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.
I know about three people
on the planet who actually like to iron…myself, my friend Jo-Ann, and my
niece Cindy. I probably don’t iron as much as these two women, but I
do my fair share. I like the sharp, crisp appearance of neatly-pressed
clothing. I like how it feels to wear something that has been starched
and ironed. And this does add life to the garments, helps to prevent
stains, and prolongs the number of “wears” you can get between washings!
As
a rule, I don’t iron underwear…but anything that needs a little
pressing is up for discussion in my laundry room! One time, my husband
asked me why I was spending time ironing his “permanent press” shirts. I
told him I didn’t want him to walk into the bank or another public
venue and have someone we know see him in a wrinkled, rumpled shirt and
think, “His wife doesn’t care about how he looks!” I didn’t want
someone to look at his less-than-polished appearance and decide that HE
didn’t care about the details…because I know that he does! In essence,
details matter!
So I iron…lots of things that most folks
wouldn’t. Does this make me a better person? Absolutely not. But it
speaks to what I have deemed to be my determination to embrace God even
in little things. I have taken ordinary, mundane chores like scrubbing a
bathroom, grocery shopping and prepping fruits and vegetables for
consumption afterward, keeping the laundry done and the clothes neatly
pressed…and I’ve made them offerings to God.
When I clean our
house to keep my family healthy and everything in order, I am honoring
the gifts that God has given me – my family and a beautiful, comfortable
home. When I go the extra mile to make sure my family’s clothing is
presentable - or that we have healthy food to eat - I am demonstrating
gratitude that we have plenty of clothing to wear and regular meals on
our table. When I take time to read an extra book to one of the
children before a nap…or to sit and snuggle them for a few minutes…I am
sowing my love – and the love of Christ – into their little hearts…and
letting them know how precious they are to us.
Even when I stop
for a few minutes to talk with our cat, Mabel, and scratch her ears or
stroke her fur, I am demonstrating gratitude to God for this little
furball who has filled our lives with joy for more than 17 years. It
seems to follow with me that when I am faithful and joyful in the
little, everyday things, I am more cognizant of the bigger things…the
blessings - and the responsibilities – that God has given me. I find
that when I focus on honoring God in these seemingly insignificant
things, I am automatically more aware that I must keep my words,
thoughts and actions “clean and neatly pressed,” also.
Don’t
misunderstand me…I’ve had plenty of days where I acted immaturely. I
sometimes get caught up in the pull and tug to fit in with the
culture…and I’ve gossiped, disparaged, and shown out with the best of
them…if only to sit on my duff and say, “That’s not my problem,” or
“I’ll clean that up NEXT week!” But I know better…and so do you! The
more I fall in love with Jesus and understand just how much He did for
me…the more I want to give Him glory and honor in EVERYTHING I do…even
ironing our clothing!
Ironing and housekeeping may not be your
“thing,” but something is! Find out what brings you into closer harmony
with God…and get busy doing it to the best of your ability! Separate
yourself from the culture around you and be the YOU that God has created
and called. Honor and glorify Him in everything you do…from the
biggest, most visible acts to the small and mundane ones. Let God bring
out the best in you…and let others see His glory - and maybe a neatly
pressed shirt or two - in the process!
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 30, 2016
May 30 ~ Romans 11:1-5
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As Nathan approaches his fourth birthday, he has taken up the rally cry of “You don’t love me anymore!” when he is reprimanded. We assure him that we do, and he often follows with, “Well, then I don’t love YOU anymore!”…or the “knife-to-the-heart” response – “I am not your bestest friend any MORE!” We smile and say, “Okay”…and he has to do his “time out” or whatever anyway!
Timothy, our resident worry-wart, will often spontaneously ask, “Are you mad at me?” …as if he has done something that upset us – or that he knows he should not do. Of course, we assure him that we are NOT mad at him. And Zola just goes with the flow! The three children are in many ways a microscopic model of the world at large and how we operate and react in regard to others – particularly authority figures and leaders.
I have long heard it said (and more frequently in recent months)…that by all rights, God should wipe us all out and either start over or give up completely. We’ve all said and done things that must make God crazy in any given moment. The quote for this date on my daily calendar says, “Only some of us can learn by other people’s mistakes. The rest of us have to be the other people.” And this is where God’s grace comes into play.
Without God’s grace, we surely would be totally banished from the face of the earth. He could not put up with us otherwise! Because of God’s grace, we are given second chances – often, lots of them! God honors His promise to redeem us through the blood of Jesus. So those of us who have surrendered our hearts to Jesus Christ and admitted our sins and shortcomings are covered by God’s grace and mercy. This is not a license to live as we please…but it IS a reminder that our “good works” will not get us into God’s “good graces.”
The message for today is that God is occasionally mad at us - or disappointed. He may not feel like being our “bestest friend” in the moment. But because of the blood of Jesus…and God’s amazing grace…we are part of the “remnant” who are protected and given more chances than we deserve to turn things around. Let’s show God just how grateful we are and make the most of them, shall we?
©2016 Debbie Robus
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As Nathan approaches his fourth birthday, he has taken up the rally cry of “You don’t love me anymore!” when he is reprimanded. We assure him that we do, and he often follows with, “Well, then I don’t love YOU anymore!”…or the “knife-to-the-heart” response – “I am not your bestest friend any MORE!” We smile and say, “Okay”…and he has to do his “time out” or whatever anyway!
Timothy, our resident worry-wart, will often spontaneously ask, “Are you mad at me?” …as if he has done something that upset us – or that he knows he should not do. Of course, we assure him that we are NOT mad at him. And Zola just goes with the flow! The three children are in many ways a microscopic model of the world at large and how we operate and react in regard to others – particularly authority figures and leaders.
I have long heard it said (and more frequently in recent months)…that by all rights, God should wipe us all out and either start over or give up completely. We’ve all said and done things that must make God crazy in any given moment. The quote for this date on my daily calendar says, “Only some of us can learn by other people’s mistakes. The rest of us have to be the other people.” And this is where God’s grace comes into play.
Without God’s grace, we surely would be totally banished from the face of the earth. He could not put up with us otherwise! Because of God’s grace, we are given second chances – often, lots of them! God honors His promise to redeem us through the blood of Jesus. So those of us who have surrendered our hearts to Jesus Christ and admitted our sins and shortcomings are covered by God’s grace and mercy. This is not a license to live as we please…but it IS a reminder that our “good works” will not get us into God’s “good graces.”
The message for today is that God is occasionally mad at us - or disappointed. He may not feel like being our “bestest friend” in the moment. But because of the blood of Jesus…and God’s amazing grace…we are part of the “remnant” who are protected and given more chances than we deserve to turn things around. Let’s show God just how grateful we are and make the most of them, shall we?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 29, 2016
Revelation 22:5
Never again will night appear, and no one who lives there will ever need a lamp or the sun. The Lord God will be their light, and they will rule forever. Jesus answered, “God wants you to have faith in the one he sent.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little ones have a hard time going to sleep at night when they visit us. They want the light left on – or some form of illumination nearby - and I get that. When I was a little girl, my siblings and I would go to stay with our paternal grandparents at their farm “in the country.” Their house sat on a dirt road, surrounded by thick forests…and the darkness at night was beyond what I can describe. There were no street lights. No digital clock on the night stand delivered the time in LED. There was no blinking smoke alarm in the ceiling - or glow from so much as the power light on a television set!
And the quiet was amazing! The only noise was the steady tick-tock of my grandparents’ mantel clock as it counted down the minutes and chimed on the hour and half-hour. So I lay there many nights, trying to “see” in the darkness - and listening to that clock…totally unable to relax and fall asleep!
This might have something to do with why I keep so many lights on in our house today. We have twinkling lights that are plugged in each morning – lamps on timers that go on and off different hours of the day and night. And I leave a light on in our bathroom each night, so that we are not stumbling around in the darkness. I am not afraid of the dark…but I have to say that I prefer the light…and I am more than a little glad to hear that there will be no darkness in heaven!
I am also grateful that Jesus (and His Holy Spirit) illuminates my heart… and for the most part, there is no room for the devil and his darkness. I marvel sometimes at how sources of light have crept into our contemporary lives…how we are never in a room that some gadget doesn’t have a light source, like the LED display on digital clocks and the alarms in our walls/ceilings. And we think nothing of it.
By contrast, I’m afraid that many of us have grown complacent and accepting of the intrusions of darkness in our hearts - and the devil’s attempt to pepper the light with areas of sin and iniquity. If we are not careful and diligent, we will allow him to sneak in little areas of darkness that can grow over time – and we’ll never even see it coming.
When I think of Jesus…and Heaven…I think of bright light that never fades. I picture a light so bright and pure that we shouldn’t be able to even handle it without protective eyewear – and yet we bask in its brilliance with eagerness and boundless joy. I want all of this Light that I can get – even now! I have faith that Jesus is ALL that I need…and I trust Him to care for me completely. So I am doubling down on my efforts to stay close to Him…to listen for His voice and “keep the lights on” as much as possible. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Never again will night appear, and no one who lives there will ever need a lamp or the sun. The Lord God will be their light, and they will rule forever. Jesus answered, “God wants you to have faith in the one he sent.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little ones have a hard time going to sleep at night when they visit us. They want the light left on – or some form of illumination nearby - and I get that. When I was a little girl, my siblings and I would go to stay with our paternal grandparents at their farm “in the country.” Their house sat on a dirt road, surrounded by thick forests…and the darkness at night was beyond what I can describe. There were no street lights. No digital clock on the night stand delivered the time in LED. There was no blinking smoke alarm in the ceiling - or glow from so much as the power light on a television set!
And the quiet was amazing! The only noise was the steady tick-tock of my grandparents’ mantel clock as it counted down the minutes and chimed on the hour and half-hour. So I lay there many nights, trying to “see” in the darkness - and listening to that clock…totally unable to relax and fall asleep!
This might have something to do with why I keep so many lights on in our house today. We have twinkling lights that are plugged in each morning – lamps on timers that go on and off different hours of the day and night. And I leave a light on in our bathroom each night, so that we are not stumbling around in the darkness. I am not afraid of the dark…but I have to say that I prefer the light…and I am more than a little glad to hear that there will be no darkness in heaven!
I am also grateful that Jesus (and His Holy Spirit) illuminates my heart… and for the most part, there is no room for the devil and his darkness. I marvel sometimes at how sources of light have crept into our contemporary lives…how we are never in a room that some gadget doesn’t have a light source, like the LED display on digital clocks and the alarms in our walls/ceilings. And we think nothing of it.
By contrast, I’m afraid that many of us have grown complacent and accepting of the intrusions of darkness in our hearts - and the devil’s attempt to pepper the light with areas of sin and iniquity. If we are not careful and diligent, we will allow him to sneak in little areas of darkness that can grow over time – and we’ll never even see it coming.
When I think of Jesus…and Heaven…I think of bright light that never fades. I picture a light so bright and pure that we shouldn’t be able to even handle it without protective eyewear – and yet we bask in its brilliance with eagerness and boundless joy. I want all of this Light that I can get – even now! I have faith that Jesus is ALL that I need…and I trust Him to care for me completely. So I am doubling down on my efforts to stay close to Him…to listen for His voice and “keep the lights on” as much as possible. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 28, 2016
Revelation 20:4
Then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those who had been given the right to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus, for proclaiming the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the Creature or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They had come to life again and now they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
You and I cannot fathom literally losing our heads for speaking of Jesus and proclaiming the Word of God. And yet, it happens in our world even today. In Columbine, Colorado, a teenage girl was shot when she told her assailant she knew Jesus. In Charleston, South Carolina, family members of the victims told their murderer in court, “I forgive you.” In a way, these are forms of “losing your head” for Jesus. Many Christians are persecuted every day in our own back yards because they prayerfully speak what they believe is God’s truth, while others condemn them – and sometimes physically abuse them!
The Bible tells us that those who stand firm and serve as God’s witnesses will be rewarded. We are promised that we will be given yet another “new life in Christ” for our faithfulness and steadfast delivery of His message to the world. OUR JOB is to be certain that this is the message we are delivering…that we are doing the work of Jesus Christ and not that of the conniving, sly agents of the devil!
Sadly, there are a lot of people who believe they are doing God’s work…that they are sharing the message of Christ. And all the while, they are judging and condemning others, acting out of hate and fear rather than love, and demonstrating anything but Jesus’ grace and mercy. As I read this scripture verse, I pictured the day of judgment…and the countless “Christians” who THOUGHT they were serving God but had actually accepted the mark of the devil and perpetuated His message! These souls will be sorely disappointed and dismayed when Christ raises His church – and they are not among the saints!
We must be diligent and very careful as we study God’s word and follow the teachings of Jesus. We must make certain that our thoughts, words and actions line up with His. We must be prepared to take the abuse and criticism that may come…willing to literally lose our heads (although hopefully, it will never come to that) in order to speak and live God’s truth. I don’t know where or how you and I will come face to face with Jesus…but I want to be certain that He is pleased with me in that moment. I want to know that He will raise me to new life with Him…and I am doing all I can to ensure that I always operate in His will – and no one else’s. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those who had been given the right to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus, for proclaiming the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the Creature or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They had come to life again and now they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
You and I cannot fathom literally losing our heads for speaking of Jesus and proclaiming the Word of God. And yet, it happens in our world even today. In Columbine, Colorado, a teenage girl was shot when she told her assailant she knew Jesus. In Charleston, South Carolina, family members of the victims told their murderer in court, “I forgive you.” In a way, these are forms of “losing your head” for Jesus. Many Christians are persecuted every day in our own back yards because they prayerfully speak what they believe is God’s truth, while others condemn them – and sometimes physically abuse them!
The Bible tells us that those who stand firm and serve as God’s witnesses will be rewarded. We are promised that we will be given yet another “new life in Christ” for our faithfulness and steadfast delivery of His message to the world. OUR JOB is to be certain that this is the message we are delivering…that we are doing the work of Jesus Christ and not that of the conniving, sly agents of the devil!
Sadly, there are a lot of people who believe they are doing God’s work…that they are sharing the message of Christ. And all the while, they are judging and condemning others, acting out of hate and fear rather than love, and demonstrating anything but Jesus’ grace and mercy. As I read this scripture verse, I pictured the day of judgment…and the countless “Christians” who THOUGHT they were serving God but had actually accepted the mark of the devil and perpetuated His message! These souls will be sorely disappointed and dismayed when Christ raises His church – and they are not among the saints!
We must be diligent and very careful as we study God’s word and follow the teachings of Jesus. We must make certain that our thoughts, words and actions line up with His. We must be prepared to take the abuse and criticism that may come…willing to literally lose our heads (although hopefully, it will never come to that) in order to speak and live God’s truth. I don’t know where or how you and I will come face to face with Jesus…but I want to be certain that He is pleased with me in that moment. I want to know that He will raise me to new life with Him…and I am doing all I can to ensure that I always operate in His will – and no one else’s. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 27, 2016
May 27 ~ Psalm 24:1
The earth belongs to God! Everything in all the world is his!
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A friend shared a video this morning of a woman talking about how she reached a point in her life where she felt quite sure she had become invisible. She would go into a room and ask her children to turn down the television…and they would ignore her. She walked up to her husband at a party (after they had been there for several hours) and signaled that she was ready to leave…and he kept talking to his friends. She said it hit her…”I am invisible.”
Then a friend gave her a beautiful book filled with photos of ancient cathedrals. Picture after picture carried a note…”builder unknown.” The friend had written a note inside the book that essentially said, “You are building important things that others may never acknowledge…but God knows.” The mom realized that it didn’t matter if her kids brought their friends home to visit and bragged about all she did…as long as they came home and brought their friends. It didn’t matter whether she was physically acknowledged…as long as God was glorified.
A lot of us want to ask, “What’s in it for me?” The real question we should be asking is, “Am I being a good steward of what belongs to God?”…because truly, EVERYTHING belongs to Him. He created ALL of us…He designed us to serve His purposes. Our job is to make sure that GOD is seen…yet many of us turn this around and try to make it about us. We scramble to make sure that WE are seen and heard…and that our efforts are recognized.
The message for today is that God sees you…He hears you…He knows your efforts to serve Him (and of the ones that fall short). And He loves you…warts and all. Stop trying so hard to be noticed and focus more on putting God – and the mission(s) He has given you - in the spotlight. Take yourself a little less seriously and put the emphasis on seeking God’s will…and making it your own. Let your ultimate recognition be God’s whisper of a “well done” – and the blessings that He is waiting to shower upon you.
Nobody ever said being a Christian disciple would be easy…or filled with accolades, wealth, or fame. The earth – and everything in all the world – belongs to God. Are you making a point – or making a difference? What will you do as His earthly steward?
©2016 Debbie Robus
The earth belongs to God! Everything in all the world is his!
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A friend shared a video this morning of a woman talking about how she reached a point in her life where she felt quite sure she had become invisible. She would go into a room and ask her children to turn down the television…and they would ignore her. She walked up to her husband at a party (after they had been there for several hours) and signaled that she was ready to leave…and he kept talking to his friends. She said it hit her…”I am invisible.”
Then a friend gave her a beautiful book filled with photos of ancient cathedrals. Picture after picture carried a note…”builder unknown.” The friend had written a note inside the book that essentially said, “You are building important things that others may never acknowledge…but God knows.” The mom realized that it didn’t matter if her kids brought their friends home to visit and bragged about all she did…as long as they came home and brought their friends. It didn’t matter whether she was physically acknowledged…as long as God was glorified.
A lot of us want to ask, “What’s in it for me?” The real question we should be asking is, “Am I being a good steward of what belongs to God?”…because truly, EVERYTHING belongs to Him. He created ALL of us…He designed us to serve His purposes. Our job is to make sure that GOD is seen…yet many of us turn this around and try to make it about us. We scramble to make sure that WE are seen and heard…and that our efforts are recognized.
The message for today is that God sees you…He hears you…He knows your efforts to serve Him (and of the ones that fall short). And He loves you…warts and all. Stop trying so hard to be noticed and focus more on putting God – and the mission(s) He has given you - in the spotlight. Take yourself a little less seriously and put the emphasis on seeking God’s will…and making it your own. Let your ultimate recognition be God’s whisper of a “well done” – and the blessings that He is waiting to shower upon you.
Nobody ever said being a Christian disciple would be easy…or filled with accolades, wealth, or fame. The earth – and everything in all the world – belongs to God. Are you making a point – or making a difference? What will you do as His earthly steward?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 26, 2016
Proverbs 21:15
Good people celebrate when justice triumphs,
but for the workers of evil it’s a bad day.
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.
There is a commercial running on local television where two young men are pulled over by a police woman. The passenger is mocking the driver…making fun of him for getting a ticket…teasing him about how it must feel. And then the officer walks to the passenger side of the car and writes up the passenger for not wearing his seatbelt. The driver just looks at his passenger friend and smiles.
My mother always told me to do the right thing and let others worry about their own behaviors. Even when it seemed that some people were “getting away with murder,” I was taught to “take the high road.” Whether these folks got what they deserved at some point or not was to be of no concern to me. Don’t misunderstand me…I’m not saying that we should never point out evil deeds or injustice. But we should not lower ourselves to a level where we call others names, make up lies, treat someone unkindly, and more…just because we don’t like how they are behaving.
Additionally, we should not boast and brag when someone gets his/her due justice. We shouldn’t be sore losers…but we should not be arrogant “winners,” either! God wants us to love everyone…the good, the bad, and the ugly. And this means that we must celebrate victories – but we must not publicly revel in the defeats of others. We should encourage good behavior rather than always pointing out another person’s faults. We are to be busy building up God’s Kingdom, rather than tearing down those who do the devil’s work.
The message for me in today’s passage is that God always prevails…and for those who are doing His will, the day that justice triumphs is a good one. For those who choose to follow the devil and ignore the teachings of Jesus, there will be some bad days – and lots of defeats. It may not seem that way “to the naked eye,” (think Jesus’ crucifixion) but I assure you, God always makes things right. Our job is to stick with Him…to trust His timing…and to always do the right thing.
We are to be like the driver in the commercial, rather than the passenger…focused on the road ahead and doing the right thing rather than making the business of others our own. Which “seat” do you occupy these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Good people celebrate when justice triumphs,
but for the workers of evil it’s a bad day.
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.
There is a commercial running on local television where two young men are pulled over by a police woman. The passenger is mocking the driver…making fun of him for getting a ticket…teasing him about how it must feel. And then the officer walks to the passenger side of the car and writes up the passenger for not wearing his seatbelt. The driver just looks at his passenger friend and smiles.
My mother always told me to do the right thing and let others worry about their own behaviors. Even when it seemed that some people were “getting away with murder,” I was taught to “take the high road.” Whether these folks got what they deserved at some point or not was to be of no concern to me. Don’t misunderstand me…I’m not saying that we should never point out evil deeds or injustice. But we should not lower ourselves to a level where we call others names, make up lies, treat someone unkindly, and more…just because we don’t like how they are behaving.
Additionally, we should not boast and brag when someone gets his/her due justice. We shouldn’t be sore losers…but we should not be arrogant “winners,” either! God wants us to love everyone…the good, the bad, and the ugly. And this means that we must celebrate victories – but we must not publicly revel in the defeats of others. We should encourage good behavior rather than always pointing out another person’s faults. We are to be busy building up God’s Kingdom, rather than tearing down those who do the devil’s work.
The message for me in today’s passage is that God always prevails…and for those who are doing His will, the day that justice triumphs is a good one. For those who choose to follow the devil and ignore the teachings of Jesus, there will be some bad days – and lots of defeats. It may not seem that way “to the naked eye,” (think Jesus’ crucifixion) but I assure you, God always makes things right. Our job is to stick with Him…to trust His timing…and to always do the right thing.
We are to be like the driver in the commercial, rather than the passenger…focused on the road ahead and doing the right thing rather than making the business of others our own. Which “seat” do you occupy these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 25, 2016
May 25 ~ Matthew 6:30-33
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
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 I have learned anything in the last several months, it’s that we worry far too much about a lot of things that really don’t matter. For several months, I feel like I have just gone through the motions in our home…housekeeping chores have been neglected…the Christmas tree stayed up until almost the end of January…we’ve eaten a lot of take-out meals. And it has not mattered. We have been focused on family and attending to “business” matters that had to be handled…and the rest could wait.
When Greg and I started Workamper News in 1987, we carefully budgeted every penny. For the first few years, we documented every dime we spent, until we were sure that the business was going to succeed enough to pay all of the bills. If we ended up with a surplus in the budget at month’s end, we treated ourselves to Sonic® burgers. Those were some of our happiest years as business owners!
I remember tough times as a child. My parents were working multiple jobs to pay the bills and put food on the table for themselves and three children. I know what it feels like to struggle and worry about how budgets will be met…and how goals will be accomplished. I’ve stressed over college courses, business plans, the challenges and heartaches of loved ones, health concerns, and more. And I have wasted more than my fair share of time on worry and preoccupation with the outcomes.
This is a profound scripture passage for almost all of us…because there is something innate in us as humans that keeps us asking, “What is in it for me?” and thinking about how we can acquire more…money, time, possessions, friends - or even physical fitness and attractiveness. And Jesus is telling us to get a grip – literally – on the love and grace of God Almighty!
You might be temporarily happier with an extra couple hundred dollars in your pocket. You could feel better for a while if you lost a few pounds, put on a new outfit and got your hair done. You might feel a momentary thrill to drive a shiny new car…move into a big, fancy, perfectly decorated house…or mingle with the rich and famous as their equal. But in the end, none of these things lasts – or matters. What is important is to “steep our lives in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions”…which are always more than enough.
Are you still worried about missing out? Or are you trusting God to meet every one of your needs? Will this be the day that you get your priorities in line with His and start to truly live in His peace and abundance? Don’t you want it to be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
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 I have learned anything in the last several months, it’s that we worry far too much about a lot of things that really don’t matter. For several months, I feel like I have just gone through the motions in our home…housekeeping chores have been neglected…the Christmas tree stayed up until almost the end of January…we’ve eaten a lot of take-out meals. And it has not mattered. We have been focused on family and attending to “business” matters that had to be handled…and the rest could wait.
When Greg and I started Workamper News in 1987, we carefully budgeted every penny. For the first few years, we documented every dime we spent, until we were sure that the business was going to succeed enough to pay all of the bills. If we ended up with a surplus in the budget at month’s end, we treated ourselves to Sonic® burgers. Those were some of our happiest years as business owners!
I remember tough times as a child. My parents were working multiple jobs to pay the bills and put food on the table for themselves and three children. I know what it feels like to struggle and worry about how budgets will be met…and how goals will be accomplished. I’ve stressed over college courses, business plans, the challenges and heartaches of loved ones, health concerns, and more. And I have wasted more than my fair share of time on worry and preoccupation with the outcomes.
This is a profound scripture passage for almost all of us…because there is something innate in us as humans that keeps us asking, “What is in it for me?” and thinking about how we can acquire more…money, time, possessions, friends - or even physical fitness and attractiveness. And Jesus is telling us to get a grip – literally – on the love and grace of God Almighty!
You might be temporarily happier with an extra couple hundred dollars in your pocket. You could feel better for a while if you lost a few pounds, put on a new outfit and got your hair done. You might feel a momentary thrill to drive a shiny new car…move into a big, fancy, perfectly decorated house…or mingle with the rich and famous as their equal. But in the end, none of these things lasts – or matters. What is important is to “steep our lives in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions”…which are always more than enough.
Are you still worried about missing out? Or are you trusting God to meet every one of your needs? Will this be the day that you get your priorities in line with His and start to truly live in His peace and abundance? Don’t you want it to be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 24, 2016
Matthew 6:24
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
CBS News has been running a story* about Fred Vautour, a Boston College janitor who took advantage of a policy that allows children of BC employees to attend the school tuition-free…provided they are accepted. All five of Vautour’s children have done exactly that…his youngest, Alicia, graduated recently with a nursing degree.
Vautour worked the overnight shift for Boston College …cleaning Robsham Theater, which has a 567-seat auditorium, classrooms, a dance studio, and a smaller “black box” theater. Each child had to meet the stringent admissions requirements for BC – and obviously Fred and his wife, Debra, have some smart kids! – but in the end, the college’s generous policy for employees whittled annual tuition from $66,000 per student down to about $3000!
Since 1998, Vautour has performed these janitorial duties to provide for his family. He said the thought of five college degrees kept him motivated. And while the total monetary value of these five diplomas is nearly $700,000…the dollar amount is not what appears to have been Vautour’s primary focus. My opinion is that Fred saw the mission God had given him - to nurture the lives of five children…and he made this his focus.
Fred and Debra obviously invested in their kids far beyond the impact of actual dollars. They clearly encouraged their children to develop into bright, motivated, dedicated young adults with a desire to become productive and successful. In another article about this family, I learned that Fred coached Little League…and Debra was a stay-at-home mom when the children were younger. Fred’s annual income was approximately $60,000. This doesn’t fit the definition of “money-hungry” in my book!
I share this family’s story to say to you that when we focus on completing the mission God gives us, He blesses us in ways we cannot imagine. This doesn’t mean that all of our children will go to college virtually tuition-free. But when we concentrate our efforts on obtaining material wealth – or personal accolades and recognition, we can’t possibly give God the time and attention He deserves.
We can idolize a myriad of things…from possessions, to our personal appearance, to relationships with other human beings and/or a hunger to be surrounded by the attention of others. All of this robs God of our attention and dedication. OR…we can go about our daily business, serving God as He has designed – even as an overnight janitor and father of five who is providing for the needs of his family (both short and long-term!). One demonstrates, at the very least, a division of loyalties – which short-changes God. The other represents a single-mindedness of purpose…to hear God’s voice and follow only Him…even if He says to scrub bathrooms and mop floors for the next 20 years!
Take a good look at your daily living and determine who you are serving. Have you allowed the love of money - or another desire/aspiration – to distract you and divert your attention from God? Will this be the day that you re-align your priorities and put the focus back on Him, where it belongs? Don’t you think it should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-college-janitor-sends-all-five-kids-to-college-for-free/
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
CBS News has been running a story* about Fred Vautour, a Boston College janitor who took advantage of a policy that allows children of BC employees to attend the school tuition-free…provided they are accepted. All five of Vautour’s children have done exactly that…his youngest, Alicia, graduated recently with a nursing degree.
Vautour worked the overnight shift for Boston College …cleaning Robsham Theater, which has a 567-seat auditorium, classrooms, a dance studio, and a smaller “black box” theater. Each child had to meet the stringent admissions requirements for BC – and obviously Fred and his wife, Debra, have some smart kids! – but in the end, the college’s generous policy for employees whittled annual tuition from $66,000 per student down to about $3000!
Since 1998, Vautour has performed these janitorial duties to provide for his family. He said the thought of five college degrees kept him motivated. And while the total monetary value of these five diplomas is nearly $700,000…the dollar amount is not what appears to have been Vautour’s primary focus. My opinion is that Fred saw the mission God had given him - to nurture the lives of five children…and he made this his focus.
Fred and Debra obviously invested in their kids far beyond the impact of actual dollars. They clearly encouraged their children to develop into bright, motivated, dedicated young adults with a desire to become productive and successful. In another article about this family, I learned that Fred coached Little League…and Debra was a stay-at-home mom when the children were younger. Fred’s annual income was approximately $60,000. This doesn’t fit the definition of “money-hungry” in my book!
I share this family’s story to say to you that when we focus on completing the mission God gives us, He blesses us in ways we cannot imagine. This doesn’t mean that all of our children will go to college virtually tuition-free. But when we concentrate our efforts on obtaining material wealth – or personal accolades and recognition, we can’t possibly give God the time and attention He deserves.
We can idolize a myriad of things…from possessions, to our personal appearance, to relationships with other human beings and/or a hunger to be surrounded by the attention of others. All of this robs God of our attention and dedication. OR…we can go about our daily business, serving God as He has designed – even as an overnight janitor and father of five who is providing for the needs of his family (both short and long-term!). One demonstrates, at the very least, a division of loyalties – which short-changes God. The other represents a single-mindedness of purpose…to hear God’s voice and follow only Him…even if He says to scrub bathrooms and mop floors for the next 20 years!
Take a good look at your daily living and determine who you are serving. Have you allowed the love of money - or another desire/aspiration – to distract you and divert your attention from God? Will this be the day that you re-align your priorities and put the focus back on Him, where it belongs? Don’t you think it should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-college-janitor-sends-all-five-kids-to-college-for-free/
Daily Devotional for May 23, 2016
Matthew 6:22-23
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!"
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.
According to information on MayoClinic.com, “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer. The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body's internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.”
I’m pretty sure my maternal grandmother had a form of SAD. Cloudy and rainy days were terrible for her all throughout the year. She was miserable on these days. For her, the darkness outside - and in her house - transferred to a darkness on the inside. And while I have always been able to find plenty to do on a rainy day, I will admit that as I’ve gotten older, I notice a definite mood shift when the sun returns after several days of clouds and rain. Indeed, the Mayo Clinic website says that…”Treatment for SAD may include light therapy (phototherapy).”
Clearly there is something to all of this. Scripture tells us that when we allow darkness to creep into our lives, we make room for the devil to fill our hearts and minds with his own brand of darkness – and sin. When we get mired down in gossip…hatred and discrimination…apathy and indifference…fear…mistreatment and abuse of others…and selfishness, we leave no room for the light of Christ. This can lead to a really sad and miserable existence…and a “dark life” in every sense of the word.
So pull the blinds…raise the curtains…and fill your heart and mind with the bright Light of Christ. Focus on Jesus and the joy and blessings that result from keeping Him at the forefront of everything you think, say, and do. Make His mission yours…and leave no room for the darkness of the devil. Let the Light of Christ keep your “spiritual clock” running smoothly and without disruption. He’s “good medicine” for what ails us! Will this be the day you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!"
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.
According to information on MayoClinic.com, “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer. The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body's internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.”
I’m pretty sure my maternal grandmother had a form of SAD. Cloudy and rainy days were terrible for her all throughout the year. She was miserable on these days. For her, the darkness outside - and in her house - transferred to a darkness on the inside. And while I have always been able to find plenty to do on a rainy day, I will admit that as I’ve gotten older, I notice a definite mood shift when the sun returns after several days of clouds and rain. Indeed, the Mayo Clinic website says that…”Treatment for SAD may include light therapy (phototherapy).”
Clearly there is something to all of this. Scripture tells us that when we allow darkness to creep into our lives, we make room for the devil to fill our hearts and minds with his own brand of darkness – and sin. When we get mired down in gossip…hatred and discrimination…apathy and indifference…fear…mistreatment and abuse of others…and selfishness, we leave no room for the light of Christ. This can lead to a really sad and miserable existence…and a “dark life” in every sense of the word.
So pull the blinds…raise the curtains…and fill your heart and mind with the bright Light of Christ. Focus on Jesus and the joy and blessings that result from keeping Him at the forefront of everything you think, say, and do. Make His mission yours…and leave no room for the darkness of the devil. Let the Light of Christ keep your “spiritual clock” running smoothly and without disruption. He’s “good medicine” for what ails us! Will this be the day you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 22, 2016
May 22 ~ Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
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 Sao Paulo, Brazil, a wealthy businessman dug a hole in his back yard and made a big media “splash” as he claimed he would bury his $500,000 Bentley there. His excuse was that he had studied the burial practices of Egyptian Pharaohs and wanted to ensure that he had a luxurious ride to the next life. People were stunned that this man was actually going to bury this expensive car…and as it turned out, this was all a publicity stunt.
The man had survived a serious illness, and he was trying to make a point that people bury something more valuable than this half-million-dollar car every day – their body organs. He claimed that he was trying to raise awareness for organ donations. Okay…I guess that’s one way to do it!
The point is that we really can’t take it with us…and an expensive car in the ground will not transport us to Heaven in luxury! But there IS treasure we can store for Heaven…love, grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, faithful obedience to God’s will, empathy, kindness, service to others, and more. When our treasure is the kind that demonstrates Christian faith and discipleship, God will exchange this for blessings and abundance when He calls us to Heaven. Material wealth is not heavenly currency!
So think about what matters most to you. Are you more interested in accumulating “things”…or blessings? Is it more important to you what others think of you…or are you more concerned with serving – and pleasing – God? Is your time better spent making yourself feel good and important in the “here and now”…or in helping to build God’s Kingdom for all Eternity?
What really matters to you…and what will matter when you get to Heaven? If the two do not line up, something is out of whack somewhere. It’s up to us to figure it out and make necessary adjustments. What are YOU storing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
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 Sao Paulo, Brazil, a wealthy businessman dug a hole in his back yard and made a big media “splash” as he claimed he would bury his $500,000 Bentley there. His excuse was that he had studied the burial practices of Egyptian Pharaohs and wanted to ensure that he had a luxurious ride to the next life. People were stunned that this man was actually going to bury this expensive car…and as it turned out, this was all a publicity stunt.
The man had survived a serious illness, and he was trying to make a point that people bury something more valuable than this half-million-dollar car every day – their body organs. He claimed that he was trying to raise awareness for organ donations. Okay…I guess that’s one way to do it!
The point is that we really can’t take it with us…and an expensive car in the ground will not transport us to Heaven in luxury! But there IS treasure we can store for Heaven…love, grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, faithful obedience to God’s will, empathy, kindness, service to others, and more. When our treasure is the kind that demonstrates Christian faith and discipleship, God will exchange this for blessings and abundance when He calls us to Heaven. Material wealth is not heavenly currency!
So think about what matters most to you. Are you more interested in accumulating “things”…or blessings? Is it more important to you what others think of you…or are you more concerned with serving – and pleasing – God? Is your time better spent making yourself feel good and important in the “here and now”…or in helping to build God’s Kingdom for all Eternity?
What really matters to you…and what will matter when you get to Heaven? If the two do not line up, something is out of whack somewhere. It’s up to us to figure it out and make necessary adjustments. What are YOU storing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 21, 2016
Matthew 6:14-15
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
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.
Often when Timothy and Nathan work with Legos® or other blocks, something will not fit together, and they will growl and say, “Awww…I can’t figure this out!” When I am sewing or creating a craft pattern, there are many times that I stop and ask, “What am I missing?” In most of these instances, we are getting in a hurry and trying to do things “our way,” or we have not considered the big picture. And this same principle applies to how we treat others – and whether or not we forgive them.
If we are honest, we have asked God at least once, “Why are you not answering me?” Now this can have a lot of different implications. We can be asking, “Why didn’t you give me what I wanted?” We can be saying, “I feel cut off from you – lonely and afraid." Or we can simply be asking, “Lord, what is taking so long?” In all cases, the answer may lie more with OUR behaviors than with God’s responses.
I will be the first to say that I have felt God tell me, “You are holding a grudge,” or “You’ve not done your part yet.” I realized that the very answers I needed…the help I so desperately sought…was blocked because of my unwillingness to forgive another. It is amazing what can happen when we slow down, fully assess the situation, and make the necessary corrections on our end!
So stop and take a hard look at your life today. Where are you holding grudges? Who do you need to forgive? What answers do you seek that don’t seem to come…and the only explanation seems to be that YOU are blocking the responses with your attitudes and behaviors. Isn’t it time to open the floodgates of heaven…to forgive those as God has forgiven you…to fully bask in His blessings and abundance? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
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.
Often when Timothy and Nathan work with Legos® or other blocks, something will not fit together, and they will growl and say, “Awww…I can’t figure this out!” When I am sewing or creating a craft pattern, there are many times that I stop and ask, “What am I missing?” In most of these instances, we are getting in a hurry and trying to do things “our way,” or we have not considered the big picture. And this same principle applies to how we treat others – and whether or not we forgive them.
If we are honest, we have asked God at least once, “Why are you not answering me?” Now this can have a lot of different implications. We can be asking, “Why didn’t you give me what I wanted?” We can be saying, “I feel cut off from you – lonely and afraid." Or we can simply be asking, “Lord, what is taking so long?” In all cases, the answer may lie more with OUR behaviors than with God’s responses.
I will be the first to say that I have felt God tell me, “You are holding a grudge,” or “You’ve not done your part yet.” I realized that the very answers I needed…the help I so desperately sought…was blocked because of my unwillingness to forgive another. It is amazing what can happen when we slow down, fully assess the situation, and make the necessary corrections on our end!
So stop and take a hard look at your life today. Where are you holding grudges? Who do you need to forgive? What answers do you seek that don’t seem to come…and the only explanation seems to be that YOU are blocking the responses with your attitudes and behaviors. Isn’t it time to open the floodgates of heaven…to forgive those as God has forgiven you…to fully bask in His blessings and abundance? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 20, 2016
May 20 ~ Matthew 6:7-13
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
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, I gave our 3½-year-old nephew, Nathan, a can of Play-doh®, some cookie cutters, a plastic knife left over from a take-out food order, a rolling pin and cutting mat, and some toothpicks. While I worked in the kitchen, he spent about 45 minutes making all sorts of characters, including a birthday cake with “toothpick candles,” countless snakes…and other interesting characters and shapes.
We have many things at our house for the children to play with…but they are all pretty simple and basic – blocks, art supplies, puzzles, dolls, “dress-up” clothes, and lots of books. We feel that this fosters creativity and helps the children learn to “use what you already have.” And in many ways, this is what Jesus is telling us in this Matthew 6:7-13 (often referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”). You have everything you need to effectively communicate with God. You don’t need the latest “formula” from a leading Bible scholar…the lessons of a popular author/speaker who creates Bible studies and simulcasts…the newest releases from Christian musicians…or even a prayer partner or intercessor. You just need to stop and talk to God – and use the simple outline found in these verses.
I am a big fan of the KISS method of doing things – Keep It Simple, Silly! (Okay, the last “S” stands for another word, but I’m trying to be nice here!) Whenever you get stymied about how to talk to God – or wonder what to say or where to begin – simply start here, with these words…“Our Father in heaven…reveal who you are”…or even “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Too often, we are more concerned with making a point than making a difference…especially when it comes to our relationship with God. Let’s make a concerted effort to dial it down…to simplify and strip bare before Him. Let’s stand before God as a lone can of Play-doh® with a handful of basic “tools” in our arsenal…and prepare to be amazed at what He can create. Are you with me?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
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, I gave our 3½-year-old nephew, Nathan, a can of Play-doh®, some cookie cutters, a plastic knife left over from a take-out food order, a rolling pin and cutting mat, and some toothpicks. While I worked in the kitchen, he spent about 45 minutes making all sorts of characters, including a birthday cake with “toothpick candles,” countless snakes…and other interesting characters and shapes.
We have many things at our house for the children to play with…but they are all pretty simple and basic – blocks, art supplies, puzzles, dolls, “dress-up” clothes, and lots of books. We feel that this fosters creativity and helps the children learn to “use what you already have.” And in many ways, this is what Jesus is telling us in this Matthew 6:7-13 (often referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”). You have everything you need to effectively communicate with God. You don’t need the latest “formula” from a leading Bible scholar…the lessons of a popular author/speaker who creates Bible studies and simulcasts…the newest releases from Christian musicians…or even a prayer partner or intercessor. You just need to stop and talk to God – and use the simple outline found in these verses.
I am a big fan of the KISS method of doing things – Keep It Simple, Silly! (Okay, the last “S” stands for another word, but I’m trying to be nice here!) Whenever you get stymied about how to talk to God – or wonder what to say or where to begin – simply start here, with these words…“Our Father in heaven…reveal who you are”…or even “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Too often, we are more concerned with making a point than making a difference…especially when it comes to our relationship with God. Let’s make a concerted effort to dial it down…to simplify and strip bare before Him. Let’s stand before God as a lone can of Play-doh® with a handful of basic “tools” in our arsenal…and prepare to be amazed at what He can create. Are you with me?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 19, 2016
Matthew 6:1
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.
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 have ever contributed to a page like “GoFundMe” or “CaringBridge” - or even purchased something on amazon.com – you’ve probably gotten the little pop-up box afterward that says something like “Tell your friends!” In these cases, the motive is to hopefully encourage others to follow in your footsteps. After all, if YOU gave to this charity, others should want to! If YOU bought printer ink on amazon.com…others should, too!
But there is another component to these messages…particularly the charities. When you donate and provide your name, this really may encourage others to participate. But when you tell how MUCH you gave…you’ve “done gone to braggin’!” If you stop and give $20 to an out-of-work mother standing on the corner by the Walmart parking lot, others do not need to know this. If you provide school supplies for a child who has none…this is not Facebook news.
If your heart is warmed by the joy you receive when you do for others and serve the LORD, that’s great! But when you feel compelled to tell others about your good deeds – even in the context of how much God has blessed you – this crosses the line. We don’t need the praise of other people…the applause of Heaven should be more than enough.
In some translations of Matthew 6:1, Jesus seems to go so far as to say that the “good works” you brag about are totally negated in God’s eyes. At the very least, “self-promotion” takes the focus off of God and tries to put it on us…and we should know that this is not good Discipleship. Trust me…the world is watching. If you are operating in the will of God…and serving according to His plans and directives…others will notice. More importantly, God will be pleased and glorified.
We shouldn’t ever have to “toot our own horn.” God’s work in and through us should speak loudly enough. And if nobody ever publicly acknowledges a single thing we do, it won’t matter one bit. Our goal should be to hear God say, ”Well done!” when we arrive at Heaven’s gates. Our “glory” should be HIS glory manifested…His Kingdom furthered…and His purposes completed. Anything else could very well be our own selfish ego getting in the way.
So do all of the “good works” that God calls you to “perform.” But check your ego at the door. Seek only the praise and applause that really matters…His.
©2016 Debbie Robus
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.
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 have ever contributed to a page like “GoFundMe” or “CaringBridge” - or even purchased something on amazon.com – you’ve probably gotten the little pop-up box afterward that says something like “Tell your friends!” In these cases, the motive is to hopefully encourage others to follow in your footsteps. After all, if YOU gave to this charity, others should want to! If YOU bought printer ink on amazon.com…others should, too!
But there is another component to these messages…particularly the charities. When you donate and provide your name, this really may encourage others to participate. But when you tell how MUCH you gave…you’ve “done gone to braggin’!” If you stop and give $20 to an out-of-work mother standing on the corner by the Walmart parking lot, others do not need to know this. If you provide school supplies for a child who has none…this is not Facebook news.
If your heart is warmed by the joy you receive when you do for others and serve the LORD, that’s great! But when you feel compelled to tell others about your good deeds – even in the context of how much God has blessed you – this crosses the line. We don’t need the praise of other people…the applause of Heaven should be more than enough.
In some translations of Matthew 6:1, Jesus seems to go so far as to say that the “good works” you brag about are totally negated in God’s eyes. At the very least, “self-promotion” takes the focus off of God and tries to put it on us…and we should know that this is not good Discipleship. Trust me…the world is watching. If you are operating in the will of God…and serving according to His plans and directives…others will notice. More importantly, God will be pleased and glorified.
We shouldn’t ever have to “toot our own horn.” God’s work in and through us should speak loudly enough. And if nobody ever publicly acknowledges a single thing we do, it won’t matter one bit. Our goal should be to hear God say, ”Well done!” when we arrive at Heaven’s gates. Our “glory” should be HIS glory manifested…His Kingdom furthered…and His purposes completed. Anything else could very well be our own selfish ego getting in the way.
So do all of the “good works” that God calls you to “perform.” But check your ego at the door. Seek only the praise and applause that really matters…His.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 18, 2016
Matthew 5:44-47
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does 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.
Let’s be honest…there is at least one person in our lives who rubs us the wrong way. Whether or not we consider him/her an “enemy” may be debatable…but this individual makes us bristle with anxiety – or maybe even anger – every time we hear his/her name mentioned. Perhaps you are bullied at school or in the workplace. Maybe there is a politician or public official who makes your blood boil. There may be people in your church or community who get on your last nerve. You may have a few family members who you avoid at all costs. And maybe other people feel this same way about YOU!
As I read this passage today, I was hit between the eyes with the thought that I seldom pray for my “enemies.” I don’t pray often – or fervently – enough for that person who posts hate-filled political rants on social media. I don’t pray for the terrorists around the world…the gang leaders who are sending members to infiltrate our cities and introduce our children to drugs…the busybody who makes it his/her mission to stir up trouble in the church, school, social circles and the community…the individual who abuses people or pets…and more. I don’t pray for children who may not be nice to my kids…bosses who bully their employees…and people who think they are better than everyone else.
As this passage points out, it’s easy to love those who love us and agree with us. It’s a no-brainer to pray for them and ask God to bless them and meet their every need. But it’s HARD to pray for those who are our “enemies” or upset us in some manner. It’s a real struggle to be nice to the bully…or at the very least, refrain from saying unkind things about hateful and hate-filled people…or to ask God to guard and guide the person who hurt your child or another loved one. But this is exactly what Jesus tells us to do in this passage.
If we want to truly follow Jesus, we have to really follow Him. This means we must obey ALL of His commands…including the one to love those who bring out the worst in us. I can think of a few people that I need to add to my prayer list today. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does 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.
Let’s be honest…there is at least one person in our lives who rubs us the wrong way. Whether or not we consider him/her an “enemy” may be debatable…but this individual makes us bristle with anxiety – or maybe even anger – every time we hear his/her name mentioned. Perhaps you are bullied at school or in the workplace. Maybe there is a politician or public official who makes your blood boil. There may be people in your church or community who get on your last nerve. You may have a few family members who you avoid at all costs. And maybe other people feel this same way about YOU!
As I read this passage today, I was hit between the eyes with the thought that I seldom pray for my “enemies.” I don’t pray often – or fervently – enough for that person who posts hate-filled political rants on social media. I don’t pray for the terrorists around the world…the gang leaders who are sending members to infiltrate our cities and introduce our children to drugs…the busybody who makes it his/her mission to stir up trouble in the church, school, social circles and the community…the individual who abuses people or pets…and more. I don’t pray for children who may not be nice to my kids…bosses who bully their employees…and people who think they are better than everyone else.
As this passage points out, it’s easy to love those who love us and agree with us. It’s a no-brainer to pray for them and ask God to bless them and meet their every need. But it’s HARD to pray for those who are our “enemies” or upset us in some manner. It’s a real struggle to be nice to the bully…or at the very least, refrain from saying unkind things about hateful and hate-filled people…or to ask God to guard and guide the person who hurt your child or another loved one. But this is exactly what Jesus tells us to do in this passage.
If we want to truly follow Jesus, we have to really follow Him. This means we must obey ALL of His commands…including the one to love those who bring out the worst in us. I can think of a few people that I need to add to my prayer list today. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 17, 2016
Matthew 5:21-22
“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
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 ever there was a profound scripture passage for the present day, this is it! I don’t know about you (and I don’t mean to hold a grudge), but there have been times when people have said things to me that cut me to the bone – and stayed with me. More importantly, I am quite certain that there have been times that I have said things to another person that were like a knife to his/her heart. The unavoidable truth is that “words can kill.”
So what are we to do? Words are also like toothpaste…you can’t put it back in the tube – and you can’t retract what you have said. You can ask forgiveness…and pray that the other person is gracious and merciful enough to grant it. But ultimately, once you have insulted someone or said something hurtful, those words are probably going to resonate for a good while – if not forever.
So we must redouble our efforts to be careful and thoughtful…to stop and measure what we are about to say before we say it! We are to remember that we are speaking of another human being who is equally important in God’s eyes. We must remind ourselves that - to some extent - an insult toward this person is an insult toward God, who created him/her.
This is a stark lesson for us today…a jolt that should make us really stop and think about what we are saying about others – and toward them personally. We should ask God to give us the strength and courage to always operate in love – even when every fiber of our being wants to scream, shout, rant, rave, and call the other person terrible names. Words have the power to kill. How are you using yours?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 16, 2016
Matthew 5:17-18
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
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 was teaching kindergarten, our school district put every single teacher and administrator through an extensive (and expensive!) training program called PET…the Program for Effective Teaching. I won’t go into a lot of details about this program other than to say that we learned how to consistently present a lesson to students in a way that they could understand and retain. Some felt this program insulted their existing teaching abilities, but I felt it enhanced our skills and gave us common ground.
One of the basic principles of PET is that people remember what you tell them at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. So in my kindergarten classroom, I developed three simple “rules” that five-and-six-year-olds could understand and remember, and we reviewed and practiced them over and again.
1) Be kind to others.
2) Work and play quietly.
3) Respect other people’s property.
Everything we did had to fit into these parameters. Hit a classmate? That broke rules #1 and #2. Tear up a toy or even your school supplies? This violated Rule #3. There were tons of “sub-rules and guidelines,” but as long as the children followed the 3 simple rules of our classroom, all was well.
Here’s how this relates to Jesus. In the Old Testament, we are bombarded with laws and rules. You can’t do this…you must do that…if you break this law you must make XYZ sacrifice. And Jesus didn’t necessarily change these laws. He just drilled them down to something very basic and simple, as found in Luke 10:27…"That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”
This is SO EASY to remember. And yet, when we stop and examine our thoughts, words and actions, everything you could think of is covered. All you have to do is ask yourself, “Does this demonstrate love of God? Is this how I would want to be treated? Will this exemplify love of my neighbor?” If the answer is in any way negative, you know that you are not following the commands of Jesus. And maybe this isn’t your goal in life…but don’t you think it should be?
Trust Jesus to know what is best for you. Believe that His commands are true and perfect - and fully complete God’s word…today, tomorrow, and forever. Know that you are in His will beyond the shadow of a doubt. And live with peace and confidence as you fully surrender to Christ and serve at His pleasure. Love God…love others…trust Jesus…three “grown-up rules” for effective discipleship. Are you ready to put them into practice?
© Debbie Robus
“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
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 was teaching kindergarten, our school district put every single teacher and administrator through an extensive (and expensive!) training program called PET…the Program for Effective Teaching. I won’t go into a lot of details about this program other than to say that we learned how to consistently present a lesson to students in a way that they could understand and retain. Some felt this program insulted their existing teaching abilities, but I felt it enhanced our skills and gave us common ground.
One of the basic principles of PET is that people remember what you tell them at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. So in my kindergarten classroom, I developed three simple “rules” that five-and-six-year-olds could understand and remember, and we reviewed and practiced them over and again.
1) Be kind to others.
2) Work and play quietly.
3) Respect other people’s property.
Everything we did had to fit into these parameters. Hit a classmate? That broke rules #1 and #2. Tear up a toy or even your school supplies? This violated Rule #3. There were tons of “sub-rules and guidelines,” but as long as the children followed the 3 simple rules of our classroom, all was well.
Here’s how this relates to Jesus. In the Old Testament, we are bombarded with laws and rules. You can’t do this…you must do that…if you break this law you must make XYZ sacrifice. And Jesus didn’t necessarily change these laws. He just drilled them down to something very basic and simple, as found in Luke 10:27…"That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”
This is SO EASY to remember. And yet, when we stop and examine our thoughts, words and actions, everything you could think of is covered. All you have to do is ask yourself, “Does this demonstrate love of God? Is this how I would want to be treated? Will this exemplify love of my neighbor?” If the answer is in any way negative, you know that you are not following the commands of Jesus. And maybe this isn’t your goal in life…but don’t you think it should be?
Trust Jesus to know what is best for you. Believe that His commands are true and perfect - and fully complete God’s word…today, tomorrow, and forever. Know that you are in His will beyond the shadow of a doubt. And live with peace and confidence as you fully surrender to Christ and serve at His pleasure. Love God…love others…trust Jesus…three “grown-up rules” for effective discipleship. Are you ready to put them into practice?
© Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 15, 2016
Matthew 4:18-20
Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.
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.
Many years ago, I was shopping in Walmart just before Thanksgiving, and I saw my friend, Frances Evans. We talked about preparing the Thanksgiving meal and how much work was involved, and I mentioned making homemade rolls. Frances, who was one of the best cooks in the county, said, “Don’t do that! Go to the freezer case and find the Sister Schubert’s® Parker House Style Rolls. They are so good that you will never make homemade rolls again!” I knew if Frances said these rolls were good, they were GOOD! And she was exactly right!
My dear friend Frances is gone now, but every time I buy Sister Schubert’s rolls®, I think of her. And while I have made homemade rolls from my Mam-ma Polly’s recipe, these were good enough that even she commented on how delicious the rolls tasted!
I share this to say that sometimes, there is nothing necessarily wrong with what we are doing or how we are doing it…but Jesus has something so much better in mind for us to accomplish. There was nothing wrong with Peter and Andrew fishing for a living…but Jesus wanted them to work for Him…to “fish” for the souls of men and women and to share the Good News with them as His disciples. And the amazing part of this story for me is that they dropped their nets and followed Jesus.
You see, it was one thing for me to mark homemade rolls off my “to-do” list for Thanksgiving dinner and buy frozen rolls. France had told me they would be delicious, and I knew that she would not steer me wrong. I had eaten countless meals that she prepared. I had years of “history” with her. But these two men really didn’t know Jesus that well…at least not well enough to drop their very livelihood and leave their homes and families to follow Him. And yet, they did it!
Peter and Andrew had not grown up with Jesus. They had met Him…they had been told that He was the Messiah. But they didn’t have years of “history” with Him. And still they gave Him their complete faith and hope…they stepped up and out and followed Jesus with complete confidence that He knew best – that their work for Him would matter.
Here’s the thing…in some ways, we really don’t know Jesus all that well, either. We’ve never even met Him in the flesh. All we know is what we have been told…what we have read in the Bible…what we have seen demonstrated in the faithful words and actions of others. And yet, we are called to “come and follow” Him and “fish” for the hearts and souls of others on His behalf. Honestly, your life may be pretty good already. Your “old ways” are working fairly well, and there might not seem to be much need for any changes in how you worship and serve.
But often, Jesus calls us to make a few adjustments that add up to so much more…to cast off our “old ways” and take up the His new ones…to step out of our comfort zone and serve a Messiah that we have never physically seen. Jesus calls us to live for Him and do all that we can to convince others to surrender their hearts serve Him as well. These are all expressions of incredible faith and hope. And this is what Jesus asks of us.
So I guess my question today is this…”Are you content to keep ‘fishing’ like you’ve always done it…or are you ready to trust Jesus and try something new?” Will this be the day/week/year that you step out of your comfort zone and trust Jesus to show you a new – and better – way of doing things? Are you ready to drop your nets and follow Him…completely and faithfully? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.
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.
Many years ago, I was shopping in Walmart just before Thanksgiving, and I saw my friend, Frances Evans. We talked about preparing the Thanksgiving meal and how much work was involved, and I mentioned making homemade rolls. Frances, who was one of the best cooks in the county, said, “Don’t do that! Go to the freezer case and find the Sister Schubert’s® Parker House Style Rolls. They are so good that you will never make homemade rolls again!” I knew if Frances said these rolls were good, they were GOOD! And she was exactly right!
My dear friend Frances is gone now, but every time I buy Sister Schubert’s rolls®, I think of her. And while I have made homemade rolls from my Mam-ma Polly’s recipe, these were good enough that even she commented on how delicious the rolls tasted!
I share this to say that sometimes, there is nothing necessarily wrong with what we are doing or how we are doing it…but Jesus has something so much better in mind for us to accomplish. There was nothing wrong with Peter and Andrew fishing for a living…but Jesus wanted them to work for Him…to “fish” for the souls of men and women and to share the Good News with them as His disciples. And the amazing part of this story for me is that they dropped their nets and followed Jesus.
You see, it was one thing for me to mark homemade rolls off my “to-do” list for Thanksgiving dinner and buy frozen rolls. France had told me they would be delicious, and I knew that she would not steer me wrong. I had eaten countless meals that she prepared. I had years of “history” with her. But these two men really didn’t know Jesus that well…at least not well enough to drop their very livelihood and leave their homes and families to follow Him. And yet, they did it!
Peter and Andrew had not grown up with Jesus. They had met Him…they had been told that He was the Messiah. But they didn’t have years of “history” with Him. And still they gave Him their complete faith and hope…they stepped up and out and followed Jesus with complete confidence that He knew best – that their work for Him would matter.
Here’s the thing…in some ways, we really don’t know Jesus all that well, either. We’ve never even met Him in the flesh. All we know is what we have been told…what we have read in the Bible…what we have seen demonstrated in the faithful words and actions of others. And yet, we are called to “come and follow” Him and “fish” for the hearts and souls of others on His behalf. Honestly, your life may be pretty good already. Your “old ways” are working fairly well, and there might not seem to be much need for any changes in how you worship and serve.
But often, Jesus calls us to make a few adjustments that add up to so much more…to cast off our “old ways” and take up the His new ones…to step out of our comfort zone and serve a Messiah that we have never physically seen. Jesus calls us to live for Him and do all that we can to convince others to surrender their hearts serve Him as well. These are all expressions of incredible faith and hope. And this is what Jesus asks of us.
So I guess my question today is this…”Are you content to keep ‘fishing’ like you’ve always done it…or are you ready to trust Jesus and try something new?” Will this be the day/week/year that you step out of your comfort zone and trust Jesus to show you a new – and better – way of doing things? Are you ready to drop your nets and follow Him…completely and faithfully? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 14, 2016
Matthew 25:30-46
“But when I, the Messiah, shall come in my glory, and all the angels with me, then I shall sit upon my throne of glory. And all the nations shall be gathered before me. And I will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and place the sheep at my right hand, and the goats at my left.
“Then I, the King, shall say to those at my right, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’
“And I, the King, will tell them, ‘When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!’ Then I will turn to those on my left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry and you wouldn’t feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn’t give me anything to drink; a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked, and you wouldn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And I will answer, ‘When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.’
“And they shall go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous into everlasting life.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In 2003, I published a book that I had been writing in my head for several years - What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. This book was borne out of my own experiences with loved ones who were ill and dying – and the grieving process itself. Many people told me some version of the phrase, “I just didn’t know WHAT to do…so I did nothing.” Or they would tell me, “I didn’t know what to say.”
As a then-junior high Sunday school teacher and former public school teacher, I also knew that many “good deeds” go unnoticed…and the encouragement and nurture of others – especially young people - can go a long way toward demonstrating Christian love and care. So I wrote a little booklet to share my thoughts and ideas about how to “be the hands and feet of Jesus” and included some suggestions of things to say and do – in all sorts of situations.
This is one of my favorite scripture passages, because Jesus clearly outlines one of our biggest missions as His disciples. He notes that what we DON’T do in His name is just as important as what is done. And the point is that there are countless ways every single day that we can be a “sheep” or a “goat.” My question to you this day is “Which one are you?”
Ask God to show you how to help others, through your words AND your actions. It really takes far less time than you would imagine to send a message of encouragement or sympathy…or to congratulate someone on his/her accomplishments. It doesn’t take much effort at all to stop for a minute or two and ask someone how he/she is doing…or to express concern about someone’s struggles – or delight over their successes.
Yes, there are things that God calls us to that require more effort and sacrifice, such as becoming a foster parent or caring for our aging relatives. But whenever God places opportunities and tasks in our path, He will equip us for the mission.
God is waiting and watching to see how we respond to His call. What will He discover in you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“But when I, the Messiah, shall come in my glory, and all the angels with me, then I shall sit upon my throne of glory. And all the nations shall be gathered before me. And I will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and place the sheep at my right hand, and the goats at my left.
“Then I, the King, shall say to those at my right, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’
“And I, the King, will tell them, ‘When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!’ Then I will turn to those on my left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry and you wouldn’t feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn’t give me anything to drink; a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked, and you wouldn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And I will answer, ‘When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.’
“And they shall go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous into everlasting life.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In 2003, I published a book that I had been writing in my head for several years - What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. This book was borne out of my own experiences with loved ones who were ill and dying – and the grieving process itself. Many people told me some version of the phrase, “I just didn’t know WHAT to do…so I did nothing.” Or they would tell me, “I didn’t know what to say.”
As a then-junior high Sunday school teacher and former public school teacher, I also knew that many “good deeds” go unnoticed…and the encouragement and nurture of others – especially young people - can go a long way toward demonstrating Christian love and care. So I wrote a little booklet to share my thoughts and ideas about how to “be the hands and feet of Jesus” and included some suggestions of things to say and do – in all sorts of situations.
This is one of my favorite scripture passages, because Jesus clearly outlines one of our biggest missions as His disciples. He notes that what we DON’T do in His name is just as important as what is done. And the point is that there are countless ways every single day that we can be a “sheep” or a “goat.” My question to you this day is “Which one are you?”
Ask God to show you how to help others, through your words AND your actions. It really takes far less time than you would imagine to send a message of encouragement or sympathy…or to congratulate someone on his/her accomplishments. It doesn’t take much effort at all to stop for a minute or two and ask someone how he/she is doing…or to express concern about someone’s struggles – or delight over their successes.
Yes, there are things that God calls us to that require more effort and sacrifice, such as becoming a foster parent or caring for our aging relatives. But whenever God places opportunities and tasks in our path, He will equip us for the mission.
God is waiting and watching to see how we respond to His call. What will He discover in you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 13, 2016
Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.
“He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.
“But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.
“His master praised him for good work. ‘You have been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.’
“Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, ‘Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.’
“‘Good work,’ his master said. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more.’
“Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, ‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned, so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’
But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000. For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. And throw the useless servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For several months now, Greg and I have kept our great-nephew, Nathan, on Mondays and Fridays while his parents work and his older siblings are at school. Today, Timothy joined us, because he was sent home yesterday with a fever, and children cannot return to school until they are fever-free for 24 hours. This also happens to be Timothy’s 7th birthday. So we are spending the day playing with Legos® and other toys, watching movies, reading books, and eating pizza - and cheese sandwiches with mayonnaise and “no crust” (Timothy’s personal favorite!).
For today, this is my treasure. I could choose to pretty well ignore the boys – to plant them in front of the TV and go on about my day. I could pretend I didn’t hear them when they tell me they are hungry. I could let 3-year-old Nathan take himself to the bathroom and trust him to wash his own hands afterward (not!) – and even take his own bath and wash his hair himself! I could get out toys and crayons and set up movies for the children, put a slice of pizza or a cheese sandwich on a plate and say, “You’re on your own.”
OR, I could spend time working puzzles and chasing the boys with toy airplanes…watching videos and movies on TV…reading books…making sure they have plenty to eat and drink…making them bubble baths and shampooing their hair, and generally letting them know how important they are to us and how much we love them. The more we “sow into” these boys, the more they will develop into well-rounded children and adults.
My point is that every day, you and I are given responsibility for “treasure” – and today, ours is the nurture and care of these two little boys. Yours may to be the best student, employee, boss, mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, teacher or spouse that you can be. You may be retired, and your “treasure” is the investment you sow into people and projects that further God’s kingdom. You may be sick or injured, and your “treasure” is to uplift and motivate others by your own prayers, encouragement and demonstration of Christian discipleship.
God calls us to make the most of whatever “treasure” He gives us each day. We are to recognize His gifts and be faithful stewards of them…to make the most of every single blessing and responsibility – even if it involves Legos®, pizza and cheese sandwiches. So how are you doing today?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.
“He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.
“But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.
“His master praised him for good work. ‘You have been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.’
“Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, ‘Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.’
“‘Good work,’ his master said. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more.’
“Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, ‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned, so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’
But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000. For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. And throw the useless servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For several months now, Greg and I have kept our great-nephew, Nathan, on Mondays and Fridays while his parents work and his older siblings are at school. Today, Timothy joined us, because he was sent home yesterday with a fever, and children cannot return to school until they are fever-free for 24 hours. This also happens to be Timothy’s 7th birthday. So we are spending the day playing with Legos® and other toys, watching movies, reading books, and eating pizza - and cheese sandwiches with mayonnaise and “no crust” (Timothy’s personal favorite!).
For today, this is my treasure. I could choose to pretty well ignore the boys – to plant them in front of the TV and go on about my day. I could pretend I didn’t hear them when they tell me they are hungry. I could let 3-year-old Nathan take himself to the bathroom and trust him to wash his own hands afterward (not!) – and even take his own bath and wash his hair himself! I could get out toys and crayons and set up movies for the children, put a slice of pizza or a cheese sandwich on a plate and say, “You’re on your own.”
OR, I could spend time working puzzles and chasing the boys with toy airplanes…watching videos and movies on TV…reading books…making sure they have plenty to eat and drink…making them bubble baths and shampooing their hair, and generally letting them know how important they are to us and how much we love them. The more we “sow into” these boys, the more they will develop into well-rounded children and adults.
My point is that every day, you and I are given responsibility for “treasure” – and today, ours is the nurture and care of these two little boys. Yours may to be the best student, employee, boss, mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, teacher or spouse that you can be. You may be retired, and your “treasure” is the investment you sow into people and projects that further God’s kingdom. You may be sick or injured, and your “treasure” is to uplift and motivate others by your own prayers, encouragement and demonstration of Christian discipleship.
God calls us to make the most of whatever “treasure” He gives us each day. We are to recognize His gifts and be faithful stewards of them…to make the most of every single blessing and responsibility – even if it involves Legos®, pizza and cheese sandwiches. So how are you doing today?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 12, 2016
Matthew 25:1-13
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.
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
“The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
“They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
“They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
“Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
“He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.
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.
Tomorrow, our great-nephew Timothy will celebrate his seventh birthday – and our great-niece Erin will graduate from high school. We blinked, and these little ones grew up. Timothy should still be a wide-eyed baby dancing to “Jack’s Big Music Show”…and Erin should still be that little five-year-old girl who ran across the street to visit us after school several times a week.
Hopefully we will be around to watch the next chapters in the lives of these two and all of the other young people in our family and “circle.” But events over the last 8 months have shown us that nothing in life is certain – even life itself. So we must make the most of every minute!
In a spiritual context, this means that we must never pass up an opportunity to share Jesus with others. We cannot waste time on bickering and negativity. Our denomination’s Bishop posted a note about this today that ended with #WeAreMore. We are more than gossip, lies, cheating, judgment, discrimination, hatred, and nastiness. We are more than selfishness, narcissism, xenophobia, racism, classism and homophobia. We are more than fear-mongering, dissention, and rabble-rousing. As Disciples of Christ, we ARE more – or we should be!
This is not something we can play around with and put off for another day. Some want to say, “I am going to ‘sow my wild oats’ for now and have fun…and I’ll be ‘good’ when I am old and gray.” Others want to say, “I have too much to do right now. When I am less busy, I’ll spend more time with God – or my kids – or my family.” The truth is that we really don’t know when Jesus might arrive…or when our last minutes on earth might be happening.” We have to live every second as if it is the last…as if Jesus might return – or call us home – at any moment!
We have to demonstrate at every turn that #WeAreMore…because this is the life to which Jesus has called us. We have to represent “more” in every word, thought and action. We have to prioritize and recognize what is truly important…and what is a total waste of our energy. God will show us how to do this…and we must trust His directives and follow them to the letter. Believe it or not, the more we listen to Him and trust His lead…the more time we will have for the things that really matter…and our lives will be filled with far less stress and angst.
We cannot stop the clock…or control the hour when Christ returns or calls for us. But with God’s help, we can regulate what we do with our time – and how we serve Him. We can operate in the frustration and negativity of “less”…or we can show the world that with Jesus, #WeAreMore. What are you showing the world these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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.
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
“The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
“They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
“They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
“Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
“He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.
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.
Tomorrow, our great-nephew Timothy will celebrate his seventh birthday – and our great-niece Erin will graduate from high school. We blinked, and these little ones grew up. Timothy should still be a wide-eyed baby dancing to “Jack’s Big Music Show”…and Erin should still be that little five-year-old girl who ran across the street to visit us after school several times a week.
Hopefully we will be around to watch the next chapters in the lives of these two and all of the other young people in our family and “circle.” But events over the last 8 months have shown us that nothing in life is certain – even life itself. So we must make the most of every minute!
In a spiritual context, this means that we must never pass up an opportunity to share Jesus with others. We cannot waste time on bickering and negativity. Our denomination’s Bishop posted a note about this today that ended with #WeAreMore. We are more than gossip, lies, cheating, judgment, discrimination, hatred, and nastiness. We are more than selfishness, narcissism, xenophobia, racism, classism and homophobia. We are more than fear-mongering, dissention, and rabble-rousing. As Disciples of Christ, we ARE more – or we should be!
This is not something we can play around with and put off for another day. Some want to say, “I am going to ‘sow my wild oats’ for now and have fun…and I’ll be ‘good’ when I am old and gray.” Others want to say, “I have too much to do right now. When I am less busy, I’ll spend more time with God – or my kids – or my family.” The truth is that we really don’t know when Jesus might arrive…or when our last minutes on earth might be happening.” We have to live every second as if it is the last…as if Jesus might return – or call us home – at any moment!
We have to demonstrate at every turn that #WeAreMore…because this is the life to which Jesus has called us. We have to represent “more” in every word, thought and action. We have to prioritize and recognize what is truly important…and what is a total waste of our energy. God will show us how to do this…and we must trust His directives and follow them to the letter. Believe it or not, the more we listen to Him and trust His lead…the more time we will have for the things that really matter…and our lives will be filled with far less stress and angst.
We cannot stop the clock…or control the hour when Christ returns or calls for us. But with God’s help, we can regulate what we do with our time – and how we serve Him. We can operate in the frustration and negativity of “less”…or we can show the world that with Jesus, #WeAreMore. What are you showing the world these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 11, 2016
Matthew 24:36
But no one knows the date and hour when the end will be—not even the angels. No, nor even God’s Son. Only the Father knows.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning, a photo memory of my niece and her three children, taken at a birthday/Mother’s Day celebration party two years ago, appeared on my Facebook wall. The children were just turning 5, 3, and 2. Also appearing this morning was a post from a friend I taught kindergarten with “many moons ago.” Today, her son is 36. I remember vividly the day he was born – Mother’s Day 1980. A lot has happened in thirty-six years…and day for day, a lot has happened in just the last two!
As I thought about these events, I was reminded that we could not have predicted much of what happened. Two years ago, I would never have dreamed that vital, healthy people we loved would no longer be with us. We could not have predicted the births of new family members, the achievements and accomplishments of others, job changes for some, new homes for others, and a myriad of other life events. There is so much about daily living that is unpredictable…there are so many things for which we cannot possibly plan.
And yet, God knows them all. He knows what will happen…and when. God knows how things will “play out” in our lives…and how we will react to them. And for every event and possibility we are able to imagine, God knows dozens more that we never thought of – or could not envision. He sees the big picture where we see only a small window of what will take place.
So we cannot possibly know when Jesus will return…or whether we will still be here. We don’t know the hour and date of our death…and I am pretty sure we wouldn’t want to know. But this “unknown” does come with some responsibilities. We must be ready – for anything. How can you be ready for sudden death or the loss of a loved one? How can you be ready for job loss, the disintegration of a relationship, a major disappointment of some sort…or even a great surprise or blessing? The short answer is, “You can’t!”
But we can live with expectation, faith and hope. We can wake up every day and say, “I don’t know what You have planned for me today, Lord, but I know that you will equip me to handle it.” We can get up with a sense of obligation to represent Jesus and His teachings to the best of our ability – with the help of the Holy Spirit. And we can trust that whatever happens beyond this will be manipulated by God for His purposes.
God is more than able to “make lemons out of lemonade.” He can take our joys and triumphs…our sorrows and heartaches…the good, the bad, and the ugly…and turn it into something beautiful for His glory. Our job is to trust Him to do this…and live with hope and confidence in every circumstance that each day brings. How are you doing so far?
©2016 Debbie Robus
But no one knows the date and hour when the end will be—not even the angels. No, nor even God’s Son. Only the Father knows.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning, a photo memory of my niece and her three children, taken at a birthday/Mother’s Day celebration party two years ago, appeared on my Facebook wall. The children were just turning 5, 3, and 2. Also appearing this morning was a post from a friend I taught kindergarten with “many moons ago.” Today, her son is 36. I remember vividly the day he was born – Mother’s Day 1980. A lot has happened in thirty-six years…and day for day, a lot has happened in just the last two!
As I thought about these events, I was reminded that we could not have predicted much of what happened. Two years ago, I would never have dreamed that vital, healthy people we loved would no longer be with us. We could not have predicted the births of new family members, the achievements and accomplishments of others, job changes for some, new homes for others, and a myriad of other life events. There is so much about daily living that is unpredictable…there are so many things for which we cannot possibly plan.
And yet, God knows them all. He knows what will happen…and when. God knows how things will “play out” in our lives…and how we will react to them. And for every event and possibility we are able to imagine, God knows dozens more that we never thought of – or could not envision. He sees the big picture where we see only a small window of what will take place.
So we cannot possibly know when Jesus will return…or whether we will still be here. We don’t know the hour and date of our death…and I am pretty sure we wouldn’t want to know. But this “unknown” does come with some responsibilities. We must be ready – for anything. How can you be ready for sudden death or the loss of a loved one? How can you be ready for job loss, the disintegration of a relationship, a major disappointment of some sort…or even a great surprise or blessing? The short answer is, “You can’t!”
But we can live with expectation, faith and hope. We can wake up every day and say, “I don’t know what You have planned for me today, Lord, but I know that you will equip me to handle it.” We can get up with a sense of obligation to represent Jesus and His teachings to the best of our ability – with the help of the Holy Spirit. And we can trust that whatever happens beyond this will be manipulated by God for His purposes.
God is more than able to “make lemons out of lemonade.” He can take our joys and triumphs…our sorrows and heartaches…the good, the bad, and the ugly…and turn it into something beautiful for His glory. Our job is to trust Him to do this…and live with hope and confidence in every circumstance that each day brings. How are you doing so far?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 10, 2016
Matthew 24:25
The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read a column written by a comedienne about being a grandparent “then vs. now.” She compared how things were when WE were children to present day with humorous observations like how our baby food was whatever the adults were eating – only mashed…and today, a lot of parents want only “organic and gluten-free.” Or how we used to live by the “5-second rule” about food dropped on the floor and then eaten…and today, we’re all about baby wipes and hand sanitizer.
The point was that things change. The pendulum swings from one generation to the next. Every few years, an “expert” declares that we’ve been doing things all wrong, and there is some newfangled method that is foolproof. When I was a child, there were certain topics we would never have considered discussing “in polite company,” and now, pretty much anything is deemed “fair game” by many. Words I never thought I would hear uttered in public are now in the mainstream on prime time and daytime television…and nobody even looks up from their electronic device!
I do not necessarily endorse these changes. I merely make note of them to point out that we humans are fickle. What we wholeheartedly believe one year changes the next. We are easily swayed and persuaded…and as a result, we often find it hard to trust anything or anyone.
But JESUS is the real deal. He never changes. When everything has totally dissolved into nothingness, His word will still stand. The promise that He will always love us…that He will cleanse us of all sin if we ask Him to…that His peace is given to us and will never leave…that He is preparing a home for us in Heaven and will return for us someday…all of these are everlasting, steadfast, and unfailing. We can “take them to the bank!” His command to us to love others as He loves us will never change. There will never be “exceptions to the rule” or qualifiers of any kind.
I don’t know about you, but in a sea of continual changes, this is a great comfort to me. I serve a God whose message is timeless. I surrendered my heart to a Savior who will NEVER alter His mission…never renege on a promise…never withhold His love. We can’t ask for more than this!
As recipients of such amazing promises and their inherent benefits, we should be more than eager to glorify Jesus with our thoughts, words and actions. We should strive to stand strong in our resolve to love Him and serve Him. We should make every effort to carry out Jesus’ teachings…to demonstrate love and kindness to every person we encounter – and to recognize his/her worth in God’s eyes. We should continually check our behavior and conversation and see where we speak negativity and disparity – or downright hatred – toward others.
We are human. Our words will never hold the same promise and authority as those of Jesus. But as we strive to be more like Him, our level of integrity should increase exponentially. We should walk in truth and confidence that what Jesus taught us is infallible and endures forever…and we should do our best to emulate these truths in our own daily living.
Do you believe that Jesus’ word endures forever? Are you demonstrating this to others in your own words and actions? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read a column written by a comedienne about being a grandparent “then vs. now.” She compared how things were when WE were children to present day with humorous observations like how our baby food was whatever the adults were eating – only mashed…and today, a lot of parents want only “organic and gluten-free.” Or how we used to live by the “5-second rule” about food dropped on the floor and then eaten…and today, we’re all about baby wipes and hand sanitizer.
The point was that things change. The pendulum swings from one generation to the next. Every few years, an “expert” declares that we’ve been doing things all wrong, and there is some newfangled method that is foolproof. When I was a child, there were certain topics we would never have considered discussing “in polite company,” and now, pretty much anything is deemed “fair game” by many. Words I never thought I would hear uttered in public are now in the mainstream on prime time and daytime television…and nobody even looks up from their electronic device!
I do not necessarily endorse these changes. I merely make note of them to point out that we humans are fickle. What we wholeheartedly believe one year changes the next. We are easily swayed and persuaded…and as a result, we often find it hard to trust anything or anyone.
But JESUS is the real deal. He never changes. When everything has totally dissolved into nothingness, His word will still stand. The promise that He will always love us…that He will cleanse us of all sin if we ask Him to…that His peace is given to us and will never leave…that He is preparing a home for us in Heaven and will return for us someday…all of these are everlasting, steadfast, and unfailing. We can “take them to the bank!” His command to us to love others as He loves us will never change. There will never be “exceptions to the rule” or qualifiers of any kind.
I don’t know about you, but in a sea of continual changes, this is a great comfort to me. I serve a God whose message is timeless. I surrendered my heart to a Savior who will NEVER alter His mission…never renege on a promise…never withhold His love. We can’t ask for more than this!
As recipients of such amazing promises and their inherent benefits, we should be more than eager to glorify Jesus with our thoughts, words and actions. We should strive to stand strong in our resolve to love Him and serve Him. We should make every effort to carry out Jesus’ teachings…to demonstrate love and kindness to every person we encounter – and to recognize his/her worth in God’s eyes. We should continually check our behavior and conversation and see where we speak negativity and disparity – or downright hatred – toward others.
We are human. Our words will never hold the same promise and authority as those of Jesus. But as we strive to be more like Him, our level of integrity should increase exponentially. We should walk in truth and confidence that what Jesus taught us is infallible and endures forever…and we should do our best to emulate these truths in our own daily living.
Do you believe that Jesus’ word endures forever? Are you demonstrating this to others in your own words and actions? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 9, 2016
Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
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 find it no coincidence that just yesterday, Pastor Joel Osteen preached a televised sermon about embracing our suffering and struggles – and how “it’s all good.” He pointed out that many will ask, “How can suffering be good? How can job loss, illness, business and relationship failures and more be a good thing?” More importantly, how can God allow these things?
Osteen noted that God sees a far bigger picture than we do…that we cannot see what He might be sparing us from…or preparing us to handle through these challenges. He told the story of a man who did volunteer work at a hospital. As the man parked his car one day and started into the hospital, a car sped around a corner and hit him. He was rushed inside for treatment…and x-rays and scans revealed he had a very aggressive form of cancer that needed immediate treatment. Had the car not hit the man, this cancer might never have been discovered…and the man might not have received timely treatments that ultimately saved his life.
In my own life, I know that I didn’t receive a job I desperately wanted…and God gave me a whole new career instead. My mother’s beloved dog, Spot, died last January, the day before Mother had hand surgery that would have prevented her from caring for him properly – and only months before she was diagnosed with cancer that sapped her strength and ultimately took her life. I know that after my grandmother suffered the loss of her husband, God gave her a companion who was not yet a Christian…and she demonstrated her faith and led him to surrender his heart to Jesus just a few short months before he died.
I know that when we trust Jesus, He will use our “suffering” for good. It may be hard to see…and we may never fully understand why certain things happen – to us or to others. But I fully believe that God has a perfect plan and sees a bigger picture. And when we trust Him to “drive the car,” He meets our needs and fills us with confidence, comfort and peace.
This scripture passage says to embrace suffering…it doesn’t say we have to like it! There is a difference. When we embrace suffering, we are saying, “I trust you, God…bring it on!” I doubt that any of us are fully “there” yet…but we keep working toward this level of faith. I know that this is my goal…what about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
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 find it no coincidence that just yesterday, Pastor Joel Osteen preached a televised sermon about embracing our suffering and struggles – and how “it’s all good.” He pointed out that many will ask, “How can suffering be good? How can job loss, illness, business and relationship failures and more be a good thing?” More importantly, how can God allow these things?
Osteen noted that God sees a far bigger picture than we do…that we cannot see what He might be sparing us from…or preparing us to handle through these challenges. He told the story of a man who did volunteer work at a hospital. As the man parked his car one day and started into the hospital, a car sped around a corner and hit him. He was rushed inside for treatment…and x-rays and scans revealed he had a very aggressive form of cancer that needed immediate treatment. Had the car not hit the man, this cancer might never have been discovered…and the man might not have received timely treatments that ultimately saved his life.
In my own life, I know that I didn’t receive a job I desperately wanted…and God gave me a whole new career instead. My mother’s beloved dog, Spot, died last January, the day before Mother had hand surgery that would have prevented her from caring for him properly – and only months before she was diagnosed with cancer that sapped her strength and ultimately took her life. I know that after my grandmother suffered the loss of her husband, God gave her a companion who was not yet a Christian…and she demonstrated her faith and led him to surrender his heart to Jesus just a few short months before he died.
I know that when we trust Jesus, He will use our “suffering” for good. It may be hard to see…and we may never fully understand why certain things happen – to us or to others. But I fully believe that God has a perfect plan and sees a bigger picture. And when we trust Him to “drive the car,” He meets our needs and fills us with confidence, comfort and peace.
This scripture passage says to embrace suffering…it doesn’t say we have to like it! There is a difference. When we embrace suffering, we are saying, “I trust you, God…bring it on!” I doubt that any of us are fully “there” yet…but we keep working toward this level of faith. I know that this is my goal…what about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 8, 2016
Mark 16:15
Then he told them:
Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I Googled “Your mission, should you choose to accept it,” and I actually got about 77,700,000 results! If you do not know this phrase, you’ve probably never seen a “Mission Impossible” movie or television show, because this is how they all begin…with a message to the agent about his assignment - and this phrase.
If you go back and read Mark 16:14, you will see that Jesus is talking to His disciples. In fact, Jesus has just given them “what-for” because some of them did not believe those who saw Him after He was raised to life. He appears to the disciples and lays out their “mission”…to “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” And this is OUR mission, too. Jesus follows this with an admonition in verse 16 that...”Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.”
The message is quite clear…but just in case you have any questions about what Jesus said, let’s break this down a bit. First, we are called to believe in Jesus, even though we have never seen Him. We are to surrender our heart, mind and soul to a God we have never seen in the flesh…to trust that He is the ultimate Authority in our lives…and to surrender completely to Him. Then, we are to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and what He did for us with everyone we encounter. We are to demonstrate our faith, behave in a way that honors His teachings to love others and treat them as we wish to be treated, and to trust God to handle every aspect of our daily living according to His will and in perfect fashion.
There are also a couple of things this passage does NOT say. First, Jesus does not say that we must be baptized in order to be saved. Yes, in verse 16, He says that those who believe in Him and are “baptized” will be saved, but those who refuse to believe in Him will be condemned. But let’s be clear…this does not necessarily mean a “water baptism.” If it did, the thief on the cross would not have been promised an Eternity with Jesus in heaven. I believe that the word “baptized” in this context means that we must die to our sins and old way of life and be “washed clean” (or baptized), in the blood of Jesus.
Additionally, Jesus is not telling us that we have to go around the world as missionaries. When He says to share His GOOD NEWS with the world…I believe He uses that word collectively. Your “world” and mine may not be the same. You may travel for recreation or work and encounter people, quite literally, around the world. You may go on mission trips for this specific purpose. Or you may be like me - pretty well a “homebody” who does not venture out of her community often…so your “world” is your own backyard. I also feel blessed to be able to share Jesus with “the world” via the Internet and any and all who may read these devotionals. Each one of us has a different “world,” and this is where Jesus has called us to share His message.
Ultimately, Jesus’ commission is for us to live out our faith - wherever we are and whoever we encounter. Frankly, I’ve been concerned lately about how some of us are doing in this area. As we become more aggressive and assertive in expressing our thoughts and opinions, I fear we are losing sight of Jesus’ message to us. We are confusing the “mission” to share the Good News with our desire to impose our attitudes and judgments on others. So we are comfortable with name calling – and accepting those who seem to effortlessly throw barbs, criticisms and judgments – and we claim the name of Jesus while acting like downright jerks and bullies at times!
We give people in our “world” the impression that “I’m right, you’re wrong,” and God said so! We behave badly, laugh at ugly jokes and remarks, and give our children (and others who are watching), the impression that this is all okay – that this is how “good Christians” act. And surely God must hang His head in shame at how His children attempt to carry out the “mission.”
©2016 Debbie Robus
Then he told them:
Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I Googled “Your mission, should you choose to accept it,” and I actually got about 77,700,000 results! If you do not know this phrase, you’ve probably never seen a “Mission Impossible” movie or television show, because this is how they all begin…with a message to the agent about his assignment - and this phrase.
If you go back and read Mark 16:14, you will see that Jesus is talking to His disciples. In fact, Jesus has just given them “what-for” because some of them did not believe those who saw Him after He was raised to life. He appears to the disciples and lays out their “mission”…to “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” And this is OUR mission, too. Jesus follows this with an admonition in verse 16 that...”Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.”
The message is quite clear…but just in case you have any questions about what Jesus said, let’s break this down a bit. First, we are called to believe in Jesus, even though we have never seen Him. We are to surrender our heart, mind and soul to a God we have never seen in the flesh…to trust that He is the ultimate Authority in our lives…and to surrender completely to Him. Then, we are to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and what He did for us with everyone we encounter. We are to demonstrate our faith, behave in a way that honors His teachings to love others and treat them as we wish to be treated, and to trust God to handle every aspect of our daily living according to His will and in perfect fashion.
There are also a couple of things this passage does NOT say. First, Jesus does not say that we must be baptized in order to be saved. Yes, in verse 16, He says that those who believe in Him and are “baptized” will be saved, but those who refuse to believe in Him will be condemned. But let’s be clear…this does not necessarily mean a “water baptism.” If it did, the thief on the cross would not have been promised an Eternity with Jesus in heaven. I believe that the word “baptized” in this context means that we must die to our sins and old way of life and be “washed clean” (or baptized), in the blood of Jesus.
Additionally, Jesus is not telling us that we have to go around the world as missionaries. When He says to share His GOOD NEWS with the world…I believe He uses that word collectively. Your “world” and mine may not be the same. You may travel for recreation or work and encounter people, quite literally, around the world. You may go on mission trips for this specific purpose. Or you may be like me - pretty well a “homebody” who does not venture out of her community often…so your “world” is your own backyard. I also feel blessed to be able to share Jesus with “the world” via the Internet and any and all who may read these devotionals. Each one of us has a different “world,” and this is where Jesus has called us to share His message.
Ultimately, Jesus’ commission is for us to live out our faith - wherever we are and whoever we encounter. Frankly, I’ve been concerned lately about how some of us are doing in this area. As we become more aggressive and assertive in expressing our thoughts and opinions, I fear we are losing sight of Jesus’ message to us. We are confusing the “mission” to share the Good News with our desire to impose our attitudes and judgments on others. So we are comfortable with name calling – and accepting those who seem to effortlessly throw barbs, criticisms and judgments – and we claim the name of Jesus while acting like downright jerks and bullies at times!
We give people in our “world” the impression that “I’m right, you’re wrong,” and God said so! We behave badly, laugh at ugly jokes and remarks, and give our children (and others who are watching), the impression that this is all okay – that this is how “good Christians” act. And surely God must hang His head in shame at how His children attempt to carry out the “mission.”
- Let’s stop and take a hard look at what Jesus called us to do.
- Let’s renew our commitment to love Him wholeheartedly and serve Him according to His will – not our own.
- Let’s surrender our sins to Him and ask for baptism in His cleansing blood.
- Let’s resolve to carry out Jesus’ mission – not our own…and to behave in a manner that is befitting of our “station” as His precious and redeemed children.
- Let’s share the GOOD NEWS with those in our “world” and make every effort to never contaminate this message with our words or actions.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 7, 2016
Luke 23:43
And Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I am not going to lie…this is a tough stretch of days. Facebook is filled with photos of mothers. Everyone is talking about Mother’s Day…and some have sweetly posted comments on my wall to let them know that they are thinking of my sister and me on our first Mother’s Day without our own mother’s earthly presence. I celebrate ALL mothers…on this earth and in heaven – especially Greg’s mother, who is so very dear to me. I treasure memories of my own mother - and my grandmothers and great-grandmother. And I don’t know what I would do these days without my “other mothers,” who nurture me…advise me and love me unconditionally.
But at the end of the day, what will get me through this “rough patch” is what gets me through a lot of things…the “solemn promise” that Paradise is real. I am comforted, encouraged and sustained by the confidence that Jesus is waiting for me there, along with my loved ones who have gone before me. Because I have surrendered my sins – and my heart – to Him, He has assured me that my soul will live forever in His presence. There will be no more tears, no more struggles…no more worries about everything from world peace to whether or not I should eat that last cookie! It truly will be “all good.”
So I am going to focus on the mothers in my midst…with a respectful nod to those who have passed. I am going to thank Jesus for my own salvation - and His promise that I will be reunited with my parents and so many loved ones someday. I take great comfort in the confidence that we will sit at His feet and bask in His glory forever and ever. Meanwhile, I am going to honor this promise to the best of my ability by serving Him wholeheartedly and obediently. I will trust His amazing promise in exchange for my simple (yet powerful) act of surrender…and live with hope for the future. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
And Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I am not going to lie…this is a tough stretch of days. Facebook is filled with photos of mothers. Everyone is talking about Mother’s Day…and some have sweetly posted comments on my wall to let them know that they are thinking of my sister and me on our first Mother’s Day without our own mother’s earthly presence. I celebrate ALL mothers…on this earth and in heaven – especially Greg’s mother, who is so very dear to me. I treasure memories of my own mother - and my grandmothers and great-grandmother. And I don’t know what I would do these days without my “other mothers,” who nurture me…advise me and love me unconditionally.
But at the end of the day, what will get me through this “rough patch” is what gets me through a lot of things…the “solemn promise” that Paradise is real. I am comforted, encouraged and sustained by the confidence that Jesus is waiting for me there, along with my loved ones who have gone before me. Because I have surrendered my sins – and my heart – to Him, He has assured me that my soul will live forever in His presence. There will be no more tears, no more struggles…no more worries about everything from world peace to whether or not I should eat that last cookie! It truly will be “all good.”
So I am going to focus on the mothers in my midst…with a respectful nod to those who have passed. I am going to thank Jesus for my own salvation - and His promise that I will be reunited with my parents and so many loved ones someday. I take great comfort in the confidence that we will sit at His feet and bask in His glory forever and ever. Meanwhile, I am going to honor this promise to the best of my ability by serving Him wholeheartedly and obediently. I will trust His amazing promise in exchange for my simple (yet powerful) act of surrender…and live with hope for the future. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 6, 2016
Luke 21:8-9
He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”
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 traveled with Timothy’s class to a goat farm today. Yes…a goat farm! We watched the farmer milk a goat and then make soap with the milk and other ingredients. We toured the milking room and saw babies, yearlings, and full-grown Nubian goats. We took a hayride and looked at beautiful cattle – including several newborn calves - grazing under a grove of trees. The children ran relays on stick horses and got to pet a beautiful horse named Mercedes.
We finished the morning with a picnic lunch. The fields were full of buttercups. Everything was crisp and green…the goats were adorable…the sky was deep blue, and there was lots of sunshine and a light breeze to keep things cool. It was what my mother used to call a “Chamber of Commerce Day!”
The dad of one of Timothy’s classmates rode over to the farm with me. He moved to our state from New Jersey, and he marveled at the foliage and the landscape as we traveled. He talked of living in a “concrete jungle” just a few miles from New York City, and how he was glad his children were growing up where nature was abundant. Everything about the farm was as new and exciting to him as it was to any of the 6-and-7-year-olds who visited.
After we returned from the trip, I purchased a couple dozen farm fresh eggs and several quarts of just-picked strawberries from local vendors. By the time I got home, I was tired from all of the fresh air, sunshine, and the day’s activities…but my heart was so full. God had shown me firsthand just how blessed I am.
I grew up around farm animals, riding my own horse, and eating freshly grown food from my grandparents’ garden. I have lived most of my 58+ years within 100 miles of my present location…and I have never lacked for greenery, changing seasons, or an abundance of wildlife. I looked around and realized just how blessed I am – and I was reminded how easy it is to become complacent – or negative…and to forget all of this!
My mother said over and over that there was nothing new about the wars and hatred of today. If you study history at all…or if you read your Bible…you will learn more about torture and strife than you could ever imagine. You will see that negativity, bullying, and abuses of all kinds are anything but new. You will also see that people have been saying that “the end is near” for centuries! We all know that Matthew 24:36 tells us…“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.” Yet many still want to try to predict what God is planning – and when!
Here’s the lesson for us…stop worrying about when Jesus will return – and start focusing on what God has given you! Count your blessings…open your eyes and recognize the opportunities and possibilities in your midst. Ask God what He wants you to do with each and every day…and then prepare to DO IT! Trust that God has amazing plans for you. Live with faith that Jesus will return at the right time…and meanwhile, He will handle ALL THINGS in your life. I do not mean to belittle war and dissention – or to disrespect those who fight for our country or any of our leaders who are working to bring about resolution and peace.
But let’s be honest…the most important thing that you and I can do to eliminate strife in our own life – and our own circle of influence – is to operate in God’s will and honor His blessings in our lives. Recognize a “good day” – and come to expect more of them. Show others what it means to live fully in God’s abundance…fearless about the future and a victor rather than a victim of negativity and disagreement. Don’t buy into the false message of those who would have you believe that everything is quite literally “going to hell in a hand basket.” God is still on the throne! He is still the King of Kings…large and in charge…calling the shots and blessing His people. And you are among them!
Who are you listening to these days? Do you see the hand of God upon your life? Do you trust Him? Have you counted your blessings lately? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”
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 traveled with Timothy’s class to a goat farm today. Yes…a goat farm! We watched the farmer milk a goat and then make soap with the milk and other ingredients. We toured the milking room and saw babies, yearlings, and full-grown Nubian goats. We took a hayride and looked at beautiful cattle – including several newborn calves - grazing under a grove of trees. The children ran relays on stick horses and got to pet a beautiful horse named Mercedes.
We finished the morning with a picnic lunch. The fields were full of buttercups. Everything was crisp and green…the goats were adorable…the sky was deep blue, and there was lots of sunshine and a light breeze to keep things cool. It was what my mother used to call a “Chamber of Commerce Day!”
The dad of one of Timothy’s classmates rode over to the farm with me. He moved to our state from New Jersey, and he marveled at the foliage and the landscape as we traveled. He talked of living in a “concrete jungle” just a few miles from New York City, and how he was glad his children were growing up where nature was abundant. Everything about the farm was as new and exciting to him as it was to any of the 6-and-7-year-olds who visited.
After we returned from the trip, I purchased a couple dozen farm fresh eggs and several quarts of just-picked strawberries from local vendors. By the time I got home, I was tired from all of the fresh air, sunshine, and the day’s activities…but my heart was so full. God had shown me firsthand just how blessed I am.
I grew up around farm animals, riding my own horse, and eating freshly grown food from my grandparents’ garden. I have lived most of my 58+ years within 100 miles of my present location…and I have never lacked for greenery, changing seasons, or an abundance of wildlife. I looked around and realized just how blessed I am – and I was reminded how easy it is to become complacent – or negative…and to forget all of this!
My mother said over and over that there was nothing new about the wars and hatred of today. If you study history at all…or if you read your Bible…you will learn more about torture and strife than you could ever imagine. You will see that negativity, bullying, and abuses of all kinds are anything but new. You will also see that people have been saying that “the end is near” for centuries! We all know that Matthew 24:36 tells us…“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.” Yet many still want to try to predict what God is planning – and when!
Here’s the lesson for us…stop worrying about when Jesus will return – and start focusing on what God has given you! Count your blessings…open your eyes and recognize the opportunities and possibilities in your midst. Ask God what He wants you to do with each and every day…and then prepare to DO IT! Trust that God has amazing plans for you. Live with faith that Jesus will return at the right time…and meanwhile, He will handle ALL THINGS in your life. I do not mean to belittle war and dissention – or to disrespect those who fight for our country or any of our leaders who are working to bring about resolution and peace.
But let’s be honest…the most important thing that you and I can do to eliminate strife in our own life – and our own circle of influence – is to operate in God’s will and honor His blessings in our lives. Recognize a “good day” – and come to expect more of them. Show others what it means to live fully in God’s abundance…fearless about the future and a victor rather than a victim of negativity and disagreement. Don’t buy into the false message of those who would have you believe that everything is quite literally “going to hell in a hand basket.” God is still on the throne! He is still the King of Kings…large and in charge…calling the shots and blessing His people. And you are among them!
Who are you listening to these days? Do you see the hand of God upon your life? Do you trust Him? Have you counted your blessings lately? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 5, 2016
Luke 16:10-13
Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
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 think about it, many of us are taught the importance of integrity from an early age.
A friend asked on Facebook for parents to contribute lists of words or phrases that they use over and over with their children. While we are not parents, I thought of a few that Greg and I say, like “share”…”say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’”…and ”be nice to each other.” We also spend time telling the children, “You can become anything you want”…”You are so smart”…”You did that so well”…”I am proud of you!”
We try to instill in them – just as our parents did with us – the importance of honesty, fairness, and integrity…and the dangers of lying, cheating, stealing – and greed. And I hope you realize that this scripture passage is about so much more than just the love of money. It’s really about choices – what and WHO we choose to serve in all areas of life.
Proverbs 15:16 (CEV) says, “It’s better to obey the Lord and have only a little, than to be very rich and terribly confused.” When we focus on God and doing the things that please Him, our needs will always be met. We may not drive brand-new cars or live in fancy houses…we may only have a few things to wear and just enough food to sustain us. But we will be full, satisfied, and abundantly “rich” in the things that truly matter - if we are in the will of God and serve Him humbly.
When we make hard choices and do the right thing – even though everyone around us is suggesting we do otherwise…we demonstrate faith in God to bless us. When we operate with integrity and trust God in all things, He fills in the gaps. It is time for us to focus on God…to serve and operate in His will – and believe that He will handle our troubles and challenges. It is time for us to concentrate on meeting the needs of others in the name of Jesus - and quit worrying about what is in it for ourselves.
It is time for us to choose WHO we will serve…and then do it…to exhibit the hallmarks of a person of integrity…such as sharing, being polite and kind, lifting people up and speaking positively, always operating in honesty and fairness - and demonstrating our faith in Jesus and His teachings. It is time to show others that we have chosen richness in Christian faith and discipleship – with no concern over whether monetary wealth will follow or not.
The time has come to make what will be for some of us hard choices…and get on with the business of doing God’s will rather than serving our own interests. Are you ready to make this level of commitment - and walk in faith and integrity with Jesus? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2016 Robus
Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
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 think about it, many of us are taught the importance of integrity from an early age.
A friend asked on Facebook for parents to contribute lists of words or phrases that they use over and over with their children. While we are not parents, I thought of a few that Greg and I say, like “share”…”say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’”…and ”be nice to each other.” We also spend time telling the children, “You can become anything you want”…”You are so smart”…”You did that so well”…”I am proud of you!”
We try to instill in them – just as our parents did with us – the importance of honesty, fairness, and integrity…and the dangers of lying, cheating, stealing – and greed. And I hope you realize that this scripture passage is about so much more than just the love of money. It’s really about choices – what and WHO we choose to serve in all areas of life.
Proverbs 15:16 (CEV) says, “It’s better to obey the Lord and have only a little, than to be very rich and terribly confused.” When we focus on God and doing the things that please Him, our needs will always be met. We may not drive brand-new cars or live in fancy houses…we may only have a few things to wear and just enough food to sustain us. But we will be full, satisfied, and abundantly “rich” in the things that truly matter - if we are in the will of God and serve Him humbly.
When we make hard choices and do the right thing – even though everyone around us is suggesting we do otherwise…we demonstrate faith in God to bless us. When we operate with integrity and trust God in all things, He fills in the gaps. It is time for us to focus on God…to serve and operate in His will – and believe that He will handle our troubles and challenges. It is time for us to concentrate on meeting the needs of others in the name of Jesus - and quit worrying about what is in it for ourselves.
It is time for us to choose WHO we will serve…and then do it…to exhibit the hallmarks of a person of integrity…such as sharing, being polite and kind, lifting people up and speaking positively, always operating in honesty and fairness - and demonstrating our faith in Jesus and His teachings. It is time to show others that we have chosen richness in Christian faith and discipleship – with no concern over whether monetary wealth will follow or not.
The time has come to make what will be for some of us hard choices…and get on with the business of doing God’s will rather than serving our own interests. Are you ready to make this level of commitment - and walk in faith and integrity with Jesus? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2016 Robus
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