson for us not to fall asleep in church while the pastor is preaching or the teacher is teaching! And that would be a very good lesson! But there is another lesson to learn here… sometimes there is someone in our group who is not paying attention, and in fact, may even say or do something to be a distraction. Certainly when Eutychus fell off the ledge and seemed to have died, that disrupted Paul’s preaching! But Paul simply revived the man and went right back to his lessons for the crowd. And it says that “they were not a little comforted,” which I take to mean that they were pretty upset about the whole thing and probably weren’t able to concentrate on the rest of the sermon very well.

Have you ever been an Eutychus? Have you ever written notes to your friend during the sermon, or maybe talked to your neighbor and/or made inappropriate or disruptive comments or actions in a Sunday School class? Have you ever tried to get the group distracted, amused, or otherwise off track? If so, you are being an Eutychus, and you are not pleasing God with your behavior, nor are you contributing to the church service.

Consider your behavior in church and Sunday School. Is it pleasing to God? Are you acting in a manner that gives God and the worship leaders your full attention and contributes to bringing the Holy Spirit into the hearts and minds of those who are attending? Wake up! Stop sleeping! Be alive for Christ!

September 20 Read 1 Corinthians 12:13-14

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact, the body is not one member, but many.

Not any of us are exactly the same. We are all unique, and yet, we are all vital to the body of Christ – and the church. You have special talents, abilities, needs, desires. So do I. We all come to Christ with just a little bit different “take” on things, but as an old saying goes… “the story is the same… only the names are changed.” We all have one basic, important need, and that is Christ living within us. And so we come together to find Him and to share His love with each other – to “drink into one Spirit.”

Are you getting the point that church and Sunday School are important for your spiritual well-being? Do you see how vital it is that you come and share in these times with fellow believers? If you are not excited about Sunday School and church, ask yourself why. Search your heart and see if you are coming with the right attitude, seeking God and His word, and seeking to share His love with others and to worship Him for all he has given us. The 2 hours you give to God on Sunday morning can be two of the best hours of your week. If you come back on Sunday night, Wednesday night, and to other functions throughout the week, you can be even more blessed. Make up your mind to make church an important part of your week, and see how exciting this time can be for you.

September 21 Read Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither mail nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The church is made up of all sorts of folks. There are rich people, poor people, pretty people, people who aren’t so pretty, smart people, and people who barely make it through life. But in the eyes of God, they are each and every one precious, beautiful, smart, rich, healthy, complete. He made us all, and He loves us all equally. If we are to imitate Christ, we must work very hard to do the same thing.

One day I was in the grocery store, and this dirty, thin, sorta strange looking young man was walking behind me, and it seemed everywhere I went, he went. I headed for a checkout lane, and sure enough, he was right behind me. I started to feel a little uneasy – not frightened, but just uncomfortable. I looked at him and saw that he had one pack of cigarettes, a $1 bill and some change, and apparently, he was trying to hurry ahead of me in the checkout line and just didn’t quite pass me. So, I said to the checkout clerk, “Let him go ahead of me, please.” He motioned that it was okay, but I insisted. While she was ringing up his purchase, I took a good look at this person. I didn’t have a clue what his story was, but it struck me that everybody has a “story,” and everybody is a child of God, including this dirty, thin, rumpled, messed-up looking guy. So, when he glanced my way, I just gave him a nice big smile. And you know what happened? He lit up like a Christmas tree and smiled back. I would like to think that in that moment, Jesus reached right through me and my smile and surrounded that man with a hug and a big pat on the back that said, “You are important!” I know He certainly blessed me in that moment.

Time for a reality check – how are YOU doing in this area? Do you have a heart for others like Jesus did? Do you love all people equally? Do you treat all people equally? If you truly love Jesus and want to be like Him, you will try hard every day to do this, and you will start at church!

As it gets easier and easier, branch out to school, home, and even the grocery store! You just never know where God’s gonna show up!

September 22 Read Acts 2:41-42

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Fellowship with other Christians is such a blessing. It has power, brings encouragement, and overall just boosts your sense of well-being. The church is the best, most important membership you will ever have, and it is important that you treat it with the respect and honor it deserves. Give wisely and well of your time and your talents – and your attention and attendance.

Be a solid church member, grow in the Lord through your time spent at church, Sunday School, and other church activities. Make it an important habit in your life, and you will never regret it.

September 23 Read Hebrews 4:12, 16

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

When I was a teenager, I knew quite a few Bible verses. I had grown up going to Sunday School and church, and a Sunday evening program called Training Union, in which we learned Bible verses and had “Bible Drills,” and I thought I was really pretty smart about the Bible. When I was in college, the Gideons passed out small New Testaments, and there was an index for certain scriptures to help in certain situations. For instance, if you were worried, the index told you what scriptures would address that, and if you were hurting, it told you where to look in the little Bible for an answer. That was a great help to me, and surely to many, many other college students. Because, for all of my knowledge of Bible verses, I often didn’t know where to look – and sometimes I still don’t!

As an adult, I have learned to rely on books that tell you “where to find it in the Bible,” and a concordance that belonged to my grandfather. I can look up countless words and find scriptures that relate. In fact, that’s how I find the scriptures for these devotionals!

The point is this… for all of my memorizing Bible verses, I still needed help in my daily life that required more than the handful of verses I knew. While they are a great start, I often need to dig deeper to find out what God has to say about my particular situation. Every day His mercies are new to me, and so is His word for me. It’s up to me to open my Bible and find it!

A great start is to use these daily devotionals. Read the scripture that is listed at their start, and then see if your Bible has any footnotes to refer you to other scriptures that relate. Or, you might like to look in your Bible’s index or concordance to see if you can find more information on the topic for yourself. Whatever you choose – even if it is to open your Bible and read the daily scripture listed here, just do it! Bible study could become one of the most important habits you ever develop!

©2006 Debbie Robus

Daily Devos for this Week

September 11 Read Jeremiah 9:14

… but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts, and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them.

It would be unfair of me to paint all teachers as good, saintly people. That's just not the case. While I am sure that your teachers are wonderful people, not all people in all lands have this luxury. Teachers can also teach you wrong things -- bad things. Such was the case on another September 11, just a few short years ago, when some "teachers" told men that hijacking planes and crashing into skyscrapers in New York and government buildings in Washington, D.C., would bring wonderful rewards for them in the next life (paradise). And we all know the tragedy that ensued.

In this scripture, fathers were telling children to worship false gods and do things that did not please God. They did not worship God, nor follow His laws, and for this they were punished and suffered.

God has given you the ability to think for yourself, and if you ask Him for help, He will guide you in making wise choices. You may encounter teachers who tell you things that you know just are not right… not all teachers will be Spirit-filled Christians who follow the Bible's teachings. Not all teachers have the same political beliefs -- or moral beliefs -- as you.

You must listen to your teachers and respect them. But, on issues of morality, politics, and spirituality, you must listen to God and follow His lead. If you please God and follow His commandments, your teachers will respect your decisions.

September 12 Read Matthew 28:19-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Bet you didn't know that YOU are a teacher, too, did you? Jesus has commanded each one of us to go and teach others about Him. That makes us teachers! So you see, there is a calling on your life, too. You may not teach math or science or P.E., but you can share the love of Christ with someone else. You can teach others about your Jesus and His ways.

Knowing that YOU are also a teacher, how does that make you feel? Does it change your attitude toward teachers? Does it give you a sense of responsibility and obligation to behave in a certain way, perhaps to behave better and more responsibly? Are you fulfilling your Commission from Jesus? Are you teaching, and are you doing a good job of it? Ask God for guidance, for strength and courage, and for opportunities to tell others about His love. C'mon, teacher, let's get going!

September 13 Read Titus 2:1-3

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things…

Have you ever stopped to think that your parents and your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, and maybe even your older brothers or sisters (if you have them) are teachers? They "show you the ropes" every day, don't they? How are they doing? Are they "sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, love and patience, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things?" Pray for your "teachers," -- ask God to give them the wisdom and the desire to be all of these things and to teach you well, so that they might always have your very best interest at heart.

Pray also that you will someday become a good teacher to others… living a life that glorifies God, that you might be able to help others learn His ways and "the ropes," too!

September 14 Read 1 Corinthians 11:14

Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

How funny this scripture seems! Imagine the Bible saying that men should not have long hair! But let's not focus on that part of this sentence… let's focus on the first part… "does not even nature itself teach you…" Have you ever thought about what we learn from nature, and how God uses it as a teacher?

Think about this… have you ever watched a nest of eggs in your yard hatch into little birds, and then you watched the parents feed them and nurture them until they flew away? Or maybe your dog or cat had puppies or kittens, and you watched them be born. Or you might have a puppy or kitten you are caring for, and you are learning from them as you watch them grow, and you take responsibility for their feeding, watering, and general care.

What about storms or natural disasters… do you learn about protection, about shelter, about watching the weather for signs of change? What about when you lost your baby teeth and grew new ones… or when you hurt yourself and get a cut or scrape, and over time, the wound heals, and new skin grows to cover the damage.

Nature is all around us, and we learn from it every day. It is one of the wonderful, miraculous ways that God uses His own creations to teach us what we need to know. Give Him a praise for being so awesome!

September 15 Read Galatians 6:6

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

The Living Bible says that "he who is taught the Word of God should pay his teacher!" So, does that mean you should bring money and pay your Sunday School teacher each Sunday? I don't think so. I think what this means is that you should give your teachers your respect, your appreciation. You should offer to help them when you can. If you see your teacher carrying a heavy load, offer to carry some of it. If you see your teacher picking up trash in the classroom, offer to help. Say "Thank you!" and mean it… appreciate all your teachers do for you.

There is one other really huge thing you can do to repay your teachers… and that is to PRAY for them. Ask God to give them wisdom, courage, protection, to keep them safe and healthy and prosperous. If your teachers are thriving, you will get the benefits and the blessings. God will love it if you pray for your teachers, and He will bless both them AND you!

September 16 Read Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

God wants us to get together for worship. He wants us to lift each other up in prayer and song, to cheer, encourage, and love each other publicly. He wants us to come together to worship to live as an example to others of how to worship Him. And, He just likes having His children together, celebrating Him and His work in their lives.

So, make an effort to get to Sunday School and church. God will be pleased and glorified, and you will be blessed and be a blessing to others!

©2006 Debbie Robus

Weekend Devos

September 8 Read Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler and your need like an armed man.

This is an odd scripture passage, isn't it? But when you stop and think about the ant, and how it works to provide food and shelter for itself and for the colony as a whole, maybe this isn't such a silly passage after all.

Think for just a minute about an ant. Who tells the ant to go to work? Who tells it to gather food? Who tells it to move at all? And yet, the teeny tiny ant is one of the hardest workers on this earth -- and if you have ever watched ants at work, they can move some pretty big stuff in comparison to their size!

How are you like the ant? Do you work without prompting? Do you get up and go to school and do your work? Or do you lie around and wait for someone to push you and prod you into doing your homework, or going to school, or studying? This passage in the Bible says there is a time to sleep, but there is also a time to work, and even the ant knows the difference!

What about you -- do you know the difference? Consider the ways of the ant, and be wise!

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 9 Read Deuteronomy 11:18-19

Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Why do you think people become teachers? I can assure you it is NOT for the pay! And yet, I have known people who gave up jobs with great salaries and benefits to teach second graders. I have known teachers who spent a huge chunk of their salary on school supplies, clothing and pencils and paper for underprivileged students, and more college courses to make themselves even better teachers.

So why do they do it? Teachers teach in part because they love you and care about their students. And more than just a few of them consider teaching to be a "calling" from God. In this scripture, God is talking about teaching His word and His commandments to children. But, in the bigger scheme of things, God calls men and women to be teachers of all things… math, science, history, language arts, art, music, physical education, and more… because He wants us to have knowledge and to become all that we can, so that we can serve Him and glorify Him to the fullest.

As you interact with your teachers this week, and in the weeks and months ahead, remember… they are there pretty much because they chose to be… and because God chose them to teach you! Pray for your teachers and ask God to bless them, that they might do a great job -- for Him and for you!

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 10 Leviticus 10:11

… that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.

Once again, we see God commissioning teachers and commanding them to teach the children. Did you know that God commissions Sunday School teachers, also? Just as with anything in life, there are good teachers and not-so-good teachers -- even in Sunday School. But a really good, loving, caring Sunday School teacher is one of the most important people you can have in your life.

Sunday School teachers are not paid to teach. They teach because they love God, and because they love YOU! They teach to help you learn more about God and to draw closer to Him. They also teach to encourage you in your daily living, to be a friend you can depend on, and to nurture you and lift you up to God in prayer.While teachers in school help you grow in wisdom that will help you be more productive as an adult, Sunday School teachers help you grow in Godly Wisdom that will help you grow as a Christian. Both are important to your overall well-being. Thank God for sending people into your life who care about helping you grow mentally and spiritually.

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 6-7 Devotionals

September 6 Read Daniel 1:17

As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

God wants us to be smart. He wants us to have knowledge. He could just hand it to us and we would instantly know all about literature, math, science, computers, language, and more. But, studying and working a little (or a lot!) to learn about things glorifies God. It shows Him that you care enough about what He wants to give you to put forth some effort to make it happen.

So, the next time you are struggling with your homework or studying for a test, remember this: God is trying to give you knowledge and skills, and your efforts are a great way to show your appreciation for His gifts.

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 7 Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17

… and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Did you ever stop to think that your school work is part of God's plan for thoroughly equipping you for every good work in your life? When you think of it that way, it helps to give us incentive to study hard and truly apply ourselves in school -- or at least it should. God is counting on us to do everything we can to help Him equip us with what we need to be complete, and that includes going to school, paying attention in class, and studying!

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 5 Devotional

September 5 Read Acts 7:22 ...

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

Have you ever considered that being well educated and gaining knowledge could make you "mighty"? There is a saying that "knowledge is power," and it is true. Knowing the right words to say, and how to say them. Knowing history and science and math, art, music, life sciences, and computers -- all of these skills make you stronger and more powerful as a person. Being physically fit makes you more powerful, because you stay healthy and actually feel better and stronger.

It is a lot of work to study and go to school and apply yourself as much as possible. It takes discipline to exercise or participate in sports, or to practice a musical instrument or your typing skills. But it is all worth the effort, because it makes you stronger as a person, and that pleases God. It is His will for your life… that you be the best, strongest, smartest, most powerful person you can possibly be.

So what are you waiting for? How powerful are you?

©Debbie Robus 2004

September Devotionals

These are devotionals ("devos") that I wrote for my Junior High/Senior High Sunday School kids a couple of years ago. They were e-mailed to a number of teens last year, and also to a group of "in-betweeners" -- people who were out of high school and in college and/or young adults. Oddly enough, the list also contains some adults... so the devos must have universal relevance. Here are the devos for the first four days of September. I pray that they might have meaning and relevance for you, as well. -- DR aka "Aunt Deb"

September 1 Read Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Well, here we are at the beginning of another school year. The Bible doesn't talk a lot about school, per se, probably because formal schools most likely didn't exist in Biblical times. I suspect they did a lot of home schooling then.

You may wonder what this particular scripture has to do with school -- and in particular, study and application. It seems to me that the message to students in this scripture is that we are called to follow the teachings and commandments of Jesus. It is important to Jesus that we apply ourselves, that we work hard, and that we "be all that we can be." This honors and glorifies Him.

So, by studying and working hard in school, we honor Jesus. We are "trained up" in His ways, and He is very pleased with our efforts.

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 2 Read Galatians 4:1-3

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is a master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

Does school feel like bondage to you? Do you ever feel like you are a "slave" who is told to get up, go to school, study hard, and do whatever your teachers and parents tell you to do? I know it seems this way at times, and honestly, there are times when everyone just goes through the motions where school is concerned. It's not all fun and games, and some of it can be just plain boring and drudgery -- something we just have to endure.

But here's the deal… Jesus wants us to be content/happy in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, including school. He wants our very best efforts in anything and everything. So we must get up every day, go to school, study hard, and respect our teachers and their efforts to help us grow in knowledge. If our teachers aren't doing a good job of teaching, it is up to us to "get it" anyway -- on our own. Jesus wants us to grow in wisdom, and certainly, we want to please Him. It takes a change in attitude, but it's worth it, and it can make school a whole lot easier!

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 3 Read 2 Chronicles 17:7-9

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah -- the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

Even back in Old Testament times, there were teachers who were sent out by God to educate the people, primarily in the ways of the Lord, but I’m sure there were also teachers for basic things, like reading, writing, math, science.

God wants us to have wisdom -- not just spiritually, but academically, too. He wants us to know math, reading, language, science, so that we can do whatever He calls us to do in life to the very best of our ability. To do this, we have to study, pay attention, go to school, and listen and learn from our teachers.

I pray that you will have a spirit of confidence and satisfaction that your work at school is pleasing to God and for His glory in making you the person He wants you to become.

©Debbie Robus 2004

September 4 Read Acts 22:3

I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

Do you know what it means to be zealous for God? It means you will do anything and everything for Him -- that you will work hard for Him, stand up for Him, even fight for Him. This doesn't mean physically fistfight for Him, but you will stand your ground in discussions about God, and you will witness for Him in your everyday life.

Are you zealous about school? After you stop laughing and thinking I must be delirious, think about this question again. If you are zealous for God, and it pleases God that you are going to school and giving your best effort to study and grow in wisdom, then doesn't it follow that you are zealous for school -- or that you should be?

I encourage you to ask God for strength and courage, and for the right attitude about your school work and studies. He cares for you so much, and he wants you to have the very best in life. If you earnestly seek His guidance and protection, He will help you to find joy and peace in your job as a student.

©Debbie Robus 2004

The Sale is Over!!!

Thankfully, our sale has ended, and it was a HUGE success. Friday, Greg estimated we had over 100 cars before 7 a.m. (our ad stated we opened at 8 a.m.!), and they kept coming all day. We finally closed for the day around 5 p.m. We had several folks say that they had been told at ANOTHER sale a few streets over that ours was "the best sale in town" and they were right! We couldn't have asked for better weather - partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid-80's, with a wonderful breeze.

Of course, being the veteran seller, Greg's mother made a couple of really nice sales on Thursday evening, which is sort of traditional with her. She sold some bigger ticket items than I did, and netted probably double what I did, but we were still both pleased. We both have items for the Humane Society thrift store, and items to return to our shelves, but I have reduced my inventory significantly, and for that I was very happy! The people of our area got some wonderful bargains, and we made good sales and gained some space in our cabinets.

The down side, if there was one, is that we are both POOPED!!! We were on our feet nearly all day both days. I think I noted ONE time ... on Saturday afternoon ... when we didn't have any customers at all, and it lasted about 10 minutes. In fact, as we were packing to close, a couple came to look, and even after we had completely packed up our things and removed our signs, a lady returned to buy a cake plate from Greg's mother, and ended up buying 3 items for a total of $13!!!

Will we do it again? If you ask today, the answer is probably "No!" But who knows... give us time to rest, and a few more weekend auctions, and you just never know!!!

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