Philippians 4:10-14
I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.
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.
If you had to describe your perfect day, what would it include? Would you need to go somewhere, be with a lot of friends and/or family, or dine in fancy restaurants? Would you find yourself living someone else’s life… maybe sitting poolside in a mansion on the beach, dripping in expensive clothing and jewelry, with sports cars and high-dollar rides in the garage and a limo at your beck and call? Would you hang out with A-list celebrities and attend all of the high-profile functions? Would your body be tanned and toned… your muscles “ripped” and your skin wrinkle-free? Would you have a head of perfectly coiffed, thick, beautiful hair? Would you be a mega-millionaire who never had to work another day in his/her life? Would you be 100% healthy and fit?
Now think about where you are today… what God has presented you with for THIS day. How does it stack up to your “perfect” day? What is the difference? Do you find that the most glaring contrast is your attitude? I have a little daily calendar on my desk with a quip or quote for each day. Today’s words were actually a joke about a little girl who attended her first wedding and asked her mom why the bride wore white? The mom told her that “White is the color of happiness, and this is the happiest day of her life.” The child then asked, “So why is the groom wearing black?” See… it’s all a matter of attitude!
What is your mindset today? Are you quite content whatever your circumstances? Do you find the “perfection” in small things each day… recognizing that God has blessed you and made you – and with Him, you can make it through anything? Do you appreciate your blessings… family, friends, health, food, clothing, shelter, and yes – material belongings? Are you truly satisfied with your life? If the answer is “No,” the problem is probably a lack of confidence in your relationship with God, rather than personal need.
Spend some time in prayer. Ask God to settle your heart and mind… to give you a sense of contentment in Him that pervades any and all physical circumstances. Learn to live in the serenity of knowing Whose you are… and appreciating His daily dose of grace, mercy, love and blessings. Be well and happy every day, because you are His. Everything else is just the icing on the cake!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 30, 2012
May 30 ~ Ephesians 6:13-18
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Today’s scripture passage in my devotional book, God Calling, was Ephesians 6:13. I would like to share some of the commentary with you, because I can’t say it any better…
Isn’t this exactly how we so often behave? We make mistakes, we fail to live a Godly life… we SIN… and we beg God to forgive us. Then we go on wringing our hands and recanting our faults and claiming them all over again. We cannot be effective in our discipleship if we are continually beating ourselves up for past mistakes. This totally belies our faith. When we give something to God, we must give it to Him completely. This doesn’t mean you totally dismiss what happened to you… or that you fail to learn from past blunders. But there is a huge difference between forgiving past missteps and forgetting them.
What is done is done. If you have sincerely and genuinely confessed your sins and blunders to God and asked Him to forgive you, it’s time to accept His grace and mercy and move forward. God is over and done with what you did or didn’t do yesterday… He is concerned with TODAY.
Where is your focus? Are you trying to carry the burdens of a thousand yesterdays … or have you truly given them to God and faced the challenges and blessings that await you today? Isn’t it time you put on the full armor of God, started living in this twenty-four hours, and faced the future with confidence and courage?
I urge you to let your prayer for today be that God will fully equip you to handle THIS DAY… that He will show you how to cope with your challenges and encourage those in your path to do the same. Leave the past at God’s doorstep, and confidently live in His promises for today and beyond.
©2012 Debbie Robus
*From God Calling, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Today’s scripture passage in my devotional book, God Calling, was Ephesians 6:13. I would like to share some of the commentary with you, because I can’t say it any better…
- “Regret nothing. Not even the sins and failures. When a man views earth’s wonders from some mountain height, he does not spend his time in dwelling on the stones and stumbles, the faints and failures, that marked his upward path. So with you. Breathe in the rich blessings of each new day – forget all that lies behind you.
Man is so made that he can carry the weight of twenty-four hours, no more. Directly, he weighs down with the years behind, and the days ahead, his back breaks. I [God] have promised to help you with the burden of today only, the past I have taken from you; and if you, foolish hearts, choose to gather again that burden and bear it, then, indeed, you mock Me to expect ME to share it.”*
Isn’t this exactly how we so often behave? We make mistakes, we fail to live a Godly life… we SIN… and we beg God to forgive us. Then we go on wringing our hands and recanting our faults and claiming them all over again. We cannot be effective in our discipleship if we are continually beating ourselves up for past mistakes. This totally belies our faith. When we give something to God, we must give it to Him completely. This doesn’t mean you totally dismiss what happened to you… or that you fail to learn from past blunders. But there is a huge difference between forgiving past missteps and forgetting them.
What is done is done. If you have sincerely and genuinely confessed your sins and blunders to God and asked Him to forgive you, it’s time to accept His grace and mercy and move forward. God is over and done with what you did or didn’t do yesterday… He is concerned with TODAY.
Where is your focus? Are you trying to carry the burdens of a thousand yesterdays … or have you truly given them to God and faced the challenges and blessings that await you today? Isn’t it time you put on the full armor of God, started living in this twenty-four hours, and faced the future with confidence and courage?
I urge you to let your prayer for today be that God will fully equip you to handle THIS DAY… that He will show you how to cope with your challenges and encourage those in your path to do the same. Leave the past at God’s doorstep, and confidently live in His promises for today and beyond.
©2012 Debbie Robus
*From God Calling, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.
Daily Devotional for May 29, 2012
1 Corinthians 10:13
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the newspaper today, I saw a photograph of a woman kneeling at a grave site in a military cemetery. She was placing an American flag on one of the graves… and she appeared to be crying. I wondered if this was the grave of her husband… father…mother… or a son or daughter. I imagined how she must be remembering the sad events surrounding this person’s death… and reliving them. I thought of my own loved ones – and how I would feel were I the person in the picture. And I also considered how this woman is one of thousands all over the world who are mourning the loss of a dear loved one lost to one war or another.
Yesterday was Memorial Day in our country, and many of my Facebook “friends” posted photos of their loved ones who served in a branch of our armed forces. Some of these men and women perished during their tour of duty. But as the survivors posted their picture and reminded us of their sacrifice and service, I have to believe they also found comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone. They had to sense that others understood how they felt… and that ALL of them had managed to somehow come through this. More than few credited God with giving them the strength to endure the pain and grief… the heartache and loss. And just as surely as He has done this… He has also steered the paths people in similar situations in the same direction in order to bolster one another with empathy and encouragement.
A friend told me recently, “I sometimes feel like I am all alone on an island.” We all feel this way at times. But look around you. I’m betting you don’t have to look very far to find someone who is going through something very similar to your own experiences… or something far worse. Does this discount or diminish your feelings? Absolutely not! But the same God who is helping the other guy get through his/her test or temptation will help you. And maybe God wants you to help each other!
Let’s be honest… even the youngest among us has been through some “stuff!” And the older we get, the broader our experience base becomes. I don’t believe this is an accident. God doesn’t waste opportunities any more than He gives us more than we can handle. Perhaps instead of asking, “Why me, LORD?” we should be asking “What are You showing me… and how will You use this – and me – for Your glory?” My dear friend Becky, who lost her battle to breast cancer several years ago, always asked, “Why NOT me?” Now that’s FAITH in action!
We need to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and buckle on the full armor of God. We need to say to ourselves… and to others… “With God, all things are possible. He will never let me down.” We need to leave the devil’s pity party and the negative enabling that is in steady supply and move over to the LORD’s table. We’ll be among friends there... support and encouragement will be the “Daily Special.” We will feast on the profusion of God’s strength and blessings… abundance that enables us to handle anything and everything that comes our way.
The choice is ours. We can decide which “party” to attend – and what kind of “support” we will seek. Whose table are you sitting at these days?
©2012 Debbie Robus
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the newspaper today, I saw a photograph of a woman kneeling at a grave site in a military cemetery. She was placing an American flag on one of the graves… and she appeared to be crying. I wondered if this was the grave of her husband… father…mother… or a son or daughter. I imagined how she must be remembering the sad events surrounding this person’s death… and reliving them. I thought of my own loved ones – and how I would feel were I the person in the picture. And I also considered how this woman is one of thousands all over the world who are mourning the loss of a dear loved one lost to one war or another.
Yesterday was Memorial Day in our country, and many of my Facebook “friends” posted photos of their loved ones who served in a branch of our armed forces. Some of these men and women perished during their tour of duty. But as the survivors posted their picture and reminded us of their sacrifice and service, I have to believe they also found comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone. They had to sense that others understood how they felt… and that ALL of them had managed to somehow come through this. More than few credited God with giving them the strength to endure the pain and grief… the heartache and loss. And just as surely as He has done this… He has also steered the paths people in similar situations in the same direction in order to bolster one another with empathy and encouragement.
A friend told me recently, “I sometimes feel like I am all alone on an island.” We all feel this way at times. But look around you. I’m betting you don’t have to look very far to find someone who is going through something very similar to your own experiences… or something far worse. Does this discount or diminish your feelings? Absolutely not! But the same God who is helping the other guy get through his/her test or temptation will help you. And maybe God wants you to help each other!
Let’s be honest… even the youngest among us has been through some “stuff!” And the older we get, the broader our experience base becomes. I don’t believe this is an accident. God doesn’t waste opportunities any more than He gives us more than we can handle. Perhaps instead of asking, “Why me, LORD?” we should be asking “What are You showing me… and how will You use this – and me – for Your glory?” My dear friend Becky, who lost her battle to breast cancer several years ago, always asked, “Why NOT me?” Now that’s FAITH in action!
We need to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and buckle on the full armor of God. We need to say to ourselves… and to others… “With God, all things are possible. He will never let me down.” We need to leave the devil’s pity party and the negative enabling that is in steady supply and move over to the LORD’s table. We’ll be among friends there... support and encouragement will be the “Daily Special.” We will feast on the profusion of God’s strength and blessings… abundance that enables us to handle anything and everything that comes our way.
The choice is ours. We can decide which “party” to attend – and what kind of “support” we will seek. Whose table are you sitting at these days?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 28, 2012
Isaiah 30:15, 18
God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: "Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me — the very thing you've been unwilling to do.
But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
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 I visit my grandmother at her Assisted Living Facility during mealtime, I often have to laugh. The pervading topic of conversation at her table is how long she and her friends have to wait to be served their meal. There are probably 80 residents in this dining hall. Three or four nurse’s aides busily move from table to table, serving the meal… often a plate of hot food, and an extra dish or two with salads and dessert. This doesn’t count the aide who may circle the dining room serving coffee, iced tea, water, buttermilk… and often offering an extra dish of pudding, fruit, or maybe some sort of salad.
The point is… these residents are served a sit-down meal three times a day in a retirement center. Seldom, if ever, do these folks have a pressing appointment. While they sit and wait for the meal (perhaps as much as 30 minues), they have plenty to drink… and often the “appetizer” on which to snack. Yet it never fails… the residents in my grandmother’s area of the dining room, which is usually the last to be served, grow impatient.
I remember how frustrated Timothy used to grow when he was hungry. He would sometimes bang his high chair tray and cry while I prepared his meals… and once or twice, he tried to climb out! I would often occupy him with a snack of cheese, “goldfish” or cereal to satisfy him while he waited for the main event. The difference was… he was a baby who didn’t know any better. The residents at my grandmother’s facility should understand how this works by now!
Do you see where I am headed? Some of us are so young in our faith that maybe we have an excuse. We may not be mature enough to understand that we can rest in the LORD and let Him handle things for us. Others of us have been at this for a while… so we ought to know by now that God’s timing is perfect… He can handle what we cannot… and we need to calm down and rest in Him!
In God, we find the perfect example of patience in action. Do you think God gripes and grumbles and says to Himself, “I wish Tom would hurry up and get this! I wish Jane would figure out that I’ve got her back and quit running around like a chicken with its head cut off!”? No! God waits! He settles in and holds our treasures and blessings in store for us, so that when we finally DO calm down and turn to Him, He has plenty to share with us… grace, mercy, love, and an abundance of miracles.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to settle in, relax and give my cares to God. I often tell my grandmother that after all of the meals she has cooked and served – and cleaned up afterward – this is her reward… her time to be blessed by others. She should sit back and enjoy it! And while I’m not calling for us to become lazy in our faith… it IS time for us to get comfortable with trusting God and letting Him have control.
We need to be patient and stop wasting time trying to do God’s job for Him, so that we can enjoy the blessings and “good stuff” that comes with being His faithful servant. I know I don’t want to miss anything He has in store for me… do you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: "Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me — the very thing you've been unwilling to do.
But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
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 I visit my grandmother at her Assisted Living Facility during mealtime, I often have to laugh. The pervading topic of conversation at her table is how long she and her friends have to wait to be served their meal. There are probably 80 residents in this dining hall. Three or four nurse’s aides busily move from table to table, serving the meal… often a plate of hot food, and an extra dish or two with salads and dessert. This doesn’t count the aide who may circle the dining room serving coffee, iced tea, water, buttermilk… and often offering an extra dish of pudding, fruit, or maybe some sort of salad.
The point is… these residents are served a sit-down meal three times a day in a retirement center. Seldom, if ever, do these folks have a pressing appointment. While they sit and wait for the meal (perhaps as much as 30 minues), they have plenty to drink… and often the “appetizer” on which to snack. Yet it never fails… the residents in my grandmother’s area of the dining room, which is usually the last to be served, grow impatient.
I remember how frustrated Timothy used to grow when he was hungry. He would sometimes bang his high chair tray and cry while I prepared his meals… and once or twice, he tried to climb out! I would often occupy him with a snack of cheese, “goldfish” or cereal to satisfy him while he waited for the main event. The difference was… he was a baby who didn’t know any better. The residents at my grandmother’s facility should understand how this works by now!
Do you see where I am headed? Some of us are so young in our faith that maybe we have an excuse. We may not be mature enough to understand that we can rest in the LORD and let Him handle things for us. Others of us have been at this for a while… so we ought to know by now that God’s timing is perfect… He can handle what we cannot… and we need to calm down and rest in Him!
In God, we find the perfect example of patience in action. Do you think God gripes and grumbles and says to Himself, “I wish Tom would hurry up and get this! I wish Jane would figure out that I’ve got her back and quit running around like a chicken with its head cut off!”? No! God waits! He settles in and holds our treasures and blessings in store for us, so that when we finally DO calm down and turn to Him, He has plenty to share with us… grace, mercy, love, and an abundance of miracles.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to settle in, relax and give my cares to God. I often tell my grandmother that after all of the meals she has cooked and served – and cleaned up afterward – this is her reward… her time to be blessed by others. She should sit back and enjoy it! And while I’m not calling for us to become lazy in our faith… it IS time for us to get comfortable with trusting God and letting Him have control.
We need to be patient and stop wasting time trying to do God’s job for Him, so that we can enjoy the blessings and “good stuff” that comes with being His faithful servant. I know I don’t want to miss anything He has in store for me… do you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 27, 2012
Romans 12:19-21
Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.”
The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.” Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few days ago, I stood in line at the Wal-Mart service desk to return an item. As I approached the desk, I observed two “associates” helping customers. Alongside me was a couple who walked up about the same time I did, and another man standing nearby. Honestly, I could not tell who was in line where, but we were all standing closer to the vicinity of one particular clerk. I was prepared to allow the couple standing next to me to proceed first. The more distant clerk finished with her customer, and the lone man stepped up to her register.
Immediately, there was noise from the couple standing beside me. The man began in a low grumble to say, “That’s it… just step on up, boy! Never mind if it’s your turn or not… just act like you own the place!” The woman beside him began muttering, “That’s enough, Joe! Stop it, Joe!” The man got louder and angrier with his snide comments while the woman stiffened and pretended not to notice. His entire body language said, “Let me at him… we will settle this in a fist fight!” I stood beside them and observed, and when the clerk in front of us finished with his customer, these people stepped up to be next in line without another word.
I’m not sure that the clerks ever knew what was happening. As far as I could see, the other man who had stepped up in line had no idea he was cutting ahead of these people, either. But I watched the couple finish their business and leave the store, and I was silently very sorry for the woman who has to put up with this angry man – and for the man who lets such pettiness ruin his day.
As I read this scripture passage, I realized that each one of us does exactly the same thing as this man… some of us on a daily basis. We let the little things take a toll on us. And whether we physically act on them or not, we seek revenge in our hearts. We mentally plot how to “get even” with the person who has “done us wrong.” And this has a cumulative effect… we become more cynical, bitter, and miserable. And the devil jumps up and down, claps his hands… and claims the victory!
Look…life is simply not fair. People will step in front of us in line… sometimes on purpose! We will be ignored, disrespected, used and mistreated. So was Jesus! If we want to be like Him, we have to truly BE like Him. We have to love the unlovely – and those who do not treat us fairly. We have to be His hands and feet to those who are ungrateful and greedy… the ones who never say “Thank you” and expect the moon with a sense of entitlement.
“But I don’t want to be a doormat!” you may say. Nobody does! But there is a difference in being a “doormat” and meeting the needs of others with kindness. Ask God to show you where to draw the line. You don’t have to give someone your last dollar at your own expense… but you can’t ignore his/her need if you have something you can afford to share. And kindness never cost anyone a cent!
If you are the person who lets others get to you… or the impatient “Joe” in the line at Wal-Mart, ask God to help you work on this. Pray for patience, mercy, and peace. Don’t let evil… or the devil… defeat you. Make this the day you get busy letting God have your battles… and changing your attitude in the bargain! When you let go of all of the negative energy that fuels thoughts of retaliation or offense, you begin to operate in the satisfaction of knowing that God has your back.
Aren’t you ready to bask in God’s peace? What do other see in you each day… the devil’s anger, or the love of Christ? Who do you represent?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.”
The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.” Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few days ago, I stood in line at the Wal-Mart service desk to return an item. As I approached the desk, I observed two “associates” helping customers. Alongside me was a couple who walked up about the same time I did, and another man standing nearby. Honestly, I could not tell who was in line where, but we were all standing closer to the vicinity of one particular clerk. I was prepared to allow the couple standing next to me to proceed first. The more distant clerk finished with her customer, and the lone man stepped up to her register.
Immediately, there was noise from the couple standing beside me. The man began in a low grumble to say, “That’s it… just step on up, boy! Never mind if it’s your turn or not… just act like you own the place!” The woman beside him began muttering, “That’s enough, Joe! Stop it, Joe!” The man got louder and angrier with his snide comments while the woman stiffened and pretended not to notice. His entire body language said, “Let me at him… we will settle this in a fist fight!” I stood beside them and observed, and when the clerk in front of us finished with his customer, these people stepped up to be next in line without another word.
I’m not sure that the clerks ever knew what was happening. As far as I could see, the other man who had stepped up in line had no idea he was cutting ahead of these people, either. But I watched the couple finish their business and leave the store, and I was silently very sorry for the woman who has to put up with this angry man – and for the man who lets such pettiness ruin his day.
As I read this scripture passage, I realized that each one of us does exactly the same thing as this man… some of us on a daily basis. We let the little things take a toll on us. And whether we physically act on them or not, we seek revenge in our hearts. We mentally plot how to “get even” with the person who has “done us wrong.” And this has a cumulative effect… we become more cynical, bitter, and miserable. And the devil jumps up and down, claps his hands… and claims the victory!
Look…life is simply not fair. People will step in front of us in line… sometimes on purpose! We will be ignored, disrespected, used and mistreated. So was Jesus! If we want to be like Him, we have to truly BE like Him. We have to love the unlovely – and those who do not treat us fairly. We have to be His hands and feet to those who are ungrateful and greedy… the ones who never say “Thank you” and expect the moon with a sense of entitlement.
“But I don’t want to be a doormat!” you may say. Nobody does! But there is a difference in being a “doormat” and meeting the needs of others with kindness. Ask God to show you where to draw the line. You don’t have to give someone your last dollar at your own expense… but you can’t ignore his/her need if you have something you can afford to share. And kindness never cost anyone a cent!
If you are the person who lets others get to you… or the impatient “Joe” in the line at Wal-Mart, ask God to help you work on this. Pray for patience, mercy, and peace. Don’t let evil… or the devil… defeat you. Make this the day you get busy letting God have your battles… and changing your attitude in the bargain! When you let go of all of the negative energy that fuels thoughts of retaliation or offense, you begin to operate in the satisfaction of knowing that God has your back.
Aren’t you ready to bask in God’s peace? What do other see in you each day… the devil’s anger, or the love of Christ? Who do you represent?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 26, 2012
Romans 12:14-18
Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people. Don’t mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the book The Glass Castle, author Jeannette Walls vividly describes her childhood and how she and her three siblings survived a life of squalor and physical danger. Walls’ parents were not uneducated... her mother was a teacher. But she and the children’s father “danced to a different drummer” – and that’s putting it nicely. The children often went days without food while the dad gambled and drank and the mother painted landscapes and still life canvases. They dug in trash cans at school for food… and seldom bathed. They were placed in one dangerous situation after another with no regard for their safety or feelings. Their parents deemed this lifestyle an “adventure!” Walls grew up in the 1960’s and 70’s. Today, I would hope that someone would notice such mistreatment and call Child Protective Services… although I know a lot of children endure horrific things even now.
Nonetheless, Walls and her siblings somehow managed to become productive citizens. Walls is a journalist and successful columnist who has worked for MSNBC and other media outlets. Her brother is a policeman, and one of her sisters is a respected artist. The children’s father died from health complications brought on by excessive drinking. Their mother is homeless – by choice – to this day in New York City. But through all of this, the children never completely cut their parents out of their lives… they never thoroughly washed their hands of these irresponsible, neglectful – if not abusive – people.
There is a lesson here for each of us. Walls said that, at the end of the day, these were her parents. She loved them and could not totally disown them. And believe me, she and her siblings seem to be poster children for someone who has every right to retaliate and treat another person poorly in return. Yet they did not. I’d like to say that their faith in God enabled them to do this… but Walls doesn’t talk about God in the book. Yet somehow, I believe He was an influence in the lives of these children. I believe that God sent them “angels unaware” to protect and nurture them… to encourage them to overcome their obstacles and rise to their full potential.
The point I want to make is that we cannot give up on others. We cannot give in to the temptation to play on their level and treat them unkindly. We never know when God is using us as an “angel unaware” to support and encourage someone else. The very fact that we do not mistreat someone who is mistreating us may be what sways them to change. Being “ordinary” with everyone we encounter and treating each person as someone with value and importance could be the very thing that makes a difference in that person’s life.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the person who fails to make this connection! I don’t want my mistreatment of someone be what keeps them from feeling God’s love and presence. How would you feel if you got to heaven and God asked, “Remember Joe and how you were rude to him because he had been rude to you? He was supposed to find Me through your kindness.” Whether Joe ever found God via someone else or not… wouldn’t you feel terrible? Aside from that, God has given these instructions us through Paul’s letter in this chapter of Romans, so failure to act on them is a direct rebellion against God’s will!
Think carefully about the situations in your life. Consider your reaction to others… even the clerk at the grocery store or the driver who cuts you off in traffic. Sometimes it’s hard not to want to lash out at those who are rude and hurtful, but this doesn’t solve a thing… and it’s not God’s will. Ask God to give you patience and peace of mind, even when you are mistreated… and to show you how to minister to others in ALL situations – especially those that make you feel uncomfortable. When you please God in these situations, He will give you comfort and peace… and the satisfaction that you were His obedient servant even when you were tempted to do otherwise.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people. Don’t mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the book The Glass Castle, author Jeannette Walls vividly describes her childhood and how she and her three siblings survived a life of squalor and physical danger. Walls’ parents were not uneducated... her mother was a teacher. But she and the children’s father “danced to a different drummer” – and that’s putting it nicely. The children often went days without food while the dad gambled and drank and the mother painted landscapes and still life canvases. They dug in trash cans at school for food… and seldom bathed. They were placed in one dangerous situation after another with no regard for their safety or feelings. Their parents deemed this lifestyle an “adventure!” Walls grew up in the 1960’s and 70’s. Today, I would hope that someone would notice such mistreatment and call Child Protective Services… although I know a lot of children endure horrific things even now.
Nonetheless, Walls and her siblings somehow managed to become productive citizens. Walls is a journalist and successful columnist who has worked for MSNBC and other media outlets. Her brother is a policeman, and one of her sisters is a respected artist. The children’s father died from health complications brought on by excessive drinking. Their mother is homeless – by choice – to this day in New York City. But through all of this, the children never completely cut their parents out of their lives… they never thoroughly washed their hands of these irresponsible, neglectful – if not abusive – people.
There is a lesson here for each of us. Walls said that, at the end of the day, these were her parents. She loved them and could not totally disown them. And believe me, she and her siblings seem to be poster children for someone who has every right to retaliate and treat another person poorly in return. Yet they did not. I’d like to say that their faith in God enabled them to do this… but Walls doesn’t talk about God in the book. Yet somehow, I believe He was an influence in the lives of these children. I believe that God sent them “angels unaware” to protect and nurture them… to encourage them to overcome their obstacles and rise to their full potential.
The point I want to make is that we cannot give up on others. We cannot give in to the temptation to play on their level and treat them unkindly. We never know when God is using us as an “angel unaware” to support and encourage someone else. The very fact that we do not mistreat someone who is mistreating us may be what sways them to change. Being “ordinary” with everyone we encounter and treating each person as someone with value and importance could be the very thing that makes a difference in that person’s life.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the person who fails to make this connection! I don’t want my mistreatment of someone be what keeps them from feeling God’s love and presence. How would you feel if you got to heaven and God asked, “Remember Joe and how you were rude to him because he had been rude to you? He was supposed to find Me through your kindness.” Whether Joe ever found God via someone else or not… wouldn’t you feel terrible? Aside from that, God has given these instructions us through Paul’s letter in this chapter of Romans, so failure to act on them is a direct rebellion against God’s will!
Think carefully about the situations in your life. Consider your reaction to others… even the clerk at the grocery store or the driver who cuts you off in traffic. Sometimes it’s hard not to want to lash out at those who are rude and hurtful, but this doesn’t solve a thing… and it’s not God’s will. Ask God to give you patience and peace of mind, even when you are mistreated… and to show you how to minister to others in ALL situations – especially those that make you feel uncomfortable. When you please God in these situations, He will give you comfort and peace… and the satisfaction that you were His obedient servant even when you were tempted to do otherwise.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 25, 2012
Romans 12:9-11
Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Take care of God’s needy people and welcome strangers into your home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read an article in a recent issue of Good Housekeeping magazine about “other mothers” – women who “mothered” children of friends and neighbors – and how significant their roles were to the author. With all due respect to my own mother, I have one or two “other mothers” myself… women who love me with patience and prayer and offer me guidance and encouragement, even though they have their own children and families - and challenges aplenty to keep them busy! While I think this is more prevalent among women, I am sure there are “other fathers” and “other children,” too. In fact, I know that my grandmother has something of a mother/son relationship with her deacon. His mother is in heaven, as is my dad)… so they have bonded and shared many things that you would think of as “mother-son” experiences.
In this manner, “other mothers/fathers/children” are taking care of “needy” people and welcoming strangers into their home. They are inviting others into their lives and treating them like family. And this is what Paul is calling us to do in this passage. We are to look beyond ourselves and find those who need our time and attention. These people may not be “needy” in the sense we would normally consider… their needs may be more emotional or spiritual. Nonetheless, we are called to embrace others and welcome them into our circle.
“But when is it MY turn?” you may ask. Hear me well… it may feel like you never get a “turn” - and that’s okay! If you are doing what God has called you to do as His servant, it won’t matter. You will not even think about what is being done for you – or to you. You will be too busy sharing the love of God with others. And I think you will find that in doing this, you get more “turns” (in the form of blessings) than you may recognize!
We all find it so easy to turn inward… to ask “what is in it for me?”… and focus on our “bucket list,” our plans, our desires. But this is not God’s plan for us. He wants us to be busy looking for ways to serve in His name… people to “mother” or support as necessary…prayers to offer on the behalf of others. Take a look at your own life today. Find the areas where you may have acted selfishly, and ask God to help you do to better.
NEVER GIVE UP on yourself or others… keep striving to be sincere in your love and concern for others – and to always have an open-door policy. And if you have an “other mother” or significant person in your life who is always there for you, take a few minutes today to let them know how grateful you are for their love and care. Thank God for sending these people to nurture you… and ask Him to show you how to pay it forward in His name to the “needy” people in your own life.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Take care of God’s needy people and welcome strangers into your home.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read an article in a recent issue of Good Housekeeping magazine about “other mothers” – women who “mothered” children of friends and neighbors – and how significant their roles were to the author. With all due respect to my own mother, I have one or two “other mothers” myself… women who love me with patience and prayer and offer me guidance and encouragement, even though they have their own children and families - and challenges aplenty to keep them busy! While I think this is more prevalent among women, I am sure there are “other fathers” and “other children,” too. In fact, I know that my grandmother has something of a mother/son relationship with her deacon. His mother is in heaven, as is my dad)… so they have bonded and shared many things that you would think of as “mother-son” experiences.
In this manner, “other mothers/fathers/children” are taking care of “needy” people and welcoming strangers into their home. They are inviting others into their lives and treating them like family. And this is what Paul is calling us to do in this passage. We are to look beyond ourselves and find those who need our time and attention. These people may not be “needy” in the sense we would normally consider… their needs may be more emotional or spiritual. Nonetheless, we are called to embrace others and welcome them into our circle.
“But when is it MY turn?” you may ask. Hear me well… it may feel like you never get a “turn” - and that’s okay! If you are doing what God has called you to do as His servant, it won’t matter. You will not even think about what is being done for you – or to you. You will be too busy sharing the love of God with others. And I think you will find that in doing this, you get more “turns” (in the form of blessings) than you may recognize!
We all find it so easy to turn inward… to ask “what is in it for me?”… and focus on our “bucket list,” our plans, our desires. But this is not God’s plan for us. He wants us to be busy looking for ways to serve in His name… people to “mother” or support as necessary…prayers to offer on the behalf of others. Take a look at your own life today. Find the areas where you may have acted selfishly, and ask God to help you do to better.
NEVER GIVE UP on yourself or others… keep striving to be sincere in your love and concern for others – and to always have an open-door policy. And if you have an “other mother” or significant person in your life who is always there for you, take a few minutes today to let them know how grateful you are for their love and care. Thank God for sending these people to nurture you… and ask Him to show you how to pay it forward in His name to the “needy” people in your own life.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 24, 2012
Romans 12:4-5
A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever stubbed your toe, smashed your finger, or gotten a paper cut? Doesn’t it seem that all you can think about for the next day or so is how your toe or finger throbs in pain? Or maybe you have gotten a tender spot on your gums, and all you can focus on is how much your mouth hurts! One seemingly tiny, insignificant part of your body is elevated in importance when it causes you pain!
Like many people, I have had my appendix surgically removed. I’m sure God had a perfect purpose for the appendix, but in my case and that of many others, it posed a potential health risk and had to be removed. Thankfully, we can still function without our appendix… just as countless people learn to function without limbs, sight, hearing, and the ability to speak or move parts of their body. Even in our “brokenness,” we can find ways to live happy, healthy, productive lives.
In the body of Christ, every part is significant… and every part is broken. We all come with sinful pasts – and the potential for sin to creep into our futures. Yet God uses us for His purposes… and together, we create a whole “body” that can function in ways we never could individually. Where one is broken, another is whole. Where one is weak… a brother or sister is strong. Where one is lacking in skills and abilities, others are gifted. And together, we bring our unique attributes before God to create the very vehicle He needs to achieve His plans.
I don’t know what your unique qualities are… I don’t know what significant role you are called to play in accomplishing the missions and ministries of God. But I know that we all have a part to play – and each is incredibly important. The question is… are you seeking your unique role? Are you communicating with God and asking Him to reveal your purposes… to show you how to serve others – and contribute to the body of Christ?
As you consider your importance to the body of Christ, ask yourself these questions… What will you bring to the table? What will be missing if you don’t?
©2012 Debbie Robus
A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever stubbed your toe, smashed your finger, or gotten a paper cut? Doesn’t it seem that all you can think about for the next day or so is how your toe or finger throbs in pain? Or maybe you have gotten a tender spot on your gums, and all you can focus on is how much your mouth hurts! One seemingly tiny, insignificant part of your body is elevated in importance when it causes you pain!
Like many people, I have had my appendix surgically removed. I’m sure God had a perfect purpose for the appendix, but in my case and that of many others, it posed a potential health risk and had to be removed. Thankfully, we can still function without our appendix… just as countless people learn to function without limbs, sight, hearing, and the ability to speak or move parts of their body. Even in our “brokenness,” we can find ways to live happy, healthy, productive lives.
In the body of Christ, every part is significant… and every part is broken. We all come with sinful pasts – and the potential for sin to creep into our futures. Yet God uses us for His purposes… and together, we create a whole “body” that can function in ways we never could individually. Where one is broken, another is whole. Where one is weak… a brother or sister is strong. Where one is lacking in skills and abilities, others are gifted. And together, we bring our unique attributes before God to create the very vehicle He needs to achieve His plans.
I don’t know what your unique qualities are… I don’t know what significant role you are called to play in accomplishing the missions and ministries of God. But I know that we all have a part to play – and each is incredibly important. The question is… are you seeking your unique role? Are you communicating with God and asking Him to reveal your purposes… to show you how to serve others – and contribute to the body of Christ?
As you consider your importance to the body of Christ, ask yourself these questions… What will you bring to the table? What will be missing if you don’t?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 23, 2012
Romans 12:3
I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The final two contestants on American Idol were 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, from San Diego, California… and 21-year-old Phillip Phillips, from Leesburg, Georgia. Both have amazing talent. Sanchez sings like someone almost twice her age. Phillips has a knack for sounding like a lot of musical artists… and creating his own “sound” as well. Neither of these young people were taught how to do these things… their talent is a God-given gift. For either of them to take personal credit for their abilities – or the ultimate title of American Idol – would be ludicrous. With coaching and instruction, each would probably be a good singer/entertainer. But what sets them apart from the average singer in any town in America is an extraordinary talent – a gift from God.
There are things we can accomplish on our own, perhaps. We can study and learn… we can exercise and build muscle mass and strength… we can practice playing a musical instrument and become fairly adept at creating a pretty sound. But for everything we can do “on our own,” there are countless things that we would never be able to accomplish without God’s help… His grace, mercy, love and blessings. And honestly, our ability to learn anything is in itself a gift from God. If God had not blessed us with the capability to absorb knowledge… or to move physically… we would never be able to learn or move! Everything we have and are is a gift from God!
Knowing this… why on earth would we ever take credit for things? Why would we ever think we are better than we really are? We are only as good as the gifts God gives us – and what we do with them. Does that mean that some of us could not do a whole lot better? Do many of us squander what God has given us? Absolutely! Do most of us fail to fully recognize and acknowledge God’s presence in our lives? Most certainly! So what are we doing about this? Shouldn’t our aim become to do better at giving credit where credit is due? Isn’t it time we focused on praising God for all He has done for us… all He has given us… and putting our own ego in the back seat?
God may not be calling us to be the next American Idol, rocket scientist, or CEO of a major corporation. He may be calling us to be the best “ordinary” servant we can be. Our job is to pay attention… to be ready to serve however and wherever God desires… and to give Him all the glory for what He accomplishes in and through us. Are you in?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The final two contestants on American Idol were 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, from San Diego, California… and 21-year-old Phillip Phillips, from Leesburg, Georgia. Both have amazing talent. Sanchez sings like someone almost twice her age. Phillips has a knack for sounding like a lot of musical artists… and creating his own “sound” as well. Neither of these young people were taught how to do these things… their talent is a God-given gift. For either of them to take personal credit for their abilities – or the ultimate title of American Idol – would be ludicrous. With coaching and instruction, each would probably be a good singer/entertainer. But what sets them apart from the average singer in any town in America is an extraordinary talent – a gift from God.
There are things we can accomplish on our own, perhaps. We can study and learn… we can exercise and build muscle mass and strength… we can practice playing a musical instrument and become fairly adept at creating a pretty sound. But for everything we can do “on our own,” there are countless things that we would never be able to accomplish without God’s help… His grace, mercy, love and blessings. And honestly, our ability to learn anything is in itself a gift from God. If God had not blessed us with the capability to absorb knowledge… or to move physically… we would never be able to learn or move! Everything we have and are is a gift from God!
Knowing this… why on earth would we ever take credit for things? Why would we ever think we are better than we really are? We are only as good as the gifts God gives us – and what we do with them. Does that mean that some of us could not do a whole lot better? Do many of us squander what God has given us? Absolutely! Do most of us fail to fully recognize and acknowledge God’s presence in our lives? Most certainly! So what are we doing about this? Shouldn’t our aim become to do better at giving credit where credit is due? Isn’t it time we focused on praising God for all He has done for us… all He has given us… and putting our own ego in the back seat?
God may not be calling us to be the next American Idol, rocket scientist, or CEO of a major corporation. He may be calling us to be the best “ordinary” servant we can be. Our job is to pay attention… to be ready to serve however and wherever God desires… and to give Him all the glory for what He accomplishes in and through us. Are you in?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 22, 2012
Romans 12:1-2
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in 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.
One of my dearest friends (who is now in Heaven) used to say, “I never did anything with my life.” This was so far from the truth that it was almost laughable. What Becky meant was that she never finished college – never got the nursing degree she had hoped to obtain… never “spread her wings” and lived anywhere but her home town. What she didn’t always recognize was how successful she was as a wife, mother, servant in her church and community, office manager in her dad’s construction business, and friend to more than she could count. Becky could never fathom that her life would leave such a mark on others that we still speak of her with admiration and respect to this day.
The point is that God doesn’t call everyone to become a celebrity or live in the limelight. And honestly, He uses the ordinary, everyday experiences of our lives as much or more than those we consider grand and impressive – if we are living for Him. In the coming weeks, many will graduate from high school or college, marry, move, or begin new jobs and new adventures. If you are one of them, remember that whatever you do is important to God… when you offer it to Him.
Whether you are spending the summer as an intern, babysitting, or filling boats with gas at a marina, you can serve God. If you are starting graduate school or an entry-level job, you can offer your work to Him and conduct yourself in a way that glorifies His name. If you are a stay-at-home mom or a retired grandpa who spends his days building bluebird houses or piddling in the garden, you can give these activities to God, and He will bless them.
My point is that God can use anything and everyone. When you do the laundry clean your house, wash the car or mow the lawn, you are caring for your family and being a good steward of God’s blessings… and He will bless you for doing so. When you nurture children, smile at the clerk at Wal-Mart, or rescue stray animals, God can be glorified. You don’t have to earn a Ph.D. or live in a mega-mansion for God to use you… although He can! You don’t have to be a certain age, have a specific amount of money, be a world-class athlete, or look like a model…you are special to God just as you are!
You may have heard the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted.” God wants us to bloom for Him… wherever He plants us. Recognize that everything you do and say is an opportunity to glorify His name. Don’t try to become something you are not – or that God did not design for you. Don’t let the world dictate how you think, speak or act. Ask GOD who you should be… and live comfortably and simply in His will… regardless of your age or where you find yourself these days,
If you are not completely certain you are living a mature, Christ-centered life, ask God to help you shift your focus and turn your attention back to Him. Whatever your age or station in life, you can focus on God and glorify Him in all you do. Are you blooming where you’ve been planted?
©2012 Debbie Robus
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in 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.
One of my dearest friends (who is now in Heaven) used to say, “I never did anything with my life.” This was so far from the truth that it was almost laughable. What Becky meant was that she never finished college – never got the nursing degree she had hoped to obtain… never “spread her wings” and lived anywhere but her home town. What she didn’t always recognize was how successful she was as a wife, mother, servant in her church and community, office manager in her dad’s construction business, and friend to more than she could count. Becky could never fathom that her life would leave such a mark on others that we still speak of her with admiration and respect to this day.
The point is that God doesn’t call everyone to become a celebrity or live in the limelight. And honestly, He uses the ordinary, everyday experiences of our lives as much or more than those we consider grand and impressive – if we are living for Him. In the coming weeks, many will graduate from high school or college, marry, move, or begin new jobs and new adventures. If you are one of them, remember that whatever you do is important to God… when you offer it to Him.
Whether you are spending the summer as an intern, babysitting, or filling boats with gas at a marina, you can serve God. If you are starting graduate school or an entry-level job, you can offer your work to Him and conduct yourself in a way that glorifies His name. If you are a stay-at-home mom or a retired grandpa who spends his days building bluebird houses or piddling in the garden, you can give these activities to God, and He will bless them.
My point is that God can use anything and everyone. When you do the laundry clean your house, wash the car or mow the lawn, you are caring for your family and being a good steward of God’s blessings… and He will bless you for doing so. When you nurture children, smile at the clerk at Wal-Mart, or rescue stray animals, God can be glorified. You don’t have to earn a Ph.D. or live in a mega-mansion for God to use you… although He can! You don’t have to be a certain age, have a specific amount of money, be a world-class athlete, or look like a model…you are special to God just as you are!
You may have heard the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted.” God wants us to bloom for Him… wherever He plants us. Recognize that everything you do and say is an opportunity to glorify His name. Don’t try to become something you are not – or that God did not design for you. Don’t let the world dictate how you think, speak or act. Ask GOD who you should be… and live comfortably and simply in His will… regardless of your age or where you find yourself these days,
If you are not completely certain you are living a mature, Christ-centered life, ask God to help you shift your focus and turn your attention back to Him. Whatever your age or station in life, you can focus on God and glorify Him in all you do. Are you blooming where you’ve been planted?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 21, 2012
John 15:21-27
"They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don't know the One who sent me. If I hadn't come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn't be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it's all the same. If I hadn't done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn't be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, 'They hated me for no good reason.'
"When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start."
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.
Everyone makes an occasional honest mistake. The facts are not clear, and misunderstandings occur… and all involved are able to recover and move forward. You think you recognize someone in the store, only to say “Hello” and realize this is not who you thought it was. Or you hear that someone is ill or injured… then learn that you were misinformed when you express concern or get-well wishes to that person. A temporary, slight embarrassment may occur, but no lasting harm is incurred.
On the other hand, when you run a red light, you know you shouldn’t. Before you get a driver’s license, you learn about traffic lights… you are told that “red means STOP!” So when you choose to move forward on a red light, you have no excuse for the violation… or any collision that may result.
Maya Angelou has a saying… “When you know better, you do better.” Unfortunately, we fail to do better quite often. We know that God has called us to love one another. We read in this passage that to hate or mistreat others is to hate or mistreat God. Yet we gossip, discriminate, inflict pain and abuse, and show disrespect… and we do it often.
The worst part is… we often do this and claim the name of Jesus in the process. Think political and social issues in which many claim to act out of their “Christian faith” – but in the most un-Christian manner. These include such behaviors as ugly protests and hurtful words, open disdain for people who do not meet their personal standards, public taunting – and yes, acts of hatred. We know better… but we certainly don’t do better!
From time to time, we all need to be reminded that what we do to others is a direct reflection of how we are treating God. The next time you start to lash out at someone or something… when you open your mouth to share a tidbit of “juicy” gossip…when you feel the urge to give in to temptation… think of your Heavenly Father. Picture yourself doing these things to Him. Envision Him standing alongside you and see if you can still bring yourself to participate. “Hate me, hate my Father—it's all the same.” Hate or hurt your brother…hate or hurt God - this is all the same, as well.
We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us with these challenges. All we have to do is call on Him to fill our heart and help us discern the truth. He will help us to not only know better… but do better. Ask Him to guide your thoughts and actions. Enlist His help in behaving in a manner that glorifies God and honors His presence in your life. Operate in God’s truth and love… and confirm His promises to all who cross your path.
©2012 Debbie Robus
"They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don't know the One who sent me. If I hadn't come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn't be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it's all the same. If I hadn't done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn't be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, 'They hated me for no good reason.'
"When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start."
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.
Everyone makes an occasional honest mistake. The facts are not clear, and misunderstandings occur… and all involved are able to recover and move forward. You think you recognize someone in the store, only to say “Hello” and realize this is not who you thought it was. Or you hear that someone is ill or injured… then learn that you were misinformed when you express concern or get-well wishes to that person. A temporary, slight embarrassment may occur, but no lasting harm is incurred.
On the other hand, when you run a red light, you know you shouldn’t. Before you get a driver’s license, you learn about traffic lights… you are told that “red means STOP!” So when you choose to move forward on a red light, you have no excuse for the violation… or any collision that may result.
Maya Angelou has a saying… “When you know better, you do better.” Unfortunately, we fail to do better quite often. We know that God has called us to love one another. We read in this passage that to hate or mistreat others is to hate or mistreat God. Yet we gossip, discriminate, inflict pain and abuse, and show disrespect… and we do it often.
The worst part is… we often do this and claim the name of Jesus in the process. Think political and social issues in which many claim to act out of their “Christian faith” – but in the most un-Christian manner. These include such behaviors as ugly protests and hurtful words, open disdain for people who do not meet their personal standards, public taunting – and yes, acts of hatred. We know better… but we certainly don’t do better!
From time to time, we all need to be reminded that what we do to others is a direct reflection of how we are treating God. The next time you start to lash out at someone or something… when you open your mouth to share a tidbit of “juicy” gossip…when you feel the urge to give in to temptation… think of your Heavenly Father. Picture yourself doing these things to Him. Envision Him standing alongside you and see if you can still bring yourself to participate. “Hate me, hate my Father—it's all the same.” Hate or hurt your brother…hate or hurt God - this is all the same, as well.
We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us with these challenges. All we have to do is call on Him to fill our heart and help us discern the truth. He will help us to not only know better… but do better. Ask Him to guide your thoughts and actions. Enlist His help in behaving in a manner that glorifies God and honors His presence in your life. Operate in God’s truth and love… and confirm His promises to all who cross your path.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 20, 2012
John 15:18-20
"If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you.
"When that happens, remember this: Servants don't get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.
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 recently watched a program on the Documentary Channel entitled “Save the Farm.” According to information posted at http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/savethefarm/about_the_farm.html “The South Central Farm (SCF) sprung up on an abandoned industrial area, approximately 14 acres. The land had been acquired in 1986 by the City of Los Angeles through eminent domain from developer Ralph Horowitz for $4.7 million. The land was to be used for an incinerator project, but the community voted it down, and the vacant lot became a dumping ground. After the Rodney King riots of 1992, Mayor Bradley mitigated the land to the community, and Doris Block, the President of the Food Bank, founded the farm. For fourteen years, the farm provided local, organic food and medicinal remedies for 350 families as well as thousands of area residents. At the weekly farmer's market, people could go into the farm plots and tell the farmers exactly what they wanted so that nothing went to waste.”
In 2004, Horowitz sued the city of Los Angeles for breach of contract, and ultimately, he was able to purchase the property from the city for $5 million in a transaction that was not made public. He sent eviction notices to all of the farmers, and he advertised the property for sale at $16.3 million… more than three times the purchase price. Through court injunctions, the farmers were able to hang on for nearly 2 years. By 2006, the farmers and supporters – including many celebrities like Darryl Hannah and Willie Nelson – managed to raise the $16.3 million to keep their land… but Horowitz refused to sell to them. Ultimately, County Sheriff’s department officers arrested some 40 people who were protesting peacefully on the property, and the farm plots were bulldozed.
Aside from the heartless, seemingly evil intentions of this land developer, I was struck most by the heartbreak of the people who watched their food supply – the way they fed, medicated, and supported their families – be destroyed in seconds. Grown men heaved and sobbed at the chain link fence as they watched this unfold. Small children cried out, “Why are they doing this, Momma?” People collapsed from the overwhelming devastation of what was happening. Many chanted and prayed for God to save their land. But in the end, the farm was completely destroyed.
The people have moved on - with help from the celebrities who fought for them and others. They have found other plots of land to farm – though none as close to their homes as this farm. I would bet that many of them would tell us that living on God’s terms instead of the world’s has sustained them. Throughout history, countless people have survived oppression by living on God’s terms. And we can learn great lessons from their struggles.
As I watched this 30-minute story, I was reminded that everyone is going through something. Our outcome will be determined by our attitude… and our faith. We can let the haters of this world… those who are influenced by the devil… get us down. Or we can operate on God’s terms and trust Him to orchestrate our lives… to create outcomes that are best for us and grow us in our faith and courage. We can allow God to use us and our experiences to witness to others - and show them how to operate on His terms, also.
According to information on the website, the land was still undeveloped as of May 2011… and still for sale for $16.3 million. For me, this is symbolic of many instances in life where our “irritant” doesn’t go away… the “hater” or the situation that challenges us may continue to be in our face each and every day, just as this land sits in front of many of the former “farmers” and taunts them. But we can call on God to strengthen us and give us the resolve to rise above our hurts and frustrations… to enable us to say, “You have no power here. I belong to Someone who IS all powerful… HE is meeting my needs each and every day.”
Whatever challenges you face, find your strength and courage in God. Don’t let the godless haters get you down. Don’t throw up your hands and say, “This is simply too much.” Remember, with God, all things are possible. Operate on His terms…and let the “haters” beware. They have no power when Almighty God is present.”
©2012 Debbie Robus
"If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you.
"When that happens, remember this: Servants don't get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.
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 recently watched a program on the Documentary Channel entitled “Save the Farm.” According to information posted at http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/savethefarm/about_the_farm.html “The South Central Farm (SCF) sprung up on an abandoned industrial area, approximately 14 acres. The land had been acquired in 1986 by the City of Los Angeles through eminent domain from developer Ralph Horowitz for $4.7 million. The land was to be used for an incinerator project, but the community voted it down, and the vacant lot became a dumping ground. After the Rodney King riots of 1992, Mayor Bradley mitigated the land to the community, and Doris Block, the President of the Food Bank, founded the farm. For fourteen years, the farm provided local, organic food and medicinal remedies for 350 families as well as thousands of area residents. At the weekly farmer's market, people could go into the farm plots and tell the farmers exactly what they wanted so that nothing went to waste.”
In 2004, Horowitz sued the city of Los Angeles for breach of contract, and ultimately, he was able to purchase the property from the city for $5 million in a transaction that was not made public. He sent eviction notices to all of the farmers, and he advertised the property for sale at $16.3 million… more than three times the purchase price. Through court injunctions, the farmers were able to hang on for nearly 2 years. By 2006, the farmers and supporters – including many celebrities like Darryl Hannah and Willie Nelson – managed to raise the $16.3 million to keep their land… but Horowitz refused to sell to them. Ultimately, County Sheriff’s department officers arrested some 40 people who were protesting peacefully on the property, and the farm plots were bulldozed.
Aside from the heartless, seemingly evil intentions of this land developer, I was struck most by the heartbreak of the people who watched their food supply – the way they fed, medicated, and supported their families – be destroyed in seconds. Grown men heaved and sobbed at the chain link fence as they watched this unfold. Small children cried out, “Why are they doing this, Momma?” People collapsed from the overwhelming devastation of what was happening. Many chanted and prayed for God to save their land. But in the end, the farm was completely destroyed.
The people have moved on - with help from the celebrities who fought for them and others. They have found other plots of land to farm – though none as close to their homes as this farm. I would bet that many of them would tell us that living on God’s terms instead of the world’s has sustained them. Throughout history, countless people have survived oppression by living on God’s terms. And we can learn great lessons from their struggles.
As I watched this 30-minute story, I was reminded that everyone is going through something. Our outcome will be determined by our attitude… and our faith. We can let the haters of this world… those who are influenced by the devil… get us down. Or we can operate on God’s terms and trust Him to orchestrate our lives… to create outcomes that are best for us and grow us in our faith and courage. We can allow God to use us and our experiences to witness to others - and show them how to operate on His terms, also.
According to information on the website, the land was still undeveloped as of May 2011… and still for sale for $16.3 million. For me, this is symbolic of many instances in life where our “irritant” doesn’t go away… the “hater” or the situation that challenges us may continue to be in our face each and every day, just as this land sits in front of many of the former “farmers” and taunts them. But we can call on God to strengthen us and give us the resolve to rise above our hurts and frustrations… to enable us to say, “You have no power here. I belong to Someone who IS all powerful… HE is meeting my needs each and every day.”
Whatever challenges you face, find your strength and courage in God. Don’t let the godless haters get you down. Don’t throw up your hands and say, “This is simply too much.” Remember, with God, all things are possible. Operate on His terms…and let the “haters” beware. They have no power when Almighty God is present.”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 19, 2012
John 15:11-17
"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
"But remember the root command: Love one another.
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.
©2012 Debbie Robus
"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives 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.
 |
| My sister, Mam-ma Polly, & me at a Mother's Day luncheon on May 10, 2012. |
When I read this passage, I immediately thought of my grandmother. We’ve spent a lot of time together - especially in the last three weeks since she fell and broke her leg. She is now confined to bed – unless aides lift her and place her in a nearby recliner for a few hours and a change of scenery. She is “in and out” of coherent sleep and coherent thoughts. But two days this week, she actually was pretty clear… and she asked about family members and friends. She said of one person, “I wish I was able to send her a note… but I can’t.” I assured her that I would contact this friend and let her know that Mam-ma thought of her. At almost 100 years old and in the end stages of life, my grandmother is still loving others and thinking of them.
To say that my grandmother has borne good fruit in her life would be an understatement. Yes, she is a mess at times… but she is our mess, and we love her dearly. She would give you her last dime if you needed it… with the assurance that “I’ll be praying for you.” Her first question of a new neighbor was always, “Would you like to stay for dinner (what she calls lunch) or supper?”… followed by “Where do y’all go to church?”
I’ve watched this woman live out Jesus’ command in John 15 for almost 55 years… and I hope I have learned from her. I’ve seen God’s promises fulfilled in her life… and the joy He has given her in even the most extreme and tragic circumstances. And even today as she struggles with unbearable pain and human indignities, she asks about other people.
The question is… are we loving one another? Have we learned from the examples of Godly people like my grandmother? Do we understand just how fully God operates in and through us when we put our own life on the line – or set aside our own troubles - for our friends? I am grateful for this incredible example that God has set before me. I am inspired to live well for however long God grants me on this earth… to love others in His name… and to bear good fruit that will never spoil. Are you?
Daily Devotional for May 18, 2012
John 15:7-10
But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
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.
Think about a time you were in an uncomfortable situation. Have you ever been to someone’s home…or to a party, place of business, or some other sort of function where you felt out of place or uneasy? It’s a miserable feeling! Now think of a place where you always feel comfortable… envision the home of your friend or family member where you instantly want to kick off your shoes and settle in… a cozy, warm, inviting place you love to visit.
Now think about your relationship with God. Does this make you feel comfortable… or do you start to squirm a bit and feel uneasy? When you imagine yourself communicating with God… worshipping Him…seeking comfort… do you immediately feel warm and welcomed – peaceful and at rest?
I am a huge “homebody.” I hear people tell me that they do not enjoy staying at home. I am totally the opposite. I am comfortable, productive and busy, calm and at rest when I am at home. When my grandmother was hospitalized for a week, I was there with her every day. I would turn into our driveway at night and exhale a huge sigh of relief. Just the sight of our house made me feel loved and at peace.
You know the feeling when you kick off your “good clothes” and get into your comfortable sweats or pjs? That’s how it feels to be intimately at home in God’s love. This doesn’t mean you can get lazy and complacent in your faith… that you can expect God to listen and act upon your requests and meet all of your needs. That would be like me never leaving the house and expecting groceries to magically appear in our pantry and refrigerator! There is work to do… and effort must be put forth on our part. But we can do all things with the confidence that God is with us. He is our Safe Haven of comfort and rest. As long as we stay close to Him and operate within His will, we will feel at home in His presence.
Where is “home” for you these days? Are you comfortable in God’s presence - and with your “Spiritual self?” Have you wandered away and forgotten where you live? Isn’t it time to “turn into the driveway” and make yourself at home in God’s love? C’mon! Kick off your shoes and stay awhile. Operate in God’s commands - and settle in with His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
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.
Think about a time you were in an uncomfortable situation. Have you ever been to someone’s home…or to a party, place of business, or some other sort of function where you felt out of place or uneasy? It’s a miserable feeling! Now think of a place where you always feel comfortable… envision the home of your friend or family member where you instantly want to kick off your shoes and settle in… a cozy, warm, inviting place you love to visit.
Now think about your relationship with God. Does this make you feel comfortable… or do you start to squirm a bit and feel uneasy? When you imagine yourself communicating with God… worshipping Him…seeking comfort… do you immediately feel warm and welcomed – peaceful and at rest?
I am a huge “homebody.” I hear people tell me that they do not enjoy staying at home. I am totally the opposite. I am comfortable, productive and busy, calm and at rest when I am at home. When my grandmother was hospitalized for a week, I was there with her every day. I would turn into our driveway at night and exhale a huge sigh of relief. Just the sight of our house made me feel loved and at peace.
You know the feeling when you kick off your “good clothes” and get into your comfortable sweats or pjs? That’s how it feels to be intimately at home in God’s love. This doesn’t mean you can get lazy and complacent in your faith… that you can expect God to listen and act upon your requests and meet all of your needs. That would be like me never leaving the house and expecting groceries to magically appear in our pantry and refrigerator! There is work to do… and effort must be put forth on our part. But we can do all things with the confidence that God is with us. He is our Safe Haven of comfort and rest. As long as we stay close to Him and operate within His will, we will feel at home in His presence.
Where is “home” for you these days? Are you comfortable in God’s presence - and with your “Spiritual self?” Have you wandered away and forgotten where you live? Isn’t it time to “turn into the driveway” and make yourself at home in God’s love? C’mon! Kick off your shoes and stay awhile. Operate in God’s commands - and settle in with His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 17, 2012
John 15:4-8
Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband planted beautiful pink “knock-out” roses in our front yard. While my grandmother was in the hospital, we clipped several blooms and shared them with her. She loved how they made her room a little more cheerful and fragranced the room. But after a couple of days, they began to wither and fade – even standing in a container of water. Apart from the bush where they grew, they could not sustain life and vitality.
We are like this in our walk with God. We may look and smell pretty good for a day or two, but we can’t last very long on our own. We lack the sustenance that fed us and gave us strength, courage, wisdom, and grace. And sooner or later, we will fall flat on our faces.
If you pull up a rose bush filled with blooms, it might continue to look pretty good for a day or two. But eventually, it would wither and die. The bush would still be a rose bush… but its former luster and purpose would be gone. The same can be said for our Christian faith walk. Separated from God, we are still Christians… but we lose our mission and purpose. We become lethargic and ineffective… and often we make costly mistakes.
Don’t let this be said of you. Stay connected to God. Communicate with Him… study His word… listen for His voice. Fellowship with others who are connected to God, and let Him speak to you through their friendship and counsel.
When it comes to the life of a Christian, independence is highly over-rated! Let God feed you and nurture you… and enable you to produce good fruit. Bloom for Him like a “knock-out” rose. Bask in His grace and sustenance. Boldly live in the confidence of God’s constant care… and never wither and fade.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband planted beautiful pink “knock-out” roses in our front yard. While my grandmother was in the hospital, we clipped several blooms and shared them with her. She loved how they made her room a little more cheerful and fragranced the room. But after a couple of days, they began to wither and fade – even standing in a container of water. Apart from the bush where they grew, they could not sustain life and vitality.
We are like this in our walk with God. We may look and smell pretty good for a day or two, but we can’t last very long on our own. We lack the sustenance that fed us and gave us strength, courage, wisdom, and grace. And sooner or later, we will fall flat on our faces.
If you pull up a rose bush filled with blooms, it might continue to look pretty good for a day or two. But eventually, it would wither and die. The bush would still be a rose bush… but its former luster and purpose would be gone. The same can be said for our Christian faith walk. Separated from God, we are still Christians… but we lose our mission and purpose. We become lethargic and ineffective… and often we make costly mistakes.
Don’t let this be said of you. Stay connected to God. Communicate with Him… study His word… listen for His voice. Fellowship with others who are connected to God, and let Him speak to you through their friendship and counsel.
When it comes to the life of a Christian, independence is highly over-rated! Let God feed you and nurture you… and enable you to produce good fruit. Bloom for Him like a “knock-out” rose. Bask in His grace and sustenance. Boldly live in the confidence of God’s constant care… and never wither and fade.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 16, 2012
John 15:1-3
Jesus said to his disciples:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of what I have said to you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
All of us will have times in our lives when we go through some “stuff!” You may find yourself challenged by school, work, a relationship, illness or injury, the loss of a loved one… or something else equally daunting. You may ask yourself – and God – “Why is this happening to me?” Maybe you feel that you have been a good steward of God’s gifts… a faithful servant… that you and God are “tight!” So you are wondering where you went wrong or failed as His servant… that you are being punished in some manner.
Here’s the deal… Jesus tells us in the first verses of John 15 that even those who are doing what God expects of them will be “pruned”... tested, challenged, given obstacles to overcome. And the reason is so that we will continue to grow in our faith. If we accepted Jesus Christ and began to serve Him based totally on our previous experiences, we would soon become stagnant.
You know the person who lives in the past… the one who tells the same old stories over and over and feeds on them… the person who doesn’t seem to bring anything new to the table. You probably find them pretty boring – if not obnoxious at times – and you may not want to be around them very often. This is exactly what would happen if we were not continually “trimmed” as Christians. I’m not saying God will bring bad things into our lives – or that He will necessarily allow bad things to happen to us. But He may allow us to go through a few things in order to become stronger in our faith – and to be more effective witnesses for His kingdom.
I am convinced that many of the experiences I have had – and will have in the future – can be used for God’s glory. The key question is… “Will I recognize God at work in these situations… and will I allow Him to handle the outcome for His purposes?” When you can go through something difficult and say, “God was in this… and that… and another thing…” you have allowed Him to strengthen you and grow your faith. And this is a huge part of what Christian living is all about.
So the next time you find yourself in a situation that seems difficult – or downright impossible – ask God to show you what He plans to do. Don’t ask, “Why is this happening?” Instead, ask “What are you showing me, LORD?” Because I guarantee you that God has designed an outcome that will bring glory to His name and bless you in the bargain. Your job is to recognize this when it happens. Are you asking the right questions of God? Are you a “branch” ready to be “trimmed” in His name?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Jesus said to his disciples:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of what I have said to you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
All of us will have times in our lives when we go through some “stuff!” You may find yourself challenged by school, work, a relationship, illness or injury, the loss of a loved one… or something else equally daunting. You may ask yourself – and God – “Why is this happening to me?” Maybe you feel that you have been a good steward of God’s gifts… a faithful servant… that you and God are “tight!” So you are wondering where you went wrong or failed as His servant… that you are being punished in some manner.
Here’s the deal… Jesus tells us in the first verses of John 15 that even those who are doing what God expects of them will be “pruned”... tested, challenged, given obstacles to overcome. And the reason is so that we will continue to grow in our faith. If we accepted Jesus Christ and began to serve Him based totally on our previous experiences, we would soon become stagnant.
You know the person who lives in the past… the one who tells the same old stories over and over and feeds on them… the person who doesn’t seem to bring anything new to the table. You probably find them pretty boring – if not obnoxious at times – and you may not want to be around them very often. This is exactly what would happen if we were not continually “trimmed” as Christians. I’m not saying God will bring bad things into our lives – or that He will necessarily allow bad things to happen to us. But He may allow us to go through a few things in order to become stronger in our faith – and to be more effective witnesses for His kingdom.
I am convinced that many of the experiences I have had – and will have in the future – can be used for God’s glory. The key question is… “Will I recognize God at work in these situations… and will I allow Him to handle the outcome for His purposes?” When you can go through something difficult and say, “God was in this… and that… and another thing…” you have allowed Him to strengthen you and grow your faith. And this is a huge part of what Christian living is all about.
So the next time you find yourself in a situation that seems difficult – or downright impossible – ask God to show you what He plans to do. Don’t ask, “Why is this happening?” Instead, ask “What are you showing me, LORD?” Because I guarantee you that God has designed an outcome that will bring glory to His name and bless you in the bargain. Your job is to recognize this when it happens. Are you asking the right questions of God? Are you a “branch” ready to be “trimmed” in His name?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 15, 2012
Psalm 1
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night.
They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do. That isn’t true of those who are evil, because they are like straw blown by the wind. Sinners won’t have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won’t have a place with the people of God.
The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Over the weekend, my best friend, Marla, and I attended a party to celebrate the marriage of two of our friends from high school. The weather was quirky, and we debated what to wear for a party on the river. The invitation said “outdoor festive attire.” So Marla chose a denim skirt and a pretty blouse… and I decided to wear a simple knit black dress.
I’ve had this dress for more than ten years… it is so old I can’t remember when I actually bought it. I find it as comfortable as pajamas… yet it looks nice enough to wear to a party. It doesn’t wrinkle, washes and dries in less than an hour, and can be worn with casual sandals to shop at Wal-Mart… or with dressy jewelry and heels to the most elegant party. You may have a “go-to” piece in your closet. It could be a basic dress, your favorite t-shirt or pair of jeans, or the sneakers that look more like dress shoes that you wear with everything you own!
The point is… most of us have an item in our closet that we turn to over and again… the piece that makes us feel good in our own skin – comfortable, confident, happy and grounded. This is the item that we are certain will always be appropriate and frees us to concentrate on being present in the moment instead of worrying, “Did I wear the right thing?”
Our relationship with God should be as comfortable and worry-free as the most dependable garment in our closet or our favorite t-shirt or sneakers. GOD should be our “go-to” item… His wisdom and love should be the guiding force that frees us to concentrate on the people and tasks at hand, rather than on whether or not we are doing the right thing or making good decisions. When we are grounded in God, we know that we are on the right path… we are comfortable, confident, happy and grounded. We are firmly rooted, like a hundred-year-old tree… and God’s love and care hangs over us like a shady canopy of guidance.
You know how it is when you get somewhere and feel like you aren’t dressed appropriately. You probably also know the feeling that you are not quite “dressed right” with God. Both are lousy feelings! Every fashion expert tells us to fill our closet with “staples” that are good for any occasion... those that stand the test of time and serve as a foundation for other items and accessories. God’s wisdom and guidance is our “Spiritual staple.” When we start with His foundation – our “tree” has solid roots… and we are always on point and “in style.”
What’s in your “Spiritual closet” these days? Are you firmly rooted in God? Does His wisdom and care cover you like the canopy of a shade tree? Or are you often insecure and uncertain about your choices and behaviors? This is the perfect time to recommit to GOD… to follow Him and listen for His guidance. Let the Psalms be a good source of information and encouragement to help you stay deeply rooted. Don’t waste another minute… fill your “spiritual closet” with solid basics today… and feel the confidence that God can give you when you stay close to Him.
©2012 Debbie Robus
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night.
They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do. That isn’t true of those who are evil, because they are like straw blown by the wind. Sinners won’t have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won’t have a place with the people of God.
The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Over the weekend, my best friend, Marla, and I attended a party to celebrate the marriage of two of our friends from high school. The weather was quirky, and we debated what to wear for a party on the river. The invitation said “outdoor festive attire.” So Marla chose a denim skirt and a pretty blouse… and I decided to wear a simple knit black dress.
I’ve had this dress for more than ten years… it is so old I can’t remember when I actually bought it. I find it as comfortable as pajamas… yet it looks nice enough to wear to a party. It doesn’t wrinkle, washes and dries in less than an hour, and can be worn with casual sandals to shop at Wal-Mart… or with dressy jewelry and heels to the most elegant party. You may have a “go-to” piece in your closet. It could be a basic dress, your favorite t-shirt or pair of jeans, or the sneakers that look more like dress shoes that you wear with everything you own!
The point is… most of us have an item in our closet that we turn to over and again… the piece that makes us feel good in our own skin – comfortable, confident, happy and grounded. This is the item that we are certain will always be appropriate and frees us to concentrate on being present in the moment instead of worrying, “Did I wear the right thing?”
Our relationship with God should be as comfortable and worry-free as the most dependable garment in our closet or our favorite t-shirt or sneakers. GOD should be our “go-to” item… His wisdom and love should be the guiding force that frees us to concentrate on the people and tasks at hand, rather than on whether or not we are doing the right thing or making good decisions. When we are grounded in God, we know that we are on the right path… we are comfortable, confident, happy and grounded. We are firmly rooted, like a hundred-year-old tree… and God’s love and care hangs over us like a shady canopy of guidance.
You know how it is when you get somewhere and feel like you aren’t dressed appropriately. You probably also know the feeling that you are not quite “dressed right” with God. Both are lousy feelings! Every fashion expert tells us to fill our closet with “staples” that are good for any occasion... those that stand the test of time and serve as a foundation for other items and accessories. God’s wisdom and guidance is our “Spiritual staple.” When we start with His foundation – our “tree” has solid roots… and we are always on point and “in style.”
What’s in your “Spiritual closet” these days? Are you firmly rooted in God? Does His wisdom and care cover you like the canopy of a shade tree? Or are you often insecure and uncertain about your choices and behaviors? This is the perfect time to recommit to GOD… to follow Him and listen for His guidance. Let the Psalms be a good source of information and encouragement to help you stay deeply rooted. Don’t waste another minute… fill your “spiritual closet” with solid basics today… and feel the confidence that God can give you when you stay close to Him.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 14, 2012
Nehemiah 1:5-11
Lord God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned by choosing to disobey you and the laws and teachings you gave to your servant Moses.
Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped.
Our Lord, I am praying for your servants - those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and have him do what I ask.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For several weeks now, I’ve been seeing ads for a new 90-day workout plan devised by my favorite fitness trainer. Honestly, I’ve been ready to push the button several times and order these DVDs… but I’ve yet to do so. For one thing, I am not sure I am fully committed to this level of physical exertion. I am also not sure exactly how much of it I could actually accomplish! So for now, I opted to order a less intense – yet still strenuous – workout tape to add to my library.
Let me be clear… I’ve got quite a few workout tapes that have probably become brittle in their box. Having the tools at your disposal to become physically fit does not automatically ensure results! You have to USE them! And I have actually used the last few I’ve purchased… with surprisingly good results. I feel more confident… healthier, and much better physically and mentally.
I’m no athlete, but I’ve learned that when I work at it, I can actually do things I never dreamed possible… like pushups and lifting weights while balancing on one foot! The trainer pushes me to do things I feel inadequate to perform… she knows better than I that I have the “stuff” to do this. She will say things like “I’ve got 400-lb. people who can do this… and so can you!” And she is right!
So often, we lack confidence in our faith walk. We have the God-given tools for success… He has given us the “stuff”… but we fail to put this to work in our own lives. It’s not that we lack confidence in GOD… we lack confidence in ourselves. God would not allow us to go through some of the things that challenge us if he didn’t know we what it takes to accomplish them and persevere. He may be telling us and showing us that we have what it takes to get surmount our problems and obstacles, but we have to believe Him and become people of action!
In this passage, we learn about one man, one prayer, and one cup. In the King James Version, Verse eleven ends with “For I was the king’s cup bearer.” Nehemiah recognizes he is only one man – and a mere servant at that! But with God’s power behind him, he knows that he can accomplish the work of many. And so he asks God to forgive him and his people for their sin, lack of faith and failure to be bold people of action. He reminds God of His promise to step in and care for His children as soon as they turn back to Him. And then He asked God for His help… to answer His prayers and meet his needs – and to make the King receptive to his requests.
Can I tell you something? We are a lot stronger than we think we are… mentally, physically, and spiritually. Never underestimate your abilities in any arena… most certainly when God is in the mix. If God allows you to have a workout of any kind, trust that things will work out! Recognize that even though you are one person, God can use you to accomplish big things… starting with your own health and wellbeing! You may be “just a cup-bearer”… but in God’s eyes, you have the capacity for great things.
What is your confidence level? Do you believe in yourself? More importantly, do you believe in God’s ability to use you to accomplish whatever He desires…in your own life and the lives of others? Remember… one man, one prayer, one cup. Examine your own life today and see where God is applying this principle. Are you rising to the occasion?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Lord God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned by choosing to disobey you and the laws and teachings you gave to your servant Moses.
Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped.
Our Lord, I am praying for your servants - those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and have him do what I ask.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For several weeks now, I’ve been seeing ads for a new 90-day workout plan devised by my favorite fitness trainer. Honestly, I’ve been ready to push the button several times and order these DVDs… but I’ve yet to do so. For one thing, I am not sure I am fully committed to this level of physical exertion. I am also not sure exactly how much of it I could actually accomplish! So for now, I opted to order a less intense – yet still strenuous – workout tape to add to my library.
Let me be clear… I’ve got quite a few workout tapes that have probably become brittle in their box. Having the tools at your disposal to become physically fit does not automatically ensure results! You have to USE them! And I have actually used the last few I’ve purchased… with surprisingly good results. I feel more confident… healthier, and much better physically and mentally.
I’m no athlete, but I’ve learned that when I work at it, I can actually do things I never dreamed possible… like pushups and lifting weights while balancing on one foot! The trainer pushes me to do things I feel inadequate to perform… she knows better than I that I have the “stuff” to do this. She will say things like “I’ve got 400-lb. people who can do this… and so can you!” And she is right!
So often, we lack confidence in our faith walk. We have the God-given tools for success… He has given us the “stuff”… but we fail to put this to work in our own lives. It’s not that we lack confidence in GOD… we lack confidence in ourselves. God would not allow us to go through some of the things that challenge us if he didn’t know we what it takes to accomplish them and persevere. He may be telling us and showing us that we have what it takes to get surmount our problems and obstacles, but we have to believe Him and become people of action!
In this passage, we learn about one man, one prayer, and one cup. In the King James Version, Verse eleven ends with “For I was the king’s cup bearer.” Nehemiah recognizes he is only one man – and a mere servant at that! But with God’s power behind him, he knows that he can accomplish the work of many. And so he asks God to forgive him and his people for their sin, lack of faith and failure to be bold people of action. He reminds God of His promise to step in and care for His children as soon as they turn back to Him. And then He asked God for His help… to answer His prayers and meet his needs – and to make the King receptive to his requests.
Can I tell you something? We are a lot stronger than we think we are… mentally, physically, and spiritually. Never underestimate your abilities in any arena… most certainly when God is in the mix. If God allows you to have a workout of any kind, trust that things will work out! Recognize that even though you are one person, God can use you to accomplish big things… starting with your own health and wellbeing! You may be “just a cup-bearer”… but in God’s eyes, you have the capacity for great things.
What is your confidence level? Do you believe in yourself? More importantly, do you believe in God’s ability to use you to accomplish whatever He desires…in your own life and the lives of others? Remember… one man, one prayer, one cup. Examine your own life today and see where God is applying this principle. Are you rising to the occasion?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 13, 2012
Moses 2:1-10
A man from the Levi tribe married a woman from the same tribe, and she later had a baby boy. He was a beautiful child, and she kept him inside for three months. But when she could no longer keep him hidden, she made a basket out of reeds and covered it with tar. She put him in the basket and placed it in the tall grass along the edge of the Nile River. The baby’s older sister stood off at a distance to see what would happen to him.
About that time one of the king’s daughters came down to take a bath in the river, while her servant women walked along the river bank. She saw the basket in the tall grass and sent one of the young women to pull it out of the water. When the king’s daughter opened the basket, she saw the baby and felt sorry for him because he was crying. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.”
At once the baby’s older sister came up and asked, “Do you want me to get a Hebrew woman to take care of the baby for you?” “Yes,” the king’s daughter answered.
So the girl brought the baby’s mother, and the king’s daughter told her, “Take care of this child, and I will pay you.” The baby’s mother carried him home and took care of him. And when he was old enough, she took him to the king’s daughter, who adopted him. She named him Moses because she said, “I pulled him out of the water.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is one of the most amazing stories of motherhood I know. To think that Moses’ mother loved him so much that she risked everything for him speaks to the incredible love of a mother for her children. Moses’ mother had the courage to place him where she knew the king’s daughters bathed. She trusted that one of the daughters would discover this beautiful baby and be smitten with him. She risked this to save his life. And she did so at the expense of her own feelings. She sacrificed her own heart to save Moses’ life and ensure his future.
This mother couldn’t possibly know that the king’s daughter would return Moses to her for child-rearing. She also probably didn’t anticipate how heart-wrenching it would be to return him to the king’s daughter someday for adoption. Still, she did all of this to ensure the safety and wellbeing of her child. And God blessed her – and Moses – because of her courage and her unselfishness.
Even though God is our heavenly Father, He loves us with the love of a mother, as well. He wants the best for us, and He considers our well-being at every turn. God loves us unselfishly. He also loves us unconditionally. And He provides us with earthly mothers of biology… and heart.
Today, as we pause to honor the mothers in our lives… those who gave us birth and those who give us unconditional motherly love and support… let’s also thank God for His incredible gifts. God could just as easily have spoken each one of us into existence and provided other ways for us to be nurtured and reared, but He chose mothers as the vehicle for this. The “motherly instinct” is so incredibly important that we see it even in nature… from the bird who sits on a nest to a cat guarding her kittens to the goose who guides her goslings across a busy highway and more. Surely God meant for mothers to be respected and revered – He gave them such important work. Have you thanked Him for your mom lately? Shouldn’t you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
A man from the Levi tribe married a woman from the same tribe, and she later had a baby boy. He was a beautiful child, and she kept him inside for three months. But when she could no longer keep him hidden, she made a basket out of reeds and covered it with tar. She put him in the basket and placed it in the tall grass along the edge of the Nile River. The baby’s older sister stood off at a distance to see what would happen to him.
About that time one of the king’s daughters came down to take a bath in the river, while her servant women walked along the river bank. She saw the basket in the tall grass and sent one of the young women to pull it out of the water. When the king’s daughter opened the basket, she saw the baby and felt sorry for him because he was crying. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.”
At once the baby’s older sister came up and asked, “Do you want me to get a Hebrew woman to take care of the baby for you?” “Yes,” the king’s daughter answered.
So the girl brought the baby’s mother, and the king’s daughter told her, “Take care of this child, and I will pay you.” The baby’s mother carried him home and took care of him. And when he was old enough, she took him to the king’s daughter, who adopted him. She named him Moses because she said, “I pulled him out of the water.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is one of the most amazing stories of motherhood I know. To think that Moses’ mother loved him so much that she risked everything for him speaks to the incredible love of a mother for her children. Moses’ mother had the courage to place him where she knew the king’s daughters bathed. She trusted that one of the daughters would discover this beautiful baby and be smitten with him. She risked this to save his life. And she did so at the expense of her own feelings. She sacrificed her own heart to save Moses’ life and ensure his future.
This mother couldn’t possibly know that the king’s daughter would return Moses to her for child-rearing. She also probably didn’t anticipate how heart-wrenching it would be to return him to the king’s daughter someday for adoption. Still, she did all of this to ensure the safety and wellbeing of her child. And God blessed her – and Moses – because of her courage and her unselfishness.
Even though God is our heavenly Father, He loves us with the love of a mother, as well. He wants the best for us, and He considers our well-being at every turn. God loves us unselfishly. He also loves us unconditionally. And He provides us with earthly mothers of biology… and heart.
Today, as we pause to honor the mothers in our lives… those who gave us birth and those who give us unconditional motherly love and support… let’s also thank God for His incredible gifts. God could just as easily have spoken each one of us into existence and provided other ways for us to be nurtured and reared, but He chose mothers as the vehicle for this. The “motherly instinct” is so incredibly important that we see it even in nature… from the bird who sits on a nest to a cat guarding her kittens to the goose who guides her goslings across a busy highway and more. Surely God meant for mothers to be respected and revered – He gave them such important work. Have you thanked Him for your mom lately? Shouldn’t you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 12, 2012
Luke 10:17-20
When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!” Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. But don’t be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, an actor or entertainer has stood before a crowd to accept an award and thanked numerous people… only to realize later they forgot to thank their spouse, family, parents, or someone else who was vital to their success. The excuse is always that they got caught up in the excitement of the moment. But the fact remains they failed to give credit where it was due.
As Christians, we do this a lot. We get so caught up in the “power trip” that we forget to credit the Power Source! We overcome a temptation or an addiction and we revel in our success. We praise God for His deliverance from difficult situations, trials and tribulations… and we should. But how often do we simply say, “LORD, thank You for saving me. Thank You for writing my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Thank You for preparing a place in Your kingdom for me for all Eternity!”?
I am as happy as anyone that the devil has no authority over me. He is a wannabe God, and he cannot hurt me. The devil is the last person I will fear or respect. And Satan is most certainly not the object of my focus! Offense is the devil’s number one tool… and distraction… and I am working diligently to remove all evidence of this menace from my life. At the same time, I am renewing my determination to totally live in Christ… to wake up every day grateful for what He has done for me… to recognize His beauty and blessings that surround me. Call it focusing on the positive more than the negative, if you will.
We have no trouble running to God when there is trouble or we are in need. But how often do we run to Him “just because?” Isn’t it time we focused more on what God does for us each and every day? Let’s acknowledge God’s power over the devil and his agents. But let’s leave the bragging and bravado behind in favor of a focus on genuine praise and appreciation for all that He has given us. Let’s concentrate on less on our victory over Satan and more on the promise of Heaven… and all that is yet to come!
©2012 Debbie Robus
When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!” Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. But don’t be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, an actor or entertainer has stood before a crowd to accept an award and thanked numerous people… only to realize later they forgot to thank their spouse, family, parents, or someone else who was vital to their success. The excuse is always that they got caught up in the excitement of the moment. But the fact remains they failed to give credit where it was due.
As Christians, we do this a lot. We get so caught up in the “power trip” that we forget to credit the Power Source! We overcome a temptation or an addiction and we revel in our success. We praise God for His deliverance from difficult situations, trials and tribulations… and we should. But how often do we simply say, “LORD, thank You for saving me. Thank You for writing my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Thank You for preparing a place in Your kingdom for me for all Eternity!”?
I am as happy as anyone that the devil has no authority over me. He is a wannabe God, and he cannot hurt me. The devil is the last person I will fear or respect. And Satan is most certainly not the object of my focus! Offense is the devil’s number one tool… and distraction… and I am working diligently to remove all evidence of this menace from my life. At the same time, I am renewing my determination to totally live in Christ… to wake up every day grateful for what He has done for me… to recognize His beauty and blessings that surround me. Call it focusing on the positive more than the negative, if you will.
We have no trouble running to God when there is trouble or we are in need. But how often do we run to Him “just because?” Isn’t it time we focused more on what God does for us each and every day? Let’s acknowledge God’s power over the devil and his agents. But let’s leave the bragging and bravado behind in favor of a focus on genuine praise and appreciation for all that He has given us. Let’s concentrate on less on our victory over Satan and more on the promise of Heaven… and all that is yet to come!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 11, 2012
James 1:2-4
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
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.
This morning, my mother phoned me early to say she was headed onto the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina… a road which she had never traveled. Her husband, Lee, and his son and son-in-law were on a week-long bicycle trip on the Parkway, and Lee had taken ill. He was hospitalized, and Mother was leaving the campground in which she was staying in Asheville… headed to find the three men. She was clearly shaken and said, “Please pray for me… I’m entering unfamiliar territory.”
Some four hours later, Mother phoned to tell me that she had arrived, and Lee was fine. They were loading the bikes and gear and heading back to their motorhome in Asheville. Hopefully, in a couple of days they will be back at home, safe and sound.
I let a few close friends and relatives know this morning what was happening… including Mother and Lee’s pastor… who is my lifelong friend. He replied with a beautiful prayer – for my mother’s husband… for her safety… and for our own fears to be calmed in the mix. I told him, “I’ve never been prayed for via e-mail before… but I like it!”
Instantly, I was calmer. I was reminded of my faith and WHO is in charge at all times. Under pressure, my faith-life came to the forefront as my friend talked to God on our behalf and ministered to us. On Joel Osteen’s Facebook wall, I read the following quote: “God will not allow a challenge to come into our life unless He has a divine purpose for it. Nothing in life happens to us; it happens for us.”
I don’t yet fully know the purpose of this challenge. I’m not sure what God is trying to tell my mom and her husband. But I do know how He used this event for me. God clearly reminded me that, in all that has been happening lately in my little corner of the world, HE is still in charge. I am surrounded by many people who stand in agreement with me for His will to be done.
Whatever challenges you are facing – and I’d bet you are facing a few – they are not wasted. God has a divine purpose for them. Ask Him to show you what is happening for you in these trials… ask God to reveal to you what He has in mind. Don’t ask “Why me?” or even “What next?” Ask Him, “What do you want me to learn from this? What is Your purpose… and how do you want me to proceed?” Then listen for His answers, calm your spirit, and get ready to be amazed at His answers.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
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.
This morning, my mother phoned me early to say she was headed onto the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina… a road which she had never traveled. Her husband, Lee, and his son and son-in-law were on a week-long bicycle trip on the Parkway, and Lee had taken ill. He was hospitalized, and Mother was leaving the campground in which she was staying in Asheville… headed to find the three men. She was clearly shaken and said, “Please pray for me… I’m entering unfamiliar territory.”
Some four hours later, Mother phoned to tell me that she had arrived, and Lee was fine. They were loading the bikes and gear and heading back to their motorhome in Asheville. Hopefully, in a couple of days they will be back at home, safe and sound.
I let a few close friends and relatives know this morning what was happening… including Mother and Lee’s pastor… who is my lifelong friend. He replied with a beautiful prayer – for my mother’s husband… for her safety… and for our own fears to be calmed in the mix. I told him, “I’ve never been prayed for via e-mail before… but I like it!”
Instantly, I was calmer. I was reminded of my faith and WHO is in charge at all times. Under pressure, my faith-life came to the forefront as my friend talked to God on our behalf and ministered to us. On Joel Osteen’s Facebook wall, I read the following quote: “God will not allow a challenge to come into our life unless He has a divine purpose for it. Nothing in life happens to us; it happens for us.”
I don’t yet fully know the purpose of this challenge. I’m not sure what God is trying to tell my mom and her husband. But I do know how He used this event for me. God clearly reminded me that, in all that has been happening lately in my little corner of the world, HE is still in charge. I am surrounded by many people who stand in agreement with me for His will to be done.
Whatever challenges you are facing – and I’d bet you are facing a few – they are not wasted. God has a divine purpose for them. Ask Him to show you what is happening for you in these trials… ask God to reveal to you what He has in mind. Don’t ask “Why me?” or even “What next?” Ask Him, “What do you want me to learn from this? What is Your purpose… and how do you want me to proceed?” Then listen for His answers, calm your spirit, and get ready to be amazed at His answers.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 10, 2012
Matthew 16:23
Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"
But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."
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 don’t know about you, but I probably struggle with offense as much – or more – than anything else the devil throws at me. I am an easy mark, I guess. And maybe you are, too! When we are offended, Satan claps and laughs. I know that offense is one of the most frequently discussed topics in the New Testament. Jesus reminds us over and again not to be offended. But that doesn’t stop the devil from trying to ruffle our feathers… and he has a pretty hefty success rate – at least with me!
Recently I read a devotional that spoke of offense as a self-centered behavior. When we are offended, we think of ourselves. When we begin to focus more on God and less on ourselves, we cannot be offended. The offense means nothing to us. I really want that… don’t you? I want to be so focused on God and serving Him… living a full life in Christ and His teachings… that I have no time or energy for dwelling on offenses.
Does this mean that people will no longer offend me or insult me? Does this mean that Satan will stop trying to use offense to trip me up and make me a little neurotic? Absolutely not! But I can lean on God and ask Him to strengthen my resolve to ignore these ploys. I can ask Him to deepen my focus on Jesus and fill my heart and mind with thoughts of Him… until there is absolutely NO room for thoughts of the offense.
I’m with Peter… I would have been offended at the thought of the Romans abusing Jesus. And you may feel your feelings of offense are justified. You may feel, “I was wronged”… and maybe you were. But dwelling on the offense gets us nowhere. It makes us miserable and really doesn’t hurt the offender in the least. Truly the only offense you should acknowledge is that of Satan… and only long enough to tell him to “beat it!” and to turn to Jesus for strength and courage.
Don’t let the devil win – even if only momentarily. Kick him to the curb… along with all of his attempts to drag you down in offense. When you feel wronged or offended, stop and pray for deliverance. Ask God to strengthen you… to take the offense… to give you confidence and courage. Then move on and get busy doing the work you have been called to as Jesus’ disciple. Hold your head high and say, “I will not let the devil have the last laugh.” Focus on Christ… fill your head and heart with thoughts of Him… and leave no room for any of the devil’s tools. Be able to truly say, “No offense taken… and mean it!”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"
But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."
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 don’t know about you, but I probably struggle with offense as much – or more – than anything else the devil throws at me. I am an easy mark, I guess. And maybe you are, too! When we are offended, Satan claps and laughs. I know that offense is one of the most frequently discussed topics in the New Testament. Jesus reminds us over and again not to be offended. But that doesn’t stop the devil from trying to ruffle our feathers… and he has a pretty hefty success rate – at least with me!
Recently I read a devotional that spoke of offense as a self-centered behavior. When we are offended, we think of ourselves. When we begin to focus more on God and less on ourselves, we cannot be offended. The offense means nothing to us. I really want that… don’t you? I want to be so focused on God and serving Him… living a full life in Christ and His teachings… that I have no time or energy for dwelling on offenses.
Does this mean that people will no longer offend me or insult me? Does this mean that Satan will stop trying to use offense to trip me up and make me a little neurotic? Absolutely not! But I can lean on God and ask Him to strengthen my resolve to ignore these ploys. I can ask Him to deepen my focus on Jesus and fill my heart and mind with thoughts of Him… until there is absolutely NO room for thoughts of the offense.
I’m with Peter… I would have been offended at the thought of the Romans abusing Jesus. And you may feel your feelings of offense are justified. You may feel, “I was wronged”… and maybe you were. But dwelling on the offense gets us nowhere. It makes us miserable and really doesn’t hurt the offender in the least. Truly the only offense you should acknowledge is that of Satan… and only long enough to tell him to “beat it!” and to turn to Jesus for strength and courage.
Don’t let the devil win – even if only momentarily. Kick him to the curb… along with all of his attempts to drag you down in offense. When you feel wronged or offended, stop and pray for deliverance. Ask God to strengthen you… to take the offense… to give you confidence and courage. Then move on and get busy doing the work you have been called to as Jesus’ disciple. Hold your head high and say, “I will not let the devil have the last laugh.” Focus on Christ… fill your head and heart with thoughts of Him… and leave no room for any of the devil’s tools. Be able to truly say, “No offense taken… and mean it!”
©2012 Debbie Robus
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