Matthew 8:24
Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waves higher than the boat. But Jesus was asleep.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
The other day I looked
outside the windows at our local Aquatic Center and watched summer storm
clouds grow on the horizon. There is a rule at the Aquatic Center that
when thunder is heard, everyone must get out until the storm passes and
no thunder is heard for 30 minutes. The cloud formations got larger and
seemed to work into a “slow boil” that was ripe with the ingredients
for a hefty summertime thundershower.
Timothy was taking a
swimming lesson. When he finished, we quickly changed clothes and
gather our things. Just as we got to our car, big raindrops began to
pelt us. By the time we pulled away from the Aquatic Center, there were
loud claps of thunder…followed soon after by a torrential rain,
lightning, thunder – and even a little hail. The storm lasted about an
hour and netted a 1” rainfall – at least in our yard!
I knew that
“scattered thunderstorms” were forecast. I was somewhat prepared to
have to cut the swimming lesson short and leave early. In fact, when a
precursory rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, a couple of us
looked at each other and grimaced…and hoped that maybe we were “hearing
things”. But we all knew that these clouds were rapidly coursing toward
a full-blown, all-out storm…and that’s exactly what we got.
The
good news is that it didn’t stick around for very long. Later in the
afternoon, the sun was out, and the storms had passed…and we were none
the worse for the wear. In fact, our lawns and foliage were in need of
some rainfall…so the “storm” brought hidden blessings and benefits.
I
can see potential “storm clouds” on the horizon in certain areas of my
own life. Let’s get real here…I bet you do, too! My “brewing storm”
may not be the same as yours…but I am pretty sure that there is
something about your life that is less than perfect – and conditions may
be ripe for a hefty, all-out “thunderstorm”. If you are like me, you
can somewhat see the handwriting on the wall…the inevitable “storm” that
is headed your way. And yes, I’ve prayed about my situation until my
knees are raw (figuratively) – as I’m sure you have. Still, the “storm
clouds” keep growing and heading right toward me. This may “blow over”
and be nothing…or it may be a “terrible storm”. Right now I am not sure
how things will go, and this uncertainty heightens my prayer time!
The
craziest part of all is that while we can see these “storms” building
on the horizon…we can hear the “rumbling thunder” in the distance…God
often seems to be sound asleep. We are saying, “Hey, LORD!!! Can’t you
stop this? Don’t you see what is happening? Didn’t you notice that
everything is about to fall down around me?”…and God is quietly and
calmly “napping in the bottom of the boat”. I don’t know about you, but
this is a frustrating, almost helpless feeling for me. And yet, as I
look backward and review other “storms” in my life, I see how God
handled them on my behalf…how He was always at work (even when I thought
He had abandoned me)…how He brought blessings even in the “rain”. As
our pastor reminded us in this week’s sermon, I have sometimes mistaken
God’s silence for abandonment…and forgotten that God will never leave
me.
Now I will be the first to tell you that I am probably going
to continue to stew and fret over my current “storm”…because I’m human
and that’s just how I roll. I’m not the least bit proud of the fact
that I do some hand-wringing…but I cannot seem to stop myself
nonetheless. However, I am going to do my dead-level best to stay calm,
avoid over-reacting, and trust that even as God “naps”, He is aware of –
and working on – my situation. Rather than add the needless worry and
confusion of wondering where God has gone to my list of anxieties and
qualms, I’m going to trust that He is right here with me…making a clear
path where I cannot see one.
I’m going to actually believe that
God is “patting the bottom of the boat” and saying, “Come on over and
lie down beside me. Rest a while. This storm will pass soon enough.
I’m in complete control…I’ve got this!” As believers, we’re all “riding
in the same boat”, so to speak. My question for you is…where do you
plan to sit?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 21, 2014
Matthew 26:45
Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy has this book we read at bedtime about a farmer whose entire menagerie – and even his family – arose before he did. Every time he heard the rooster crow, he would say, “Just a few more minutes”…or “Not yet”…or “Just one more second” so that he could continue sleeping. He would burrow further under the covers as the cow mooed and the cat and dog came to sit on top of him. And then, his wife yelled “ALBERTTTTTTTT!” He continued to try to sleep until the second time his wife yelled “ALBERTTTTTTTTT!!!” Then he said, “Oh, alright!” He got up, dressed, did his chores, and sat down to a hearty breakfast.
Timothy loves this story. So when he awoke at 6:15 a.m., and I wanted to continue sleeping, I reminded him that I was like the farmer in his story…”just a few more minutes, please!” “But it’s a beautiful day!” Timothy told me. And as much as I wanted to sleep and rest a little while longer, I knew that it was time to get up and start enjoying this “beautiful day” with my nephew. Soon enough, he will be too old for his Aunt Debbie. I will be the one saying, “Get up! It’s a beautiful day,” and he will be grumbling and groaning as many teenagers do…and saying, “Just a few more minutes!”
Soon enough, this little boy who thinks we are “perfect” (his word, not mine!) will not want to be seen with two old fogeys like us! Soon enough, he will be grown, move out of the house, and maybe have a family with little boys and girls of his own. The time to “get up and enjoy a beautiful day” with him is NOW! And this is the point of today’s scripture passage…the time to get up and share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ is here!
Jesus didn’t tarry…He didn’t say, “Just a few more minutes”…or “God, can’t this wait until another day?”…He didn’t make excuses and shirk His responsibilities. Surely we can get up and get going on behalf of the One who did so much for each one of us! Soon enough, our earthly lives will be over, and all of the opportunities we had to serve Jesus and share His message of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness – and a new life in Him – will have passed. Where will you be on that day? Will you have spent your time wisely and obediently? Or will you have been like the farmer who pulled the quilt up over his head and pled, “Just a little while longer!” as his wife and animals called to him.
“The time has come.” These are Jesus’ words…will you answer His call… or are you still sleeping?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy has this book we read at bedtime about a farmer whose entire menagerie – and even his family – arose before he did. Every time he heard the rooster crow, he would say, “Just a few more minutes”…or “Not yet”…or “Just one more second” so that he could continue sleeping. He would burrow further under the covers as the cow mooed and the cat and dog came to sit on top of him. And then, his wife yelled “ALBERTTTTTTTT!” He continued to try to sleep until the second time his wife yelled “ALBERTTTTTTTTT!!!” Then he said, “Oh, alright!” He got up, dressed, did his chores, and sat down to a hearty breakfast.
Timothy loves this story. So when he awoke at 6:15 a.m., and I wanted to continue sleeping, I reminded him that I was like the farmer in his story…”just a few more minutes, please!” “But it’s a beautiful day!” Timothy told me. And as much as I wanted to sleep and rest a little while longer, I knew that it was time to get up and start enjoying this “beautiful day” with my nephew. Soon enough, he will be too old for his Aunt Debbie. I will be the one saying, “Get up! It’s a beautiful day,” and he will be grumbling and groaning as many teenagers do…and saying, “Just a few more minutes!”
Soon enough, this little boy who thinks we are “perfect” (his word, not mine!) will not want to be seen with two old fogeys like us! Soon enough, he will be grown, move out of the house, and maybe have a family with little boys and girls of his own. The time to “get up and enjoy a beautiful day” with him is NOW! And this is the point of today’s scripture passage…the time to get up and share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ is here!
Jesus didn’t tarry…He didn’t say, “Just a few more minutes”…or “God, can’t this wait until another day?”…He didn’t make excuses and shirk His responsibilities. Surely we can get up and get going on behalf of the One who did so much for each one of us! Soon enough, our earthly lives will be over, and all of the opportunities we had to serve Jesus and share His message of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness – and a new life in Him – will have passed. Where will you be on that day? Will you have spent your time wisely and obediently? Or will you have been like the farmer who pulled the quilt up over his head and pled, “Just a little while longer!” as his wife and animals called to him.
“The time has come.” These are Jesus’ words…will you answer His call… or are you still sleeping?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 20, 2014
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever tried on clothing or a pair of shoes that didn’t feel quite right…then someone suggested that you try another size, and it felt so much better? The fit was more “you”…in fact, it was perfect! That’s exactly how it is with a life in Christ. Jesus fits each of us perfectly. Notice that He doesn’t claim to give you a burden-free life. Jesus promises us burdens that are lighter and easier to bear – because He does the heavy lifting!
Nobody likes to wear shoes or clothing that doesn’t fit. So why are you putting up with a life that is overly burdensome and uncomfortable? Come to Jesus…let Him do the heavy lifting. Wear His yoke instead of the ill-fitting one you’ve been dealing with…and find rest for your soul in the process.
©2014 Debbie Robus
“Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever tried on clothing or a pair of shoes that didn’t feel quite right…then someone suggested that you try another size, and it felt so much better? The fit was more “you”…in fact, it was perfect! That’s exactly how it is with a life in Christ. Jesus fits each of us perfectly. Notice that He doesn’t claim to give you a burden-free life. Jesus promises us burdens that are lighter and easier to bear – because He does the heavy lifting!
Nobody likes to wear shoes or clothing that doesn’t fit. So why are you putting up with a life that is overly burdensome and uncomfortable? Come to Jesus…let Him do the heavy lifting. Wear His yoke instead of the ill-fitting one you’ve been dealing with…and find rest for your soul in the process.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 19, 2014
Mark 6:30-34
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We’re all aware of the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Such was the case in 1959, when then 14-year-old Linda Balough was working a shift in a small franchised shoe store in Owensboro, Kentucky. She recalled this day for the June 2014 issue of AARP Bulletin. One Saturday during a local tobacco market, a disheveled, rather dirty family of five came into the Kentucky shoe store where Linda worked, and none of the employees would wait on them. Linda was operating the cash register and noticed that her colleagues looked the other way. One of them actually said to her that this family smelled of coal and had on clothing that indicated that they would not purchase anything, and that serving them would be a total waste of time. So Linda grabbed her foot-measuring device and approached the mother of the family – and asked her shoe size.
The family ended up purchasing 10 pair of shoes. The father explained that this was the time of year when he and his family brought their tobacco to sell at market…and they outfitted everyone with shoes for the entire year. He thanked Linda for being so respectful and helpful. As it turns out…this was one of the store’s largest sales - of.the.year!
Timing is everything. There are times when we should be bold…and times when we need to take a step backward. There are times when we need to rest…and times when we need to get the work done, no matter how tired we may be. There are times when we are busy and cannot drop what we are doing…and times when we need to totally change course – or our preconceived notions about a person or situation – and meet that immediate need.
Jesus knew that His disciples were tired and needed a break. I am sure He longed to get away with them for a while…to rest and hear their accounts of their ministries. But in the middle of all of this, Jesus noticed a group of people who needed Him. No doubt, some were dirty and disheveled. There were probably little kids and crying babies in the crowd, as well as rowdy teenagers and a few people who might have seemed like “unsavory characters” who were a “total waste of time”. I’m sure it was a noisy, chaotic scene as these people rushed to the beach. For whatever reason, they were coming to see Jesus…and He sensed the urgency in the needs of many of them. So Jesus stayed and ministered to the crowd…teaching, healing, and feeding bodies and souls.
Where have we put our own desires above the ministries of Jesus? Have we judged someone in an instant and deemed them unworthy of our time and attention – and missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love in the process? Are there times when we are so dead-set on doing what we want that we leave someone who is truly in need without an ally? Are our priorities just a little out of whack on many occasions?
There are times when it is important to say “No!”…to take time for ourselves…to focus on our own rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. But often, we choose this option selfishly…without giving any consideration to what God is showing us or where He is leading. Essentially, we say, “Not now, LORD…it’s MY turn,” or “LORD, surely you can’t mean for me to associate with this person or situation!” In both cases, we miss valuable opportunities for discipleship and ministry…and for the blessings that God has in store for us.
I am sure that the 14-year-old Kentucky girl who made one of the store’s largest sales of the year was delighted – and received accolades from management for her astute salesmanship. But the fact that Linda recounts this story with such clarity some 55 years later tells me that the impact on her life went far beyond dollars and cents - and a “job-well-done” pat on the back. This young girl saw people who were in need, and she dropped what she was doing – and any judgments – and met them right where they were.
Where do we need to open our eyes and ears to what God is calling us to do? Are we so in tune with His voice that we know when to rest…and when to get busy serving others in Jesus’ name? Are we blinded by judgment and our own selfishness…or do we able to discern when God calls us to action – and go? Isn’t it time we learned to tell the difference? What is God calling you to do today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We’re all aware of the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Such was the case in 1959, when then 14-year-old Linda Balough was working a shift in a small franchised shoe store in Owensboro, Kentucky. She recalled this day for the June 2014 issue of AARP Bulletin. One Saturday during a local tobacco market, a disheveled, rather dirty family of five came into the Kentucky shoe store where Linda worked, and none of the employees would wait on them. Linda was operating the cash register and noticed that her colleagues looked the other way. One of them actually said to her that this family smelled of coal and had on clothing that indicated that they would not purchase anything, and that serving them would be a total waste of time. So Linda grabbed her foot-measuring device and approached the mother of the family – and asked her shoe size.
The family ended up purchasing 10 pair of shoes. The father explained that this was the time of year when he and his family brought their tobacco to sell at market…and they outfitted everyone with shoes for the entire year. He thanked Linda for being so respectful and helpful. As it turns out…this was one of the store’s largest sales - of.the.year!
Timing is everything. There are times when we should be bold…and times when we need to take a step backward. There are times when we need to rest…and times when we need to get the work done, no matter how tired we may be. There are times when we are busy and cannot drop what we are doing…and times when we need to totally change course – or our preconceived notions about a person or situation – and meet that immediate need.
Jesus knew that His disciples were tired and needed a break. I am sure He longed to get away with them for a while…to rest and hear their accounts of their ministries. But in the middle of all of this, Jesus noticed a group of people who needed Him. No doubt, some were dirty and disheveled. There were probably little kids and crying babies in the crowd, as well as rowdy teenagers and a few people who might have seemed like “unsavory characters” who were a “total waste of time”. I’m sure it was a noisy, chaotic scene as these people rushed to the beach. For whatever reason, they were coming to see Jesus…and He sensed the urgency in the needs of many of them. So Jesus stayed and ministered to the crowd…teaching, healing, and feeding bodies and souls.
Where have we put our own desires above the ministries of Jesus? Have we judged someone in an instant and deemed them unworthy of our time and attention – and missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love in the process? Are there times when we are so dead-set on doing what we want that we leave someone who is truly in need without an ally? Are our priorities just a little out of whack on many occasions?
There are times when it is important to say “No!”…to take time for ourselves…to focus on our own rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. But often, we choose this option selfishly…without giving any consideration to what God is showing us or where He is leading. Essentially, we say, “Not now, LORD…it’s MY turn,” or “LORD, surely you can’t mean for me to associate with this person or situation!” In both cases, we miss valuable opportunities for discipleship and ministry…and for the blessings that God has in store for us.
I am sure that the 14-year-old Kentucky girl who made one of the store’s largest sales of the year was delighted – and received accolades from management for her astute salesmanship. But the fact that Linda recounts this story with such clarity some 55 years later tells me that the impact on her life went far beyond dollars and cents - and a “job-well-done” pat on the back. This young girl saw people who were in need, and she dropped what she was doing – and any judgments – and met them right where they were.
Where do we need to open our eyes and ears to what God is calling us to do? Are we so in tune with His voice that we know when to rest…and when to get busy serving others in Jesus’ name? Are we blinded by judgment and our own selfishness…or do we able to discern when God calls us to action – and go? Isn’t it time we learned to tell the difference? What is God calling you to do today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 18, 2014
Luke 10:5-6
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all been there. You’re in your most comfortable – but somewhat ratty – pajamas or sweats…your hair is a mess…and maybe you need a shower. And someone knocks on your door. Delivery people like my mail carrier and the drivers for UPS and FedEx must think “That poor woman needs help!” when I answer their call. Worse yet is when a family member, friend or acquaintance drops by and catches you off guard. I’m pretty sure that in each case, we don’t exactly promote an air of peace!
Perhaps you have been on the “receiving end” of this experience. And maybe you have visited someone who was cordial, at best…but cool – or in some cases, quite short and rude. They did not make you feel welcome in their home, for whatever reason. Perhaps they were uncomfortable about their appearance…or you just caught them at a truly inconvenient time. Or maybe they really didn’t want to spend time with you…much less entertain you in their home for even the briefest of moments.
And that’s the point…there are all sorts of reasons for a reception that is less than welcoming. I have learned that most people are not noticing my appearance or the neatness and cleanliness of my house nearly as much as I am. I have also learned that I can’t possibly know everything that was happening right before I rang someone’s doorbell or approached them on the street or in a hallway at school, work or church…or in the grocery store or other public venue.
Think back to the old movies and television shows we watched when we were younger. Do you remember those where a stranger would approach a person or a group of people and say, “I come in peace!” This person was saying, “No need to be uneasy…I am not here to harm you or judge you in any way. I just want to talk.” In this passage, Jesus is instructing His disciples to let others know that “I come in peace!”
If we project a sense of acceptance and peace – and a lack of judgment and condemnation – we have a far better chance of getting a good reception. If we behave in this manner and offer the peace of God (if only in our demeanor and a silent prayer) and we are treated poorly, we’ve not really lost anything. It’s a “no-harm-no-foul” situation of sorts.
I’ll have to say, I have the best delivery people in the world. They treat me the same whether I look like I just rolled out of bed or I am dressed for a church service! I don’t know if they actually say, “Peace to this house” before they knock on my door…or if it just seems like it. I do know that one FedEx delivery man always says, “It’s been a pleasure to serve you” as he walks away. Whether he means that (and I think he does!) or not…this comment leaves me with a warm feeling.
When others come to your door, do they feel like it was a pleasure to be in your presence? When you visit others…do they know that you “come in peace”? Do you trust God to make the difference as you interact with others and offer His love, grace, mercy, peace, understanding – and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ – to them? Do you rest in the peace of God, regardless of how others treat you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all been there. You’re in your most comfortable – but somewhat ratty – pajamas or sweats…your hair is a mess…and maybe you need a shower. And someone knocks on your door. Delivery people like my mail carrier and the drivers for UPS and FedEx must think “That poor woman needs help!” when I answer their call. Worse yet is when a family member, friend or acquaintance drops by and catches you off guard. I’m pretty sure that in each case, we don’t exactly promote an air of peace!
Perhaps you have been on the “receiving end” of this experience. And maybe you have visited someone who was cordial, at best…but cool – or in some cases, quite short and rude. They did not make you feel welcome in their home, for whatever reason. Perhaps they were uncomfortable about their appearance…or you just caught them at a truly inconvenient time. Or maybe they really didn’t want to spend time with you…much less entertain you in their home for even the briefest of moments.
And that’s the point…there are all sorts of reasons for a reception that is less than welcoming. I have learned that most people are not noticing my appearance or the neatness and cleanliness of my house nearly as much as I am. I have also learned that I can’t possibly know everything that was happening right before I rang someone’s doorbell or approached them on the street or in a hallway at school, work or church…or in the grocery store or other public venue.
Think back to the old movies and television shows we watched when we were younger. Do you remember those where a stranger would approach a person or a group of people and say, “I come in peace!” This person was saying, “No need to be uneasy…I am not here to harm you or judge you in any way. I just want to talk.” In this passage, Jesus is instructing His disciples to let others know that “I come in peace!”
If we project a sense of acceptance and peace – and a lack of judgment and condemnation – we have a far better chance of getting a good reception. If we behave in this manner and offer the peace of God (if only in our demeanor and a silent prayer) and we are treated poorly, we’ve not really lost anything. It’s a “no-harm-no-foul” situation of sorts.
I’ll have to say, I have the best delivery people in the world. They treat me the same whether I look like I just rolled out of bed or I am dressed for a church service! I don’t know if they actually say, “Peace to this house” before they knock on my door…or if it just seems like it. I do know that one FedEx delivery man always says, “It’s been a pleasure to serve you” as he walks away. Whether he means that (and I think he does!) or not…this comment leaves me with a warm feeling.
When others come to your door, do they feel like it was a pleasure to be in your presence? When you visit others…do they know that you “come in peace”? Do you trust God to make the difference as you interact with others and offer His love, grace, mercy, peace, understanding – and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ – to them? Do you rest in the peace of God, regardless of how others treat you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 17, 2014
Leviticus 23:23-25
The Lord told Moses to say to the people of Israel:
The first day of the seventh month must be a day of complete rest. Then at the sound of the trumpets, you will come together to worship and to offer sacrifices on the altar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One September morning, the mother of one of my students came into my classroom and told me that her son would be absent from class for a few days later that week. The family would be celebrating their church’s “Feast of the Trumpets”. I will admit, I had never heard of this…but it was obviously a big deal to this family and their fellow church members in the Church of God – a Christian denomination. If you read all of Leviticus 23, you will see that there are several “Bible feasts” and celebrations throughout the year that were to be observed with certain rituals, foods, and periods of rest from all labors…and this student’s family attended many of them.
The “Feast of the Trumpets” is commonly known today as the Jewish New Year – or Rosh Hashanah. However, some Christian denominations still celebrate this and other “Bible feasts” marked in Leviticus 23. I honestly do not know what these entail fully…or whether celebrants literally forego all work during each of these celebrations. But the Apostle Paul referenced these events in Colossians 2:16-27…referring to them as a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. To paraphrase Paul…”Jesus is real and here with us…we don’t necessarily need to celebrate these rituals now.”
Do not misunderstand me. This doesn’t mean that we Christians shouldn’t have rituals, ceremonies and celebrations. I believe that these events serve to enhance our faith and fellowship…and often cause us to focus more specifically on Jesus and our relationship with Him. My particular denomination does not celebrate all of these “Feasts of the Bible”, but we do participate in Sunday worship services, Holy Communion, Advent, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and other Easter week services, to name a few.
The thing that struck me as I read the verses of Leviticus 23 was that the Old Testament Jews were pretty busy observing these festivals! During each one of these events, everyone was expected to stop all work and participate…and/or rest – and sometimes abstain from eating! Can you imagine us doing this today? “People weren’t as busy back then,” you may say. Really? Do you honestly think that the workload was lighter in a time without electricity, running water, motorized vehicles, computers, telephones, home appliances, and other modern conveniences we all take for granted? Yet these faithful people stopped what they were doing and rested…they made these celebrations to honor God a priority.
I wonder…do we make God a priority? Do we shift gears and set aside time to “rest in the LORD”? I’m not necessarily talking about literal, physical “rest”…I’m talking about something far more refreshing and renewing. I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t always make time to attend such services at my church as Ash Wednesday or Maundy Thursday. But when I do attend such a time of worship, I always come away profoundly affected…feeling closer to God…more “centered” in my faith. The time that I spend in Bible study and working on these daily devotionals is precious to me and helps me to align my thoughts and my focus for the day. When I take extended time to talk with God…to sit and listen for His voice…I am refreshed and energized - as if I had taken a two-hour nap! These “rests” often help me “get my head on straight”!
It amazes me that in spite of all of our technological advances, we seem to have become busier than ever! I still cannot get over how people can’t seem to pry themselves from a hand-held device long enough to share a meal with family or friends, watch their children participate in some activity…or have a genuine conversation with another human being. And this has more than carried over into our spiritual life. We’ve become so caught up in the “busyness” of life that we no longer have time to rest and celebrate Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him!
I’m not suggesting that we go back to the Old Testament rituals found in Leviticus…or that we completely rearrange our schedules to accommodate extended periods of worship, Bible study and prayer. I fully realize that we cannot always attend every event held at our church…or stop everything to sit for an hour in prayer and Bible study. But I do think there is room for us to seek a happy medium…a compromise of sorts (and that seems a silly word to use when we talk about Jesus!)… a way to incorporate periods of celebration, worship, rest and renewal in the LORD into our everyday lives.
Jesus IS alive and real…and here with us. Are we stopping long enough to acknowledge His presence? How long has it been since you really “rested” with Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord told Moses to say to the people of Israel:
The first day of the seventh month must be a day of complete rest. Then at the sound of the trumpets, you will come together to worship and to offer sacrifices on the altar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One September morning, the mother of one of my students came into my classroom and told me that her son would be absent from class for a few days later that week. The family would be celebrating their church’s “Feast of the Trumpets”. I will admit, I had never heard of this…but it was obviously a big deal to this family and their fellow church members in the Church of God – a Christian denomination. If you read all of Leviticus 23, you will see that there are several “Bible feasts” and celebrations throughout the year that were to be observed with certain rituals, foods, and periods of rest from all labors…and this student’s family attended many of them.
The “Feast of the Trumpets” is commonly known today as the Jewish New Year – or Rosh Hashanah. However, some Christian denominations still celebrate this and other “Bible feasts” marked in Leviticus 23. I honestly do not know what these entail fully…or whether celebrants literally forego all work during each of these celebrations. But the Apostle Paul referenced these events in Colossians 2:16-27…referring to them as a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. To paraphrase Paul…”Jesus is real and here with us…we don’t necessarily need to celebrate these rituals now.”
Do not misunderstand me. This doesn’t mean that we Christians shouldn’t have rituals, ceremonies and celebrations. I believe that these events serve to enhance our faith and fellowship…and often cause us to focus more specifically on Jesus and our relationship with Him. My particular denomination does not celebrate all of these “Feasts of the Bible”, but we do participate in Sunday worship services, Holy Communion, Advent, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and other Easter week services, to name a few.
The thing that struck me as I read the verses of Leviticus 23 was that the Old Testament Jews were pretty busy observing these festivals! During each one of these events, everyone was expected to stop all work and participate…and/or rest – and sometimes abstain from eating! Can you imagine us doing this today? “People weren’t as busy back then,” you may say. Really? Do you honestly think that the workload was lighter in a time without electricity, running water, motorized vehicles, computers, telephones, home appliances, and other modern conveniences we all take for granted? Yet these faithful people stopped what they were doing and rested…they made these celebrations to honor God a priority.
I wonder…do we make God a priority? Do we shift gears and set aside time to “rest in the LORD”? I’m not necessarily talking about literal, physical “rest”…I’m talking about something far more refreshing and renewing. I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t always make time to attend such services at my church as Ash Wednesday or Maundy Thursday. But when I do attend such a time of worship, I always come away profoundly affected…feeling closer to God…more “centered” in my faith. The time that I spend in Bible study and working on these daily devotionals is precious to me and helps me to align my thoughts and my focus for the day. When I take extended time to talk with God…to sit and listen for His voice…I am refreshed and energized - as if I had taken a two-hour nap! These “rests” often help me “get my head on straight”!
It amazes me that in spite of all of our technological advances, we seem to have become busier than ever! I still cannot get over how people can’t seem to pry themselves from a hand-held device long enough to share a meal with family or friends, watch their children participate in some activity…or have a genuine conversation with another human being. And this has more than carried over into our spiritual life. We’ve become so caught up in the “busyness” of life that we no longer have time to rest and celebrate Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him!
I’m not suggesting that we go back to the Old Testament rituals found in Leviticus…or that we completely rearrange our schedules to accommodate extended periods of worship, Bible study and prayer. I fully realize that we cannot always attend every event held at our church…or stop everything to sit for an hour in prayer and Bible study. But I do think there is room for us to seek a happy medium…a compromise of sorts (and that seems a silly word to use when we talk about Jesus!)… a way to incorporate periods of celebration, worship, rest and renewal in the LORD into our everyday lives.
Jesus IS alive and real…and here with us. Are we stopping long enough to acknowledge His presence? How long has it been since you really “rested” with Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 16, 2014
John 16:7
But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We took the kiddos to Pizza Hut for lunch after church yesterday. When Greg went to pay the bill, Timothy wanted to go with him. At first I told him to stay in his seat. But Timothy persisted, and I could see Greg standing at the cash register…so I decided it was safe for Timmy to join him. Plus, Timothy kept saying in a confident-but-not-bossy tone, “I’ll handle it! I can handle it!” So I let him go. And several times in the 10 or 20-foot walk to his uncle, Timothy looked back with a smile and said, “I’ll handle it!”
I’ll be honest…there have been a couple of times in this little guy’s short life when letting him go was truly heart-rending. Twice he came to visit his grandparents and us for extended stays, and then we returned him to Texas to live with his family. We all knew that he needed to be with his parents and his siblings…and he would talk about “going home to Mom and Dad”. But the head and heart are often in conflict – and these experiences were no exception!
We assured Timothy that even though he was separated from us by hundreds of miles, we would always love him…that he would forever be in our hearts. We told him, “Look at the moon and remember that we are seeing the same moon…and we love you to the moon and back!” When we would talk on the phone, we would ask him, “Did you see the moon? Do you remember how much we love you?” More importantly, we reminded him countless times of how much God loved him…and that God would never leave him, no matter where he went. I truly believe this 5-year-old boy comprehends God’s presence, love and care - as much as a child can grasp any intangible concept! He knows that God will “handle it”…no matter where he is or what happens.
Saying “Good-bye” is difficult sometimes…maybe even gut-wrenching…but often necessary. It was important that Timothy return to his parents and siblings. And it was necessary for Jesus to physically leave earth and return to Heaven. Thankfully, Timothy and his family returned to Arkansas almost two years ago, so we have all been reunited in the same community and see each other often. And someday, we believers will be reunited with Jesus. But in the meantime, we can carry His Holy Spirit in our hearts. We know that wherever we go…whatever we do…He is with us. We can feel His love and presence and know that He is near. Like the moon reminded a toddler that he was loved from afar, we have reminders of Christ’s love and care at every turn.
I realize that not every “Good-bye” comes with the assurance that there will be a reunion…at least not an earthly one. Many of us have said a necessary “Good-bye” to loved ones who have passed from this earthly life to a heavenly one…if only our “four-legged” family members. We carry memories of them in our hearts and remind ourselves of their physical existence through photos, conversations with others, and thoughts of the times we shared together. For the most part, these give us comfort…and honestly, I believe these reminders are a gift from God…another way that He assures us that “I’ve got this! This is how I’m helping you handle your grief and loss.”
As I look back over the events of my life, I can see that there are more times that God has handled things for me than I can count. Every day, I realize even more just how near to me the Holy Spirit is…how often and effectively He works in and through me…and provides for my every need. I can’t imagine anyone will be happier to meet Jesus face-to-face than I…but in the meantime, I know that I am never alone. The Spirit has come to me…and every hour of my day, He says, “I’ll handle it!”…and He does! Has the Holy Spirit come to your heart to handle things? Don’t you think it’s time you invited Him to do just that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We took the kiddos to Pizza Hut for lunch after church yesterday. When Greg went to pay the bill, Timothy wanted to go with him. At first I told him to stay in his seat. But Timothy persisted, and I could see Greg standing at the cash register…so I decided it was safe for Timmy to join him. Plus, Timothy kept saying in a confident-but-not-bossy tone, “I’ll handle it! I can handle it!” So I let him go. And several times in the 10 or 20-foot walk to his uncle, Timothy looked back with a smile and said, “I’ll handle it!”
I’ll be honest…there have been a couple of times in this little guy’s short life when letting him go was truly heart-rending. Twice he came to visit his grandparents and us for extended stays, and then we returned him to Texas to live with his family. We all knew that he needed to be with his parents and his siblings…and he would talk about “going home to Mom and Dad”. But the head and heart are often in conflict – and these experiences were no exception!
We assured Timothy that even though he was separated from us by hundreds of miles, we would always love him…that he would forever be in our hearts. We told him, “Look at the moon and remember that we are seeing the same moon…and we love you to the moon and back!” When we would talk on the phone, we would ask him, “Did you see the moon? Do you remember how much we love you?” More importantly, we reminded him countless times of how much God loved him…and that God would never leave him, no matter where he went. I truly believe this 5-year-old boy comprehends God’s presence, love and care - as much as a child can grasp any intangible concept! He knows that God will “handle it”…no matter where he is or what happens.
Saying “Good-bye” is difficult sometimes…maybe even gut-wrenching…but often necessary. It was important that Timothy return to his parents and siblings. And it was necessary for Jesus to physically leave earth and return to Heaven. Thankfully, Timothy and his family returned to Arkansas almost two years ago, so we have all been reunited in the same community and see each other often. And someday, we believers will be reunited with Jesus. But in the meantime, we can carry His Holy Spirit in our hearts. We know that wherever we go…whatever we do…He is with us. We can feel His love and presence and know that He is near. Like the moon reminded a toddler that he was loved from afar, we have reminders of Christ’s love and care at every turn.
I realize that not every “Good-bye” comes with the assurance that there will be a reunion…at least not an earthly one. Many of us have said a necessary “Good-bye” to loved ones who have passed from this earthly life to a heavenly one…if only our “four-legged” family members. We carry memories of them in our hearts and remind ourselves of their physical existence through photos, conversations with others, and thoughts of the times we shared together. For the most part, these give us comfort…and honestly, I believe these reminders are a gift from God…another way that He assures us that “I’ve got this! This is how I’m helping you handle your grief and loss.”
As I look back over the events of my life, I can see that there are more times that God has handled things for me than I can count. Every day, I realize even more just how near to me the Holy Spirit is…how often and effectively He works in and through me…and provides for my every need. I can’t imagine anyone will be happier to meet Jesus face-to-face than I…but in the meantime, I know that I am never alone. The Spirit has come to me…and every hour of my day, He says, “I’ll handle it!”…and He does! Has the Holy Spirit come to your heart to handle things? Don’t you think it’s time you invited Him to do just that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 15, 2014
John 16:33
I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other day, Timothy and I were paddling around in the pool before his swim lesson, and he began to yell, “Help! Help!” I explained to him that the only time when this was acceptable was when he truly was in trouble and needed help…that yelling “Help!” when none was needed could cause people to stop watching and listening for true danger. We have talked to him before about the story of the little boy who “cried wolf”, and we probably should revisit this story sometime soon!
I always think of “crying wolf” when I hear the word “suffer”, because when I was a child, my maternal grandmother used this word often. I loved my grandmother and believed her when she said she “really suffered” with some ailment or injury. When I got older and learned more about human suffering, I realized that her “afflictions” might not have completely qualified – at least in the minds of other people, and especially in Biblical terms! Nonetheless, my grandmother believed that she suffered often in this earthly life…and I’m sure she delights in the rest of Heaven and the relief that is offered her there.
“Suffering” is relative. Young people may be bullied and genuinely suffer mental and/or physical anguish – or they may experience the typical “agonies” and indignations that come with childhood. Teenagers “suffer” the emotional roller-coaster of friendships and school work and extra-curricular activities and coping with the frequent “oppression” of parents and other adults. Young adults sometimes “suffer” as they make their way in the world and find the job market less than welcoming…or learn to be “grown-ups” and handle all of the responsibilities that come with this stage of life.
Parents “suffer” as they cope with the inevitable stresses of rearing children. Older adults “suffer” under a myriad of pressures…from the stress of dealing with aging and all that comes with it, adjusting to retirement and “empty nests”, loneliness, health issues, loss of loved ones, and more. And Christians “suffer” when they are ostracized by family members and friends, or they have to give up old habits and activities in favor of more Godly behaviors…or their schedules must now include time for prayer, Bible study, and corporate worship and ministry efforts.
If we are honest, a lot of what we consider “suffering” is more akin to inconvenience and “growing pains” than true suffering. Yet children’s hospitals across the world are filled with little ones who truly do endure physical ailments and injuries – and difficult or painful procedures to treat them. Adults of all ages and in all stages of life really are tormented and/or miserable because of homelessness, hunger, serious illnesses and injuries, abuses, persecution, and more. Christians around the world suffer greatly – and even die – because they profess their belief in Jesus Christ and dare to share His GOOD NEWS with others.
Jesus has told us that life will not be a bed of roses in our earthly lifetime. He didn’t tell us to what degree we will suffer…and for some, the torment and afflictions are definitely worse than for others. And I don’t have a good explanation for this, because I know that God loves each of His children fervently – and equally. I also know that He never wastes an opportunity – or an experience. Whether your suffering is real…or you are essentially “crying wolf”…I have good news for you. None of this will matter when we get to Heaven! There will be no suffering there…real or imagined!
This is good news! This is a message of hope…promise…and joy! Rest lies ahead – for each of us. And in the meantime, Jesus is with us…always! Read the four Gospels in the New Testament again (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Study how Jesus suffered…for you and for me. There is nothing we can experience that He cannot understand…there is no agony we can endure that He will not go through with us. And in the end, He will give us rest and respite from all of our trials and travails.
Hear the Good News and remind yourself of it daily…Jesus has defeated the world. We can rest in Him for ever and ever! He is with us! He is with us! There is nothing we cannot handle with His help. Are you resting in the LORD and clinging to His promises? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other day, Timothy and I were paddling around in the pool before his swim lesson, and he began to yell, “Help! Help!” I explained to him that the only time when this was acceptable was when he truly was in trouble and needed help…that yelling “Help!” when none was needed could cause people to stop watching and listening for true danger. We have talked to him before about the story of the little boy who “cried wolf”, and we probably should revisit this story sometime soon!
I always think of “crying wolf” when I hear the word “suffer”, because when I was a child, my maternal grandmother used this word often. I loved my grandmother and believed her when she said she “really suffered” with some ailment or injury. When I got older and learned more about human suffering, I realized that her “afflictions” might not have completely qualified – at least in the minds of other people, and especially in Biblical terms! Nonetheless, my grandmother believed that she suffered often in this earthly life…and I’m sure she delights in the rest of Heaven and the relief that is offered her there.
“Suffering” is relative. Young people may be bullied and genuinely suffer mental and/or physical anguish – or they may experience the typical “agonies” and indignations that come with childhood. Teenagers “suffer” the emotional roller-coaster of friendships and school work and extra-curricular activities and coping with the frequent “oppression” of parents and other adults. Young adults sometimes “suffer” as they make their way in the world and find the job market less than welcoming…or learn to be “grown-ups” and handle all of the responsibilities that come with this stage of life.
Parents “suffer” as they cope with the inevitable stresses of rearing children. Older adults “suffer” under a myriad of pressures…from the stress of dealing with aging and all that comes with it, adjusting to retirement and “empty nests”, loneliness, health issues, loss of loved ones, and more. And Christians “suffer” when they are ostracized by family members and friends, or they have to give up old habits and activities in favor of more Godly behaviors…or their schedules must now include time for prayer, Bible study, and corporate worship and ministry efforts.
If we are honest, a lot of what we consider “suffering” is more akin to inconvenience and “growing pains” than true suffering. Yet children’s hospitals across the world are filled with little ones who truly do endure physical ailments and injuries – and difficult or painful procedures to treat them. Adults of all ages and in all stages of life really are tormented and/or miserable because of homelessness, hunger, serious illnesses and injuries, abuses, persecution, and more. Christians around the world suffer greatly – and even die – because they profess their belief in Jesus Christ and dare to share His GOOD NEWS with others.
Jesus has told us that life will not be a bed of roses in our earthly lifetime. He didn’t tell us to what degree we will suffer…and for some, the torment and afflictions are definitely worse than for others. And I don’t have a good explanation for this, because I know that God loves each of His children fervently – and equally. I also know that He never wastes an opportunity – or an experience. Whether your suffering is real…or you are essentially “crying wolf”…I have good news for you. None of this will matter when we get to Heaven! There will be no suffering there…real or imagined!
This is good news! This is a message of hope…promise…and joy! Rest lies ahead – for each of us. And in the meantime, Jesus is with us…always! Read the four Gospels in the New Testament again (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Study how Jesus suffered…for you and for me. There is nothing we can experience that He cannot understand…there is no agony we can endure that He will not go through with us. And in the end, He will give us rest and respite from all of our trials and travails.
Hear the Good News and remind yourself of it daily…Jesus has defeated the world. We can rest in Him for ever and ever! He is with us! He is with us! There is nothing we cannot handle with His help. Are you resting in the LORD and clinging to His promises? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 14, 2014
John 14:27
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Greg and I do not “go out to eat” very often. We take the children to a local restaurant or fast food place after church on Sundays…and we get “take-out” a few times a month. But for the most part, I’m pretty content to prepare our meals at home…and bless his heart, Greg always eats them – even when I experiment on us with a new Pinterest recipe!
But once in a while, we get hungry for steak. And while we have tried the offerings at several restaurants, there is only one that truly satisfies us – and it comes from a tiny “mom-and-pop” restaurant in our community known as “Chuck’s”. We’ve eaten at Chuck’s off and on for decades, because for a span of several years, the owners closed the restaurant and pursued another business venture. Boy, were we ever happy when they re-opened their steak house a few years ago!
Like I said, we’ve tried steaks at several establishments…from franchises to those privately owned. And none compare to Chuck’s. We are never disappointed there…the meal always satisfies and leaves us filled to the brim - and happy (albeit often needing a nap!). Did I mention their rolls? Those little pillows of deliciousness are more akin to a cupcake than a piece of bread…and we enjoy every morsel. In case you have not eaten a steak dinner lately, these are not the cheapest offerings on most menus. So when I hand over that kind of money for one meal, I want it to be the best thing I have put in my mouth in a long, long time! And that’s always the case when we eat steak at Chuck’s!
Okay…commercial over! But here’s the thing. There are lots of experiences in life that give us pleasure. Plenty of things will satisfy us for a little while…good food, the company of others, exhilarating encounters and “thrills” of all kinds. We can find joy in the victory of our favorite sports team over their opponent…and comfort in the happiness of a long and fruitful marriage or relationship. We can relish a job that we love – or a home that provides us with all of the “creature comforts”…or the peace and tranquility of visiting a beautiful lake, forest, or National Park. We can be cozy and content to attend worship on Sunday and fellowship with family and friends…and we can revel in the pleasures of the community in which we live.
But for the long haul, there is only one “meal” that truly satisfies and never disappoints…and that is the “Bread of Life”. The peace of Jesus Christ cannot be found in this world. No one else can give us this peace and gratification. And while Jesus’ gift of salvation is totally free, the “cost” of being His faithful follower can sometimes seem a little high. We may face tests and trials…it may seem that we “lose” some people who don’t agree with us…we may be ridiculed and challenged. But in the end, the peace and rest we find in Jesus is the only kind that is worth the price.
So if you are dabbling with other avenues to peace…if you have “tried out other restaurants”, so to speak…I encourage you to come back to Jesus. He never closes…He will never “go out of business”…and He will never disappoint. If you want true, perpetual, everlasting, quenching peace and rest…Jesus is your answer. The time has come to stop wasting your Spiritual “dining experiences” and receive the “meal” that satisfies like no other. From now on...Who will feed your soul?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Greg and I do not “go out to eat” very often. We take the children to a local restaurant or fast food place after church on Sundays…and we get “take-out” a few times a month. But for the most part, I’m pretty content to prepare our meals at home…and bless his heart, Greg always eats them – even when I experiment on us with a new Pinterest recipe!
But once in a while, we get hungry for steak. And while we have tried the offerings at several restaurants, there is only one that truly satisfies us – and it comes from a tiny “mom-and-pop” restaurant in our community known as “Chuck’s”. We’ve eaten at Chuck’s off and on for decades, because for a span of several years, the owners closed the restaurant and pursued another business venture. Boy, were we ever happy when they re-opened their steak house a few years ago!
Like I said, we’ve tried steaks at several establishments…from franchises to those privately owned. And none compare to Chuck’s. We are never disappointed there…the meal always satisfies and leaves us filled to the brim - and happy (albeit often needing a nap!). Did I mention their rolls? Those little pillows of deliciousness are more akin to a cupcake than a piece of bread…and we enjoy every morsel. In case you have not eaten a steak dinner lately, these are not the cheapest offerings on most menus. So when I hand over that kind of money for one meal, I want it to be the best thing I have put in my mouth in a long, long time! And that’s always the case when we eat steak at Chuck’s!
Okay…commercial over! But here’s the thing. There are lots of experiences in life that give us pleasure. Plenty of things will satisfy us for a little while…good food, the company of others, exhilarating encounters and “thrills” of all kinds. We can find joy in the victory of our favorite sports team over their opponent…and comfort in the happiness of a long and fruitful marriage or relationship. We can relish a job that we love – or a home that provides us with all of the “creature comforts”…or the peace and tranquility of visiting a beautiful lake, forest, or National Park. We can be cozy and content to attend worship on Sunday and fellowship with family and friends…and we can revel in the pleasures of the community in which we live.
But for the long haul, there is only one “meal” that truly satisfies and never disappoints…and that is the “Bread of Life”. The peace of Jesus Christ cannot be found in this world. No one else can give us this peace and gratification. And while Jesus’ gift of salvation is totally free, the “cost” of being His faithful follower can sometimes seem a little high. We may face tests and trials…it may seem that we “lose” some people who don’t agree with us…we may be ridiculed and challenged. But in the end, the peace and rest we find in Jesus is the only kind that is worth the price.
So if you are dabbling with other avenues to peace…if you have “tried out other restaurants”, so to speak…I encourage you to come back to Jesus. He never closes…He will never “go out of business”…and He will never disappoint. If you want true, perpetual, everlasting, quenching peace and rest…Jesus is your answer. The time has come to stop wasting your Spiritual “dining experiences” and receive the “meal” that satisfies like no other. From now on...Who will feed your soul?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 13, 2014
John 14:1-4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
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 few days ago, I saw a report on my Facebook feed about a house in Whitney, Texas, that sat on Lake Whitney (located between Ft. Worth and Waco). The home was, quite literally, falling into the lake. The 75-foot high limestone cliff near this structure had cracked and given way…and a large section of the house – and all of its back yard – were now gone…kaput…hugging the floor of the lake below! Today, authorities stuffed the garage of the house with hay bales soaked in diesel fuel...and burned it to the ground. This was deemed to be the safest method of removing the home…the ground was not secure enough to risk the weight of bulldozers.
This $700,000 home was constructed in 2007, and purchased in 2012 by Robert and Denise Webb, who also own a home in Miami Beach, Florida. The Webbs insist that inspectors and geologists had assured them that the 4,000-square-foot house was perfectly safe. A few weeks ago, they noticed large cracks along the walls and determined that the bluff near the house was breaking away and causing their house to collapse. So they moved out, shortly before a section did indeed fall into the lake below.
One news reporter indicated that the Webb’s insurance policy will not cover this disastrous event…that they will be financially responsible for the demolition and cleanup. The couple says they planned to leave the home to their grandchildren, and while they know it is just a house, there is a lot of sadness surrounding these events.
Honestly, I would feel the same way. No one wants to think of their home being destroyed, by any means. But if events like this one – and the April 27th tornado that ravaged central Arkansas – and other devastating events have taught us anything, we should surely know by now that “it’s just stuff”…that our earthly “mansions” are only temporary anyway. Frankly, Jesus made it pretty clear that anything we can create with our mortal hands pales in comparison to the amazing homes that await us in Heaven.
While we are scrambling to create earthly homes that range from compact and cozy to magnificent mansions, we often misplace our focus. We get so caught up in what we have or don’t have that we miss out on the true joy that comes from serving God. We get so worked up over “things” and earthly situations that we bring on everything from restlessness and exhaustion – to poor health and physical destruction.
I am very sorry for the loss that the Webbs have suffered. No one should have to endure that kind of physical, mental, emotional, and financial hardship. But I hope they know where their true “mansion” awaits them…and where to find genuine rest and comfort. If they place their trust in God…if they serve Him with their whole hearts…if they are focused on Eternity and the “bigger picture” of their lives in Christ…this will be a mere blip on the screen.
When crises come in your life and your “house” begins to crumble into the water, where do you turn? Is your focus on the “mansion” that awaits you with Jesus – and serving Him until your rooms are ready? Or are you busy building up “earthly mansions”…and running yourself ragged in the process? Do you notice the “cracks in the wall” that signal trouble on the horizon? Have you convinced yourself that your foundation is secure…even while you see your “backyard” crumbling and falling over the side of the cliff? Aren’t you ready to take a deep breath and rest in the LORD? Isn’t this a good time to evaluate your priorities and see where you may need to make some adjustments…or even a move of sorts? Which “mansion” has your attention these days?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
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 few days ago, I saw a report on my Facebook feed about a house in Whitney, Texas, that sat on Lake Whitney (located between Ft. Worth and Waco). The home was, quite literally, falling into the lake. The 75-foot high limestone cliff near this structure had cracked and given way…and a large section of the house – and all of its back yard – were now gone…kaput…hugging the floor of the lake below! Today, authorities stuffed the garage of the house with hay bales soaked in diesel fuel...and burned it to the ground. This was deemed to be the safest method of removing the home…the ground was not secure enough to risk the weight of bulldozers.
This $700,000 home was constructed in 2007, and purchased in 2012 by Robert and Denise Webb, who also own a home in Miami Beach, Florida. The Webbs insist that inspectors and geologists had assured them that the 4,000-square-foot house was perfectly safe. A few weeks ago, they noticed large cracks along the walls and determined that the bluff near the house was breaking away and causing their house to collapse. So they moved out, shortly before a section did indeed fall into the lake below.
One news reporter indicated that the Webb’s insurance policy will not cover this disastrous event…that they will be financially responsible for the demolition and cleanup. The couple says they planned to leave the home to their grandchildren, and while they know it is just a house, there is a lot of sadness surrounding these events.
Honestly, I would feel the same way. No one wants to think of their home being destroyed, by any means. But if events like this one – and the April 27th tornado that ravaged central Arkansas – and other devastating events have taught us anything, we should surely know by now that “it’s just stuff”…that our earthly “mansions” are only temporary anyway. Frankly, Jesus made it pretty clear that anything we can create with our mortal hands pales in comparison to the amazing homes that await us in Heaven.
While we are scrambling to create earthly homes that range from compact and cozy to magnificent mansions, we often misplace our focus. We get so caught up in what we have or don’t have that we miss out on the true joy that comes from serving God. We get so worked up over “things” and earthly situations that we bring on everything from restlessness and exhaustion – to poor health and physical destruction.
I am very sorry for the loss that the Webbs have suffered. No one should have to endure that kind of physical, mental, emotional, and financial hardship. But I hope they know where their true “mansion” awaits them…and where to find genuine rest and comfort. If they place their trust in God…if they serve Him with their whole hearts…if they are focused on Eternity and the “bigger picture” of their lives in Christ…this will be a mere blip on the screen.
When crises come in your life and your “house” begins to crumble into the water, where do you turn? Is your focus on the “mansion” that awaits you with Jesus – and serving Him until your rooms are ready? Or are you busy building up “earthly mansions”…and running yourself ragged in the process? Do you notice the “cracks in the wall” that signal trouble on the horizon? Have you convinced yourself that your foundation is secure…even while you see your “backyard” crumbling and falling over the side of the cliff? Aren’t you ready to take a deep breath and rest in the LORD? Isn’t this a good time to evaluate your priorities and see where you may need to make some adjustments…or even a move of sorts? Which “mansion” has your attention these days?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 12, 2014
John 10:6-10
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I read a scripture passage and ask, “What does this mean?” Thank goodness for commentaries and the Internet search engines! So let me see if I can give a quick synopsis of what I believe Jesus means in these verses from the Book of John.
In New Testament times, sheep were prized possessions. They provided wool for clothing and blankets – and milk and meat to feed the family. Sheep have been characterized as less than intelligent animals…subject to wandering away from the flock and getting lost. Each shepherd took his sheep out into the pastures to graze during the day, but at night, many shepherds housed their flocks together in a common, walled area where they could rest safely…known as a sheepfold.
As dumb as sheep could be, they did have one particularly important knack…they could discern their shepherd’s voice from that of any other person. So when the shepherds came each morning to gather their flock, all they had to do was speak, and their particular sheep would assemble around them.
The sheepfold had thick stone walls and only one gate, which was guarded overnight by a doorkeeper – sometimes known as a “porter”. This was a good system, unless the porter fell asleep. Robbers and thieves would scale the wall and steal the sheep…and carry them back over the wall.
Commentaries suggest that Jesus is comparing the Jewish leaders to the thieves who came in the night – men who have created their own religion and tried to infiltrate through a back way to acquire followers. Jesus represents the gate…the One Way in and out for genuine nurture and rest. The thieves are not interested in the sheep…other than for their own personal gain…and the sheep certainly do not recognize the voices of these robbers. So they do not “follow” of their own volition. Jesus suggested that the Jewish leaders convinced people (the “sheep”) to follow them with clever lies and deceptions.
By now you are probably wondering what this has to do with us. After all, we are not sheep…at least not in a literal sense. But here’s the thing…too many of us are easily swayed by outside influences. I read a news report just today about a 4-year-old boy in a very small northwest Arkansas community who was approached by two men in a mini-van. They offered the child an ice cream sandwich. Thankfully, this little boy had been taught what to do in such situations, and he loudly yelled, “NO!” This brought his mother running from around the corner of the house! Police have compared this incident with other recent events that bear striking similarities, and they have determined that someone is in the area who is dead-set on abducting children.
While this is a tangible example…there are plenty of subtle situations that occur in our lives to which we fall victim out of either ignorance, peer pressure, apathy, or a lack of due diligence. In essence, we are either like the porter who falls asleep – or the sheep who are captivated and/or captured by the robber – or both. Often, we never even saw it coming! So we fall prey to warped ideas about religion and morality…we are tempted to participate in sinful activities…we are convinced that this or that conversation or activity is really not that bad – or that nobody is looking, so it doesn’t matter. And in some instances, we actually can be persuaded that there is more than one “Gate”…that salvation through Jesus Christ is not necessary in order to be considered one of God’s children…or to secure a place in His Kingdom.
Often we know these things are not coming from our Shepherd…that the voice we hear is not God’s…but we follow along anyway. Other times, we are so out of touch with God…so blind, deaf and dumb to His wisdom and instruction…that we are “easy pickin’s” for the devil and his band of robbers and their propaganda!
Just as I encourage my friends who are parents of young children to review “stranger danger” rules with their little ones, I believe we need to essentially do the same. We need to stay awake and alert to attempts to be lured “over the wall” and into sinful behaviors. We must listen for our Shepherd’s voice, and stay near to Him. We must recognize that there is only ONE WAY into the “sheepfold” of God’s Kingdom – and it ain’t over the wall! Remembering this should make it easier to recognize and identify the “thieves and robbers” in our lives.
Jesus stands at the gate and beckons us to come in and rest. He calls on us to learn His voice – and learn it well…to know when it is He who calls to us, and when the thieves and robbers are near. This is a good day for all of us to review our “stranger danger” rules…whether they are the guidelines for keeping young children safe or those that guard our hearts and our souls. When the devil’s thieves and robbers attempt to scale the walls of your heart, do you know what to do? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I read a scripture passage and ask, “What does this mean?” Thank goodness for commentaries and the Internet search engines! So let me see if I can give a quick synopsis of what I believe Jesus means in these verses from the Book of John.
In New Testament times, sheep were prized possessions. They provided wool for clothing and blankets – and milk and meat to feed the family. Sheep have been characterized as less than intelligent animals…subject to wandering away from the flock and getting lost. Each shepherd took his sheep out into the pastures to graze during the day, but at night, many shepherds housed their flocks together in a common, walled area where they could rest safely…known as a sheepfold.
As dumb as sheep could be, they did have one particularly important knack…they could discern their shepherd’s voice from that of any other person. So when the shepherds came each morning to gather their flock, all they had to do was speak, and their particular sheep would assemble around them.
The sheepfold had thick stone walls and only one gate, which was guarded overnight by a doorkeeper – sometimes known as a “porter”. This was a good system, unless the porter fell asleep. Robbers and thieves would scale the wall and steal the sheep…and carry them back over the wall.
Commentaries suggest that Jesus is comparing the Jewish leaders to the thieves who came in the night – men who have created their own religion and tried to infiltrate through a back way to acquire followers. Jesus represents the gate…the One Way in and out for genuine nurture and rest. The thieves are not interested in the sheep…other than for their own personal gain…and the sheep certainly do not recognize the voices of these robbers. So they do not “follow” of their own volition. Jesus suggested that the Jewish leaders convinced people (the “sheep”) to follow them with clever lies and deceptions.
By now you are probably wondering what this has to do with us. After all, we are not sheep…at least not in a literal sense. But here’s the thing…too many of us are easily swayed by outside influences. I read a news report just today about a 4-year-old boy in a very small northwest Arkansas community who was approached by two men in a mini-van. They offered the child an ice cream sandwich. Thankfully, this little boy had been taught what to do in such situations, and he loudly yelled, “NO!” This brought his mother running from around the corner of the house! Police have compared this incident with other recent events that bear striking similarities, and they have determined that someone is in the area who is dead-set on abducting children.
While this is a tangible example…there are plenty of subtle situations that occur in our lives to which we fall victim out of either ignorance, peer pressure, apathy, or a lack of due diligence. In essence, we are either like the porter who falls asleep – or the sheep who are captivated and/or captured by the robber – or both. Often, we never even saw it coming! So we fall prey to warped ideas about religion and morality…we are tempted to participate in sinful activities…we are convinced that this or that conversation or activity is really not that bad – or that nobody is looking, so it doesn’t matter. And in some instances, we actually can be persuaded that there is more than one “Gate”…that salvation through Jesus Christ is not necessary in order to be considered one of God’s children…or to secure a place in His Kingdom.
Often we know these things are not coming from our Shepherd…that the voice we hear is not God’s…but we follow along anyway. Other times, we are so out of touch with God…so blind, deaf and dumb to His wisdom and instruction…that we are “easy pickin’s” for the devil and his band of robbers and their propaganda!
Just as I encourage my friends who are parents of young children to review “stranger danger” rules with their little ones, I believe we need to essentially do the same. We need to stay awake and alert to attempts to be lured “over the wall” and into sinful behaviors. We must listen for our Shepherd’s voice, and stay near to Him. We must recognize that there is only ONE WAY into the “sheepfold” of God’s Kingdom – and it ain’t over the wall! Remembering this should make it easier to recognize and identify the “thieves and robbers” in our lives.
Jesus stands at the gate and beckons us to come in and rest. He calls on us to learn His voice – and learn it well…to know when it is He who calls to us, and when the thieves and robbers are near. This is a good day for all of us to review our “stranger danger” rules…whether they are the guidelines for keeping young children safe or those that guard our hearts and our souls. When the devil’s thieves and robbers attempt to scale the walls of your heart, do you know what to do? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 11, 2014
Jeremiah 6:16
Yet the Lord pleads with you still: Ask where the good road is, the godly paths you used to walk in, in the days of long ago. Travel there, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, “No, that is not the road we want!”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My mom and her husband, Lee, are Workamping this summer in West Yellowstone, Montana. Four days a week, they work in a high-end retail shop, for which they are provided wages and a full hookup campsite for their motorhome. On their days off, they explore Yellowstone National Park and the scenery that surrounds it in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. This week, they decided to travel across the Bear Tooth Highway, which the late Charles Kuralt deemed “America’s most beautiful drive”.
According to the website http://beartoothhighway.com,...“[The Beartooth All-American Road/Highway] is one of the highest and most rugged areas in the lower 48 states, with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation. In the surrounding mountains, glaciers are found on the north flank of nearly every mountain peak over 11,500 feet high. The Road itself is the highest elevation highway in Wyoming (10,947 feet) and Montana (10,350 feet), and is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies.
A 54-mile section of the Beartooth Highway begins 8 miles south and east of Red Lodge, Montana, and ends just east of Cooke City, Montana. Since Mom and Lee approached from the west, they traveled 70 miles just to get on the Highway near Cooke City. Mom had been to “Yellowstone” many summers ago with my dad, and they approached this scenic roadway from the east, via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway that travels southeast to Cody, Wyoming. She and Lee considered taking this cut-off and visiting Cody. They had some choices to make – especially about their return trip to West Yellowstone. They could travel to Cody and then go another 50-80 miles just to get to the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park…then drive across the Park and back to West Yellowstone. Or they could stay on the Beartooth Highway and drive to Red Lodge, Montana… then make their way “home”. In the end, they chose this option, then retraced their steps to get back to their home base.
In this area of the country, there is no easy or quick route! Not only that, the highways are fraught with wildlife, i.e. buffalo, elk, bears and more…all of whom have the right-of-way. Mom says that when these animals cross the road, traffic comes to a standstill. So this “day-trip” ended somewhere south of 10:00 p.m., and she and Lee were both exhausted! Had they chosen to go to Cody or traverse the National Park itself, their “rest” might have been delayed even further!
Google Yellowstone National Park or visit the Beartooth Highway website - or any of several websites for attractions in the surrounding area - and study the maps. You will get a sense of how vast this area is…and how isolated, and even treacherous some of the stretches of road and forest expanses can be. There are no Interstate highways to speedily traverse from Point A to Point B...and distractions galore abound at every turn. If you are not carefully watching the road, you are probably busy ogling the incredibly scenery and photographing the remarkable flora and fauna! When visiting an area such as this, it pays to do your homework, read the maps, and listen to those who are experienced with the area and its terrain and roadways.
Our lives are like the glacial lakes, forests, mountain peaks and scenic vistas of a National Park…vast, sometimes remote and out-of-the-way, filled with peaks and valleys, and often carrying us along treacherous roadways. If we make reckless choices or do not pay attention – or simply choose the road we want rather than the one God ordains – we may find ourselves quite wearied. Worse yet, we might end up in something of a pickle! Imagine being lost in the expansive forests of Yellowstone National Park…and then think of being “Spiritually stranded” by comparison! It boggles the mind!
I pray that we are all “reading the maps” properly – on America’s Scenic By-ways, and in our spiritual lives. It is human nature to want to venture off on our own…to make our own decisions and travel the paths that seem most interesting and enjoyable – or those that our peers feel are right for us. But no one knows better than God which course is truly in our best interest. His paths may not be the ones we would choose…but they offer us the greatest opportunities for joy, peace…and rest. More importantly, these “roadways” lead us directly to Him and His favor…and ultimate respite with Him for all Eternity.
It’s so easy to get off-track…to take the wrong turn and travel far and away from the road that best leads to God’s blessings and perfect plan for our lives. Just as in the case of Mom and Lee’s trip, there may be several options…but one is always better than the others. Are you doing all you can to make sure you choose the best route in each area of your life? Will you select a path that leads to God’s rest and peace? Are you properly preparing for “safe travels” toward your ultimate destination? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Yet the Lord pleads with you still: Ask where the good road is, the godly paths you used to walk in, in the days of long ago. Travel there, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, “No, that is not the road we want!”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My mom and her husband, Lee, are Workamping this summer in West Yellowstone, Montana. Four days a week, they work in a high-end retail shop, for which they are provided wages and a full hookup campsite for their motorhome. On their days off, they explore Yellowstone National Park and the scenery that surrounds it in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. This week, they decided to travel across the Bear Tooth Highway, which the late Charles Kuralt deemed “America’s most beautiful drive”.
According to the website http://beartoothhighway.com,...“[The Beartooth All-American Road/Highway] is one of the highest and most rugged areas in the lower 48 states, with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation. In the surrounding mountains, glaciers are found on the north flank of nearly every mountain peak over 11,500 feet high. The Road itself is the highest elevation highway in Wyoming (10,947 feet) and Montana (10,350 feet), and is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies.
A 54-mile section of the Beartooth Highway begins 8 miles south and east of Red Lodge, Montana, and ends just east of Cooke City, Montana. Since Mom and Lee approached from the west, they traveled 70 miles just to get on the Highway near Cooke City. Mom had been to “Yellowstone” many summers ago with my dad, and they approached this scenic roadway from the east, via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway that travels southeast to Cody, Wyoming. She and Lee considered taking this cut-off and visiting Cody. They had some choices to make – especially about their return trip to West Yellowstone. They could travel to Cody and then go another 50-80 miles just to get to the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park…then drive across the Park and back to West Yellowstone. Or they could stay on the Beartooth Highway and drive to Red Lodge, Montana… then make their way “home”. In the end, they chose this option, then retraced their steps to get back to their home base.
In this area of the country, there is no easy or quick route! Not only that, the highways are fraught with wildlife, i.e. buffalo, elk, bears and more…all of whom have the right-of-way. Mom says that when these animals cross the road, traffic comes to a standstill. So this “day-trip” ended somewhere south of 10:00 p.m., and she and Lee were both exhausted! Had they chosen to go to Cody or traverse the National Park itself, their “rest” might have been delayed even further!
Google Yellowstone National Park or visit the Beartooth Highway website - or any of several websites for attractions in the surrounding area - and study the maps. You will get a sense of how vast this area is…and how isolated, and even treacherous some of the stretches of road and forest expanses can be. There are no Interstate highways to speedily traverse from Point A to Point B...and distractions galore abound at every turn. If you are not carefully watching the road, you are probably busy ogling the incredibly scenery and photographing the remarkable flora and fauna! When visiting an area such as this, it pays to do your homework, read the maps, and listen to those who are experienced with the area and its terrain and roadways.
Our lives are like the glacial lakes, forests, mountain peaks and scenic vistas of a National Park…vast, sometimes remote and out-of-the-way, filled with peaks and valleys, and often carrying us along treacherous roadways. If we make reckless choices or do not pay attention – or simply choose the road we want rather than the one God ordains – we may find ourselves quite wearied. Worse yet, we might end up in something of a pickle! Imagine being lost in the expansive forests of Yellowstone National Park…and then think of being “Spiritually stranded” by comparison! It boggles the mind!
I pray that we are all “reading the maps” properly – on America’s Scenic By-ways, and in our spiritual lives. It is human nature to want to venture off on our own…to make our own decisions and travel the paths that seem most interesting and enjoyable – or those that our peers feel are right for us. But no one knows better than God which course is truly in our best interest. His paths may not be the ones we would choose…but they offer us the greatest opportunities for joy, peace…and rest. More importantly, these “roadways” lead us directly to Him and His favor…and ultimate respite with Him for all Eternity.
It’s so easy to get off-track…to take the wrong turn and travel far and away from the road that best leads to God’s blessings and perfect plan for our lives. Just as in the case of Mom and Lee’s trip, there may be several options…but one is always better than the others. Are you doing all you can to make sure you choose the best route in each area of your life? Will you select a path that leads to God’s rest and peace? Are you properly preparing for “safe travels” toward your ultimate destination? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 10, 2014
Jeremiah 31:25
For I have given rest to the weary and joy to all the sorrowing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Rick Warren, (author of The Purpose Driven Life* and pastor at Saddleback Church) spoke to the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference at the Baltimore Convention Center recently and shared his personal story of heartbreak in the death by suicide of his son, Matthew, the week after Easter Sunday, 2013. Warren noted that 27-year-old Matthew had struggled with depression and mental illness most of his life. When he was seventeen, Matthew came to Rick Warren and said, ““Why can’t I just go to heaven? Why can’t I just go now?” Warren’s son was tired and in need of some serious rest.
According to a newspaper account of Warren’s convention speech, he said that Matthew coped with his weariness by reaching out to others – that he seemed to have a heightened sense of which person in the room was in the most pain – and encouraged him/her. But in the days after Easter Sunday, as Warren preached a series of sermons on hope, Matthew’s hope and energy ran out…and he chose to take his own life and enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father.
Warren’s message to the pastors at this annual convention was about rest. He told them, “God has a plan for relief...and it's not just on the other side of eternity. How do you choose joy when your world is falling apart? Use the pain to draw closer to God. When something bad happens, we always want to ask, 'Why did this happen?' Explanations never comfort. What comforts is the glory of God." He continued… "If you want the blessing of God on your life, if you want the power of God on your words, if you want the anointing of God on your ministry, you must be willing to suffer. What Jesus promised was trials, tribulations, testing, temptation and thorns. Because pain is God's megaphone, there is no testimony without a test. There is no message without a mess. There is no impact without criticism."
So where does this leave us when we are drained…whether the fatigue is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual? Warren has highlighted the answer…”God has a plan for relief.” Rest is available for the weary…joy can be had by all who have experienced sorrow…and God offers each of us these things in abundance. Will God’s rest and joy come easily? Probably not! Does this mean that we will never have suffering or setbacks! Most definitely NOT! Will God allow tests and trials…temptation and “thorns”? Certainly! Will all of our tribulations be worth it? Absolutely!
I frequently receive prayer requests from friends and family members for all sorts of challenges and concerns that contribute to weariness. Not all of these involve illness, injury and loss of life. People are worn out over school years and courses of study that seem never-ending, jobs that don’t satisfy – or do not materialize in the first place, bills to pay, houses to buy and sell, moves to make, and relationships that are troubled…not to mention all kinds of daily activities that leave us bone-tired and in need of a serious break! It took author Charles Swindoll two book volumes to cover one of my favorite devotional Bible studies - Living Beyond the Daily Grind**! Many people wake up in the morning counting the minutes before they can crawl back into bed and pull up the covers!
I get it…I’ve been there…and some days, I’m STILL there! But I find rest in God’s word…in conversations with Him…and in fellowship with others who are also seeking His respite. And you can, too. It starts with a prayer…an invitation for God to join you and help you shoulder the load of your “daily grind”. The Bible is filled with examples of people who overcame tests and suffering…and rested in the joy of the LORD. There are countless believers who are more than willing to talk with you and offer you reassurance and encouragement…to let you know that you are not alone - or crazy!
So what are you waiting for? Throw back the covers…get up and get going…and find the rest and joy that God is longing to give you. God has a plan for relief to give you. Will this be the day that you take Him up on His offer?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://purposedriven.com/books/pdlbook/#purpose
** http://www.amazon.com/Living-Beyond-Daily-Charles-Swindoll/dp/0884863727
For I have given rest to the weary and joy to all the sorrowing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Rick Warren, (author of The Purpose Driven Life* and pastor at Saddleback Church) spoke to the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference at the Baltimore Convention Center recently and shared his personal story of heartbreak in the death by suicide of his son, Matthew, the week after Easter Sunday, 2013. Warren noted that 27-year-old Matthew had struggled with depression and mental illness most of his life. When he was seventeen, Matthew came to Rick Warren and said, ““Why can’t I just go to heaven? Why can’t I just go now?” Warren’s son was tired and in need of some serious rest.
According to a newspaper account of Warren’s convention speech, he said that Matthew coped with his weariness by reaching out to others – that he seemed to have a heightened sense of which person in the room was in the most pain – and encouraged him/her. But in the days after Easter Sunday, as Warren preached a series of sermons on hope, Matthew’s hope and energy ran out…and he chose to take his own life and enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father.
Warren’s message to the pastors at this annual convention was about rest. He told them, “God has a plan for relief...and it's not just on the other side of eternity. How do you choose joy when your world is falling apart? Use the pain to draw closer to God. When something bad happens, we always want to ask, 'Why did this happen?' Explanations never comfort. What comforts is the glory of God." He continued… "If you want the blessing of God on your life, if you want the power of God on your words, if you want the anointing of God on your ministry, you must be willing to suffer. What Jesus promised was trials, tribulations, testing, temptation and thorns. Because pain is God's megaphone, there is no testimony without a test. There is no message without a mess. There is no impact without criticism."
So where does this leave us when we are drained…whether the fatigue is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual? Warren has highlighted the answer…”God has a plan for relief.” Rest is available for the weary…joy can be had by all who have experienced sorrow…and God offers each of us these things in abundance. Will God’s rest and joy come easily? Probably not! Does this mean that we will never have suffering or setbacks! Most definitely NOT! Will God allow tests and trials…temptation and “thorns”? Certainly! Will all of our tribulations be worth it? Absolutely!
I frequently receive prayer requests from friends and family members for all sorts of challenges and concerns that contribute to weariness. Not all of these involve illness, injury and loss of life. People are worn out over school years and courses of study that seem never-ending, jobs that don’t satisfy – or do not materialize in the first place, bills to pay, houses to buy and sell, moves to make, and relationships that are troubled…not to mention all kinds of daily activities that leave us bone-tired and in need of a serious break! It took author Charles Swindoll two book volumes to cover one of my favorite devotional Bible studies - Living Beyond the Daily Grind**! Many people wake up in the morning counting the minutes before they can crawl back into bed and pull up the covers!
I get it…I’ve been there…and some days, I’m STILL there! But I find rest in God’s word…in conversations with Him…and in fellowship with others who are also seeking His respite. And you can, too. It starts with a prayer…an invitation for God to join you and help you shoulder the load of your “daily grind”. The Bible is filled with examples of people who overcame tests and suffering…and rested in the joy of the LORD. There are countless believers who are more than willing to talk with you and offer you reassurance and encouragement…to let you know that you are not alone - or crazy!
So what are you waiting for? Throw back the covers…get up and get going…and find the rest and joy that God is longing to give you. God has a plan for relief to give you. Will this be the day that you take Him up on His offer?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://purposedriven.com/books/pdlbook/#purpose
** http://www.amazon.com/Living-Beyond-Daily-Charles-Swindoll/dp/0884863727
Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Isaiah 66:1
The Lord said:
Heaven is my throne;
the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house
could you build for me?
In what place will I rest?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A couple of days ago, one of my dad’s dearest friends joined him in Heaven. Mr. Donald was also one of my grandmother’s favorite people. She would be “on Cloud Nine” for days after a phone call or visit from Donald, who lived in Springfield, Missouri. So I said to Mom, “I have no doubt that Mr. Donald was not in heaven very long before Mam-ma Polly fired up the stove and cooked him a pot of chicken and dumplings and made him a pan of hot rolls.” She replied, “Oh, if we only knew that heaven is like that. We try to comprehend it in our physical terms, but we truly do not know. I just know it’s wonderful — and we will all be happy.”
It is no secret that I watch a lot of “house and garden” shows. My particular favorites are the ones where a house with “good bones” is revamped to create something modern, fresh, beautiful…and inviting. The end result is not always perfect…sometimes not every room gets a makeover. But the home is welcoming…restful…and a place where one wants to spend time.
We are like those “flipped” or remodeled homes. Our hearts will never be as perfect as heaven. There will always be a room or two that could use work. But in total, we can do enough updating and refurbishing to make an inviting and respectable home in which the Holy Spirit can rest.
In my mind, Heaven is a place where there is continual joy, peace, and plenty of chicken and dumplings, hot rolls, and chocolate! Everything is perfect in Heaven – the Bible assures us of that. I picture my loved ones there, happily serving the LORD and enjoying impeccable health, fitness and perpetual youthfulness. Everyone is rested and relaxed – and filled with joy. All of our pets are there, and everyone gets along…all the time! Nobody is stressed or frustrated…and most certainly, no one is angry or heartbroken! No wonder Jesus says, “I have perfection,” and asks us…”How can you compete? What do YOU bring to the table?”
So the question for today is… “What DO we bring to the LORD’s table?” Have we made every effort to clean up, refresh and refurbish our heart so that it is a suitable dwelling place for the Holy Spirit?
You know how you go somewhere overnight and stop at a hotel or motel…and maybe it’s not as neat and clean as you would prefer – or certainly as nice and comfortable as your own home? If you go to a five-star hotel, you may rest and relax in the lap of luxury…but it still won’t be perfect. Think of this as you prepare your heart for Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Don’t offer Jesus a “just-good-enough” room in your heart. Give Him “five-star” accommodations! Mom is right…we truly do not know what Heaven is like, for certain. But we know it is perfect…home to our Heavenly Father – and hopefully, our ultimate destination! For now, we cannot be there with Him…but His Holy Spirit can rest in our heart...if we will offer Him our very best rooms. What sort of lodging have you prepared for God? Is your heart a place where He wants to rest?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord said:
Heaven is my throne;
the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house
could you build for me?
In what place will I rest?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A couple of days ago, one of my dad’s dearest friends joined him in Heaven. Mr. Donald was also one of my grandmother’s favorite people. She would be “on Cloud Nine” for days after a phone call or visit from Donald, who lived in Springfield, Missouri. So I said to Mom, “I have no doubt that Mr. Donald was not in heaven very long before Mam-ma Polly fired up the stove and cooked him a pot of chicken and dumplings and made him a pan of hot rolls.” She replied, “Oh, if we only knew that heaven is like that. We try to comprehend it in our physical terms, but we truly do not know. I just know it’s wonderful — and we will all be happy.”
It is no secret that I watch a lot of “house and garden” shows. My particular favorites are the ones where a house with “good bones” is revamped to create something modern, fresh, beautiful…and inviting. The end result is not always perfect…sometimes not every room gets a makeover. But the home is welcoming…restful…and a place where one wants to spend time.
We are like those “flipped” or remodeled homes. Our hearts will never be as perfect as heaven. There will always be a room or two that could use work. But in total, we can do enough updating and refurbishing to make an inviting and respectable home in which the Holy Spirit can rest.
In my mind, Heaven is a place where there is continual joy, peace, and plenty of chicken and dumplings, hot rolls, and chocolate! Everything is perfect in Heaven – the Bible assures us of that. I picture my loved ones there, happily serving the LORD and enjoying impeccable health, fitness and perpetual youthfulness. Everyone is rested and relaxed – and filled with joy. All of our pets are there, and everyone gets along…all the time! Nobody is stressed or frustrated…and most certainly, no one is angry or heartbroken! No wonder Jesus says, “I have perfection,” and asks us…”How can you compete? What do YOU bring to the table?”
So the question for today is… “What DO we bring to the LORD’s table?” Have we made every effort to clean up, refresh and refurbish our heart so that it is a suitable dwelling place for the Holy Spirit?
You know how you go somewhere overnight and stop at a hotel or motel…and maybe it’s not as neat and clean as you would prefer – or certainly as nice and comfortable as your own home? If you go to a five-star hotel, you may rest and relax in the lap of luxury…but it still won’t be perfect. Think of this as you prepare your heart for Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Don’t offer Jesus a “just-good-enough” room in your heart. Give Him “five-star” accommodations! Mom is right…we truly do not know what Heaven is like, for certain. But we know it is perfect…home to our Heavenly Father – and hopefully, our ultimate destination! For now, we cannot be there with Him…but His Holy Spirit can rest in our heart...if we will offer Him our very best rooms. What sort of lodging have you prepared for God? Is your heart a place where He wants to rest?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 8, 2014
Isaiah 57:18-19
I know what you are like!
But I will heal you, lead you,
and give you comfort,
until those who are mourning
start singing my praises.
No matter where you are,
I, the Lord, will heal you
and give you peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last year, I bought some new “lounge wear” to dress in at home. I figured the old flannel pajama pants and t-shirts with holes could use a facelift! But I have to tell you, those comfortable old pieces seem to find a way back onto my body from time to time! They are welcoming and cozy…restful and relaxing…and since I tucked them into the back of the drawer and didn’t throw them out, they have crept back into my clothing “repertoire” over time.
We all know someone who has vowed to “turn over a new leaf”. Maybe that “someone” was you! We vow to start a new diet – and stick to it…to stop a bad habit…to exercise regularly or spend less. And for a while, we do okay. But over time, many of us slide right back into our “comfy old pajamas and t-shirts” and go back to our old ways.
I know this will come as a shock to some of you, but I am not perfect! The rest of you can stop rolling your eyes and laughing uncontrollably. You know me and love me in spite of my flaws… and for your grace and mercy, I am grateful. Here’s the thing - and I know you will be astounded to hear this – but you aren’t perfect, either! Yet you’ve managed to make it through more than few years…hopefully with friends and family members who love you - and with relative success in your endeavors!
The truth of the matter is that we are all flawed. Each of our lives is something of a mess in one way or another. Try as we might to do better - to be better - we never seem to get it quite right. It’s enough to make some of us throw up our hands and declare ourselves “hopeless cases”! But somehow, some way, we survive. This is no small thing…and in many cases, it’s nothing short of miraculous.
Hear the GOOD NEWS…God knows what a mess you are. He is fully aware of every mistake, idiosyncrasy, bad habit, flawed thought and action, and struggle you may have…and He still loves you and wants you for His Kingdom. He wants you to grow so familiar and comfortable with your new life in Christ that you no longer need the coziness of your old “pajama pants and t-shirt” habits and sins. He offers us grace, mercy and compassion for the struggles we encounter. But He also redeems us and provides us with healing and peace.
I am thankful that God loves me so much…and I know He loves you equally. I am working to “clean out the closets and drawers” of my life and get rid of some old habits and flaws once and for all, so that they are no longer readily available to me. But I am also reveling in the joy and peace of knowing that God is with me…that He loves me and offers me rest for every step of the journey. I will never be perfect…but I can be better. I can enjoy the comfort of God’s healing, love and care as His “work in progress”. And so can you!
Will this be the day that you start “cleaning out a few closets” and operating in the restful healing of God’s grace and mercy? Aren’t you ready to trade some of your “holey messes” for the “new clothes” of His perfect peace?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I know what you are like!
But I will heal you, lead you,
and give you comfort,
until those who are mourning
start singing my praises.
No matter where you are,
I, the Lord, will heal you
and give you peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last year, I bought some new “lounge wear” to dress in at home. I figured the old flannel pajama pants and t-shirts with holes could use a facelift! But I have to tell you, those comfortable old pieces seem to find a way back onto my body from time to time! They are welcoming and cozy…restful and relaxing…and since I tucked them into the back of the drawer and didn’t throw them out, they have crept back into my clothing “repertoire” over time.
We all know someone who has vowed to “turn over a new leaf”. Maybe that “someone” was you! We vow to start a new diet – and stick to it…to stop a bad habit…to exercise regularly or spend less. And for a while, we do okay. But over time, many of us slide right back into our “comfy old pajamas and t-shirts” and go back to our old ways.
I know this will come as a shock to some of you, but I am not perfect! The rest of you can stop rolling your eyes and laughing uncontrollably. You know me and love me in spite of my flaws… and for your grace and mercy, I am grateful. Here’s the thing - and I know you will be astounded to hear this – but you aren’t perfect, either! Yet you’ve managed to make it through more than few years…hopefully with friends and family members who love you - and with relative success in your endeavors!
The truth of the matter is that we are all flawed. Each of our lives is something of a mess in one way or another. Try as we might to do better - to be better - we never seem to get it quite right. It’s enough to make some of us throw up our hands and declare ourselves “hopeless cases”! But somehow, some way, we survive. This is no small thing…and in many cases, it’s nothing short of miraculous.
Hear the GOOD NEWS…God knows what a mess you are. He is fully aware of every mistake, idiosyncrasy, bad habit, flawed thought and action, and struggle you may have…and He still loves you and wants you for His Kingdom. He wants you to grow so familiar and comfortable with your new life in Christ that you no longer need the coziness of your old “pajama pants and t-shirt” habits and sins. He offers us grace, mercy and compassion for the struggles we encounter. But He also redeems us and provides us with healing and peace.
I am thankful that God loves me so much…and I know He loves you equally. I am working to “clean out the closets and drawers” of my life and get rid of some old habits and flaws once and for all, so that they are no longer readily available to me. But I am also reveling in the joy and peace of knowing that God is with me…that He loves me and offers me rest for every step of the journey. I will never be perfect…but I can be better. I can enjoy the comfort of God’s healing, love and care as His “work in progress”. And so can you!
Will this be the day that you start “cleaning out a few closets” and operating in the restful healing of God’s grace and mercy? Aren’t you ready to trade some of your “holey messes” for the “new clothes” of His perfect peace?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 7, 2014
Isaiah 57:1-2
The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Do not stop reading. This is a message of life…not death – although death is very much a part of life. This is a message of hope for God’s children…for those who know Him as the “Giver of Rest”.
Many of us have seen the news reports in recent days about the 70th anniversary of D-Day…the amphibious invasion of France that took place on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Allied forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Free French Forces were the initial “troops on the ground”…joined soon by soldiers from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, and Belgium – and air support from Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. It has been noted that 2,499 Americans who died in Normandy on D-Day…more casualties than in ten years of war in Afghanistan.
Many of these soldiers were among “the godly who died before their time”. If you study interviews with veterans who survived D-Day – or any wartime experience – you realize that many of these soldiers were men and women who, in many cases, were barely out of their teens. They were placed in harm’s way, and countless numbers perished…leaving others to wonder why so many were taken from us so soon.
I read an account in a recent issue of the AARP Bulletin about letters written by soldiers to the folks back home during wartime. Many knew they were dying…some even as young as ages 15 and 18. But their letters were hopeful and comforting. They were at peace, because they knew that their passing would “take them away from evil days ahead”. They knew that God was in control and would give them rest.
We have plenty of opportunities in our lifetime to question “why”...and to feel as if no one seems to care – especially God. But in truth, God cares aplenty…and so do many others. The simple fact is that, while we do not always understand situations and circumstances, we cannot see how God is orchestrating the events of our lives. We cannot possibly fathom that what God allows in our lives might be far better – and less painful or difficult – than what would happen if He allowed our course to be altered.
We wonder why God allows us to get sick, suffer and die. We wonder why we graduate with honors from a prestigious college and cannot find a job. We wonder why our house doesn’t sell so that we can move to another city, take a better job, and become more productive and successful. We wonder why people slip and fall down stairways or off porches…why cars and motorcycles collide with other vehicles or inanimate objects…and why natural disasters destroy our home and our livelihood. We cry out and ask God why relationships fail...why jobs are lost and wars are fought…and so much more. And all the while, we grow more and more weary – if only from the asking of the question, “Why?”
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of asking…and wondering…and feeling restless and frustrated because I don’t have the answers. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to rest in the LORD…to trust Him and believe that He knows a thing or two that I don’t! I am sure I won’t like everything that God allows. There will be sadness and sorrow and challenges galore. But they will strengthen me…if I will let them. If I will lean on God and trust Him to design the life that is perfect for me, He will do exactly that. If I will believe that even the things I do not understand may be part of a plan to protect me from something far more devastating – even when that seems impossible to fathom – I will have found true rest in this lifetime.
This week, a young father named Adam, who I’ve come to know only through his wife’s blog posts, succumbed to brain cancer. Adam’s wife, Beth, grew up in my hometown. On the day that Adam died, Beth posted a poem by the late Maya Angelou that seemed to sum up Adam’s earthly life. The poem is titled, “When Great Trees Fall”. I encourage you to search for it online and read the entire piece.* Angelou ends the poem this way…
As I read today’s scripture passage from Isaiah, this part of the poem came to mind. With God, we can be – and be better. We can rest in Him and trust His plans for our lives. We can exist – in Him, and because of Him. And once and for all, we can find rest.
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/281946-when-great-trees-fall-when-great-trees-fall-rocks-on
The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Do not stop reading. This is a message of life…not death – although death is very much a part of life. This is a message of hope for God’s children…for those who know Him as the “Giver of Rest”.
Many of us have seen the news reports in recent days about the 70th anniversary of D-Day…the amphibious invasion of France that took place on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Allied forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Free French Forces were the initial “troops on the ground”…joined soon by soldiers from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, and Belgium – and air support from Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. It has been noted that 2,499 Americans who died in Normandy on D-Day…more casualties than in ten years of war in Afghanistan.
Many of these soldiers were among “the godly who died before their time”. If you study interviews with veterans who survived D-Day – or any wartime experience – you realize that many of these soldiers were men and women who, in many cases, were barely out of their teens. They were placed in harm’s way, and countless numbers perished…leaving others to wonder why so many were taken from us so soon.
I read an account in a recent issue of the AARP Bulletin about letters written by soldiers to the folks back home during wartime. Many knew they were dying…some even as young as ages 15 and 18. But their letters were hopeful and comforting. They were at peace, because they knew that their passing would “take them away from evil days ahead”. They knew that God was in control and would give them rest.
We have plenty of opportunities in our lifetime to question “why”...and to feel as if no one seems to care – especially God. But in truth, God cares aplenty…and so do many others. The simple fact is that, while we do not always understand situations and circumstances, we cannot see how God is orchestrating the events of our lives. We cannot possibly fathom that what God allows in our lives might be far better – and less painful or difficult – than what would happen if He allowed our course to be altered.
We wonder why God allows us to get sick, suffer and die. We wonder why we graduate with honors from a prestigious college and cannot find a job. We wonder why our house doesn’t sell so that we can move to another city, take a better job, and become more productive and successful. We wonder why people slip and fall down stairways or off porches…why cars and motorcycles collide with other vehicles or inanimate objects…and why natural disasters destroy our home and our livelihood. We cry out and ask God why relationships fail...why jobs are lost and wars are fought…and so much more. And all the while, we grow more and more weary – if only from the asking of the question, “Why?”
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of asking…and wondering…and feeling restless and frustrated because I don’t have the answers. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to rest in the LORD…to trust Him and believe that He knows a thing or two that I don’t! I am sure I won’t like everything that God allows. There will be sadness and sorrow and challenges galore. But they will strengthen me…if I will let them. If I will lean on God and trust Him to design the life that is perfect for me, He will do exactly that. If I will believe that even the things I do not understand may be part of a plan to protect me from something far more devastating – even when that seems impossible to fathom – I will have found true rest in this lifetime.
This week, a young father named Adam, who I’ve come to know only through his wife’s blog posts, succumbed to brain cancer. Adam’s wife, Beth, grew up in my hometown. On the day that Adam died, Beth posted a poem by the late Maya Angelou that seemed to sum up Adam’s earthly life. The poem is titled, “When Great Trees Fall”. I encourage you to search for it online and read the entire piece.* Angelou ends the poem this way…
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
As I read today’s scripture passage from Isaiah, this part of the poem came to mind. With God, we can be – and be better. We can rest in Him and trust His plans for our lives. We can exist – in Him, and because of Him. And once and for all, we can find rest.
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/281946-when-great-trees-fall-when-great-trees-fall-rocks-on
Daily Devotional for June 6, 2014
Isaiah 40:28-31
Don’t you know?
Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the eternal God,
Creator of the earth.
He never gets weary or tired;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
The Lord gives strength
to those who are weary.
Even young people get tired,
then stumble and fall.
But those who trust the Lord
will find new strength.
They will be strong like eagles
soaring upward on wings;
they will walk and run
without getting tired.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is something so bittersweet about watching a little child who cannot stay awake. Their actions can range from comical to pitiful as they struggle to keep their eyes open and/or remain upright. I remember one evening when my mom came to visit Timothy, and as she sat on our hearth and held him, his little head began to bob…his eyes began to droop…and soon he was slumped over - sound asleep as he sat on her knee. One night last winter, Zola pulled a little child’s rocking chair (that had been mine when I was little) right in front of the TV and began to “rock her babies” (a couple of stuffed teddy bears). Soon, her head began to droop until she was nearly bent over double…she had completely rocked HERSELF to sleep! Looking at her, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
Now we all know that little children do not sleep for very long, unless they are sick or injured. Soon enough, they spring back to life, fully energized and rejuvenated. And complain as they may, the rest is always good for them. Truthfully, rest is vital for ALL of us…critical to our good health and well-being!
Spiritual rest is essential, too. There will come a time in every person’s life where something will cause him/her to grow weary… to say, “I am not sure I can do this.” This is when God will step in and undergird us with His strength and wisdom…His love and grace. He carries us when we are so weak, tired or burdened that we can no longer “hold our eyes open”. God grants us a season of rest, infuses us with His energy and potency, and stands us upright under HIS power, rather than our own.
I have no doubt that many are weary today…and you may be among them. Teachers (AND students) who are finishing their last day or week of school are exhausted and in need of rest – or at least a change of scenery for a few weeks. I know friends who are burying loved ones and dealing with the aftermath that comes with a death. Still, others are moving and scrambling to buy and sell houses, sort through their “stuff” and get every last box packed securely. Some are looking for a job…and finding the prospects frustrating, at best. Others are struggling with relationship issues, facing a health crisis, or dealing with mountains of bills and financial woes. Many are aging and dealing with all that this stage of life brings.
Regardless of what zaps your strength and energy, God can help you to rest and rejuvenate. He is in the “restoration” business! You owe it to yourself to sit down, put up your feet, and spend a few minutes resting with Him. I promise… it will be the most “therapeutic” activity of your day! Aren’t you ready to soar like an eagle under the power of God? Will this be the day that you begin to rest in Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Don’t you know?
Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the eternal God,
Creator of the earth.
He never gets weary or tired;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
The Lord gives strength
to those who are weary.
Even young people get tired,
then stumble and fall.
But those who trust the Lord
will find new strength.
They will be strong like eagles
soaring upward on wings;
they will walk and run
without getting tired.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is something so bittersweet about watching a little child who cannot stay awake. Their actions can range from comical to pitiful as they struggle to keep their eyes open and/or remain upright. I remember one evening when my mom came to visit Timothy, and as she sat on our hearth and held him, his little head began to bob…his eyes began to droop…and soon he was slumped over - sound asleep as he sat on her knee. One night last winter, Zola pulled a little child’s rocking chair (that had been mine when I was little) right in front of the TV and began to “rock her babies” (a couple of stuffed teddy bears). Soon, her head began to droop until she was nearly bent over double…she had completely rocked HERSELF to sleep! Looking at her, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
Now we all know that little children do not sleep for very long, unless they are sick or injured. Soon enough, they spring back to life, fully energized and rejuvenated. And complain as they may, the rest is always good for them. Truthfully, rest is vital for ALL of us…critical to our good health and well-being!
Spiritual rest is essential, too. There will come a time in every person’s life where something will cause him/her to grow weary… to say, “I am not sure I can do this.” This is when God will step in and undergird us with His strength and wisdom…His love and grace. He carries us when we are so weak, tired or burdened that we can no longer “hold our eyes open”. God grants us a season of rest, infuses us with His energy and potency, and stands us upright under HIS power, rather than our own.
I have no doubt that many are weary today…and you may be among them. Teachers (AND students) who are finishing their last day or week of school are exhausted and in need of rest – or at least a change of scenery for a few weeks. I know friends who are burying loved ones and dealing with the aftermath that comes with a death. Still, others are moving and scrambling to buy and sell houses, sort through their “stuff” and get every last box packed securely. Some are looking for a job…and finding the prospects frustrating, at best. Others are struggling with relationship issues, facing a health crisis, or dealing with mountains of bills and financial woes. Many are aging and dealing with all that this stage of life brings.
Regardless of what zaps your strength and energy, God can help you to rest and rejuvenate. He is in the “restoration” business! You owe it to yourself to sit down, put up your feet, and spend a few minutes resting with Him. I promise… it will be the most “therapeutic” activity of your day! Aren’t you ready to soar like an eagle under the power of God? Will this be the day that you begin to rest in Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 5, 2014
Isaiah 30:15; 18
For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved; in quietness and confidence is your strength;
Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them.
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 think naps are extremely important – especially for young children. Timothy and Zola are not big fans of naps. So we take what I call “a little rest”. I tell them, “You don’t have to sleep…but you do have to lie down and rest for a while.” Sometimes the “little rest” results in a big nap…but not always. But at least they have been still and quiet for a few minutes…and hopefully regrouped and rejuvenated their bodies just a bit.
Patience has never been my strong suit! If I know there is something that I must get done, I won’t truly take it easy until it is accomplished. Oh, sure, I have a long list of “projects” (like organizing my digital photos) that sit undone. And it may take me days of “talking about” cleaning or finishing the laundry and ironing before I actually do it! But a lot of those tasks and ventures loom over me like a cloud until they are finished. Sometimes, they even “steal my joy”. Never mind a “bucket list”…I have enough on my “to-do” list as it is! But I am learning…to knuckle down and accomplish certain tasks – and to let others go – so that I can truly rest, relax and enjoy every minute of the day!
Part of my “lesson” is about priorities. Is it really critical that I scan every old photo my family ever owned and label them? Yes, it would be nice for future generations to know who the people are in the photos, but will it affect world peace, global warming…or the Kingdom of Heaven? Will it make me a better wife, aunt, daughter, friend, person to accomplish these things? What’s the worst that could happen if our house is not cleaned on a certain day…or the ironing doesn’t get done? At some point, we would run out of clothes…but to date, that has never happened!
Spontaneous walks or motorcycle rides with Greg on a pretty day are more important than a neatly organized craft room or an hour spent scanning the “pins” on Pinterest. Attending the funeral of someone who made a difference in my life trumps a morning spent sipping coffee and catching up on e-mail and household chores. By the same token, sometimes other activities are more important than attending a funeral, like a trip to the park with Timothy, Zola and Nathan or a long overdue visit with a good friend. Life is a series of delicate balances.
Things can get out of whack pretty quickly when we try to handle all of this on our own. And that’s where God comes into the picture. He says, “Hey you! Yeah…YOU with the long ‘to-do’ list and the lofty goals and the busy schedule! Come over here and sit down and let’s talk about this!” God wants us to spend time in His presence…to consult Him about what matters and what can wait…to trust His timing and not to get in a hurry at times…to learn when it is important to forge ahead – and when we need to be patient.” He wants us to rest…to “chill out” and allow Him room to work on our behalf.
There are plenty of times when we really do need to be busy. But there are just as many when we need to be still…to sit and listen for God’s voice…and to wait on Him to speak to us. God will remove the “cloud” of “woulda, shoulda, coulda” and replace it with a sense of His presence, peace, confidence and strength. Won’t you pull up a chair and sit with Him awhile? What is God trying to show you today? Aren’t you ready for a “little rest”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved; in quietness and confidence is your strength;
Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them.
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 think naps are extremely important – especially for young children. Timothy and Zola are not big fans of naps. So we take what I call “a little rest”. I tell them, “You don’t have to sleep…but you do have to lie down and rest for a while.” Sometimes the “little rest” results in a big nap…but not always. But at least they have been still and quiet for a few minutes…and hopefully regrouped and rejuvenated their bodies just a bit.
Patience has never been my strong suit! If I know there is something that I must get done, I won’t truly take it easy until it is accomplished. Oh, sure, I have a long list of “projects” (like organizing my digital photos) that sit undone. And it may take me days of “talking about” cleaning or finishing the laundry and ironing before I actually do it! But a lot of those tasks and ventures loom over me like a cloud until they are finished. Sometimes, they even “steal my joy”. Never mind a “bucket list”…I have enough on my “to-do” list as it is! But I am learning…to knuckle down and accomplish certain tasks – and to let others go – so that I can truly rest, relax and enjoy every minute of the day!
Part of my “lesson” is about priorities. Is it really critical that I scan every old photo my family ever owned and label them? Yes, it would be nice for future generations to know who the people are in the photos, but will it affect world peace, global warming…or the Kingdom of Heaven? Will it make me a better wife, aunt, daughter, friend, person to accomplish these things? What’s the worst that could happen if our house is not cleaned on a certain day…or the ironing doesn’t get done? At some point, we would run out of clothes…but to date, that has never happened!
Spontaneous walks or motorcycle rides with Greg on a pretty day are more important than a neatly organized craft room or an hour spent scanning the “pins” on Pinterest. Attending the funeral of someone who made a difference in my life trumps a morning spent sipping coffee and catching up on e-mail and household chores. By the same token, sometimes other activities are more important than attending a funeral, like a trip to the park with Timothy, Zola and Nathan or a long overdue visit with a good friend. Life is a series of delicate balances.
Things can get out of whack pretty quickly when we try to handle all of this on our own. And that’s where God comes into the picture. He says, “Hey you! Yeah…YOU with the long ‘to-do’ list and the lofty goals and the busy schedule! Come over here and sit down and let’s talk about this!” God wants us to spend time in His presence…to consult Him about what matters and what can wait…to trust His timing and not to get in a hurry at times…to learn when it is important to forge ahead – and when we need to be patient.” He wants us to rest…to “chill out” and allow Him room to work on our behalf.
There are plenty of times when we really do need to be busy. But there are just as many when we need to be still…to sit and listen for God’s voice…and to wait on Him to speak to us. God will remove the “cloud” of “woulda, shoulda, coulda” and replace it with a sense of His presence, peace, confidence and strength. Won’t you pull up a chair and sit with Him awhile? What is God trying to show you today? Aren’t you ready for a “little rest”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 4, 2014
Isaiah 14:3-4
In that wonderful day when the Lord gives his people rest from sorrow and fear, from slavery and chains, you will jeer at the king of Babylon and say, “You bully, you! At last you have what was coming to you.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I started watching the new “24” series on DVR last night. We watched every season of the original series, so we thought we would give these episodes a try. If you are not familiar with the “24” series, each episode represents one hour in a 24-hour day. A digital “clock” counts down the time in a particular hour, so that if a commercial break is 3 minutes and 30 seconds, that amount of time is removed from the hour when the actual show resumes. Over the course of 24 episodes, we will follow a story that supposedly took place in one full day/night.
It’s been three or four years since the original “24” series ended, so I had to sort of regroup and remind myself of how this all goes. At one point, I said to Greg, “By the end of this show, Jack Bauer (the lead character, played by Kiefer Sutherland) will fix everything.” He replied, “I don’t think so…it’s just the first hour of the 24!” Oh, yeah! That’s right! We will have twists and turns for another 23 episodes before this is all resolved! I think we pretty much know how this will ultimately finish. There will be surprises along the way and the finale may not be exactly as we pictured…but I’m pretty sure the “bad guy” will get his/her just desserts.
This series has tension and drama and often leaves us on the edge of our seats. But all we have to do is remind ourselves that it’s just a TV show…that we can rest and relax. The shoot-‘em-up scenes are not real…the torturous interrogations didn’t really happen…and there isn’t really a bad guy lurking behind every door! I’m sure in the end, we will root for the “good guys” and cheer that the “bullies” got what they deserved.
We have to laugh sometimes, because in the course of “24 hours”, Jack Bauer can survive attacks, falls from multi-storied buildings, car crashes, beatings, wounds and injuries that would be the end of most mere mortals in the first 10 minutes! As Greg reminded me sarcastically…”It’s only a flesh wound!”…and our hero is soon on his feet and headed back for more! He seems to have a supernatural strength and stamina!
We “regular Joes” are faced with countless challenges throughout our lifetime. Our daily activities may not be as exciting – or as harrowing – as Jack Bauer’s. But there will be times when we come up against obstacles that are daunting, to say the least…and sometimes downright terrifying and exhausting. We will wonder how we can make it through an entire day…and who truly will “win” at the end of it!
Thankfully, as Christians, we are undergirded, quite literally, by Supernatural strength and power. We are able to stare down the “enemy” with the more-than-able protection of our Hero and real-life Savior, Jesus Christ. We really do know how the story ends…and Who wins! So as we go through each day and handle tasks and trials both great and small, we can do so without sorrow and fear. We can rest in the protective shelter of God Almighty…and we can anticipate the “ultimate rest” in His presence when our life’s journey ends.
Ours is not some made-for-TV fantasy thriller…this is real life, baby! With Christ in the leading role, we’ve truly got this! Are you with me?
©2014 Debbie Robus
In that wonderful day when the Lord gives his people rest from sorrow and fear, from slavery and chains, you will jeer at the king of Babylon and say, “You bully, you! At last you have what was coming to you.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I started watching the new “24” series on DVR last night. We watched every season of the original series, so we thought we would give these episodes a try. If you are not familiar with the “24” series, each episode represents one hour in a 24-hour day. A digital “clock” counts down the time in a particular hour, so that if a commercial break is 3 minutes and 30 seconds, that amount of time is removed from the hour when the actual show resumes. Over the course of 24 episodes, we will follow a story that supposedly took place in one full day/night.
It’s been three or four years since the original “24” series ended, so I had to sort of regroup and remind myself of how this all goes. At one point, I said to Greg, “By the end of this show, Jack Bauer (the lead character, played by Kiefer Sutherland) will fix everything.” He replied, “I don’t think so…it’s just the first hour of the 24!” Oh, yeah! That’s right! We will have twists and turns for another 23 episodes before this is all resolved! I think we pretty much know how this will ultimately finish. There will be surprises along the way and the finale may not be exactly as we pictured…but I’m pretty sure the “bad guy” will get his/her just desserts.
This series has tension and drama and often leaves us on the edge of our seats. But all we have to do is remind ourselves that it’s just a TV show…that we can rest and relax. The shoot-‘em-up scenes are not real…the torturous interrogations didn’t really happen…and there isn’t really a bad guy lurking behind every door! I’m sure in the end, we will root for the “good guys” and cheer that the “bullies” got what they deserved.
We have to laugh sometimes, because in the course of “24 hours”, Jack Bauer can survive attacks, falls from multi-storied buildings, car crashes, beatings, wounds and injuries that would be the end of most mere mortals in the first 10 minutes! As Greg reminded me sarcastically…”It’s only a flesh wound!”…and our hero is soon on his feet and headed back for more! He seems to have a supernatural strength and stamina!
We “regular Joes” are faced with countless challenges throughout our lifetime. Our daily activities may not be as exciting – or as harrowing – as Jack Bauer’s. But there will be times when we come up against obstacles that are daunting, to say the least…and sometimes downright terrifying and exhausting. We will wonder how we can make it through an entire day…and who truly will “win” at the end of it!
Thankfully, as Christians, we are undergirded, quite literally, by Supernatural strength and power. We are able to stare down the “enemy” with the more-than-able protection of our Hero and real-life Savior, Jesus Christ. We really do know how the story ends…and Who wins! So as we go through each day and handle tasks and trials both great and small, we can do so without sorrow and fear. We can rest in the protective shelter of God Almighty…and we can anticipate the “ultimate rest” in His presence when our life’s journey ends.
Ours is not some made-for-TV fantasy thriller…this is real life, baby! With Christ in the leading role, we’ve truly got this! Are you with me?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 3, 2014
Hebrews 4:9-11
So there is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God. Christ has already entered there. He is resting from his work, just as God did after the creation. Let us do our best to go into that place of rest, too, being careful not to disobey God as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
It’s been a school year for the books in Arkansas. Countless public schools missed as much as two weeks or more of scheduled attendance days due to winter snow and ice storms. Even with Saturday make-ups and cancellation of holiday breaks, the only option for many to get in all of the requisite days was to extend the school year into June. So in my community, “School’s Out for Summer” won’t happen for a few more days – and everyone is more than ready!
These teachers and students realize that they have a job to do…and that this is the means to an end. They must fulfill the requirements set forth by the state Department of Education and attend the minimum number of days the law demands. Then they can do something else…rest, relax, and play…work at a summer job…attend summer school or a camp…travel, and more.
A restful break is important for teachers and students. Both need time to mentally and physically unwind…to do something a little different…even if that means a summer job or attending classes. The “change of scenery” is healthy and enables each person to regain focus when school resumes in the late summer/fall. In this instance, the “summer break” fulfills a goal…it enables students and teachers to “regroup” so that they can give their very best effort in the weeks and months when school recommences.
In life itself, many of us are weary. Events and circumstances have come together to cause a particular situation to “run long”…and we are in serious need of rest and respite. How many times have you asked yourself, “Will this never end?” Have you ever wondered how much longer you could endure a particular situation? Have you longed for “light at the end of the tunnel”? Are you running on fumes…physically, mentally or spiritually?
In Hebrews 4, we see that God offers us rest…both now, and for all Eternity. We are promised complete rest in Him when we get to Heaven. As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we are guaranteed a forever place of peace at His feet when our earthly journey ends. But we are also offered rest and respite in this lifetime - a “summer break” of sorts. We can rest in the LORD…here and now. We can give Him our burdens…our frustrations…our challenges…our weariness. We can say, “Father, I cannot do this by myself. But with YOUR strength and power, I know anything is possible.” We have a long-term goal…but we also have a present hope!
So whether you are counting the minutes until this weekend and the last bell of the school year…or you are wondering how you will make it through each hour of this day…God offers you full and complete rest. Won’t you get in on this for yourself? Aren’t you ready for a break?
©2014 Debbie Robus
So there is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God. Christ has already entered there. He is resting from his work, just as God did after the creation. Let us do our best to go into that place of rest, too, being careful not to disobey God as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
It’s been a school year for the books in Arkansas. Countless public schools missed as much as two weeks or more of scheduled attendance days due to winter snow and ice storms. Even with Saturday make-ups and cancellation of holiday breaks, the only option for many to get in all of the requisite days was to extend the school year into June. So in my community, “School’s Out for Summer” won’t happen for a few more days – and everyone is more than ready!
These teachers and students realize that they have a job to do…and that this is the means to an end. They must fulfill the requirements set forth by the state Department of Education and attend the minimum number of days the law demands. Then they can do something else…rest, relax, and play…work at a summer job…attend summer school or a camp…travel, and more.
A restful break is important for teachers and students. Both need time to mentally and physically unwind…to do something a little different…even if that means a summer job or attending classes. The “change of scenery” is healthy and enables each person to regain focus when school resumes in the late summer/fall. In this instance, the “summer break” fulfills a goal…it enables students and teachers to “regroup” so that they can give their very best effort in the weeks and months when school recommences.
In life itself, many of us are weary. Events and circumstances have come together to cause a particular situation to “run long”…and we are in serious need of rest and respite. How many times have you asked yourself, “Will this never end?” Have you ever wondered how much longer you could endure a particular situation? Have you longed for “light at the end of the tunnel”? Are you running on fumes…physically, mentally or spiritually?
In Hebrews 4, we see that God offers us rest…both now, and for all Eternity. We are promised complete rest in Him when we get to Heaven. As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we are guaranteed a forever place of peace at His feet when our earthly journey ends. But we are also offered rest and respite in this lifetime - a “summer break” of sorts. We can rest in the LORD…here and now. We can give Him our burdens…our frustrations…our challenges…our weariness. We can say, “Father, I cannot do this by myself. But with YOUR strength and power, I know anything is possible.” We have a long-term goal…but we also have a present hope!
So whether you are counting the minutes until this weekend and the last bell of the school year…or you are wondering how you will make it through each hour of this day…God offers you full and complete rest. Won’t you get in on this for yourself? Aren’t you ready for a break?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 2, 2014
Galatians 6:9
And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ~ Dr. Seuss in The Lorax
If you are familiar with The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, you know that it’s a story about greed. A character known as the “Once-ler” cuts down a “Truffula tree” and creates a multi-purpose object called a “thneed”. The Lorax protests the harvesting of the Truffula trees, citing a need to protect this vegetation and the surrounding environment. But the Once-ler persists. And as he sells his “thneeds” and begins to make money, he recruits others to help produce them. This leads to all sorts of problems…from pollution to safety hazards and risk to the lives of family members and friends. Ultimately, the last Truffula tree is hacked down…and there is no way to produce more “thneeds”. The workers are sick and injured…and things are in a mess.
It looks hopeless…and the Lorax disappears into the sky through a hole in the smog. Later, a boy comes along and begins asking questions. Where is the Lorax? What happened? The whole story is a flashback sequence, as the Once-ler explains what has transpired. He looks down upon a stone on which the Lorax had etched one word…unless. The Once-ler realizes that the Lorax was trying to tell him that UNLESS someone cares enough, things will never get better. UNLESS someone tirelessly does what is right, we’ll never get anywhere! So the Once-ler gives the little boy a seed…for a Truffula tree…and encourages him to plant it and set things right.
I once taught a series of Senior High Sunday school lessons one summer using Dr. Seuss books. The kids thought I was nuts for the first Sunday or two…and then they started showing up in bigger numbers. They were eager to see what book I would choose for the week and how I would dovetail it with scriptures to discover what God wanted to tell them and how this related to their life. We can learn a lot from a children’s book author…which is proof that God can use anyone – ANYWHERE! And the point I want to make today is that we cannot give up. We have to be like the Lorax …we have to keep standing up for what is right.
We have to keep helping people – and loving them – even when they hurt our feelings or disrespect us. We may have doors slammed in our faces, unanswered phone calls or messages (or even rude and dramatic hang-ups!), be the victim of unkind words and gestures, and more. We may feel discouraged, insulted, offended, heartbroken...and weary. But we must keep doing what God has commanded us to do in His name.
Have we learned nothing from Jesus? He was bruised, beaten, spit upon, humiliated, ridiculed, slapped…and crucified…all because of His message of love and kindness, grace and mercy, forgiveness and humble obedience to our Heavenly Father. For offering us Eternal Life, His very life was brutally taken…for our sins, His blood literally poured from His body and spread over the ground. In light of these facts, how can we fail to persist?
Don’t be confused…there is a difference between giving up and stepping aside to allow God room to work. I like to think that perhaps this is what the Lorax did. He had done the right thing…always and forever…and when there was nothing else that HE could do, he stepped aside. Ultimately, the Once-ler realized his mistake. Perhaps that wasn’t merely a “coincidence”! Maybe God used the Lorax to plant “seeds” of hope and reason…to teach long-lasting lessons that would not fully “bear fruit” until after he had moved on. There have been many times in my life when I have become discouraged over someone or a certain situation. Often, others have told me, “You are planting seeds that you cannot even realize – and may never see develop. But they are there.” I believe this is true…I have seen it firsthand in my life and the lives of others.
Let’s all remember three things… 1) it’s not over until GOD says “It’s over!”; 2) just because we cannot readily see results doesn’t mean that our efforts to do the right thing – to love and honor God with our obedience, our actions and our service – is not productive; and 3) “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” God is calling us to care. He is calling us to hang in there…to stick with it…to keep on “keepin’ on” in Jesus’ name. We cannot rest on our laurels…or slack off and hope that someone else will step up and take our place. The time for rest and reward will come…someday…in God’s time. And we will enjoy it fully in His presence. I’ll see you there… won’t I?
©2014 Debbie Robus
And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ~ Dr. Seuss in The Lorax
If you are familiar with The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, you know that it’s a story about greed. A character known as the “Once-ler” cuts down a “Truffula tree” and creates a multi-purpose object called a “thneed”. The Lorax protests the harvesting of the Truffula trees, citing a need to protect this vegetation and the surrounding environment. But the Once-ler persists. And as he sells his “thneeds” and begins to make money, he recruits others to help produce them. This leads to all sorts of problems…from pollution to safety hazards and risk to the lives of family members and friends. Ultimately, the last Truffula tree is hacked down…and there is no way to produce more “thneeds”. The workers are sick and injured…and things are in a mess.
It looks hopeless…and the Lorax disappears into the sky through a hole in the smog. Later, a boy comes along and begins asking questions. Where is the Lorax? What happened? The whole story is a flashback sequence, as the Once-ler explains what has transpired. He looks down upon a stone on which the Lorax had etched one word…unless. The Once-ler realizes that the Lorax was trying to tell him that UNLESS someone cares enough, things will never get better. UNLESS someone tirelessly does what is right, we’ll never get anywhere! So the Once-ler gives the little boy a seed…for a Truffula tree…and encourages him to plant it and set things right.
I once taught a series of Senior High Sunday school lessons one summer using Dr. Seuss books. The kids thought I was nuts for the first Sunday or two…and then they started showing up in bigger numbers. They were eager to see what book I would choose for the week and how I would dovetail it with scriptures to discover what God wanted to tell them and how this related to their life. We can learn a lot from a children’s book author…which is proof that God can use anyone – ANYWHERE! And the point I want to make today is that we cannot give up. We have to be like the Lorax …we have to keep standing up for what is right.
We have to keep helping people – and loving them – even when they hurt our feelings or disrespect us. We may have doors slammed in our faces, unanswered phone calls or messages (or even rude and dramatic hang-ups!), be the victim of unkind words and gestures, and more. We may feel discouraged, insulted, offended, heartbroken...and weary. But we must keep doing what God has commanded us to do in His name.
Have we learned nothing from Jesus? He was bruised, beaten, spit upon, humiliated, ridiculed, slapped…and crucified…all because of His message of love and kindness, grace and mercy, forgiveness and humble obedience to our Heavenly Father. For offering us Eternal Life, His very life was brutally taken…for our sins, His blood literally poured from His body and spread over the ground. In light of these facts, how can we fail to persist?
Don’t be confused…there is a difference between giving up and stepping aside to allow God room to work. I like to think that perhaps this is what the Lorax did. He had done the right thing…always and forever…and when there was nothing else that HE could do, he stepped aside. Ultimately, the Once-ler realized his mistake. Perhaps that wasn’t merely a “coincidence”! Maybe God used the Lorax to plant “seeds” of hope and reason…to teach long-lasting lessons that would not fully “bear fruit” until after he had moved on. There have been many times in my life when I have become discouraged over someone or a certain situation. Often, others have told me, “You are planting seeds that you cannot even realize – and may never see develop. But they are there.” I believe this is true…I have seen it firsthand in my life and the lives of others.
Let’s all remember three things… 1) it’s not over until GOD says “It’s over!”; 2) just because we cannot readily see results doesn’t mean that our efforts to do the right thing – to love and honor God with our obedience, our actions and our service – is not productive; and 3) “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” God is calling us to care. He is calling us to hang in there…to stick with it…to keep on “keepin’ on” in Jesus’ name. We cannot rest on our laurels…or slack off and hope that someone else will step up and take our place. The time for rest and reward will come…someday…in God’s time. And we will enjoy it fully in His presence. I’ll see you there… won’t I?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 1, 2014
Exodus 33:14-17
The Lord said, "I will go with you and give you peace."
Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth."
So the Lord told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!"
In the Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hatches the Egg, an elephant named Horton is tricked by a lazy bird named Mayzie into sitting on an egg. Mayzie says she is taking a little break, but in actuality, she is irresponsible and flies away permanently to live in Palm Beach! Horton has promised to watch over this egg, despite all sorts of trials and tribulations. Ultimately, Horton and the nest are sent packing with a traveling circus, but he refuses to leave his post until the egg hatches. Mayzie visits the circus in Florida and demands to have her nearly-hatched egg back, but Horton refuses. Ultimately, he and the new "elephant bird" are returned to the jungle, and Mayzie's irresponsibility and disloyalty get her nothing in return.
Have you ever had someone give you "lip service"...pretend to go along with your ideas, plans or an activity, only to realize that their heart was not in it? Maybe you know someone who tells you what you want to hear and then does the exact opposite when your back is turned - or throws up his/her hands and walks away when things get a little rough. It's frustrating, to say the least...and often hurtful. Wouldn't you honestly rather know up front that this person is not with you...that you are not supported...that there is no spirit of kindness, allegiance or respect for you and/or the project?
If we are honest, sometimes we know this without having to be told...and we all limp along like everything is fine - even when we know it isn't. We "put on a good face". But in our hearts, we know the truth..and this can be a troublesome, even devastating reality that often leads to heartache.
Isn't it great to know that we don't have to worry about this with God...that He says what He means and means what He says?! Doesn't it feel amazing to know that God will never desert us...that even when things get rough - even if life gets so crazy that we feel like we've been sent packing with a traveling circus...God is still right there beside us? Aren't you glad to know that God would never agree with us to our faces and then stab us in the back when we weren't looking?
God is always open and honest with us. If we strike out on our own and try to do things our way - and we know in our gut that He does not agree or approve - we feel it! If we fail to be obedient...serve ourselves and let the devil guide our steps...we can sense God's distance. He doesn't make any secret of that! He never completely deserts us...but when we feel God standing in the wings as we venture ahead, we can be pretty sure that it's because He does not approve of where we are going!
The solution is simple. All we have to do is to listen for God's voice...follow His commands...serve Him obediently...and we can rest in the confidence that He will be right beside us, every step of the way. We won't have to wonder...we won't have to worry...we will know that He is there. We can rely on His strength, power, encouragement, and care to get us through the rough times and challenges...and to share in the joys and successes along the way. He will do the heavy lifting and support us through the mundane "nesting" if we are faithful like Horton. But if we run away or abuse His loyalty, like Mayzie, we will lose in the end.
I am grateful to know that I have such a loving, caring Heavenly Father...that I am always supported and encouraged by a Friend who will never ever leave me or give me "lip service". I hope that you are blessed with this same relationship - that my "Forever Friend" is yours, as well. He can be...all you have to do is ask. Each of us can enjoy a relationship with the One who always says what He means and means what He says...and I'm not talking about an elephant named Horton! Won't you ask God to come with you on life's journey...and give you peace? Aren't you ready for His restful friendship?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord said, "I will go with you and give you peace."
Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth."
So the Lord told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!"
― Dr. Seuss, Horton Hatches the Egg
In the Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hatches the Egg, an elephant named Horton is tricked by a lazy bird named Mayzie into sitting on an egg. Mayzie says she is taking a little break, but in actuality, she is irresponsible and flies away permanently to live in Palm Beach! Horton has promised to watch over this egg, despite all sorts of trials and tribulations. Ultimately, Horton and the nest are sent packing with a traveling circus, but he refuses to leave his post until the egg hatches. Mayzie visits the circus in Florida and demands to have her nearly-hatched egg back, but Horton refuses. Ultimately, he and the new "elephant bird" are returned to the jungle, and Mayzie's irresponsibility and disloyalty get her nothing in return.
Have you ever had someone give you "lip service"...pretend to go along with your ideas, plans or an activity, only to realize that their heart was not in it? Maybe you know someone who tells you what you want to hear and then does the exact opposite when your back is turned - or throws up his/her hands and walks away when things get a little rough. It's frustrating, to say the least...and often hurtful. Wouldn't you honestly rather know up front that this person is not with you...that you are not supported...that there is no spirit of kindness, allegiance or respect for you and/or the project?
If we are honest, sometimes we know this without having to be told...and we all limp along like everything is fine - even when we know it isn't. We "put on a good face". But in our hearts, we know the truth..and this can be a troublesome, even devastating reality that often leads to heartache.
Isn't it great to know that we don't have to worry about this with God...that He says what He means and means what He says?! Doesn't it feel amazing to know that God will never desert us...that even when things get rough - even if life gets so crazy that we feel like we've been sent packing with a traveling circus...God is still right there beside us? Aren't you glad to know that God would never agree with us to our faces and then stab us in the back when we weren't looking?
God is always open and honest with us. If we strike out on our own and try to do things our way - and we know in our gut that He does not agree or approve - we feel it! If we fail to be obedient...serve ourselves and let the devil guide our steps...we can sense God's distance. He doesn't make any secret of that! He never completely deserts us...but when we feel God standing in the wings as we venture ahead, we can be pretty sure that it's because He does not approve of where we are going!
The solution is simple. All we have to do is to listen for God's voice...follow His commands...serve Him obediently...and we can rest in the confidence that He will be right beside us, every step of the way. We won't have to wonder...we won't have to worry...we will know that He is there. We can rely on His strength, power, encouragement, and care to get us through the rough times and challenges...and to share in the joys and successes along the way. He will do the heavy lifting and support us through the mundane "nesting" if we are faithful like Horton. But if we run away or abuse His loyalty, like Mayzie, we will lose in the end.
I am grateful to know that I have such a loving, caring Heavenly Father...that I am always supported and encouraged by a Friend who will never ever leave me or give me "lip service". I hope that you are blessed with this same relationship - that my "Forever Friend" is yours, as well. He can be...all you have to do is ask. Each of us can enjoy a relationship with the One who always says what He means and means what He says...and I'm not talking about an elephant named Horton! Won't you ask God to come with you on life's journey...and give you peace? Aren't you ready for His restful friendship?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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