1 John 4:20
But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are some Christian comedians who have made a joke about people who talk unkindly about others and then pepper their conversation with “Praise the Lord!” Sadly, we all know people like this. We know the person who “hates” this group or that… or “can’t stand” a person or two in the community or church… but these same people are the first to raise their hands and shout and sing about how awesome God is and how much they love Him. And maybe you are guilty of this yourself… I feel certain I have been at times.
I have to say, I am trying to watch what I say a little more closely these days… and more importantly, I’m trying to adjust my attitude, too. See, if you say the right things, but in your heart you still harbor the hatred or unloving attitudes, your words don’t mean a thing. And God’s children do not hate. God’s children do not feel unloving or unkind toward those who are “hard to love.” I agree… there are people who make it very difficult to be nice to them. But these same people are as much God’s children as you and I.
More importantly, if “hard to love” people are God’s children – just as you and I – when we mistreat them or speak unkindly about them, we insult their Father. In essence, if we love God, we must love His children… ALL of them!
Does this mean we have to tolerate rudeness, disrespect, and sinful behavior? No! We have the right – and obligation – to walk away… or to gently correct when the situation is right. But we can never judge or condemn… and we can never operate in anything but love.
Tall order? You bet! But we have to remember, nobody ever said being a Christian is easy. If we want to have God’s love, grace and mercy, we have to be ready to operate in those things toward others. And if we love God, whom we cannot see, we have to love those who are right in front of us. Search your heart. Ask God to show you who you have treated unkindly… and who needs your grace and mercy in His name. Show God how much you love Him by loving those who are in your path.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 29, 2010
1 John 2:9
If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The more I grow in my faith, the more easily I am convicted when I fall short. So when I checked out at Wal-Mart recently, I swiped my credit card and put it away in my wallet. The young cashier was distracted, marking the coupons I had just used before putting them into the cash drawer. She looked up and said, “The machine did not read your card. Please swipe it again.” I got the card out of my wallet and swiped it again while the cashier went back to marking the coupons.
Again, she looked up… and this time she punched several buttons and said, “Oh, it didn’t read the card. Please swipe it again.” Before I could stop myself, I sighed heavily, feeling somewhat frustrated, and pulled out my card and swiped it for the third time. It worked… she punched some buttons on her side of the register, and the transaction was completed. And I was embarrassed. I have a feeling my frustration had shown, and that was not a Christian attitude. I tried to smile, and I thanked her generously as I left, and she muttered, “You have a wonderful day”… and I didn’t feel I deserved her politeness at that point.
You may be thinking, “Get over yourself. This is a small thing.” But really, it’s not. When it comes to being a Christian, we truly can’t “have it both ways.” We can’t claim the name of Jesus on Sunday, while we are at church, and then curse the NFL coach who infuriates us that afternoon. We can’t say we love the Lord while we are calling others names.
We cannot profess to be disciples of Christ, and then walk around angry and mad at the world – or the people in it. We can’t talk about our faith in one breath and treat others rudely or disrespectfully in the next. We can’t sigh heavily in frustration at a clerk who is doing her job, because we are frustrated at a machine that doesn’t cooperate! If we really and truly have invited Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to live in and through us, we have to operate differently. Otherwise, we are still in the dark. We may think we have received the Holy Spirit and are living for Jesus, but we’re actually just going through the motions.
I think what bothered me more about the Wal-Mart thing was that I questioned after I left whether that girl knew I was a disciple of Christ. Did she see the Light of Christ in my behavior and demeanor? Did she hear His love, grace and mercy in the tone of my voice and the things I said to her? Or did she see someone who was operating in the dark?
What do others see when they are in your presence? Is the light of Christ evident? Do you reflect His teachings in your thoughts, words and actions? Or do you operate in the dark? The choice is ours… and it’s sometimes a tough one! But it does get easier, with practice and prayer. If you are struggling to operate in the light of Christ and exhibit His teachings, even in challenging or frustrating situations, ask God to help you. He will… and you will feel so much better.
I can’t change what happened at Wal-Mart, but I’ve asked God to forgive me… and to temper the cashier’s impression of me. I will learn and grow from this… with God’s help. And next time, I pray the Light of Christ will shine through, rather than darkness… and leave no question as to Whom I follow! Is your “Light” on these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The more I grow in my faith, the more easily I am convicted when I fall short. So when I checked out at Wal-Mart recently, I swiped my credit card and put it away in my wallet. The young cashier was distracted, marking the coupons I had just used before putting them into the cash drawer. She looked up and said, “The machine did not read your card. Please swipe it again.” I got the card out of my wallet and swiped it again while the cashier went back to marking the coupons.
Again, she looked up… and this time she punched several buttons and said, “Oh, it didn’t read the card. Please swipe it again.” Before I could stop myself, I sighed heavily, feeling somewhat frustrated, and pulled out my card and swiped it for the third time. It worked… she punched some buttons on her side of the register, and the transaction was completed. And I was embarrassed. I have a feeling my frustration had shown, and that was not a Christian attitude. I tried to smile, and I thanked her generously as I left, and she muttered, “You have a wonderful day”… and I didn’t feel I deserved her politeness at that point.
You may be thinking, “Get over yourself. This is a small thing.” But really, it’s not. When it comes to being a Christian, we truly can’t “have it both ways.” We can’t claim the name of Jesus on Sunday, while we are at church, and then curse the NFL coach who infuriates us that afternoon. We can’t say we love the Lord while we are calling others names.
We cannot profess to be disciples of Christ, and then walk around angry and mad at the world – or the people in it. We can’t talk about our faith in one breath and treat others rudely or disrespectfully in the next. We can’t sigh heavily in frustration at a clerk who is doing her job, because we are frustrated at a machine that doesn’t cooperate! If we really and truly have invited Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to live in and through us, we have to operate differently. Otherwise, we are still in the dark. We may think we have received the Holy Spirit and are living for Jesus, but we’re actually just going through the motions.
I think what bothered me more about the Wal-Mart thing was that I questioned after I left whether that girl knew I was a disciple of Christ. Did she see the Light of Christ in my behavior and demeanor? Did she hear His love, grace and mercy in the tone of my voice and the things I said to her? Or did she see someone who was operating in the dark?
What do others see when they are in your presence? Is the light of Christ evident? Do you reflect His teachings in your thoughts, words and actions? Or do you operate in the dark? The choice is ours… and it’s sometimes a tough one! But it does get easier, with practice and prayer. If you are struggling to operate in the light of Christ and exhibit His teachings, even in challenging or frustrating situations, ask God to help you. He will… and you will feel so much better.
I can’t change what happened at Wal-Mart, but I’ve asked God to forgive me… and to temper the cashier’s impression of me. I will learn and grow from this… with God’s help. And next time, I pray the Light of Christ will shine through, rather than darkness… and leave no question as to Whom I follow! Is your “Light” on these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 28, 2010
Leviticus 19:17
"Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever known someone who rubbed you the wrong way? So many of us go around harboring a grudge against another person… and sometimes we don’t even realize it! And frankly, a lot of the people who irritate us have absolutely no clue that we feel this way. So we have a choice… we can “forgive and forget,” or we can hold onto the grudge and let it eat away at us and make us miserable. Now which do you think God prefers we choose?
For a lot of life’s insults and infractions, “forgive and forget” is the best policy. But there are times, as we read in the scripture, when clearing the air is both effective and necessary. There comes a time when you have to sometimes say to someone else, “I was offended by what you said/did,” and give them a chance to apologize and make amends.
If a friend or family member is taking advantage of your generosity, and you find yourself becoming bitter or feeling used, it may be time to say, “This is making me uncomfortable… I think we need to set some limits.” If you feel that someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner toward you or someone else, and you are frustrated – or even angry – toward that person, you should probably pull them aside and say, “I do not feel this situation is right. How can we make some adjustments?”
This scripture passage is not a license to judge or condemn others, because to do so would be the same as harboring a grudge… and we would be bringing guilt and judgment on ourselves in the bargain. God wants us to rise above resentment and disagreement. He wants us to be so focused on loving each other and loving Him that we have no time for judgment, bitterness, resentments and grudges. God wants us to focus solely on things that serve His kingdom. And sometimes, in order to do this, we have to stop and clear the air… kindly and gently!
Where are you holding a grudge these days… if even a “minor” one? Who do you need to speak with and clear the air? What adjustments can you make that will improve the situation for everyone? This is the time to start. Get things out in the open, and begin to operate in love, kindness and honesty. Your relationship with your neighbor will improve. More importantly, so will your relationship with your Heavenly Father… and this is what really matters. Take the necessary measures to get over your grudges… and get on with the important business of operating in the love of Christ and serving as His disciple.
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever known someone who rubbed you the wrong way? So many of us go around harboring a grudge against another person… and sometimes we don’t even realize it! And frankly, a lot of the people who irritate us have absolutely no clue that we feel this way. So we have a choice… we can “forgive and forget,” or we can hold onto the grudge and let it eat away at us and make us miserable. Now which do you think God prefers we choose?
For a lot of life’s insults and infractions, “forgive and forget” is the best policy. But there are times, as we read in the scripture, when clearing the air is both effective and necessary. There comes a time when you have to sometimes say to someone else, “I was offended by what you said/did,” and give them a chance to apologize and make amends.
If a friend or family member is taking advantage of your generosity, and you find yourself becoming bitter or feeling used, it may be time to say, “This is making me uncomfortable… I think we need to set some limits.” If you feel that someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner toward you or someone else, and you are frustrated – or even angry – toward that person, you should probably pull them aside and say, “I do not feel this situation is right. How can we make some adjustments?”
This scripture passage is not a license to judge or condemn others, because to do so would be the same as harboring a grudge… and we would be bringing guilt and judgment on ourselves in the bargain. God wants us to rise above resentment and disagreement. He wants us to be so focused on loving each other and loving Him that we have no time for judgment, bitterness, resentments and grudges. God wants us to focus solely on things that serve His kingdom. And sometimes, in order to do this, we have to stop and clear the air… kindly and gently!
Where are you holding a grudge these days… if even a “minor” one? Who do you need to speak with and clear the air? What adjustments can you make that will improve the situation for everyone? This is the time to start. Get things out in the open, and begin to operate in love, kindness and honesty. Your relationship with your neighbor will improve. More importantly, so will your relationship with your Heavenly Father… and this is what really matters. Take the necessary measures to get over your grudges… and get on with the important business of operating in the love of Christ and serving as His disciple.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 27, 2010
Matthew 28:19-20
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sometimes I think it would be so incredible to visit the Holy Lands. And if you know me very well, you know how much I dislike travel, so for me to say this is HUGE! But it has occurred to me that to walk where Jesus walked… to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane… to visit the places He visited and sense His presence there… would be an amazing, life-changing event.
Then I take a walk on the access road above the hiking trail near our house, and I look at the dozens, if not hundreds, of perfect leaf specimens that are pressed against the asphalt by a recent rain. And I realize that my notion that I would feel closer to Jesus in the Holy Lands is totally blown to bits.
We don’t have to go anywhere to experience Jesus… He is with us already, right where we are. He’s in every leaf, every stick, every rock… and the very air we breathe. If we are in tune with Him and listening for His voice, we can almost feel His pulse alongside ours. We can certainly experience the power of His presence as we boldly proclaim His Good News to others.
Being a disciple of Christ is heavy duty stuff! The commission given us by Jesus to make disciples, baptize in His name, and teach others what He has taught us is no small task… and certainly should not be taken lightly. But we have everything we need to accomplish this… right here, right now.
We don’t have to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands or anywhere else. Jesus lives in and through us… and He isn’t going anywhere! The question is… are we recognizing His presence? Are we acknowledging His power and tapping into His strength to accomplish incredible things? Isn’t it time we began?
What’s holding you back today? Ask God to empower you… to awaken you to His presence in your heart… and to give you the strength and courage to serve as His disciple. And take a look around and see where you can recognize His presence in even the “leaves and sticks” on your trail.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sometimes I think it would be so incredible to visit the Holy Lands. And if you know me very well, you know how much I dislike travel, so for me to say this is HUGE! But it has occurred to me that to walk where Jesus walked… to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane… to visit the places He visited and sense His presence there… would be an amazing, life-changing event.
Then I take a walk on the access road above the hiking trail near our house, and I look at the dozens, if not hundreds, of perfect leaf specimens that are pressed against the asphalt by a recent rain. And I realize that my notion that I would feel closer to Jesus in the Holy Lands is totally blown to bits.
We don’t have to go anywhere to experience Jesus… He is with us already, right where we are. He’s in every leaf, every stick, every rock… and the very air we breathe. If we are in tune with Him and listening for His voice, we can almost feel His pulse alongside ours. We can certainly experience the power of His presence as we boldly proclaim His Good News to others.
Being a disciple of Christ is heavy duty stuff! The commission given us by Jesus to make disciples, baptize in His name, and teach others what He has taught us is no small task… and certainly should not be taken lightly. But we have everything we need to accomplish this… right here, right now.
We don’t have to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands or anywhere else. Jesus lives in and through us… and He isn’t going anywhere! The question is… are we recognizing His presence? Are we acknowledging His power and tapping into His strength to accomplish incredible things? Isn’t it time we began?
What’s holding you back today? Ask God to empower you… to awaken you to His presence in your heart… and to give you the strength and courage to serve as His disciple. And take a look around and see where you can recognize His presence in even the “leaves and sticks” on your trail.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 26, 2010
Acts 1:7-8
He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Black Friday… a day when the opening of the stores comes earlier each year. Some opened at midnight – others at 3 a.m. Apparently, for many Christmas shoppers, timing is everything… and the earlier the starting hour, the better. Imagine if the stores didn’t give the opening time. Imagine if they just said, “We’ll open sometime early morning.” People would probably camp out in record numbers so that they could be sure and be there when things started to happen. Everyone wants to boast about the great bargains they got… and even how early they were in line to get them!
It’s funny how we will camp out for hours to wait for a store to open for a big sale, or tickets to go on sale for a concert that is incredibly popular… but we’re far less concerned with the timing of Jesus. We don’t seem to eagerly be about preparing for His return or what He needs done… and doing the things we should to be ready. We don’t seem to recognize that God is with us in the form of His Holy Spirit, equipping us to accomplish great things in His name… and we are commissioned to do so! We’re soldiers in God’s army, and the assignment is to be His witnesses!
So while we are busy with getting ready for Christmas… buying gifts, trimming the tree and decorating our houses and yards to the hilt... sending cards and throwing parties and eating and drinking way too much of all of the holiday goodies… let’s try to remind ourselves frequently of the real reason for this season. Do not forget our mission! Remember that we don’t know the hour of Christ’s return… but we do know what we’re supposed to do in the meantime. Are you properly prepared? On Whose time do you operate?
©2010 Debbie Robus
He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Black Friday… a day when the opening of the stores comes earlier each year. Some opened at midnight – others at 3 a.m. Apparently, for many Christmas shoppers, timing is everything… and the earlier the starting hour, the better. Imagine if the stores didn’t give the opening time. Imagine if they just said, “We’ll open sometime early morning.” People would probably camp out in record numbers so that they could be sure and be there when things started to happen. Everyone wants to boast about the great bargains they got… and even how early they were in line to get them!
It’s funny how we will camp out for hours to wait for a store to open for a big sale, or tickets to go on sale for a concert that is incredibly popular… but we’re far less concerned with the timing of Jesus. We don’t seem to eagerly be about preparing for His return or what He needs done… and doing the things we should to be ready. We don’t seem to recognize that God is with us in the form of His Holy Spirit, equipping us to accomplish great things in His name… and we are commissioned to do so! We’re soldiers in God’s army, and the assignment is to be His witnesses!
So while we are busy with getting ready for Christmas… buying gifts, trimming the tree and decorating our houses and yards to the hilt... sending cards and throwing parties and eating and drinking way too much of all of the holiday goodies… let’s try to remind ourselves frequently of the real reason for this season. Do not forget our mission! Remember that we don’t know the hour of Christ’s return… but we do know what we’re supposed to do in the meantime. Are you properly prepared? On Whose time do you operate?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 25, 2010
Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know—Someone not impressed with weak excuses.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When my mother was teaching kindergarten, she had a real telephone for the children to play with sitting in one of her learning centers. Of course, the phone was not connected, but the children could pretend to make calls and practice their dialing skills (yes, I said dialing!). One day, she said a mother came to collect her little boy and he said, “Where have you been? I’ve been calling you all day to come and get me.” – or words to that effect.
Often, under the guise of minding our own business, people in need are “calling” but our “phone” isn’t plugged in, so we are not getting the message. We say we don’t want to intrude or seem judgmental, when actually, we don’t want to be bothered. Granted, there are times when certain situations – and even needs – are none of our business. Sometimes people create a mess that they need to figure out on their own.
But more often than we want to admit, we look the other way and pretend we didn’t see a need. We shake our heads at the ratty clothing of a needy child, but we don’t call a teacher at the school and ask, “Is there someone in your class who needs a warm coat or new shoes?” We see a young mother at the check-out counter, struggling to count pennies and juggle a baby on her hip and two more tugging at her jeans, but we don’t offer a couple of dollars from our own wallet to save her from frustration and embarrassment.
We know that our buddy’s dad is beating him when he drinks, but we don’t invite him to stay over at our house – or to call, even in the middle of the night, if things get too crazy. We see someone who is obviously withdrawing and becoming reclusive, and we suspect it’s because he/she can’t pay the bills and doesn’t want others to know… but rather than ask, “Is there some way I could help?” we retreat to our own corner and pretend that everything is fine.
Sometimes, we wait for the other guy to ask for help, knowing full well that pride will prevent this, and we’ll be off the hook. When we see a need we can fill, we have to at least offer… not in a condescending or judgmental way… but lovingly and with the heart of Jesus. We don’t have to say, “I see you can’t make your rent payment… let me do it.” We can say, “I have an extra $100 in my pocket, and I just have a feeling you could use it worse than I can,” or “I made two loaves of banana bread, and there’s now way we can eat all of this, so please take one.”
We can tell someone, “I found this coat on sale, and it was such a bargain… something told me you might be in the market for a new winter coat!” Or even… “I drive right past your house every morning and evening… would you like to ride to school/work with me?”
SOMEONE is indeed watching us closely… and the scripture is correct, He is not the least bit impressed with our excuses. And we have to admit, most of them are more than a little weak. Where can you rescue the perishing? On a day when we are so busy counting our blessings, can you look around for those who have fewer to count? Is there a way you can step in and help… can you find a way to make meeting others’ needs in Jesus’ name at least some of your business?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know—Someone not impressed with weak excuses.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When my mother was teaching kindergarten, she had a real telephone for the children to play with sitting in one of her learning centers. Of course, the phone was not connected, but the children could pretend to make calls and practice their dialing skills (yes, I said dialing!). One day, she said a mother came to collect her little boy and he said, “Where have you been? I’ve been calling you all day to come and get me.” – or words to that effect.
Often, under the guise of minding our own business, people in need are “calling” but our “phone” isn’t plugged in, so we are not getting the message. We say we don’t want to intrude or seem judgmental, when actually, we don’t want to be bothered. Granted, there are times when certain situations – and even needs – are none of our business. Sometimes people create a mess that they need to figure out on their own.
But more often than we want to admit, we look the other way and pretend we didn’t see a need. We shake our heads at the ratty clothing of a needy child, but we don’t call a teacher at the school and ask, “Is there someone in your class who needs a warm coat or new shoes?” We see a young mother at the check-out counter, struggling to count pennies and juggle a baby on her hip and two more tugging at her jeans, but we don’t offer a couple of dollars from our own wallet to save her from frustration and embarrassment.
We know that our buddy’s dad is beating him when he drinks, but we don’t invite him to stay over at our house – or to call, even in the middle of the night, if things get too crazy. We see someone who is obviously withdrawing and becoming reclusive, and we suspect it’s because he/she can’t pay the bills and doesn’t want others to know… but rather than ask, “Is there some way I could help?” we retreat to our own corner and pretend that everything is fine.
Sometimes, we wait for the other guy to ask for help, knowing full well that pride will prevent this, and we’ll be off the hook. When we see a need we can fill, we have to at least offer… not in a condescending or judgmental way… but lovingly and with the heart of Jesus. We don’t have to say, “I see you can’t make your rent payment… let me do it.” We can say, “I have an extra $100 in my pocket, and I just have a feeling you could use it worse than I can,” or “I made two loaves of banana bread, and there’s now way we can eat all of this, so please take one.”
We can tell someone, “I found this coat on sale, and it was such a bargain… something told me you might be in the market for a new winter coat!” Or even… “I drive right past your house every morning and evening… would you like to ride to school/work with me?”
SOMEONE is indeed watching us closely… and the scripture is correct, He is not the least bit impressed with our excuses. And we have to admit, most of them are more than a little weak. Where can you rescue the perishing? On a day when we are so busy counting our blessings, can you look around for those who have fewer to count? Is there a way you can step in and help… can you find a way to make meeting others’ needs in Jesus’ name at least some of your business?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 24, 2010
Luke 18:29-30
Jesus answered, "You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or wife or brothers or family or children because of God's kingdom will be given much more in this life. And in the future world they will have eternal life."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As the holidays approach, I have found myself sitting at a recent church service – and then again at a high school basketball game – looking around at the people who were there. Many of them are friends of mine… or certainly acquaintances… and I began to think about these people. This one just lost his father… that child’s family has just been turned upside down by divorce… that person’s parent is in the nursing home… another couple is expecting a new baby any day… two lovebirds are about to tie the knot… this young person is dealing with the desertion of a parent… another just lost his job and his car stopped running… this child just went to a foster home. While some of these people are experiencing joyful occasions, many others are not. And as our pastor said recently, “There is a heartache on every pew.”
I thought of the first Thanksgiving without my father-in-law. The whole family went to Branson for the weekend to “celebrate” a little differently. I thought back to a time a little more than a decade ago when my husband and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house. We had buried a beloved cousin on November 1st, so his family was in attendance without him. My own parents were absent, because my dad had just suffered renal failure and was in a Little Rock hospital beginning dialysis. My mother ate her Thanksgiving dinner alone in the hospital cafeteria. But my parents insisted we proceed with our celebration, and that those of us who were able spend the day together as a family. And we did.
The holidays are a stressful time for so many. Family and friends are important, and holidays are the time to celebrate with them! But when I think of this scripture, I think about what Jesus is saying... our family is important, but He is even more so. Family members will not always be with us on this earth, but Jesus will. Family dynamics will change on any given day… human relationships are fickle and fluid at best. But Jesus is forever… and focusing on Him leads to blessings and the assurance of Eternal Life.
If you are fortunate enough in the next few days to get to spend some time with family members and friends, enjoy that time. Should you find that your circumstances separate you from others, take heart. If you have truly surrendered your “earthly life” for God’s kingdom, you will be surrounded by His love and blessings, and you will be in His presence. And that is truly something to celebrate.
Turkey legs come and go… but Jesus is forever. Remember to thank Him for the amazing gift of salvation, and the “side dishes” of grace and mercy… none of which we deserve, yet He gives them to us freely. Spend some time at the table of your Heavenly Father this weekend, and fellowship with Him. If a few earthly relatives happen to be seated with you, share with them how God has blessed you. Praise God for the opportunity to serve Him and His kingdom… and thank Him for making you part of His family.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Jesus answered, "You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or wife or brothers or family or children because of God's kingdom will be given much more in this life. And in the future world they will have eternal life."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As the holidays approach, I have found myself sitting at a recent church service – and then again at a high school basketball game – looking around at the people who were there. Many of them are friends of mine… or certainly acquaintances… and I began to think about these people. This one just lost his father… that child’s family has just been turned upside down by divorce… that person’s parent is in the nursing home… another couple is expecting a new baby any day… two lovebirds are about to tie the knot… this young person is dealing with the desertion of a parent… another just lost his job and his car stopped running… this child just went to a foster home. While some of these people are experiencing joyful occasions, many others are not. And as our pastor said recently, “There is a heartache on every pew.”
I thought of the first Thanksgiving without my father-in-law. The whole family went to Branson for the weekend to “celebrate” a little differently. I thought back to a time a little more than a decade ago when my husband and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house. We had buried a beloved cousin on November 1st, so his family was in attendance without him. My own parents were absent, because my dad had just suffered renal failure and was in a Little Rock hospital beginning dialysis. My mother ate her Thanksgiving dinner alone in the hospital cafeteria. But my parents insisted we proceed with our celebration, and that those of us who were able spend the day together as a family. And we did.
The holidays are a stressful time for so many. Family and friends are important, and holidays are the time to celebrate with them! But when I think of this scripture, I think about what Jesus is saying... our family is important, but He is even more so. Family members will not always be with us on this earth, but Jesus will. Family dynamics will change on any given day… human relationships are fickle and fluid at best. But Jesus is forever… and focusing on Him leads to blessings and the assurance of Eternal Life.
If you are fortunate enough in the next few days to get to spend some time with family members and friends, enjoy that time. Should you find that your circumstances separate you from others, take heart. If you have truly surrendered your “earthly life” for God’s kingdom, you will be surrounded by His love and blessings, and you will be in His presence. And that is truly something to celebrate.
Turkey legs come and go… but Jesus is forever. Remember to thank Him for the amazing gift of salvation, and the “side dishes” of grace and mercy… none of which we deserve, yet He gives them to us freely. Spend some time at the table of your Heavenly Father this weekend, and fellowship with Him. If a few earthly relatives happen to be seated with you, share with them how God has blessed you. Praise God for the opportunity to serve Him and His kingdom… and thank Him for making you part of His family.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 23, 2010
Psalm 89:15
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When the Arkansas Razorbacks are doing well (and sometimes when they are not), fans often greet each other with such comments as “How ‘bout those Hawgs!” We want to talk about our team! And when they are performing well, it seems as if we have to tell everyone we see. “Did you see the game? Wasn’t So-and-So amazing? How did you like such-and-such play? What did you think about the coach’s comments afterward? Do you think we’ll go to a bowl game?” We can’t keep it quiet!
I’ve said it before, but I find it amazing we can get so revved up over a group of people tossing around a ball, but we can’t seem to muster the same enthusiasm over the God of the Universe! Our priorities are definitely out of whack!
I’ve been reading some interesting commentaries lately on setting a Christian example, and one of the points that hit home with me was that we are to be so busy setting a good example for others that we have no time to criticize, judge or correct them. We have no time for negativity if we are truly striving to set the best possible example of living for Christ. We don’t have time to argue, fuss, worry and belittle if we are busy praising God and dancing with delight over His amazing grace and mercy.
What are you talking about these days? What’s on your lips and in your thoughts? Is your focus on Jesus and all that He has done for you? Or are you preoccupied with things of this world, the shortcomings of others, and behaving selfishly? Isn’t it time we re-evaluated our time management and our focus? Isn’t it time we started to work on setting a good example for others and left the justice to the One who truly is in control? Isn’t it time for dancing and shouting about the Good News of Jesus Christ? Are you ready to celebrate and tell others about Team Jesus?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When the Arkansas Razorbacks are doing well (and sometimes when they are not), fans often greet each other with such comments as “How ‘bout those Hawgs!” We want to talk about our team! And when they are performing well, it seems as if we have to tell everyone we see. “Did you see the game? Wasn’t So-and-So amazing? How did you like such-and-such play? What did you think about the coach’s comments afterward? Do you think we’ll go to a bowl game?” We can’t keep it quiet!
I’ve said it before, but I find it amazing we can get so revved up over a group of people tossing around a ball, but we can’t seem to muster the same enthusiasm over the God of the Universe! Our priorities are definitely out of whack!
I’ve been reading some interesting commentaries lately on setting a Christian example, and one of the points that hit home with me was that we are to be so busy setting a good example for others that we have no time to criticize, judge or correct them. We have no time for negativity if we are truly striving to set the best possible example of living for Christ. We don’t have time to argue, fuss, worry and belittle if we are busy praising God and dancing with delight over His amazing grace and mercy.
What are you talking about these days? What’s on your lips and in your thoughts? Is your focus on Jesus and all that He has done for you? Or are you preoccupied with things of this world, the shortcomings of others, and behaving selfishly? Isn’t it time we re-evaluated our time management and our focus? Isn’t it time we started to work on setting a good example for others and left the justice to the One who truly is in control? Isn’t it time for dancing and shouting about the Good News of Jesus Christ? Are you ready to celebrate and tell others about Team Jesus?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 22, 2010
Romans 10:14-17
How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, "Lord, has anyone believed what we said?"
No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It is said that some dogs recognize the hum of their owner’s car motor. And surely more than one of us has had a pet… particularly a dog… that seemed to know when we were arriving and ran to greet us. To them, we must be “a beautiful sight to see.” Think about how excited your pets are to see you… how glad they are to be in your presence. Think about how they trust you to see after their needs… to nurture them and love them unconditionally.
Who else is eager to see you? Are others glad to “see your feet coming?” Do you represent joy and peace and the love of Christ? Do you share how God has blessed you and spread His good news with others?
Consider this… if all others see of you is someone who is negative, griping, complaining, and “mad at the world,” do you suppose they get a good picture of the love of Jesus? Even if you think you are “sharing the Gospel,” if your message is continually one that tells others, “This world is coming to an end”… or speaking negatively about this group or that one… are you offering others a message of hope and faith?
See, what we say and how we say it matters. “But you can’t sugar coat the truth!” you may say. I agree. Satan is real. Sin is real. We live in a “fallen world.” But beating people over the head with this is not helping. In fact, don’t we all know people who cause us to cringe and want to hide when they approach, simply because we know that they are going to present a negative attitude or message?
Think about the image you are projecting. Think about what you are saying with your body language and your attitude. Consider the words you speak and how you say them. Are you someone whose very feet present a “beautiful sight to see” for Christ… or do you make others want to run in the opposite direction? We all need to be good witnesses for the Lord… but I honestly don’t think He’s sending us out to be grumps! It’s one thing to share the message of Christ with others… but it’s quite another to share it in a way that makes them want to listen!
How are you sharing your faith with others? What sort of image are you presenting? Are you a “beautiful sight to see” or a grump? Who wants to hear what you have to share these days? Are you living your faith in a way that honors Christ… or disheartens Him? Ask God to help you work on your Christian witness. Ask Him to grant you grace and mercy… and to make you a “beautiful sight to see” in His name.
©2010 Debbie Robus
How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, "Lord, has anyone believed what we said?"
No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It is said that some dogs recognize the hum of their owner’s car motor. And surely more than one of us has had a pet… particularly a dog… that seemed to know when we were arriving and ran to greet us. To them, we must be “a beautiful sight to see.” Think about how excited your pets are to see you… how glad they are to be in your presence. Think about how they trust you to see after their needs… to nurture them and love them unconditionally.
Who else is eager to see you? Are others glad to “see your feet coming?” Do you represent joy and peace and the love of Christ? Do you share how God has blessed you and spread His good news with others?
Consider this… if all others see of you is someone who is negative, griping, complaining, and “mad at the world,” do you suppose they get a good picture of the love of Jesus? Even if you think you are “sharing the Gospel,” if your message is continually one that tells others, “This world is coming to an end”… or speaking negatively about this group or that one… are you offering others a message of hope and faith?
See, what we say and how we say it matters. “But you can’t sugar coat the truth!” you may say. I agree. Satan is real. Sin is real. We live in a “fallen world.” But beating people over the head with this is not helping. In fact, don’t we all know people who cause us to cringe and want to hide when they approach, simply because we know that they are going to present a negative attitude or message?
Think about the image you are projecting. Think about what you are saying with your body language and your attitude. Consider the words you speak and how you say them. Are you someone whose very feet present a “beautiful sight to see” for Christ… or do you make others want to run in the opposite direction? We all need to be good witnesses for the Lord… but I honestly don’t think He’s sending us out to be grumps! It’s one thing to share the message of Christ with others… but it’s quite another to share it in a way that makes them want to listen!
How are you sharing your faith with others? What sort of image are you presenting? Are you a “beautiful sight to see” or a grump? Who wants to hear what you have to share these days? Are you living your faith in a way that honors Christ… or disheartens Him? Ask God to help you work on your Christian witness. Ask Him to grant you grace and mercy… and to make you a “beautiful sight to see” in His name.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 20, 2010
Luke 9:61-62
Then someone said to Jesus, "I want to go with you, Lord, but first let me go back and take care of things at home." Jesus answered, "Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's kingdom!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For several years, a dear friend of mine gently nudged me to attend a Walk to Emmaus. “You don’t need to go,” he would tell me… “you deserve it.” He would continue by explaining that the Walk to Emmaus was an exercise in being completely served and loved unconditionally. “Your every need will be met for the entire 3 days,” he said. “Think of it as Spiritual pampering.”
My problem – and it was MY problem – was that I thought I had to fix myself before I went. I thought that there were areas of my life I needed to work on first before I was “worthy” to attend the Walk to Emmaus. I truly didn’t understand. I guess I somehow felt like I would get there and someone would stand up, point a finger and say, “Oh, look… she doesn’t deserve to be here!”
The fact is, God doesn’t want us to try to fix ourselves… HE will do that. I didn’t have to do a thing except show up… Jesus did the rest, just like He did on the cross when He paid for our sins. But we have this mindset that we have to fix everything before we can serve… or be blessed… and that is just incredibly stinkin’ thinkin’!
This is just another in a long line of excuses we create to keep from serving or answering God’s call. We’ll do it tomorrow, when all the stars align! We’ll help out when we aren’t so young, old, tired, busy, stressed, sick, or needy. The truth is… God wants us to “come as you are” and answer His call. If we have to keep working on other projects – or trying to do His job for Him with regard to our own lives – we just as well stay home.
The end of the story is that I finally decided that I wanted to go to Emmaus worse than I wanted to fix myself first. And the result was life changing. I found a peace and a love in Jesus there that I never had even realized was possible before. I found the courage to give Him everything – warts and all – and let Him sort it out and see what He could use… and what needed to be resolved.
I realized what it means to truly serve, because I saw people give 1000% of themselves to serve me and the other “pilgrims” on the Walk for 72 straight hours. This public, personal example of the service and sacrifice for Christ showed me what Jesus is explaining in Luke 9. We don’t need to waste time and energy trying to get our house in order before we serve Jesus… we just need to get up and get busy. Are you ready to do this? Isn’t it time you stopped looking back and started moving forward with Christ? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Then someone said to Jesus, "I want to go with you, Lord, but first let me go back and take care of things at home." Jesus answered, "Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's kingdom!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For several years, a dear friend of mine gently nudged me to attend a Walk to Emmaus. “You don’t need to go,” he would tell me… “you deserve it.” He would continue by explaining that the Walk to Emmaus was an exercise in being completely served and loved unconditionally. “Your every need will be met for the entire 3 days,” he said. “Think of it as Spiritual pampering.”
My problem – and it was MY problem – was that I thought I had to fix myself before I went. I thought that there were areas of my life I needed to work on first before I was “worthy” to attend the Walk to Emmaus. I truly didn’t understand. I guess I somehow felt like I would get there and someone would stand up, point a finger and say, “Oh, look… she doesn’t deserve to be here!”
The fact is, God doesn’t want us to try to fix ourselves… HE will do that. I didn’t have to do a thing except show up… Jesus did the rest, just like He did on the cross when He paid for our sins. But we have this mindset that we have to fix everything before we can serve… or be blessed… and that is just incredibly stinkin’ thinkin’!
This is just another in a long line of excuses we create to keep from serving or answering God’s call. We’ll do it tomorrow, when all the stars align! We’ll help out when we aren’t so young, old, tired, busy, stressed, sick, or needy. The truth is… God wants us to “come as you are” and answer His call. If we have to keep working on other projects – or trying to do His job for Him with regard to our own lives – we just as well stay home.
The end of the story is that I finally decided that I wanted to go to Emmaus worse than I wanted to fix myself first. And the result was life changing. I found a peace and a love in Jesus there that I never had even realized was possible before. I found the courage to give Him everything – warts and all – and let Him sort it out and see what He could use… and what needed to be resolved.
I realized what it means to truly serve, because I saw people give 1000% of themselves to serve me and the other “pilgrims” on the Walk for 72 straight hours. This public, personal example of the service and sacrifice for Christ showed me what Jesus is explaining in Luke 9. We don’t need to waste time and energy trying to get our house in order before we serve Jesus… we just need to get up and get busy. Are you ready to do this? Isn’t it time you stopped looking back and started moving forward with Christ? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 20, 2010
Isaiah 6:8
After this, I heard the LORD ask, "Is there anyone I can send? Will someone go for us?" "I'll go," I answered. "Send me!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Probably all of us are familiar with the children’s story of The Little Red Hen. She asked all of her “friends” to help with the process of growing grain, getting it to the mill and turning it into flour for bread, and nobody was available… until it was time to eat! And if we are perfectly honest, we’ve been right there in the middle of that scene more than once. We want to “eat,” but we don’t want to do any of the work. This is why we often see a handful of people doing the majority of the work in a church or community. We are all willing to enjoy the fruit of salvation… the blessings of Jesus… but we don’t really want to be bothered with doing any work for Him.
If you remember the story from your childhood, those who didn’t work and help the Little Red Hen didn’t eat in the end! While I’m not saying that you won’t be granted salvation, grace and mercy if you don’t serve God on this earth, I do believe that we “reap what we sow” a lot of the time. And don’t think you can leave this to chance or “luck.” When my husband and I were starting a new business many years ago, someone commented to a mutual friend that “they are so lucky.” The friend quickly pointed out that “luck” had very little to do with our success…that we had worked many long, hard hours and devoted time and attention to our business, and this had resulted in blessings and rewards.
I will be the first to tell you that there are lots of times I wish God would send somebody else. There are days when I would rather sleep in or lie around and drink coffee than get up and get to church. There were times when I thought I couldn’t sit through another hour of Sunday School with junior high students who, for the most part, didn’t want to be there… but their parents made them attend. There have been days when I wished somebody else would take my grandmother to run her errands… or the baby would sleep another hour and I could have some “me” time. I sometimes wish someone else would do the household chores and take care of my family so that I could do as I please.
Sometimes I think, “I just don’t want to send a sympathy or get-well card,” or “I’d rather do something else right now besides write this devo,” or “There will be plenty of food for that grieving family… and I really don’t want to go over there and be sad.” But you know what? Every time I put aside my self and do what I feel God asking me to do, I come away blessed and better. I know that I have honored my commitment. God has asked, “Who can I send?” and I have answered… “Send me.”
I don’t know what God is calling you to do. I don’t know where He is sending you these days. Maybe He is simply saying, “Get up and get going… go to school, get a job, take care of your education/family/friends/business.” Or maybe He is saying, “Reorganize your schedule and your priorities and make some time to do a little mission work.” Maybe He is asking you to step out in faith – out of your comfort zone and your easy chair – and give back a little, while “paying it forward” in His name.
Whatever God is asking you to do… be ready and available. Stay so closely attuned that you know that you know that you know when you hear from Him. And when He asks who is available, be the first one to step up and say, “I’ll go… send me!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
After this, I heard the LORD ask, "Is there anyone I can send? Will someone go for us?" "I'll go," I answered. "Send me!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Probably all of us are familiar with the children’s story of The Little Red Hen. She asked all of her “friends” to help with the process of growing grain, getting it to the mill and turning it into flour for bread, and nobody was available… until it was time to eat! And if we are perfectly honest, we’ve been right there in the middle of that scene more than once. We want to “eat,” but we don’t want to do any of the work. This is why we often see a handful of people doing the majority of the work in a church or community. We are all willing to enjoy the fruit of salvation… the blessings of Jesus… but we don’t really want to be bothered with doing any work for Him.
If you remember the story from your childhood, those who didn’t work and help the Little Red Hen didn’t eat in the end! While I’m not saying that you won’t be granted salvation, grace and mercy if you don’t serve God on this earth, I do believe that we “reap what we sow” a lot of the time. And don’t think you can leave this to chance or “luck.” When my husband and I were starting a new business many years ago, someone commented to a mutual friend that “they are so lucky.” The friend quickly pointed out that “luck” had very little to do with our success…that we had worked many long, hard hours and devoted time and attention to our business, and this had resulted in blessings and rewards.
I will be the first to tell you that there are lots of times I wish God would send somebody else. There are days when I would rather sleep in or lie around and drink coffee than get up and get to church. There were times when I thought I couldn’t sit through another hour of Sunday School with junior high students who, for the most part, didn’t want to be there… but their parents made them attend. There have been days when I wished somebody else would take my grandmother to run her errands… or the baby would sleep another hour and I could have some “me” time. I sometimes wish someone else would do the household chores and take care of my family so that I could do as I please.
Sometimes I think, “I just don’t want to send a sympathy or get-well card,” or “I’d rather do something else right now besides write this devo,” or “There will be plenty of food for that grieving family… and I really don’t want to go over there and be sad.” But you know what? Every time I put aside my self and do what I feel God asking me to do, I come away blessed and better. I know that I have honored my commitment. God has asked, “Who can I send?” and I have answered… “Send me.”
I don’t know what God is calling you to do. I don’t know where He is sending you these days. Maybe He is simply saying, “Get up and get going… go to school, get a job, take care of your education/family/friends/business.” Or maybe He is saying, “Reorganize your schedule and your priorities and make some time to do a little mission work.” Maybe He is asking you to step out in faith – out of your comfort zone and your easy chair – and give back a little, while “paying it forward” in His name.
Whatever God is asking you to do… be ready and available. Stay so closely attuned that you know that you know that you know when you hear from Him. And when He asks who is available, be the first one to step up and say, “I’ll go… send me!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 19, 2010
November 19 ~ Mark 1:17
Jesus said to them, "Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I used to belong to a Bunco group. Much like my grandmother’s “coffee klatch” of the 60s and 70s, whoever hosted the event “went all out.” The house was spotless, food was amazing, and there were lots of little touches… snacks at each table, special plates and napkins, and maybe even fresh flowers or a new scented candle or two. Hosting Bunco was a BIG DEAL. In my grandmother’s day, it was even bigger! I remember how all of the silver was polished, the glass snack trays and punch cups were washed, and the table linens were starched just so. And all of this was done so that the ladies could share a cup of coffee and some fancy food and play cards… or in the case of Bunco, roll three dice!
Once when it was my turn to host, I fixed beautiful, tasty food and got everything looking just right… and when the guests arrived, they began to eat, visit, relax and enjoy themselves. Only a couple of the twelve attendees really wanted to play Bunco. The group consensus was to sit and enjoy one another’s company for a few hours. Never mind tossing dice to “win” a few dollars at the end of the night. Forget shuffling from table to table and concentrating on a game. What we really wanted… and needed… was some time to visit and listen to one another… to share our thoughts and the worries of the day… to commiserate, console, and encourage busy women who rarely took a minute for themselves.
What does this have to do with Mark 1:17? I’ll tell you! As Christians, we get so caught up in the busyness of the day… the “fishing” of work, home, family, and trying to make everything “just so,” and we forget what is at the core of our faith… Jesus’ commandment to love one another. We’re so busy making everything look good that we don’t take time to truly “see” the other guy… or to meet his/her needs in Christian faith.
I’m not saying Bunco parties and coffee klatches are not fun… or that it is wrong to throw a fancy party, clean your house from top to bottom and “put on the dawg!” But in everything we do, we must ask ourselves, “Where are my priorities?” If we find we are more concerned with appearances than with being the hands and feet of Jesus, we may need to reorganize. If we find that “fishing” for a promotion, more money, fancy things, good looks, wealth and fame are more important to us than leading others to Christ, we definitely need an attitude adjustment!
If watching our favorite television show is more important than reading a book to our child or helping him/her with homework, something’s out of whack! If we can’t spare a few minutes to listen to the worries and concerns of a friend, what makes us think we deserve Jesus’ time to hear our worries and concerns?
I still like a clean house. But I’ve learned that guests really don’t care if you don’t put out special soaps and towels or light a new candle, and a tuna fish sandwich shared by friends tastes just as good as the fanciest canapé served on a silver platter. The next time something or someone interrupts your agenda, stop and ask yourself… “Is this where Jesus would rather I spend my time at this moment? Will this matter in the scheme of things more than my own plans?”
If we are more concerned about people than appearances or ourselves, it will make a difference. Jesus wants us to bring Him more people to redeem and bless… not more “fish”. What are you catching these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Jesus said to them, "Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I used to belong to a Bunco group. Much like my grandmother’s “coffee klatch” of the 60s and 70s, whoever hosted the event “went all out.” The house was spotless, food was amazing, and there were lots of little touches… snacks at each table, special plates and napkins, and maybe even fresh flowers or a new scented candle or two. Hosting Bunco was a BIG DEAL. In my grandmother’s day, it was even bigger! I remember how all of the silver was polished, the glass snack trays and punch cups were washed, and the table linens were starched just so. And all of this was done so that the ladies could share a cup of coffee and some fancy food and play cards… or in the case of Bunco, roll three dice!
Once when it was my turn to host, I fixed beautiful, tasty food and got everything looking just right… and when the guests arrived, they began to eat, visit, relax and enjoy themselves. Only a couple of the twelve attendees really wanted to play Bunco. The group consensus was to sit and enjoy one another’s company for a few hours. Never mind tossing dice to “win” a few dollars at the end of the night. Forget shuffling from table to table and concentrating on a game. What we really wanted… and needed… was some time to visit and listen to one another… to share our thoughts and the worries of the day… to commiserate, console, and encourage busy women who rarely took a minute for themselves.
What does this have to do with Mark 1:17? I’ll tell you! As Christians, we get so caught up in the busyness of the day… the “fishing” of work, home, family, and trying to make everything “just so,” and we forget what is at the core of our faith… Jesus’ commandment to love one another. We’re so busy making everything look good that we don’t take time to truly “see” the other guy… or to meet his/her needs in Christian faith.
I’m not saying Bunco parties and coffee klatches are not fun… or that it is wrong to throw a fancy party, clean your house from top to bottom and “put on the dawg!” But in everything we do, we must ask ourselves, “Where are my priorities?” If we find we are more concerned with appearances than with being the hands and feet of Jesus, we may need to reorganize. If we find that “fishing” for a promotion, more money, fancy things, good looks, wealth and fame are more important to us than leading others to Christ, we definitely need an attitude adjustment!
If watching our favorite television show is more important than reading a book to our child or helping him/her with homework, something’s out of whack! If we can’t spare a few minutes to listen to the worries and concerns of a friend, what makes us think we deserve Jesus’ time to hear our worries and concerns?
I still like a clean house. But I’ve learned that guests really don’t care if you don’t put out special soaps and towels or light a new candle, and a tuna fish sandwich shared by friends tastes just as good as the fanciest canapé served on a silver platter. The next time something or someone interrupts your agenda, stop and ask yourself… “Is this where Jesus would rather I spend my time at this moment? Will this matter in the scheme of things more than my own plans?”
If we are more concerned about people than appearances or ourselves, it will make a difference. Jesus wants us to bring Him more people to redeem and bless… not more “fish”. What are you catching these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 18, 2010
Acts 26:17-18
'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Every day we make dozens, if not hundreds, of choices. We choose what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, which route to take to school or work… and whether to do our homework or the laundry. Will we put cream in our coffee or bananas on our cereal? Will we watch this TV program or that one? Will we have ketchup with our fries? And for some of us, we may choose whether to pay this bill or that one… whether to buy milk for our children or cigarettes for ourselves… whether to get up and go to work or call in sick yet again.
A lot of the choices we make are dictated by habit… or by those who have influenced us. My dad always turned to the Obituaries page in the newspaper first… “to see if I’m still living,” he’d say. To this day, that’s the first part of the daily newspaper that I read. My mother always put sugar in her cornbread before baking and pineapple tidbits in her cole slaw, and that’s how I make mine. You may belong to a certain church or a political party or drive a specific make and model of car because of your parents or someone else who influenced you.
Maybe you were influenced in something of a “reverse negativity” by others. Maybe living with an alcoholic or abusive parent has made you vow to never be the same way. Maybe you have grown up living “hand-to-mouth,” and you have sworn you will do better. Maybe you have lived in very strict household, and you plan to be more liberal when you are out on your own. Maybe you have decided to be the first in your family to graduate from college. Maybe you plan to find the cure for cancer because someone you loved died from it, or you hope to start a center for latchkey kids because you never had anyone waiting for you after school.
The point is… we all make choices in our lives that are a direct result of the people and circumstances that have influenced us. So our job as Christian disciples is to be the influence that causes people to turn to God and away from Satan… to choose salvation over sinfulness… to opt for Eternal life in Heaven over perpetual damnation in Hell. We are called to be the example for others and invite them to join us in living life to its fullest through Jesus Christ.
The question I have for you today has two parts: 1) Who are you listening to as you make choices? Are you looking for Godly disciples to follow… and are you hearing the message they are presenting? 2) What kind of influence are you? Are you an honorable, faithful disciple of Christ, showing others “the way, the truth, and the light”? Or are you aiding and abetting the devil… living in sin and leading others toward the darkness and despair of a life mired in conflict and destruction?
Being a Spirit-filled Christian is heavy stuff! It’s not for the faint of heart… or those who are weak in their faith! But at the end of the day… the choice is ours. We can choose to serve in the light of Christ… to be His light to a world fumbling in the dark. Or we can close our eyes and stumble in the dark with the others and hope for the best. It’s not a gamble I am willing to take… are you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Every day we make dozens, if not hundreds, of choices. We choose what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, which route to take to school or work… and whether to do our homework or the laundry. Will we put cream in our coffee or bananas on our cereal? Will we watch this TV program or that one? Will we have ketchup with our fries? And for some of us, we may choose whether to pay this bill or that one… whether to buy milk for our children or cigarettes for ourselves… whether to get up and go to work or call in sick yet again.
A lot of the choices we make are dictated by habit… or by those who have influenced us. My dad always turned to the Obituaries page in the newspaper first… “to see if I’m still living,” he’d say. To this day, that’s the first part of the daily newspaper that I read. My mother always put sugar in her cornbread before baking and pineapple tidbits in her cole slaw, and that’s how I make mine. You may belong to a certain church or a political party or drive a specific make and model of car because of your parents or someone else who influenced you.
Maybe you were influenced in something of a “reverse negativity” by others. Maybe living with an alcoholic or abusive parent has made you vow to never be the same way. Maybe you have grown up living “hand-to-mouth,” and you have sworn you will do better. Maybe you have lived in very strict household, and you plan to be more liberal when you are out on your own. Maybe you have decided to be the first in your family to graduate from college. Maybe you plan to find the cure for cancer because someone you loved died from it, or you hope to start a center for latchkey kids because you never had anyone waiting for you after school.
The point is… we all make choices in our lives that are a direct result of the people and circumstances that have influenced us. So our job as Christian disciples is to be the influence that causes people to turn to God and away from Satan… to choose salvation over sinfulness… to opt for Eternal life in Heaven over perpetual damnation in Hell. We are called to be the example for others and invite them to join us in living life to its fullest through Jesus Christ.
The question I have for you today has two parts: 1) Who are you listening to as you make choices? Are you looking for Godly disciples to follow… and are you hearing the message they are presenting? 2) What kind of influence are you? Are you an honorable, faithful disciple of Christ, showing others “the way, the truth, and the light”? Or are you aiding and abetting the devil… living in sin and leading others toward the darkness and despair of a life mired in conflict and destruction?
Being a Spirit-filled Christian is heavy stuff! It’s not for the faint of heart… or those who are weak in their faith! But at the end of the day… the choice is ours. We can choose to serve in the light of Christ… to be His light to a world fumbling in the dark. Or we can close our eyes and stumble in the dark with the others and hope for the best. It’s not a gamble I am willing to take… are you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 17, 2010
John 17:15-18
Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s so fun to watch Timothy grow and develop. He is in a stage where he mimics pretty much everything we do. If we pat our arm or tap our foot, he pats or taps accordingly. If we growl at him, he growls back. He is very much in the world at this point, as is perfectly normal for 18-month-old babies.
One of the hardest things for us to do as we grow and mature is to learn to function in a situation – or the world – and not be affected by it… not adapt to the situation. And as Christians, this is our job… to become able to function in the world – and in specific situations – and still focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus.
This means that we can tolerate a miserable job or that tyrant of a teacher, because we are answering to God’s call on our life, and no one else’s. God shows us how to be content in all circumstances… how we can do all things with His strength… and we are able to avoid name calling, griping and grumbling, and poor performance on the job or in the classroom. Because we are in the world, but not “of the world,” we can work with an obnoxious person on a church project without being unkind or saying something we shouldn’t in frustration.
Because God equips us to function in the world, but not “of the world,” we can handle it when we decline an invitation to a party we feel we shouldn’t attend or we refuse to dress like the others in a certain circle… even though these choices may cause us to be ridiculed and ostracized. Because God equips us to function in the world, but not “of the world,” it doesn’t matter to us if we lose our relationship with every single friend and family member we have because of our faith… as long as God is still with us (and He is!).
Being in the world but not “of the world” doesn’t mean we can be arrogant, smug, or condescending toward others. We don’t walk around with our noses in the air like we have been given some special title. We have to be kind and loving and tolerant of others… regardless of their station in life, their faith, or their lifestyle.
It would have been so much easier for God to simply remove us one by one the minute we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior. He would not have to worry about our temptation to sin… and neither would we. God would not have to worry that we might screw things up for the next guy by setting a poor example of what it means to be a Christian! But that’s the whole point! God needed to leave us here because we don’t belong here… so that we could share the Good News of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ with others… so that we could interact with them and relate to them in a way that drew them in and caused them to want to follow Christ, as well.
Being God’s disciple on this earth is a daunting responsibility… and not one we should take lightly. Between keeping our eyes and ears peeled for Satan and doing the work of our Lord and Master, we have a full plate! But the reward so justifies this calling, and being completely God’s is a tremendous honor and blessing.
How well are you doing these days? Do you find you still mimic the behaviors of those around you quite often, much like our Timothy? Or do you find that you are growing daily in strength and resolve… becoming more like Jesus and representing Him well? A lot of your answer comes down to a choice. You can move closer to the world… or closer to God. Where are you standing these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s so fun to watch Timothy grow and develop. He is in a stage where he mimics pretty much everything we do. If we pat our arm or tap our foot, he pats or taps accordingly. If we growl at him, he growls back. He is very much in the world at this point, as is perfectly normal for 18-month-old babies.
One of the hardest things for us to do as we grow and mature is to learn to function in a situation – or the world – and not be affected by it… not adapt to the situation. And as Christians, this is our job… to become able to function in the world – and in specific situations – and still focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus.
This means that we can tolerate a miserable job or that tyrant of a teacher, because we are answering to God’s call on our life, and no one else’s. God shows us how to be content in all circumstances… how we can do all things with His strength… and we are able to avoid name calling, griping and grumbling, and poor performance on the job or in the classroom. Because we are in the world, but not “of the world,” we can work with an obnoxious person on a church project without being unkind or saying something we shouldn’t in frustration.
Because God equips us to function in the world, but not “of the world,” we can handle it when we decline an invitation to a party we feel we shouldn’t attend or we refuse to dress like the others in a certain circle… even though these choices may cause us to be ridiculed and ostracized. Because God equips us to function in the world, but not “of the world,” it doesn’t matter to us if we lose our relationship with every single friend and family member we have because of our faith… as long as God is still with us (and He is!).
Being in the world but not “of the world” doesn’t mean we can be arrogant, smug, or condescending toward others. We don’t walk around with our noses in the air like we have been given some special title. We have to be kind and loving and tolerant of others… regardless of their station in life, their faith, or their lifestyle.
It would have been so much easier for God to simply remove us one by one the minute we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior. He would not have to worry about our temptation to sin… and neither would we. God would not have to worry that we might screw things up for the next guy by setting a poor example of what it means to be a Christian! But that’s the whole point! God needed to leave us here because we don’t belong here… so that we could share the Good News of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ with others… so that we could interact with them and relate to them in a way that drew them in and caused them to want to follow Christ, as well.
Being God’s disciple on this earth is a daunting responsibility… and not one we should take lightly. Between keeping our eyes and ears peeled for Satan and doing the work of our Lord and Master, we have a full plate! But the reward so justifies this calling, and being completely God’s is a tremendous honor and blessing.
How well are you doing these days? Do you find you still mimic the behaviors of those around you quite often, much like our Timothy? Or do you find that you are growing daily in strength and resolve… becoming more like Jesus and representing Him well? A lot of your answer comes down to a choice. You can move closer to the world… or closer to God. Where are you standing these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 16, 2010
Mark 16:14-16
Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life. Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We have enjoyed beautiful fall weather lately, and the color in the trees and shrubbery has been spectacular… at least in my neighborhood. One day as I drove my grandmother to the beauty shop, I found myself traveling streets that are seldom on my route. In doing so, I enjoyed breathtaking views of maples, oaks, and elms in beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow. Crepe myrtles were splendid on the church campus in a fiery burst of orange and yellow. The bushes in the yard of my grandmother’s neighbor were a brilliant ruby red.
Later, my husband gently teased me as I recanted all I had seen and we drove down the street toward his mother’s house. As we passed each brilliant tree, he would laughingly say, “Oooohhh, look at that one! Ohhhhhh… that one is amazing!” And they were! And once again I was reminded that all of this beauty was created by a God I have never physically seen. As we sat and enjoyed a sunny morning on our back deck, I marveled at a brilliant yellow hickory tree and how intricately God designed something as mundane as the bark on that tree… and yet He created the entire planet and rules over the universe.
I have so many questions. I wonder which came first… God or the universe? … the chicken or the egg? I wonder how God thought of all of these beautiful creations of nature… and why He bothered with things like armadillos and spiders! And do we really need snakes? More importantly, why does God bother with the likes of me? Why did He take such care to create every hair on our head… and to number them before we were even born?
Okay, many will argue that I have no way of knowing that God really did all of this. Others will ask, “If God is so powerful and great, why do we have wars, famine, droughts and other natural disasters, pain and suffering?” I have an idea about some of these, but truly, I don’t have the answer. And some use this as an excuse to deny that God exists… or to choose not to believe in Him and follow His teachings. I have made a conscious – and heartfelt – choice to believe in God.
Several years ago, I read today’s scripture passage one day while listening to a televangelist who gave his interpretation of its deeper meaning. He said that as important as the original disciples were to the cause of Jesus Christ, those of us who are His disciples today are just as vital… if not more. Why? Because the original disciples saw Jesus. They touched the nail-scarred hands and the pierced side. They had physical proof that He had been crucified, then rose from the grave.
We have none of this. We weren’t there. We have not physically seen anything. And yet we believe. We look at nature and all of God’s creations. We read the scripture and take them totally at face value… believing that the details are accurate… that what the Bible says took place actually happened. We listen for the voice of our Heavenly Father to guide us, and we share Christ’s Good News and teachings with others. Once I realized how truly exposed it is to walk in faith… to “lay it all on the line” and trust in Jesus Christ and believe His promises, even though many would argue we have no physical proof of His existence… I finally “got it!”I finally understood how incredible this “faith walk” really is… and how amazing it feels to surrender completely and just “be” in Him.
I am in awe of creation… a sunrise, the moon on a crisp autumn night, the beauty and intricacy of kittens, puppies, and small children… the wonder of an old person’s wrinkles. But more than this, I am amazed and awed again and again by the joy of daring to walk in faith and trusting God to number my days as well as my hair! Yes, I want to believe… but it’s more than that. I no longer have to convince myself that Jesus is real… I know it with every fiber of my being. He may “scold” me for many things, but it won’t be for failing to believe. What about you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life. Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We have enjoyed beautiful fall weather lately, and the color in the trees and shrubbery has been spectacular… at least in my neighborhood. One day as I drove my grandmother to the beauty shop, I found myself traveling streets that are seldom on my route. In doing so, I enjoyed breathtaking views of maples, oaks, and elms in beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow. Crepe myrtles were splendid on the church campus in a fiery burst of orange and yellow. The bushes in the yard of my grandmother’s neighbor were a brilliant ruby red.
Later, my husband gently teased me as I recanted all I had seen and we drove down the street toward his mother’s house. As we passed each brilliant tree, he would laughingly say, “Oooohhh, look at that one! Ohhhhhh… that one is amazing!” And they were! And once again I was reminded that all of this beauty was created by a God I have never physically seen. As we sat and enjoyed a sunny morning on our back deck, I marveled at a brilliant yellow hickory tree and how intricately God designed something as mundane as the bark on that tree… and yet He created the entire planet and rules over the universe.
I have so many questions. I wonder which came first… God or the universe? … the chicken or the egg? I wonder how God thought of all of these beautiful creations of nature… and why He bothered with things like armadillos and spiders! And do we really need snakes? More importantly, why does God bother with the likes of me? Why did He take such care to create every hair on our head… and to number them before we were even born?
Okay, many will argue that I have no way of knowing that God really did all of this. Others will ask, “If God is so powerful and great, why do we have wars, famine, droughts and other natural disasters, pain and suffering?” I have an idea about some of these, but truly, I don’t have the answer. And some use this as an excuse to deny that God exists… or to choose not to believe in Him and follow His teachings. I have made a conscious – and heartfelt – choice to believe in God.
Several years ago, I read today’s scripture passage one day while listening to a televangelist who gave his interpretation of its deeper meaning. He said that as important as the original disciples were to the cause of Jesus Christ, those of us who are His disciples today are just as vital… if not more. Why? Because the original disciples saw Jesus. They touched the nail-scarred hands and the pierced side. They had physical proof that He had been crucified, then rose from the grave.
We have none of this. We weren’t there. We have not physically seen anything. And yet we believe. We look at nature and all of God’s creations. We read the scripture and take them totally at face value… believing that the details are accurate… that what the Bible says took place actually happened. We listen for the voice of our Heavenly Father to guide us, and we share Christ’s Good News and teachings with others. Once I realized how truly exposed it is to walk in faith… to “lay it all on the line” and trust in Jesus Christ and believe His promises, even though many would argue we have no physical proof of His existence… I finally “got it!”I finally understood how incredible this “faith walk” really is… and how amazing it feels to surrender completely and just “be” in Him.
I am in awe of creation… a sunrise, the moon on a crisp autumn night, the beauty and intricacy of kittens, puppies, and small children… the wonder of an old person’s wrinkles. But more than this, I am amazed and awed again and again by the joy of daring to walk in faith and trusting God to number my days as well as my hair! Yes, I want to believe… but it’s more than that. I no longer have to convince myself that Jesus is real… I know it with every fiber of my being. He may “scold” me for many things, but it won’t be for failing to believe. What about you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 15, 2010
Psalm 31:3
You, LORD God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you want to read an inspirational story, go to http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4226688 and read about Arkansas Razorbacks tight end DJ Williams and his mother, Vicky. Clearly, Vicky Williams is her son’s earthly rock and fortress... and with God’s help, she has led him down a positive path toward becoming a man who will bring honor to both her and his Heavenly Father. And part of their story focuses on a map.
Fleeing an abusive, drug-addicted father in 1999, DJ’s mother put her children in the car and started driving. She told DJ to pick a spot on a map. DJ’s finger landed on Little Rock, Arkansas, and that’s where they headed… leaving their Texas home in the tail lights. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Williamses ended up in Little Rock… or at Immanuel Baptist Church in the office of a woman who helped them and became a dear family friend to this very day. And before you start to think this story is all sweet and rosy, you need to know that DJ’s father is in prison for attempted murder and aggravated assault. The family has lived in shelters with absolutely nothing but a suitcase full of clothing, and DJ’s mother has been hospitalized for life-threatening injuries his father inflicted.
DJ struggles with the fact that he has no relationship at this point with his earthly father… and he wonders if he ever can. But he knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that his relationship with his Heavenly Father is rock solid. And he makes every effort to ensure that this continues!
You may not be facing the adversity and challenges that befell DJ Williams and his family. You may never have known physical abuse or the sorrows and heartaches that can come from a loved one’s involvement with drug abuse. But we can all have a relationship with God that is every bit as deep as the one DJ and his mother enjoy. We can call God our rock… our strength… and He will gladly shelter us and serve as our fortress. Our life’s road map can lead us to the same God who delivered DJ’s family to safety. All we have to do is pick the right spot… all we have to do is say, “Lord, I need you. Please be my Rock.”
Where are you pointing on the “map” these days? Are you headed in the wrong direction… straight toward harm’s way? Or are you searching for “The Rock” – the strength and refuge of God Almighty? Don’t end up in the ditch or a “shelter for those who are battered.” Let God lead you and guide you – and then give Him all the glory and praise He so richly deserves.
©2010 Debbie Robus
You, LORD God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you want to read an inspirational story, go to http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4226688 and read about Arkansas Razorbacks tight end DJ Williams and his mother, Vicky. Clearly, Vicky Williams is her son’s earthly rock and fortress... and with God’s help, she has led him down a positive path toward becoming a man who will bring honor to both her and his Heavenly Father. And part of their story focuses on a map.
Fleeing an abusive, drug-addicted father in 1999, DJ’s mother put her children in the car and started driving. She told DJ to pick a spot on a map. DJ’s finger landed on Little Rock, Arkansas, and that’s where they headed… leaving their Texas home in the tail lights. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Williamses ended up in Little Rock… or at Immanuel Baptist Church in the office of a woman who helped them and became a dear family friend to this very day. And before you start to think this story is all sweet and rosy, you need to know that DJ’s father is in prison for attempted murder and aggravated assault. The family has lived in shelters with absolutely nothing but a suitcase full of clothing, and DJ’s mother has been hospitalized for life-threatening injuries his father inflicted.
DJ struggles with the fact that he has no relationship at this point with his earthly father… and he wonders if he ever can. But he knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that his relationship with his Heavenly Father is rock solid. And he makes every effort to ensure that this continues!
You may not be facing the adversity and challenges that befell DJ Williams and his family. You may never have known physical abuse or the sorrows and heartaches that can come from a loved one’s involvement with drug abuse. But we can all have a relationship with God that is every bit as deep as the one DJ and his mother enjoy. We can call God our rock… our strength… and He will gladly shelter us and serve as our fortress. Our life’s road map can lead us to the same God who delivered DJ’s family to safety. All we have to do is pick the right spot… all we have to do is say, “Lord, I need you. Please be my Rock.”
Where are you pointing on the “map” these days? Are you headed in the wrong direction… straight toward harm’s way? Or are you searching for “The Rock” – the strength and refuge of God Almighty? Don’t end up in the ditch or a “shelter for those who are battered.” Let God lead you and guide you – and then give Him all the glory and praise He so richly deserves.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 14, 2010
Psalm 119:130-133
Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people. I honestly want to know everything you teach. Think about me and be kind, just as you are to everyone who loves your name. Keep your promise and don't let me stumble or let sin control my life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
How many times have you had a “light bulb moment,” where you truly “got it”? Maybe you realized just how much sugar and fat you had in your diet and made a concerted effort to change. Or maybe you realized that the person you thought was a good friend was really someone who was dragging you down the wrong path – or just dragging you down, period!
Maybe you finally understood fully that your parents or another influential adult in your life were not the “monsters” you and your friends had made them out to be. Or maybe you finally saw that the teacher who was so hard on you was really the one who cared the most about you and your future. There are lots of “light bulb moments” in our lives, hopefully… and each one is a growth lesson.
But the most important “light bulb moment” is when we finally recognize God’s word and the impact of His will for our lives. When we ordinary people start to truly “get” God, the lights go on and things really start to happen! This is good news! I hope you are earnestly seeking this time in your life… this level of understanding and communication where God speaks to you through the everyday circumstances of life… and you clearly hear His voice!
Just as importantly, once the lights go on in your relationship with God, I pray you don’t get complacent. Never take God for granted. Never assume you have all the bases covered and start to get cocky. You’ll get into trouble for sure… Satan would love nothing more than to trip us up and catch us feeling a little smug in our faith. Stay grounded. Stay hungry and seeking God, and always keep the lines of communication wide open. I pray the “Lights are on” in your heart… and God is changing your life daily from “ordinary” to totally amazing as a result!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people. I honestly want to know everything you teach. Think about me and be kind, just as you are to everyone who loves your name. Keep your promise and don't let me stumble or let sin control my life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
How many times have you had a “light bulb moment,” where you truly “got it”? Maybe you realized just how much sugar and fat you had in your diet and made a concerted effort to change. Or maybe you realized that the person you thought was a good friend was really someone who was dragging you down the wrong path – or just dragging you down, period!
Maybe you finally understood fully that your parents or another influential adult in your life were not the “monsters” you and your friends had made them out to be. Or maybe you finally saw that the teacher who was so hard on you was really the one who cared the most about you and your future. There are lots of “light bulb moments” in our lives, hopefully… and each one is a growth lesson.
But the most important “light bulb moment” is when we finally recognize God’s word and the impact of His will for our lives. When we ordinary people start to truly “get” God, the lights go on and things really start to happen! This is good news! I hope you are earnestly seeking this time in your life… this level of understanding and communication where God speaks to you through the everyday circumstances of life… and you clearly hear His voice!
Just as importantly, once the lights go on in your relationship with God, I pray you don’t get complacent. Never take God for granted. Never assume you have all the bases covered and start to get cocky. You’ll get into trouble for sure… Satan would love nothing more than to trip us up and catch us feeling a little smug in our faith. Stay grounded. Stay hungry and seeking God, and always keep the lines of communication wide open. I pray the “Lights are on” in your heart… and God is changing your life daily from “ordinary” to totally amazing as a result!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 13, 2010
Psalm 27:11
Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve been in a fast-moving carnival ride that shuffled me and my passenger from one scary spot to another as things jumped up and popped out, yelled and screamed, and scared the bejeepers out of us! We knew that around every turn, new scary stuff would be waiting, but we still screamed and felt our hearts pound… and we laughed (nervously) because we understood it was all in good fun and the scary ride would end in a short while.
Sadly, the devil and his army of enemies are waiting around the corner on many streets and paths… just hoping we will make a wrong turn or a poor choice, and end up in front of them. And unlike the harmless spooks of the carnival ride, these guys mean business! They plan to capture their prey through any means necessary… fear, enticement, lies, deceit, shame, guilt, glitz and glamour… whatever it takes. Once you get in the car with Satan, his ride can take you places you’ll wish you’d never gone.
The key is to listen to God… to follow His instruction… to stay on His path. God offers us a perfect road map… with a straight shot to victory, blessings, peace, and joy. There may be bumps along the way, and short detours, but God will always be there with us to handle them. No spooks, screams, scary monsters, or heart-stopping fears await us… we can be assured that God will never use such tactics. And if you encounter them, you may need to re-evaluate whose road map you are following!
Carnival rides are fun… a cheap thrill and a harmless scare. But Satan’s “carnival rides” are serious business. You do not want to hop aboard! Ask God to help you stay in His will… following His road maps… and listening for His voice. Don’t give the devil and his henchmen any chance to make a play for your attention. Stay on course, in the light of Christ… safe, secure, and out of harm’s way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve been in a fast-moving carnival ride that shuffled me and my passenger from one scary spot to another as things jumped up and popped out, yelled and screamed, and scared the bejeepers out of us! We knew that around every turn, new scary stuff would be waiting, but we still screamed and felt our hearts pound… and we laughed (nervously) because we understood it was all in good fun and the scary ride would end in a short while.
Sadly, the devil and his army of enemies are waiting around the corner on many streets and paths… just hoping we will make a wrong turn or a poor choice, and end up in front of them. And unlike the harmless spooks of the carnival ride, these guys mean business! They plan to capture their prey through any means necessary… fear, enticement, lies, deceit, shame, guilt, glitz and glamour… whatever it takes. Once you get in the car with Satan, his ride can take you places you’ll wish you’d never gone.
The key is to listen to God… to follow His instruction… to stay on His path. God offers us a perfect road map… with a straight shot to victory, blessings, peace, and joy. There may be bumps along the way, and short detours, but God will always be there with us to handle them. No spooks, screams, scary monsters, or heart-stopping fears await us… we can be assured that God will never use such tactics. And if you encounter them, you may need to re-evaluate whose road map you are following!
Carnival rides are fun… a cheap thrill and a harmless scare. But Satan’s “carnival rides” are serious business. You do not want to hop aboard! Ask God to help you stay in His will… following His road maps… and listening for His voice. Don’t give the devil and his henchmen any chance to make a play for your attention. Stay on course, in the light of Christ… safe, secure, and out of harm’s way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 12, 2010
Psalm 43:3
Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In working with antiques and collectibles, I’ve become intrigued with light. Have too much of it when photographing a piece of crystal, and you don’t see the delicate lines of the piece. Shooting in virtually dark conditions with one or two sources of filtered bright light placed strategically often works better than photographing in total daylight! On the other hand, using lamps and small lights to highlight the treasures in my booth draws people in to see them. I’ve learned to scatter pieces of crystal in and amongst the darker items, because they reflect light and serve to illuminate everything around them.
Spiritually, we find things are much the same. Even though we may feel we are wandering in the darkness, the single light of Christ guides us… and illuminates us in our relationship with Him. As we move out into the world, we are like the crystal pieces, reflecting the light of Jesus and, hopefully, brightening the world around us. We are drawn to God’s light, just as shoppers are drawn to the lamp glow that enhances beautiful pieces of glass, pottery, and more.
I’ve spent hours tinkering with photography to improve my techniques and make better pictures to go with my online listings and fill my blogs. I’ve arranged and re-arranged items on the shelves in my booth to get just the right balance of light, reflection, sparkle and shine. Imagine if we gave as much time, care and attention to working with the light of Christ! Think about how much God could do with us if we were more willing participants. He so wants to do this… but He’s waiting on us to ask!
Do you want to be fully illuminated by the light of Christ? Do you want to reflect His light toward others and brighten the world around you in His name? Do you want to be instrumental in drawing others to Jesus and His light? Haven’t we fumbled in the dark long enough? What’s holding you back today? Isn’t it time we followed the light to God’s sacred mountain and became all He wants us to be? Are you truly ready to be a light for Christ?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In working with antiques and collectibles, I’ve become intrigued with light. Have too much of it when photographing a piece of crystal, and you don’t see the delicate lines of the piece. Shooting in virtually dark conditions with one or two sources of filtered bright light placed strategically often works better than photographing in total daylight! On the other hand, using lamps and small lights to highlight the treasures in my booth draws people in to see them. I’ve learned to scatter pieces of crystal in and amongst the darker items, because they reflect light and serve to illuminate everything around them.
Spiritually, we find things are much the same. Even though we may feel we are wandering in the darkness, the single light of Christ guides us… and illuminates us in our relationship with Him. As we move out into the world, we are like the crystal pieces, reflecting the light of Jesus and, hopefully, brightening the world around us. We are drawn to God’s light, just as shoppers are drawn to the lamp glow that enhances beautiful pieces of glass, pottery, and more.
I’ve spent hours tinkering with photography to improve my techniques and make better pictures to go with my online listings and fill my blogs. I’ve arranged and re-arranged items on the shelves in my booth to get just the right balance of light, reflection, sparkle and shine. Imagine if we gave as much time, care and attention to working with the light of Christ! Think about how much God could do with us if we were more willing participants. He so wants to do this… but He’s waiting on us to ask!
Do you want to be fully illuminated by the light of Christ? Do you want to reflect His light toward others and brighten the world around you in His name? Do you want to be instrumental in drawing others to Jesus and His light? Haven’t we fumbled in the dark long enough? What’s holding you back today? Isn’t it time we followed the light to God’s sacred mountain and became all He wants us to be? Are you truly ready to be a light for Christ?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 11, 2010
Proverbs 23:22-25
Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her. Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I can’t tell you how many times we have been watching a sporting event, such as a college football game, and the camera has zoomed in on a group of students who are being absolutely ridiculous. Maybe they are wearing goofy clothing – or very little clothing at all. Often, the weather is frigid, yet young men have stripped down to a pair of shorts and painted their body in the colors representing their team, and they are screaming at the top of their lungs. I’m all for being a good fan, but in these extreme situations, I frequently comment, “Don’t you know their mommas are proud!”
I’m being sarcastic. But I’m also making a point. If we were more careful to behave in such a way that we would always make our parents proud, our behavior might improve. If you stopped and asked yourself, “Would I say/do this if my mom or dad were here?” would you still do it? What about your grandparents? Would they approve of your language and actions?
And even if your parents/grandparents did approve of your behavior and language, would God? Are you showing respect to the Heavenly Father who has given you the gift of Eternal Life? Do you neglect Him? Do you live according to your own “rule book” and totally disrespect the influences of those who have loved and nurtured you to this point?
Someday, you may have children of your own… or maybe you are already parents or grandparents. Are you behaving in a way that makes those around you proud? Are you honoring the love and nurture you received and paying it forward? More importantly, are you giving God the honor and glory He deserves as your Heavenly Father?
Showing out at a football game may seem fun, silly, and innocent. You may feel you are just being a good fan. But when your drunken face appears larger than life on the big screen for all the world to see… including your momma… won’t you be just a little bit embarrassed? And even if your parents never see/hear the things you say and do, God will know. Isn’t that reason enough to behave yourself?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her. Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I can’t tell you how many times we have been watching a sporting event, such as a college football game, and the camera has zoomed in on a group of students who are being absolutely ridiculous. Maybe they are wearing goofy clothing – or very little clothing at all. Often, the weather is frigid, yet young men have stripped down to a pair of shorts and painted their body in the colors representing their team, and they are screaming at the top of their lungs. I’m all for being a good fan, but in these extreme situations, I frequently comment, “Don’t you know their mommas are proud!”
I’m being sarcastic. But I’m also making a point. If we were more careful to behave in such a way that we would always make our parents proud, our behavior might improve. If you stopped and asked yourself, “Would I say/do this if my mom or dad were here?” would you still do it? What about your grandparents? Would they approve of your language and actions?
And even if your parents/grandparents did approve of your behavior and language, would God? Are you showing respect to the Heavenly Father who has given you the gift of Eternal Life? Do you neglect Him? Do you live according to your own “rule book” and totally disrespect the influences of those who have loved and nurtured you to this point?
Someday, you may have children of your own… or maybe you are already parents or grandparents. Are you behaving in a way that makes those around you proud? Are you honoring the love and nurture you received and paying it forward? More importantly, are you giving God the honor and glory He deserves as your Heavenly Father?
Showing out at a football game may seem fun, silly, and innocent. You may feel you are just being a good fan. But when your drunken face appears larger than life on the big screen for all the world to see… including your momma… won’t you be just a little bit embarrassed? And even if your parents never see/hear the things you say and do, God will know. Isn’t that reason enough to behave yourself?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 10, 2010
Matthew 10:27
Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were talking with my husband’s mother one day last summer, and she muttered something about her wedding dance. As we began to question her, she explained that after she and my father-in-law married, her dad hosted a “wedding dance” for them and for her sister and brother-in-law, who had married around the same time. There was a live band, food, and a rented dance hall, and all of their family and friends came to share in the evening of fun.
My mother-in-law married in 1944. We didn’t hear this story until 66 years later. It was an interesting bit of history about my husband’s parents that he had never known, and we enjoyed hearing his mother recall the festive event and all of the fun everyone had. Like many other stories we’ve heard in recent years, this one served to enhance and enrich our image of my mother-in-law and our family. It was another interesting layer to her life story.
Now, this was not some deep dark secret. It had apparently never occurred to my husband’s parents to share this information… or maybe nobody asked the right questions! But that brings me to the point of this scripture. Is it occurring to us to share with others the message that God gives us each day?
Whether people ask the right questions or not, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. God is not imparting His wisdom and the message of salvation to us so that we can keep it all to ourselves. He may whisper things to us… but He expects us to turn around and shout them from the rooftops!
So what does this mean for us? It means that we cannot hesitate to ask people, “Where do you go to church?” or “Would you like to worship with us on Sunday?” It means that we must be willing to openly share with others how the power of prayer healed us of a disease or injury… or helped us through a difficult time… or led us to make a major decision with a positive outcome.
We cannot be embarrassed, timid, or ashamed of the Gospel. We can’t pretend we don’t see needs like hunger, housing, clothing, and a shoulder to lean on in hard times. God will not accept our apathy, our insensitivity, or our judgment of others. If we are to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth, we cannot be bashful.
Search your heart and find where you need to be more bold in your faith. Ask God to show you how and where to serve in His name… and for His glory. Get busy listening for His voice… and then share His good news “at the top of your lungs” and with all of the enthusiasm you can muster. It’s the least we can do for the One who gave everything on our behalf. What do you need to “shout” today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were talking with my husband’s mother one day last summer, and she muttered something about her wedding dance. As we began to question her, she explained that after she and my father-in-law married, her dad hosted a “wedding dance” for them and for her sister and brother-in-law, who had married around the same time. There was a live band, food, and a rented dance hall, and all of their family and friends came to share in the evening of fun.
My mother-in-law married in 1944. We didn’t hear this story until 66 years later. It was an interesting bit of history about my husband’s parents that he had never known, and we enjoyed hearing his mother recall the festive event and all of the fun everyone had. Like many other stories we’ve heard in recent years, this one served to enhance and enrich our image of my mother-in-law and our family. It was another interesting layer to her life story.
Now, this was not some deep dark secret. It had apparently never occurred to my husband’s parents to share this information… or maybe nobody asked the right questions! But that brings me to the point of this scripture. Is it occurring to us to share with others the message that God gives us each day?
Whether people ask the right questions or not, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. God is not imparting His wisdom and the message of salvation to us so that we can keep it all to ourselves. He may whisper things to us… but He expects us to turn around and shout them from the rooftops!
So what does this mean for us? It means that we cannot hesitate to ask people, “Where do you go to church?” or “Would you like to worship with us on Sunday?” It means that we must be willing to openly share with others how the power of prayer healed us of a disease or injury… or helped us through a difficult time… or led us to make a major decision with a positive outcome.
We cannot be embarrassed, timid, or ashamed of the Gospel. We can’t pretend we don’t see needs like hunger, housing, clothing, and a shoulder to lean on in hard times. God will not accept our apathy, our insensitivity, or our judgment of others. If we are to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth, we cannot be bashful.
Search your heart and find where you need to be more bold in your faith. Ask God to show you how and where to serve in His name… and for His glory. Get busy listening for His voice… and then share His good news “at the top of your lungs” and with all of the enthusiasm you can muster. It’s the least we can do for the One who gave everything on our behalf. What do you need to “shout” today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 9, 2010
Psalm 143:8
Listen, LORD, as I pray! You are faithful and honest and will answer my prayer. I am your servant. Don't try me in your court, because no one is innocent by your standards. My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground. I am in total darkness, like someone long dead.
I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over. I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you. Please hurry, LORD, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don't turn away and leave me here to die.
Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have never felt hopeless or like you were being crushed in the ground, you probably will someday. You’ll get a diagnosis that scares the socks off of you, or you will lose a loved one, or you’ll have to figure out how you are going to make ends meet on a salary cut – or after you lose your job… or you will have to choose a college and figure out how to pay the tuition… or you will grow old and have to face choices about moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Someday, somehow, a challenge is going to knock you to your knees. The question is… what will you do? Who will you call on to help you? Who will you trust? I don’t care what human being you call on… if you don’t call on God, you will miss the mark and fail to have the best outcome or make the best decision! It really is that critical. If you don’t believe me, just ask a few people who faced major challenges and tried to figure things out on their own… or with the help of “mere mortals.”
The only One who can rescue you when you are “numb all over” is God. The only One who can restore your hope, set you upright and give you perfect guidance is our Heavenly Father. And you know what? He will do exactly that, if only we will trust Him! We may not exactly like His answers… or His timing. But if we will wake up each morning and ask, “Okay, Lord… what do you have for me today?”… He will answer… and He will amaze you with His wisdom.
Have you spoken to God today about your challenges? Isn’t it time you did?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Listen, LORD, as I pray! You are faithful and honest and will answer my prayer. I am your servant. Don't try me in your court, because no one is innocent by your standards. My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground. I am in total darkness, like someone long dead.
I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over. I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you. Please hurry, LORD, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don't turn away and leave me here to die.
Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have never felt hopeless or like you were being crushed in the ground, you probably will someday. You’ll get a diagnosis that scares the socks off of you, or you will lose a loved one, or you’ll have to figure out how you are going to make ends meet on a salary cut – or after you lose your job… or you will have to choose a college and figure out how to pay the tuition… or you will grow old and have to face choices about moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Someday, somehow, a challenge is going to knock you to your knees. The question is… what will you do? Who will you call on to help you? Who will you trust? I don’t care what human being you call on… if you don’t call on God, you will miss the mark and fail to have the best outcome or make the best decision! It really is that critical. If you don’t believe me, just ask a few people who faced major challenges and tried to figure things out on their own… or with the help of “mere mortals.”
The only One who can rescue you when you are “numb all over” is God. The only One who can restore your hope, set you upright and give you perfect guidance is our Heavenly Father. And you know what? He will do exactly that, if only we will trust Him! We may not exactly like His answers… or His timing. But if we will wake up each morning and ask, “Okay, Lord… what do you have for me today?”… He will answer… and He will amaze you with His wisdom.
Have you spoken to God today about your challenges? Isn’t it time you did?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 8, 2010
Proverbs 1:10-11
Don't be tempted by sinners or listen when they say, "Come on! Let's gang up and kill somebody, just for the fun of it!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Everybody’s doing it!” How many times have we heard… or uttered… this phrase? We say this about everything from gossip to “fudging” on our tests and taxes to going places and doing things we know we shouldn’t. And yes, gang members probably say this about killing somebody for the fun of it!
But this passage is really a reference to much more than killing for sport. In fact, the “killing” refers to many things that we all do on a daily basis that “kill” the heart and soul of many, including ourselves. We are going to be tempted every single day to say and do things that are dishonorable to God, disrespectful to ourselves and others… and downright sinful. And quite often, our “excuse” will be… “Everybody’s doing it.”
We need to take a long hard look at the company we are keeping. Who is really influencing our thoughts and behavior? If we are putting ourselves in a position to be influenced – or even pressured – to behave poorly, we need to make a move in a different direction. If we are hanging out with people who are negative, biased toward one group of people or another, dishonest, disrespectful, or engaged in illegal and illicit behavior, we need to distance ourselves from them immediately. Even more subtle associations… like the person who continually drags you down emotionally or enables you to live an unhealthy lifestyle filled with junk food and inactivity… may be hurting your relationship with God and your Christian witness to others.
It really is true that quite often, we are known by the company we keep! But we can’t always determine if this company is appropriate for us on our own. We need the guidance of our Heavenly Father to show us how to choose wisely. We need to stay closely aligned with God, so that we are certain we are where we are supposed to be – with the people who help us be the best disciple for Christ – at all times. Anything less leaves us vulnerable to Satan’s attack… and sets the stage for us to “gang up and kill somebody” – if only figuratively.
We don’t think about this often enough, but being a Christian is a huge responsibility. We are the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth, and sometimes, I think He would like to perform a “Spiritual amputation!” Choose your company carefully. Ask God to show you where to be – and with whom you should be associated. Live in a way that honors the body of Christ and lifts up those whom you encounter. Whose company are you keeping these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Don't be tempted by sinners or listen when they say, "Come on! Let's gang up and kill somebody, just for the fun of it!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“Everybody’s doing it!” How many times have we heard… or uttered… this phrase? We say this about everything from gossip to “fudging” on our tests and taxes to going places and doing things we know we shouldn’t. And yes, gang members probably say this about killing somebody for the fun of it!
But this passage is really a reference to much more than killing for sport. In fact, the “killing” refers to many things that we all do on a daily basis that “kill” the heart and soul of many, including ourselves. We are going to be tempted every single day to say and do things that are dishonorable to God, disrespectful to ourselves and others… and downright sinful. And quite often, our “excuse” will be… “Everybody’s doing it.”
We need to take a long hard look at the company we are keeping. Who is really influencing our thoughts and behavior? If we are putting ourselves in a position to be influenced – or even pressured – to behave poorly, we need to make a move in a different direction. If we are hanging out with people who are negative, biased toward one group of people or another, dishonest, disrespectful, or engaged in illegal and illicit behavior, we need to distance ourselves from them immediately. Even more subtle associations… like the person who continually drags you down emotionally or enables you to live an unhealthy lifestyle filled with junk food and inactivity… may be hurting your relationship with God and your Christian witness to others.
It really is true that quite often, we are known by the company we keep! But we can’t always determine if this company is appropriate for us on our own. We need the guidance of our Heavenly Father to show us how to choose wisely. We need to stay closely aligned with God, so that we are certain we are where we are supposed to be – with the people who help us be the best disciple for Christ – at all times. Anything less leaves us vulnerable to Satan’s attack… and sets the stage for us to “gang up and kill somebody” – if only figuratively.
We don’t think about this often enough, but being a Christian is a huge responsibility. We are the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth, and sometimes, I think He would like to perform a “Spiritual amputation!” Choose your company carefully. Ask God to show you where to be – and with whom you should be associated. Live in a way that honors the body of Christ and lifts up those whom you encounter. Whose company are you keeping these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 7, 2010
2 Corinthians 5:20
Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We’ve just come off an election week in which nastiness in both major political parties reached epic proportions. Some are now claiming that “God has spoken,” indicating that God favors one political party and it’s followers over another. I strongly disagree, because this would mean that God’s favor is only for some, and that is not what I read in the scriptures. And this is nothing new. My mom is reading a book about the writing of the Constitution, and she noted that both “sides” were praying and believing that God would give them a positive outcome.
I’ve also noticed that people credit God with victories at sporting events, the next choice for American Idol, and more. And I have to laugh. Does this mean that God doesn’t care about the “losing” team? Absolutely NOT!
Go back and read this scripture passage again… “anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.” I believe this means that God may allow… or even orchestrate… the outcomes of certain events, such as elections, sporting events, and competitions of all kinds… but not for the reasons we may think! I believe if we pray for anything except GOD’s WILL… His perfect plan in the outcome of such events – and the safety and well-being of those involved and their care and blessings - we are asking God to “pick a side,” and He simply will not do this. It may be that God has a very different purpose for said outcome… perhaps He will use a victory or loss to show us far more than we would learn, were the outcome different or more to our liking.
We must remember that God’s ways are always perfect. His WILL is always perfect… but not always ours! Notice that this passage says, “All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.” So this tells me that we need to be busy sharing the love and perfection of God’s plans for us with others. We don’t need to act superior to anyone else, or to lord over them the fact that our team won. We need to operate in the same love, grace and mercy that God shows to us on a minute-by-minute basis!
We need to be busy making friends with others, not separating ourselves from them. But first, we have to be sure we are truly friends with God. Is He really in charge of your life? Are you giving Him free rein… and free reign? Have you become a new creature and ditched your “old life” completely? Are you fully equipped to be a representative of God? In order to do this, you have to check your biases and your ego at the door. You have to acknowledge that you are special to God – but no more so than the next guy, regardless of his team, political party, social standing, race, lifestyle, or ethnicity. Have you done this? I won’t ask if you “can” do this, because God makes all things possible. But the choice is totally ours… what do you say?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We’ve just come off an election week in which nastiness in both major political parties reached epic proportions. Some are now claiming that “God has spoken,” indicating that God favors one political party and it’s followers over another. I strongly disagree, because this would mean that God’s favor is only for some, and that is not what I read in the scriptures. And this is nothing new. My mom is reading a book about the writing of the Constitution, and she noted that both “sides” were praying and believing that God would give them a positive outcome.
I’ve also noticed that people credit God with victories at sporting events, the next choice for American Idol, and more. And I have to laugh. Does this mean that God doesn’t care about the “losing” team? Absolutely NOT!
Go back and read this scripture passage again… “anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.” I believe this means that God may allow… or even orchestrate… the outcomes of certain events, such as elections, sporting events, and competitions of all kinds… but not for the reasons we may think! I believe if we pray for anything except GOD’s WILL… His perfect plan in the outcome of such events – and the safety and well-being of those involved and their care and blessings - we are asking God to “pick a side,” and He simply will not do this. It may be that God has a very different purpose for said outcome… perhaps He will use a victory or loss to show us far more than we would learn, were the outcome different or more to our liking.
We must remember that God’s ways are always perfect. His WILL is always perfect… but not always ours! Notice that this passage says, “All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.” So this tells me that we need to be busy sharing the love and perfection of God’s plans for us with others. We don’t need to act superior to anyone else, or to lord over them the fact that our team won. We need to operate in the same love, grace and mercy that God shows to us on a minute-by-minute basis!
We need to be busy making friends with others, not separating ourselves from them. But first, we have to be sure we are truly friends with God. Is He really in charge of your life? Are you giving Him free rein… and free reign? Have you become a new creature and ditched your “old life” completely? Are you fully equipped to be a representative of God? In order to do this, you have to check your biases and your ego at the door. You have to acknowledge that you are special to God – but no more so than the next guy, regardless of his team, political party, social standing, race, lifestyle, or ethnicity. Have you done this? I won’t ask if you “can” do this, because God makes all things possible. But the choice is totally ours… what do you say?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 6, 2010
Psalm 86:11
Teach me to follow you, and I will obey your truth. Always keep me faithful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of the ladies who attended my grandmother’s birthday was a wonderful friend named Mary. I’ve known Mary for almost 25 years now, and I love her dearly… not only because of her sweet disposition, but because of her amazing example of abiding faith in God.
Mary has endured tremendous adversities and hardships. If I took the time and space to tell you about all of them, you might think I was making some of it up… a horrible tractor accident that left her husband, Fred, pinned under the machine – both of his legs crushed, and then the death of Fred several years later… tragic losses of a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson… poor health, and more. Yet Mary is neither bitter nor defeated.
As I visited with her, she hugged me tightly and squeezed my hand as she smiled and we talked. She told me of her darling grand-daughter, Riley, who is now attending college. She shared with the other ladies how we had known each other for a long time and had been members of the same Extension Homemaker’s Club, where I was far younger than the other ladies in our group. I told her how much I had learned from her and the other ladies, and she said, “We learned from each other.”
Somehow, I think I learned more than Mary and her peers… and as I looked at the ladies at my grandmother’s party, I was humbled to think how God has used so many of them to teach me over the years. These ladies showed me many useful and practical things, but more importantly, I saw God’s face through theirs. I saw faithfulness and perseverance in the lives of my own grandmother and my friend Mary. I saw the love and devotion of a mother for her child with cerebral palsy in my precious “birthday buddy,” whom I call MawMac… how she’s never treated her child as anything but the intelligent person she is - trapped in a body that doesn’t cooperate.
Even as my grandmother and her friends gathered around the table today to eat cake and drink punch, one of the ladies said, “Oh, we didn’t say the blessing!” And they stopped, put down their forks, held hands, and their Sunday School teacher led them in a prayer. As these ladies talked and laughed and shared memories that spanned more than nine decades in some cases, my 18-month-old great-nephew darted in and out among their chairs, awed by so many “grandmas” in one place. And God showed me the circle of life and reminded me of His promise to “make all things new.”
My point is that God is teaching us in all circumstances… if only we will pay attention. He can even use the birthday party of a 98-year-old grandmother and her friends to teach us about trust and faithfulness… perseverance and hard times… and the blessings of a life lived for Him, following in His steps and keeping the faith.
What is God showing you today? Who is He using to teach you His ways and truths? Are you learning from others and truly “getting” the lessons? Because I assure you, God is offering instruction… in places you probably never considered. Will you recognize these teachers and the lessons God offers through them? And what sort of example are you offering to others? Are you teaching about God’s love? Will you leave a legacy as rich in faith as these ladies? Are you really paying attention to God’s instruction these days? Shouldn’t you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Teach me to follow you, and I will obey your truth. Always keep me faithful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of the ladies who attended my grandmother’s birthday was a wonderful friend named Mary. I’ve known Mary for almost 25 years now, and I love her dearly… not only because of her sweet disposition, but because of her amazing example of abiding faith in God.
Mary has endured tremendous adversities and hardships. If I took the time and space to tell you about all of them, you might think I was making some of it up… a horrible tractor accident that left her husband, Fred, pinned under the machine – both of his legs crushed, and then the death of Fred several years later… tragic losses of a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson… poor health, and more. Yet Mary is neither bitter nor defeated.
As I visited with her, she hugged me tightly and squeezed my hand as she smiled and we talked. She told me of her darling grand-daughter, Riley, who is now attending college. She shared with the other ladies how we had known each other for a long time and had been members of the same Extension Homemaker’s Club, where I was far younger than the other ladies in our group. I told her how much I had learned from her and the other ladies, and she said, “We learned from each other.”
Somehow, I think I learned more than Mary and her peers… and as I looked at the ladies at my grandmother’s party, I was humbled to think how God has used so many of them to teach me over the years. These ladies showed me many useful and practical things, but more importantly, I saw God’s face through theirs. I saw faithfulness and perseverance in the lives of my own grandmother and my friend Mary. I saw the love and devotion of a mother for her child with cerebral palsy in my precious “birthday buddy,” whom I call MawMac… how she’s never treated her child as anything but the intelligent person she is - trapped in a body that doesn’t cooperate.
Even as my grandmother and her friends gathered around the table today to eat cake and drink punch, one of the ladies said, “Oh, we didn’t say the blessing!” And they stopped, put down their forks, held hands, and their Sunday School teacher led them in a prayer. As these ladies talked and laughed and shared memories that spanned more than nine decades in some cases, my 18-month-old great-nephew darted in and out among their chairs, awed by so many “grandmas” in one place. And God showed me the circle of life and reminded me of His promise to “make all things new.”
My point is that God is teaching us in all circumstances… if only we will pay attention. He can even use the birthday party of a 98-year-old grandmother and her friends to teach us about trust and faithfulness… perseverance and hard times… and the blessings of a life lived for Him, following in His steps and keeping the faith.
What is God showing you today? Who is He using to teach you His ways and truths? Are you learning from others and truly “getting” the lessons? Because I assure you, God is offering instruction… in places you probably never considered. Will you recognize these teachers and the lessons God offers through them? And what sort of example are you offering to others? Are you teaching about God’s love? Will you leave a legacy as rich in faith as these ladies? Are you really paying attention to God’s instruction these days? Shouldn’t you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 5, 2010
Jeremiah 10:23
I know, LORD, that we humans are not in control of our own lives.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today is my Mam-ma Polly’s 98th birthday. She is in excellent health and still lives alone in her own home… with a lot of help and daily assistance - everything from bathing to housekeeping and Meals on Wheels, to phone calls three times a day to remind her to take her medicine, and more. A few years ago, she gave up driving and sold her car. As her “guardian” and one of her caregivers, I have had to be the “bad guy” in recent weeks and tell her she can no longer cook anything on her gas range and oven… and she most definitely cannot make any more peanut brittle! We cleaned out her freezer and removed several “temptations” from her home, like corn syrup and peanuts to make the candy. Several family members and people from her church take her places and check on her regularly.
It’s been a hard adjustment for my grandmother… and I have no doubt that when I am not around, she does many of the things we have asked her not to do any more. In many ways, she is not in control of her life… and as a strong, assertive woman, this has been an especially hard pill for her to swallow. When her 91-year-old friend told her recently that her son would no longer allow her to drive with passengers in the car, my Mam-ma said, “My life is over. I’ll never get to go anywhere now.” This is totally not true, but again, she feels she has lost control over her life. Deep down, she knows that we are doing these things to keep her safe and to allow her to continue living alone in her own home for as long as possible. But it’s still tough.
In the spiritual sense, we are so much like my Mam-ma. We know that God has our back… that His plans are far better than ours, and the things He asks of us are really for our own good as much as they are to bring honor and glory to His name. But when we “think” no one is looking, we are sometimes like Mam-ma Polly. When I asked her to stop making peanut brittle last year, she asked others to buy her the ingredients, and then she got them to help her deliver the candy to friends and family members. She never said a word about peanut brittle to me until almost Christmas, when she handed me a bag to give to my husband. One day as I got out of my car, the delectable smell of cooked sugar wafted through her garage. It smelled like a candy factory! When I asked about it, she tried to ignore me and changed the subject.
And that’s what we do with God. I know it’s foolish… and so do you… but we actually think we can pull one over on our Heavenly Father sometimes! We are not fully in control of our own lives, and we don’t like it one bit! And I have observed enough senior citizens to know that, as we age, we are going to lose more and more “control” of our situation. Whether it’s a physical change, like arthritis or reduced vision and hearing that keep us from doing what we once did without even a thought… or something more profound, like not being able to cook our own meals, drive a car or live alone in our own home… we will face challenges to our own independence.
When it comes to our relationship with God, we never really had “control” in the first place. Oh, sure… we have free will… and you know how well we’ve done with that one! But think about it… God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. He knows every minute of your every day – for all of your life and beyond. He is always with us… and if we will let Him, we will discover that He is protecting us, guiding our every step, and keeping us safe and as independent as possible. Actually, the more we let go and let God take care of us, the more in control we will feel!
I have no clue whether my Mam-ma Polly will be with us for a 99th birthday. I feel certain that she will require more and more assistance as the weeks and months go by… and she will no doubt feel even less like she is in control than she does now. But I also know that she relies tremendously on her Heavenly Father to control what she cannot… and to give her a sense of peace and calm in these situations.
Can we say the same? Are we looking toward Heaven for our guidance and our peace? Don’t you think we should be taking a page from this 98-year-old’s book and doing just that?
©2010 Debbie Robus
I know, LORD, that we humans are not in control of our own lives.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today is my Mam-ma Polly’s 98th birthday. She is in excellent health and still lives alone in her own home… with a lot of help and daily assistance - everything from bathing to housekeeping and Meals on Wheels, to phone calls three times a day to remind her to take her medicine, and more. A few years ago, she gave up driving and sold her car. As her “guardian” and one of her caregivers, I have had to be the “bad guy” in recent weeks and tell her she can no longer cook anything on her gas range and oven… and she most definitely cannot make any more peanut brittle! We cleaned out her freezer and removed several “temptations” from her home, like corn syrup and peanuts to make the candy. Several family members and people from her church take her places and check on her regularly.
It’s been a hard adjustment for my grandmother… and I have no doubt that when I am not around, she does many of the things we have asked her not to do any more. In many ways, she is not in control of her life… and as a strong, assertive woman, this has been an especially hard pill for her to swallow. When her 91-year-old friend told her recently that her son would no longer allow her to drive with passengers in the car, my Mam-ma said, “My life is over. I’ll never get to go anywhere now.” This is totally not true, but again, she feels she has lost control over her life. Deep down, she knows that we are doing these things to keep her safe and to allow her to continue living alone in her own home for as long as possible. But it’s still tough.
In the spiritual sense, we are so much like my Mam-ma. We know that God has our back… that His plans are far better than ours, and the things He asks of us are really for our own good as much as they are to bring honor and glory to His name. But when we “think” no one is looking, we are sometimes like Mam-ma Polly. When I asked her to stop making peanut brittle last year, she asked others to buy her the ingredients, and then she got them to help her deliver the candy to friends and family members. She never said a word about peanut brittle to me until almost Christmas, when she handed me a bag to give to my husband. One day as I got out of my car, the delectable smell of cooked sugar wafted through her garage. It smelled like a candy factory! When I asked about it, she tried to ignore me and changed the subject.
And that’s what we do with God. I know it’s foolish… and so do you… but we actually think we can pull one over on our Heavenly Father sometimes! We are not fully in control of our own lives, and we don’t like it one bit! And I have observed enough senior citizens to know that, as we age, we are going to lose more and more “control” of our situation. Whether it’s a physical change, like arthritis or reduced vision and hearing that keep us from doing what we once did without even a thought… or something more profound, like not being able to cook our own meals, drive a car or live alone in our own home… we will face challenges to our own independence.
When it comes to our relationship with God, we never really had “control” in the first place. Oh, sure… we have free will… and you know how well we’ve done with that one! But think about it… God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. He knows every minute of your every day – for all of your life and beyond. He is always with us… and if we will let Him, we will discover that He is protecting us, guiding our every step, and keeping us safe and as independent as possible. Actually, the more we let go and let God take care of us, the more in control we will feel!
I have no clue whether my Mam-ma Polly will be with us for a 99th birthday. I feel certain that she will require more and more assistance as the weeks and months go by… and she will no doubt feel even less like she is in control than she does now. But I also know that she relies tremendously on her Heavenly Father to control what she cannot… and to give her a sense of peace and calm in these situations.
Can we say the same? Are we looking toward Heaven for our guidance and our peace? Don’t you think we should be taking a page from this 98-year-old’s book and doing just that?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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