About that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night there.
Luke 9:28
About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
You might be wondering what on earth JESUS needed to pray about! Maybe a better way to look at this is to consider that even Jesus spent time talking with God. He realized that a time of quiet meditation with Father God was important. And then He took His disciples and showed them how to engage in quiet prayer time. Clearly, quiet prayer time is important!
I will be the first to admit that I am not good at consistently spending time each day in quiet prayer… much like I am not good at making time for a daily workout. Other things get in the way. For you it may be school and after-school activities, church activities, your family, a job, your own children and family, or even poor health. But just like our body needs exercise, so does our soul… in the form of prayer.
I need to do better at both forms of exercise… and I am going to work on this. I’ve found a “system” that seems to work for me, and I am going to do better at implementing this “system.” For me, the best way to do this is to take a daily walk… and to pray while I’m walking! On bad-weather days, when I walk on the treadmill, I need to either turn off my DVR and spend that time in prayer, too. Or, I need to set aside other time to sit and quietly meditate on God and talk with Him. For you, the best time to pray might be right after you read these daily devotionals. You don’t have to pray for a certain length of time, but you don’t need to rush through it, either. Just sit quietly for however long God leads you, and talk to Him… listen to Him… meditate on the Father and what He has to tell you. We don’t have to go to a mountain to pray, but I think Jesus’ point in doing so was to emphasize the need to get away from the noise and busyness of life and set aside time each day to talk to God. If Jesus needed quiet prayer time, surely so do we.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 6 ~ Acts 6:2-7
The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, "We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables. My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching." This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch. These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show that they had been chosen to do this work. God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
One human being can’t do it all. We each have a job to do, especially when it comes to serving Christ. The disciples were wise enough to realize that their efforts needed to be focused on praying and preaching. They needed someone else to settle disagreements and run the day-to-day business of ministry. The disciples placed hands on some Godly men, prayed, and anointed them to handle the “business” side of the church work.
What I want you to realize from this passage is that everyone has a purpose… and a ministry. No person can do everything alone. YOU have been called by God to serve in some capacity… even if you are a teenager or a senior citizen. God didn’t just call young adults to do the work. Teenagers can use the tools at their disposal – texting, Facebook, and more – to reach others for Christ. Or they can do mission work to help those in their community who are not able to do things around the home, mentor young children, and assist with church activities. Even shut-ins who are experiencing poor health can be called as prayer warriors. There is a job for everyone.
So let’s all get busy praying and asking God to show us where we fit into His plan for ministry. Feel His hands on you, anointing you to do whatever He has called you to do to serve in His name, further His work, and bring others into His kingdom. You have been chosen to do specific things for God. Do you know what they are?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 5 ~ Acts 4:29
Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Fear is a huge motivator. We fear all sorts of things – rejection, ridicule, loss, illness, pain and suffering, death. I come from a long line of worry worts! Some of my family members have made a career out of worry over anything and everything. When I was in college, I read a book by a man named Dale Carnegie called How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (©1948 The Chaucer Press, Ltd). Carnegie listed the “Fundamental Facts You Should Know About Worry”:
- If you want to avoid worry, do what Sir William Osler did: Live in "day-tight compartments." Don't stew about the future. Just live each day until bedtime.
- The next time Trouble--with a Capital T--backs you up in a corner, try the magic formula of Willis H. Carrier:
a. Ask yourself, "What is the worst that can possibly happen if I can't solve my problem?
b. Prepare yourself mentally to accept the worst--if necessary.
c. Then calmly try to improve upon the worst--which you have already mentally agreed to accept. - Remind yourself of the exorbitant price you can pay for worry in terms of your health. "Those who do not know how to fight worry die young."
To this day, I have remembered the steps the “magic formula” in point #2. I find myself often asking, “What is the worst that can possibly happen?” and “Am I prepared to handle it?” Let’s say that living for Jesus could cost you your friends… won’t God bring you new ones? What if it costs you a significant other, a mate, or your parents? Can’t God bring other people or activities into your life to fill the emptiness? What if you give up old habits and bad influences to serve God… will He bless your efforts? Yes, bad things happen – and I don’t mean to be flip about the loss of relationships/family/friends. But generally, the “worst” that can happen isn’t that bad in the light of day. And in terms of serving God and His blessings, it’s nothing at all!
The disciples knew what spreading the Good News had cost Jesus. They saw first-hand the suffering and sacrifice… and yet Jesus kept preaching, and they were willing to follow. But they knew the key to making this all work was asking God to help them! So study these “Fundamental Facts You Should Know About Worry” and start trying them in your own life. BUT… remember to ask God to guide you. His help will make the difference in whether or not you are successful at conquering your fears and worries. God’s wisdom is the key to making this work!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 4 ~ Acts 1:24-25
Then they all prayed, "Lord, you know what everyone is like! Show us the one you have chosen to be an apostle and to serve in place of Judas, who got what he deserved." They drew names, and Matthias was chosen to join the group of the eleven apostles.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We all make choices every day. Some are simple – like what to eat for lunch or dinner. Others are more difficult… choosing a career, a spouse, who to hire for a particular job, or which candidate would make the best leader. Many of the choices we have to make in life are beyond what we can wisely decide on our own. If we are smart, we will seek the guidance and advice of someone who is more experienced and wiser than we are. And if we are really smart, we will prayerfully ask God to help us with our decisions.
I find it very interesting that the disciples prayed for the Lord to show them who to pick to replace Judas, and then they drew names! Now, maybe the Lord told them to do it this way. And maybe Matthias was really His choice. But how many times do we ask God to show us what to do, and then in essence, we toss a coin to make our decision? How often do we truly ask God’s advice – and then wait to receive it, much less take it?
We need to learn to be more patient in our conversations with the Lord. We need to realize that His timing is perfect… and wait for a clear, distinct answer from Him for all of our needs. God will always answer on time. So if it seems like an answer isn’t coming as quickly as you had hoped, chill out and wait. God knows the need… and He will meet it when the time is right. Coin tosses at football games are one thing – but in the important questions of life, this will simply not suffice. Ask God to help you with all important decisions… and even some of those you feel aren’t so important… then wait for His answer. See how much better the outcomes can be for all concerned.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 3 ~ 2 Chronicles 6:41
Come to your new home, where we have already placed the sacred chest, which is the symbol of your strength. I pray that when the priests announce your power to save people, those who are faithful to you will celebrate what you've done for them.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever watched one of those shows where someone buys a house, makes upgrades and renovations, and then invites the previous owner back to see what was done? It doesn’t always go well. Often the previous owner is not pleased with the changes. But the new owner did not make the changes to please the previous owner. Those changes were done to please the new residents.
In our spiritual life, our heart, mind, and soul are our home… the place where we wish for the Holy Spirit to dwell. And unlike a physical dwelling, we want any changes we make to our “Spiritual home” to be pleasing to God, not us! We want the Holy Spirit to be delighted and glorified by our “improvements.” We should desire that the Holy Spirit would find our “home” a celebration of what God has done for us… and a platform for Him to bless and save others.
When I pray, I often say, “Come Holy Spirit.” I invite Him to dwell within me and to be a part of everything I say and do. I know that the Holy Spirit is always with me, but I like to think that this invitation is an acknowledgment of His presence and a recognition of His power to work in and through me. Today, I pray that you will invite the Holy Spirit to your “Spiritual home.” More importantly, I pray that He will be pleased with what He finds there… that your changes will honor and glorify our Heavenly Father and celebrate His power in and through your life.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 2 ~ Ephesians 6:18-20
Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people. Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever started a new workout program or diet? The first day, you are psyched… “This is gonna be great!” you may think… and you follow the plan to the letter, anticipating that buff/thinner/healthier you in the near future. Then the trouble starts – this really didn’t feel as good as you hoped. Dieting and/or working out were not nearly as much fun as you wanted them to be. Or maybe this was downright unpleasant. You might have even overdone it a bit and come up sick or injured. Maybe you were tempted to say, “That’s it… I’ll never do this again!”
In our Christian life, many of us start out all excited and ready for anything and everything. “Bring it on, Devil…” we may think… “we’re in God’s army now!” But let the first challenge occur… a shift in your friends because of your faith, feeling like your prayers were not answered – or weren’t answered as you wished, trying to do what is right and being “thrown under the bus” by others. Let things go even slightly awry, and we are ready to throw in the towel and give up on God. Let someone ridicule us or reject us, and we are ready to go back to our old ways and wallow in self-pity and misery.
Paul was thrown into jail for preaching the Good News of Jesus, yet he kept right on preaching and praying – and praising God! Even though he knew others were not living as they should, he continued to diligently and sincerely pray for them in the power of the Holy Spirit. This means he didn’t just recite a memorized prayer and say “God bless Joe or Sue…” – he PRAYED for others, immersing himself in the act of prayer and communion with God and humbly, fervently asking Him to meet the needs of others.
The bottom line is that for all of us, it sometimes seems like we just as well quit trying. Living for Jesus doesn’t come without a price. Sometimes this means that our friends, or even our family, desert us. Sometimes living for Jesus costs us our job, our lifestyle, and for some… our very lives. But the “price” for following and serving God is NOTHING compared to the price Jesus paid so that we could have this privilege. When you think of all He did for us, giving up is not an option.
Serving God is more than worth whatever we feel it “costs” us. I’m not saying we have to enjoy the challenges, but we need to embrace them and use them to encourage and motivate us, not drag us down. Be brave and bold, and share the Good News every chance you get. Pray fervently, stay positive, and keep fighting for Jesus… the One who never quits on us!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 1 ~ 2 Corinthians 1:11
Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I have to admit, I am having mixed feelings these days about Facebook. Oh, sure… it’s been great to connect – and reconnect – with friends. I enjoy being able to share photos and information quickly with a large group of people… and to see their photos and keep up with their lives. But the looming concern over hackers determining my password and manipulating information – or a virus or malware getting past my anti-virus software and corrupting my computer – has turned me off in a big way. I am particularly leery of the games and “trimmings” offered by Facebook, most of which require access to personal information.
Having said all of this, I have found Facebook to be a great tool for one thing in particular – prayer. Sometimes friends will post a specific prayer request on Facebook, and I am happy to offer my support. But often, there is a hidden need expressed in comments and posts. And that is where the real opportunities lie. When someone posts that they are struggling to study for a test, or their child is sick, or things are hectic and challenging at work, there is a need for prayer included in the post! When someone talks about an impending wedding date, or taking a trip, or practicing for a cross-country meet, friends can pray for them.
When someone mentions an accomplishment or how wonderful a church service or youth meeting at church was – or how well the football team did… there is an opportunity to offer a prayer of thanks – for the blessing, team safety, a chance to worship together, or whatever suits the particular event.
Through something as hi-tech as Facebook, God can be glorified… and others can receive blessings. As you read your posts in the days ahead, look for hidden opportunities to pray… and give thanks for the blessings that will result.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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