Proverbs 10:21
Many are helped by useful instruction, but fools are killed by their own stupidity.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you are like most people, at least once in your life you have gotten a new appliance or device, opened the package, and tried to use the gizmo without reading the instruction manual first. Think of the old adage, “When all else fails, read the instructions!”
I’ll admit, I’ve had instruction manuals that might as well have been written in Greek. I’ve also had instruction manuals that gave almost zero instruction, leaving me scratching my head and wondering what in the world I was supposed to do to operate the device.
Thankfully, God’s instruction is neither “Greek” nor lacking. The Bible gives us clear details on how to gain salvation through Jesus Christ – and how to conduct our lives afterward. Scripture tells us how to be disciples of Christ, what happens when we follow His teachings … and what happens when we don’t! It’s all there!
So we really have no excuses. I would venture to say that everyone reading this devotional has heard the word of God and received these instructions … probably many times! Yet we seem to think we know it all. We fail to consult the “manual” by ignoring the scriptures, forgetting to pray, and not taking advantage of opportunities to fellowship with other Christians who can strengthen and encourage us.
It’s time for a reality check. We do not have all the answers. We are not capable of navigating life as a Christian on our own … with no instruction! To try to do so will get us “killed” by our own stupidity in the form of failures, sorrow, disappointments, and all types of destruction. Failure to follow God’s instruction manual can even lead to an eternity without Christ for those who never invite Him into their hearts and accept His salvation.
Read the “Manual.” Listen to God’s instructions. In fact, seek them before you make a single move. Make sure you have all of the information and instruction necessary before you do anything else. You’ll be amazed how much more smoothly things operate.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 18, 2010
June 18 ~ Daniel 10:19
The angel touched me a second time and said, "Don't be frightened! God thinks highly of you, and he intends this for your good, so be brave and strong."
At this, I regained my strength and replied, "Please speak! You have already made me feel much better."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I saw a news story recently about Mary Bargiel, a young mother in Conway, Arkansas, who was broadsided at an intersection by a police officer on his way to answer an emergency call. The light was green as Bargiel moved into the intersection. The officer approached from the side, lights flashing and sirens blaring, but Mary did not see or hear him. The intersection has since been reworked. Both Mary Bargiel and the police officer were injured badly, especially Mary, whose injuries included a broken hand and ribs, a collapsed lung, serious brain, spinal and eye injuries, and more. The officer, who suffered a broken neck, has recovered and returned to work. Mary Bargiel has recovered enough to return home to her family, but she still has a lot of struggles - including a rod in her leg, shoe lifts to even out her body, double vision, ongoing back pain, and she may never fully regain brain function and be able to move and live as she once did.
I don’t know the prior circumstances of this Mary Bargiel’s life, but she stated in the news story that the accident probably saved her life in many ways. After the accident, she became a Christian, and her husband attested to the validity of her claims that she is a changed woman… quite literally a new person in Christ. What seemed like the most horrific event at the time has become a tremendous turning point for this woman and her family. What Satan meant for evil, God used for good.
I hope it doesn’t take a car crash at a major intersection – even figuratively – to get our attention. I hope God doesn’t have to use frightening events to show us His power – and His love – and to capture our hearts. I pray that we can stop and look around and see how blessed we are… and how much God loves us. I pray that we would trust Him to get us through the calamities and scary times in our lives… the times when we wonder and worry… and that looking back, we would say, “Yep, there He was, right beside us all along.”
How brave and strong are we? I’m ashamed to say that I have moments when I am neither. But I am determined to do better. I am convinced that God thinks highly of me and wants only the best for my life. And that is the case for each one of us. Do you see this in your own life? Are you brave and strong and recognizing God’s desire for good in your life? Start believing this today. Look around and see how God has blessed you and rescued you already. Regain your strength and feel much better. God is our refuge and our strength… feel His love and blessings…and BELIEVE in Him!
©2010 Debbie Robus
The angel touched me a second time and said, "Don't be frightened! God thinks highly of you, and he intends this for your good, so be brave and strong."
At this, I regained my strength and replied, "Please speak! You have already made me feel much better."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I saw a news story recently about Mary Bargiel, a young mother in Conway, Arkansas, who was broadsided at an intersection by a police officer on his way to answer an emergency call. The light was green as Bargiel moved into the intersection. The officer approached from the side, lights flashing and sirens blaring, but Mary did not see or hear him. The intersection has since been reworked. Both Mary Bargiel and the police officer were injured badly, especially Mary, whose injuries included a broken hand and ribs, a collapsed lung, serious brain, spinal and eye injuries, and more. The officer, who suffered a broken neck, has recovered and returned to work. Mary Bargiel has recovered enough to return home to her family, but she still has a lot of struggles - including a rod in her leg, shoe lifts to even out her body, double vision, ongoing back pain, and she may never fully regain brain function and be able to move and live as she once did.
I don’t know the prior circumstances of this Mary Bargiel’s life, but she stated in the news story that the accident probably saved her life in many ways. After the accident, she became a Christian, and her husband attested to the validity of her claims that she is a changed woman… quite literally a new person in Christ. What seemed like the most horrific event at the time has become a tremendous turning point for this woman and her family. What Satan meant for evil, God used for good.
I hope it doesn’t take a car crash at a major intersection – even figuratively – to get our attention. I hope God doesn’t have to use frightening events to show us His power – and His love – and to capture our hearts. I pray that we can stop and look around and see how blessed we are… and how much God loves us. I pray that we would trust Him to get us through the calamities and scary times in our lives… the times when we wonder and worry… and that looking back, we would say, “Yep, there He was, right beside us all along.”
How brave and strong are we? I’m ashamed to say that I have moments when I am neither. But I am determined to do better. I am convinced that God thinks highly of me and wants only the best for my life. And that is the case for each one of us. Do you see this in your own life? Are you brave and strong and recognizing God’s desire for good in your life? Start believing this today. Look around and see how God has blessed you and rescued you already. Regain your strength and feel much better. God is our refuge and our strength… feel His love and blessings…and BELIEVE in Him!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 10, 2010
February 10 ~ John 16:23-26
When that time comes, you won't have to ask me about anything. I tell you for certain that the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so that you will be completely happy. I have used examples to explain to you what I have been talking about. But the time will come when I will speak to you plainly about the Father and will no longer use examples like these. You will ask the Father in my name, and I won't have to ask him for you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I keep our 9-month-old great-nephew, Timmy, several days a week while his mother works and attends college. We never had children of our own, and it’s been several years since I spent much time with a baby. So I have a LOT of questions. There’s an old saying that “Babies don’t come with instructions,” and that’s true! But thankfully, I have a bevy of wonderful experienced mothers I can call… and the Internet for other answers. So I don’t have to wonder if I’m caring for Timmy in the right way.
Sometimes, the answers to our questions are not so readily available. I have heard more than one person who had just lost a loved one say, “I picked up the phone to ask Dad such-and-such, and then I remembered he’s gone,” or “I was going to make Mom’s famous recipe for “whatever” – and I realized that I didn’t have it… and now I can’t ask her how to make it!” And SOME answers, like “Why does God allow children to suffer?” or “Why doesn’t God prevent natural disasters?” will just not be answered this side of heaven!
But the good news is that some day we WILL have all of the answers. I honestly believe that we are not supposed to understand everything about how God operates, because 1) we would not be able to handle it all; and 2) we would lose our need to trust Him and walk in faith that He will sustain us. We can always go to God and ask anything, in the name of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us. We can even question why children suffer, wars take place, and natural disasters wipe out entire villages and communities. We can question anything and everything.
Does that mean God will always answer us quickly and in a way we expect? Absolutely not! But He will answer, in the best manner for us at the time. And some day, every single answer to every question we have will be available in heaven. I have a feeling when I get there, the questions/answers I have will no longer matter. But just in case… I’ve got a short list! Meanwhile, I’m leaning on God to meet my daily needs and answer my prayers as He sees fit. He has never failed me yet… and I know He never will.
©2009 Debbie Robus
When that time comes, you won't have to ask me about anything. I tell you for certain that the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so that you will be completely happy. I have used examples to explain to you what I have been talking about. But the time will come when I will speak to you plainly about the Father and will no longer use examples like these. You will ask the Father in my name, and I won't have to ask him for you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I keep our 9-month-old great-nephew, Timmy, several days a week while his mother works and attends college. We never had children of our own, and it’s been several years since I spent much time with a baby. So I have a LOT of questions. There’s an old saying that “Babies don’t come with instructions,” and that’s true! But thankfully, I have a bevy of wonderful experienced mothers I can call… and the Internet for other answers. So I don’t have to wonder if I’m caring for Timmy in the right way.
Sometimes, the answers to our questions are not so readily available. I have heard more than one person who had just lost a loved one say, “I picked up the phone to ask Dad such-and-such, and then I remembered he’s gone,” or “I was going to make Mom’s famous recipe for “whatever” – and I realized that I didn’t have it… and now I can’t ask her how to make it!” And SOME answers, like “Why does God allow children to suffer?” or “Why doesn’t God prevent natural disasters?” will just not be answered this side of heaven!
But the good news is that some day we WILL have all of the answers. I honestly believe that we are not supposed to understand everything about how God operates, because 1) we would not be able to handle it all; and 2) we would lose our need to trust Him and walk in faith that He will sustain us. We can always go to God and ask anything, in the name of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us. We can even question why children suffer, wars take place, and natural disasters wipe out entire villages and communities. We can question anything and everything.
Does that mean God will always answer us quickly and in a way we expect? Absolutely not! But He will answer, in the best manner for us at the time. And some day, every single answer to every question we have will be available in heaven. I have a feeling when I get there, the questions/answers I have will no longer matter. But just in case… I’ve got a short list! Meanwhile, I’m leaning on God to meet my daily needs and answer my prayers as He sees fit. He has never failed me yet… and I know He never will.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 9, 2010
February 9 ~ John 14:11-13
Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things that I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. I will do whatever you ask me to do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know about you, but there are days when I don’t feel like I’m very effective as a Christian. And honestly, I sometimes wonder why we do the things we do. It is easy for Christians to become discouraged – not because of anything God does or does not do… but because we expect God to operate on our terms and time table.
This is not always done consciously… but if we are honest, don’t we all wonder from time to time WHY God allows certain things to happen or WHEN God will answer our prayers? Don’t we grow impatient? Don’t we lack faith and trust? Sometimes, I catch myself saying, “Father, I KNOW you are handling this for me, I BELIEVE you are in charge, and certainly nothing I do is adequate. But could you PLEASE hurry up? Could you PLEASE give me some indication that this will work out and all be okay?” And you know what? God HAS answered. He sent Jesus, His only Son, to die on the cross for our sins. He resurrected Christ from the grave and returned Him to heaven. And because of JESUS, we can ask anything in His name, and God will handle it for us.
Does this mean that He answers exactly as we ask? No! Does this mean we always get everything we want? Certainly not! God knows what we truly need. His answers – and His timing – are always perfect. Believing and trusting this is often hard – I know firsthand! But we MUST believe it. We MUST trust that God hears our prayers and answers. We must “keep on keepin’ on!” and serving faithfully – and confidently.
Sunday when our church worshipped in Holy Communion, I confessed to God that I have not been as trusting and faithful as I should… but I vowed to do better. I “ate of the body and drank of the cup” and committed to faithfully serving with Christ. You don’t have to partake of Holy Communion to do this – you can stop what you are doing right now and recommit to a life of faithfulness. Don’t you want to live in confidence that God is meeting your needs and answering your prayers? Won’t you ask Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, to do just that?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things that I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. I will do whatever you ask me to do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know about you, but there are days when I don’t feel like I’m very effective as a Christian. And honestly, I sometimes wonder why we do the things we do. It is easy for Christians to become discouraged – not because of anything God does or does not do… but because we expect God to operate on our terms and time table.
This is not always done consciously… but if we are honest, don’t we all wonder from time to time WHY God allows certain things to happen or WHEN God will answer our prayers? Don’t we grow impatient? Don’t we lack faith and trust? Sometimes, I catch myself saying, “Father, I KNOW you are handling this for me, I BELIEVE you are in charge, and certainly nothing I do is adequate. But could you PLEASE hurry up? Could you PLEASE give me some indication that this will work out and all be okay?” And you know what? God HAS answered. He sent Jesus, His only Son, to die on the cross for our sins. He resurrected Christ from the grave and returned Him to heaven. And because of JESUS, we can ask anything in His name, and God will handle it for us.
Does this mean that He answers exactly as we ask? No! Does this mean we always get everything we want? Certainly not! God knows what we truly need. His answers – and His timing – are always perfect. Believing and trusting this is often hard – I know firsthand! But we MUST believe it. We MUST trust that God hears our prayers and answers. We must “keep on keepin’ on!” and serving faithfully – and confidently.
Sunday when our church worshipped in Holy Communion, I confessed to God that I have not been as trusting and faithful as I should… but I vowed to do better. I “ate of the body and drank of the cup” and committed to faithfully serving with Christ. You don’t have to partake of Holy Communion to do this – you can stop what you are doing right now and recommit to a life of faithfulness. Don’t you want to live in confidence that God is meeting your needs and answering your prayers? Won’t you ask Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, to do just that?
©2009 Debbie Robus
November 2009 Devotionals - Week 3
November 21 ~ Psalm 42:2
In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face?
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
You know how you eat pizza, and a few hours later you find yourself so thirsty that you can’t seem to get enough water? Or maybe you have exercised or run several miles or exerted yourself in another way, and before you realize it, you feel like you are dying of thirst and will never be able to drink enough to feel quenched.
Have you ever thought about your relationship with God like this? Do you ever “thirst” for Him deeply within your heart? Do you ever feel like no matter how much time you spend with God in prayer, Bible study, and worship, it’s just not enough? Do you ever feel like you won’t truly have your thirst satisfied until you see God face-to-face in Heaven?
God doesn’t want us to be unsatisfied. But at the same time, God wants us to hunger and thirst after Him. “That doesn’t make sense!” you might be saying. Oh, but it does… God wants us to enjoy His blessings on this earth and to be filled with joy in our faith. At the same time, He wants us to be in constant desire of more of Him… more of His wisdom, more of His power in our lives, more of His love for others… more of His amazing grace and peace.
God wants us to be constantly growing in our relationship with Him until the day we die and meet Him in heaven. THEN we will truly be quenched! THEN, we will truly know EVERYTHING about our living God. Until that day, our hearts should be at once both filled with God’s abundance - and thirsting for more. Are you continually seeking more of God? How thirsty is your heart these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 20 ~ Psalm 37:4
Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
When you think of your “heart’s desire,” what comes to mind? Do you dream of nice cars and big houses, fancy clothes and expensive jewelry? Honestly, I don’t think this is what the Psalmist had in mind when he talked about your heart’s desire. Don’t misunderstand me… I’m not saying you should not be entitled to drive a nice car or live in a fancy home. God sometimes blesses His children with material wealth.
But while not all people will accumulate material possessions and wealth, everyone can be rich in the desires of the heart. And there is a difference. Your “heart’s desire” may very well be the material “stuff,” but the desires of your heart include joy, peace, comfort, confidence, courage, faith, and more… the satisfaction that a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ can bring. And these desires of the heart can belong to anyone who serves the Lord and follows His will.
This is more than a matter of semantics (word play). Our ultimate goal should be to satisfy our heart’s desire as it relates to our relationship with God. We should strive to do what He wants in order to be completely fulfilled in Him. Everything else – all of the “stuff” in life – is just icing on the cake. I’m betting that as you fulfill the true desires of your heart and enjoy the blessings of the Lord, the “stuff” won’t seem nearly as valuable – or important. What do you think?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 19 ~ Psalm 30:12
I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my LORD and my God.
Psalm 33:21
You make our hearts glad because we trust you, the only God.
Psalm 34:2
With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
The other day, my husband and I saw a television commercial that featured the McCully family of Bigelow, Arkansas, standing in front of the home that was built for them last summer on ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. My husband asked, “How is Job doing these days?” Just to remind you, Job McCully is an eleven-year-old boy who received a life-saving lung transplant on December 11, 2007. Job was days… maybe even hours… away from death when he received his lung transplant. He survived cancer in 2002 at the age of 4, thanks to a bone marrow transplant, only to contract RSV and a killer lung infection in late 2006-early 2007. He spent pretty much all of the year 2007 in the hospital. In fact, Job spent one whole year and a few days in three different hospitals during the time he was waiting on – and receiving – his new lungs.
If you go to www.caringbridge.org/ar/job and read posts, you will see that, no matter how hard the journey got, Job and his family NEVER stopped singing God’s praises and thanking Him from their hearts. The latest post on Job’s site is from his grandma, Glenda, who has been fighting her own battle with breast cancer. Glenda says, “Each morning I have to remind myself… don't start that until you have spent time with God, reading your Bible and praying.” She notes that on December 14, 2009, Job will return to St. Louis for a 2-year evaluation. In 2009, Job has only been hospitalized once – for a scary bout of H1N1 flu virus in October that struck him AND his older sister, Nicole. Thankfully, it was caught early, and both children recovered quickly.
Grandma Glenda recalls in the post that 2007 was a long year that seemed three or four years long. But she adds that it was a time when God did miraculous things for her family… and a time of intenseness with God that she wants to be ongoing – just without the sickness and pain.
What about you? Can you honestly say you desire a time of intenseness with God? In hour heart, do you understand that the way to attain this intenseness involves spending time with God, reading your Bible and praying? Do you know that it also involves giving God praise, even when you or someone you love is within hours of losing a physical battle to stay alive? Many times in 2007, Job’s mother was told, “Sign these ‘do not resuscitate’ papers – Job won’t live through the weekend.” Each time, she told them, “God is not telling me to sign, and until He does, I won’t do it,” and then she would walk away. THAT is intenseness. That is loving God and knowing Him with your whole heart!
I am thankful that God introduced me to the McCullys. I’ve learned so much about trusting Him and thanking Him in all circumstances from little Job and his family. I encourage you to visit Job’s site and see for yourself their example of hearts filled with the intenseness of God… His grace, mercy, joy and blessings. I pray that we would be intense in our faith… that we would thank God from our hearts and never, never stop praising Him!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 18 ~ Psalm 22:25-31
When your people meet, you will fill my heart with your praises, LORD, and everyone will see me keep my promises to you. The poor will eat and be full, and all who worship you will be thankful and live in hope.
Everyone on this earth will remember you, LORD. People all over the world will turn and worship you, because you are in control, the ruler of all nations. All who are rich and have more than enough will bow down to you, Lord. Even those who are dying and almost in the grave will come and bow down.
In the future, everyone will worship and learn about you, our Lord. People not yet born will be told, "The Lord has saved us!"
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
What – or better yet, WHO – is in your heart? When you think of your relationship with Jesus Christ, do you feel optimistic, encouraged, and joyful? Do you envision a world where people in every country worship God and believe in His only Son, Jesus Christ? Do you see others on an equal playing field with you, as brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of their social standing, economic status, ethnicity, or appearance?
I have read Psalm 22 several times, in many translations… and what keeps coming to me is that the Psalmist is talking about heaven and the return of Christ in these verses and how it will be when we gather as a body of believers. It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? But can I tell you something? I don’t want to wait for heaven to start experiencing that sort of joy and confidence in Christ. I want my heart to be filled with Him – NOW!
The Lord HAS saved us! It’s time we started acting like it. It’s time we started sharing our heart with others, embracing one another in our faith, and living thankfully. There’s no time like the present to start… are you in?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 17 ~ Psalm 19:8
The LORD's instruction is right; it makes our hearts glad. His commands shine brightly, and they give us light.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We’ve all been there… you walk into a dark room, and you start feeling around on the wall for a light switch. Until you turn on the light, you are virtually helpless. Once the light is found, everything comes into focus.
The Lord’s instruction for our life is a lot like this. Without Him to guide us, we fumble in the dark. Once we start to pay attention to God’s word and spend time with Him in prayer and worship, we understand that He has a plan for our lives. When you are in step with God… when you are really listening to His commands and using them as a beacon to light your way, your heart will be filled with joy. Even when the way is difficult, you will be at peace, because you know you are on the right path.
The Lord’s instruction IS right. Make your heart glad… come out of the dark and bask in the light of His perfect will.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 16 ~ Psalm 9:1
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
As we approach Thanksgiving, I can’t think of a better verse to inspire us. A few people have already begun posting a “gratitude statement” each day on Facebook – something for which they are thankful. And truly, there aren’t enough days left in any of our lives for us to list EVERY wonder that the Lord has worked – and we should be thankful for all of them.
I’m not going to ask you to go on Facebook or another social networking site every day and list something for which you are thankful. But I do encourage you to stop at some point daily and think of the wonders the Lord has worked in your life. Maybe you will want to jot down a few blessings and wonders and reflect on them later. Maybe you will do this totally in your head.
Regardless of HOW you do this, just do it! Stop and take stock of the wonders the Lord has worked in your life – and then, most importantly, praise Him for them! Even on our worst days, we can find something in our lives that merits praise to God. If you haven’t praised Him yet today, what are you waiting for? Praise Him with all your heart…and be thankful for the wonders He has worked in your life.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 15 ~ Job 11:13
Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer...
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
So often, we have situations where we feel helpless… we truly do not know what to do. Can I tell you something? It’s okay to feel this way… because we know Someone who has all the answers! God knows what to do… and all we have to do is surrender our situation to Him – pour out our heart – and let GOD handle things for us.
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? I can assure you, this is one hard thing to do! See, we all want to fix things ourselves. We want to think that we are smart and capable, and that we can handle anything – and we CAN – but not without God!
So the next time someone hurts your feelings or you can’t pay your bills or you’re sick or suffering in some way – angry, confused, upset, scared – talk to God. Really, truly pour out your heart to Him and ask for help… and then patiently wait on His answer. God will show you what to do next. He may not fix your situation with the snap of a finger… but He will show you how to handle every situation.
Remember… we are not alone… God is always just a prayer away!
©2009 Debbie Robus
In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face?
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
You know how you eat pizza, and a few hours later you find yourself so thirsty that you can’t seem to get enough water? Or maybe you have exercised or run several miles or exerted yourself in another way, and before you realize it, you feel like you are dying of thirst and will never be able to drink enough to feel quenched.
Have you ever thought about your relationship with God like this? Do you ever “thirst” for Him deeply within your heart? Do you ever feel like no matter how much time you spend with God in prayer, Bible study, and worship, it’s just not enough? Do you ever feel like you won’t truly have your thirst satisfied until you see God face-to-face in Heaven?
God doesn’t want us to be unsatisfied. But at the same time, God wants us to hunger and thirst after Him. “That doesn’t make sense!” you might be saying. Oh, but it does… God wants us to enjoy His blessings on this earth and to be filled with joy in our faith. At the same time, He wants us to be in constant desire of more of Him… more of His wisdom, more of His power in our lives, more of His love for others… more of His amazing grace and peace.
God wants us to be constantly growing in our relationship with Him until the day we die and meet Him in heaven. THEN we will truly be quenched! THEN, we will truly know EVERYTHING about our living God. Until that day, our hearts should be at once both filled with God’s abundance - and thirsting for more. Are you continually seeking more of God? How thirsty is your heart these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 20 ~ Psalm 37:4
Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
When you think of your “heart’s desire,” what comes to mind? Do you dream of nice cars and big houses, fancy clothes and expensive jewelry? Honestly, I don’t think this is what the Psalmist had in mind when he talked about your heart’s desire. Don’t misunderstand me… I’m not saying you should not be entitled to drive a nice car or live in a fancy home. God sometimes blesses His children with material wealth.
But while not all people will accumulate material possessions and wealth, everyone can be rich in the desires of the heart. And there is a difference. Your “heart’s desire” may very well be the material “stuff,” but the desires of your heart include joy, peace, comfort, confidence, courage, faith, and more… the satisfaction that a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ can bring. And these desires of the heart can belong to anyone who serves the Lord and follows His will.
This is more than a matter of semantics (word play). Our ultimate goal should be to satisfy our heart’s desire as it relates to our relationship with God. We should strive to do what He wants in order to be completely fulfilled in Him. Everything else – all of the “stuff” in life – is just icing on the cake. I’m betting that as you fulfill the true desires of your heart and enjoy the blessings of the Lord, the “stuff” won’t seem nearly as valuable – or important. What do you think?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 19 ~ Psalm 30:12
I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my LORD and my God.
Psalm 33:21
You make our hearts glad because we trust you, the only God.
Psalm 34:2
With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
The other day, my husband and I saw a television commercial that featured the McCully family of Bigelow, Arkansas, standing in front of the home that was built for them last summer on ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. My husband asked, “How is Job doing these days?” Just to remind you, Job McCully is an eleven-year-old boy who received a life-saving lung transplant on December 11, 2007. Job was days… maybe even hours… away from death when he received his lung transplant. He survived cancer in 2002 at the age of 4, thanks to a bone marrow transplant, only to contract RSV and a killer lung infection in late 2006-early 2007. He spent pretty much all of the year 2007 in the hospital. In fact, Job spent one whole year and a few days in three different hospitals during the time he was waiting on – and receiving – his new lungs.
If you go to www.caringbridge.org/ar/job and read posts, you will see that, no matter how hard the journey got, Job and his family NEVER stopped singing God’s praises and thanking Him from their hearts. The latest post on Job’s site is from his grandma, Glenda, who has been fighting her own battle with breast cancer. Glenda says, “Each morning I have to remind myself… don't start that until you have spent time with God, reading your Bible and praying.” She notes that on December 14, 2009, Job will return to St. Louis for a 2-year evaluation. In 2009, Job has only been hospitalized once – for a scary bout of H1N1 flu virus in October that struck him AND his older sister, Nicole. Thankfully, it was caught early, and both children recovered quickly.
Grandma Glenda recalls in the post that 2007 was a long year that seemed three or four years long. But she adds that it was a time when God did miraculous things for her family… and a time of intenseness with God that she wants to be ongoing – just without the sickness and pain.
What about you? Can you honestly say you desire a time of intenseness with God? In hour heart, do you understand that the way to attain this intenseness involves spending time with God, reading your Bible and praying? Do you know that it also involves giving God praise, even when you or someone you love is within hours of losing a physical battle to stay alive? Many times in 2007, Job’s mother was told, “Sign these ‘do not resuscitate’ papers – Job won’t live through the weekend.” Each time, she told them, “God is not telling me to sign, and until He does, I won’t do it,” and then she would walk away. THAT is intenseness. That is loving God and knowing Him with your whole heart!
I am thankful that God introduced me to the McCullys. I’ve learned so much about trusting Him and thanking Him in all circumstances from little Job and his family. I encourage you to visit Job’s site and see for yourself their example of hearts filled with the intenseness of God… His grace, mercy, joy and blessings. I pray that we would be intense in our faith… that we would thank God from our hearts and never, never stop praising Him!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 18 ~ Psalm 22:25-31
When your people meet, you will fill my heart with your praises, LORD, and everyone will see me keep my promises to you. The poor will eat and be full, and all who worship you will be thankful and live in hope.
Everyone on this earth will remember you, LORD. People all over the world will turn and worship you, because you are in control, the ruler of all nations. All who are rich and have more than enough will bow down to you, Lord. Even those who are dying and almost in the grave will come and bow down.
In the future, everyone will worship and learn about you, our Lord. People not yet born will be told, "The Lord has saved us!"
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
What – or better yet, WHO – is in your heart? When you think of your relationship with Jesus Christ, do you feel optimistic, encouraged, and joyful? Do you envision a world where people in every country worship God and believe in His only Son, Jesus Christ? Do you see others on an equal playing field with you, as brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of their social standing, economic status, ethnicity, or appearance?
I have read Psalm 22 several times, in many translations… and what keeps coming to me is that the Psalmist is talking about heaven and the return of Christ in these verses and how it will be when we gather as a body of believers. It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? But can I tell you something? I don’t want to wait for heaven to start experiencing that sort of joy and confidence in Christ. I want my heart to be filled with Him – NOW!
The Lord HAS saved us! It’s time we started acting like it. It’s time we started sharing our heart with others, embracing one another in our faith, and living thankfully. There’s no time like the present to start… are you in?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 17 ~ Psalm 19:8
The LORD's instruction is right; it makes our hearts glad. His commands shine brightly, and they give us light.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We’ve all been there… you walk into a dark room, and you start feeling around on the wall for a light switch. Until you turn on the light, you are virtually helpless. Once the light is found, everything comes into focus.
The Lord’s instruction for our life is a lot like this. Without Him to guide us, we fumble in the dark. Once we start to pay attention to God’s word and spend time with Him in prayer and worship, we understand that He has a plan for our lives. When you are in step with God… when you are really listening to His commands and using them as a beacon to light your way, your heart will be filled with joy. Even when the way is difficult, you will be at peace, because you know you are on the right path.
The Lord’s instruction IS right. Make your heart glad… come out of the dark and bask in the light of His perfect will.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 16 ~ Psalm 9:1
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
As we approach Thanksgiving, I can’t think of a better verse to inspire us. A few people have already begun posting a “gratitude statement” each day on Facebook – something for which they are thankful. And truly, there aren’t enough days left in any of our lives for us to list EVERY wonder that the Lord has worked – and we should be thankful for all of them.
I’m not going to ask you to go on Facebook or another social networking site every day and list something for which you are thankful. But I do encourage you to stop at some point daily and think of the wonders the Lord has worked in your life. Maybe you will want to jot down a few blessings and wonders and reflect on them later. Maybe you will do this totally in your head.
Regardless of HOW you do this, just do it! Stop and take stock of the wonders the Lord has worked in your life – and then, most importantly, praise Him for them! Even on our worst days, we can find something in our lives that merits praise to God. If you haven’t praised Him yet today, what are you waiting for? Praise Him with all your heart…and be thankful for the wonders He has worked in your life.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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November 15 ~ Job 11:13
Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer...
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
So often, we have situations where we feel helpless… we truly do not know what to do. Can I tell you something? It’s okay to feel this way… because we know Someone who has all the answers! God knows what to do… and all we have to do is surrender our situation to Him – pour out our heart – and let GOD handle things for us.
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? I can assure you, this is one hard thing to do! See, we all want to fix things ourselves. We want to think that we are smart and capable, and that we can handle anything – and we CAN – but not without God!
So the next time someone hurts your feelings or you can’t pay your bills or you’re sick or suffering in some way – angry, confused, upset, scared – talk to God. Really, truly pour out your heart to Him and ask for help… and then patiently wait on His answer. God will show you what to do next. He may not fix your situation with the snap of a finger… but He will show you how to handle every situation.
Remember… we are not alone… God is always just a prayer away!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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