September 30 ~ Romans 15:30-32
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me. Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing. Ask God to let me come to you and have a pleasant and refreshing visit.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
If you have ever entered a haunted house, you know what a scary, unsettling experience this can be. You don’t know what is around the next corner… what obstacles you might face. Oh, sure… you are fairly certain you will make it out alive… but haven’t we all seen the scary movies where the characters truly don’t know what they will face around the next bend?
Sometimes, living for Jesus is like this. Sometimes it feels like we are entering a dark, scary territory, completely unsure of what lies ahead and how we will fare. Maybe we are inviting friends and coworkers or fellow students to church or church activities. Maybe someone has questioned the validity of Christianity and we are searching for just the right words to give them to express our faith and how/why we believe as we do. Maybe we are starting a new Sunday School class or small group or becoming involved in a volunteer effort.
Maybe we are a new Christian, and we are faced on all sides by those who don’t believe as we do – and who don’t understand us any more. We hear, “You’ve changed,” or “You used to be more fun!” or “I don’t know you any more.” And maybe we are ridiculed or ostracized because we have become a “new creature in Christ.”
Today, let’s pray for each other. Let’s pray that we will be bold and courageous as we live for Jesus… that we will open the door into the darkness of something unknown and walk right on through – straight, tall and confident that God is with us. Let’s ask God to protect us from the “slings and arrows” of unbelievers… and Satan’s attacks. Let’s ask Him to soften the hearts of those we encounter and open them to receive us and the message we bring. Let’s pray for a pleasant outcome – and believe that we will have it! This is not a scary movie… this is life as a Christian. If we will step through the darkness of the unknown and what scares us, we will step into the light and joy of living with Jesus! Pray for courage, pray for safety - then get up and get going with the power of the Lord!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 29 ~ Matthew 9:37-38
He said to his disciples, "A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in."
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Probably all of us can think of a time when we were involved in a project – or a mission – that involved a lot of work. The call went out for volunteers, and a good turnout was anticipated, because there were plenty of able-bodied people who could help. But in the end, only a handful showed up to do the work. Or maybe you have been part of a group where one or two people end up doing everything, while the rest of the group sits back and lets them.
In this passage from Matthew, Jesus is talking about Christians and non-believers… or those in need of Christian ministry. The “crop” is large… but only a few people show up to do the work. Jesus is telling us that we need to pray that God will send workers to help with the “harvest.” He is telling us to ask God to pray for willing help… for more people to desire to minister to others. It may be something like a cleanup day at The Storm Shelter – our church’s youth building. It may be helping distribute food one Saturday per month for Angel Food Ministries. It may be delivering Meals on Wheels, or knocking on doors and inviting neighbors to church. Or it may be taking time to stop and hear someone’s answer in the grocery store when you casually ask, “How are you?”
We may need to ask God to open doors for us to invite more people to S.P.A.M. and the Wednesday night children’s ministries and dinners. Or we may be called to pray for opportunities to personally serve in ministries within the church. The bottom line is, we need to be asking God to “increase our territory,” as “The Prayer of Jabez” says… and to bring more willing workers to help with His ministries.
Here’s a simple prayer to use… “Heavenly Father, I know that Your ‘crop’ is large. I know there are dozens of people who need to hear Your word and feel Your presence through all sorts of ministries. Show me how to serve You - show me where I can minister to others in Your name. Motivate other believers to help. Band us together to get the work done and share the load. And in all of our efforts, let us glorify Your name and honor You. Amen.”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 28 ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We pray for ourselves and our family. We pray for our friends. We may even pray for our church and its ministries. But let’s be honest… how often do we stop to pray for our elected officials, much less our world leaders? Oh, sure… we pray for peace… but do we lift up those who make the decisions that contribute toward that end? We pray for our church and its ministries… but do we pray for our pastor, the Sunday School teachers, the music leaders, and even the office staff?
Do we pray for our teachers? What about – dare I say it – our school principals/counselors and the superintendent? We may pray for the coaches to have a good season, but do we ask God to give them opportunities to witness to those they are coaching? Do we ask Him to make our coaches and teachers good examples of Christian behavior – excellent role models for those in their path?
What do you suppose would happen if we did pray more earnestly for our leaders – at every level? Do you suppose our prayers could thwart some of Satan’s efforts and bring about a different outcome? Do you truly believe in the power of prayer? In this passage, Paul encourages Timothy to pray for everyone… but he specifically mentions those in power and praying for quiet, peaceful lives. We need to start putting our faith into daily action – and that means praying for everyone - including… or maybe especially - our leaders.
2009 Debbie Robus
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September 27 ~ Daniel 6:10
Daniel heard about the law, but when he returned home, he went upstairs and prayed in front of the window that faced Jerusalem. In the same way that he had always done, he knelt down in prayer three times a day, giving thanks to God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
How important is prayer to you? If someone told you, “It’s against the law to pray. Anyone caught praying will be tortured.” – would you still pray? This is exactly what happened to Daniel – and how he ended up in the lions’ den. And truly, people all around the world risk life and limb to pray and worship God. I know a man who served in the first Gulf War, and he and his comrades gathered on rooftops in the dark to pray and worship, even though this was considered illegal activity where he was stationed. Countless Christians gather in secret in China and other countries to pray and worship God… and they risk their very lives to do so. And I wonder… would I be so brave?
Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about being tortured or killed for praying. So tell me… since we are free to pray anytime and anywhere we choose, why do we have such a sporadic prayer life? Why is it that we struggle to find time to talk to God and worship Him, even though we can do these things any hour of the day in any place we choose? Yet others are willing to go to great lengths and risk everything just for the privilege of talking to our Heavenly Father. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it?!
Today when you pray… and I do hope you will stop and pray today! – thank God for the privilege of being able to worship Him and speak with Him freely. Thank Him that we do not have to fear torture or death because we pray. And ask God to bless and protect those who do face such dangers. Ask Him to give these people courage and faith as they honor Him. And pray that someday, people around the world might have the freedom to worship God openly without fear of retribution.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 26 ~ 1 Kings 8:38, 52
Listen when anyone in Israel truly feels sorry and sincerely prays with arms lifted toward your temple. I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you. So listen when any of us pray and cry out for your help.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
These verses are from a passage (1 Kings 8:22-53) in which King Solomon is praying to God in front of all of his kingdom and dedicating the temple that God commissioned him to build. He tells God that he is asking his people to pray to Him… and he is asking God to hear them when they do this. Solomon is “interceding” for his people, and we still do this today. Why do we offer intercessory prayers? Shouldn’t people pray for themselves… shouldn’t they ask God to meet their needs?
The answer is complicated. Yes… absolutely… we should pray for ourselves. But God wants us to pray for others, too. Why is this important? First of all, intercessory prayer is an act of love – and of unselfishness. If God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and blessings are for all of us, wouldn’t it be rather selfish to only ask for these things for yourself? Additionally… others may not even realize they need prayer… or they may not be certain of how to pray and ask God to help them. Finally, because we are God’s children – and His heirs – we can ask Him for anything – including the needs of others… and God will honor our requests. This is great news!
Over the years, I have been asked to pray for countless people I’ve never even met. I do this because God knows who I’m lifting up in prayer. He knows their needs and how to best meet them. We all know that when we ask our parents for something, they want to help us or give us what we desire. It’s the same with God. He is our Heavenly Father, and He wants to answer our … and to help others for whom we have interceded.
Today, my prayer for you is that you would pray generously, not selfishly. I pray that you would read the prayer of Solomon and use it as a model of how to include the needs of others in your conversations with God. Experience the joy and privilege of talking to God about others… and watching Him work in their lives. I’m praying for you today… and I hope you are doing the same for others.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 25 ~ Genesis 25:21
Rebekah still had no children. So Isaac asked the LORD to let her have a child, and the LORD answered his prayer.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Do you remember Isaac? He was the son of Abraham who was laid on the altar and offered as a sacrifice to God, as commanded. Of course, God spared Isaac and promised Abraham a long life and blessings for his family for generations to come. Earlier in this chapter of Genesis we see that Abraham left everything to Isaac when he died, and the God blessed Isaac after this. Isaac married Rebekah when he was forty, and almost 20 years later, they still had no children together. So when Isaac asked God to give Rebekah a baby, God answered his prayer and rewarded their faithfulness.
Now, you may be thinking that a baby at age 60 was not much of a reward! But this blessing meant everything to Isaac and Rebekah, and they became parents to twins, Jacob and Esau. Clearly, God had big plans for Isaac and Rebekah, and He trusted them with a huge responsibility, just as He had trusted Isaac’s father, Abraham, before him.
Let me ask you something… do you believe God has big plans for you? Are you living a life of faith and patience that is worthy of big blessings? God may not be planning to give you twins at age 60 who will become leaders of two separate nations, as He did for Isaac. But I assure you, God has a plan for your life. Can He trust you with His assignment? Can He count on you to be obedient, faithful, and patient… and to follow through as His humble servant? Do you have what it takes to accomplish whatever God calls you to do? Isn’t it time you took steps to be ready?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 24 ~ Isaiah 16:12
It's useless for Moab's people to wear themselves out by going to their altars to worship and pray.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
To understand this scripture, you really should read and study the entire 16th chapter of Isaiah. See, the people of Moab (Moabites) were really pretty selfish, unkind, and prideful. They were somewhat of a bully. But when things didn’t go well for them, they wanted everyone else to feel sorry for them and help them - including God. When things were good in their vineyards, the Moabites felt they really didn’t need God. But when the vines dried up and their livelihood was destroyed, they went ran to God and expected His help.
Do you know someone like this? Are you sometimes this way? If we are honest, we are all the Moabites from time to time. When things are going well, we get cocky… and sometimes we feel pretty invincible. We even get so carried away with ourselves that sometimes we forget completely about God. We certainly don’t give Him much of our time or attention. But let something happen – a crisis of some sort, or something we perceive as a crisis – and we are right there on our knees. We beg, “Please, please, PLEASE, God, help us!” We wring our hands and pace nervously, waiting to hear from Him.
I’m not going to tell you that our loving, gracious, merciful God won’t help you in a time of true crisis. But tell me… do you really think He is going to be eager to rush to the side of someone who treats Him so poorly the rest of the time? Is it worth the risk to find out? I believe it is far better to stay humble and on our knees… to spend daily time in sincere prayer and conversation with God… whether things are going great or not! This guarantees us a place in God’s presence… and His ear… at all times. For me, this is time well spent. What about you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 23 ~ 1 Kings 18:25-29
Elijah said to Baal's prophets, "There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god."
They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, "Answer us, Baal!" But there was no answer.
At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. "Pray louder!" he said. "Baal must be a god. Maybe he's day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up."
The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, and they kept it up all afternoon. But there was no answer of any kind.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Baal was a false god… a pagan idol. The people could pray to him, make sacrifices, plead and beg, but he wasn’t going to answer, because he wasn’t God and had no supernatural or extraordinary “powers.” Elijah knew this, but clearly, these prophets did not. So they spun out of control in vicious circles and acted ridiculously in an effort to get Baal’s attention… and it never worked.Sadly, many of us have our own Baal. Instead of focusing on the One True God who can help us… instead of surrendering to God and listening to Him… covering ourselves in His word and asking HIM for guidance and answers, we try other avenues. For some of us, it’s as simple as trying compensate for bad behavior and lack of faith by “doing good” – going to church, helping others, giving money, serving on committees, living a “good life.” Others depend upon the advice of fellow believers… parents, teachers, pastors, counselors, and friends. These are not bad things in and of themselves… but good works alone will not get us into heaven. And if our advisors are not led by God, their suggestions won’t carry much weight or hold up for the long haul.
Still others seek answers in things like “communing with nature,” self-help courses, strengthening the mind and body through physical or mental exercise, hard work and making money. And again, these are not bad things… but they are not our God – or shouldn’t be. If you stop and look around, it is easy to see people who are spinning out of control because they are depending upon some sort of Baal more than – or instead of – a relationship with our Heavenly Father. We should all take a good hard look at our lives and examine where we are placing our emphasis and energy. Are we praying to God and seeking His will? Or are we worshipping our own form of Baal?
OUR GOD is never asleep or “out of the office.” He is always on duty and will never leave us stranded. He will always hear us and answer… and we can trust that He will guide us in the right direction. Who are you worshipping today? If you find that a “Baal” has crept into your life, ditch it now! Renew your focus on God, and see how much better your life can become.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 22 ~ Judges 6:36-40
Gideon prayed to God, "I know that you promised to help me rescue Israel, but I need proof. Tonight I'll put some wool on the stone floor of that threshing-place over there. If you really will help me rescue Israel, then tomorrow morning let there be dew on the wool, but let the stone floor be dry."
And that's just what happened. Early the next morning, Gideon got up and checked the wool. He squeezed out enough water to fill a bowl.
But Gideon prayed to God again. "Don't be angry at me," Gideon said. "Let me try this just one more time, so I'll really be sure you'll help me. Only this time, let the wool be dry and the stone floor be wet with dew."
That night, God made the stone floor wet with dew, but he kept the wool dry.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
“Here’s your sign.” This has become a common tag line, thanks to the “Blue Collar Comedy” of Larry the Cable Guy. I don’t know why, but I found it so funny – and so human – that Gideon had to have TWO instances of proof from God before he would believe Him. I find it even more amazing that God was patient with Gideon. How often are we like this? How often do we test God and ask for “a sign.” Better yet, how often does God give us a sign, and we miss it? And just how many signs do we have to have from God before we believe Him?
We often do such a poor job of paying attention to God. He shows us things and gives us direction, and we stand in the middle of the floor and say, “Lord, if you would just show me what to do!” Too bad God doesn’t just knock on our forehead and say, “Here’s your sign!” And yet, maybe He does, and we still don’t get it. Like Gideon we say, “Yeah, okay… but can You show me something else?”
It’s time to start paying closer attention. It’s time to start “getting it” the first time. It’s time to grow so close to God in study and prayer that we have faith in what He tells and shows us - the first time! “Here’s your Sign”… are you paying attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
September 2009 Devos - Week 3
September 21 ~ Daniel 9:3-4
Then, to show my sorrow, I went without eating and dressed in sackcloth and sat in ashes. I confessed my sins and earnestly prayed to the LORD my God: Our Lord, you are a great and fearsome God, and you faithfully keep your agreement with those who love and obey you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I must confess, I have become a fan of the television show The Biggest Loser. I am inspired by these contestants, although you probably can’t tell by looking at me! On the new season, which began last week, there is a contestant named Abby, who is a 35-year-old high school teacher from Mabank, Texas.
Every contestant has a “story,” but Abby’s really is compelling. In October 2006, Abby’s family was involved in a fatal car crash. In a flash, she lost her husband, her 5½-year-old daughter, and her 2½-week-old son. Abby was not in the car with her family. She stated in the first episode that it would have been easier for her to fold up and die than to face this tragedy and move forward. And food – her life-long “friend” - became one of her comforts. However, she has realized that she was spared for a reason. She says she chooses to get out of bed each day and live for the honor of her family. She knows that a first step toward the “next thing” is to lose the weight and get healthy.
As with the lady I mentioned a few days ago, I strongly suspect that Abby has a deep, abiding relationship with God – and a strong prayer life. She has done her own version of “sackcloth and ashes,” and now she is in agreement with God to get up and get going – to motivate her students, to lose weight and get healthy, and to see what God has planned next for her life.
Every time I think of what it must be like for Abby – or anyone else (because there ARE others) – to lose an entire family in an instant, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I cannot imagine the agony of losing a husband, small child, and brand-new baby all at once. Could I be that strong, I wonder? And then I go back and read about Daniel and examine God’s power, and I realize that – difficult as it might be – yes, I could handle this. See, I wouldn’t handle it alone… God would be with me, in total agreement to stand by my side and answer my prayers. And He does this for each of us.
Whatever you are enduring today, know that God is with you. Humble yourself before Him and confess your sins – and your need for His help – and believe that He will answer. He will show you what is next… and I promise He will walk you through it. Abby may be on The Biggest Loser, but with God’s help, she is a winner. God wants to make us winners, too… are you ready to win with Him?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 20 ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Recently, a landmark building in downtown Morrilton, Arkansas, burned to the ground. It housed a flea market owned by Wanda Alvey. Ms. Alvey had saved all of her best antiques - $500,000 worth - in hopes of holding a big sale, putting the historic building on the market, and retiring. Now there is nothing left. But Ms. Alvey said, “I am the richest woman in the country today. I have friends worth millions of dollars.” In the midst of what had to be a devastating tragedy, this woman still found joy. She noted that “…all the material things are gone, but my faith is stronger, and I’m still a millionaire.”
I have to think that Wanda Alvey spends a good deal of time talking to God. I say this because anyone in her shoes who doesn’t focus on God probably doesn’t have her level of faith and peace… especially when trouble strikes. I feel certain that Ms. Alvey will be okay. I’m betting that God will rally her family and friends together to see that her needs are met well into the future.
God wants us to be joyful and filled with peace, no matter what our circumstances. He wants us to be so in tune with Him that we rely on His answers to our prayers… His promises… to give us confidence to handle whatever comes our way. Never stop praying – always be joyful. Stay so close to God that you know that you know that you know you can handle whatever comes your way with peace and faith. And say an extra prayer for Wanda Alvey and the residents of Morrilton today. They could surely use extra right now.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 19 ~ Colossians 4:2
Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
How is it that we can be so faithful to television shows like Big Brother or America’s Got Talent or American Idol … and never miss a single episode, yet we struggle to find time to pray each day? How is it that we know so much about Kris Allen and Adam, or the contestants on one of these reality programs… or all of the stats for our favorite sports idol… yet we don’t know scripture? How is it that we often have a more intimate relationship with the sports announcer on our local TV channel than we do our Heavenly Father?
Recently I heard someone say, “We’ve given up night-time television.” She went on to explain that her family will sit and watch a sports program together, or if there is a program someone really wants to watch, they do. But just plopping down in front of the television for a night of mindless viewing of programs that are neither interesting or entertaining is out the window at their house. This frees up a lot more time for things like reading, interacting with each other, and finding more meaningful activities to fill those hours.
And maybe this is a lesson for all of us. I’m not talking about merely giving up night-time (or daytime) television. I’m talking about trimming the “fat” from our lives – getting rid of the mindless drivel we often let consume hours of our day. Maybe it’s time we trade some of that worthless activity for some time spent in meaningful, alert, thankful, heartfelt prayer and study of God’s word. We would all be well served to give Him more time to speak to us. It’s time for GOD to become our American Idol – the One we know intimately. He needs to be the One we can’t wait to learn more about each day and evening. The challenge is ours… how will we choose to spend our time? Who will get our attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 18 ~ Ephesians 6:13-18
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
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 am going to talk about something very personal… my purse! See, even when I am just going to Wal-Mart or church, I carry an amazing bag of “stuff.” If you need it, I am likely to have it in my purse. In addition to my wallet, I have my cell phone, my sunglasses, car keys, lipstick and powder, a couple of checkbooks, coupons, lists and notes, ink pens, emery boards, a handkerchief and/or tissue, pain relievers, antihistamines, gum, Epi-pens, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, eyeglass cleaner, and even a Swiss army knife! Hey, you never know when you might need some of these items! And quite frankly, I feel almost naked when I go somewhere without my purse.
Usually I carry a big enough bag that I could also include a camera, my husband’s sunglasses, and even on occasion, his wallet. Granted, many days I only use a few things from my purse. But there are times when someone needs an aspirin, gum, an ink pen, or even a pocketknife, and I reach into my purse and say, “Here you go…I’ve got you covered!”
Several years ago when my brother and my dad were ill and making numerous trips to the hospital, I bought a backpack, and I put in extra medication, makeup, soap and shampoo, contact lens cleaner, and small toiletries – even a small hair dryer. When we would get a call to “come quickly,” I would grab the backpack and know that I could easily stay a couple of nights if needed. I never knew what the next day (or hour) would bring, and that backpack gave me a sense of security and confidence to face the situation.
It’s the same with the tools in our “Spiritual bag.” God has given us everything we need, but if we leave these things on the shelf at home, they won’t do us much good. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s word, and prayer … all of these are things that God has equipped us with in the battle against the devil and sin. It’s not a matter of knowing when we will need them – we need them all the time! To face the day without these tools is unthinkable – or should be!
We need to make sure we pack our “Spiritual bag” well and check it often to be sure we have included all that we need. We also need to pray for our friends and family – and encourage them to “pack well” for their Spiritual journey. And when someone opens their “bag” and finds themselves a little short on such tools as faith, peace, God’s word, or prayer, we need to open our bag and say, “Here you go… I’ve got you covered – take some of mine.” Do you have all you need in your bag today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 17 ~ Romans 12:12
Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Troubles come to all of us… but how many of us wear our troubles like a piece of clothing? How many of us pray and ask God to help us with our troubles, and then we mope around all sad and frustrated – or worse yet, angry – and live without any hope or faith? I hope you know that I am talking to myself here, too, but we Christians should really never have a bad day. See, our worst day with God trumps our best day without Him every time.
So cast all of your cares upon the Lord, to paraphrase 1 Peter 5:7. Then be glad in your hope that He will hear your prayers and answer them. Live with joy that God has heard your requests and is on the job. Never stop asking Him for all that you need… and reminding Him of His promise to answer. And this is a biggie… try to be patient. I know it’s hard… but God IS at work, and His timing is always perfect. Be glad, be patient, have hope, and keep praying!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 16 ~ Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a story about how they should keep on praying and never give up:
In a town there was once a judge who didn't fear God or care about people. In that same town there was a widow who kept going to the judge and saying, "Make sure that I get fair treatment in court." For a while the judge refused to do anything. Finally, he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care about people, I will help this widow because she keeps on bothering me. If I don't help her, she will wear me out." The Lord said: Think about what that crooked judge said. Won't God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night? Won't he be concerned for them? He will surely hurry and help them. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find on this earth anyone with faith?
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
This passage is for all of us who have prayed over a situation until we thought we would run out of breath, yet we still feel we have no answer. Maybe it is a particular situation that just doesn’t seem to resolve. Maybe it is trouble with poor health, a relationship, or finances. Whatever we are taking to God in prayer, we must realize that He does hear us… and as the old adage says, “persistence pays.”
I can’t promise that we will get an answer in our lifetime… and certainly I can’t guarantee it will be the answer we want! But God DOES hear us… He does care… and He DOES notice when we pray day and night. Unlike the judge in the scripture, God does not mind that we wear Him out with our prayers… He delights in it. Do you have this kind of faith… to keep praying night and day… to keep bothering God with your problems? It’s one thing to give your problems to God… we should all do this and trust that He will help us… but it doesn’t hurt to keep reminding Him that you are counting on His help! There is a fine line between hounding out of lack of faith and hounding because you know that God holds your answers. Pester God… hound Him… remind Him day and night that you are depending on His help… and trust Him to answer.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 15 ~ Exodus 33:18-23
Then Moses said, " I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory."
The LORD answered: All right. I am the LORD, and I show mercy and kindness to anyone I choose. I will let you see my glory and hear my holy name, but I won't let you see my face, because anyone who sees my face will die. There is a rock not far from me. Stand beside it, and before I pass by in all of my shining glory, I will put you in a large crack in the rock. I will cover your eyes with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back. You will not see my face.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Can you imagine what it would be like to actually see God? I know, I know… the important focus for us today is to live in faith… to see God’s hand in the lives of others – to find Him in scripture, worship, miracles, mercy, blessings – and more. But still… to SEE Him – how amazing would that be? How incredible will that be? Because you see, we will see God some day - when we get to Heaven.
Meanwhile, God has covered our eyes to protect us from fully seeing and understanding everything about Him and His ways. Why? Because we can’t handle it right now. God shows us mercy, kindness, and more on this earth, but His full glory is so astounding that we would truly fall dead if we glimpsed it.
What does this mean for us? It means that God gives us everything we need for now… and we must stay focused on “seeing” Him as He allows. Because the ultimate goal is all about truly seeing Him someday in Heaven. Keep your eye on the “Prize,” and live now for the day when you do see God face to face. Meanwhile, “bask in the glow” of God’s greatness from behind. This gives all new meaning to the phrase, “I’ve got your back,” doesn’t it? God has our back – do we have His?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Then, to show my sorrow, I went without eating and dressed in sackcloth and sat in ashes. I confessed my sins and earnestly prayed to the LORD my God: Our Lord, you are a great and fearsome God, and you faithfully keep your agreement with those who love and obey you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I must confess, I have become a fan of the television show The Biggest Loser. I am inspired by these contestants, although you probably can’t tell by looking at me! On the new season, which began last week, there is a contestant named Abby, who is a 35-year-old high school teacher from Mabank, Texas.
Every contestant has a “story,” but Abby’s really is compelling. In October 2006, Abby’s family was involved in a fatal car crash. In a flash, she lost her husband, her 5½-year-old daughter, and her 2½-week-old son. Abby was not in the car with her family. She stated in the first episode that it would have been easier for her to fold up and die than to face this tragedy and move forward. And food – her life-long “friend” - became one of her comforts. However, she has realized that she was spared for a reason. She says she chooses to get out of bed each day and live for the honor of her family. She knows that a first step toward the “next thing” is to lose the weight and get healthy.
As with the lady I mentioned a few days ago, I strongly suspect that Abby has a deep, abiding relationship with God – and a strong prayer life. She has done her own version of “sackcloth and ashes,” and now she is in agreement with God to get up and get going – to motivate her students, to lose weight and get healthy, and to see what God has planned next for her life.
Every time I think of what it must be like for Abby – or anyone else (because there ARE others) – to lose an entire family in an instant, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I cannot imagine the agony of losing a husband, small child, and brand-new baby all at once. Could I be that strong, I wonder? And then I go back and read about Daniel and examine God’s power, and I realize that – difficult as it might be – yes, I could handle this. See, I wouldn’t handle it alone… God would be with me, in total agreement to stand by my side and answer my prayers. And He does this for each of us.
Whatever you are enduring today, know that God is with you. Humble yourself before Him and confess your sins – and your need for His help – and believe that He will answer. He will show you what is next… and I promise He will walk you through it. Abby may be on The Biggest Loser, but with God’s help, she is a winner. God wants to make us winners, too… are you ready to win with Him?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 20 ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Recently, a landmark building in downtown Morrilton, Arkansas, burned to the ground. It housed a flea market owned by Wanda Alvey. Ms. Alvey had saved all of her best antiques - $500,000 worth - in hopes of holding a big sale, putting the historic building on the market, and retiring. Now there is nothing left. But Ms. Alvey said, “I am the richest woman in the country today. I have friends worth millions of dollars.” In the midst of what had to be a devastating tragedy, this woman still found joy. She noted that “…all the material things are gone, but my faith is stronger, and I’m still a millionaire.”
I have to think that Wanda Alvey spends a good deal of time talking to God. I say this because anyone in her shoes who doesn’t focus on God probably doesn’t have her level of faith and peace… especially when trouble strikes. I feel certain that Ms. Alvey will be okay. I’m betting that God will rally her family and friends together to see that her needs are met well into the future.
God wants us to be joyful and filled with peace, no matter what our circumstances. He wants us to be so in tune with Him that we rely on His answers to our prayers… His promises… to give us confidence to handle whatever comes our way. Never stop praying – always be joyful. Stay so close to God that you know that you know that you know you can handle whatever comes your way with peace and faith. And say an extra prayer for Wanda Alvey and the residents of Morrilton today. They could surely use extra right now.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 19 ~ Colossians 4:2
Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
How is it that we can be so faithful to television shows like Big Brother or America’s Got Talent or American Idol … and never miss a single episode, yet we struggle to find time to pray each day? How is it that we know so much about Kris Allen and Adam, or the contestants on one of these reality programs… or all of the stats for our favorite sports idol… yet we don’t know scripture? How is it that we often have a more intimate relationship with the sports announcer on our local TV channel than we do our Heavenly Father?
Recently I heard someone say, “We’ve given up night-time television.” She went on to explain that her family will sit and watch a sports program together, or if there is a program someone really wants to watch, they do. But just plopping down in front of the television for a night of mindless viewing of programs that are neither interesting or entertaining is out the window at their house. This frees up a lot more time for things like reading, interacting with each other, and finding more meaningful activities to fill those hours.
And maybe this is a lesson for all of us. I’m not talking about merely giving up night-time (or daytime) television. I’m talking about trimming the “fat” from our lives – getting rid of the mindless drivel we often let consume hours of our day. Maybe it’s time we trade some of that worthless activity for some time spent in meaningful, alert, thankful, heartfelt prayer and study of God’s word. We would all be well served to give Him more time to speak to us. It’s time for GOD to become our American Idol – the One we know intimately. He needs to be the One we can’t wait to learn more about each day and evening. The challenge is ours… how will we choose to spend our time? Who will get our attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 18 ~ Ephesians 6:13-18
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
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 am going to talk about something very personal… my purse! See, even when I am just going to Wal-Mart or church, I carry an amazing bag of “stuff.” If you need it, I am likely to have it in my purse. In addition to my wallet, I have my cell phone, my sunglasses, car keys, lipstick and powder, a couple of checkbooks, coupons, lists and notes, ink pens, emery boards, a handkerchief and/or tissue, pain relievers, antihistamines, gum, Epi-pens, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, eyeglass cleaner, and even a Swiss army knife! Hey, you never know when you might need some of these items! And quite frankly, I feel almost naked when I go somewhere without my purse.
Usually I carry a big enough bag that I could also include a camera, my husband’s sunglasses, and even on occasion, his wallet. Granted, many days I only use a few things from my purse. But there are times when someone needs an aspirin, gum, an ink pen, or even a pocketknife, and I reach into my purse and say, “Here you go…I’ve got you covered!”
Several years ago when my brother and my dad were ill and making numerous trips to the hospital, I bought a backpack, and I put in extra medication, makeup, soap and shampoo, contact lens cleaner, and small toiletries – even a small hair dryer. When we would get a call to “come quickly,” I would grab the backpack and know that I could easily stay a couple of nights if needed. I never knew what the next day (or hour) would bring, and that backpack gave me a sense of security and confidence to face the situation.
It’s the same with the tools in our “Spiritual bag.” God has given us everything we need, but if we leave these things on the shelf at home, they won’t do us much good. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s word, and prayer … all of these are things that God has equipped us with in the battle against the devil and sin. It’s not a matter of knowing when we will need them – we need them all the time! To face the day without these tools is unthinkable – or should be!
We need to make sure we pack our “Spiritual bag” well and check it often to be sure we have included all that we need. We also need to pray for our friends and family – and encourage them to “pack well” for their Spiritual journey. And when someone opens their “bag” and finds themselves a little short on such tools as faith, peace, God’s word, or prayer, we need to open our bag and say, “Here you go… I’ve got you covered – take some of mine.” Do you have all you need in your bag today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 17 ~ Romans 12:12
Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Troubles come to all of us… but how many of us wear our troubles like a piece of clothing? How many of us pray and ask God to help us with our troubles, and then we mope around all sad and frustrated – or worse yet, angry – and live without any hope or faith? I hope you know that I am talking to myself here, too, but we Christians should really never have a bad day. See, our worst day with God trumps our best day without Him every time.
So cast all of your cares upon the Lord, to paraphrase 1 Peter 5:7. Then be glad in your hope that He will hear your prayers and answer them. Live with joy that God has heard your requests and is on the job. Never stop asking Him for all that you need… and reminding Him of His promise to answer. And this is a biggie… try to be patient. I know it’s hard… but God IS at work, and His timing is always perfect. Be glad, be patient, have hope, and keep praying!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 16 ~ Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a story about how they should keep on praying and never give up:
In a town there was once a judge who didn't fear God or care about people. In that same town there was a widow who kept going to the judge and saying, "Make sure that I get fair treatment in court." For a while the judge refused to do anything. Finally, he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care about people, I will help this widow because she keeps on bothering me. If I don't help her, she will wear me out." The Lord said: Think about what that crooked judge said. Won't God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night? Won't he be concerned for them? He will surely hurry and help them. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find on this earth anyone with faith?
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
This passage is for all of us who have prayed over a situation until we thought we would run out of breath, yet we still feel we have no answer. Maybe it is a particular situation that just doesn’t seem to resolve. Maybe it is trouble with poor health, a relationship, or finances. Whatever we are taking to God in prayer, we must realize that He does hear us… and as the old adage says, “persistence pays.”
I can’t promise that we will get an answer in our lifetime… and certainly I can’t guarantee it will be the answer we want! But God DOES hear us… He does care… and He DOES notice when we pray day and night. Unlike the judge in the scripture, God does not mind that we wear Him out with our prayers… He delights in it. Do you have this kind of faith… to keep praying night and day… to keep bothering God with your problems? It’s one thing to give your problems to God… we should all do this and trust that He will help us… but it doesn’t hurt to keep reminding Him that you are counting on His help! There is a fine line between hounding out of lack of faith and hounding because you know that God holds your answers. Pester God… hound Him… remind Him day and night that you are depending on His help… and trust Him to answer.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 15 ~ Exodus 33:18-23
Then Moses said, " I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory."
The LORD answered: All right. I am the LORD, and I show mercy and kindness to anyone I choose. I will let you see my glory and hear my holy name, but I won't let you see my face, because anyone who sees my face will die. There is a rock not far from me. Stand beside it, and before I pass by in all of my shining glory, I will put you in a large crack in the rock. I will cover your eyes with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back. You will not see my face.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Can you imagine what it would be like to actually see God? I know, I know… the important focus for us today is to live in faith… to see God’s hand in the lives of others – to find Him in scripture, worship, miracles, mercy, blessings – and more. But still… to SEE Him – how amazing would that be? How incredible will that be? Because you see, we will see God some day - when we get to Heaven.
Meanwhile, God has covered our eyes to protect us from fully seeing and understanding everything about Him and His ways. Why? Because we can’t handle it right now. God shows us mercy, kindness, and more on this earth, but His full glory is so astounding that we would truly fall dead if we glimpsed it.
What does this mean for us? It means that God gives us everything we need for now… and we must stay focused on “seeing” Him as He allows. Because the ultimate goal is all about truly seeing Him someday in Heaven. Keep your eye on the “Prize,” and live now for the day when you do see God face to face. Meanwhile, “bask in the glow” of God’s greatness from behind. This gives all new meaning to the phrase, “I’ve got your back,” doesn’t it? God has our back – do we have His?
©2009 Debbie Robus
September 2009 Devos - Week 2
September 14 ~ Matthew 6:6
When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
For years, I’ve wanted one of those little “Christian” fish magnets to go on your car. But at the same time, I’ve hesitated to get one. First of all, we are not big on putting anything on our cars. We sported a small Razorback decal for awhile? We have a very small Mark Martin decal on the window of one vehicle, and a decal for Workamper News on another. But we’re really not big on car “decorations.”
My other hesitation was that I know too many people who have that fish symbol on their car, but it doesn’t match their behavior… especially while driving! Could I “live up to the fish?” This summer, I was at the garage sale of a friend of mine who attends our church. In her “treasures” was a small magnetic fish for 50¢. If you know me very well, you know that I could not pass up this bargain! It was like my “sign” that I should display this fish.
Well, when I got home from my shopping, I couldn’t find the fish. I had dropped it somewhere. I dismissed it… deciding I wasn’t really supposed to have the fish - and it was only 50¢ - so it wasn’t like I had lost something really expensive. And then, my friend Cindy stopped me at church one Sunday and said, “You dropped your fish! I have it for you, but it’s in my car.” We were both hurrying in different directions, and again, I forgot about it. Until yesterday, when another friend came to me with an envelope and said, “This was left for you in the Sunday School room.” I opened the envelope… and there was the fish.
What does this have to do with praying in private? I believe Jesus is telling us about more than just prayer in this passage. He is saying, don’t just talk your faith and make a big show… live it! There is nothing wrong with praying in public. In fact, genuine prayer offered in a public setting at the right moment is powerful. Any prayer offered at any time in a spirit of humility and sincerity is welcome. But praying to make a show is not. Why do people pray over a meal in public? Are they genuinely thankful for the food and God’s blessings, or do they want Bill and Sue at the next table to see them praying and notice how “good” they are? Michael W. Smith wrote a song called “Cross of Gold” that asks “What’s your line? Tell me why you wear your cross of gold.” What does it mean? Are we trying to tell the world what a good Christian we are, or do we wear it to remind ourselves of our relationship with God?
We need to let everything we say and do be to God’s glory. We must let outward symbols of our faith be displayed to remind others of God’s amazing power, grace and mercy – not to tell them how faithful and amazing we think we are! We must all search our hearts and our motives. What does our “public display” of our faith really say? Does it honor and please God? I’ve got my fish… and I’m still debating whether to stick it on the car. I know if I display it, I will be making a statement. I just want to be sure it is the right one.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 13 ~ Matthew 21:13
He told them, "The Scriptures say, `My house should be called a place of worship.' But you have turned it into a place where robbers hide."
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I know people who get all bent out of shape if someone even leans on the Communion rail at the front of the sanctuary, much less sits something atop it, like a notebook – or even worse, a coffee cup! They consider the altar rail sacred. And yes, our entire church facility should be considered sacred… to a point. We should respect our building and facilities… and we should behave with reverence and appreciation when we are there. But the building itself is not necessarily holy – or holier than anywhere else. And sometimes, by attaching too much reverence to a building, we start to worship the wrong thing in the wrong manner.
Some of you may remember when I told you about Bro. John coming to my mother’s house to have Communion with my brother before he died. It was just the two of them, my mother and me… but it was probably the most holy, sacred service of Communion in which I’ve ever participated. We didn’t need a church building or an altar rail. We sat on and around my brother’s bed, shared the bread and wine, and sang “Amazing Grace.” And in that moment, a bedroom was God’s temple.
So let’s talk about this passage. When Jesus got so upset with the men who were selling things in the temple and turned it into more of a marketplace than a church, I believe He was also referencing something much deeper. Remember, even our bodies are temples of God. So when we do things we shouldn’t with them, we become a place where the biggest robber of them all can hide… a place where Satan can hang out and work his evil deeds and try to steal our hearts. Our sanctuaries and church buildings, as meeting places for fellow believers, can become buildings that house “robbers” – in the form of people who argue, bicker, bring personal agendas, treat people unfairly or unkindly, and more – and steal the joy and faith of others.
We must guard our bodies, minds, souls – and yes, our church buildings – against becoming a place where the devil can come in and rob us of our love in Christ Jesus. We must not allow the wrong activities, attitudes and motives. We must not set ourselves up for the potential to miss out on the blessings of God or to falter in our faith. Don’t give the devil any room in your temple… wherever it may be at the moment…make sure your “house” (body, mind, soul, even your church building) is always a place of worship.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 12 ~ Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to my holy mountain, where they will celebrate in my house of worship. Their sacrifices and offerings will always be welcome on my altar. Then my house will be known as a house of worship for all nations.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We all know that church is not the building… but what does your church mean to you? What does it mean to you to worship there on Sunday mornings? When you think of “that place,” do you get excited and look forward to returning? Is worship a celebration for you… or a chore?
I will admit, for many, many years, going to church on Sunday was a chore… at best it was a habit and a routine. And I will also admit that even after I discovered the holiness of church and the celebration of worship and coming together with my church family to praise God and study Him and hear what He had to say to us corporately, there were still times when I dreaded Sunday.
I also have to admit that the “dread” was not God’s fault… but mine. Even when things weren’t going well in the building… even when people were unhappy with one another and the “mood” seemed down or less than holy and worshipful, God was still there. I had just failed to connect with Him. I don’t know about you, but that is about the worst feeling in the whole world for me. I don’t want worship on Sunday to be an empty experience - for me… or anyone else.
I want worship – on Sunday or any day – to be a holy experience… a celebration… an offering and a sacrifice of myself before God… and a complete and uninhibited adoration and praise of Him for all He has done…and all He will do. Imagine… believers all around the world coming together in church buildings everywhere to worship ONE GOD! It’s incredible – and an amazing, holy experience to share with fellow believers. I can’t wait! So where will you be this Sunday? Will you worship at the holy mountain… and celebrate at the altar of God Almighty?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 11 ~ Job 1:5
After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Today many of us will stop and reflect on September 11, 2001. Some of you know that since that date, I have corresponded with the families of three firemen who lost their lives in that tragic disaster. I have prayed for them, encouraged them, and offered my love, friendship and sympathies for what they have endured.
As I read this passage, I wondered… how many mothers got up in New York City on the morning of 9-11 and prayed for their sons and daughters? How many husbands and wives prayed for each other that morning as they hurried off to work? How many parents stopped to pray for small children and to ask God to protect them throughout the day ahead? If we could see into the future and know that horrible atrocities like 9-11 were ahead of us, would it change how we pray? Shouldn’t it anyway?
Job prayed for his children “just in case.” We should pray with much the same attitude. Lord… just in case, I’m praying for my children. Lord… just in case, please protect my brothers and sisters today. Lord… just in case, please watch over my husband/wife/mother/father/friends as they go about their daily routine. Lord… just in case, please protect my President, our world leaders, our teachers, policemen, firemen, pastors, servicemen and women, and more.
Don’t misunderstand me… I don’t mean to imply that praying this way could have changed the course of 9-11. But we absolutely have no clue what each day will bring. So “just in case”… shouldn’t we pray early each morning? Have you spoken with God today?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 10 ~ 1 Chronicles 22:11-13
Solomon, my son, I now pray that the LORD your God will be with you and keep his promise to help you build a temple for him. May he give you wisdom and knowledge, so that you can rule Israel according to his Law. If you obey the laws and teachings that the LORD gave Moses, you will be successful. Be strong and brave and don't get discouraged or be afraid of anything.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
You know that commercial that says “Never let ‘em see you sweat!”? Each of us will face challenges in life that seem insurmountable. At best, we will wonder which way to turn. We will all honestly say at one point or another, “I don’t know what to do” and some of us will express fear.
Let’s get one thing clear here and now… there is nothing we can’t handle with God’s help! No matter how uncertain our future… no matter how confused we are or frightened or worried, God will show us how to proceed. Our job is to pay attention – to listen – to ask for His help – and to follow His lead.
Understand… I need this message as much as anyone receiving it. There are things happening in my life and in the lives of those I love this very day that are perplexing and frustrating, and yes… a little frightening. But I need to stay focused on the LORD! I need to be strong and brave, stay encouraged in Him, and know that with God’s help, I have nothing to fear. And the same is true for you. So let’s agree together to “let go and let God,” and “never let ‘em see us sweat!” With God’s help, we can conquer anything. Are you in?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 9 ~ 2 Samuel 12:16
So David went without eating to show his sorrow, and he begged God to make the boy well. David would not sleep on his bed, but spent each night lying on the floor.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Recently I was talking with someone who is going through a huge family challenge. It seems like one thing after another keeps happening to this family and the troubles are piling higher and higher. This person said to me, “I just don’t get it. It’s not like we aren’t praying, so I don’t understand why all of this keeps happening.” Without passing judgment (which is not our job!), I had to ask, “What else are you doing?”
See, prayer is a great thing. We must pray and ask God to help us with our problems. But there is so much more involved. I’m not saying God will not answer prayer unconditionally, but in the words of an old cliché, God must sometimes ask, “What have you done for me lately?” I’m not talking about bargaining here. But if you ask God to help you, and then you don’t open your Bible, spend time in worship with other Christians, seek ways to help others and “live your faith,” God’s efforts to help and bless you may be somewhat blocked.
I have to tell you, this makes me a little mad… not at people - but at Satan… because I see him at work in this. He gets us all comfortable thinking, “Okay, I prayed and gave that to God, and now I can move on with my life, and He will handle it.” Well… yes and no. The devil knows that he can lull us into a false sense of security, and in essence, nothing changes. We “give it to God,” and then we go right on living like we did before – and that’s probably part of how we ended up in such a mess! I lived my “faith” like this for many years. I understood the prayer part and “giving it to God,” but I didn’t understand my responsibility afterward. And sometimes I wondered why my prayers didn’t seem to be heard or answered.
In this scripture passage, it seems to me that David starts to “get it.” He realizes that he really blew it… he messed up badly, and simply asking God to fix things and then lying around his room wallowing in self-pity probably isn’t going to work. He begs and pleads, and in the end, God answers… but not in the way David hoped. But if you read the next part of this scripture passage, you will see that after David’s baby died, he got up, dressed, ate, and moved ahead. God had spoken, and David began to live for Him and serve Him and show others how to live a life of faith and honor – no matter their circumstances.
So what does this mean for you? When you have a problem, go to God in prayer. Ask Him to help you according to His will… and then get up and get busy living for Him. If your friends have deserted you, keep smiling and praising God, believing He will bring you new ones. If you are in debt or going through something rough, don’t hide at home… get to church and worship with fellow believers. Turn off the TV and open your Bible and see where God leads you. If you have made big mistakes, confess them to God, but don’t wallow in self-pity. Ask Him to show you how to turn things around, and meanwhile, do all you can to praise and glorify His name – to worship God and study Him. Do what you can to help others. This will encourage you in your faith AND take your mind off your troubles.
Regardless of where you are in life, or what is going on, the real question is, “What have you done for God lately?” Prayer is a great tool. But prayer without faith and a little action on our part may just keep us lying on the floor feeling pitiful.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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Then he asked God, "Why not let Ishmael inherit what you have promised me?"
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
God told Abraham that his ninety-year-old wife was going to have her first baby – a son. Abraham was almost a hundred years old himself! He had a son already - Ishmael… born to one of Sarah’s slaves, Hagar. Abraham asked God to let Ishmael inherit all that God planned to give to him and be done with it. In other words, he didn’t feel that, at his age, he needed another son to inherit his wealth and blessings. But God’s plans were different!
Here we go again! We keep trying to tell God how things ought to roll! Will we ever learn? Here God sits ready to bless Abraham and Sarah… and their children and descendants for generations… and Abraham says, “But, God! I’m old! But, God! I already have a son! But, God! I already have plenty!” And God is saying, “I know this… but I want to give you more.” And He is asking, “Will you be still and pay attention and do what is necessary to get all I want to give you?
How often do we say, “God, I’m perfectly happy with my friends, where I live, my job (or classes, or volunteer work). I go to church on Sunday morning, and Wednesday night I go to SPAM (or church supper or work with a children’s group) and I’m doing just fine. Thank you for all of your blessings, but I’ve got all I need!” Or maybe when you feel God nudging you toward something outside your comfort zone, you tell Him that you read your Bible once in awhile and go to church a few Sundays a month, and things are going well in your life for the most part, thank-you-very-much!, and you pretty well dismiss Him.
Know this… there is nothing wrong with being content with what God has given you… much less feeling grateful. But there is a fine line between being content and being complacent – which means, in essence, taking God for granted. God may very well nudge us out of our comfort zone… but it may be in order to give us even more blessings in the end. It may be that God wants us to grow… and to expand our efforts to share His love with others… and to do this, we may just have to “give birth to a baby at nearly 100 years of age,” so to speak.
Where are you in this equation? Are you limiting God? Have you grown complacent and started to take His blessings for granted, if even a little? Is God trying to get you to another level of service, complete with more grace, mercy and blessings for yourself? What are you blocking… and what could you be missing? When you pray, thank God for His blessings to this point… and open your heart, mind and attitude to what He wants to give you in the future.
©2009 Debbie Robus
September 2009 Devos
September 7 ~ Deuteronomy 26:15
Our LORD, look down from your temple in heaven and bless your people Israel. You promised our ancestors that you would give us this land rich with milk and honey, and you have kept your promise.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Here’s a challenge for you. Take a piece of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle of it. On the left-hand side, start listing all of your blessings. Nothing is too small to list, from waking up this morning to that test you aced last week or the clean bill of health you just received. Then on the right, list your needs and concerns… all of your worries, the people whose problems and needs concern you, the things you need God to help you with. Now take a look at the lists.
Do you see how much God has blessed you already? Do you see how He has given you “land rich with milk and honey” and kept His promise? And the amazing thing is that He continues to bless us! Yes, our list of needs and concerns may be long. Yes, we may have problems. But God is meeting these needs… He is solving our problems at every turn… He is pouring out blessings on His people… us! Thank Him for this… praise Him for being so generous, gracious and merciful. And stop often to list – and count – your blessings. See how wealthy you really are!
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------
September 6 ~ Deuteronomy 1:11
God has even promised to bless us a thousand times more, and I pray that he will.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Recently I heard about a church in Arkansas where the pastor stood before his congregation one Sunday morning with a collection plate full of money. The pastor said something to the effect of, “Today, we’re going to do something different. God has blessed this church. But I know some of you are hurting. Some of you have great needs. So today, instead of putting money into the plate, I want you to come forward and take out what you need.” There was $5,000 in the plate. At first people were reluctant, but the pastor kept pleading for them to come, and slowly, some moved forward. One took $500, while another took $50. In the end, $3 were left in the plate.
After the service, one man who had gone forward and taken money was very shaken. He felt guilty for doing so, but his family was truly in need. A member of the congregation approached him and said, “God told me that you didn’t take enough.” The man was astounded, but the fellow member said, “God told me you need more than you took.” And he handed this man a check for $500.T
his man had been reluctant to take all that he needed, yet God knew how great his needs really were. And God wanted to bless him. The man was a former missionary, and since returning to America, he and his family had found getting back on their feet and into mainstream life a challenge. God knew this man was faithful and a good servant, and he wanted to bless him. But the man was hesitant to ask for all he needed.
How often do we do this? How often do we at least try to limit God because we will not ask for His blessings or His help? I’m not saying we should start asking God for every whim or earthly possession our heart desires. But if we have a need… if we are truly seeking God and His will, we need to humbly ask Him to help us… to bless us and our family. And then… we need to believe that He will do this! It’s a two-part process… we can’t receive unless we believe. Be sure that you include both sides of this equation. God has promised to bless us a thousand times more… and I pray that He will bless you greatly.
©2009 Debbie Robus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 5 ~ Genesis 48:16
…and his angel has kept me safe. Now I pray that he will bless these boys and that my name and the names of Abraham and Isaac will live on because of them. I ask God to give them many children and many descendants as well.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
A few years ago, friends of ours were expecting their second child. The pregnancy appeared to go well, and everything was in place to welcome a new baby into the world. With about two weeks to go before the due date, the doctor delivered devastating news… there was something terribly wrong with this baby. Simply put, her brain had not developed. The condition is known as hydraencephaly – the development of a brain stem and cerebrospinal fluid, but no brain matter. The babies usually live only a few hours to as much as a day or so. Apparently this condition is more common than most people realize.
I remember when my friend told me that her doctors had explained this all to her. I kept saying, “Maybe they are wrong… we will just pray that everything is okay.” But she insisted the doctors were certain of this diagnosis, and she had studied the stories on the Internet of several other families who had experienced this tragedy. The course of action was for this mother to go through “normal” labor and delivery, which meant waiting with this knowledge for two agonizing weeks. The baby girl was born. She lived almost two days. All of her family members got to hold her and hug her and tell her how much she was loved. She was given a name. To look at her, you would never know a thing was wrong in her little body, but she slowly drifted away into the waiting arms of Jesus.
Since this experience, I have looked at the delivery of a baby with new eyes. No longer do I assume that most babies are born healthy and whole… zillions of things could go wrong or complicate this process. This summer, my family welcomed two perfectly healthy baby boys into our clan, and we are looking forward to the addition of a great-niece in November. I have always prayed for safe delivery of babies… and my prayer list is filled with names of children who are precious to me. I continually ask God to bless them and prosper them as they grow. And I thank Him over and over again for the safe, healthy delivery of so many beautiful little ones in my circle of family and friends.
But we must all pray more for our children and babies – those in our own families as well as others’. We must all pray that God will give the prospective mothers good health and keep their developing babies safe. We must ask God to give these children good health, and wonderful loving homes with parents who provide adequate care and nurture - and teach them about Jesus. We must ask God to show us ways to do our part in this growth and nurture. And we must thank God for these children… for their health and well-being… and for the many ways they will continue the work of furthering His kingdom as they grow in stature and wisdom. Israel did not take the blessing of children and the responsibility for their nurture and upbringing lightly… and neither should we.
©2009 Debbie Robus
---------------------------------------------------
September 4 ~ Genesis 28:3-4
I pray that God All-Powerful will bless you with many descendants and let you become a great nation. May he bless you with the land he gave Abraham, so that you will take over this land where we now live as foreigners.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever taken a box of dominoes and lined them up one behind the other, slightly spaced, and then touched the first one? What happened? Artists (and people with way too much time on their hands!) spend hours creating elaborate patterns with dominoes and then making them fall. But the point is, one domino falling doesn’t mean much… but when it touches another, and another, all sorts of things can happen.
So it is with prayer and the blessings of God. We are not only promised blessings and answers for ourselves… but God has promised to bless the descendants of His faithful servants. He has promised to work in the lives of those around us. Our prayers and faithfulness have a “domino effect!” Knowing this, shouldn’t we be motivated to do more… to pray more fervently… to live more faithfully? Shouldn’t we desire to spend as much time as possible in God’s presence, garnering His favor and blessings – for ourselves and those in our path? Isn’t it time we stopped selling the power and blessings of God short and started expecting great things?
©2009 Debbie Robus
-----------------------------------------------------
September 3 ~ Genesis 27:28-29
God will bless you, my son, with dew from heaven and with fertile fields, rich with grain and grapes. Nations will be your servants and bow down to you. You will rule over your brothers, and they will kneel at your feet. Anyone who curses you will be cursed; anyone who blesses you will be blessed."
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever read the book The Prayer of Jabez? In this book based on a somewhat obscure scripture passage in 1 Chronicles about a man named Jabez, and a small, simple prayer he uttered, author Bruce Wilkinson shows the power of a few short sentences spoken in prayer. The prayer begins, “Please bless me and give me a lot of land.” Really? We should ask God to bless us and “give us a lot of land?” Isn’t this a vain request? No!
We don’t ask God for enough. Oh, I’m not talking about material things, like cars, houses, money, or even relationships (like a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse). And “land” here doesn’t refer, literally, to land – although in Jabez’ day, that was part of it. I am talking about blessings of another kind… meeting our daily needs (mentally and physically) and those of our loved ones, giving us opportunities to share our faith with others – and to be a blessing to them! Jabez didn’t pray selfishly… he asked God to bless him and meet his needs… and to increase his opportunities to bless others. It was like, “Give me the strength and stamina to do even more for you, Lord!”
Do you pray like this? Do you pray generously and ask God for all He wants to give you – and a chance to do more for Him? Are you limiting God with your prayers… or do you approach Him with arms wide open and say, “Give me all You’ve got!” with the confidence He will meet your needs and see that you are successful? God has promised to bless us… and those around us... if we will take that first step toward Him. What are you waiting for?
©2009 Debbie Robus
---------------------------------------------------------------
September 2 ~ Psalms 41:13 & 72:19
You, the LORD God of Israel, will be praised forever! Amen and amen.
We will always praise your glorious name. Let your glory be seen everywhere on earth. Amen and amen.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Who among us doesn’t recognize McDonald’s Golden Arches, or the red roof of a Pizza Hut? We often refer to soft drinks as “Cokes”, tissues as “Kleenex” and photocopies as Xeroxes. We readily recognize so many products around the world, and we don’t think twice about plastering their logos on billboards, clothing… you name it!
But how often do you see someone wearing a t-shirt that mentions God? About the most many of us muster is a subtle cross on a chain or leather string around our necks. We tend to slide our Bibles in cases and covers with decorative (or very plain) exteriors. We will wear Razorback “everything” from head to toe, but we keep our honor of God pretty much to ourselves.
Don’t misunderstand me… I am not saying we all need to buy T-shirts that say “God Rocks” and wear them… or that we need to start advertising our faith on billboards. But I am saying that we need to be more open about our praise and honor of the God of the Universe… we need to let His glory shine like the morning sun. We need to stop playing, get serious, and share God every chance we get… with everyone we meet! When we hear good news, instead of saying, “That’s great!” why not say, “Praise God!” When someone asks you how you are doing, why not say, “I’m blessed” – or “God is so good to me,” rather than, “I’m fine.” It’s a matter of adjusting our attitude… and changing a few habits.
God deserves this. We owe it to Him to honor His glorious name every chance we get… and we need to look for more opportunities to do so!
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------
September 1 ~ Nehemiah 8:6
Ezra praised the great LORD God, and the people shouted, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD. Ezra praised the great LORD
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
When I read this scripture, I considered that it is very similar, especially in theme, to the scripture passage for the previous devo. I mean, how many ways can we say that we need to praise the Lord? And then it hit me… we can’t talk often enough about praising the Lord!
So often we gloss over this. It’s as if we say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know… we must to praise Him.” We follow this up with a requisite (and probably half-hearted) “Oh, thank you Jesus. We praise you, Father.” Why do you think The Lord’s Prayer starts with...“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name”? Do you see how important this is? Praising God should be a huge part of our prayers, no matter what is happening or what else we are lifting in prayer.
Is God so egotistical that He won’t work unless we build Him up with praises? Absolutely not! We could praise God 24/7, and we still would not come close to giving Him all of the glory and honor He deserves. Praising God should be a time in prayer when we stop and say to ourselves, “Whoa… wait a minute! We are talking to Almighty God… our Heavenly Father… and He is listening! We should tell God, as best we can, how much we love Him… how amazing His love makes us feel, and how grateful we are that He takes time to not only listen to our prayers – but answer them!
When you pray, don’t rush through your time of praise to get to your own needs… give God glory and honor… praise Him and worship Him. He already knows your need and the purpose of your “visit,” and He will answer. Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to show our gratitude.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Our LORD, look down from your temple in heaven and bless your people Israel. You promised our ancestors that you would give us this land rich with milk and honey, and you have kept your promise.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Here’s a challenge for you. Take a piece of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle of it. On the left-hand side, start listing all of your blessings. Nothing is too small to list, from waking up this morning to that test you aced last week or the clean bill of health you just received. Then on the right, list your needs and concerns… all of your worries, the people whose problems and needs concern you, the things you need God to help you with. Now take a look at the lists.
Do you see how much God has blessed you already? Do you see how He has given you “land rich with milk and honey” and kept His promise? And the amazing thing is that He continues to bless us! Yes, our list of needs and concerns may be long. Yes, we may have problems. But God is meeting these needs… He is solving our problems at every turn… He is pouring out blessings on His people… us! Thank Him for this… praise Him for being so generous, gracious and merciful. And stop often to list – and count – your blessings. See how wealthy you really are!
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------
September 6 ~ Deuteronomy 1:11
God has even promised to bless us a thousand times more, and I pray that he will.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Recently I heard about a church in Arkansas where the pastor stood before his congregation one Sunday morning with a collection plate full of money. The pastor said something to the effect of, “Today, we’re going to do something different. God has blessed this church. But I know some of you are hurting. Some of you have great needs. So today, instead of putting money into the plate, I want you to come forward and take out what you need.” There was $5,000 in the plate. At first people were reluctant, but the pastor kept pleading for them to come, and slowly, some moved forward. One took $500, while another took $50. In the end, $3 were left in the plate.
After the service, one man who had gone forward and taken money was very shaken. He felt guilty for doing so, but his family was truly in need. A member of the congregation approached him and said, “God told me that you didn’t take enough.” The man was astounded, but the fellow member said, “God told me you need more than you took.” And he handed this man a check for $500.T
his man had been reluctant to take all that he needed, yet God knew how great his needs really were. And God wanted to bless him. The man was a former missionary, and since returning to America, he and his family had found getting back on their feet and into mainstream life a challenge. God knew this man was faithful and a good servant, and he wanted to bless him. But the man was hesitant to ask for all he needed.
How often do we do this? How often do we at least try to limit God because we will not ask for His blessings or His help? I’m not saying we should start asking God for every whim or earthly possession our heart desires. But if we have a need… if we are truly seeking God and His will, we need to humbly ask Him to help us… to bless us and our family. And then… we need to believe that He will do this! It’s a two-part process… we can’t receive unless we believe. Be sure that you include both sides of this equation. God has promised to bless us a thousand times more… and I pray that He will bless you greatly.
©2009 Debbie Robus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 5 ~ Genesis 48:16
…and his angel has kept me safe. Now I pray that he will bless these boys and that my name and the names of Abraham and Isaac will live on because of them. I ask God to give them many children and many descendants as well.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
A few years ago, friends of ours were expecting their second child. The pregnancy appeared to go well, and everything was in place to welcome a new baby into the world. With about two weeks to go before the due date, the doctor delivered devastating news… there was something terribly wrong with this baby. Simply put, her brain had not developed. The condition is known as hydraencephaly – the development of a brain stem and cerebrospinal fluid, but no brain matter. The babies usually live only a few hours to as much as a day or so. Apparently this condition is more common than most people realize.
I remember when my friend told me that her doctors had explained this all to her. I kept saying, “Maybe they are wrong… we will just pray that everything is okay.” But she insisted the doctors were certain of this diagnosis, and she had studied the stories on the Internet of several other families who had experienced this tragedy. The course of action was for this mother to go through “normal” labor and delivery, which meant waiting with this knowledge for two agonizing weeks. The baby girl was born. She lived almost two days. All of her family members got to hold her and hug her and tell her how much she was loved. She was given a name. To look at her, you would never know a thing was wrong in her little body, but she slowly drifted away into the waiting arms of Jesus.
Since this experience, I have looked at the delivery of a baby with new eyes. No longer do I assume that most babies are born healthy and whole… zillions of things could go wrong or complicate this process. This summer, my family welcomed two perfectly healthy baby boys into our clan, and we are looking forward to the addition of a great-niece in November. I have always prayed for safe delivery of babies… and my prayer list is filled with names of children who are precious to me. I continually ask God to bless them and prosper them as they grow. And I thank Him over and over again for the safe, healthy delivery of so many beautiful little ones in my circle of family and friends.
But we must all pray more for our children and babies – those in our own families as well as others’. We must all pray that God will give the prospective mothers good health and keep their developing babies safe. We must ask God to give these children good health, and wonderful loving homes with parents who provide adequate care and nurture - and teach them about Jesus. We must ask God to show us ways to do our part in this growth and nurture. And we must thank God for these children… for their health and well-being… and for the many ways they will continue the work of furthering His kingdom as they grow in stature and wisdom. Israel did not take the blessing of children and the responsibility for their nurture and upbringing lightly… and neither should we.
©2009 Debbie Robus
---------------------------------------------------
September 4 ~ Genesis 28:3-4
I pray that God All-Powerful will bless you with many descendants and let you become a great nation. May he bless you with the land he gave Abraham, so that you will take over this land where we now live as foreigners.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever taken a box of dominoes and lined them up one behind the other, slightly spaced, and then touched the first one? What happened? Artists (and people with way too much time on their hands!) spend hours creating elaborate patterns with dominoes and then making them fall. But the point is, one domino falling doesn’t mean much… but when it touches another, and another, all sorts of things can happen.
So it is with prayer and the blessings of God. We are not only promised blessings and answers for ourselves… but God has promised to bless the descendants of His faithful servants. He has promised to work in the lives of those around us. Our prayers and faithfulness have a “domino effect!” Knowing this, shouldn’t we be motivated to do more… to pray more fervently… to live more faithfully? Shouldn’t we desire to spend as much time as possible in God’s presence, garnering His favor and blessings – for ourselves and those in our path? Isn’t it time we stopped selling the power and blessings of God short and started expecting great things?
©2009 Debbie Robus
-----------------------------------------------------
September 3 ~ Genesis 27:28-29
God will bless you, my son, with dew from heaven and with fertile fields, rich with grain and grapes. Nations will be your servants and bow down to you. You will rule over your brothers, and they will kneel at your feet. Anyone who curses you will be cursed; anyone who blesses you will be blessed."
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever read the book The Prayer of Jabez? In this book based on a somewhat obscure scripture passage in 1 Chronicles about a man named Jabez, and a small, simple prayer he uttered, author Bruce Wilkinson shows the power of a few short sentences spoken in prayer. The prayer begins, “Please bless me and give me a lot of land.” Really? We should ask God to bless us and “give us a lot of land?” Isn’t this a vain request? No!
We don’t ask God for enough. Oh, I’m not talking about material things, like cars, houses, money, or even relationships (like a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse). And “land” here doesn’t refer, literally, to land – although in Jabez’ day, that was part of it. I am talking about blessings of another kind… meeting our daily needs (mentally and physically) and those of our loved ones, giving us opportunities to share our faith with others – and to be a blessing to them! Jabez didn’t pray selfishly… he asked God to bless him and meet his needs… and to increase his opportunities to bless others. It was like, “Give me the strength and stamina to do even more for you, Lord!”
Do you pray like this? Do you pray generously and ask God for all He wants to give you – and a chance to do more for Him? Are you limiting God with your prayers… or do you approach Him with arms wide open and say, “Give me all You’ve got!” with the confidence He will meet your needs and see that you are successful? God has promised to bless us… and those around us... if we will take that first step toward Him. What are you waiting for?
©2009 Debbie Robus
---------------------------------------------------------------
September 2 ~ Psalms 41:13 & 72:19
You, the LORD God of Israel, will be praised forever! Amen and amen.
We will always praise your glorious name. Let your glory be seen everywhere on earth. Amen and amen.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Who among us doesn’t recognize McDonald’s Golden Arches, or the red roof of a Pizza Hut? We often refer to soft drinks as “Cokes”, tissues as “Kleenex” and photocopies as Xeroxes. We readily recognize so many products around the world, and we don’t think twice about plastering their logos on billboards, clothing… you name it!
But how often do you see someone wearing a t-shirt that mentions God? About the most many of us muster is a subtle cross on a chain or leather string around our necks. We tend to slide our Bibles in cases and covers with decorative (or very plain) exteriors. We will wear Razorback “everything” from head to toe, but we keep our honor of God pretty much to ourselves.
Don’t misunderstand me… I am not saying we all need to buy T-shirts that say “God Rocks” and wear them… or that we need to start advertising our faith on billboards. But I am saying that we need to be more open about our praise and honor of the God of the Universe… we need to let His glory shine like the morning sun. We need to stop playing, get serious, and share God every chance we get… with everyone we meet! When we hear good news, instead of saying, “That’s great!” why not say, “Praise God!” When someone asks you how you are doing, why not say, “I’m blessed” – or “God is so good to me,” rather than, “I’m fine.” It’s a matter of adjusting our attitude… and changing a few habits.
God deserves this. We owe it to Him to honor His glorious name every chance we get… and we need to look for more opportunities to do so!
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------
September 1 ~ Nehemiah 8:6
Ezra praised the great LORD God, and the people shouted, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD. Ezra praised the great LORD
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
When I read this scripture, I considered that it is very similar, especially in theme, to the scripture passage for the previous devo. I mean, how many ways can we say that we need to praise the Lord? And then it hit me… we can’t talk often enough about praising the Lord!
So often we gloss over this. It’s as if we say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know… we must to praise Him.” We follow this up with a requisite (and probably half-hearted) “Oh, thank you Jesus. We praise you, Father.” Why do you think The Lord’s Prayer starts with...“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name”? Do you see how important this is? Praising God should be a huge part of our prayers, no matter what is happening or what else we are lifting in prayer.
Is God so egotistical that He won’t work unless we build Him up with praises? Absolutely not! We could praise God 24/7, and we still would not come close to giving Him all of the glory and honor He deserves. Praising God should be a time in prayer when we stop and say to ourselves, “Whoa… wait a minute! We are talking to Almighty God… our Heavenly Father… and He is listening! We should tell God, as best we can, how much we love Him… how amazing His love makes us feel, and how grateful we are that He takes time to not only listen to our prayers – but answer them!
When you pray, don’t rush through your time of praise to get to your own needs… give God glory and honor… praise Him and worship Him. He already knows your need and the purpose of your “visit,” and He will answer. Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to show our gratitude.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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