September 30 ~ Romans 15:30-32
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me. Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing. Ask God to let me come to you and have a pleasant and refreshing visit.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
If you have ever entered a haunted house, you know what a scary, unsettling experience this can be. You don’t know what is around the next corner… what obstacles you might face. Oh, sure… you are fairly certain you will make it out alive… but haven’t we all seen the scary movies where the characters truly don’t know what they will face around the next bend?
Sometimes, living for Jesus is like this. Sometimes it feels like we are entering a dark, scary territory, completely unsure of what lies ahead and how we will fare. Maybe we are inviting friends and coworkers or fellow students to church or church activities. Maybe someone has questioned the validity of Christianity and we are searching for just the right words to give them to express our faith and how/why we believe as we do. Maybe we are starting a new Sunday School class or small group or becoming involved in a volunteer effort.
Maybe we are a new Christian, and we are faced on all sides by those who don’t believe as we do – and who don’t understand us any more. We hear, “You’ve changed,” or “You used to be more fun!” or “I don’t know you any more.” And maybe we are ridiculed or ostracized because we have become a “new creature in Christ.”
Today, let’s pray for each other. Let’s pray that we will be bold and courageous as we live for Jesus… that we will open the door into the darkness of something unknown and walk right on through – straight, tall and confident that God is with us. Let’s ask God to protect us from the “slings and arrows” of unbelievers… and Satan’s attacks. Let’s ask Him to soften the hearts of those we encounter and open them to receive us and the message we bring. Let’s pray for a pleasant outcome – and believe that we will have it! This is not a scary movie… this is life as a Christian. If we will step through the darkness of the unknown and what scares us, we will step into the light and joy of living with Jesus! Pray for courage, pray for safety - then get up and get going with the power of the Lord!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 29 ~ Matthew 9:37-38
He said to his disciples, "A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in."
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Probably all of us can think of a time when we were involved in a project – or a mission – that involved a lot of work. The call went out for volunteers, and a good turnout was anticipated, because there were plenty of able-bodied people who could help. But in the end, only a handful showed up to do the work. Or maybe you have been part of a group where one or two people end up doing everything, while the rest of the group sits back and lets them.
In this passage from Matthew, Jesus is talking about Christians and non-believers… or those in need of Christian ministry. The “crop” is large… but only a few people show up to do the work. Jesus is telling us that we need to pray that God will send workers to help with the “harvest.” He is telling us to ask God to pray for willing help… for more people to desire to minister to others. It may be something like a cleanup day at The Storm Shelter – our church’s youth building. It may be helping distribute food one Saturday per month for Angel Food Ministries. It may be delivering Meals on Wheels, or knocking on doors and inviting neighbors to church. Or it may be taking time to stop and hear someone’s answer in the grocery store when you casually ask, “How are you?”
We may need to ask God to open doors for us to invite more people to S.P.A.M. and the Wednesday night children’s ministries and dinners. Or we may be called to pray for opportunities to personally serve in ministries within the church. The bottom line is, we need to be asking God to “increase our territory,” as “The Prayer of Jabez” says… and to bring more willing workers to help with His ministries.
Here’s a simple prayer to use… “Heavenly Father, I know that Your ‘crop’ is large. I know there are dozens of people who need to hear Your word and feel Your presence through all sorts of ministries. Show me how to serve You - show me where I can minister to others in Your name. Motivate other believers to help. Band us together to get the work done and share the load. And in all of our efforts, let us glorify Your name and honor You. Amen.”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 28 ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We pray for ourselves and our family. We pray for our friends. We may even pray for our church and its ministries. But let’s be honest… how often do we stop to pray for our elected officials, much less our world leaders? Oh, sure… we pray for peace… but do we lift up those who make the decisions that contribute toward that end? We pray for our church and its ministries… but do we pray for our pastor, the Sunday School teachers, the music leaders, and even the office staff?
Do we pray for our teachers? What about – dare I say it – our school principals/counselors and the superintendent? We may pray for the coaches to have a good season, but do we ask God to give them opportunities to witness to those they are coaching? Do we ask Him to make our coaches and teachers good examples of Christian behavior – excellent role models for those in their path?
What do you suppose would happen if we did pray more earnestly for our leaders – at every level? Do you suppose our prayers could thwart some of Satan’s efforts and bring about a different outcome? Do you truly believe in the power of prayer? In this passage, Paul encourages Timothy to pray for everyone… but he specifically mentions those in power and praying for quiet, peaceful lives. We need to start putting our faith into daily action – and that means praying for everyone - including… or maybe especially - our leaders.
2009 Debbie Robus
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September 27 ~ Daniel 6:10
Daniel heard about the law, but when he returned home, he went upstairs and prayed in front of the window that faced Jerusalem. In the same way that he had always done, he knelt down in prayer three times a day, giving thanks to God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
How important is prayer to you? If someone told you, “It’s against the law to pray. Anyone caught praying will be tortured.” – would you still pray? This is exactly what happened to Daniel – and how he ended up in the lions’ den. And truly, people all around the world risk life and limb to pray and worship God. I know a man who served in the first Gulf War, and he and his comrades gathered on rooftops in the dark to pray and worship, even though this was considered illegal activity where he was stationed. Countless Christians gather in secret in China and other countries to pray and worship God… and they risk their very lives to do so. And I wonder… would I be so brave?
Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about being tortured or killed for praying. So tell me… since we are free to pray anytime and anywhere we choose, why do we have such a sporadic prayer life? Why is it that we struggle to find time to talk to God and worship Him, even though we can do these things any hour of the day in any place we choose? Yet others are willing to go to great lengths and risk everything just for the privilege of talking to our Heavenly Father. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it?!
Today when you pray… and I do hope you will stop and pray today! – thank God for the privilege of being able to worship Him and speak with Him freely. Thank Him that we do not have to fear torture or death because we pray. And ask God to bless and protect those who do face such dangers. Ask Him to give these people courage and faith as they honor Him. And pray that someday, people around the world might have the freedom to worship God openly without fear of retribution.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 26 ~ 1 Kings 8:38, 52
Listen when anyone in Israel truly feels sorry and sincerely prays with arms lifted toward your temple. I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you. So listen when any of us pray and cry out for your help.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
These verses are from a passage (1 Kings 8:22-53) in which King Solomon is praying to God in front of all of his kingdom and dedicating the temple that God commissioned him to build. He tells God that he is asking his people to pray to Him… and he is asking God to hear them when they do this. Solomon is “interceding” for his people, and we still do this today. Why do we offer intercessory prayers? Shouldn’t people pray for themselves… shouldn’t they ask God to meet their needs?
The answer is complicated. Yes… absolutely… we should pray for ourselves. But God wants us to pray for others, too. Why is this important? First of all, intercessory prayer is an act of love – and of unselfishness. If God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and blessings are for all of us, wouldn’t it be rather selfish to only ask for these things for yourself? Additionally… others may not even realize they need prayer… or they may not be certain of how to pray and ask God to help them. Finally, because we are God’s children – and His heirs – we can ask Him for anything – including the needs of others… and God will honor our requests. This is great news!
Over the years, I have been asked to pray for countless people I’ve never even met. I do this because God knows who I’m lifting up in prayer. He knows their needs and how to best meet them. We all know that when we ask our parents for something, they want to help us or give us what we desire. It’s the same with God. He is our Heavenly Father, and He wants to answer our … and to help others for whom we have interceded.
Today, my prayer for you is that you would pray generously, not selfishly. I pray that you would read the prayer of Solomon and use it as a model of how to include the needs of others in your conversations with God. Experience the joy and privilege of talking to God about others… and watching Him work in their lives. I’m praying for you today… and I hope you are doing the same for others.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 25 ~ Genesis 25:21
Rebekah still had no children. So Isaac asked the LORD to let her have a child, and the LORD answered his prayer.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Do you remember Isaac? He was the son of Abraham who was laid on the altar and offered as a sacrifice to God, as commanded. Of course, God spared Isaac and promised Abraham a long life and blessings for his family for generations to come. Earlier in this chapter of Genesis we see that Abraham left everything to Isaac when he died, and the God blessed Isaac after this. Isaac married Rebekah when he was forty, and almost 20 years later, they still had no children together. So when Isaac asked God to give Rebekah a baby, God answered his prayer and rewarded their faithfulness.
Now, you may be thinking that a baby at age 60 was not much of a reward! But this blessing meant everything to Isaac and Rebekah, and they became parents to twins, Jacob and Esau. Clearly, God had big plans for Isaac and Rebekah, and He trusted them with a huge responsibility, just as He had trusted Isaac’s father, Abraham, before him.
Let me ask you something… do you believe God has big plans for you? Are you living a life of faith and patience that is worthy of big blessings? God may not be planning to give you twins at age 60 who will become leaders of two separate nations, as He did for Isaac. But I assure you, God has a plan for your life. Can He trust you with His assignment? Can He count on you to be obedient, faithful, and patient… and to follow through as His humble servant? Do you have what it takes to accomplish whatever God calls you to do? Isn’t it time you took steps to be ready?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 24 ~ Isaiah 16:12
It's useless for Moab's people to wear themselves out by going to their altars to worship and pray.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
To understand this scripture, you really should read and study the entire 16th chapter of Isaiah. See, the people of Moab (Moabites) were really pretty selfish, unkind, and prideful. They were somewhat of a bully. But when things didn’t go well for them, they wanted everyone else to feel sorry for them and help them - including God. When things were good in their vineyards, the Moabites felt they really didn’t need God. But when the vines dried up and their livelihood was destroyed, they went ran to God and expected His help.
Do you know someone like this? Are you sometimes this way? If we are honest, we are all the Moabites from time to time. When things are going well, we get cocky… and sometimes we feel pretty invincible. We even get so carried away with ourselves that sometimes we forget completely about God. We certainly don’t give Him much of our time or attention. But let something happen – a crisis of some sort, or something we perceive as a crisis – and we are right there on our knees. We beg, “Please, please, PLEASE, God, help us!” We wring our hands and pace nervously, waiting to hear from Him.
I’m not going to tell you that our loving, gracious, merciful God won’t help you in a time of true crisis. But tell me… do you really think He is going to be eager to rush to the side of someone who treats Him so poorly the rest of the time? Is it worth the risk to find out? I believe it is far better to stay humble and on our knees… to spend daily time in sincere prayer and conversation with God… whether things are going great or not! This guarantees us a place in God’s presence… and His ear… at all times. For me, this is time well spent. What about you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 23 ~ 1 Kings 18:25-29
Elijah said to Baal's prophets, "There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god."
They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, "Answer us, Baal!" But there was no answer.
At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. "Pray louder!" he said. "Baal must be a god. Maybe he's day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up."
The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, and they kept it up all afternoon. But there was no answer of any kind.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Baal was a false god… a pagan idol. The people could pray to him, make sacrifices, plead and beg, but he wasn’t going to answer, because he wasn’t God and had no supernatural or extraordinary “powers.” Elijah knew this, but clearly, these prophets did not. So they spun out of control in vicious circles and acted ridiculously in an effort to get Baal’s attention… and it never worked.Sadly, many of us have our own Baal. Instead of focusing on the One True God who can help us… instead of surrendering to God and listening to Him… covering ourselves in His word and asking HIM for guidance and answers, we try other avenues. For some of us, it’s as simple as trying compensate for bad behavior and lack of faith by “doing good” – going to church, helping others, giving money, serving on committees, living a “good life.” Others depend upon the advice of fellow believers… parents, teachers, pastors, counselors, and friends. These are not bad things in and of themselves… but good works alone will not get us into heaven. And if our advisors are not led by God, their suggestions won’t carry much weight or hold up for the long haul.
Still others seek answers in things like “communing with nature,” self-help courses, strengthening the mind and body through physical or mental exercise, hard work and making money. And again, these are not bad things… but they are not our God – or shouldn’t be. If you stop and look around, it is easy to see people who are spinning out of control because they are depending upon some sort of Baal more than – or instead of – a relationship with our Heavenly Father. We should all take a good hard look at our lives and examine where we are placing our emphasis and energy. Are we praying to God and seeking His will? Or are we worshipping our own form of Baal?
OUR GOD is never asleep or “out of the office.” He is always on duty and will never leave us stranded. He will always hear us and answer… and we can trust that He will guide us in the right direction. Who are you worshipping today? If you find that a “Baal” has crept into your life, ditch it now! Renew your focus on God, and see how much better your life can become.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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September 22 ~ Judges 6:36-40
Gideon prayed to God, "I know that you promised to help me rescue Israel, but I need proof. Tonight I'll put some wool on the stone floor of that threshing-place over there. If you really will help me rescue Israel, then tomorrow morning let there be dew on the wool, but let the stone floor be dry."
And that's just what happened. Early the next morning, Gideon got up and checked the wool. He squeezed out enough water to fill a bowl.
But Gideon prayed to God again. "Don't be angry at me," Gideon said. "Let me try this just one more time, so I'll really be sure you'll help me. Only this time, let the wool be dry and the stone floor be wet with dew."
That night, God made the stone floor wet with dew, but he kept the wool dry.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
“Here’s your sign.” This has become a common tag line, thanks to the “Blue Collar Comedy” of Larry the Cable Guy. I don’t know why, but I found it so funny – and so human – that Gideon had to have TWO instances of proof from God before he would believe Him. I find it even more amazing that God was patient with Gideon. How often are we like this? How often do we test God and ask for “a sign.” Better yet, how often does God give us a sign, and we miss it? And just how many signs do we have to have from God before we believe Him?
We often do such a poor job of paying attention to God. He shows us things and gives us direction, and we stand in the middle of the floor and say, “Lord, if you would just show me what to do!” Too bad God doesn’t just knock on our forehead and say, “Here’s your sign!” And yet, maybe He does, and we still don’t get it. Like Gideon we say, “Yeah, okay… but can You show me something else?”
It’s time to start paying closer attention. It’s time to start “getting it” the first time. It’s time to grow so close to God in study and prayer that we have faith in what He tells and shows us - the first time! “Here’s your Sign”… are you paying attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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