August 21 ~ Hebrews 4:12-13What God has said isn't only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.Scripture taken from the
(Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I was watching one of the many reality television programs now filling our cable channels, and police were interrogating two suspects in an altercation. The first person claimed to be a victim, and she gave a long, detailed story of how her boyfriend had accosted her. She had a little trouble getting all of the information out through tears and apparent embarrassment, shock, and humiliation. The police officer was patient and encouraged her to slow down, breathe, and just state the facts.
What this “victim” didn’t realize was that another officer was watching behind a two-way mirror. He made notes and observed her body language. Then the boyfriend was interviewed using the same set-up. His story never wavered… and he admitted that the couple had argued and fought – but that they had also smoked crack cocaine beforehand. Now, the woman had omitted this very important piece of information. So, the police officers interviewed her again, and this time, they asked her about the cocaine. She finally admitted that both she and the boyfriend had smoked crack, and yes, the altercation was more of an argument, and not truly an attack!
The police officers used their experience, expertise, and a two-way mirror to uncover the layers of this story and get to the heart of the truth. They kept digging and asking the right questions until ultimately, they got to the heart of the matter. The woman was in trouble for lying and making up charges, and the man was in trouble for hurting the woman – although with lesser charges, based on the facts.
Hebrews 4:12-13 tells us that God cuts through the layers we present and digs all the way to the heart of the matter. He sees everything, and He knows when we are lying or masking the truth. We tend to want to spin things in our favor, and sometimes that seems to work with humans. But it never works with God. The rest of Hebrews 4 reminds us that Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, and while He never sinned, He understands our every weakness. We have no reason to lie to Jesus... the scripture says “we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.”
Can I tell you something? This is really, really good news! When you can drop your guard and pretenses and say, “Jesus, I’ve really blown it,” and know that He will help you figure things out… now that’s freedom! That is mercy! I’m not saying we can break the law or accost someone and Jesus will let us off the hook, but whatever we have done, whatever we need, we can tell Jesus the whole truth, and He will listen… He will love us… He will help us figure out how to make things right. So what are you waiting for? Tell Jesus the whole truth today. He knows already, but He wants to hear it from you! Tell Him the truth, and ask for mercy and help. See for yourself how truly blessed and liberated you will feel.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 20 ~ James 5:16-18
If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot. Elijah was just as human as we are, and for three and a half years his prayers kept the rain from falling. But when he did pray for rain, it fell from the skies and made the crops grow.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
“Pray for me.” How many times have you heard someone say this? Often we say this almost in jest. We laugh nervously about a situation and say to others, “Pray for me… I’m gonna need it!” But seriously, we completely underestimate the power of these three words… and James 5:16-18 explains why this is so.
Imagine praying for three and a half years and asking God to keep the rain away, and He did it! Then imagine praying for rain, and it fell from the skies. Now that’s some powerful prayer! But notice that James says that the “prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot.” Think about this. When someone else prays over your situation, that prayer is powerful. It makes a difference! James makes a point to tell us that Elijah was not a supernatural being – he was as human as we are. Yet his prayers stopped rain for 3 and a half years!
So doesn’t it stand to reason that when we pray for someone – or others pray for us – these prayers make a difference? Doesn’t it follow that God hears our prayers… and that asking others to pray for us is a good thing? I have known of people who didn’t want their name put on a prayer list at church. The reasons varied from “I don’t want everyone to know I am sick or having a problem,” to “There are others with more pressing needs than mine.” Really? God only has time to hear the “pressing” needs? And asking for prayer doesn’t mean you have to list all of the details of your illness or need. God knows them already! But putting your name on a prayer list gives others the opportunity to pray for you… and clearly, this is important… obviously these prayers make a difference! So why wouldn’t we want as much prayer as we could possibly get… from as many who are willing to pray for us as possible?
At the same time, who are you praying for? Are your prayers reserved for yourself, your family and your closest friends? Are you praying for your nation and its leaders? Are you praying for your teachers… or your child’s teachers? Are you praying for our troops, the people who are starving and dying of famine and disease in third world countries, the homeless guy in your own community? I have a little card that sits on my desk and asks, “Have you prayed for your pastor today?” Who needs your prayers? Are you in need of Elijah-strength prayers? Who have you sincerely asked to “Pray for me” lately? There is power in these three little words. Isn’t it time you used them?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 19 ~ James 3:17-18
Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
(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’ve talked about this before… we all know people who are “hard to love,” don’t we? Loving some people and getting along with them requires hard work! Pretty well everyone knows someone who has a short fuse or is always angry or upset about something… or maybe they are just “too happy” and upbeat for us. Yeah… that’s it… give us some people who are having a bad day! That way, our reason for disliking them will make sense, right?! I know, I’m being silly, but that’s sorta the point!
What if God said, “Joe is always angry about something, so I don’t want to be around him any more,” and “Sue needs to take a chill pill… she is way too high on life. She gets on my nerves!” What if He walked away from these people and others like them? What if God said, “As long as people are easy to get along with, I will bless them, but on the days when they aren’t, forget it!” And what if you never knew if this was “one of those days” for you – or where you stood with God? What if we only worked with people we got along with… not just tolerated… but truly enjoyed? Would everything get done that needs doing?
See, sometimes that old grump is the person who knows how to fix the heater when it breaks, and that woman who is always angry about something is your best seamstress or room mother. The kid who is bouncing off the walls and way too happy is also the computer genius who can fix any operating system and get you back in business. The couple with the scruffy kids, unkempt clothes and missing teeth are the most faithful prayer warriors in your Sunday School class. The snobby businessman who only shows up for special occasions, like when his grandkids perform or at church on Christmas and Easter, is the same man who sponsors the annual missions trip and pays to have the church bus repaired. The little hunch-backed widow who fusses if you take “her pew” on Sundays and backed out in front of you in the parking lot is one of the most faithful tithers and church supporters… besides, she is someone’s grandma! And all of these people are every bit as important to God as you and I … He loves them just as much as He could ever think about loving us!
When we start to look at others as God sees them, our view changes. We no longer focus on their faults… or even on what we dislike about that person. We focus on the person God sees and loves… and hopefully, we realize that this is where we should concentrate our energy. Maybe a “focal adjustment” helps us to treat others with dignity and honor, even when they get on our last nerve. So how are you doing? Are you hot one day and cold the next? When you dislike someone or don’t enjoy their company, does the whole world know it by your body language and comments? Or are you doing the hard work of getting along with others and seeing them as precious in God’s eyes, just like you? We all need to work harder at getting along – it’s the only way to accomplish what God has asked of us. Because, truly, this is how those who seek to live a holy life filled with God’s wisdom roll. Don’t you want to be among them?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 18 ~ James 1:12
God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Everyone is tested at one time or another, and I am not talking about tests for coursework in school or a driver’s license. I’m talking about real, gut-wrenching tests. Recently I saw a story on the news about a family who was traveling to a wedding reception in 2005, when a driver of another car hit their limo head-on. Two people in the limo were killed – the 59-year-old driver, and 7-year-old Katie Flynn, who was decapitated. Katie's parents, grandparents, and 5-year-old sister were injured. Even 5 years later, the family is still heartbroken and emotionally scarred. In studying family history, I learned of a flu epidemic that struck this area in the early 1900’s, and entire families were wiped out, one by one… children, mothers, fathers. Aunts, uncles, cousins – whoever was able to stand – buried those who had passed and tried their best to care for the others who were dying.
Hurricane Katrina... the tsunami in 2004 that virtually wiped out Burma… the tornado that obliterated Greensburg, Kansas, a few years ago… all of these and thousands of other “tests” of our faith leave many to wonder, “Did God go on vacation? Did we do something to make Him angry?” The answer is at once complicated AND simple. No, God is not angry with us. NO, God never takes a vacation. Yes, God allows tests in our life. Why? When God tests us and we stay faithful, we learn to rely on Him even more. We learn that there is nothing we can endure that God doesn’t endure with us… and see us through safely.
Recently my husband and I were talking about the future, about how many in our family are aging and succumbing to the typical illnesses and infirmities of their age, and how someday, that will befall us. And he said the most profound thing (or at least it was profound to me in that moment)… he said, “You know that it will all be okay, don’t you?” And I knew what he meant. Even if the worst possible tests come our way, I know we will both be okay… because I know where our faith rests… and in Whom we trust. I know that God is blessing us now – and He will bless us even in difficulties and times of tested faith. Because we love God and trust Him to guide our steps, we can rest assured that He will also lead us in the right direction.
Who is leading your steps? When your faith is tested, what do you do? Where do you turn? Remember this… there is nothing you can endure that God won’t see you through…no matter what, with God in charge, everything will ultimately be okay. May you trust Him in all things and receive His grace, blessings and rewards now and always.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 17 ~ James 1:5-8
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
(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.)
Someone told me recently that he had heard that “worry is like banging your head against the wall… it feels great when you quit!” But how many of us ask God to help us with something, and then we continue to worry about it. We might as well bang our heads against the wall! My maternal grandmother was notorious for purchasing gifts for others, then second-guessing herself… Would the recipient like the gift? Was it enough, or should she add something else? Even after the gifts were given, she would often call and ask, “Did you like it? You didn’t say much, so I wondered…” We had to reassure her over and over that yes, we did indeed like the gift. And sometimes we were not successful, and she would strongly suggest… “I’ll come and get that present and take it back to the store, and we’ll exchange it for something you like.” This was exasperating! I have to tell you, after nearly 35 years, I finally got rid of the last piece of a cookware set she gave us as a wedding gift. I finally realized I had heard the voice in my head long enough saying, “I can tell you don’t like it… we’ll just exchange it!” Every time I cooked a stew or chili in this pot, I thought of that comment!
Do you see that we do this to God? We say, “Lord, please help me with such-and-such,” and maybe we even go so far as to say, “I’m giving this to you, Lord.” And then we continue to wrestle with whatever we gave away. We continue to pick at God and revisit the issue and talk to Him about it, saying, “Lord, did you hear me? Are you working on my problem? Do I need to help you?” Clearly we do not need to help God… and yes, He heard us the first time. But we continue to bring these matters before Him.
We do need to pray. We do need to ask God to help us. But when we hear from Him – through Scripture, a calming peace, a word from a Christian friend… a “still small Voice”… we need to let it go. We need to move on and let God work. God isn’t going to come to us and say, “I can’t fix this… you need to give me something else to work on.” So why do we go back as if to say, “God, maybe you didn’t like my problem… can I exchange it for another?” Or worse yet, why do we badger God to work on our timetable and the way we want Him to work?
Prayer works… but we have to believe that it does. We must “let go and let God” and have faith in His power to do all things, to meet all needs, and to handle all of our worries. So boldly ask God to help you with everything – and then believe He will without a second thought.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 16 ~ Hebrews 12:14-17
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
(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.)
At the risk of sounding like a tired cliché, “Life is a journey.” We are blessed with life by God Almighty, and He has plans for every second of it. But we have a choice… and often we choose something other than what God planned. Sometimes this is an effort to have what we want – and now! – instead of trusting God to show us what HE wants for us. When we veer off course and try to go it alone, we miss out on the blessings God has for us.
Thirty-five years ago this day, Greg and I embarked on a journey. We promised before God and a sanctuary filled with witnesses that we would love, cherish and support each other through any and all situations. We were young and ambitious, and we thought we knew where we were headed in this life. But God has shown us through the years that His plans and ours were not always on the same path. So for a season, we worked in the jobs for which we studied in college… and God blessed us. Then He moved us – literally and figuratively – to a different city and new careers… and He blessed us again. Now, we are in yet another season of life… and it is rich with blessings. We have learned much along the way – and there have also been a few weeds and thistles!
But we have learned that truly, we have to work at getting along with each other – AND with God. Sometimes He leads us in directions we don’t like, but we have to go anyway! We’ve learned to watch for “weeds of bitter discontent.” We are still learning to be patient – to watch and wait for God’s direction and the blessings that will follow. I am so thankful for my husband – and for the blessing of a Godly marriage. Why do I reference our marriage and anniversary in a devo for you? I do this to tell you that I am living proof that our plans are not always the same as God’s plans… but His plans are the ones that count! Make sure that God chooses your spouse… make sure that God chooses your career. Work at getting along with others, but work even harder at getting along with God.
I don’t know what God plans for us next. I hope He gives us many more years to grow old together and serve others in His name. Whatever He has in store – wherever He takes us – I am forever grateful for His blessings. The “journey” to this point has been amazing, and I am watching and waiting to see where God will lead us in the future. What about you? Who is in charge of planning your “journey?” If God is leading the way, I can assure you a future filled with amazing blessings. There may be a few “weeds and thistles” along the way, but God will always help you work through them and cover you in His grace and peace.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 15 ~ 1 Peter 2:18-25
You who are servants, be good servants to your masters - not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.
This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.
They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.
(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 have to admit, I almost deleted this scripture passage and chose a new one for today. It is so hard to understand how/why God allows human suffering. But something – or Someone – would not let me let go of this passage… and this message. So I offer these words to you prayerfully, trusting that someone, somewhere, needs to hear them today.
At one time or another, we are all going to feel persecuted. And some of us will actually suffer indignities, mistreatment and abuse in our lifetime. Nobody understands this better than Jesus. We can never know the level of ridicule and suffering that Christ endured – and all on our behalf! Yet we do understand how it feels when our classmates – or even parents, teachers, coaches and employers – pick on us. Often a boss, coach, or even a parent will say, “I’m building your character!” And we don’t understand how they think this helps us!
Sometimes our friends turn their backs on us. Family members walk out, speak unkindly, hang up the phone, or slam doors in our face, and we are left stunned and hurt and wondering, “What did I do that was so bad?” And honestly, there really IS genuine suffering in this world… even in our own back yards! Kids are singled out by others and bullied. Employees labor under a tyrant of a boss. Coaches are unnecessarily hard on their athletes. Parents and other adults abuse children and pets. Christians are ridiculed, isolated, and mistreated because of their faith. And you want me to tell you that we humans don’t understand persecution?
But know this… not only did Jesus endure persecution – for u – He continues to endure everything we endure, because Christ is ALWAYS with us! Jesus did not retaliate toward His persecutors – although He certainly could have. He could have taken Himself out of these situations… and He could take us out of ours. But sometimes, God allows us to suffer… to be bullied, disrespected, and even abused… because there is a greater purpose to be gained – although we may not unlock the mystery of this purpose in our earthly lifetime. Look back over the events of your life. See how God delivered you and lifted you even from some of the WORST situations. Look at times you tried to “fix” things on your own… did it work? When you retaliated or fought back, were you successful?
Do NOT misunderstand me. I am not saying it is okay to be a bully or to be abusive… nor is it okay if you have been the victim of mistreatment or abuse. What I am saying is that God knows all of this, and He will never leave you. HE will make things right… maybe not until you get to Heaven… but He WILL make things right for you if you stay faithful.
Last October, someone broke into the home of Little Rock television news reporter Anne Pressly. She was raped and brutally beaten, and five days later, she died in a Little Rock hospital. On his website, www.beautifulfeetministry.com, fellow TV journalist Matt Mosler wrote a tribute to his friend Anne, who was a huge fan of Wm. Paul Young’s bestselling book, The Shack. Mosler quoted from this book in his comments about the brutality toward his friend. In the book, the character Mack is talking with the Holy Spirit about a brutal act toward his own 4-year-old daughter…
- “He [God] doesn’t stop a lot of things that cause Him pain,” Mack is told. “Your world is severely broken. You demanded your independence, and now you are angry with the one who loved you enough to give it to you… Right now your world is lost in darkness and chaos, and horrible things happen to those he is especially fond of.”“Then why doesn’t he do something about it?”
- Mack asks and is told in reference to Jesus and the cross, “He already has…” (The Shack, pg. 165-166)
- Later in the book Jesus himself tells Mack, “I don’t think you want to know all the details. I’m sure they won’t help you. But I can tell you there was not a moment that we were not with her. She knew my peace, and you would have been proud of her. She was so brave!” (pg. 175 – bold emphasis mine)
I realize this is a fictitious novel… but the message is powerful. Even in the WORST possible moments of our lives, God is with us. And while our physical body may not be able to escape the situation… our mind and soul can stay focused on Him. While someone is yelling at us and demanding we change how we are doing things, we can nod and say, “Yes Sir or Ma’am,” and if we have truly given our best, we will also feel God nudge us and say, “I know you are trying… hang in there… I’m here.” Soldiers staring down the barrel of a gun and realizing they are about to die on foreign soil can feel Jesus take their hand and say, “Let’s go home together.” Children who are abused can grow up to forgive – not forget – the sins of their attackers and to know that God delivered them from this horror and will help them build a new way of life. People like Anne Pressly can suffer unbelievable torture at the hands of a madman, knowing God’s peace and that He was with her the whole way. We can all realize that we HAVE been rescued from the WORST suffering of all – eternity in the fires of Hell. Jesus took that for us, and now He walks with us every minute of each day.
I am grieved for those who suffer. But we must understand that we have a choice… we can choose to wallow in pity and embrace the suffering and/or try to figure things out on our own - or we can embrace Jesus and focus on Him. What counts is that we follow in Christ’s footsteps and do what He would do, confident that He will make things right and grant us peace along the way. So how brave are you? Are you willing to trust in Christ to fight your battles and deliver you from suffering? Is He your shield and protector against the “persecutions” of this world? Isn’t life better with Him? The choice is ours… what will you do?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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