October 31 ~ Philippians 4:6
Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Most of us probably need to tattoo this scripture passage on our forearm, where we can see it throughout each and every day! We are all so human… and we so want to “drive the car” ourselves. God must sit back and chuckle at times – and groan others – over how ridiculous we are!
My great-nephew, Timothy, has a favorite toy that I’ve clipped to his crib. This toy is a stuffed horse, attached to a couple of stuffed baubles that have some sort of noisemaker inside them. Every time he touches the toy, it makes a clinking noise that he likes. This toy is clipped just barely within reach when Timothy lies in his crib. He works and works to grip the toy and cause it to make the noise he loves. Since he is teething, he would also love to put this toy horse in his mouth and chew on it. Unfortunately, he can’t quite reach the toy well enough to get a good – and sustained – grip on it, much less a taste! This frustrates him to no end! After awhile, he gets mad! He has learned to move around a bit, and if he would just scoot closer to the toy – or roll over toward it – he could reach it easily. But he doesn’t grasp that concept yet.
I’m thinking that this is how we are with God. He offers us so much, and we spin our wheels and try all sorts of gyrations to get what He has for us. But the very thing we could do to actually have what God is offering… peace, answers, comfort, direction, wisdom, and more… is just a prayer away. We reach out and ask… but we don’t follow through and give all of our cares and concerns to God. It’s as simple as “rolling over” and scooting closer to Him.
I’m betting that within the next few weeks, Timothy will figure out how to get to his toy. He will make the turn, scoot over, and draw closer. Will we do the same with God? Isn’t it time we did?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 30 ~ 1 Kings 3:5-14
One night while Solomon was in Gibeon, the LORD God appeared to him in a dream and said, "Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you."
Solomon answered: My father David, your servant, was honest and did what you commanded. You were always loyal to him, and you gave him a son who is now king. LORD God, I'm your servant, and you've made me king in my father's place. But I'm very young and know so little about being a leader. And now I must rule your chosen people, even though there are too many of them to count.
Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don't, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.
God said: Solomon, I'm pleased that you asked for this. You could have asked to live a long time or to be rich. Or you could have asked for your enemies to be destroyed. Instead, you asked for wisdom to make right decisions. So I'll make you wiser than anyone who has ever lived or ever will live.
I'll also give you what you didn't ask for. You'll be rich and respected as long as you live, and you'll be greater than any other king. If you obey me and follow my commands, as your father David did, I'll let you live a long time.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
What are you asking God for these days? Are you asking Him for the desires of your head or of your heart? By this, I mean, are you asking God to bring you a certain love interest, or a new car… or even good grades? Are you asking God to give you a job – or to direct you to a better paying, more enjoyable one? Are you asking God to make your children behave better or your parents to be more cooperative?
“But I need these things!” you may be saying. HELLO! God knows what you need! Why not ask Him to give you wisdom, patience, understanding, and compassion. Why not ask God to direct you to the job that is right for you – and to give you peace and joy in your work? Why not ask God to help you with relationships – with your family, friends, and love interests? Why not ask God to provide for your needs – food, clothing, shelter… and yes, transportation.
Once we learn to ask God for the right things, everything else falls into place. Think about how you pray – and what you ask for. Realize fully that God’s ways and our ways are not always the same. Mysterious as they may seem, God’s ways are always perfect. It could be that He sees your potential for growth through the struggle(s) you are currently experiencing. It could be that He simply knows things we don’t about our lives, and a new car or wardrobe is not what you need.
It could also be that, like David, God is waiting for you to ask Him for the right things in the right way, and then He plans to give you your “head” desires, too. The difference is perspective – and priorities. Submit to God and ask Him to direct the events of your life according to His will. Trust Him to meet all of your needs. You will be amazed at how much better your life can be.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 29 ~ 1 Peter 4:7-8
Everything will soon come to an end. So be serious and be sensible enough to pray.
Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
What is tripping you up these days? Are you frustrated with a situation or a person? Are you holding a grudge? As I prayed recently, God reminded me that soldiers are dying in Afghanistan. Little children are battling H1N1, and adults are facing the loss of their homes and jobs… or their very lives to a deadly disease. Families are searching for missing loved ones, while others mourn the untimely death of one of their own. In other words, whatever little frustrations and aggravations of my day that cause me to stew and grumble are all very minor in the scheme of things. And I am grateful that I have no major troubles!
As I pray, I ask God to give me wisdom… to “love appropriately” – which means as Jesus loves (which is unconditionally). If someone or something has aggravated me, I must look at the person or situation with the eyes of Jesus… and chances are pretty good He doesn’t see things as I do! In other words… whatever is eating at you today, ask God to show you how to love the people involved according to His will. I’m betting that the situation and those involved will seem different to you. Sometimes the change that needs to occur in a situation is OUR attitude… not the other guy and his/hers!
Ask God how to change your heart about the frustrations and aggravations of your day. Ask Him to help you to love others as Jesus loves… and to let Him work through you. See for yourself what a difference this can make!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 28 ~ Philippians 1:10
I pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
You can hardly turn on the television any more without hearing about someone who made a wrong relationship choice. From sitcoms to daytime talk shows to the evening news, there are stories of people choose with their heart and end up miserable… or worse!“I thought he/she was my friend,” you hear people say, as they deal with betrayal or mistreatment. “He/she was my business partner – I trusted him/her with my life!” Let’s be honest… making right choices is tough, and we are all human! That’s why we need to stay closely in tune with God. We need to continue to grow in love for Him, in worship, and in the study of His word.
In The Message, Philippians 1:9-11 reads… “So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” Truly we do need to use our head and listen for God’s voice, so that we act reasonably, choose wisely, and “love appropriately” – not out of impulse, desire, or “sentimental gush.”
If you find that your relationships struggle… or that you seem to fall in and out of friends, love interests, jobs, commitments, or even churches(!)… maybe it’s time to grow up in the love of Christ. Maybe the answer is spending more time in prayer and study of God’s word and seeking His will. Maybe it’s time for your love of God to grow larger than the love of anything – and anyone – else! Now THAT’s a life that makes Jesus proud! Shouldn’t this be our ultimate goal?
2009 Debbie Robus
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October 27 ~ Matthew 6:6
When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Do you think that Jesus is telling us in this passage not to pray in public? Is He saying, “Don’t pray over your meal in a restaurant, or ‘meet at the pole’ before school.”? Is he telling us not to pray before a football game or even aloud in church? The answer is “Absolutely, positively NOT!” There is nothing wrong with sincere prayer offered up in public.
What Jesus is warning against in this scripture is empty prayer – prayers done for show. If you are praying over your meal at a restaurant so that the people at the next table will see you and think you are really great Christians, you are wasting your breath. If you are attending “See You At The Pole” to meet your friends and “see and be seen,” you just as well not go. Even if you offer up a public prayer in church just because it’s time in the order of worship to do this, and you do not talk to God from the heart, you’d have been better off to skip on to the next item in the bulletin.
God doesn’t care about public displays of what great Christians we are. He cares about the heart. Silent prayers… prayers offered in a private corner of your bedroom or while you are alone in your car… prayers between only you and God… these are the prayers that truly convey what is in your heart. You can offer a heart-felt prayer in public… as if you and God are the only ones in the room… but in order to do this, you must be fully involved at that moment in communicating with God. If you are swayed or motivated by outside influences, God will know.
So think about your prayers. If you DO pray in public, be sure you are open, honest, sincere, and talking to God from your heart. And find a quiet time and space for private conversations with God. Pour out your heart to Him and feel His response.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 26 ~ James 5:17-18
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.)
Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m going to as So-and-So to pray for me – he/she has a ‘direct line’ to heaven!” This is meant as a joke… but really, it is no laughing matter. Read today’s passage again. “Elijah was just as human as we are…” No human being has a more “direct line” to God through prayer than any of us – not even Elijah! What makes the difference is the person’s level of faith!
See, sometimes we pray for things, but we don’t really expect God to deliver! We may ask for rain, but we think to ourselves, “Maybe it will… maybe it won’t” – or often we ask God for something - or for help in our situation - and then we move ahead believing that this will never happen.
The point is… we need to put some “meat” behind our prayers. We need to pray for things with the belief and the faith that God will answer us, according to His will. Does that mean we can pray for a new Mustang and God will give us one? No. Can we ask for a supermodel boyfriend or girlfriend or to become a pro athlete or major recording artist and believe this into existence? Not if God didn’t plan for us to have these things!
So why do we pray with faith and hope? Because God is able to do all things… mighty, powerful things... as He sees fit for us. Was there a chance that God might not bring the rain when Elijah asked for it? Sure! But Elijah trusted God to know what he and his people needed, and he believed that God would meet those needs. Are you believing that today? Are you praying with faith that God will answer?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 25 ~ Zechariah 10:1
I, the LORD, am the one who sends storm clouds
and showers of rain to make fields produce.
So when the crops need rain, you should pray to me.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
If our car breaks down, we don’t seek a painter or an orthodontist. If we get sick, we don’t go to the mechanic or a hairdresser. When we need groceries, we don’t go to the shoe store.
Have you ever noticed that often, when people need help with problems of the mind, body and soul, they look to everyone under the sun except the One who can really meet their needs? It may not be as extreme as going to the shoe store for groceries. But why is it we waste so much time trying to figure things out on our own – or asking others to help us, when what we really need is God? And this passage does a great job of spelling this out for us. In plain language, God says, “If I’m the one who controls the rain, so when you need it, you should ask me.”
When we have a problem we can’t solve, we need to go to God in prayer. He has the solutions. When we are sick… we may need a medical doctor… but we also need the Great Physician to show us which doctor to consult… and to guide the doctor’s treatment and care. When we are lonely, we don’t need to look for friends and love in all the wrong places. We need to tell God how we feel and ask Him to bring us the right companionship that lines up with His will for our life. In all things… in all needs… we need to start by talking to God. Let HIM show you how to proceed… who to consult… where to look for further answers. He controls the rain and everything else, so whatever we need, we should consult Him first and foremost.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 24 ~ 1 Kings 8:35-36
Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they turn toward this temple and pray in your name and stop sinning, listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And please send rain on the land you promised them forever.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I know someone who has a saying… “Once you get on my ‘list’ – there is no eraser!” I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad that God doesn’t say this about those of us who sin against Him! I am thrilled to know that when I turn toward Him and pray to Him for forgiveness, He is more than happy to oblige me… to “send the rain” where there was none.
On the other hand, I believe that those whose names are in the Book of Life – the list of those who have confessed Jesus as Savior, God will call home to live with Him in heaven. For this list, I believe there truly is no eraser. Does this mean I can live however I wish and take Eternity for granted? Absolutely NOT! If anything, I am more eager to please God and to serve Him. I am more committed to avoiding sin with everything I have in me. But I am also confident that my Father God loves me and wants me with Him for Eternity… and this is tremendous comfort to me. This assurance is even better than rain after a drought, because the promise is forever.
For my friend, being on their list with no eraser was a bad thing. With God… it depends on the list! I’m glad to know where I stand with Him… aren’t you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 23 ~ Matthew 6:9-13
You should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name.
Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven.
Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
“I don’t know how to pray.” We’ve probably all said this at one time or another. And honestly, there are days and situations where we really don’t have a clue what to say to God. These are good times to just sit quietly and listen! But they are also times to remember the prayer that Jesus taught us – the one we all know by heart in some form as “The Lord’s Prayer.”
In this prayer, all that we need to say to God is covered. He is praised. He is recognized as all-powerful and worthy of our honor and glory. He is invited to dwell in us. He is asked to care for our every need and to forgive our sins. He is also asked to protect us from Satan and his evil. The traditional recitation of this prayer that we all know so well adds a final tribute… “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever… Amen!” This is fitting – there is nothing wrong with telling God often how amazing He is to us. Do you see that we have pretty well covered everything here? We have needs… we’ve asked God to meet them. We have sinned… we’ve confessed that, too. We are praying for others… we asked God to come and set up His kingdom, give us food for today, and protect us.
Does this mean we can simply recite “The Lord’s Prayer” each day and be done? NO! We need to talk to God about specifics… we need to intercede for others… we need to confess our sins. But sometimes, in certain circumstances and for various reasons, words don’t come to us. But our need to talk to God never goes away. So this is a great model… and a wonderful prayer to use as a starting point.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 22 ~ Proverbs 27:2
Don't brag about yourself -- let others praise you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
On the WeTV show “The Locator,” Troy Dunn and his team of investigators help reunite people… long lost relatives and friends, children and the mothers who gave them up for adoption, fathers who were never in the picture for some reason, and more. Troy and his investigators are good at what they do. On the show, he goes to great lengths to make sure that all parties are emotionally okay with the reunion. In the end, he shows up with one person or the other and says something to the effect that, “I have more information about your relative/friend.” Then as he starts to explain that he found the person being sought, he often adds something like… “In fact, he/she is here right now, walking up behind you.”
As the family reunites, you would expect Troy to stand around and accept pats on the back and big hugs from everyone - right? No… he quietly turns and walks away while the family or friends are busy hugging and getting reacquainted. He doesn’t even look back. He knows he has done his job, and while he IS paid for this service, his personal reward is the satisfaction of knowing he blessed someone else’s life and helped heal emotional wounds.
In our own lives, when we accomplish something, do something well, or especially when we do something nice for others… we need to let the action stand on its own merits. We need to avoid the temptation to say, “Look how I helped this person,” or “I bought that person a new coat,” or “I helped out with his bills last month,” or even, “I picked up the tab for everyone.” Mark 7:36-37 tells us that after healing the sick, Jesus told His disciples not to speak of the miracles. Even Jesus refrained from bragging – and He had reason to brag!
There is nothing wrong with being proud when you accomplish something – when you win a contest, come in first in a race, or your team wins the football game. Cheering your success is one thing… bragging about how great or wonderful you are or what an amazing job you did is another… and scripture proves it has no place in the life of a Christian. Don’t brag about yourself… let your actions speak for you. Even if no one else ever openly praises you or seems to recognize your accomplishments, God will know what you have done… and He will bless your efforts.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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