May 31 ~ Isaiah 35:3-4
Energize the limp hands,
strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
"Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
He's on his way! He'll save you!"
(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 watched a boxing match? There are times when the boxer staggers to the corner on “rubbery knees,” and his trainer lifts him up and talks to him, offering encouragement and strategy for the next round. As the bell sounds for the fight to resume, the trainer pats the boxer and nudges him toward the center of the ring, often with one last bit of advice, like “You can do it! Get in there and fight!”
In many ways, we Christians are boxers. We may be knocked down from time to time, but we are not out. God is our Trainer. He offers words of encouragement, and wise strategies. He shows us Satan’s weak areas, along with our strengths, and He advises us on where to throw the punches that keep us standing upright! God is “in our corner,” offering us a pat and a nudge and saying, “Courage! Take heart! You can do it! Get in there and fight!” We may still suffer a few punches - and even a knockout or two - but God will put us right back on our feet… He will save us, and in the end, we will always come out on top. So when you feel like you have “rubbery knees,” turn to God. He will set you on your feet and give you wisdom and courage for the next round.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 30 ~ Psalm 31:24
Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up.
Expect God to get here soon.
(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’s too hard!” Have you ever heard someone say this? Little kids learning to swim, ride a bike, or hit a baseball may choose to give up and stop trying. It’s just too hard to fall over and over and get back on the bicycle, or to swing again and again and miss the ball. Floating on an inflated raft seems easier than making the effort to learn the proper strokes for navigating across the water.
And as we get older, life often seems “too hard.” We wonder where God has gone… or why He is making it so difficult for us to live a good life. We fail to see that God isn’t punishing us… He isn’t making things hard on us on purpose. We have a mistaken idea that God gives Christians a ticket to ride on “Easy Street” with no problems, challenges, trials or misfortunes. Nothing could be farther from the truth!
Look at the Apostle Paul… much of his ministry was conducted from prison cells. He suffered from disease, possibly diabetes and he may have had very poor vision. I’ve read that historians believe he was sometimes jailed in sewage that was waist deep! Yet he wrote letters of encouragement to area churches. He praised God and instructed others in how to live effectively as Christians. He was brave. He was strong. He never gave up! He watched and waited for God to show up, and this is what we should do.
God IS with us, even in the challenges, problems, difficulties and misfortunes of life. He offers encouragement and wisdom for dealing with them, but He expects us to put forth the energy and effort to overcome these situations. How well we respond is completely up to us. So be brave and strong. Don’t give up. God is with you… can you feel His presence?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 29 ~ Psalm 27:13-14
I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again: Stay with God.
(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.)
A news reporter stated recently that the Army is investigating a high rate of suicide among its troops, hoping to find ways to prevent this and help soldiers deal with whatever troubles them to the point of ending their own lives. Let’s be clear… war is horrific. Even if we tried, we couldn’t imagine some of the things our soldiers have seen, heard, and experienced. We couldn’t begin to imagine the depth of despair many of them feel over everything from the carnage and loss of human life to feelings of guilt because they survived and their comrades did not, to worries about their family members back home. We may think we understand how a soldier feels, but our comprehension of their trauma doesn’t even scratch the surface.
As horrible as the effects of war are on those embroiled in them, there are other atrocities in life, too. Imagine the trauma of a parent who is watching his/her child lie suffering with some disease or the injuries from an accident… tubes running everywhere, machines whirring and beeping, despairing whispers of the medical staff, blood, wounds, bandages and more. A recent Dr. Phil Show aired the story of a young girl of about age 18 who had been forced to watch as her mother smothered a 2-year-old sibling, then subsequently placed the body in a freezer unit and froze it solid before chipping it into bits the size of oatmeal with a hacksaw and burning those bits. I know… it makes your stomach turn, doesn’t it?
So why am I bringing up such gruesome scenarios? Because every single one of these events is ripe with opportunities for someone to say, “That’s it! This is too much. I’m done with a God who would allow this! He can’t possibly love us as much as the Bible says, or He would never let this happen. I’ve had it – I quit!” And as much as I understand how/why someone would feel this way, I have to say, this is the worst thing to do in these situations. Yes, war is horrific… and barbaric. Incomprehensibly atrocious things happen. And God is with you. He is just as horrified as you are. Yes, people – even children and babies – suffer physical calamity and disease. But God is still with them – and with you. He cries for them just as you do. Yes, people are abused and tortured – even helpless toddlers – and God sees this also and is so grieved.
So why doesn’t He do something about it? Doesn’t He love us enough? The answer is complicated, but yes, God sees these things and allows them… because He sees the bigger picture. I believe two things are happening here: 1) in His infinite wisdom, God is seeing things we can’t even imagine – good things that will happen in the future, as a result of this tragic turn of events. God will have the last word. He will use the people and events of war, disease, and other carnage to change the hearts and lives of many. 2) God provides for those who suffer. The casualties of war, the sick and suffering children and adults, and the tortured are all welcomed into the enormous, loving arms of our God, the Great Comforter, and given peace beyond what we can ever understand. I don’t believe for one minute that God allows someone to suffer just to be mean or spiteful. I believe those who suffer innocently are given special grace and peace – so special that their suffering is completely obliterated and long forgotten in Eternity.
We can’t blame God for bad things that happen in our lives. We cannot turn our backs on Him and walk away – or quit. God NEVER quits on us, and we surely give Him plenty of reasons! Someday, I am convinced we will see the big picture… we will understand God’s master plan… and we will discover beyond dispute His goodness and His love for us. Stay with God! Take heart. No matter what you are going through, don’t quit. Stay with God!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 28 ~ 2 Chronicles 32:6-8
Hezekiah rallied the people, saying, "Be strong! Take courage! Don't be intimidated by the king of Assyria and his troops - there are more on our side than on their side. He only has a bunch of mere men; we have our God to help us and fight for us!"
Morale surged. Hezekiah's words put steel in their spines.
(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.)
Several members of my family have experienced chronic back trouble… painful spasms that render them virtually unable to sit or stand for a few days to a few weeks. At times, some have resorted to wearing a back brace – a wide belt of fabric that wraps around the mid-section and is ribbed with vertical pieces of steel that keep you sitting or standing straight and tall. The brace holds you up and keeps the spine straight, and hopefully, this relieves pressure on nerves and helps with the pain.
God’s word is like a “brace” for our Spiritual backbones. His love and encouragement are the “steel in our spines.” With God by our side, our morale surges… our spirits lift, and we feel like we can conquer the world! And we can! The world is full of mere men… we have God to fight for us. The world has Satan and his agents… we have God to help us. We don’t have to be intimidated by anyone, any thing, or any situation! Be strong, take courage… put on your Spiritual back brace and stand straight and tall. God is on our side… and He is more than enough!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 27 ~ 2 Chronicles 15:7
"… Be strong. Take heart. Payday is coming!"
(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 honestly don’t know who this message is for today. I suspect in some ways, it is for all of us, although maybe some of you are struggling with things in your life that would make the rest of us look like we are on a cake walk! I do know that some of us are struggling with amazingly difficult challenges. We have demons and heartaches and anguish that most people can’t even imagine.
But GOD knows all of this, and HE never waivers. He is strong and steady – and BY OUR SIDE through thick and thin. In our darkest hours, when things seem virtually impossible to handle or endure, God will show us how to go on. And if everything caves in and just seems to be too much for us, He will lift us and carry us through!
Be strong. Take heart. Payday IS coming, in the form of hope and help in this lifetime… and Eternal Life in Heaven with Almighty God. Cry out to God… tell Him you need His help, and I assure you, He will deliver. Our God is able to supply all of our needs. Now that’s a payday! Do not give up or give in! God is with us, and He can help us handle everything!
2009 Debbie Robus
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May 26 ~ 1 Chronicles 28:20-21
David continued to address Solomon: "Take charge! Take heart! Don't be anxious or get discouraged. God, my God, is with you in this; he won't walk off and leave you in the lurch. He's at your side until every last detail is completed for conducting the worship of God. You have all the priests and Levites standing ready to pitch in, and skillful craftsmen and artisans of every kind ready to go to work. Both leaders and people are ready. Just say the word."
(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.)
You just graduated from high school or college. Now what? You planned your wedding for a year or more. Now it’s over, and you look at each other and wonder, what do we do next? You’ve waited nine months for your baby to arrive. Now the contractions are starting, and it’s totally up to one person – the mom – to deliver this baby. Where did everybody go? You were married for 10, 20, 30 or more years, and your spouse died. Now you are widowed. Where do you go from here? You just started a new job in a new town, and you don’t know a soul. How will you ever make friends?
Over and over, we face times in our lives when it pretty much comes down to just us. For one reason or another, we are basically alone in the world, and the next step is up to us. Or is it? This passage reminds us that we are never truly alone. God is by our side, helping us with every single detail. He helps graduates figure out the next steps. He guides newlyweds through the trials and triumphs of early marriage and beyond. He holds your hand when your delivery time comes and a new life enters your life – and this world – and He orchestrates the days and years of that new life. He comforts you and fills the hours of your days when your spouse dies. He brings new friends and experiences into your life when you take on a new career or move to a new setting.
Even if your life seems pretty monotonous and unchanging, God is with you. He never leaves. He is your biggest fan and cheerleader. If you are sad, lonely, uncertain, grief-stricken, confused, overwhelmed, or overjoyed, remember that God is with you. He is sharing your feelings and helping you to navigate the waters of life on this earth. Take heart! Don’t be anxious or get discouraged. God – OUR God – is with you in all of this!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 25 ~ 1 Chronicles 22:11-13
"So now, son, God be with you. God-speed as you build the sanctuary for your God, the job God has given you. And may God also give you discernment and understanding when he puts you in charge of Israel so that you will rule in reverent obedience under God's Revelation. That's what will make you successful, following the directions and doing the things that God commanded Moses for Israel. Courage! Take charge! Don't be timid; don't hold back.
(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 admit it… I enjoy the reality TV shows like Top Chef, Project Runway, Design Star, and The Fashion Show. And yes, I watched all of the episodes of Celebrity Apprentice. On some of these shows, every effort is individual, but there are a few team challenges that require someone be the team leader and be “in charge” of the task. Some people are better at it than others. A few jump in and courageously and confidently take control and lead the planning and implementing of the project. Others stand back and let each person wander off in different directions… and it shows in the end result.
I think we can apply a lot of what happens in the team situations of these reality shows to our Christian life. God has assigned each of us “life projects.” Some are individual efforts, and others require teamwork. But in each case, God equips us with the directions and commands that will get the job done. We do not need to cower and act timid. We do not need to feel inadequate or inhibited. And we certainly do not need to wander off on our own and try to figure things out.
God has given us a job to do… but he has also given us the wisdom and understanding necessary to be successful. It is up to us to respond well. Courage! Take charge! Don’t be timid; don’t hold back. Do your best, and perform the tasks He gives you with confidence! My husband and I went to Little Rock recently to see Star Trek at the new IMAX theater. The theater was located in a fairly new shopping center in the area of Little Rock known by many as “Chenal.” We drove out Highway 10 and got onto Chenal Parkway. My husband said, “Watch the street signs and give me a number.” The signposts had street names, but only a couple of them had numbers. It was frustrating, because we knew we needed the 17000 block, but with no numbers at the intersections, we had no way of knowing when we got close. We did find the theater, but it wasn’t because of the signposts! I wonder… if God’s signposts were unclear – or non-existent – how would we know what to do? What if the Bible didn’t give clear instructions for how to become a Christian, and laws and guidelines for everything from how to live to how to build a church? What if we were unable to talk with God in prayer, and worse yet, He didn’t answer us when we talked with Him? We would be pretty mixed up, wouldn’t we! We wouldn’t have a clue about living for Jesus - and the generations to follow would be affected, also. I am thankful for God’s signposts and life-maps. I am so grateful for His promises for my nieces and nephews and little friends. I know that I have a huge responsibility to live for Him and do what He tells me… and to be strong and courageous. We must demonstrate these traits - and more - to the children in our lives, so that they grow up to stay true to Jesus… heart and soul. This is a daunting challenge, but we are up for it, thanks to God. So be strong - show what you’re made of! Do what God tells you, and walk in His paths. And be God’s “signpost” and roadmap for others - help them see how to live for Him, also. But how do we apply this to Christian living. It’s not like we are waiting to kill someone when they aren’t looking – or even to surprise them! I think the purpose of this passage for today must be to remind us that whatever God asks us to do, He will equip us to complete. If we will have faith in God, He will give us courage and strength. That may mean stepping up and speaking to someone we don’t even know about our relationship with Jesus. It may mean accepting a request to serve in some capacity at church – on a committee, as a teacher or leader, or even as part of a mission team. It could be that God is calling us to make a change that seems daunting – a school, career, relationship, living arrangements, and more. Whatever God is calling us to do today, He will equip us to handle. Have courage! You CAN do it!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 24 ~ 1 Kings 2:1-4
When David's time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, "I'm about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you're made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you'll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then God will confirm what he promised me when he said, 'If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you'll always have a successor on Israel's throne.'
(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.)
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 23 ~ 2 Samuel 13:28
Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king. Then he instructed his servants, "Look sharp, now. When Amnon is well into the sauce and feeling no pain, and I give the order 'Strike Amnon,' kill him. And don't be afraid—I'm the one giving the command. Courage! You can do 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.)
We’ve all done it from time to time – distracted a child so we could give them a dose of medicine or a bite of something they didn’t want to eat; held a pet and talked to them so someone could snip off a matted piece of fur; or kept someone occupied in order for another person to sneak up and yell “Surprise!” And who among us hasn’t stalked a fly, wasp or spider, waiting for just the right minute to pounce?! So we understand the concept of courage and the “you can do it” spirit.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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May 22 ~ 2 Samuel 2:7
Strengthen your resolve and do what must be done. Your master, Saul, is dead. The citizens of Judah have made me their king."
(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.)
What do you do when things don’t go your way? When you don’t get a job you really wanted or you run for an office at school or in your community and someone else is elected, what do you do then? When your parent or grandparent dies, and you feel like your “life ship” lost its “rudder,” how do you react? In other words, when events in life kick you in the gut and you are down for the count, what do you do? How do you react?
For Christians, the answer is pretty straightforward. In the 1936 movie Swing Time, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, there is a song called “Pick Yourself Up.” This is a great little reminder of how we Christians should face our challenges. The lyrics say, in part:
Now nothing's impossible, I've found for when my chin is on the ground,
I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.
Don't lose your confidence if you slip, be grateful for a pleasant trip,
And pick yourself up, dust off, start over again.
Work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired, but you be a man, my son.
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall to rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, start all over again.
(Pick Yourself Up – ©1936 - lyrics by Dorothy Fielding; music by Jerome Kern)
Our soul IS inspired until the battle of the day is won – by the power of Jesus Christ! Whatever challenges come our way… whatever puts our “chin on the ground,” we must strengthen our resolve through His power and get back up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again. I encourage you to go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkQIpqej568 and listen to this song, if you don’t know it already. Let the tag line stick in your brain, and when things are not going your way, ask God to help you “pick yourself up” and get going again.
©2009 Debbie Robus
