January 31 ~ 1 John 5:14-15
We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. And if we know that God listens when we pray, we are sure that our prayers have already been answered.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever been talking to someone – either in person or on the phone – and you realized that they were not listening to you at all. They had tuned you out and were “somewhere else.” Maybe you got a cursory “yeah,” or “uh-huh” once in a while, but you knew they weren’t really listening. You might have even stopped and said, “You’ve not heard a word I’ve said!”
The cool thing is that God NEVER tunes us out. We can ramble… we can rant… we can talk about everything and nothing at all… and He listens. He sifts through the nonsense and hears our true needs and desires… and He answers them according to His will for our lives. With people, we may not know whether they are listening and paying attention to us… but with God, we know He always listens. And when we listen to God and follow His plans for our lives… live in a way that honors Him and serves others in His name... the doors of Heaven open and God pours out answers and blessings we can’t begin to imagine.
Are you listening to God? Are you asking Him for what is pleasing… and are you acting in a way that honors Him? Are you experiencing the full measure of God’s blessings in your life, or are you “somewhere else?” Prayer works – especially when we are humble, faithful, and truly listening to God. Are you paying attention to the details of your relationship with Him these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 30, 2010
January 30 ~ 1 John 3:22
He will give us whatever we ask, because we obey him and do what pleases him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When you were a kid, I bet your parents told you, “If you eat all of your vegetables, you can have dessert.” For my sister, brother, and I, it was “You can’t have any iced tea (sweetened, of course!) until you drink all of your milk!” When we were obedient, we got the reward.
I have heard more than one person say, “I don’t know why God doesn’t answer me. I’ve prayed and prayed, but He just has not answered.” Here’s the thing... I don’t mean to judge others, but in most cases where someone said this to me, they were asking God for help, but they were not obedient – nor pleasing – to Him in some way. Maybe they were asking for help with personal finances, but they were not willing to give back… by way of money to the church, contributions to charity, or even physical service to others. Or worse, they did not manage well with the money they had. Now let me tell you something… God doesn’t need our money. He doesn’t really even need our help or our “service.” But giving to God and to others is a sign of our obedience to Him – and managing our budget well pleases Him. And when we are not willing to serve Him – or a good steward of His blessings, He may not completely withhold what we ask for… but He surely isn’t in any hurry to provide it!
Have you ever had someone ask you to pray for their health – heart disease, high blood pressure, maybe – and yet they were physically out of shape, may even smoked, and ate all the wrong things? Or maybe you know someone who is diabetic but refuses to eat properly, exercise and do the things to help control their disease… but they want God to “fix them.” The Bible tells us our bodies are temples… and that they belong to God. When we are not good stewards of His property, we can’t expect God to be ready to jump out and bless us or heal what we have damaged!
I am not saying God doesn’t answer prayers – nor am I saying that God’s answers come with conditions. I’m just saying that God has tremendous blessings He wants to give us… but He has to see some evidence that we are obedient and willing servants before He pours out His abundance. He will always meet our basic needs, according to His will… and that may not suit us! But it will be the right thing for us, whether we realize it or not. But if you want to see some awesome, amazing, incredible work and blessings in your life, start serving God completely and in full obedience and submission. Figure out (by prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with faithful believers) what God wants you to do… how He wants you to conduct your life in every area… and get busy doing so! Watch the outpouring of answers to prayers… and see for yourself what a difference it can make!
©2009 Debbie Robus
He will give us whatever we ask, because we obey him and do what pleases him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When you were a kid, I bet your parents told you, “If you eat all of your vegetables, you can have dessert.” For my sister, brother, and I, it was “You can’t have any iced tea (sweetened, of course!) until you drink all of your milk!” When we were obedient, we got the reward.
I have heard more than one person say, “I don’t know why God doesn’t answer me. I’ve prayed and prayed, but He just has not answered.” Here’s the thing... I don’t mean to judge others, but in most cases where someone said this to me, they were asking God for help, but they were not obedient – nor pleasing – to Him in some way. Maybe they were asking for help with personal finances, but they were not willing to give back… by way of money to the church, contributions to charity, or even physical service to others. Or worse, they did not manage well with the money they had. Now let me tell you something… God doesn’t need our money. He doesn’t really even need our help or our “service.” But giving to God and to others is a sign of our obedience to Him – and managing our budget well pleases Him. And when we are not willing to serve Him – or a good steward of His blessings, He may not completely withhold what we ask for… but He surely isn’t in any hurry to provide it!
Have you ever had someone ask you to pray for their health – heart disease, high blood pressure, maybe – and yet they were physically out of shape, may even smoked, and ate all the wrong things? Or maybe you know someone who is diabetic but refuses to eat properly, exercise and do the things to help control their disease… but they want God to “fix them.” The Bible tells us our bodies are temples… and that they belong to God. When we are not good stewards of His property, we can’t expect God to be ready to jump out and bless us or heal what we have damaged!
I am not saying God doesn’t answer prayers – nor am I saying that God’s answers come with conditions. I’m just saying that God has tremendous blessings He wants to give us… but He has to see some evidence that we are obedient and willing servants before He pours out His abundance. He will always meet our basic needs, according to His will… and that may not suit us! But it will be the right thing for us, whether we realize it or not. But if you want to see some awesome, amazing, incredible work and blessings in your life, start serving God completely and in full obedience and submission. Figure out (by prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with faithful believers) what God wants you to do… how He wants you to conduct your life in every area… and get busy doing so! Watch the outpouring of answers to prayers… and see for yourself what a difference it can make!
©2009 Debbie Robus
January 2010 Devotionals - Week 4
January 29 ~ 2 Chronicles 1:9-10
I am supposed to rule these people, but there are as many of them as there are specks of dust on the ground. So keep the promise you made to my father and make me wise. Give me the knowledge I'll need to be the king of this great nation of yours.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When was the last time you asked God for wisdom? We ask God for specific things – “Do this for me.” “Heal me of this illness or injury.” “Bring resolution to this conflict with So-and-So.” But how often do you ask, “Lord… give me wisdom in this situation. Help me to know how to proceed, according to your will.”
Solomon was a very wise man. And yet, he knew he was helpless to rule all of the people of Israel without God’s wisdom. And if you read on in verses 11 and beyond, you will see that God told Solomon (I’m paraphrasing here), “You could have asked for anything… wealth, fame, or a long life. But you asked for wisdom, and I will give it to you. But I will also make you rich and famous!” In other words, because Solomon asked for wisdom instead of “material” things, God rewarded him with both!
Does that mean God will reward us with material blessings if we ask for wisdom? Not necessarily. But without God’s wisdom, material things will never satisfy. Without God’s wisdom, nothing else will come together like we hoped it would. The key to success lies in the wisdom of God – and asking for it in prayer. Unless you pray for wisdom, you’re probably going to spend some time spinning in circles. Ask God to give you wisdom, according to His will. Listen and pay attention for His answer. You’ll be amazed at how much better things turn out if you do.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 28 ~ 1 Kings 8:35-36
Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they turn toward this temple and pray in your name and stop sinning, listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And please send rain on the land you promised them forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When you go to Sonic and order lunch, you are very specific, aren’t you?! You ask for your hamburger with or without cheese. You may ask for mustard only and no onions. Or you may say, “I want that with everything.” If you don’t specify how you want your burger and whether you want tots or fries, there is no telling what you will get. And honestly, if you don’t tell the person taking the order how you want things, you have no room to complain when it isn’t right.
If we are so specific about something like a Sonic lunch order, why are we so non-specific with our prayers? Sure, God knows already what we need… but He wants us to tell Him specifically. He wants us to admit our sins, repent of them and ask forgiveness… and then He wants us to tell Him what we need. So if you have a big test that is coming up and you are worried about it, God doesn’t want you to say, “Help me in school, Lord.” He wants you to say, “Lord, I have this huge test coming up, and I really need help with studying and learning the material.” If you are sick with strep throat, God knows this. But don’t just pray, “Lord, heal me,” or “Father, make me well.” Tell him, “God, my throat is killing me. Please heal the infection there and make the antibiotics work, so that I can get well and go back to my regular routine.”
When we are children, we run down the litany of people in our nightly prayers… “God bless Momma and Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Sue, my sister, and the dog Spot.” But as we grow and mature, God wants us to be more specific. He wants us to detail our needs to Him and ask for answers, just as Solomon asked for forgiveness for the people of Israel… and for rain! I’m not saying that God won’t answer us when we pray, “You know the needs, Lord.” Sometimes, this is all we can muster… and God understands. But there are times when we need to confess our sins, ask God to forgive us, and then “order specifically!” It works at Sonic… and it will surely work with our awesome God!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 27 ~ 1 Kings 3:7-9
LORD God, I'm your servant, and you've made me king in my father's place. But I'm very young and know so little about being a leader. And now I must rule your chosen people, even though there are too many of them to count.
Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don't, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever been asked to do something, but you felt completely inadequate? Maybe a teacher asked you to do something in class – like make a speech – and you felt you did not have what it takes to do this. Or maybe your boss asked you to head up some big project, and you felt so nervous and uncertain – and worried you might fail. Maybe you are taking a step toward a serious relationship, or even marriage, and you believe this is the right course, but you still have a little “cold feet” and even some fears. Or maybe you are facing a decision about placing your parents in the nursing home – or downsizing your own living arrangements as you age – and the future seems scary and uncertain. The first step to certainty – the way to work yourself out of anxiety and fear and nervousness – is to pray. Ask God for wisdom, just as King Solomon did. He knew that God wanted him to lead the people. But as mighty and confident as King Solomon was, he still had reservations and uncertainties – and he knew that without God’s help, everything would fail. On our own, we have every right to feel nervous and uncertain, because we are only human. But with God, all things are possible. Ask Him today to guide your steps – to give you wisdom and courage where you need it. He can make the difference in your outcome. Are you trusting Him to do this?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 26 ~ Psalms 65
Our God, you deserve praise in Zion, where we keep our promises to you. Everyone will come to you because you answer prayer. Our terrible sins get us down, but you forgive us. You bless your chosen ones, and you invite them to live near you in your temple. We will enjoy your house, the sacred temple. Our God, you save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice!
You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea. You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place. You silence the roaring waves and the noisy shouts of the nations.
People far away marvel at your fearsome deeds, and all who live under the sun celebrate and sing because of you. You take care of the earth and send rain to help the soil grow all kinds of crops. Your rivers never run dry, and you prepare the earth to produce much grain. You water all of its fields and level the lumpy ground. You send showers of rain to soften the soil and help the plants sprout. Wherever your footsteps touch the earth, a rich harvest is gathered. Desert pastures blossom, and mountains celebrate. Meadows are filled with sheep and goats; valleys overflow with grain and echo with joyful songs.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Are you facing a dilemma… a fearful situation… a challenge? Have I got the scripture passage for you! This would be a great passage to memorize for the times when we need to remind ourselves of God’s power, grace, mercy, and love. This would be a great reminder that God answers prayers, nurtures and cares for us, and prepares a home for us - in His temple.So whatever troubles are coming your way these days… whatever challenges you are facing, remember Psalm 65. Keep it close to you, or commit it to memory and impress its words on your heart. God’s rivers never run dry…He saves us… and His fearsome deeds answer our prayers. Our God puts the mountains in place with His mighty power. What else… WHO else do we need?!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 25 ~ 2 John 1:2
We love you because the truth is now in our hearts, and it will be there forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. Have you ever waited for some news, and the time seemed to drag by without end? Maybe you were waiting to find out if you got into a certain college, or whether you got a job you wanted. Maybe you were waiting for a new baby to arrive or counting the days until a big event, like a big game in which you were playing – or even your wedding day! In every case, the joy and relief and overwhelming range of emotions that filled you when the waiting ended may have been indescribable. But in many cases, the love and joy you felt probably seemed overwhelming.
It’s that way with our relationship with God. Once we know His truth… the truth of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and subsequent resurrection…we are filled with love that flows outward – love for others and love for our God who loves us so well and completely.
Here’s the thing. All of the “events” of our lives for which we wait and anticipate and enjoy are fleeting… or at least that overwhelming sense of joy and delight we experience at the outset subsides. Sure, you may revel in the big game for years to come. You may be delighted and filled with joy and love for a new spouse or a new baby. You may really love your job and enjoy going to work each day. But none of these compare with the changes in your heart that learning God’s truth can bring. The joy, peace, comfort, hope, courage and all of the emotions that flood our heart will rise and fall over time, but the truth of God’s love, grace, and mercy, will remain steadfast. Feelings come and go, but God’s truth is forever. The wait is over… God’s truth is ours…have you made a place for Him in your heart?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 24 ~ 1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of my favorite sounds is that of wind blowing through a pine grove. I bet you know the sound. It is a little eerie… and soothing… all at once. When I was a child, I loved to visit a moss-covered creek bank across the road from my grandparents’ house. It was lined with pine trees, and I would jump the creek, climb up on that soft mossy bank, then sit and listen to the wind blowing through the trees. I felt safe, peaceful, and loved there.
If you want to get really technical, we don’t see or hear wind… we hear the effect wind has on objects that it impacts. We hear and see the rustle of leaves and tree branches. We see a field of tall grasses wave and hear the whoosh they make as they do so. We know the wind is there… the evidence of its effects is all around us.
Like the wind, we don’t actually see God, but we feel His effects. We are surrounded and filled by His love. We see and hear evidence of His presence, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He exists. And when we love each other as God has taught us, He fills our hearts with feelings of peace, safety and love as if we were sitting and snuggling on a mossy creek bank, listening to the wind rustle through the pines.
God is the ultimate “wind beneath our wings.” Can you feel Him surrounding you and filling your heart these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 23 ~ James 4:13-16
You should know better than to say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to the city. We will do business there for a year and make a lot of money!" What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. You should say, "If the Lord lets us live, we will do these things." Yet you are stupid enough to brag, and it is wrong to be so proud.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, a 15-year-old boy in our town collapsed and died while playing in a basketball game at his church gym. He apparently suffered a heart attack. A couple of days later, a young man in Little Rock collapsed on his gym floor of an apparent heart attack, and he survived but is still hospitalized in serious condition. I am sure neither of these young men or their families and friends even remotely imagined that this could happen to such young, seemingly healthy people. The people of Haiti could not possibly have planned for the devastating earthquake that ravaged their country in recent weeks and killed hundreds of thousands. Is this passage telling us we should not make plans? NO! But it is telling us that we need to remember how temporary our earthly life is… and how quickly our plans can change!
So what does this all mean for us? I believe God wants us to have hopes, dreams, and yes – plans. He wants us to plan to finish high school and/or college. He wants us to plan to grow old with family and friends and to have a rewarding career and a full life. He wants us to plan to serve Him in ways great and small… and to confidently anticipate the future and sharing His Good News with others. But at the same time, He wants us to know that this could be our last day on this earth. He wants us to realize that we don’t have time to waste on being silly or acting like a fool, worrying, blowing opportunities, and bragging about our great ambitions. We don’t know how much time we have, so we must make the most of every single minute!
God has plans for each of us, and we must stay in constant contact with Him so that we know what He wants us to do. He will give us seasons of work, play, and rest… and when His plans for us are done, He will call us to Heaven. The question we must ask God is, “Lord, what do you want me to do with my time on this earth?” Remember Who numbers your days, and plan to make each one count!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 22 ~ Ephesians 3:1-10
Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets. And the mystery is this: Because of Christ Jesus, the good news has given the Gentiles a share in the promises that God gave to the Jews. God has also let the Gentiles be part of the same body.
God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the good news. I am the least important of all God's people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured. God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind. Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about each snowflake that falls. By themselves, they have very little impact and may not seem that important, but put them together, and you have a snowball, snowman, or a beautiful winter wonderland!There are times when each of us wonders, “Why am I here?” You may feel like you are fairly insignificant in the scheme of things. But Paul shows us in this passage that each of us has a place in God’s plans. We may not feel all that important, but to Him, we are vital! He created us for His purposes… and even when they seem small to us, they still matter to God.
Just like individual snowflakes, we are unique… and vital. We may not understand why we are here, but God knows… and that’s what counts. Ask God to show you how to serve Him. In time, He will reveal more and more of His plans to you and where you fit in them. Be patient… and content… knowing He chose you and gave you a part!
©2009 Debbie Robus
I am supposed to rule these people, but there are as many of them as there are specks of dust on the ground. So keep the promise you made to my father and make me wise. Give me the knowledge I'll need to be the king of this great nation of yours.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When was the last time you asked God for wisdom? We ask God for specific things – “Do this for me.” “Heal me of this illness or injury.” “Bring resolution to this conflict with So-and-So.” But how often do you ask, “Lord… give me wisdom in this situation. Help me to know how to proceed, according to your will.”
Solomon was a very wise man. And yet, he knew he was helpless to rule all of the people of Israel without God’s wisdom. And if you read on in verses 11 and beyond, you will see that God told Solomon (I’m paraphrasing here), “You could have asked for anything… wealth, fame, or a long life. But you asked for wisdom, and I will give it to you. But I will also make you rich and famous!” In other words, because Solomon asked for wisdom instead of “material” things, God rewarded him with both!
Does that mean God will reward us with material blessings if we ask for wisdom? Not necessarily. But without God’s wisdom, material things will never satisfy. Without God’s wisdom, nothing else will come together like we hoped it would. The key to success lies in the wisdom of God – and asking for it in prayer. Unless you pray for wisdom, you’re probably going to spend some time spinning in circles. Ask God to give you wisdom, according to His will. Listen and pay attention for His answer. You’ll be amazed at how much better things turn out if you do.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 28 ~ 1 Kings 8:35-36
Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they turn toward this temple and pray in your name and stop sinning, listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And please send rain on the land you promised them forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When you go to Sonic and order lunch, you are very specific, aren’t you?! You ask for your hamburger with or without cheese. You may ask for mustard only and no onions. Or you may say, “I want that with everything.” If you don’t specify how you want your burger and whether you want tots or fries, there is no telling what you will get. And honestly, if you don’t tell the person taking the order how you want things, you have no room to complain when it isn’t right.
If we are so specific about something like a Sonic lunch order, why are we so non-specific with our prayers? Sure, God knows already what we need… but He wants us to tell Him specifically. He wants us to admit our sins, repent of them and ask forgiveness… and then He wants us to tell Him what we need. So if you have a big test that is coming up and you are worried about it, God doesn’t want you to say, “Help me in school, Lord.” He wants you to say, “Lord, I have this huge test coming up, and I really need help with studying and learning the material.” If you are sick with strep throat, God knows this. But don’t just pray, “Lord, heal me,” or “Father, make me well.” Tell him, “God, my throat is killing me. Please heal the infection there and make the antibiotics work, so that I can get well and go back to my regular routine.”
When we are children, we run down the litany of people in our nightly prayers… “God bless Momma and Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Sue, my sister, and the dog Spot.” But as we grow and mature, God wants us to be more specific. He wants us to detail our needs to Him and ask for answers, just as Solomon asked for forgiveness for the people of Israel… and for rain! I’m not saying that God won’t answer us when we pray, “You know the needs, Lord.” Sometimes, this is all we can muster… and God understands. But there are times when we need to confess our sins, ask God to forgive us, and then “order specifically!” It works at Sonic… and it will surely work with our awesome God!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 27 ~ 1 Kings 3:7-9
LORD God, I'm your servant, and you've made me king in my father's place. But I'm very young and know so little about being a leader. And now I must rule your chosen people, even though there are too many of them to count.
Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don't, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever been asked to do something, but you felt completely inadequate? Maybe a teacher asked you to do something in class – like make a speech – and you felt you did not have what it takes to do this. Or maybe your boss asked you to head up some big project, and you felt so nervous and uncertain – and worried you might fail. Maybe you are taking a step toward a serious relationship, or even marriage, and you believe this is the right course, but you still have a little “cold feet” and even some fears. Or maybe you are facing a decision about placing your parents in the nursing home – or downsizing your own living arrangements as you age – and the future seems scary and uncertain. The first step to certainty – the way to work yourself out of anxiety and fear and nervousness – is to pray. Ask God for wisdom, just as King Solomon did. He knew that God wanted him to lead the people. But as mighty and confident as King Solomon was, he still had reservations and uncertainties – and he knew that without God’s help, everything would fail. On our own, we have every right to feel nervous and uncertain, because we are only human. But with God, all things are possible. Ask Him today to guide your steps – to give you wisdom and courage where you need it. He can make the difference in your outcome. Are you trusting Him to do this?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 26 ~ Psalms 65
Our God, you deserve praise in Zion, where we keep our promises to you. Everyone will come to you because you answer prayer. Our terrible sins get us down, but you forgive us. You bless your chosen ones, and you invite them to live near you in your temple. We will enjoy your house, the sacred temple. Our God, you save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice!
You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea. You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place. You silence the roaring waves and the noisy shouts of the nations.
People far away marvel at your fearsome deeds, and all who live under the sun celebrate and sing because of you. You take care of the earth and send rain to help the soil grow all kinds of crops. Your rivers never run dry, and you prepare the earth to produce much grain. You water all of its fields and level the lumpy ground. You send showers of rain to soften the soil and help the plants sprout. Wherever your footsteps touch the earth, a rich harvest is gathered. Desert pastures blossom, and mountains celebrate. Meadows are filled with sheep and goats; valleys overflow with grain and echo with joyful songs.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Are you facing a dilemma… a fearful situation… a challenge? Have I got the scripture passage for you! This would be a great passage to memorize for the times when we need to remind ourselves of God’s power, grace, mercy, and love. This would be a great reminder that God answers prayers, nurtures and cares for us, and prepares a home for us - in His temple.So whatever troubles are coming your way these days… whatever challenges you are facing, remember Psalm 65. Keep it close to you, or commit it to memory and impress its words on your heart. God’s rivers never run dry…He saves us… and His fearsome deeds answer our prayers. Our God puts the mountains in place with His mighty power. What else… WHO else do we need?!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 25 ~ 2 John 1:2
We love you because the truth is now in our hearts, and it will be there forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. Have you ever waited for some news, and the time seemed to drag by without end? Maybe you were waiting to find out if you got into a certain college, or whether you got a job you wanted. Maybe you were waiting for a new baby to arrive or counting the days until a big event, like a big game in which you were playing – or even your wedding day! In every case, the joy and relief and overwhelming range of emotions that filled you when the waiting ended may have been indescribable. But in many cases, the love and joy you felt probably seemed overwhelming.
It’s that way with our relationship with God. Once we know His truth… the truth of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and subsequent resurrection…we are filled with love that flows outward – love for others and love for our God who loves us so well and completely.
Here’s the thing. All of the “events” of our lives for which we wait and anticipate and enjoy are fleeting… or at least that overwhelming sense of joy and delight we experience at the outset subsides. Sure, you may revel in the big game for years to come. You may be delighted and filled with joy and love for a new spouse or a new baby. You may really love your job and enjoy going to work each day. But none of these compare with the changes in your heart that learning God’s truth can bring. The joy, peace, comfort, hope, courage and all of the emotions that flood our heart will rise and fall over time, but the truth of God’s love, grace, and mercy, will remain steadfast. Feelings come and go, but God’s truth is forever. The wait is over… God’s truth is ours…have you made a place for Him in your heart?
©2009 Debbie Robus
-------------------------------------------------------------
January 24 ~ 1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of my favorite sounds is that of wind blowing through a pine grove. I bet you know the sound. It is a little eerie… and soothing… all at once. When I was a child, I loved to visit a moss-covered creek bank across the road from my grandparents’ house. It was lined with pine trees, and I would jump the creek, climb up on that soft mossy bank, then sit and listen to the wind blowing through the trees. I felt safe, peaceful, and loved there.
If you want to get really technical, we don’t see or hear wind… we hear the effect wind has on objects that it impacts. We hear and see the rustle of leaves and tree branches. We see a field of tall grasses wave and hear the whoosh they make as they do so. We know the wind is there… the evidence of its effects is all around us.
Like the wind, we don’t actually see God, but we feel His effects. We are surrounded and filled by His love. We see and hear evidence of His presence, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He exists. And when we love each other as God has taught us, He fills our hearts with feelings of peace, safety and love as if we were sitting and snuggling on a mossy creek bank, listening to the wind rustle through the pines.
God is the ultimate “wind beneath our wings.” Can you feel Him surrounding you and filling your heart these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 23 ~ James 4:13-16
You should know better than to say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to the city. We will do business there for a year and make a lot of money!" What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. You should say, "If the Lord lets us live, we will do these things." Yet you are stupid enough to brag, and it is wrong to be so proud.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, a 15-year-old boy in our town collapsed and died while playing in a basketball game at his church gym. He apparently suffered a heart attack. A couple of days later, a young man in Little Rock collapsed on his gym floor of an apparent heart attack, and he survived but is still hospitalized in serious condition. I am sure neither of these young men or their families and friends even remotely imagined that this could happen to such young, seemingly healthy people. The people of Haiti could not possibly have planned for the devastating earthquake that ravaged their country in recent weeks and killed hundreds of thousands. Is this passage telling us we should not make plans? NO! But it is telling us that we need to remember how temporary our earthly life is… and how quickly our plans can change!
So what does this all mean for us? I believe God wants us to have hopes, dreams, and yes – plans. He wants us to plan to finish high school and/or college. He wants us to plan to grow old with family and friends and to have a rewarding career and a full life. He wants us to plan to serve Him in ways great and small… and to confidently anticipate the future and sharing His Good News with others. But at the same time, He wants us to know that this could be our last day on this earth. He wants us to realize that we don’t have time to waste on being silly or acting like a fool, worrying, blowing opportunities, and bragging about our great ambitions. We don’t know how much time we have, so we must make the most of every single minute!
God has plans for each of us, and we must stay in constant contact with Him so that we know what He wants us to do. He will give us seasons of work, play, and rest… and when His plans for us are done, He will call us to Heaven. The question we must ask God is, “Lord, what do you want me to do with my time on this earth?” Remember Who numbers your days, and plan to make each one count!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 22 ~ Ephesians 3:1-10
Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets. And the mystery is this: Because of Christ Jesus, the good news has given the Gentiles a share in the promises that God gave to the Jews. God has also let the Gentiles be part of the same body.
God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the good news. I am the least important of all God's people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured. God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind. Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about each snowflake that falls. By themselves, they have very little impact and may not seem that important, but put them together, and you have a snowball, snowman, or a beautiful winter wonderland!There are times when each of us wonders, “Why am I here?” You may feel like you are fairly insignificant in the scheme of things. But Paul shows us in this passage that each of us has a place in God’s plans. We may not feel all that important, but to Him, we are vital! He created us for His purposes… and even when they seem small to us, they still matter to God.
Just like individual snowflakes, we are unique… and vital. We may not understand why we are here, but God knows… and that’s what counts. Ask God to show you how to serve Him. In time, He will reveal more and more of His plans to you and where you fit in them. Be patient… and content… knowing He chose you and gave you a part!
©2009 Debbie Robus
January 2010 Devotionals - Week 3
January 21 ~ Ephesians 1:3-10
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One year for my birthday, my husband said, “Pack a bag… we’re going somewhere for the weekend.” He would not tell me where we were going… just that I needed casual clothes, one nice outfit, and a swimsuit. I later learned that he had told ONE person our plans, in case of emergency, but otherwise, he kept our destination a secret… and a surprise. I didn’t know where we were going until we exited the Interstate at a certain point, and then I knew in reason we were headed to Hot Springs. Careful planner that he was, my husband had reserved a room for us in the hotel where we spent our honeymoon some twenty years earlier. Knowing if he did this near our actual anniversary, I might figure out the surprise, he arranged this weekend a month earlier around my birthday. And that did throw me off track for quite some time! He had also carefully planned the weekend and the events we would enjoy while returning to Hot Springs… and we really had a good time there. We even watched a Fourth of July fireworks display from our hotel balcony… although my husband had to admit that was a surprise even to him!
My husband carefully planned this weekend for us because he loves me. He is always thinking up ways to surprise me and make me smile… he blesses me each and every day. But I know that my husband is only human. As much as I love him and as well as he cares for me, God blesses and cares for me in ways I can’t even begin to express. He plans for my daily needs. He knows how He will help me overcome challenges. He numbers my steps and guides my plans… and after all of that, He has more surprises planned.
As amazing as my surprise weekend in Hot Springs was, I’m pretty sure God’s surprises are going to be far more impressive. Like most people, I have questions I want Him to answer – and He will someday. I have mysteries I want Him to unlock – and I know He can. I dream about what Heaven will be like, but I know it will be so much more than I could ever begin to imagine. God has surprises on the horizon… and plans that will astound us… and love for us we cannot begin to measure. We must praise Him every day for this! We must thank Him over and over for sending Jesus… and for the plans yet to be realized… the surprises yet to come for His children. When we serve such a loving and generous God, how can we not be grateful? Anything less than our very best for Him is an insult to One who is so giving and merciful. I am surprised by God every day… and I praise Him for it. Do you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 20 ~ Acts 5:35-39
Then he said to the council: People of Israel, be careful what you do with these men. Not long ago Theudas claimed to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed. All his followers were scattered, and that was the end of that.
Later, when the people of our nation were being counted, Judas from Galilee showed up. A lot of people followed him, but he was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
So I advise you to stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If what they are planning is something of their own doing, it will fail. But if God is behind it, you cannot stop it anyway, unless you want to fight against God.
The council members agreed with what he said...
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you noticed that from time to time, people rise to a place of prominence in the Christian faith – either as an evangelist, a worship leader, or maybe a new sound/face in Christian music – and people jump on the bandwagon and start to support this person’s ministry. We hear a lot about this new “wave” in Christianity… for a season… and then the noise dies down and people seem to drift away or worship elsewhere and in a different fashion. I can think of several movements by “televangelists” that exploded for a while but now seem to be withering on the vine. And when reports start to surface in the news about these people and their wealthy lifestyles and opulence – and the generous “gifts” they receive from their church members and “partners” - you have to wonder whether their true plan was to serve Jesus or to get rich and famous!
But it’s not just televangelists and the money hungry… some are in it to feed their ego… and that’s just as bad. We can probably all think of someone who feels that their thoughts and ideas are bigger and better than ours, and we know how much we dislike this. So why is it that Christians are so ready to fall in line with the teachings and Scripture interpretation of just one person and believe exactly as he/she does about everything from morality to politics? My humble opinion is that we do this because something is lacking in us. We have drifted away from communication with God through prayer and Bible study, and we are seeking someone or something to fill us and restore us.
In this passage, Peter is telling the church – and us – that God gave us a brain! He gave us His word – and the ability to read it for ourselves and discern what He has to say to us. God has ordained countless people to guide us as we grow in our faith. But He also gives us wisdom – and the tools of prayer and Bible study – to figure out who is serving Him as a leader… and who is in it for themselves. And this applies to ALL areas of life, not just our church leaders. If we pay close attention, we will be able to see who is serving in God’s will… and who is not. And if you find yourself hanging with people who have an agenda (or plans) that do not line up with God’s plans and His word… the Bible tells us to run like the wind in the opposite direction.
God has blessed us with faithful, loyal disciples to lead us as we grow and develop in our own Christian faith… and you may even be one of them! But there are a lot of “wannabes” who are planning for their own prosperity and growth… not the Lord’s. With God’s help, we can tell the difference! Ask God to show you how to worship and serve Him effectively… follow Him and those who humbly serve, and He will always bless your plans.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 19 ~ Acts 2:22-28
Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross.
Death could not hold him in its power. What David said are really the words of Jesus, "I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side. Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope. The Lord won't leave me in the grave. I am his holy one, and he won't let my body decay. He has shown me the path to life, and he makes me glad by being near me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You probably have heard of Bill Engvall, the “Blue Collar Comedy” guy who says, “Here’s your sign.” This passage could be labeled the “Here’s Your Sign” passage… because in it we see that God has clearly given us a “sign” – hope for our future, even when “bad things happen to good people.” We will never suffer anything remotely close to what happened to Jesus… but trials and challenges will come our way. And some of them may seem pretty horrific at the time. We may wonder how we will ever survive them.
But clearly, David has given us the road map for survival. He has told us that death could not hold Jesus. He saw His Father near him at all times. And we must do that, too… because He truly IS always with us. God will not leave us in the pits… that is not His plan for us. He may allow us to wallow there a while until we really figure out that He is still in charge and guiding our every step. But He will always be there with us… and He does have a plan for us that is positive and filled with hope – and blessings.
So, “Here’s your sign!” God sent Jesus to walk among men and then die on the cross – but also to rise from the grave – as a sign to us that He will never leave us. Even in our darkest hour, He has a plan in place to restore us. This is great news! This is a plan that should thrill each and every one of us. This is the ultimate “sign.” Are you paying attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 18 ~ Luke 14:25-33
Large crowds were walking along with Jesus, when he turned and said: You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.
You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it? Otherwise, you will start building the tower, but not be able to finish. Then everyone who sees what is happening will laugh at you. They will say, "You started building, but could not finish the job."
What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win? If he thinks he won't be able to defend himself, he will send messengers and ask for peace while the other king is still a long way off. So then, you cannot be my disciple unless you give away everything you own.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The Food Network has this show called “Chopped” in which four chefs compete to create tasty dishes using “mystery ingredients” contained in a black wicker basket. The four chefs are given three to four ingredients and told to create an appetizer. The ingredients are always a little odd and not things you would normally combine for a food dish. But the chefs are given twenty minutes to use other foods and ingredients in the pantry to create their most tasty – and beautiful dish. After the presentation, the judges “chop” one of the chefs whose dish is deemed least tasty and attractive. The other three continue to create an entrée in thirty minutes, then another chef is “chopped,” and the final two chefs face off to create a dessert.
In a recent episode, the “dessert basket” contained ripe plantains (which resemble bananas), bacon, a white wine, and candied ginger. Both chefs worked frenetically for twenty minutes to create their most incredible dessert. One of the chefs decided to bake some sort of little cakes and use the requisite four ingredients to create sauces to top the cake. In the allotted twenty minutes, the cakes didn’t get done. The chef panicked and tried to turn the cake batter out onto a skillet and make pancakes, but even that failed. He ended up serving the judges his sauces without any cake. He admitted… “I did not plan well.” The other chef took what he was given and used it to create dishes considered delicious and beautiful.
Failure to plan well and work with what was provided in this competition cost three of the four chefs a $10,000 prize. Failure to plan or walk with Jesus has more far-reaching effects. This passage is not about literally giving up your relationship with your parents and other family members… or your belongings… to follow Jesus. Think of them as your “Food Network pantry” – resources that might possibly be available – and helpful – to you, but not always present… or necessary. Often all you will have is what is “in the black wicker basket.” Sometimes God will open the door for you to minister in a certain situation in which you may feel you have very little to offer – or with which to work. But HE will fill the gaps. You have to be willing to trust God… and to follow His plans. You have to plan to succeed with Him… and pay attention to all of the details. Otherwise, when the day is done, you will end up with “sauces and no cake.”
What are you creating? How well have you planned? What baggage to you need to unload? Can you work with what is in God’s “basket” and use it to create an atmosphere in which He can work? Our discipleship often falls short, because we either don’t plan well, or we rely too much on external resources and distractions, such as family, friends, and stuff, instead of asking God, “What are your plans, and where do You want me to serve? What do you want me to make of this?” While our walk with Christ is not a competition, we are God’s “chefs” – creating opportunities for others to hear the Good News – showing them His beauty and all that a life in Jesus has to offer. How well are you serving the Lord these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 17 ~ Luke 12:11-12
When you are brought to trial in the Jewish meeting places or before rulers or officials, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say. At that time the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine you are on a beach and you see a young child bobbing in the water, obviously in distress, or possibly drowning. You would jump in and try to save the child, right? Would you stop to think, “Oh, wait! I’m not wearing a swimsuit,” or “I’m wearing my good shoes and my watch isn’t waterproof!” No, you would dash into the water and make every effort to save the child.
So often, we have a chance to speak to someone else about our faith… to offer hope and encouragement… and we clam up and say nothing. It’s as if we stand “frozen on the beach.” Why? Because we often feel we don’t know what to say – that we might say the wrong thing. We feel inadequate to try to tell someone else about God’s love, grace and mercy. Or maybe we feel that the person will ask questions we can’t answer… that they will attack us for our faith and make us feel like we really don’t know what we are talking about!
The truth is, God gives us “beachside opportunities” every day. We may never be literally called upon to rescue a drowning child on a beach, but people are “drowning” to know more about God every day… and we are the rescue squad. He will use us to reach these people and bring them to shore – to Him, so that He can save them. And the best part of all is that God will equip us for this mission! We don’t have to plan what we will say to others… God will give us the words. We don’t have to schedule time to share our faith… we can be spontaneous, knowing that God will give us everything we need, through His Holy Spirit, to say and do exactly what He wishes.
It’s time to “get off the beach and into the water.” It is time to start being bold in your faith, confident that God has planned and prepared for your witness. It is time to trust that the Holy Spirit is alive in you and will guide you through uncertain situations. Look around and see where God is leading you. Don’t stop to worry about how your witness will be received… just do it, and trust God to handle the details.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 16 ~ Matthew 6:25-34
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds? Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them.
God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?" Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having an arm or leg trapped in something and being unable to free yourself. What if the only option was to amputate the arm or leg, and that could possibly cause you to bleed to death? Do you think you would be thinking about what you were going to wear to school or work tomorrow? Would you really care if your friend called you back or you got your tax refund check in the mail? Would it matter if you were having a bad hair day?
We waste a lot of time and energy worrying needlessly. It may seem important that we look nice and have a full stomach, plenty of friends, and money in our pocket. But a lot of us (myself included) wait until our arm or leg is trapped and we can’t get free (so to speak) before we turn to God and ask for His help. We would rather wring our hands and worry about what we have and don’t have instead of trusting that God already knows our needs and how to meet them.
If we would trust God more, if we would focus on serving Him and less on ourselves, then when real worries come our way, we would know where to turn and have hope for a solution from the One who can give it to us. God has wonderful plans for us… and they include meeting our needs according to His will. Are you willing to trust Him to deliver?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 15 ~ Jeremiah 29:11
I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The January 12th earthquake in Haiti has ravaged this Caribbean country. People have lost their homes, their belongings, and their very lives. This event of nature was no respecter of persons… rich, poor, young, and old alike are suffering. And some have tried to claim, in the name of Christianity, that all of this happened to Haiti as punishment from God because the Haitians “made a deal with the devil” decades ago. It does seem that the Haitians have had more than their share of misfortune in recent years, but I don’t believe for a minute that God is punishing them, much less that this entire nation “made a deal with the devil” or any other such nonsense.
There was other sad news this week. Candice, the young Kansas mother of two little girls that I talked about a few days ago, lost her battle with cancer and ran into the arms of Jesus.
So why does God allow bad things to happen? If this scripture in Jeremiah says that God has plans to bless us and give us hope and success, not suffering, why are there so many who suffer? Here’s what I think… God sees the tragedy in Haiti, and He sees millions of opportunities for people to minister in His name. He sees opportunities for orphans to be rescued, and for people to be fed, clothed, housed, and treated medically. He sees countless chances for those who have much to give to those who have nothing. God sees two little girls and a grandmother in Kansas who need everything from comfort and a hug to school lunch money and a ride to Girl Scouts… and He already knows who will step up to meet those needs!
God sees hope where we see none. He sees opportunities to bless where all we can see is tragedy and despair. He sees countless options, and immeasurable blessings. It can start with something as small as a donation to the The Friends of the World Food Program (http://www.wfp.org/), the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/), or Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/) – or some other charitable relief organization. Or, it could be that you are ready to do more… to organize a local food or clothing drive… volunteer at a local service organization like Cleburne County Care, or deliver Meals on Wheels. Maybe you are ready to become a foster parent to a needy child… or even to adopt an orphan from a country such as Haiti. God knows the needs… and He knows how you can fill them. He brings hope in hopeless situations… not destruction. He has plans for us… plans for our own hope and success – and plans for us to help those less fortunate.
I pray that today you will ask God to reveal to you His plans for your own life… how – and where - He wants you to serve others. Ask God to show you where you can offer hope and success to someone else… and find your own in the bargain. It may be that God moves you out of your comfort zone a bit. It may be that His plans are for you to give up some of your time, energy, and/or money in order to do what needs to be done. But I promise, you will never regret it… nor will you miss anything you “sacrifice.” God has plans for His children – plans to give us hope and success beyond anything we could ever imagine… are you ready to get on board?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One year for my birthday, my husband said, “Pack a bag… we’re going somewhere for the weekend.” He would not tell me where we were going… just that I needed casual clothes, one nice outfit, and a swimsuit. I later learned that he had told ONE person our plans, in case of emergency, but otherwise, he kept our destination a secret… and a surprise. I didn’t know where we were going until we exited the Interstate at a certain point, and then I knew in reason we were headed to Hot Springs. Careful planner that he was, my husband had reserved a room for us in the hotel where we spent our honeymoon some twenty years earlier. Knowing if he did this near our actual anniversary, I might figure out the surprise, he arranged this weekend a month earlier around my birthday. And that did throw me off track for quite some time! He had also carefully planned the weekend and the events we would enjoy while returning to Hot Springs… and we really had a good time there. We even watched a Fourth of July fireworks display from our hotel balcony… although my husband had to admit that was a surprise even to him!
My husband carefully planned this weekend for us because he loves me. He is always thinking up ways to surprise me and make me smile… he blesses me each and every day. But I know that my husband is only human. As much as I love him and as well as he cares for me, God blesses and cares for me in ways I can’t even begin to express. He plans for my daily needs. He knows how He will help me overcome challenges. He numbers my steps and guides my plans… and after all of that, He has more surprises planned.
As amazing as my surprise weekend in Hot Springs was, I’m pretty sure God’s surprises are going to be far more impressive. Like most people, I have questions I want Him to answer – and He will someday. I have mysteries I want Him to unlock – and I know He can. I dream about what Heaven will be like, but I know it will be so much more than I could ever begin to imagine. God has surprises on the horizon… and plans that will astound us… and love for us we cannot begin to measure. We must praise Him every day for this! We must thank Him over and over for sending Jesus… and for the plans yet to be realized… the surprises yet to come for His children. When we serve such a loving and generous God, how can we not be grateful? Anything less than our very best for Him is an insult to One who is so giving and merciful. I am surprised by God every day… and I praise Him for it. Do you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 20 ~ Acts 5:35-39
Then he said to the council: People of Israel, be careful what you do with these men. Not long ago Theudas claimed to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed. All his followers were scattered, and that was the end of that.
Later, when the people of our nation were being counted, Judas from Galilee showed up. A lot of people followed him, but he was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
So I advise you to stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If what they are planning is something of their own doing, it will fail. But if God is behind it, you cannot stop it anyway, unless you want to fight against God.
The council members agreed with what he said...
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you noticed that from time to time, people rise to a place of prominence in the Christian faith – either as an evangelist, a worship leader, or maybe a new sound/face in Christian music – and people jump on the bandwagon and start to support this person’s ministry. We hear a lot about this new “wave” in Christianity… for a season… and then the noise dies down and people seem to drift away or worship elsewhere and in a different fashion. I can think of several movements by “televangelists” that exploded for a while but now seem to be withering on the vine. And when reports start to surface in the news about these people and their wealthy lifestyles and opulence – and the generous “gifts” they receive from their church members and “partners” - you have to wonder whether their true plan was to serve Jesus or to get rich and famous!
But it’s not just televangelists and the money hungry… some are in it to feed their ego… and that’s just as bad. We can probably all think of someone who feels that their thoughts and ideas are bigger and better than ours, and we know how much we dislike this. So why is it that Christians are so ready to fall in line with the teachings and Scripture interpretation of just one person and believe exactly as he/she does about everything from morality to politics? My humble opinion is that we do this because something is lacking in us. We have drifted away from communication with God through prayer and Bible study, and we are seeking someone or something to fill us and restore us.
In this passage, Peter is telling the church – and us – that God gave us a brain! He gave us His word – and the ability to read it for ourselves and discern what He has to say to us. God has ordained countless people to guide us as we grow in our faith. But He also gives us wisdom – and the tools of prayer and Bible study – to figure out who is serving Him as a leader… and who is in it for themselves. And this applies to ALL areas of life, not just our church leaders. If we pay close attention, we will be able to see who is serving in God’s will… and who is not. And if you find yourself hanging with people who have an agenda (or plans) that do not line up with God’s plans and His word… the Bible tells us to run like the wind in the opposite direction.
God has blessed us with faithful, loyal disciples to lead us as we grow and develop in our own Christian faith… and you may even be one of them! But there are a lot of “wannabes” who are planning for their own prosperity and growth… not the Lord’s. With God’s help, we can tell the difference! Ask God to show you how to worship and serve Him effectively… follow Him and those who humbly serve, and He will always bless your plans.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 19 ~ Acts 2:22-28
Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross.
Death could not hold him in its power. What David said are really the words of Jesus, "I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side. Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope. The Lord won't leave me in the grave. I am his holy one, and he won't let my body decay. He has shown me the path to life, and he makes me glad by being near me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You probably have heard of Bill Engvall, the “Blue Collar Comedy” guy who says, “Here’s your sign.” This passage could be labeled the “Here’s Your Sign” passage… because in it we see that God has clearly given us a “sign” – hope for our future, even when “bad things happen to good people.” We will never suffer anything remotely close to what happened to Jesus… but trials and challenges will come our way. And some of them may seem pretty horrific at the time. We may wonder how we will ever survive them.
But clearly, David has given us the road map for survival. He has told us that death could not hold Jesus. He saw His Father near him at all times. And we must do that, too… because He truly IS always with us. God will not leave us in the pits… that is not His plan for us. He may allow us to wallow there a while until we really figure out that He is still in charge and guiding our every step. But He will always be there with us… and He does have a plan for us that is positive and filled with hope – and blessings.
So, “Here’s your sign!” God sent Jesus to walk among men and then die on the cross – but also to rise from the grave – as a sign to us that He will never leave us. Even in our darkest hour, He has a plan in place to restore us. This is great news! This is a plan that should thrill each and every one of us. This is the ultimate “sign.” Are you paying attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 18 ~ Luke 14:25-33
Large crowds were walking along with Jesus, when he turned and said: You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.
You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it? Otherwise, you will start building the tower, but not be able to finish. Then everyone who sees what is happening will laugh at you. They will say, "You started building, but could not finish the job."
What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win? If he thinks he won't be able to defend himself, he will send messengers and ask for peace while the other king is still a long way off. So then, you cannot be my disciple unless you give away everything you own.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The Food Network has this show called “Chopped” in which four chefs compete to create tasty dishes using “mystery ingredients” contained in a black wicker basket. The four chefs are given three to four ingredients and told to create an appetizer. The ingredients are always a little odd and not things you would normally combine for a food dish. But the chefs are given twenty minutes to use other foods and ingredients in the pantry to create their most tasty – and beautiful dish. After the presentation, the judges “chop” one of the chefs whose dish is deemed least tasty and attractive. The other three continue to create an entrée in thirty minutes, then another chef is “chopped,” and the final two chefs face off to create a dessert.
In a recent episode, the “dessert basket” contained ripe plantains (which resemble bananas), bacon, a white wine, and candied ginger. Both chefs worked frenetically for twenty minutes to create their most incredible dessert. One of the chefs decided to bake some sort of little cakes and use the requisite four ingredients to create sauces to top the cake. In the allotted twenty minutes, the cakes didn’t get done. The chef panicked and tried to turn the cake batter out onto a skillet and make pancakes, but even that failed. He ended up serving the judges his sauces without any cake. He admitted… “I did not plan well.” The other chef took what he was given and used it to create dishes considered delicious and beautiful.
Failure to plan well and work with what was provided in this competition cost three of the four chefs a $10,000 prize. Failure to plan or walk with Jesus has more far-reaching effects. This passage is not about literally giving up your relationship with your parents and other family members… or your belongings… to follow Jesus. Think of them as your “Food Network pantry” – resources that might possibly be available – and helpful – to you, but not always present… or necessary. Often all you will have is what is “in the black wicker basket.” Sometimes God will open the door for you to minister in a certain situation in which you may feel you have very little to offer – or with which to work. But HE will fill the gaps. You have to be willing to trust God… and to follow His plans. You have to plan to succeed with Him… and pay attention to all of the details. Otherwise, when the day is done, you will end up with “sauces and no cake.”
What are you creating? How well have you planned? What baggage to you need to unload? Can you work with what is in God’s “basket” and use it to create an atmosphere in which He can work? Our discipleship often falls short, because we either don’t plan well, or we rely too much on external resources and distractions, such as family, friends, and stuff, instead of asking God, “What are your plans, and where do You want me to serve? What do you want me to make of this?” While our walk with Christ is not a competition, we are God’s “chefs” – creating opportunities for others to hear the Good News – showing them His beauty and all that a life in Jesus has to offer. How well are you serving the Lord these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 17 ~ Luke 12:11-12
When you are brought to trial in the Jewish meeting places or before rulers or officials, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say. At that time the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine you are on a beach and you see a young child bobbing in the water, obviously in distress, or possibly drowning. You would jump in and try to save the child, right? Would you stop to think, “Oh, wait! I’m not wearing a swimsuit,” or “I’m wearing my good shoes and my watch isn’t waterproof!” No, you would dash into the water and make every effort to save the child.
So often, we have a chance to speak to someone else about our faith… to offer hope and encouragement… and we clam up and say nothing. It’s as if we stand “frozen on the beach.” Why? Because we often feel we don’t know what to say – that we might say the wrong thing. We feel inadequate to try to tell someone else about God’s love, grace and mercy. Or maybe we feel that the person will ask questions we can’t answer… that they will attack us for our faith and make us feel like we really don’t know what we are talking about!
The truth is, God gives us “beachside opportunities” every day. We may never be literally called upon to rescue a drowning child on a beach, but people are “drowning” to know more about God every day… and we are the rescue squad. He will use us to reach these people and bring them to shore – to Him, so that He can save them. And the best part of all is that God will equip us for this mission! We don’t have to plan what we will say to others… God will give us the words. We don’t have to schedule time to share our faith… we can be spontaneous, knowing that God will give us everything we need, through His Holy Spirit, to say and do exactly what He wishes.
It’s time to “get off the beach and into the water.” It is time to start being bold in your faith, confident that God has planned and prepared for your witness. It is time to trust that the Holy Spirit is alive in you and will guide you through uncertain situations. Look around and see where God is leading you. Don’t stop to worry about how your witness will be received… just do it, and trust God to handle the details.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 16 ~ Matthew 6:25-34
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds? Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them.
God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?" Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having an arm or leg trapped in something and being unable to free yourself. What if the only option was to amputate the arm or leg, and that could possibly cause you to bleed to death? Do you think you would be thinking about what you were going to wear to school or work tomorrow? Would you really care if your friend called you back or you got your tax refund check in the mail? Would it matter if you were having a bad hair day?
We waste a lot of time and energy worrying needlessly. It may seem important that we look nice and have a full stomach, plenty of friends, and money in our pocket. But a lot of us (myself included) wait until our arm or leg is trapped and we can’t get free (so to speak) before we turn to God and ask for His help. We would rather wring our hands and worry about what we have and don’t have instead of trusting that God already knows our needs and how to meet them.
If we would trust God more, if we would focus on serving Him and less on ourselves, then when real worries come our way, we would know where to turn and have hope for a solution from the One who can give it to us. God has wonderful plans for us… and they include meeting our needs according to His will. Are you willing to trust Him to deliver?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 15 ~ Jeremiah 29:11
I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The January 12th earthquake in Haiti has ravaged this Caribbean country. People have lost their homes, their belongings, and their very lives. This event of nature was no respecter of persons… rich, poor, young, and old alike are suffering. And some have tried to claim, in the name of Christianity, that all of this happened to Haiti as punishment from God because the Haitians “made a deal with the devil” decades ago. It does seem that the Haitians have had more than their share of misfortune in recent years, but I don’t believe for a minute that God is punishing them, much less that this entire nation “made a deal with the devil” or any other such nonsense.
There was other sad news this week. Candice, the young Kansas mother of two little girls that I talked about a few days ago, lost her battle with cancer and ran into the arms of Jesus.
So why does God allow bad things to happen? If this scripture in Jeremiah says that God has plans to bless us and give us hope and success, not suffering, why are there so many who suffer? Here’s what I think… God sees the tragedy in Haiti, and He sees millions of opportunities for people to minister in His name. He sees opportunities for orphans to be rescued, and for people to be fed, clothed, housed, and treated medically. He sees countless chances for those who have much to give to those who have nothing. God sees two little girls and a grandmother in Kansas who need everything from comfort and a hug to school lunch money and a ride to Girl Scouts… and He already knows who will step up to meet those needs!
God sees hope where we see none. He sees opportunities to bless where all we can see is tragedy and despair. He sees countless options, and immeasurable blessings. It can start with something as small as a donation to the The Friends of the World Food Program (http://www.wfp.org/), the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/), or Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/) – or some other charitable relief organization. Or, it could be that you are ready to do more… to organize a local food or clothing drive… volunteer at a local service organization like Cleburne County Care, or deliver Meals on Wheels. Maybe you are ready to become a foster parent to a needy child… or even to adopt an orphan from a country such as Haiti. God knows the needs… and He knows how you can fill them. He brings hope in hopeless situations… not destruction. He has plans for us… plans for our own hope and success – and plans for us to help those less fortunate.
I pray that today you will ask God to reveal to you His plans for your own life… how – and where - He wants you to serve others. Ask God to show you where you can offer hope and success to someone else… and find your own in the bargain. It may be that God moves you out of your comfort zone a bit. It may be that His plans are for you to give up some of your time, energy, and/or money in order to do what needs to be done. But I promise, you will never regret it… nor will you miss anything you “sacrifice.” God has plans for His children – plans to give us hope and success beyond anything we could ever imagine… are you ready to get on board?
©2009 Debbie Robus
January 2010 Devotionals - Week 2
January 14 ~ Isaiah 32:7-8
Cruel people tell lies-- they do evil things, and make cruel plans to destroy the poor and needy, even when they beg for justice.
But helpful people can always be trusted to make helpful plans.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
What a contrast I saw on Facebook today! On one hand, some of my “friends” are being contacted by another supposed “friend” who claims to be stranded in London and needs money wired to them immediately. It’s a scam… these Facebook “friends” have been hacked. This particular scam has gone around for a few months now, and some people (no one I know personally) have actually sent the money. Trust me, NOBODY is stranded in London and needing your help, much less your money!
On the same day on Facebook, the United Methodist Church announced that plans are already in place through their relief program, UMCOR, to help those in Haiti who have been devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
These are excellent examples of cruel people telling lies and doing evil things to try and destroy others versus helpful people who are making helpful plans. And these are two isolated examples. Every day, we have the chance to make helpful plans in ways great and small. And nearly every day, we have opportunities to make choices and plans that are less noble, if not downright cruel and/or evil. It comes down to a choice.
How will you spend your days? Will you look for ways to help others and to plan helpful activities? Or will you fold and follow a less noble path – even for a day or two? The choice is pretty clear in my mind. Remember John Wesley’s admonition to do all the good you can in all the places you can for all the people you can for as long as you can (I’m paraphrasing). God expects no less from His children… how are you doing so far?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 13 ~ Isaiah 25:1
You, LORD, are my God! I will praise you for doing the wonderful things you had planned and promised since ancient times.
|Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Lately, I’ve spent some time sitting at the window watching the songbirds feast on black sunflower seeds from our feeders. I have become fascinated with how intricate the color patterns are on their feathers… how each feather has to sit just right aside another in order to create the stripes, dots, and distinct markings. And more than that, every single bluejay has the same feathers in exactly the same places. Each hairy woodpecker has the same white dots on a black back and the exact same pattern of red across the back of his head! Each female cardinal is a muddy mix of browns and reds, in contrast to her bright red male counterpart. And God took time to plan all of these details “in the beginning.”
When I think of the many things God planned… down to the details in the feathers of birds or how a “walking stick” insect really does look like a walking stick and all babies develop on approximately the same timeline for their particular species – and much more… I can’t help but be astounded. I can’t help but stop and thank God for being so detail oriented… so thoughtful… so careful and caring toward all of his creatures.
As bad and destructive as the recent heavy rains and flooding were for some people, did you stop to think that God promised in Genesis that He would never again wipe out the entire earth with a flood? In Hebrews 4:16, God promises to be there whenever we need Him. In Psalm 23, God promises to be with us even in the shadow of death. God promised to send a Savior… and He did! God promises those of us who believe in Him that we will spend Eternity in His presence!
If we stop and think for a while, we can all list ways God has fulfilled His promises in our own lives. But so often, we fail to take time to thank Him and praise Him for such intricate, detailed plans – and His power to work them out for each of us. So today, thank God for His perfect plans. Praise Him for the details and how intricate and incredible they are. Tell Him how astounded you are by the amazing love He must have for us that He would be so careful about even the smallest details, such as freckles on our noses and feathers on a woodpecker’s back! Acknowledge God’s power – and His grace for those of us who often take Him for granted. Promise to do better! Promise to pay closer attention to God’s plans for your life… and ask for His sgrace and mercy in the process.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 12 ~ 2 Isaiah 14:24
The LORD All-Powerful has made this promise: Everything I have planned will happen just as I said.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about the plans we make every day. How many of them get changed? Maybe you plan to go somewhere with friends, and you wake up feeling sick and have to stay home instead. My husband and I once drew up house plans and were within a week of breaking ground when a flooding rainstorm occurred, and we realized that the water runoff would all go right through our garage! We had to start over and totally redesign our house plans to accommodate potential heavy rains. More than one of us has “planned” one career, only to end up doing something totally different. And almost all of us have had to change seemingly less significant plans at one time or another.
One of the biggest lessons of life is that nothing is certain, and we must learn to be flexible with our plans. If we set everything in concrete, we are going to be disappointed. And often, this is because our plans don’t line up with God’s! I cannot stress enough that His ways are perfect and sure… ours are not. Because we are human – and because Satan is always busy working on us – we have a really hard time accepting this.
Don’t misunderstand me… when you wake up sick and unable to do what you planned that day, God didn’t make you sick. But He may have allowed you to miss out on your plans in order to prepare you for what He has in store. God is not in the business of causing wars, failed marriages and relationships, illness, job loss, destruction, and heartache. That’s the devil’s domain! But God will take circumstances and changes in plans and work them into His plans. If God had not shown my husband the results of the flooding rains that were washing across our yard, we would have built a house that could have been a frequent source of problems and headaches.
Lately, I asked God, “Why on earth did you let certain things happen in my life? And how can you bless me so much after the ways I disappoint you?” I was amazed by His answer. First, He reminded me that it is okay to question Him… to ask Him anything that is on our mind or in our heart. Beyond that, He showed me that He uses my failings and misgivings for His glory. He turns the mistakes and shortcomings around and uses them to draw me closer to Him – to deepen our relationship, and to witness to others. We plan for the short-term; God plans for Eternity. He knows how everything will work throughout our lives, according to His purposes.
So when our short-term plans are changed, we would do well to ask God, “What do you have in store for me? What are you trying to tell me?” We should ask, “Where did my plan not fit in with yours?” God’s plans are exciting… because they are perfect. I’m learning rest in that…confident that whenever He changes my plans, it is for my benefit. And just maybe, something bigger and better is around the corner! Are you resting in God’s plans for your life?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 11 ~ Proverbs 24:27
Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I have moved several times in 35 years and sold more than one house in the process. One of the things we learned is how important it is to get your house ready to sell before you advertise. This isn’t always fun – it may take a while, and it often requires minor (or major) repairs, possibly some paint and improvements, and certainly a lot of cleaning and scrubbing. But getting the house in tip-top shape for potential buyers and doing the necessary “field work” is essential.
By the same token, we have built a few houses, and this process cannot be hurried, either. The temptation is there to skip a few steps… to go ahead and move in before the painting is all finished or the exterior covering (like brick or siding) are all attached. In our last home, my husband and I had to delay our move for a week or so until the concrete finishers could pour our driveway. For a lot of reasons, it made no sense to move in before this was completed.
Life offers us lots of situations where we must “prepare our fields” before we move into the home. If you are a student, you probably wish school were over and you could get on with your life. But the “field work” is important – and necessary. If you are starting a new relationship, you may feel like this person is “the one!” But it takes time to get to know someone well enough to make a long-term commitment. Preparing for a career takes time, education and training... and maybe an internship or two!
We are always in a hurry. We don’t like waiting and saving for everything from a new car to a family vacation or new home furnishings. We always want instant results, from transitioning out of school and into a career to healing from an illness or injury. We don’t have time for study, physical therapy, saving our money, or getting to know someone. But all of this “field work” is incredibly essential… and we all have seen examples of what happens when people rush through this process.
In our Spiritual life, there is also “field work” to be done. While Salvation is immediate when we give our heart to Jesus, becoming a faithful, committed disciple of Christ takes time and effort. If we want to be effective in serving God, we must study His word, spend time in prayer and meditation, and put our faith into practice by sharing the Good News with others. We can’t rush Heaven – our ultimate home as Christians. There is “field work” to be done first – there are “crops” to plant in the form of sharing the love of Christ with others.
The preparation is always worth the effort… in even the seemingly “small” things like saving for a new car or painting the house before you advertise it for sale. How well are you planning? Have you carefully prepared your “fields and crops?”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 10 ~ Proverbs 24:8-9
No one but troublemakers think up trouble. Everyone hates senseless fools who think up ways to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I thought about this passage and looked at it in other translations, I was reminded over and over of recent political and current events and how so many have schemed and planned to “bring down” the other party (on both sides of the aisle) or its members. Truly, many in this country and around the world lie awake at night thinking of ways to harm those who do not agree with them politically. I read posts on Facebook from those who are joining groups to “get rid” of politicians, and while I am not against political activism – or standing up for one’s convictions – I think we often skew the lines to suit our personal feelings rather than acting as responsible citizens, much less Christians.
John Wesley is quoted as saying… "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." Somehow, I don’t see anything in that quote about forwarding unkind e-mails, providing links to vicious propaganda on the Internet about this politician or that political group. I don’t see anything that says it’s okay to make your living as a comedian by joking about the killing of Al Qaeda leaders or their families… or the downfall of the latest celebrity. These jokes, e-mails, links and more don’t just happen – someone plans and prepares them!
And we’re not immune on a local level, either. Even if you are not sending out these e-mails or joining the groups on Facebook or writing vile letters to your newspaper editor, you may be passing on the latest rumor in your town or school about the person down the street. “Did you hear about So-and-so?” is another form of trouble-making… and we are all guilty of the sin of gossip from time to time.
I’ve said many times that people are always watching – and taking notice of how we conduct ourselves. Do we want to be known as troublemakers who are always planning ways to perpetuate sin? Or do we want to be true disciples of Christ who follow the guidelines of John Wesley and do all the good we can wherever and whenever we can? Rise above troublemaking… ask God to help you do this. Honor Him by “taking the high road.” Voice your political opinion with your vote, not venom. Stop paying attention to celebrity – or even local – gossip, and for goodness’ sake, don’t share it with others! Live by positive example, not by causing trouble… and let others see the love and light of Christ in you.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 9 ~ Proverbs 21:5
If you plan and work hard, you will have plenty; if you get in a hurry, you will end up poor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever watched one of those cable television shows about people who won the lottery? If so, you may have noticed that many of them rose quickly and fell almost as fast. They ran through the money like water through a sieve, and soon they were worse off than before they ever purchased a ticket. Or consider the Camden, Arkansas, man who won $1000 in the Arkansas lottery recently, only to lose his SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits because he was now making money. He was granted a $20 “general exclusion,” but he lost $980 in benefits. His attempt to turn a few dollars for a scratch-off ticket into a fortune backfired.
I have heard people say, “Joe What’s-his-name is so lucky. He just always seems to do well.” Luck has nothing to do with it! Most likely, Joe plans well (and prayerfully) and works hard! I have seen countless people spend hours, days and weeks on “get-rich-quick” schemes, only to have their dreams dashed by the reality that there is no such thing. I’ve seen the pictures of boats and cars and fancy houses taped to refrigerators… and big “commission” checks waved in front of others with the assurance that “this is so easy – and you can make big money, too.”
Do not fall for this. Think about the wealthy celebrities we see in the news frequently. How many of them appear to be truly happy or successful? They can’t seem to get things right in their marriages and relationships. They develop dependencies on everything from alcohol and drugs to gambling and sex. They flit from one religion to another. This is not success!
I want you to remember two things… 1) money doesn’t always equal success or happiness; and 2) there is no substitute for a good plan and hard work. You can’t hurry success, but with God’s help, you can achieve it. You may never live in a big house or drive a fancy car. You may always live paycheck to paycheck. But if you are honest, caring, faithful, and serve God with your whole heart, you will be one of the most successful people in the world. Some of the poorest people I know have more money than they could ever spend. And some of the most successful barely get by each month, but somehow they always have plenty.
Where do you fit in this group? Are you working hard and planning well? Or are you looking for a quick and easy path to success? Plan to live well by planning to work hard and serve God with everything you have… and you will always have more than enough.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 8 ~ Proverbs 16:9
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, my husband and I built our “dream home” on forty acres east of town. We had purchased the land from my dad (who purchased it from his parents), and our home-based business was located there, also. We thought we would live on “the family farm” forever, so we really made the house special. And it was! We loved that home and the land on which it sat. Life there was great, and we have many fond memories of time spent with family and friends on that property!
But then a series of life-changing events occurred, and we realized that God was showing us another plan. He was moving us, even if we went somewhat kicking and screaming. Over time, we realized that we needed to leave our “dream home” and move to another. Now, two homes and a business sale later, we see how God has orchestrated every single detail of our lives – and our moves. And… we have learned that all of our plans are temporary… and must be flexible.
Do not misunderstand me… we need to make plans for our lives (with God’s help, of course). But we need to understand that God may change our plans at any time… and if/when He does, it will be the right move. Our plans are just a small part of God’s bigger plan! God may show us that we need to go in a different direction, but failure to follow through will almost always result in a missed blessing. Take it from one who knows… plans are important, as long as we keep an open mind (and open eyes and ears) toward God’s leadership. If you feel Him steering you in a different direction, pay attention! His plans are perfect, and His decisions are always the right ones.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Cruel people tell lies-- they do evil things, and make cruel plans to destroy the poor and needy, even when they beg for justice.
But helpful people can always be trusted to make helpful plans.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
What a contrast I saw on Facebook today! On one hand, some of my “friends” are being contacted by another supposed “friend” who claims to be stranded in London and needs money wired to them immediately. It’s a scam… these Facebook “friends” have been hacked. This particular scam has gone around for a few months now, and some people (no one I know personally) have actually sent the money. Trust me, NOBODY is stranded in London and needing your help, much less your money!
On the same day on Facebook, the United Methodist Church announced that plans are already in place through their relief program, UMCOR, to help those in Haiti who have been devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
These are excellent examples of cruel people telling lies and doing evil things to try and destroy others versus helpful people who are making helpful plans. And these are two isolated examples. Every day, we have the chance to make helpful plans in ways great and small. And nearly every day, we have opportunities to make choices and plans that are less noble, if not downright cruel and/or evil. It comes down to a choice.
How will you spend your days? Will you look for ways to help others and to plan helpful activities? Or will you fold and follow a less noble path – even for a day or two? The choice is pretty clear in my mind. Remember John Wesley’s admonition to do all the good you can in all the places you can for all the people you can for as long as you can (I’m paraphrasing). God expects no less from His children… how are you doing so far?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 13 ~ Isaiah 25:1
You, LORD, are my God! I will praise you for doing the wonderful things you had planned and promised since ancient times.
|Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Lately, I’ve spent some time sitting at the window watching the songbirds feast on black sunflower seeds from our feeders. I have become fascinated with how intricate the color patterns are on their feathers… how each feather has to sit just right aside another in order to create the stripes, dots, and distinct markings. And more than that, every single bluejay has the same feathers in exactly the same places. Each hairy woodpecker has the same white dots on a black back and the exact same pattern of red across the back of his head! Each female cardinal is a muddy mix of browns and reds, in contrast to her bright red male counterpart. And God took time to plan all of these details “in the beginning.”
When I think of the many things God planned… down to the details in the feathers of birds or how a “walking stick” insect really does look like a walking stick and all babies develop on approximately the same timeline for their particular species – and much more… I can’t help but be astounded. I can’t help but stop and thank God for being so detail oriented… so thoughtful… so careful and caring toward all of his creatures.
As bad and destructive as the recent heavy rains and flooding were for some people, did you stop to think that God promised in Genesis that He would never again wipe out the entire earth with a flood? In Hebrews 4:16, God promises to be there whenever we need Him. In Psalm 23, God promises to be with us even in the shadow of death. God promised to send a Savior… and He did! God promises those of us who believe in Him that we will spend Eternity in His presence!
If we stop and think for a while, we can all list ways God has fulfilled His promises in our own lives. But so often, we fail to take time to thank Him and praise Him for such intricate, detailed plans – and His power to work them out for each of us. So today, thank God for His perfect plans. Praise Him for the details and how intricate and incredible they are. Tell Him how astounded you are by the amazing love He must have for us that He would be so careful about even the smallest details, such as freckles on our noses and feathers on a woodpecker’s back! Acknowledge God’s power – and His grace for those of us who often take Him for granted. Promise to do better! Promise to pay closer attention to God’s plans for your life… and ask for His sgrace and mercy in the process.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 12 ~ 2 Isaiah 14:24
The LORD All-Powerful has made this promise: Everything I have planned will happen just as I said.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about the plans we make every day. How many of them get changed? Maybe you plan to go somewhere with friends, and you wake up feeling sick and have to stay home instead. My husband and I once drew up house plans and were within a week of breaking ground when a flooding rainstorm occurred, and we realized that the water runoff would all go right through our garage! We had to start over and totally redesign our house plans to accommodate potential heavy rains. More than one of us has “planned” one career, only to end up doing something totally different. And almost all of us have had to change seemingly less significant plans at one time or another.
One of the biggest lessons of life is that nothing is certain, and we must learn to be flexible with our plans. If we set everything in concrete, we are going to be disappointed. And often, this is because our plans don’t line up with God’s! I cannot stress enough that His ways are perfect and sure… ours are not. Because we are human – and because Satan is always busy working on us – we have a really hard time accepting this.
Don’t misunderstand me… when you wake up sick and unable to do what you planned that day, God didn’t make you sick. But He may have allowed you to miss out on your plans in order to prepare you for what He has in store. God is not in the business of causing wars, failed marriages and relationships, illness, job loss, destruction, and heartache. That’s the devil’s domain! But God will take circumstances and changes in plans and work them into His plans. If God had not shown my husband the results of the flooding rains that were washing across our yard, we would have built a house that could have been a frequent source of problems and headaches.
Lately, I asked God, “Why on earth did you let certain things happen in my life? And how can you bless me so much after the ways I disappoint you?” I was amazed by His answer. First, He reminded me that it is okay to question Him… to ask Him anything that is on our mind or in our heart. Beyond that, He showed me that He uses my failings and misgivings for His glory. He turns the mistakes and shortcomings around and uses them to draw me closer to Him – to deepen our relationship, and to witness to others. We plan for the short-term; God plans for Eternity. He knows how everything will work throughout our lives, according to His purposes.
So when our short-term plans are changed, we would do well to ask God, “What do you have in store for me? What are you trying to tell me?” We should ask, “Where did my plan not fit in with yours?” God’s plans are exciting… because they are perfect. I’m learning rest in that…confident that whenever He changes my plans, it is for my benefit. And just maybe, something bigger and better is around the corner! Are you resting in God’s plans for your life?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 11 ~ Proverbs 24:27
Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I have moved several times in 35 years and sold more than one house in the process. One of the things we learned is how important it is to get your house ready to sell before you advertise. This isn’t always fun – it may take a while, and it often requires minor (or major) repairs, possibly some paint and improvements, and certainly a lot of cleaning and scrubbing. But getting the house in tip-top shape for potential buyers and doing the necessary “field work” is essential.
By the same token, we have built a few houses, and this process cannot be hurried, either. The temptation is there to skip a few steps… to go ahead and move in before the painting is all finished or the exterior covering (like brick or siding) are all attached. In our last home, my husband and I had to delay our move for a week or so until the concrete finishers could pour our driveway. For a lot of reasons, it made no sense to move in before this was completed.
Life offers us lots of situations where we must “prepare our fields” before we move into the home. If you are a student, you probably wish school were over and you could get on with your life. But the “field work” is important – and necessary. If you are starting a new relationship, you may feel like this person is “the one!” But it takes time to get to know someone well enough to make a long-term commitment. Preparing for a career takes time, education and training... and maybe an internship or two!
We are always in a hurry. We don’t like waiting and saving for everything from a new car to a family vacation or new home furnishings. We always want instant results, from transitioning out of school and into a career to healing from an illness or injury. We don’t have time for study, physical therapy, saving our money, or getting to know someone. But all of this “field work” is incredibly essential… and we all have seen examples of what happens when people rush through this process.
In our Spiritual life, there is also “field work” to be done. While Salvation is immediate when we give our heart to Jesus, becoming a faithful, committed disciple of Christ takes time and effort. If we want to be effective in serving God, we must study His word, spend time in prayer and meditation, and put our faith into practice by sharing the Good News with others. We can’t rush Heaven – our ultimate home as Christians. There is “field work” to be done first – there are “crops” to plant in the form of sharing the love of Christ with others.
The preparation is always worth the effort… in even the seemingly “small” things like saving for a new car or painting the house before you advertise it for sale. How well are you planning? Have you carefully prepared your “fields and crops?”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 10 ~ Proverbs 24:8-9
No one but troublemakers think up trouble. Everyone hates senseless fools who think up ways to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As I thought about this passage and looked at it in other translations, I was reminded over and over of recent political and current events and how so many have schemed and planned to “bring down” the other party (on both sides of the aisle) or its members. Truly, many in this country and around the world lie awake at night thinking of ways to harm those who do not agree with them politically. I read posts on Facebook from those who are joining groups to “get rid” of politicians, and while I am not against political activism – or standing up for one’s convictions – I think we often skew the lines to suit our personal feelings rather than acting as responsible citizens, much less Christians.
John Wesley is quoted as saying… "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." Somehow, I don’t see anything in that quote about forwarding unkind e-mails, providing links to vicious propaganda on the Internet about this politician or that political group. I don’t see anything that says it’s okay to make your living as a comedian by joking about the killing of Al Qaeda leaders or their families… or the downfall of the latest celebrity. These jokes, e-mails, links and more don’t just happen – someone plans and prepares them!
And we’re not immune on a local level, either. Even if you are not sending out these e-mails or joining the groups on Facebook or writing vile letters to your newspaper editor, you may be passing on the latest rumor in your town or school about the person down the street. “Did you hear about So-and-so?” is another form of trouble-making… and we are all guilty of the sin of gossip from time to time.
I’ve said many times that people are always watching – and taking notice of how we conduct ourselves. Do we want to be known as troublemakers who are always planning ways to perpetuate sin? Or do we want to be true disciples of Christ who follow the guidelines of John Wesley and do all the good we can wherever and whenever we can? Rise above troublemaking… ask God to help you do this. Honor Him by “taking the high road.” Voice your political opinion with your vote, not venom. Stop paying attention to celebrity – or even local – gossip, and for goodness’ sake, don’t share it with others! Live by positive example, not by causing trouble… and let others see the love and light of Christ in you.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 9 ~ Proverbs 21:5
If you plan and work hard, you will have plenty; if you get in a hurry, you will end up poor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever watched one of those cable television shows about people who won the lottery? If so, you may have noticed that many of them rose quickly and fell almost as fast. They ran through the money like water through a sieve, and soon they were worse off than before they ever purchased a ticket. Or consider the Camden, Arkansas, man who won $1000 in the Arkansas lottery recently, only to lose his SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits because he was now making money. He was granted a $20 “general exclusion,” but he lost $980 in benefits. His attempt to turn a few dollars for a scratch-off ticket into a fortune backfired.
I have heard people say, “Joe What’s-his-name is so lucky. He just always seems to do well.” Luck has nothing to do with it! Most likely, Joe plans well (and prayerfully) and works hard! I have seen countless people spend hours, days and weeks on “get-rich-quick” schemes, only to have their dreams dashed by the reality that there is no such thing. I’ve seen the pictures of boats and cars and fancy houses taped to refrigerators… and big “commission” checks waved in front of others with the assurance that “this is so easy – and you can make big money, too.”
Do not fall for this. Think about the wealthy celebrities we see in the news frequently. How many of them appear to be truly happy or successful? They can’t seem to get things right in their marriages and relationships. They develop dependencies on everything from alcohol and drugs to gambling and sex. They flit from one religion to another. This is not success!
I want you to remember two things… 1) money doesn’t always equal success or happiness; and 2) there is no substitute for a good plan and hard work. You can’t hurry success, but with God’s help, you can achieve it. You may never live in a big house or drive a fancy car. You may always live paycheck to paycheck. But if you are honest, caring, faithful, and serve God with your whole heart, you will be one of the most successful people in the world. Some of the poorest people I know have more money than they could ever spend. And some of the most successful barely get by each month, but somehow they always have plenty.
Where do you fit in this group? Are you working hard and planning well? Or are you looking for a quick and easy path to success? Plan to live well by planning to work hard and serve God with everything you have… and you will always have more than enough.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 8 ~ Proverbs 16:9
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, my husband and I built our “dream home” on forty acres east of town. We had purchased the land from my dad (who purchased it from his parents), and our home-based business was located there, also. We thought we would live on “the family farm” forever, so we really made the house special. And it was! We loved that home and the land on which it sat. Life there was great, and we have many fond memories of time spent with family and friends on that property!
But then a series of life-changing events occurred, and we realized that God was showing us another plan. He was moving us, even if we went somewhat kicking and screaming. Over time, we realized that we needed to leave our “dream home” and move to another. Now, two homes and a business sale later, we see how God has orchestrated every single detail of our lives – and our moves. And… we have learned that all of our plans are temporary… and must be flexible.
Do not misunderstand me… we need to make plans for our lives (with God’s help, of course). But we need to understand that God may change our plans at any time… and if/when He does, it will be the right move. Our plans are just a small part of God’s bigger plan! God may show us that we need to go in a different direction, but failure to follow through will almost always result in a missed blessing. Take it from one who knows… plans are important, as long as we keep an open mind (and open eyes and ears) toward God’s leadership. If you feel Him steering you in a different direction, pay attention! His plans are perfect, and His decisions are always the right ones.
©2009 Debbie Robus
January 2010 Devotionals
January 7 ~ Proverbs 16:1-3
We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives. Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I’ve talked about this before, but several years ago, I decided that eight years of teaching kindergarten and first grade was enough for me. I needed a change. So I applied for a teaching vacancy in another elementary school in my town – a fifth grade position. One of the principal’s questions was, “What makes you think you could handle the switch from kindergarten to fifth grade?” I explained my reasons and my desire for a new challenge. The “grapevine chatter” was that I was a “sure thing” for this position. I was really excited… until the day the principal phoned me to say he had hired someone else.
I was devastated… hurt… angry. I could not understand why I was not selected for this position. And to be honest, as much as I felt I was ready for a change in the classroom, I was desperate to change work settings – or more to the point, administrators! I ended up teaching kindergarten for a ninth, and final year, and it was one of the best years of my teaching “career.” I think partly that was because after the devastation of not being selected for the fifth grade position, I began to ask God to help me figure out what to do next. And together with my husband, we began to seek a new direction for our lives, which ultimately led us to both quit our jobs and begin a new business together. We had a plan… and that made a huge difference!
Looking back, I see that God was making better plans for me. Had I gotten the teaching position, we might have both continued in our original careers. While that would not have necessarily been a bad thing, I can see that we have had so many opportunities to serve God by serving others through the years, and God orchestrated all of this perfectly. Were there “bumps in the road?” Absolutely! But I would have to say that most of those were self-inflicted – not listening to God and trying to “drive the car” ourselves.
If I could do anything over again, I would make more of a concerted effort to consult God about everything – to be sure He was guiding my plans at all times. I’m sure there were times that He sat back with His arms folded and just shook His head, knowing I was about to make a royal mess of things. We all do this… but we can do better. And those of you who are still teenagers or young adults can learn from my mistakes and star now to consult God about your plans. For those of us who are older, it’s never too late to begin seeking God’s will for our lives – and His perfect plans. From planning a trip or a weekend to planning your future, be sure you talk things over with God first, and everything will work out better than you could ever have imagined. The scripture is true… “Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 6 ~ Proverbs 15:22
Without good advice everything goes wrong-- it takes careful planning for things to go right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine if you went to a football or basketball game, and the coach showed up right before it started and told the team, “Just do whatever feels right out there tonight… I really don’t have a plan.” How do you think the game would go? What if the cheerleaders and the dance team didn’t practice and plan their cheers and routines? What if the band didn’t rehearse, and everyone just showed up and played whatever they wanted at halftime and throughout the game?
What if you went to church on Sunday, and nothing was planned? There was no bulletin, and no hymns or worship music had been selected. The pastor didn’t have any idea what he/she was going to say, and nobody paid any attention to the clock. Would this be a church service you would like to attend? It might sound like fun to think that your teachers were going to conduct classes without lesson plans, but honestly, I think you would be pretty disappointed when it came time to take college entrance exams and your benchmarks! Suppose nobody planned for restocking the shelves at the grocery store or your favorite fast-food restaurant.
Suppose you didn’t make any plans for your life… or even your day. That might work okay for a day or two – or maybe even a week or so – but eventually, everyone needs a plan. And not just any plan will do! Notice that this passage says that careful plans are needed in order for things to go well.
Notice, also, that the passage says everything goes wrong without good advice. Sometimes, we feel like we are perfectly capable of managing our lives on our own. But all of us need a little help from time to time… and clearly, good advice is worth its weight in gold. Don’t hesitate to seek help from people you respect and trust. Listen to those who have “been there/done that” and prayerfully consider what they have to say. Don’t be so cocky as to think you don’t need helpful suggestions or a plan… both are keys to successful living – and part of God’s plan for us! Plan well – and thoughtfully – using all resources that God provides. Make sure that He is in the details, and you will never be disappointed in the outcome.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 5 ~ Proverbs 12:20
An evil mind is deceitful, but gentle thoughts bring happiness.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Turn on the television or go to the movies, and you will see and hear stories of people who plot and plan to harm others. And sadly, we have seen first-hand how the plots and plans of evil people can hurt … the Jewish Holocaust, 9-11, Rwanda, and more. We know that members of Al Qaeda wish to harm Americans and have all sorts of evil plans for us. We also know that there are those in our own country who would love to see harm come to certain races and socio-economic groups… or even our President. There may be people in our own school or community who wish to harm others. The fact of the matter is that there are evil minds in this world – Satan is alive and well!
But God calls us to be better than this - to live with a pure mind and heart, filled with love for others and plans to serve Him in peace and harmony. As Christians, our plans should only be those God gives us according to His will – plans to:
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 4 ~ Proverbs 3:29
Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Let’s say your neighbor does something that continually aggravates you. Maybe he/she plays the radio or stereo really loud with the windows open, and you can feel the pulse of the bass in your own home above the noise of your television. Or let’s say your “neighbor” has the locker above yours and is continually cramming too much stuff into the locker, which opens and spills out on the floor in front of YOUR locker. Feeling like a little revenge? Plotting a way to get even? Don’t do it!
The Bible clearly tells us not to plot and plan against our neighbor… even if they asked for it! Plan to get along. Find a way to resolve conflicts without trouble. Ask God to show you how to work out a good plan that creates harmony and peace for everyone. So often, we fail to talk to God about such things, either thinking we can handle them ourselves, or that they are too trivial for God’s time. Neither is correct. God can help – and He wants to do just that! Ask Him how to help you get along with your neighbor. Plan for success – not trouble – and plan to coexist with your friends and neighbors in peace.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 3 ~ Psalm 146:3-4
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Ask a young boy what he wants to be when he grows up, and he may tell you he plans to be a pro athlete or a rock star. Ask a girl the same question, and she may say she plans to be a model, actress, or TV host like Rachel Ray or Tyra Banks. And while plans, goals and aspirations are a great thing, we often are dreaming and planning on the order of sky diving without a parachute!
When I was young, my grandmothers used to tell me, “Become a doctor and make lots of money.” Another suggestion was that I become a nurse. There were two problems with these ideas… 1) I am squeamish around needles, and 2) nobody was consulting God to see what was included in His plans for me! So God saw to it that the grand plans of my childhood (which also included becoming an architect or a ballerina) were spoiled in one way or another. But the plans He had for me came to life. I can see now that God was ordering the steps of my life from the very beginning, and while I would have loved to design beautiful houses or dance in a lacy tutu, He wanted me to teach and work with people. He wanted me to write and serve in other ways.
Sometimes we think God is planning one thing, when He actually is thinking something altogether different. God gave me musical abilities that almost led me to a college degree in music. But I realized early on that He wanted me to enjoy my music and incorporate it into my life – but not as a career. Had I been more prayerful early on – and more earnest in seeking His direction, I might have seen this even more clearly. The point is, we need to seek God’s plans in all situations and at every turn. Start early – and if you are already an adult, it’s still not too late – even if it means changing directions. Make sure that your plans are God’s plans and not schemes and desires that you are trying to create on your own. What God plans will stand forever… and it will be perfect. Don’t you want to be part of His plans?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 1 ~ 1 Chronicles 28:9
Solomon, my son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m guessing at least a few of us have made a New Year’s resolution or two. I don’t make resolutions every year, but this year, I decided it is time to clear the clutter. Now, for those of you who know me well, you know that I am a pack rat, so this won’t be easy… especially if you have seen my desk! But I am resolving to become more organized and neat… to “act not stack” the papers I receive in the mail… and to make better use of my time! This is more of a plan than a resolution for me. I plan to do better in 2010!
There is nothing wrong with making resolutions – and plans are certainly good. In fact, God has plans for each of us. And those individual plans are part of His “big plan” for the universe! Here’s where it gets a little complicated… God’s plans are perfect. Ours almost never are! And certainly, if we do not consult God – and obey Him – our plans are most likely going to fail.
There’s one more thing. Plans without prayer aren’t worth the time they take us to make them! Ask God to show you how to plan for your future. Seek His wisdom and guidance – and then follow it! He will see you through every step, whether your plans work out as you had hoped or not. But be assured, if you consult Him and obey, the outcome will be perfect for you.
This year, I resolve… to ask God to show me how to plan… and to guide my steps. And if He sees fit to help me keep my desk clean, that would be icing on the cake! Happy New Year!
©2009 Debbie Robus
We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives. Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I’ve talked about this before, but several years ago, I decided that eight years of teaching kindergarten and first grade was enough for me. I needed a change. So I applied for a teaching vacancy in another elementary school in my town – a fifth grade position. One of the principal’s questions was, “What makes you think you could handle the switch from kindergarten to fifth grade?” I explained my reasons and my desire for a new challenge. The “grapevine chatter” was that I was a “sure thing” for this position. I was really excited… until the day the principal phoned me to say he had hired someone else.
I was devastated… hurt… angry. I could not understand why I was not selected for this position. And to be honest, as much as I felt I was ready for a change in the classroom, I was desperate to change work settings – or more to the point, administrators! I ended up teaching kindergarten for a ninth, and final year, and it was one of the best years of my teaching “career.” I think partly that was because after the devastation of not being selected for the fifth grade position, I began to ask God to help me figure out what to do next. And together with my husband, we began to seek a new direction for our lives, which ultimately led us to both quit our jobs and begin a new business together. We had a plan… and that made a huge difference!
Looking back, I see that God was making better plans for me. Had I gotten the teaching position, we might have both continued in our original careers. While that would not have necessarily been a bad thing, I can see that we have had so many opportunities to serve God by serving others through the years, and God orchestrated all of this perfectly. Were there “bumps in the road?” Absolutely! But I would have to say that most of those were self-inflicted – not listening to God and trying to “drive the car” ourselves.
If I could do anything over again, I would make more of a concerted effort to consult God about everything – to be sure He was guiding my plans at all times. I’m sure there were times that He sat back with His arms folded and just shook His head, knowing I was about to make a royal mess of things. We all do this… but we can do better. And those of you who are still teenagers or young adults can learn from my mistakes and star now to consult God about your plans. For those of us who are older, it’s never too late to begin seeking God’s will for our lives – and His perfect plans. From planning a trip or a weekend to planning your future, be sure you talk things over with God first, and everything will work out better than you could ever have imagined. The scripture is true… “Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 6 ~ Proverbs 15:22
Without good advice everything goes wrong-- it takes careful planning for things to go right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine if you went to a football or basketball game, and the coach showed up right before it started and told the team, “Just do whatever feels right out there tonight… I really don’t have a plan.” How do you think the game would go? What if the cheerleaders and the dance team didn’t practice and plan their cheers and routines? What if the band didn’t rehearse, and everyone just showed up and played whatever they wanted at halftime and throughout the game?
What if you went to church on Sunday, and nothing was planned? There was no bulletin, and no hymns or worship music had been selected. The pastor didn’t have any idea what he/she was going to say, and nobody paid any attention to the clock. Would this be a church service you would like to attend? It might sound like fun to think that your teachers were going to conduct classes without lesson plans, but honestly, I think you would be pretty disappointed when it came time to take college entrance exams and your benchmarks! Suppose nobody planned for restocking the shelves at the grocery store or your favorite fast-food restaurant.
Suppose you didn’t make any plans for your life… or even your day. That might work okay for a day or two – or maybe even a week or so – but eventually, everyone needs a plan. And not just any plan will do! Notice that this passage says that careful plans are needed in order for things to go well.
Notice, also, that the passage says everything goes wrong without good advice. Sometimes, we feel like we are perfectly capable of managing our lives on our own. But all of us need a little help from time to time… and clearly, good advice is worth its weight in gold. Don’t hesitate to seek help from people you respect and trust. Listen to those who have “been there/done that” and prayerfully consider what they have to say. Don’t be so cocky as to think you don’t need helpful suggestions or a plan… both are keys to successful living – and part of God’s plan for us! Plan well – and thoughtfully – using all resources that God provides. Make sure that He is in the details, and you will never be disappointed in the outcome.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 5 ~ Proverbs 12:20
An evil mind is deceitful, but gentle thoughts bring happiness.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Turn on the television or go to the movies, and you will see and hear stories of people who plot and plan to harm others. And sadly, we have seen first-hand how the plots and plans of evil people can hurt … the Jewish Holocaust, 9-11, Rwanda, and more. We know that members of Al Qaeda wish to harm Americans and have all sorts of evil plans for us. We also know that there are those in our own country who would love to see harm come to certain races and socio-economic groups… or even our President. There may be people in our own school or community who wish to harm others. The fact of the matter is that there are evil minds in this world – Satan is alive and well!
But God calls us to be better than this - to live with a pure mind and heart, filled with love for others and plans to serve Him in peace and harmony. As Christians, our plans should only be those God gives us according to His will – plans to:
- help others in Jesus’ name
- spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus
- serve God and share His love, power, grace and mercy with others
- operate in joy and peace, and to make all efforts to get along, and much more.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 4 ~ Proverbs 3:29
Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Let’s say your neighbor does something that continually aggravates you. Maybe he/she plays the radio or stereo really loud with the windows open, and you can feel the pulse of the bass in your own home above the noise of your television. Or let’s say your “neighbor” has the locker above yours and is continually cramming too much stuff into the locker, which opens and spills out on the floor in front of YOUR locker. Feeling like a little revenge? Plotting a way to get even? Don’t do it!
The Bible clearly tells us not to plot and plan against our neighbor… even if they asked for it! Plan to get along. Find a way to resolve conflicts without trouble. Ask God to show you how to work out a good plan that creates harmony and peace for everyone. So often, we fail to talk to God about such things, either thinking we can handle them ourselves, or that they are too trivial for God’s time. Neither is correct. God can help – and He wants to do just that! Ask Him how to help you get along with your neighbor. Plan for success – not trouble – and plan to coexist with your friends and neighbors in peace.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 3 ~ Psalm 146:3-4
You can't depend on anyone, not even a great leader. Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother has been sharing with me lately the tragic story of a young widow in Kansas who is dying of cancer. Candice’s two children have already lost their dad, and now their mother is not doing well. Their grandmother also has cancer, so all these young children have ever known is illness, heartache, tragedy, and uncertainty. Candice recently sat her girls down before a surgery and explained to them that they would be taken care of, regardless of her outcome. It was the first time the children realized that their mother may die soon.
This young mother has signed over guardianship of her daughters to her sister, should she die. Other family, friends, and church members have stepped up to fill in the gaps, keep the girls in school and their activities, clean the house, visit with Candice, and more. As sad as this story is… there is a great lesson here for all of us, and the lesson is that we can’t plan for the unexpected – but God can help us manage it.
In other words, none of us plans for cancer, job loss, war, natural disasters, physical injury… or even death. And we all depend on others for many things each and every day. But when the rug gets pulled from underneath us, we must remember that God is still with us. He is still in control – and planning for our future. Our plans are temporary and precarious. God’s plans are perfect and last forever. Be sure that you consult God about every plan and make sure that He is on board. Take comfort in knowing that even the best laid plans may have faults and failures – but God will still be with you working out your future.
And say a prayer for Candice, her daughters and all of those she is depending upon these days. She knows God is in control of her life and their future. Ask Him to give her comfort and peace and to plan lives for her daughters that honor their family and glorify Him.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 2 ~ Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD destroys the plans and spoils the schemes of the nations. But what the LORD has planned will stand forever. His thoughts never change.Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother has been sharing with me lately the tragic story of a young widow in Kansas who is dying of cancer. Candice’s two children have already lost their dad, and now their mother is not doing well. Their grandmother also has cancer, so all these young children have ever known is illness, heartache, tragedy, and uncertainty. Candice recently sat her girls down before a surgery and explained to them that they would be taken care of, regardless of her outcome. It was the first time the children realized that their mother may die soon.
This young mother has signed over guardianship of her daughters to her sister, should she die. Other family, friends, and church members have stepped up to fill in the gaps, keep the girls in school and their activities, clean the house, visit with Candice, and more. As sad as this story is… there is a great lesson here for all of us, and the lesson is that we can’t plan for the unexpected – but God can help us manage it.
In other words, none of us plans for cancer, job loss, war, natural disasters, physical injury… or even death. And we all depend on others for many things each and every day. But when the rug gets pulled from underneath us, we must remember that God is still with us. He is still in control – and planning for our future. Our plans are temporary and precarious. God’s plans are perfect and last forever. Be sure that you consult God about every plan and make sure that He is on board. Take comfort in knowing that even the best laid plans may have faults and failures – but God will still be with you working out your future.
And say a prayer for Candice, her daughters and all of those she is depending upon these days. She knows God is in control of her life and their future. Ask Him to give her comfort and peace and to plan lives for her daughters that honor their family and glorify Him.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 2 ~ Psalm 33:10-11
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Ask a young boy what he wants to be when he grows up, and he may tell you he plans to be a pro athlete or a rock star. Ask a girl the same question, and she may say she plans to be a model, actress, or TV host like Rachel Ray or Tyra Banks. And while plans, goals and aspirations are a great thing, we often are dreaming and planning on the order of sky diving without a parachute!
When I was young, my grandmothers used to tell me, “Become a doctor and make lots of money.” Another suggestion was that I become a nurse. There were two problems with these ideas… 1) I am squeamish around needles, and 2) nobody was consulting God to see what was included in His plans for me! So God saw to it that the grand plans of my childhood (which also included becoming an architect or a ballerina) were spoiled in one way or another. But the plans He had for me came to life. I can see now that God was ordering the steps of my life from the very beginning, and while I would have loved to design beautiful houses or dance in a lacy tutu, He wanted me to teach and work with people. He wanted me to write and serve in other ways.
Sometimes we think God is planning one thing, when He actually is thinking something altogether different. God gave me musical abilities that almost led me to a college degree in music. But I realized early on that He wanted me to enjoy my music and incorporate it into my life – but not as a career. Had I been more prayerful early on – and more earnest in seeking His direction, I might have seen this even more clearly. The point is, we need to seek God’s plans in all situations and at every turn. Start early – and if you are already an adult, it’s still not too late – even if it means changing directions. Make sure that your plans are God’s plans and not schemes and desires that you are trying to create on your own. What God plans will stand forever… and it will be perfect. Don’t you want to be part of His plans?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 1 ~ 1 Chronicles 28:9
Solomon, my son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m guessing at least a few of us have made a New Year’s resolution or two. I don’t make resolutions every year, but this year, I decided it is time to clear the clutter. Now, for those of you who know me well, you know that I am a pack rat, so this won’t be easy… especially if you have seen my desk! But I am resolving to become more organized and neat… to “act not stack” the papers I receive in the mail… and to make better use of my time! This is more of a plan than a resolution for me. I plan to do better in 2010!
There is nothing wrong with making resolutions – and plans are certainly good. In fact, God has plans for each of us. And those individual plans are part of His “big plan” for the universe! Here’s where it gets a little complicated… God’s plans are perfect. Ours almost never are! And certainly, if we do not consult God – and obey Him – our plans are most likely going to fail.
There’s one more thing. Plans without prayer aren’t worth the time they take us to make them! Ask God to show you how to plan for your future. Seek His wisdom and guidance – and then follow it! He will see you through every step, whether your plans work out as you had hoped or not. But be assured, if you consult Him and obey, the outcome will be perfect for you.
This year, I resolve… to ask God to show me how to plan… and to guide my steps. And if He sees fit to help me keep my desk clean, that would be icing on the cake! Happy New Year!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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