August 21 ~ 2 Timothy 4:16-18
16-18 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn't matter—the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! God's looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Imagine for a moment that you are in a foreign country where Christianity is forbidden. You can’t discuss Jesus Christ, much less worship Him publicly. To do so could mean imprisonment – and possibly torture and/or even death! And yet you meet – in small groups – in houses with the windows covered – on rooftops with your fellow soldiers, as a friend of mine did during the first Gulf War. Suppose you ARE discovered… and one by one, those who had worshipped with you disappear, leaving you all by yourself to face the authorities.
Would you be frightened? Most likely! Would you be tortured or imprisoned or punished? Maybe. Would you be alone? NEVER! God would still be with you, just as He was with Paul.
Thankfully, most of us - if not all – will never have to face such a situation. But we have to be willing – and ready – to suffer with Jesus. Notice I didn’t say suffer FOR Jesus – because He will be with us always – and especially when we are sharing His message with others. Many around the world will share the Good News of Jesus Christ and wake up in heaven with Him for having done so. But that in itself is GOOD NEWS! God WILL rescue us when we stand for Him. He WILL be with us always. Have no fear – be bold in your faith and know that you are NEVER alone – Jesus is there, keeping you safe in His name.
Give God praise for His mighty power and protection. Like Paul, have faith and be filled with joy, no matter what your circumstances. God IS with us – praise Him forever and ever!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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August 20 ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-5
1-2 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.
3-5 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you - keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.
(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. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
We don’t have to look very far these days to see many examples of “spiritual junk food,” do we? Recently on a major network morning talk show, I saw the psychic James Van Praagh talk about ghosts and contacting spirits “on the other side.” As is the modus operandi of Van Praagh, John Edwards, Sylvia Browne, and other psychics and mediums, he talked with audience members and gave them “messages” from their loved ones who had passed away. He would say something like “you had a brother who died, and there is something about painting the room – he is telling you to paint the room… does this make sense?” And the person would nod, yes, yes, yes… that made perfect sense, and he was off and running. See, this man got the people to tell him just enough information that I believe he could guess the rest – if someone wasn’t piping it to him via an earpiece. And I assure you, any of us who has lost a loved one would LOVE to talk with them for even a few seconds – or to get a “special message” from them, so it isn’t hard to get caught up in this and believe it is real.
Isaiah 8:19 says “Someone may say to you, ‘Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.’ But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?” (Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.) 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 says “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” (Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.)
I’m not saying psychics are the devil in disguise or even bad people or unbelievers. That is not for me to judge. But I believe the Bible tells us not to waste our time on such things. Van Praagh made comments on the program about God not being “God” as we know Him and a cited a quote, which is repeated on his website (www.vanpraagh.com)… “I think that all things are spirit and are derived from spirit. When you look at life from that perspective, it takes on a whole new meaning.” Notice he doesn’t say the HOLY SPIRIT… but merely spirit.
I believe this is just one example of the “spiritual junk food” that Paul is cautioning Timothy against. He’s saying, “Don’t waste your time on such things… be smarter than that!” We must remember that God’s word is complete and sovereign – GOD is complete and sovereign. We don’t need to add or take away a single thing. We don’t need to embellish and get all cute with gimmicks and gadgets to “make God’s message easier to swallow” or to hear from Him. If God wants you to hear from your dead uncle, He can SEND your uncle to you in the flesh for a nice long chat if He wishes! He doesn’t need a medium to accomplish this.
We so need to keep it simple – and to get back to the basics of Bible study and prayer and genuine worship. When was the last time you “kept it real” with God? Isn’t today a good day to start?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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August 19 ~ 2 Timothy 2:19-26
19 Meanwhile, God's firm foundation is as firm as ever, these sentences engraved on the stones: god knows who belongs to him. spurn evil, all you who name god as god.
20-21 In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.
22-26 Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace - joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
(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. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Recently at an auction, I had the winning bid on two clear glass bowls. One was scuffed and scratched, but marked with an “H A” on the bottom that I knew signified its maker – Hazel Atlas – and deemed the piece a good one. The other was a beautiful bowl with a lacy edge that resembled a basket. It would have been a fabulous “find” – except for the huge crack in its bottom. The crack does not go completely to the edge, and once washed and cleaned, this piece sparkled like fine crystal. I couldn’t bear to throw it out, so I am gingerly using it on my countertop to house fresh fruit. When filled, you never see the crack – just the sparkly edges and the “pretty” part of the bowl.
These days I find myself “repurposing” lots of old things – cleaning them up, repairing them, and giving them a new lease on life – or a totally new purpose altogether. As we focus once again on conservation of resources and “going green,” this is a small way I can contribute to that effort. Aren’t you glad to know that God repurposes souls? Aren’t you relieved to know that He looks beyond your “crack in the bottom of the bowl” to the sparkly bright edges of you and says, “There is still something good there – I can still use him/her for my kingdom.” He fills us with His Holy Spirit, and nobody sees our cracks and imperfections… all they see is Jesus shining through.
If we remember that God has rescued us from the junk heap, we will have less trouble guarding ourselves against irrational behavior… arguments over matters that are truly insignificant (and often allowing them to escalate into even BIGGER problems)… impatience with others, especially those who we feel “need to get right with God.” The devil is waiting and watching, and he doesn’t need much of an opportunity to work and twist and turn things to suit HIS own purposes. Don’t give him that pleasure… or that chance.
Re-read this passage, especially verses 22-26. Focus on faith, love, peace – and lots and lots of prayer. You may be a cracked vessel, but God can restore your luster and your beauty and make you sparkle like the brightest star in His universe. How are you being repurposed for His kingdom?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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August 18 ~ 2 Timothy 2:14-18
14-18 Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.
(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. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Things are not always as they seem. Someone can say something to you, and you interpret it one way, when they meant something entirely. If you do not investigate and make sure you fully understand their meaning, you may react improperly. And even when you feel certain you understood this person’s words, you may not have gotten their full intention. Your reaction may miss the truth by a mile and stir up a lot of unnecessary trouble. It’s sort of that “Emily Lattila” syndrome again – the character on Saturday Night Live who didn’t hear so well and got things mixed up… thinking a campaign against violence in schools was really “violins” and later discovering the mix-up – hence her famous ”Never mind!” reply.
What is the lesson? Are we not to believe anything we hear? The answer is nothing that drastic. Rather, we are to totally, thoroughly investigate information we are given if we plan to act on it. We are to ask questions – lots of them – and make sure the intention of the comment is fully understood before we act. We are to let a lot of talk “go in one ear and out the other” and “choose our battles wisely.” I have to admit, I have operated in “knee-jerk” reactions, and hopefully I am learning to do so less often. And even when I feel I have gathered all of the facts, I sometimes miss the boat, often to my own embarrassment. The Rotary Club International has a wonderful “Four-Way Test”:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
This is a great exercise of 2 Timothy 2:14-18. We would all do well to memorize these points and practice them daily.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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August 17 ~ 2 Timothy 2:1-13
1-7 So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.
8-13 Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It's what you've heard from me all along. It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now - but God's Word isn't in jail! That's why I stick it out here—so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing:
- If we die with him, we'll live with him;
- If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him;
- If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up - for there's no way he can be false to himself.
(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. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I was watching an old rerun of Andy Griffith, and Barney was upset – again! He had decided that Andy was not a good sheriff. A town meeting was called, and Barney lodged something like 43 grievances against Andy. Some of his complaints were downright absurd – the sheriff’s office did not have equipment such as gas masks and submachine guns! He said the sheriff didn’t carry a gun – and his “combat” equipment in the trunk of the squad car consisted of a shovel and a pick! (Goober leaned in and said, “Don’t ya have a jack, Andy?”) That made me crack up laughing!
When it was Andy’s turn to answer the complaints, he explained that theirs was a small town, where yes, people did cross the street in the wrong places, but there had not been an accident in years. It was true that there was no tear gas nor a submachine gun, but those items certainly were not needed in Mayberry. And yes, he rarely carried a gun, but he honestly hadn’t needed that, either. In the end, Barney decided that Andy had answered all of his complaints sufficiently. In fact, he felt rather stupid. And the townspeople continued to support their faithful, sensible sheriff.
Okay, so you may be saying, “But this scripture starts out saying follow the rules – don’t make your own. Isn’t that what Andy did?” Well yes, in a way, but let’s look at the big picture. God gave Andy the wisdom and competence to lead his little town and its residence. He gave Andy common sense and the ability to decide what was in the best interest of the people of Mayberry… and it was up to those people to follow his lead. To his credit, when the going got tough, he did not back down. When he was questioned by an employee – and friend – he did not cave. He stood firm in his conviction – firm in the knowledge that he was doing what he was supposed to do and what was right for his constituents.
I’m not saying to break the law and then claim “God said to do it.” But what if you lived in a country where proclaiming faith in God did break the law? Would you be strong enough to do it anyway? Would you have confidence that God would protect you and give you strength and courage – even if you were persecuted for serving Him? This is exactly what happened to the Apostle Paul, and he is saying to “hang in there!”
Paul is telling us that we are called to hang tough… to fight the good fight for Jesus Christ, no matter what. Andy Griffith could have said, “You know, enough is enough. I’m outta here!” But he stuck to his guns (no pun intended) and stood up for himself and the people he served. We as Christians must do the same – we must stand proud in our faith. We must stand up for Jesus, no matter the outcome. When it’s all said and done, He will be our refuge and our strength, and He WILL rule in the end! Will you be there with Him?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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August 16 ~ 2 Timothy 1:5-10
5-7 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
8-10 So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
(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. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Recently my husband and I watched John Adams, an HBO mini-series about the life of our country’s second President. Countless times in John Adams’ life, he made choices and stood up for his convictions against the popular sentiment of many people. He knew that in doing so, he was risking not only ridicule, but at times even death. Adams was far from perfect, but he did give himself fully to the service of our country, which was brand new and struggling. And while this was just a made-for-television production about Adams, many times his character referred to the Divine Providence of God.
I have watched several historical “docu-dramas” this summer, and I have been reminded that many people have suffered incredibly for the good of others – and to ensure the freedoms and privileges we enjoy today. And many of these trailblazers forged ahead with the courage and strength they gained from a strong faith in God and His power and protection. They trusted Him to show the way – and they considered their sacrifices “holy work” – and it was.
John Adams, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Corrie Ten Boom, and countless others around the world looked to God to lead them as they stepped out boldly and used the gifts He had given them to make the world a better place. I don’t know what God is calling you to do. I don’t know how He plans to use you to impact the world, but I know that in ways great and small, He HAS prepared a plan – and you are part of it! Seek His will for your life. Figure out what He wants you to do – no matter what stage of life you find yourself in now – and work to accomplish His plans with everything you have to offer. God will be with you – He will protect you – He will vindicate you when others criticize and even persecute you. God has called us to “holy work” – so let’s get busy!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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August 15 ~ 2 Timothy 1:1-4
1-2 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours! To Be Bold with God's Gifts
3-4 Every time I say your name in prayer - which is practically all the time - I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.
(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. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I would venture to guess that every single one of us knows someone for whom we are truly grateful. This person is a joy to us in ways we can’t even count – and a blessing. So my question is… do you thank God for this person? Because truly, individuals like these are His gift and blessing upon your life.
Additionally, do you tell this person how they bless you? Paul let Timothy know that his faithfulness and his conduct were a joy and a source of great love for him. Do you tell those in your life who bless you how much they mean to you? We get so busy and caught up in our own little worlds that we often forget to stop and let others know how we feel about them. Now is as good a time as any, don’t you think?
So let me be the first. Writing these devos is such an honor and privilege for me. Knowing that YOU are reading the words God gives me and incorporating them into your daily life is truly humbling – but such a blessing. When I think of you… when I pray for you, I am thankful for you. You are a blessing to me, and I wish you all the best in Christ Jesus… keep the faith… keep on “keepin’ on” and know that I love you very much! May God bless you today and always!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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