October 7 ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:1
I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other - "We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!" - suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
(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 copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I know that in today’s world, many women have their babies by Caeserean and know ahead of time the date and time the surgery will be performed to deliver their infant. They even know the sex of the baby for most of the pregnancy… or at least many prospective parents have the option of knowing in advance. But just a few years ago when my niece was born, we knew neither the day of her birth, or whether we would get a boy or a girl! We eagerly waited in anticipation for the big day. And early one morning, my sister felt the first pangs of labor. By mid-afternoon, our baby girl was wrapped tightly in a blanket with a little cap on her head, greeting us with her bright eyes and exercising her lungs as if to say, “I’m here! I’m here!” Thankfully, we were ready, and the nursery was filled with all of the things necessary to care for a baby. You see… we had prepared well in advance for her arrival. We didn’t know when she would get here, but we knew she was coming, and we wanted to be ready! And long before she got here, we loved her.
We don’t know when Jesus will get here, but we know He is coming. I don’t know about you, but I want to be ready for His arrival. I want to know that I have prepared for Him, and that I have done what He calls me to do in order to help others get ready for Him. I want to love Him and serve Him long before He gets here, and I want to share His love with others so that they know how wonderful He is and make preparations to meet Him, too.
I don’t know about you, but I hope that I am not caught completely off guard… “walking around complacently.” I hope that I walk so closely to Christ each day that I am ready when He is. I don’t know when He is coming, but I want to be ready for Him, just the same. I pray that you will be ready, also.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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October 6 ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:15
And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence - we have the Master's word on it - that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they'll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise - they'll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.
(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 copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever been to a big football game, like maybe to Fayetteville to an Arkansas Razorbacks game, and you stood with the crowd and cheered as the big inflatable Razorback was engulfed in smoke and fog, and then the team emerged? The feeling was nothing short of euphoric, as you felt the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. You felt the love and pride for the team that was running across the field. You felt the bright lights and the excitement and anticipation of a great night of football and a victory and shouting “We’re number 1!” and “Wooo Pig, Sooie!” You were so happy you probably felt like you were “walking on air.”
Imagine for a moment if Christ comes tomorrow. Imagine the incredible brightness of the light surrounding Him. Imagine the “Archangel thunder” and “God’s trumpet blast!” Imagine those who have died rising with Christ into the clouds and the fog and the mist… and then He reaches down with Hands for YOU! Imagine your energy and enthusiasm and euphoria. Imagine how overwhelmingly incredible this moment will be!! Imagine literally walking on air!
I don’t know about you, but just the thought of this day and how incredible it will be excites me. The thought of seeing Jesus face-to-face overwhelms me. Think of the song, “I Can Only Imagine” – the words speak of wondering what it will be like to see Him… whether you will be able to stand or dance or even speak in His presence. These thoughts DO reassure me. They do make it all worthwhile. I will see my loved ones again. I will see Jesus in all His glory. I will walk on air! And you can, too. It’s your choice - will you be coming with us?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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October 5 ~ Colossians 1:21
You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message - just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message.
(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 copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I love the work of author John Grisham. I collect his books and have read almost all of them. They are great illustrations of human nature and frailty. In The Testament, a wealthy businessman, Troy Phelan, realizes he is dying, so he sets out to write his last will and testament. He knows his rebellious children have been disrespectful, ungrateful, and that they have each breezed through countless of his millions already. So he writes a will that leaves each of them enough to cover outstanding debts, but nothing for their future misadventures.
I won’t give away any more of the story… read it for yourself! But the point is this. We, as children of God, have been much like Troy Phelan’s children. We have been disrespectful, disobedient, and rebellious, and we have squandered more of God’s gifts than we could even imagine. But the difference is that, in Christ’s death, He doesn’t cut us out of the will, so to speak, but rather He gives us an even bigger and better gift than ever – the gift of forgiveness of our sins and Eternal Life with Him! And Paul is right – you don’t walk away from a gift like that! You pay attention to your Father, and you stay in His will… obedient, respectful, and ready to follow and serve.
Thankfully, once we accept Christ as our Savior, He keeps us “in the will” and doesn’t make frequent changes, like Mr. Phelan did in the story. Thankfully God does not play games with our lives… earthly AND eternally! But His gift is so amazing, so unselfish, so holy that it commands our attention… and our very best. “You don’t walk away from a gift like that!”
©2007 Debbie Robus
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October 4 ~ Ephesians 6:10
And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
(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 copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I do not like fighting. I do not enjoy watching boxing matches. Nothing about watching two people pummel each other with their fists excites me. But when we got a few free months of HBO as a promotional, it just so happened that Arkansas’ own Jermain Taylor was fighting Kelly Pavlik for Middleweight Champion of the World, I found myself watching the match.
The first few rounds were back and forth. One contender and then the other was declared winner of the individual rounds. At one point, Taylor knocked Pavlik to his knees, but the 25-year-old from Ohio got up and came back swinging. In the seventh round, Pavlik connected with Taylor’s face and delivered a stunning blow. That connection was quickly followed by a burst of more punches that ultimately dropped Jermain Taylor to the floor. He slumped into the corner and appeared to be knocked unconscious momentarily. I have to admit, I felt sad, and then sick.
Taylor’s camp of coaches, trainers, family and supporters quickly rallied around him and administered first aid and comfort. While Pavlik relished his victory and the new title and belt of a world middleweight champion, Taylor and his entourage gathered their belongings and exited from the arena. Less than a half hour later, Jermain was sitting in his dressing room talking with a TV commentator and promising a rematch.
In our Spiritual life, we have a formidable opponent in the “ring of life” – Satan. And we have what we need to fight him... Jesus has bought and paid for everything we will need to save us from the pummeling blows that Satan will attempt to deliver. Like Kevin Pavlik refusing to go away in the fight with Jermain Taylor, Satan refuses to go away. But the difference is that Jermain Taylor walks into the ring alone, with only his skills and his wits. We, on the other hand, walk into the ring of life with Jesus by our side (if we invite Him), and that makes all the difference!
So strengthen yourself with the full armor of everything God offers you. Never “step into the ring” against Satan without Jesus, and you will walk away the champion every time.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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October 2 ~ Galatians 6:14
For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do - submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God - his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!
(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 copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
It doesn’t get any plainer than this! Paul is telling us that we are not to worry about what others think, as long as we are focusing on “the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ.” I know I have told you others are watching – and they are! And they are judging you. But if they are judging you critically for serving Jesus, give God praise! What an honor to be among those who are His chosen people. How wonderful to have God’s peace and mercy... that’s all that matters.
When I was a young girl, I attended a church that frowned on Christians who were not members of that particular church denomination participating in Holy Communion. It just wasn’t done! And we always passed the plates of bread and the trays of communion cups with the grape juice – no dipping bread into a common cup! Other denominations have the believers come and kneel at the altar, and the minister places a wafer (the bread) on the person’s tongue. Some denominations have an open altar call after each sermon, and anyone is welcome to come to the altar to pray. Other denominations believe that the altar call is only for those who are inviting Christ to live in their heart or rededicating their lives – or moving their membership. Coming to the altar just to pray is considered frivolous!
Do you see how silly this all is? Do you see that many of our denominations split hairs over the smallest of things? Do you see how none of this matters to God? It’s not about the miniscule details of how you worship and serve. It’s not in whether you circumcise males or not, as it was in Old Testament times. I tell you again, it is all about JESUS! It is all about “the Cross of our Master.” Walk by this standard. Lay your petty traditions and details at the foot of the Cross and freely WALK with Christ today!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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October 11 ~ Corinthians 10:29
But, except for these special cases, I'm not going to walk around on eggshells worrying about what small-minded people might say; I'm going to stride free and easy, knowing what our large-minded Master has already said. If I eat what is served to me, grateful to God for what is on the table, how can I worry about what someone will say? I thanked God for it and he blessed it!
(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 copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
If you read this entire chapter and get the whole context, you will see that Paul is talking about the Old Testament laws concerning what was “clean” to eat and what foods should be avoided, particularly meats. Paul is saying that Christ has changed everything and that it is better to eat something once considered “unclean” than to offend the host who is feeding you. In other words, when we walk with God, we don’t have to worry so much about “religious ceremony.” That is not what is important. What is important is having a personal relationship with God, and recognizing Him as all-powerful, all-knowing, and the Author and Finisher of our lives.
I am not disrespecting church traditions. They have their place. But I am saying that quite often we get caught up in the trappings and traditions of church and worship – the rules and regulations, or the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality, and we forget that it’s all about Jesus. It’s all about walking with Him and serving Him and blessing others in His name – and being blessed by Jesus in the bargain! It’s not about how you baptize – whether you dunk or sprinkle. It’s not about whether those who partake of communion are members of your church or not, but rather whether they have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s not about whether you raise your hands in praise and worship or not or use musical instruments or allow taped music or which translation of the Bible you study, but whether you do praise and worship God and study God’s word regularly.
So lighten up a little! Don’t be a believer with tunnel vision. Look at the big picture… and its Artist… and walk with Jesus, free of any religious or societal trappings. Keep your eye on what is really important, and encourage others to do the same.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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