Daily Devotional for September 30, 2012

Ephesians 1:19-23
I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. The church is Christ’s body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

In the last year, my once-talkative grandmother has lost much of her ability to speak. Doctors think this is the result of a stroke she suffered at some point – maybe last summer. At any rate, she has what is called “expressive aphasia,” meaning that some days she can get out a few sentences or big words… but much of the time, she is lucky to manage a “Yes” or “No” - “How are you?” or “I’m fine.” And of course, she can still usually manage her trademark “I tell you what…” but then, she cannot tell you what! To say this is frustrating – for her and those who try to communicate with her – would be a huge understatement.

My grandmother feels as if she is powerless over much of her life. Generally, she cannot tell others what she wants, how she feels, or express her worries and concerns. As I talked with her today, I reminded her that she has told me all of my life, “The LORD will take care of me”… and He has – He is taking care of us this very minute! She has also shown me a tremendous example of courage and faith in situations when it seemed she was completely powerless… her home burning to the ground… the loss of my grandfather – and then the death of my dad, who was her only living child. She has risen to the occasion time and again… and I know it was not under her own power. I know her faith and her strength have sustained her.

So today, as she struggled and wanted to “tell you things,” as she kept saying, I reminded her of God’s power. I told her that even though she cannot talk and tell us things, God knows every word she is thinking and wanting to say. He still hears her voice… and He is still answering. We can never match God’s power… the all-encompassing power He extends to Jesus Christ on our behalf. But we can trust Him to operate in our best interest… to rule over all things with perfection… and to hear our every word – even when we can only think them.

Are you tapped in to the power of Jesus Christ today? Are you operating in faith that He is in complete and perfect control of your life and your surroundings? Do you communicate with Him daily and ask for His guidance and authority over every aspect of your life? Isn’t it time to “let go and let God?” Aren’t you ready to live within the freedom of allowing His power to direct your steps? Stop and spend a few minutes in prayer. Admit to God that you are powerless… but He is mighty. Ask Him to hear you… to guide your path… and to provide you with perfect plans and outcomes. Then rest in His decisions… trust Him completely, and praise Him for wielding perfect power over all beings – today, and always.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 29, 2012

September 29 ~ Ephesians 1:15-18
I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Suppose someone tells you about a product they think you will love. You try it, based on their recommendation… and you find that words could not describe how wonderful this product truly is. You honestly don’t know how you ever got along without this wonderful item… and you don’t plan to ever be without it again.

I can tell you all day long how wonderful it is to operate in the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit… but you just have to try Him for yourself to fully understand. And much as I want to, I cannot make you do this. You have to want what the Holy Spirit offers. You have to desire a higher level of faith and holiness… peace and a sense of direction.

Loving Jesus and asking Him to forgive your sins is only part of the picture… a very important part, but still not the full package He offers. In order to get in on everything, you have to “go whole hog!” You must invite the Holy Spirit to live within you and guide your every step. You must work at recognizing His voice… feeling His presence… and operating in His will. This will take time – and practice… but man-oh-man, is it ever worth the effort!

So while I am grateful for you and your faith, just as Paul says in this letter to the people of Ephesus… I want so much more. My prayer is also “that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you” and offered His Holy Spirit to be your constant companion. I pray that you will discover the glorious blessings that can be yours in this relationship. Don’t take my word for it…discover for yourself what God has in store. A lot of people are in your corner on this… won’t you see “what all the fuss is about?”

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 28, 2012

Ephesians 1:11-14
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

When my husband and I first started our own business, we stuck to a very strict monthly budget. We had allotted so much for the basics… groceries, utilities, gas for the vehicles, insurance, and other household expenses. We also had allotted a certain amount each month for business expenses…office supplies, postage, telephone bill, and more. Because we had planned carefully and spent frugally early in our careers, we had saved enough money to pay for our home outright. So we didn’t have the monthly expense of a house payment or rent. This was very liberating!

We also had what we called a “nest egg” – money we had set aside from our retirement funds and savings, in case we had an emergency or the business did not develop and go well. We worked very hard… God blessed us… and our business was successful. After a few years, we didn’t have to adhere to the budget nearly as tightly as we did those first years.

Think of your life sort of like a budget. You must be careful with the details… how you conduct yourself, where you spend your time and energy. When you give your heart to Jesus, it’s sort of like when we paid for our house… there is a burden lifted… you no longer have to worry about eternity or forgiveness for your sins. Does this mean you can “blow the budget?” Absolutely not! You still must be careful, monitor all “expenditures” and how you conduct your life. But you have the security of knowing that your future is secure in Jesus Christ… you will spend eternity with Him in heaven someday.

Now think of the Holy Spirit as your “nest egg” – the gift God has given you of a guiding force in your life… someone who you can fall back on in hard times... something of a security blanket. Again, you can’t expect the Holy Spirit to carry you while you coast along and do as you please. But you know He is there… that He is directing your path when you ask for help… that He will watch over you and help you plan a future filled with abundance and blessings.

Budgets and plans are wonderful tools. I’m so glad that God “budgeted and planned” for me… and that the Holy Spirit is helping me each and every day. What an amazing God we serve. To think that He cares that deeply for each of us boggles my mind. But I’m surely glad He does… aren’t you?

How are you budgeting these days… not just in the regular world, but spiritually, as well? Are you a good steward of God’s gifts? Do you take advantage of the presence of His Holy Spirit? Are you living in a way that says, “I’m ready for the next level! I know that God has great things in store for me, and I can’t wait to experience them!”? Today is the perfect time to start to live according to God’s plan… to pay closer attention to how you are using the gifts and blessings He has provided… and to “operate within the budget.” Are you ready to do this?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 27, 2012

Ephesians 1:7-10

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

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.

Bill paying is a big deal with me. I have pop-up reminders and schedules to help me remember to pay each bill well before the due date. I am thankful that I have the funds to pay my bills, and I often check the balance in my accounts before making a purchase… just to be sure the money is there to cover my debts! I’ll be honest… a couple of times I thought an online payment “sent” and my connection apparently dropped. The bill became past due, penalties were incurred… and I was miserable at the thought of spending more money than necessary because of a failure to be even more diligent than I assumed was necessary! So I can imagine how this must be compounded for someone who gets caught in a vicious cycle of spending more than he/she has. The hopelessness and futility that must ensue as a person slides further down a spiraling tunnel of trouble simply boggles my mind.

Imagine for one minute how it would feel for someone to say, “I’m paying every one of your bills… you are debt free. You don’t have to pay back the money. Just “clean up your act” and do the right thing moving forward. Don’t buy more than you can afford. Live in a way that says, ‘I was worth rescuing!’ Pay the favor and blessings forward to others because of what I did for you.” As I read this passage today, I was struck by the hope and good news it brings to each of us. Because this is exactly what Jesus has done on our behalf.

We were drowning in the debt of sin. We had “bills” we could never pay, and they were growing exponentially every single day. Then Jesus stepped in and said, “I’m paying every single debt. You don’t owe a dime… you are completely free… totally released… no interest or penalties are incurred. Now go and share my Good News with others.” Can you feel the release of this burden? Are you somewhat overwhelmed by its impact? Does the gravity of what Jesus did for each of us shake you to your very core… humble you and fill you with a desire to be better for it? It should!

Thousands, if not millions of people in this country are drowning in debt they cannot repay. Because of a downturn in the economy, catastrophic events beyond their control, or even downright carelessness, many cannot ever begin think about paying down the debts they have incurred. We see lawyers, financial advisors and others advertising every day that they can help consolidate and reduce our debt... for a fee, of course! Aren’t you glad that there is ONE who can totally erase the biggest debt of all… our sins? The one debt that each of us has is totally reparable.

You may need help with your finances, but help for your soul is already here! Freedom in Jesus is the most important component… a critical first step toward becoming debt-free in all areas of life. Have you accepted Jesus’ offer of help today? Have you allowed Him to take control of your life, your liabilities, and your future? Are you operating in the abundant freedom from sin that He offers? This is a great day to allow Jesus to wipe the slate clean and give you a fresh start. Pray with me that this will be the first day of your true freedom. Make the commitment to clean up your debts and move forward in the abundant freedom a life in Christ offers. Are you abundantly free in Christ and living in His plan for your life? Isn’t it time you were?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 26, 2012

Ephesians 1:3-6
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

When the time came for my high school class to celebrate a 20-year reunion, two other classmates and I did most of the planning. We didn’t mind… it was fun! We were excited about seeing everyone again, and we eagerly arranged for a venue, food, entertainment, decorations, and more. We contacted classmates and gathered “where-have-you-been-for-twenty-years” information to compile into a booklet. We collected old photos and enhanced the memory book with fun pictures of class members in poses from our childhood. We worked for almost a year to create this party, which lasted only a few hours one Saturday evening.

As the date for our reunion neared, we grew even more excited about making sure everyone had a good time... ensuring that each attendee got plenty of food, some take-home souvenirs, and plenty of memories. Outside of the small circle of us who had directly planned the event, none of the classmates knew what to expect. And when they arrived, I’m fairly confident that everyone had a great time.

The event was fun. But I must admit, those of us who did the planning experienced something of a let-down. The classmates didn’t respond as we had hoped. Some were appreciative of our efforts. Others acted as if they wished they were somewhere else. In the end, we all vowed we would never plan another class reunion! Actually, I think we were all just a little bit glad to go back to our “regular” lives the next day and forget about the party.

I don’t regret working so hard on this reunion, but I do recognize that often we are more excited about the planning and preparation… the anticipation… than we are the actual series of events. Think about Christmas morning, when all of the gifts are open, the meal is eaten, and you are left with a pile of wrapping paper, leftovers, and sleepy guests! We still decorate, purchase gifts, cook and plan all over again the next Christmas… but sometimes, the greatest joy was in the planning.

Paul tells us in this letter to the Ephesians how lovingly God planned for each of us… how He anticipated so much… planned for our bright futures, and lavished love and attention on every detail. But God also instilled free will in each of us - the ultimate gift of love - and we are not always good stewards of this gift. So often, we are the “after-Christmas-Day” to God’s great plan… we are ungrateful, lazy, or downright rebellious. It’s enough to make God say, “That’s it! I love So-and-So… but I’m never doing anything nice for him/her again!”

I’m glad that God does not react to us in precisely this way… although I do think there are times He must surely temper His blessings according to how we are behaving. But the point is that we serve a God who gives great gifts… who loves us far beyond what we could ever imagine – much less deserve. And for this we should be eternally grateful and filled with praise. We should “make the Christmas party or class reunion last forever,” so to speak…with our service, obedience, and loyalty to Him. We should live in such a way that says to everyone we meet… “I am a child of God… blessed beyond measure, designed and carefully planned, wonderfully made, and loved unconditionally… and I am incredibly grateful! I want to celebrate each and every day in God’s honor!”

What does your attitude reflect? How are you behaving toward the God who has given you everything… planned for your life for eons…and lavished His amazing and unending love upon you? Do you need to make a change in how you treat Him today? Isn’t this the perfect time to recognize how blessed you are… and start living accordingly? Will today be the day you truly “get the party started”… and keep it rolling?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 25, 2012

Daniel 2:14-18; 26-28
When Arioch, chief of the royal guards, was making arrangements for the execution, Daniel wisely took him aside and quietly asked what was going on: “Why this all of a sudden?”

After Arioch filled in the background, Daniel went to the king and asked for a little time so that he could interpret the dream.

Daniel then went home and told his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what was going on. He asked them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy in solving this mystery so that the four of them wouldn’t be killed along with the whole company of Babylonian wise men.

The king asked Daniel (renamed in Babylonian, Belteshazzar), “Are you sure you can do this—tell me the dream I had and interpret it for me?”

Daniel answered the king, “No mere human can solve the king’s mystery, I don’t care who it is—no wise man, enchanter, magician, diviner. But there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and he has solved this one. He is letting King Nebuchadnezzar in on what is going to happen in the days ahead. This is the dream you had when you were lying on your bed, the vision that filled your mind:

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’ve often watched small children at play and observed how they repeat the same thing over and again – like putting the wrong puzzle piece in the wrong space – and hope that this time, it will fit! More than once I have wanted to jump in and show the child how to fix this... knowing that this was entirely the wrong way to help. In the moment that the “light bulb” goes on… or the child turns and asks for help… everything is revealed. The real “mystery” comes from the child’s determination to figure out things on his/her own. Often, each of us is like this “child” as we navigate all sorts of decisions, choices and situations in our own lives.

One sentence from this story in Daniel really resonated with me today… there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and He has solved this one. How often do we try to do things for ourselves? How frequently do we wring our hands and say, “I just don’t get it,” or “I don’t know what to do”? In truth, all we have to do is turn to God and say these very phrases… then allow Him room to work. God is the only one who can fix many of our messes! And just like our situation with the child and the puzzle, God knows that we sometimes have to wallow and fret in our own confusion for a while in order to really learn the lesson!

I don’t know about you, but I’m rather tired of puzzles and games… mysteries and unresolved issues. I’m ready to place these all at the feet of Jesus and say, “This is what you bought and paid for… so why am I trying to fix them? I surrender… I give them all to you, where they belong.” This is when the “light bulb” comes on for us as Christians… when we genuinely and calmly hand our challenges, burdens, worries, and cares – our very lives – to God and let HIM handle things. He has solved countless “mysteries” already… and He is surely able to solve ours now.

This is huge. Don’t miss what could be a major turning point in your life. When you begin to truly function in faith and confidence that God is handling things for you and solving the mysteries of your life, everything changes. Your entire perspective will be different… and maybe your demeanor, as well. Let the joy, peace, and freedom of placing this responsibility with God, where it belongs, encompass you and give you incredible relief. Put the puzzle pieces in the right spots and move forward… and allow God the handle the big stuff!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 24, 2012

Daniel 2:1-13
In the second year of his reign, King Nebuchadnezzar started having dreams that disturbed him deeply. He couldn’t sleep. He called in all the Babylonian magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and fortunetellers to interpret his dreams for him. When they came and lined up before the king, he said to them, “I had a dream that I can’t get out of my mind. I can’t sleep until I know what it means.”The fortunetellers, speaking in the Aramaic language, said, “Long live the king! Tell us the dream and we will interpret it.”

The king answered the fortunetellers, “This is my decree: If you can’t tell me both the dream itself and its interpretation, I’ll have you ripped to pieces, limb from limb, and your homes torn down. But if you tell me both the dream and its interpretation, I’ll lavish you with gifts and honors. So go to it: Tell me the dream and its interpretation.”

They answered, “If it please your majesty, tell us the dream. We’ll give the interpretation.”

But the king said, “I know what you’re up to—you’re just playing for time. You know you’re up a tree. You know that if you can’t tell me my dream, you’re doomed. I see right through you—you’re going to cook up some fancy stories and confuse the issue until I change my mind. Nothing doing! First tell me the dream, then I’ll know that you’re on the up and up with the interpretation and not just blowing smoke in my eyes.”

The fortunetellers said, “Nobody anywhere can do what you ask. And no king, great or small, has ever demanded anything like this from any magician, enchanter, or fortuneteller. What you’re asking is impossible unless some god or goddess should reveal it—and they don’t hang around with people like us.”

That set the king off. He lost his temper and ordered the whole company of Babylonian wise men killed. When the death warrant was issued, Daniel and his companions were included. They also were marked for execution.

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.

More times than I can count, my grandmother presented me with a litany of ailments. “My back is killing me… my head hurts… I can’t get my breath…I’ve felt light-headed or dizzy.” I took her to see the doctor, and when he entered her exam room and asked “How are you today?” she replied, “I’m fine.” On the way home, she would say, “Well, that doctor really didn’t do anything for me!” How could he? After playing “20 Questions” to try and determine her symptoms, he was reduced to guessing at a diagnosis and treatment. Often he erred on the side of caution and ordered a battery of tests - many of which were unpleasant and probably unnecessary. But it was his only recourse in order to protect his patient – and his reputation.

So often, we simply do not have all of the facts. Can you imagine trying to guess what another person dreamed at night… particularly under duress and the threat of dismemberment and death? Yet every time we assume that we know what another person is thinking, our behavior is virtually the same. There may be physicians who claim they can look at you and tell exactly what is wrong… but I would not want one of them treating me! And I wouldn’t want others to judge me based on their own mind-reading abilities!

So what does this mean for us as Christians? First, we must remember that we don’t always have all of the facts… and without them, we can’t possibly make critical judgments about others. We can’t decisively say, “He is lazy,” or “She’s not really sick,” or most certainly, “This person is not a Christian!” We cannot tell others what to do or how to change certain aspects of their life based on casual observations… or even what we think we know to be the facts. At the end of the day, we must stop looking at other people and saying with self-designated authority, “This is what is wrong with you!”

God calls us to love and encourage others… to offer help and hope… and advice when it is requested. But instead of saying, “This is what you should do,” or “You are so wrong,” we need to say, “If this were my decision, I would do this,” or “Based on what I’ve seen and heard, I would recommend such-and-such approach.” There is also no shame in telling another person, “It appears as if this or that is happening… but I don’t have all of the facts, so I cannot say for sure how you should proceed.” The only person who can see into the heart of another is God Almighty… and we are not in His league!

Like the king who really didn’t want to hear his dream recanted and interpreted, we often are setting others up for failure and disappointment by trying to guess what is happening in certain situations. When we give someone else half of the story and expect them to fill in the gaps and treat us a certain way, we have offered nothing more than a not-so-clever trick of our own. King Nebuchadnezzar was angered by the response… and as a king, he felt he had the authority to wield consequences.

There is only One King in our lives… and we humans are not kings! We must ask God to help us temper our reactions to others… to help us operate in truth and the facts as we know them… and to leave judgment and interpretation to Him. Who have you judged or criticized because of a lack of information? Where have you demanded that people treat you in a certain way based on limited facts? Isn’t it time we operated in truth and facts… and left the intangibles for God to handle? Are you ready to get started?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 23, 2012

Acts 9:1-18
All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.

He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?” He said, “Who are you, Master?”

“I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn’t see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone-blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.

There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: “Ananias.” “Yes, Master?” he answered. “Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He’s there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again.”

Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.”

But the Master said, “Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I’m about to show him what he’s in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job.”

So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

We all have “defining moments” or “turning points” in our lives. From our first day of school or daycare to the day we graduate from high school and/or college, we have “firsts” that shape us… experiences that change us in a heartbeat. Life is a series of incidents that mold and shape us… wedding days… the births of children… careers…physical moves… even the everyday decisions we make – no matter how small they seem. We also have moments when we make terrible choices that change us and the course of our life. These are no less critical…in some cases, they are even more impactful.

Then there are the handful of truly defining moments that radically change our lives forever… true turning points in one direction or another. These might include the death of a loved one, the dissolution of a relationship, an arrest, a serious accident or illness, a circumstance beyond our control – like being called up for military duty, or a natural disaster. In my own life, I mark time in part by the fire that destroyed my grandparents’ home in 1981… the death of my father-in-law in 1992, my brother in 1998, and my dad in 1999…and much of a 72-hour journey in 2004 as a Walk to Emmaus pilgrim. Each of these events changed me profoundly…deeply… in ways I probably don’t even realize or understand to this day. And I’m betting that you have your own list.

In the world of defining moments or turning points, the experience of Saul on the Road to Damascus was HUGE. This tyrant who had persecuted anyone who spoke of Jesus… the man who made it his mission to destroy Jesus and His followers… was physically struck down – blinded and incapacitated for three days. At the end of this time, Saul was transformed… he became Paul – a man who made serving Jesus his mission every waking moment from that point forward.

Did this signal a life on “Easy Street” for Paul? Absolutely not! He suffered greatly the rest of his life… imprisoned much of the time in abhorrent conditions… physically challenged with unnamed illness and affliction…and persecuted for his faith. Still, he persevered. Serving Christ was all he lived for… the only thing that mattered. I would say that Paul’s “defining moment” was one of the more profound on record! And what he did moving forward was far more important than what he left behind.

As you look at the turning points in your life, ask yourself this question… “What did I do with this experience?” How did this occurrence change you? Did you fully recognize the impact of these events? Did use this encounter to move forward and do better? Did you become more awake and alert… more appreciative of how God has blessed you… more determined to share His love, grace, mercy and compassion with others? Were you able to use your defining moment to help someone else through a similar situation? Are you a better servant and Disciple because of your turning points… or were they destructive and damaging?

When God presents us with a defining moment, we most likely will not literally be blinded by a flash of light. But our change can be just as profound, in many ways. We can say, “LORD, where do I go from here? How do I use this to be better?” Or we can throw up our hands and let the devil defeat us. We have choices to make every single day. We never know when a turning point in life will occur. But unlike Saul, we can be ready. We can be attuned to God’s direction for our lives and prepared to call on Him to help us make the right decision and to use these moments for His glory.

What events define your life? How are you using them to be more for God today than you were yesterday? Have you allowed the turning points in your life to propel you forward… or were you struck down in the road and stuck there? Ask God to help you figure out what He wants you to do… in all situations. Remove the scales from your eyes and see what He has in store for your future… then get up and get busy!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 22, 2012

James 5:19-20
My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

On June 9, 1995, six-year-old Morgan Nick asked her mother’s permission to catch lightning bugs with friends at a Little League ball field in Alma, Arkansas. Morgan’s mother, Colleen, reluctantly agreed. That was at 10:30 p.m. At 10:45, Colleen Nick went searching for Morgan. Other children told her that Morgan was seen emptying sand from her shoes near the family car and talking to a “creepy” man. When Colleen got to the car, Morgan was gone. Seventeen years later, she is still missing… but Colleen and countless others are still searching.

On September 12, 2012 - Morgan’s twenty-fourth birthday - Colleen Nick was in Onia, Arkansas, just outside of Mountain View, as a three-year-old child who had wandered from home some 30 hours earlier was located. The little boy was kneeling at the edge of a pond, caked in mud. He unassumingly told the rescuer, “I’m playing.” That he was found some 3+ miles from home was amazing. That he was physically unscathed, save a few scratches, was truly a miracle. Hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement personnel searched the thickly wooded, snake-and-critter-infested forests of the central Arkansas Ozarks for this child who was wearing only his Spider-Man underwear.

The child wandered off… and many went after him. Through tears and shouts of praise and “God is so good,” the rescue workers celebrated the safe return of this little guy. There is still hope that someday, somehow, now 24-year-old Morgan Nick might be rescued, as well. Her mother’s efforts are a testament to faith and perseverance. And this is what God asks of us… not only in the rescue of lost and abducted children in this physical world… but in the realm of those who have wandered away spiritually - gotten off track, and lost their way.

You probably know at least one person who fits into this category. I’m not asking you to pass judgment on others or lord over them how good and righteous you are. But surely you know someone you can lift in prayer and say, “LORD, I see So-and-so struggling. Help them to get on track and find their way back to You. If there is a way You can use me to help them, show me what to do.” If you know someone who could use gentle encouragement and guidance – and you feel close enough to this person to do so – by all means, speak a word of love and hope to them. You can also offer redirection to others by simple acts of kindness. Sometimes all the other person needs to know is that someone genuinely cares about him/her… and that you have not deserted them.

Prayerfully ask God to show you how to work in the lives of others, for His glory. When you are clearly led to take direct action, be bold and trust God to work out the details. When you feel hesitation, take that as a cue from God to proceed more cautiously. Prayer and a smile NEVER go out of style or lose effectiveness! Often, this is all God requires of us… that we pray for others… offer kindness… and never stop caring.

Who do you need to lift in prayer today? Where are you led to offer a hug or a smile? Is there someone you have been tempted to write off… to toss in the towel and say, “I give up on him/her”? Isn’t today a great day to redouble your efforts on their behalf… to say, “LORD, this precious child of yours has gotten lost, but I will not stop seeking him/her on Your behalf.”? Just as with the toddler lost in the woods whose location was uncertain… the value of finding him was sure. Just as Colleen Nick and others continue to believe that Morgan will be found, we must trust God to bring those who have wandered from Him back home once again. Are you doing your part in the rescue efforts?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 21, 2012

James 5:16-18
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

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.

Suppose you went to the doctor because you had difficulty breathing, and he/she told you, “I want you to take this medication and also quit smoking.” You took the prescription to the pharmacy and had it filled but never took the pills - and you continued to smoke. Your ability to breath never improved – or even worsened. Would you say that the medication was effective? Would you consider yourself to be living according to the doctor’s recommendations? Could you honestly say you were surprised by the outcome?

Why, then, is it any different when the Great Physician tells us, via this passage in James and other scriptures, that there is power in the “medicine” of prayer and living right? When we do not pray… and pray with humility, sincerity, and confidence… how can we expect God to work? When we offer God “lip service prayers” – or wait until the last minute when we are totally desperate and out of options to call on Him – do we really believe He will deliver the answer we desire?

I have a friend who got mixed up in some pretty bad stuff at one point. He was truly headed for some serious trouble. But he will be the first to tell you that “I had a grandmother who never stopped praying for me.” Today, he is clean and sober, ministering to others – particularly young people – and enjoying a wonderfully blessed life. His grandmother is an inspiration to me… and a testament to the power of prayer.

I have experienced times in my own life when I fervently prayed for God to work in a particular situation… and He did. So when challenges come now, why would I do any differently? I know that prayer works! I’ve seen it over and again! I know that when I humbly approach God and offer Him the worries of my day and ask Him to handle them, He does. I also know that I must do my part. I must live in a manner that serves God and pleases Him. I must walk in faith and trust Him to meet my needs and those of the people for whom I intercede in prayer.

The next time someone tells you, “All we can do is pray,” tell them, “That may be all we need to do!” Never underestimate the power of a humble, genuine, faithful prayer. Never undervalue the effectiveness of a prayer warrior like my friend’s grandmother. Prayer changes things. Prayer is powerful! Make prayer a constant, vital component of your daily living… and watch God work in ways that astound you!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 20, 2012

James 5:13-15
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and 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.

Some of you have seen a video I posted on Facebook of our 3-year-old nephew, Timothy, “reading” a book to my mother-in-law, who he calls “Grandma E.” At one point, Grandma E holds a corner of the book for Timmy, so that the pages don’t fall as he reads them. Timmy gently nudges her hand away in a gesture that says, “I can do this by myself!” This is so typical of toddlers… and teenagers… and senior citizens – and all of us! We often feel that we don’t need any help. We are “big boys and girls” and can make our own decisions, handle our own problems, and make it on our own.

In truth, we all need a friend once in a while. We need someone to share our joys, sorrows, illnesses, challenges, worries and fears. We need an encouraging voice… someone to pray with us or for us… someone to say, “I understand.” It helps to talk with another person who can say, “I have been in your shoes… and this is how I survived,” or “I’ve got your back… we’ll get through this together.” And there is no shame in asking for help. In fact, James clearly tells us to do this very thing!

So call on the LORD to help you. Praise Him, and also share your happiness with those around you. Let someone know when you are sick or in distress… and allow others to love you and help you through life. Let the encouragement and support of family, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ help you to heal. One of my mom’s friends told her that when we fail to allow others to minister to us, we rob them of a blessing. Serve God by sharing in the lives of those around you… and allow them to do the same for you. Bless others in God’s name by being a blessing to them… and give them the opportunity to reciprocate.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 19, 2012

James 5:12
And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

We’ve all heard the jokes about little kids who asked their mom or dad, “Where did I come from?” and the parent nervously delivered an explanation about reproduction and how babies are born – only to have the child follow with, “Well, Sarah said she came from Toledo, and I just wondered where I came from.” Sometimes, we give too much information!

By the same token, we’ve all heard someone say, “But you swore this wouldn’t happen,” or “You swore you’d never do that!” By adding to our words, we often set up a scenario for others to use them against us. I had never really thought much about the phrase “I swear” until I read this passage in this particular translation. But really, what are we doing when we add these words to a sentence? Are we giving our claim more credence? Do we feel that what we have said or committed to is not enough on its own and needs the bolster of an oath? Did it ever occur to any of us that this indicates impatience or an effort to “hurry up God?”

It is no secret that we need to be mindful of our words as much as our deeds. But how many of us have really considered that our language indicates how much we trust God’s care for us? Who among us has thoroughly pondered the implications of what we say on a regular basis? Do we weigh our words carefully? Do we think at all about how what we say might come back to trouble us at some point? Do we give consideration to who we know is listening… and who is listening that we may not realize?

We should carefully choose our comments and our actions. I have heard more than one person say, “If you wouldn’t say it in front of Mom or Grandma, don’t say it.” Unfortunately, there are a few moms and grandmas who have some pretty colorful language of their own…but you get the picture. Think of it this way…would you say these things in front of a group at your church? How would you feel if someone said these things to you? Does it make the promise or claim of anyone more believable and trustworthy if they add the words, “I swear!” or some off-color expletives to them for emphasis?

There is a lot of power in James 5:12. Please read this passage carefully, and apply it to your own language. Let your “yes” and “no” stand for themselves. You know that God cares for you… but can others tell it from your words and actions? Isn’t it time they did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 18, 2012

James 5:9-11
Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.

Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.

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.

Last week, my dad’s first cousin passed away in Texas. A graveside funeral was held in Arkansas, just outside my hometown in a family cemetery. I saw cousins I had not seen in a long, long time – some for more than four decades. And I was reminded of my grandparents, aunts and uncles… the parents of my dad and his cousin and others. These were hard-working people who faced many challenges and adversities.

Some of my uncles were “characters” who probably drove my aunts crazy. But to a woman, I remember my aunts as gracious, generous, loving women who always had a smile for me – and room at their table for one more. When I hear my grandmother talk about all that she has experienced in 100 years, I marvel at her strength. I know that most of it comes from her deeply rooted faith in God. She will tell you that He has seen her through more than her fair share of trials and tribulations. And she is living proof that God never gives us more than we can handle – nor does He leave us to fend for ourselves.

For all of my grandmother’s good qualities, she was always one to “tell it like it is” – and I am afraid I inherited a hefty dose of this trait. I will admit that I have to work very hard at not being so frank - or being critical of others… even if I believe that what I am saying is the truth. None of us is perfect. And truly, nobody knows what is in another person’s heart… his/her motives… what the “back-story” is for their actions and behaviors. Most of the time, we simply don’t have all the facts. And even if we did… judgment is not OUR responsibility. To judge others is to say that we know better than God.

In talking with another of my dad’s cousins, I told her that my grandmother and I used to talk on the phone several times a week… if not daily. I shared with my cousin that my grandmother and I have a close relationship – I have always been able to talk to her about virtually anything. Now, she is lucky if she can get out one or two words… and talking on the phone is out of the question. I commented that I probably miss our conversations even more than I realize. But I have her legacy… her example of faith and courage, love and generosity. For all of her sauciness, my grandmother has treated others very well in her lifetime… and her reputation is one of a Godly woman who stayed the course, emulated Jesus in her service to others, and trusted God to meet her needs. “The LORD will take care of me,” was not just a catch-phrase… it has been her standard.

In all honesty, I have never heard my grandmother say, “I quit.” When one door closed, she figured out a way to open a window – with God’s help. In recent months when her body has failed her, she has expressed a desire to die… not because she is done, but because she is ready for heaven and the next chapter.

I pray that you have a mentor in your life to share with you how God cares about you down to the last detail. I pray that you are kind to others, generous, tolerant, and slow to criticize. Remember that “The LORD will take care of you” – no matter what happens. When you are discouraged, stop and think of those who have demonstrated this so well… and take a page from their book.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 17, 2012

James 5:7-8
Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.

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 will be the first to admit that waiting is not my strong suit. Last week, I walked out on our back porch and found a hummingbird, belly up in the seat of one of our patio chairs. I told my husband, “There is a dead hummingbird on our back porch… what should I do?” He replied, “Leave it alone.” The next morning, the bird was gone. I wondered aloud to my husband, “What kind of ‘critter’ took that bird?” He surmised… “It was probably just stunned… that’s why you leave them alone for a while.”

Birds fly into our picture windows all the time and fall to the ground in a temporary stupor. Hours later, they are gone. I’m amazed at their resilience. I’m also frustrated by my impatience and impulsiveness. So often, we shoot ourselves in the foot, so to speak… or we make things much harder and more complicated than they need to be… because we do not wait patiently.

For several months now, my grandmother has been indicating to me that she is ready to die. I can see that she is miserable… trapped in a body that no longer responds in the ways she wishes, with a severely limited ability to speak that leaves her frustrated and isolated. I have watched lately as young people who appeared to have so much to live for were called to heaven, while obedient, faithful, elderly servants linger – and often appear to suffer in the process. I admit… I am sorely tempted to question God, even though I know He has reasons I will never understand in this lifetime.

I have prayed for lives to be changed and trusted God to do exactly this… and then asked Him, “When, LORD… WHEN?” I have prayed with countless others for the drought to end this summer, knowing full well that God knew people were hurting, losing their crops and livelihood, facing higher prices at the store as a result, and suffering in dozens of other ways. I have wondered why this was allowed…and when it would end. And in His timing, God has answered with refreshing restorative rainfall. I know that God will answer my other requests… when the time is perfect.

I have waited... but only because there was nothing else I could do, in most cases. The lesson of the hummingbird is that there is purpose in waiting. Our job is to remain faithful, awake, and alert… because we truly do not know when or how God will answer – only that He will. My challenge for all of us is to wait patiently – and confidently… to trust that God is in control and will show up at exactly the right moment. We must prepare… stay strong… and be ready for God’s appearance. What about you? Do you wait on God faithfully and expectantly… or because you feel you have no other choice? Exactly how prepared are you for God to show up in your life? How well are you waiting?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 16, 2012

James 5:1-6
You rich people should cry and weep! Terrible things are going to happen to you. Your treasures have already rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your money has rusted, and the rust will be evidence against you, as it burns your body like fire. Yet you keep on storing up wealth in these last days. You refused to pay the people who worked in your fields, and now their unpaid wages are shouting out against you. The Lord All-Powerful has surely heard the cries of the workers who harvested your crops.

While here on earth, you have thought only of filling your own stomachs and having a good time. But now you are like fat cattle on their way to be butchered. You have condemned and murdered innocent people, who couldn’t even fight back.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Recently, I read an article in the newspaper about 87-year-old Dr. Russell Dohner, who practices medicine in Rushville, Illinois. Dr. Dohner charges $5 per visit, regardless of who you are or how much money you have. If you can’t afford to pay $5, he treats you anyway. A “stash” is kept in the drawer – supplemented by the doctor and his staff – to cover these “non-payments.” Click here to read the entire article.

In my opinion, Dr. Dohner understands fully what James is telling us in this passage. His focus was not on becoming rich. He didn’t think about filling his own stomach. He was motivated by the people he served… and he did not discriminate. As a result, all of his needs have been steadily met. His life has not been free of challenges. His marriage failed… he never had a family of his own. But he has had an entire community that embraces him and sees that he is well loved. People invite him to dinner, mow his yard, help with repairs and upkeep around his house, and more.

Dr. Dohner says he never entered the field of medicine to get rich… he only wanted to help others. He knows that without his clinic, many would not get the health care they require. The doctor has a family farm and some investments that provide income to help pay his expenses. But in my book, he is immeasurably rich… and in the best way possible.

My point in sharing this story is that James may have literally meant this passage for the rich, but I believe God is speaking a reminder to us in these words to keep our motives in check. God wants us to have goals and aspirations… He does not object to any of us succeeding – or even becoming rich. But our success… our possessions, our accomplishments – our “stuff” – is not what should define our lives. If we do not focus on serving God by serving others – with everything we have - all of our acquisitions are worthless… rotten, moth-eaten, rusted, and filled with the potential to do great harm to us – and to others.

Regardless of your age or station in life, stop and examine where you are headed… and what you are doing with what you have. Are you hogging every penny and stuffing yourself silly while others around you go hungry and homeless? Are you treating others – even a single person – as if they are beneath you? Do you operate in all things with fairness, kindness, generosity and love? Do you think of others… or is it all about you and those you deem important in your circle?

Few among us will leave a legacy akin to that of Dr. Russell Dohner… and that’s okay. But God expects us to do our best with His blessings… and nothing less. He calls us to treat others fairly… and to be good stewards of all He has given us. How well are you handling what He gives you? What sort of wealth are you building?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 15, 2012

James 4:16-17
Yet you are stupid enough to brag, and it is wrong to be so proud. If you don’t do what you know is right, you have sinned.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

One of the things that endeared the late Sam Walton to so many was his ability to be a “regular guy.” He didn’t drive around town in a fancy car or wear expensive suits (although I’m sure he had both). He didn’t “act like a big shot.” And most importantly, he insisted that his customers be treated well. My husband and I once toured Mr. Walton’s museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. On display was this incredibly beaten up, worn-out thermos. A “customer” had returned this thermos to Mr. Walton’s early "five-and-dime" store, claiming that it was defective!

The kicker was that Mr. Sam did not even carry this particular brand of thermos in his store! But he gave the person a refund in exchange for the thermos anyway…because he felt so strongly that “the customer is always right.” And I have to believe that Mr. Sam gained a customer for life, because of his humility. He surely did something right, because we all know how wildly successful Wal-Mart has become over the last half century!

Please hear me… there is a difference between being proud of your accomplishments in life and being arrogant. If you have worked hard and become successful, you have every right to be proud of what you have achieved. But if you make sure that each person you encounter knows every minute detail of your triumphs - or you flaunt your wealth and acquisitions and treat people poorly - you have totally missed the mark. And God will not be pleased.

We Christians are called to accomplish all that God wants for us… to live in His will and excel to the best of the abilities He gives us. But we are also called to be humble… and to do the right thing. This means that we must show up in life whenever we are expected… for family and friends, our church and community - whenever and wherever God sends us! There will be plenty of times when this is neither pleasant or on our agenda. But I think most of us pretty well know when this is the right thing to do, regardless of how we feel or how badly this derails our own plans.

This is important stuff! God wants us to be smart… to be unassuming and unpretentious… to do what we know is right, regardless of how we may feel or how it may wreck our personal itinerary. God will undoubtedly bless us well beyond what we deserve… but this is in no way our license to become a “big shot!” If we are truly attuned to His voice – and His will – we will know that arrogance is not considered an attribute! God wants modest, respectful servants who show up when they should and do what He has ordained. Do you fit this description? Shouldn’t you?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 14, 2012

James 4:13-15
And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”

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 my grandmother lives to November 5th, we will celebrate her 100th birthday. I’ve begun to make plans… reserved the parlor at her assisted living facility, sent in the forms to Willard Scott for recognition on the TODAY show, and started thinking about refreshments and who to invite. At the same time, I am well aware that a LOT can happen in fifty-two days – especially when you are 99 and in declining health. So I preface all statements about future events with regard to my Mam-ma Polly with the word “if.”

I’ve also learned that any and all plans are subject to change. People get sick, accidents happen, events beyond our control occur… and our course is revised. Sometimes these are momentary setbacks… sometimes the result of the alteration is permanent. Many probably thought Hurricane Katrina would blow through and change things for a few days – or possibly weeks. No one knew that, in some ways, all of our lives would be forever altered by this natural disaster. We could not predict that terrorists would fly planes into the Twin Towers on a beautiful September morning eleven years ago and alter life for millions of people worldwide.

My friend had no clue that a visit to the doctor to investigate her husband’s headaches would result in a diagnosis of a cancerous – and virtually incurable – brain tumor. A young man who got caught in a 40+-car pileup on his way to work one icy, foggy morning last fall in Tennessee did not know that his life was over… his one-month marriage finished…that his destiny was heaven instead of his place of work.

Please understand that this is not meant to be a “bad news” message. More importantly, do not for one minute think that I am saying that God caused any of these events. But I know that He used them, because God never wastes an opportunity to work in and through His people. I am not telling you to stop making plans… to forget goals and aspirations. I am just reminding you that we are not in charge… and every plan we make is subject to change. We must learn to plan with God in mind. We must focus on expecting God to chart our course… and to guide us as we make our plans.

We must develop such a close relationship with God that we know for certain when HE is the one trying to alter our course… and when we are listening to the devil. And we must be very careful not to blame Satan when God says, “You’re on the wrong path.” “The devil did this,” is not a good excuse – or an “out” when things don’t go our way! We must trust that any alterations God allows in our plans are for our benefit…and we must be ready and willing to say, “Okay, LORD… which way do I go now?”

Will the devil try to trip you up? Absolutely – and often! Will you know the difference between his interference and a change in course designed or allowed by God? I surely hope so! Are you prepared to let God to chart your path… to guide your plans according to His perfect will? More importantly, will you accept God’s modifications with a glad heart and complete faith that plans are perfect? Do you get it that every minute of our life is like a wispy fog… here one minute and gone the next… but that God’s love and care – and His plans for us – endure forever?

Prayerfully – and carefully – plot a course for your life. Make every effort to stay attuned to God’s will and His design for each step you take. Live deliberately... don't put off telling others you love them, "mending fences," or fulfilling obligations. If you feel that God has told you something is important enough to incorporate into your plans, the phrase "I'll do it later" should not be uttered. Learn to tell the difference between the devil’s efforts to trip you up and a bona fide change in course delivered by God.

Live in the faith and confidence of knowing that you are obediently operating in God’s will for your life, and that He will never desert you… never allow more than you can handle with His help. When changes in your plans happen, stop and ask Him, “Which way now, LORD?” – and mean it!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 13, 2012

James 4:11-12
My friends, don’t say cruel things about others! If you do, or if you condemn others, you are condemning God’s Law. And if you condemn the Law, you put yourself above the Law and refuse to obey either it or God who gave it. God is our judge, and he can save or destroy us. What right do you have to condemn anyone?

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

If ever there was a season where we need these two verses… this is it! Criticisms and condemnations are flying from people in every political camp. And I get it… the temptation is surely there to rail against my candidates’ opponents in many cases… to call some of them names like “liar, idiot, or loser.” But this would be wrong on many levels… beginning with others’ entitlement to their own opinion and the right to free speech. Additionally, none of us likes it when the other guy is critical or judgmental of us or our candidates. So I have tried very hard to keep my opinions to myself… and hopefully no one has been offended by anything I have said or done.

What I had not fully considered is that judging and saying cruel or condescending things about others condemns God’s Law… and essentially puts us above the Law – and God! So we must be very careful what we say about others… how we react to their words and actions… and any impression we might give that we are condemning one another.

“But wait!” you may say… “What about terrorists? What about tyrants and dictators? Shouldn’t we condemn them?” If I read what James is telling us correctly, we must be careful that what we condemn is the behavior… the comment - or action – not the person who delivered it. So to say that the activities of a terrorist are wrong is one thing… but to say cruel things about him/her is another. For instance, when Osama bin Laden was captured and killed, few would disagree that he committed heinous atrocities towards thousands of people. But for late night comedians to joke about his death was cruel and unGodly.

When we know that someone has done reprehensible things… or spoken hatefully of another, we must not call that person names or publicly condemn the individual. This makes us no better or different than that person. But to say, “I don’t agree with his/her comments or actions,” or “I am praying that he/she has a change of heart” seems to be more in line with God’s Law. We are leaving the actual judging and consequences in His hands, rather than inserting ourselves into this mix.

As I said, I think these are incredibly important scripture verses for all of us to study and incorporate… not just for the next few weeks, but forever. We need to make this a habit… to trust God to handle these things… and to demonstrate His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness by keeping OUR opinions to ourselves… and carefully monitoring our own words and actions. When you feel the urge to say something cruel or judgmental about another person… stop and ask myself… “Would Jesus do this? How would He (who has every right to criticize and condemn) treat this person if they stood face to face?”

Let’s remember… we are all God’s children. He loves that person you have labeled a “liar, idiot or loser” just as much as He loves you. Our responsibility as Christians is to behave in a way that honors God and shows Him due respect. He can – and will – handle the rest. Are you ready to let Him?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 12, 2012

James 4:7-10
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

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 learned a valuable lesson when Timothy visited us last month. For him, chocolate and sugar are tools of the devil! They turn him into a “spinning top”… a whirling dervish who is cranky, irritable and erratic. The two times he was allowed to have a hefty snack of chocolate milk and chocolate cookies, we all paid the price! Once he “bottomed out” from his chocolate/sugar high, he slept… and slept… and slept for what became an almost three-hour nap!

It didn’t take me long to figure out that I needed to divert Timmy’s attention… to encourage him to put chocolate milk and cookies out of his mind and focus on something else… another food, a toy or game, or some other activity. More than once, there were tears and wails of “But I want chocolate! I need chocolate!” We had to get really serious about our efforts to resist this temptation.

This is an over-simplification of our own inner struggle… or maybe it’s not. So often, the first step in resisting the devil is to divert our focus. Sure, those cookies in the cabinet call our name. Yes, many of us want another cigarette or one more drink. Of course we miss our friends and the old “fun” we used to have. It’s hard to stop peppering our language with four-letter words after years of doing so… especially if “everyone else is doing it.” And the very thing you think will be hardest to hand over to God may be the easiest. The devil is incredibly crafty! It’s the littlest things that will trip you up! After all, one of the most difficult things for me to resist was sweet tea!

We all “play the field” in a variety of ways. God wants us to surrender to Him… to RUN to Him in everything from our diet and health to bad habits, gossip, lying, cheating, and illicit or immoral behaviors… and even the temptation to overindulge in chocolate milk and cookies! It won’t be easy. James tells us to cry our eyes out and be sad… mourn our old ways, if we have to. But in the end, we must give them to God.

As more time elapsed without chocolate, Timmy adjusted and quit asking for the milk and cookies. It helped that I put them away where he couldn’t see them. You may have to do this with your own temptations. Put them out of view… move away from the crowd who entices you to behave in a way that is harmful or sinful…divert your attention and focus on things that are Godly, healthy, and pure. Do what it takes to get serious… really serious! Concentrate on seeking God’s will… and finding it! Allow Him to work in and through you… to change you from the inside out.

I’m not saying that our cravings for the things that are bad for us will ever completely disappear. In fact, I’m pretty sure they won’t, because Satan is never going away. But neither is God… and I know WHO ultimately wins! Are you ready to fall to your knees and hit “rock bottom” so that you can be set upright on your feet? It’s time to get serious… to leave the devil in the dust and whisper God’s name… to call on Him to draw near and work His will. We all must renew our resolve to operate in the serious surety of a life in Christ… instead of the fun and games uncertainty the devil offers. I’m ready to do this. Are you?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 11, 2012

James 4:1-6
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

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.

Eleven years ago today, a horrific terroristic attack occurred in New York City at the World Trade Center. I can’t imagine there is a person alive over the age of 10 who hasn’t at least heard about “9-11,” as it is commonly known. And yes, evil people who wanted their way took matters into their own hands, using violence and killing innocent people in an attempt to make their point.

While we cannot – and must not – forget what happened on September 11, 2001, we must remember that in our own way, we all fight and quarrel and would do anything to get what we want. More than a few of us wage an inner battle with such things as controlling our anger, our tongue or our thoughts… weight loss and/or keeping fit and healthy… addictions from smoking to drinking, drug abuse, gambling, overeating, overspending, and more… and a variety of things we crave to satisfy our ego. We trick ourselves into thinking we are asking God for His will by praying, “LORD, please help me with this,” but our translation is, “LORD… please give me what I want!” And the results wreak havoc in our own life… and the lives of many of those we encounter on a daily basis.

Let’s be honest, a lot of us are willing to go to great lengths to get what we want or to have things our way. Thankfully, very few among us will physically kill another person to accomplish this, but we destroy our health and our relationships, wipe out our bank accounts, and compromise our faith… all because we want what isn’t ours – or we want to do and say whatever we please. And in many ways, these actions are as much a form of murder as if we had pulled the trigger on a gun. We don’t ask God to give us what we want, because we know in our gut that He will say “No” – and with good reason. So we connive, argue and wage battle within our self and with others… and we make a huge mess of things.

Now that you’ve tried “having it your way” and seen how futile this can be… why not give God’s way a chance? Isn’t it time you tried humility and genuinely asked God to meet your daily needs? What if you humbly and honestly asked God to guide your steps… to give you the determination to kick that bad habit or actually engage in a daily workout… to grant you the willpower to resist buying things you don’t need and participating in activities that are wrong for you, at best – or downright immoral at their core… to control your thoughts and your tongue?

What if we started to think about the wide-ranging ramifications of our words and actions and asked God to help us do what is right for us – and for those we encounter? This passage tells us that what God gives in love is better than anything we will find on our own… that He gives His grace to the willing humble. What do you supposed could happen if we dropped pretense and ego… and operated humbly in the will of God? Are you ready to find out? Isn’t today a great day to begin?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 10, 2012

James 3:13-16
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.

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 our niece’s high school classmates is a pediatrician at a hospital in Little Rock, where she also teaches at a university hospital. She is also a newlywed whose husband was diagnosed this summer with a very serious form of brain cancer – a highly aggressive malignancy known as glioblastoma. Through surgery, radiation and chemo treatments, this young woman has kept family and friends updated via a CaringBridge journal. In recent posts, she has noted that she doesn’t know how people without her knowledge and expertise navigate the unbelievable maze of medical jargon, paperwork, diagnoses, and treatment directives.

While this ordeal is incredibly heartbreaking, this woman also notes that she has become a better physician as a result of her experience. Many of us have been in a situation where medical staff threw big words, acronyms, numbers and data at us in rapid-fire succession – assuming we understood what they were telling us… while we wondered, “What in the world does this all mean?” – or our mind raced in a thousand other directions. Our niece’s friend writes …”I have become a more compassionate doctor for my families that turn up in the ED (Emergency Department) because they just didn't know what else to do. And while I can rarely solve their problem, I can sit and let them vent about the mess that for-profit medicine has created.”

We can’t merely point to the medical community as the only example of this, because we all act this way, to some degree. We set ourselves up on a pedestal and offer our supreme wisdom to others… often with a hefty dose of condescension or pride in our own capabilities. We lord it over others who really only needed to vent or – as this physician put it – just didn’t know what else to do. We operate in arrogance… that we are better at our job, our sport, parenting our children, being a good friend – and worst of all, being a Christian. By operating in mean-spirited ambition or superiority, we are anything but wise.

Each one of us needs to take a good look at our own life and how we act toward others. Ask yourself, “Am I operating in humility and wisdom… or arrogance and selfish ambition? Am I more concerned with how I appear and stroking my own ego… or sharing my God-given blessings with others? Do others come to me because they know I will offer humble, non-judgmental wisdom and comfort… or am I avoided because of my know-it-all attitude and hypercriticism?”

Won’t you ask God today to grant you true wisdom… and a spirit of honesty, generosity, and humility – as you interact with others? Ask God to make you a person others actually want to be around. Be the humble Christian witness who shares the love of Christ without cramming your vast Bible knowledge or “direct line” arrogance down the throats of others. Build a reputation as someone who lives well, wisely, and humbly. And while you are at it… please pray for this young woman and her husband – and their two young sons – who continue to fight “the beast,” as she describes glioblastoma.

As the adage goes…“People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” What do others know about you?

©2012 Debbie Robus