2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked.
These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it. So always be cheerful!
As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord. But we live by faith, not by what we see. We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord. But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from him, we still try our best to please him. After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a child, there was a series of books that I loved about “The Boxcar Children”… described on Wikipedia.org as “the story of four orphaned children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. They had been staying at a bakery but ran away when they heard the baker's wife say she will take all of them in but Benny, leaving Benny with no option but to go back to the orphanage. They create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest.” I was reminded of these books as I watched an episode of Undercover Boss in which a woman who was clearly filled with joy told her boss, the undercover executive, how she had once been homeless. She had actually lived in a boxcar as a child, and she said her grandmother cared for her and siblings there… boiling water for their baths and other needs and keeping them warm and safe… until she was about 7 years of age.
Life has been hard for this woman. She now works as a part of a cleaning crew for a company that does home restoration after a fire, flood, or wind storm. The particular day this episode was filmed, the woman and her undercover boss were cleaning the smoke damage left from a kitchen fire at the home of an elderly woman. Later, when the boss revealed his true identity to this woman - who admitted to being uneducated and “not talking right” - he told her [paraphrasing]… “Don’t ever change. Always be the kind, loving, joy-filled person you are now.” He recognized that this woman was not who she appeared to be “on the outside.” Her appearance, language, demeanor and circumstances were all just the outward “tent.” The real person was within… and she radiated positive energy and love for her family, her life, other people. And while she didn’t speak it on camera, I suspect she has a deep abiding faith in God, as well.
While living in a boxcar as a child most assuredly affected this woman, she didn’t let it define her. She didn’t let her lack of education, the fact she was about to lose her home to foreclosure, or any other negative influences control her life. She is living now like she is already clothed by her heavenly home.
How are we living? Are we groaning from the heavy burden of our “earthly tents?” Have we let the circumstances of our lives get us down and make us less than we should be for Jesus? Do we lean on these circumstances like a crutch and say, “I would do better if it weren’t for this … or that… or something else.” Do we blame our childhood, our level of education, lack of income, where we live, or other outside factors for how we are serving (or not) in God’s army? What defines us… our “earthly tents” or our Heavenly home?
How we answer matters. If we are living only for Heaven and the day when we get “new clothes,” we’re missing the whole point. God wants us to do all we can in His name while we are alive. He wants us to be cheerful because of what lies ahead… and to share this joy and His Good News with other. For Christians, our life on earth is not the end… but we shouldn’t be just marking time, either. Our “earthly tent” may have some rips and tatters, but people should see joy, hope and faith inside. What do others see inside your “tent”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 17, 2011
Romans 12:2
Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A student from my very first class of first graders wrote on Facebook over the weekend about a conversation with his 7-year-old, second-grade son. The conversation was about Martin Luther King, Jr. My now-grown student asked his son what he learned about Dr. King, and the little boy said he learned that “brown” people were not allowed to sit up front, had to use different bathrooms, and that the home of Dr. King’s parents was bombed. He asked, “Did you know that, Daddy?” My student asked his son, “Why do you think they did this?” and the little boy said, “Because they were mad at them.”
My student continued in his post – and again on his personal blog – to discuss how sad he is that like many of us, he grew up in a community where… “I never saw a face in school or anywhere else in town that was not Caucasian - unless you count the folks who owned the local Chinese restaurant.” He and I – and others – commiserated that our own childhood attitudes toward those of other races and ethnicities was influenced in large part by the racial isolation of our upbringing. Things are somewhat different in our area of the country now, but not greatly. For many, our true introduction to people of other races, ethnicities, and cultures comes when we move away to attend college.
Although I heard plenty of talk around me, I never grew up with negative feelings toward others of any race, creed, or color. When we moved to Oklahoma for a few months during my fifth-grade year, my best friend was a full-blooded Indian girl named Leona. In college, some of my closest friends were black. And while Dr. King had paved the way toward more tolerance and acceptance of others, I still saw tremendous evidence of inequality in the late 1970’s when I attended college.
My student teaching experience was a prime example of this. The kindergarten teacher to whom I was assigned for a little more than four weeks left for maternity leave one week after I arrived in her classroom. Another teacher was hired to replace her, but in a dramatic shift on Friday afternoon, word came from the administration office that “a black face must be behind the desk on Monday.” The “quota” for an integrated faculty was low. A girl who had graduated just a few weeks earlier – and student taught the previous semester in this same elementary school – was flown in from South Carolina, where she had moved with her son. On Monday morning, Deborah was my new “mentor.”
The sad part is that Deborah had not had a good student teaching experience. The principal had tried to intervene and change this, but the attitudes were so strong that she faced an uphill battle. She told me, “You will have to help each other.” And that’s what we did. As I look back on this situation, I see how God orchestrated the details. My mother was already a kindergarten teacher, so making lesson plans and pulling the classroom together was easy for me. I knew Deborah from classes we had shared, and I liked her. There were some volatile situations with angry parents, and I was able to help mediate… to serve as a bridge in the gap. And all too soon, my time in that kindergarten classroom was over… but not before Deborah had settled in and some of the anger had diffused.
I honestly don’t know what happened to Deborah after that year. We moved back to Heber Springs, and I lost touch. But I do know that, sadly, a lot of attitudes have not changed much in 34 years. There would still be parents today who would throw a royal fit if this same situation occurred. Too many people are listening to the attitudes, prejudices and fears of the people of this world.
Maya Angelou says, “When you know better, you do better.” Unfortunately, in this arena, that’s not always the case. But it can be. We do know better. We know that God created people of all races, creeds and colors… and all are precious to Him. We are no different in God’s eyes than our neighbors from Africa, the Native Americans, those of Asian descent, and others. When we were little, we sang, “Jesus loves the little children… red and yellow, black and white - they are precious in His sight.” But do we believe this? Have we listened to God and let Him change our mind? Don’t we want to please our Heavenly Father and do everything that is good? Isn’t today a perfect time to let God change the way you think?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A student from my very first class of first graders wrote on Facebook over the weekend about a conversation with his 7-year-old, second-grade son. The conversation was about Martin Luther King, Jr. My now-grown student asked his son what he learned about Dr. King, and the little boy said he learned that “brown” people were not allowed to sit up front, had to use different bathrooms, and that the home of Dr. King’s parents was bombed. He asked, “Did you know that, Daddy?” My student asked his son, “Why do you think they did this?” and the little boy said, “Because they were mad at them.”
My student continued in his post – and again on his personal blog – to discuss how sad he is that like many of us, he grew up in a community where… “I never saw a face in school or anywhere else in town that was not Caucasian - unless you count the folks who owned the local Chinese restaurant.” He and I – and others – commiserated that our own childhood attitudes toward those of other races and ethnicities was influenced in large part by the racial isolation of our upbringing. Things are somewhat different in our area of the country now, but not greatly. For many, our true introduction to people of other races, ethnicities, and cultures comes when we move away to attend college.
Although I heard plenty of talk around me, I never grew up with negative feelings toward others of any race, creed, or color. When we moved to Oklahoma for a few months during my fifth-grade year, my best friend was a full-blooded Indian girl named Leona. In college, some of my closest friends were black. And while Dr. King had paved the way toward more tolerance and acceptance of others, I still saw tremendous evidence of inequality in the late 1970’s when I attended college.
My student teaching experience was a prime example of this. The kindergarten teacher to whom I was assigned for a little more than four weeks left for maternity leave one week after I arrived in her classroom. Another teacher was hired to replace her, but in a dramatic shift on Friday afternoon, word came from the administration office that “a black face must be behind the desk on Monday.” The “quota” for an integrated faculty was low. A girl who had graduated just a few weeks earlier – and student taught the previous semester in this same elementary school – was flown in from South Carolina, where she had moved with her son. On Monday morning, Deborah was my new “mentor.”
The sad part is that Deborah had not had a good student teaching experience. The principal had tried to intervene and change this, but the attitudes were so strong that she faced an uphill battle. She told me, “You will have to help each other.” And that’s what we did. As I look back on this situation, I see how God orchestrated the details. My mother was already a kindergarten teacher, so making lesson plans and pulling the classroom together was easy for me. I knew Deborah from classes we had shared, and I liked her. There were some volatile situations with angry parents, and I was able to help mediate… to serve as a bridge in the gap. And all too soon, my time in that kindergarten classroom was over… but not before Deborah had settled in and some of the anger had diffused.
I honestly don’t know what happened to Deborah after that year. We moved back to Heber Springs, and I lost touch. But I do know that, sadly, a lot of attitudes have not changed much in 34 years. There would still be parents today who would throw a royal fit if this same situation occurred. Too many people are listening to the attitudes, prejudices and fears of the people of this world.
Maya Angelou says, “When you know better, you do better.” Unfortunately, in this arena, that’s not always the case. But it can be. We do know better. We know that God created people of all races, creeds and colors… and all are precious to Him. We are no different in God’s eyes than our neighbors from Africa, the Native Americans, those of Asian descent, and others. When we were little, we sang, “Jesus loves the little children… red and yellow, black and white - they are precious in His sight.” But do we believe this? Have we listened to God and let Him change our mind? Don’t we want to please our Heavenly Father and do everything that is good? Isn’t today a perfect time to let God change the way you think?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 29, 2010
March 29 ~ Romans 8:10-11
But Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you, even though your bodies must die because of your sins. Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I saw a television show once in which a child asked his father what happens to us when we die. The dad took a glove and put it on his hand. Then he removed it and wiggled his fingers. He said, “The glove is like our body.” Pulling it off his hand, he added, “When our body dies, the soul inside still lives… just in another form.” I’ve thought about this simple analogy often – the concept of our body as a “glove” for our spirit.
Let’s think about gloves for a minute. Some gloves are heavy-duty and made of strong fabric or leather for manual labor like carpentry, farming, or working with things that are rough and dirty. We’ve all seen filthy work gloves that have been used for this purpose. And those dirty gloves are protecting the hands underneath. Once the gloves are removed, the hands inside are hopefully fairly clean, soft and free of scratches and blisters.
A few decades ago, a lady almost never left home without her gloves. She had gloves to match every outfit, and dress gloves were always worn to church! Even when dining out, a lady removed only one glove and kept it in her lap while she ate! Of course, her hands remained soft and supple inside the gloves.
The thing is… each person’s “gloves” are different. And once the gloves come off, we may each use our hands differently, but they still move and function without the gloves. This is, very simply, how our lives are with God. Some of us wear some pretty filthy gloves… caked with sin and hard living, while others wear nicer gloves. All of the gloves can get dirty from time to time – because we are all sinful. But if we accept Jesus, when the “gloves” come off, our spirit is still alive… clean and free of scratches and blemishes…ready to live forever with our Heavenly Father!
I know this is an oversimplified illustration. But think about your life as a glove. What does it look like? Are you still wearing an old dirty work glove, caked with the grime and filth of sin? Or have you put on your fancy dress glove? When you die and the “glove” comes off, what will be underneath? Will your spirit rise to new life by God’s Spirit? Just what sort of “glove” are you wearing these days? Are you alive in Christ Jesus?
©2010 Debbie Robus
But Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you, even though your bodies must die because of your sins. Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I saw a television show once in which a child asked his father what happens to us when we die. The dad took a glove and put it on his hand. Then he removed it and wiggled his fingers. He said, “The glove is like our body.” Pulling it off his hand, he added, “When our body dies, the soul inside still lives… just in another form.” I’ve thought about this simple analogy often – the concept of our body as a “glove” for our spirit.
Let’s think about gloves for a minute. Some gloves are heavy-duty and made of strong fabric or leather for manual labor like carpentry, farming, or working with things that are rough and dirty. We’ve all seen filthy work gloves that have been used for this purpose. And those dirty gloves are protecting the hands underneath. Once the gloves are removed, the hands inside are hopefully fairly clean, soft and free of scratches and blisters.
A few decades ago, a lady almost never left home without her gloves. She had gloves to match every outfit, and dress gloves were always worn to church! Even when dining out, a lady removed only one glove and kept it in her lap while she ate! Of course, her hands remained soft and supple inside the gloves.
The thing is… each person’s “gloves” are different. And once the gloves come off, we may each use our hands differently, but they still move and function without the gloves. This is, very simply, how our lives are with God. Some of us wear some pretty filthy gloves… caked with sin and hard living, while others wear nicer gloves. All of the gloves can get dirty from time to time – because we are all sinful. But if we accept Jesus, when the “gloves” come off, our spirit is still alive… clean and free of scratches and blemishes…ready to live forever with our Heavenly Father!
I know this is an oversimplified illustration. But think about your life as a glove. What does it look like? Are you still wearing an old dirty work glove, caked with the grime and filth of sin? Or have you put on your fancy dress glove? When you die and the “glove” comes off, what will be underneath? Will your spirit rise to new life by God’s Spirit? Just what sort of “glove” are you wearing these days? Are you alive in Christ Jesus?
©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
January 2010 Devotionals
January 7 ~ Proverbs 16:1-3
We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives. Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I’ve talked about this before, but several years ago, I decided that eight years of teaching kindergarten and first grade was enough for me. I needed a change. So I applied for a teaching vacancy in another elementary school in my town – a fifth grade position. One of the principal’s questions was, “What makes you think you could handle the switch from kindergarten to fifth grade?” I explained my reasons and my desire for a new challenge. The “grapevine chatter” was that I was a “sure thing” for this position. I was really excited… until the day the principal phoned me to say he had hired someone else.
I was devastated… hurt… angry. I could not understand why I was not selected for this position. And to be honest, as much as I felt I was ready for a change in the classroom, I was desperate to change work settings – or more to the point, administrators! I ended up teaching kindergarten for a ninth, and final year, and it was one of the best years of my teaching “career.” I think partly that was because after the devastation of not being selected for the fifth grade position, I began to ask God to help me figure out what to do next. And together with my husband, we began to seek a new direction for our lives, which ultimately led us to both quit our jobs and begin a new business together. We had a plan… and that made a huge difference!
Looking back, I see that God was making better plans for me. Had I gotten the teaching position, we might have both continued in our original careers. While that would not have necessarily been a bad thing, I can see that we have had so many opportunities to serve God by serving others through the years, and God orchestrated all of this perfectly. Were there “bumps in the road?” Absolutely! But I would have to say that most of those were self-inflicted – not listening to God and trying to “drive the car” ourselves.
If I could do anything over again, I would make more of a concerted effort to consult God about everything – to be sure He was guiding my plans at all times. I’m sure there were times that He sat back with His arms folded and just shook His head, knowing I was about to make a royal mess of things. We all do this… but we can do better. And those of you who are still teenagers or young adults can learn from my mistakes and star now to consult God about your plans. For those of us who are older, it’s never too late to begin seeking God’s will for our lives – and His perfect plans. From planning a trip or a weekend to planning your future, be sure you talk things over with God first, and everything will work out better than you could ever have imagined. The scripture is true… “Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 6 ~ Proverbs 15:22
Without good advice everything goes wrong-- it takes careful planning for things to go right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine if you went to a football or basketball game, and the coach showed up right before it started and told the team, “Just do whatever feels right out there tonight… I really don’t have a plan.” How do you think the game would go? What if the cheerleaders and the dance team didn’t practice and plan their cheers and routines? What if the band didn’t rehearse, and everyone just showed up and played whatever they wanted at halftime and throughout the game?
What if you went to church on Sunday, and nothing was planned? There was no bulletin, and no hymns or worship music had been selected. The pastor didn’t have any idea what he/she was going to say, and nobody paid any attention to the clock. Would this be a church service you would like to attend? It might sound like fun to think that your teachers were going to conduct classes without lesson plans, but honestly, I think you would be pretty disappointed when it came time to take college entrance exams and your benchmarks! Suppose nobody planned for restocking the shelves at the grocery store or your favorite fast-food restaurant.
Suppose you didn’t make any plans for your life… or even your day. That might work okay for a day or two – or maybe even a week or so – but eventually, everyone needs a plan. And not just any plan will do! Notice that this passage says that careful plans are needed in order for things to go well.
Notice, also, that the passage says everything goes wrong without good advice. Sometimes, we feel like we are perfectly capable of managing our lives on our own. But all of us need a little help from time to time… and clearly, good advice is worth its weight in gold. Don’t hesitate to seek help from people you respect and trust. Listen to those who have “been there/done that” and prayerfully consider what they have to say. Don’t be so cocky as to think you don’t need helpful suggestions or a plan… both are keys to successful living – and part of God’s plan for us! Plan well – and thoughtfully – using all resources that God provides. Make sure that He is in the details, and you will never be disappointed in the outcome.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 5 ~ Proverbs 12:20
An evil mind is deceitful, but gentle thoughts bring happiness.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Turn on the television or go to the movies, and you will see and hear stories of people who plot and plan to harm others. And sadly, we have seen first-hand how the plots and plans of evil people can hurt … the Jewish Holocaust, 9-11, Rwanda, and more. We know that members of Al Qaeda wish to harm Americans and have all sorts of evil plans for us. We also know that there are those in our own country who would love to see harm come to certain races and socio-economic groups… or even our President. There may be people in our own school or community who wish to harm others. The fact of the matter is that there are evil minds in this world – Satan is alive and well!
But God calls us to be better than this - to live with a pure mind and heart, filled with love for others and plans to serve Him in peace and harmony. As Christians, our plans should only be those God gives us according to His will – plans to:
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 4 ~ Proverbs 3:29
Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Let’s say your neighbor does something that continually aggravates you. Maybe he/she plays the radio or stereo really loud with the windows open, and you can feel the pulse of the bass in your own home above the noise of your television. Or let’s say your “neighbor” has the locker above yours and is continually cramming too much stuff into the locker, which opens and spills out on the floor in front of YOUR locker. Feeling like a little revenge? Plotting a way to get even? Don’t do it!
The Bible clearly tells us not to plot and plan against our neighbor… even if they asked for it! Plan to get along. Find a way to resolve conflicts without trouble. Ask God to show you how to work out a good plan that creates harmony and peace for everyone. So often, we fail to talk to God about such things, either thinking we can handle them ourselves, or that they are too trivial for God’s time. Neither is correct. God can help – and He wants to do just that! Ask Him how to help you get along with your neighbor. Plan for success – not trouble – and plan to coexist with your friends and neighbors in peace.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 3 ~ Psalm 146:3-4
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Ask a young boy what he wants to be when he grows up, and he may tell you he plans to be a pro athlete or a rock star. Ask a girl the same question, and she may say she plans to be a model, actress, or TV host like Rachel Ray or Tyra Banks. And while plans, goals and aspirations are a great thing, we often are dreaming and planning on the order of sky diving without a parachute!
When I was young, my grandmothers used to tell me, “Become a doctor and make lots of money.” Another suggestion was that I become a nurse. There were two problems with these ideas… 1) I am squeamish around needles, and 2) nobody was consulting God to see what was included in His plans for me! So God saw to it that the grand plans of my childhood (which also included becoming an architect or a ballerina) were spoiled in one way or another. But the plans He had for me came to life. I can see now that God was ordering the steps of my life from the very beginning, and while I would have loved to design beautiful houses or dance in a lacy tutu, He wanted me to teach and work with people. He wanted me to write and serve in other ways.
Sometimes we think God is planning one thing, when He actually is thinking something altogether different. God gave me musical abilities that almost led me to a college degree in music. But I realized early on that He wanted me to enjoy my music and incorporate it into my life – but not as a career. Had I been more prayerful early on – and more earnest in seeking His direction, I might have seen this even more clearly. The point is, we need to seek God’s plans in all situations and at every turn. Start early – and if you are already an adult, it’s still not too late – even if it means changing directions. Make sure that your plans are God’s plans and not schemes and desires that you are trying to create on your own. What God plans will stand forever… and it will be perfect. Don’t you want to be part of His plans?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 1 ~ 1 Chronicles 28:9
Solomon, my son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m guessing at least a few of us have made a New Year’s resolution or two. I don’t make resolutions every year, but this year, I decided it is time to clear the clutter. Now, for those of you who know me well, you know that I am a pack rat, so this won’t be easy… especially if you have seen my desk! But I am resolving to become more organized and neat… to “act not stack” the papers I receive in the mail… and to make better use of my time! This is more of a plan than a resolution for me. I plan to do better in 2010!
There is nothing wrong with making resolutions – and plans are certainly good. In fact, God has plans for each of us. And those individual plans are part of His “big plan” for the universe! Here’s where it gets a little complicated… God’s plans are perfect. Ours almost never are! And certainly, if we do not consult God – and obey Him – our plans are most likely going to fail.
There’s one more thing. Plans without prayer aren’t worth the time they take us to make them! Ask God to show you how to plan for your future. Seek His wisdom and guidance – and then follow it! He will see you through every step, whether your plans work out as you had hoped or not. But be assured, if you consult Him and obey, the outcome will be perfect for you.
This year, I resolve… to ask God to show me how to plan… and to guide my steps. And if He sees fit to help me keep my desk clean, that would be icing on the cake! Happy New Year!
©2009 Debbie Robus
We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives. Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I’ve talked about this before, but several years ago, I decided that eight years of teaching kindergarten and first grade was enough for me. I needed a change. So I applied for a teaching vacancy in another elementary school in my town – a fifth grade position. One of the principal’s questions was, “What makes you think you could handle the switch from kindergarten to fifth grade?” I explained my reasons and my desire for a new challenge. The “grapevine chatter” was that I was a “sure thing” for this position. I was really excited… until the day the principal phoned me to say he had hired someone else.
I was devastated… hurt… angry. I could not understand why I was not selected for this position. And to be honest, as much as I felt I was ready for a change in the classroom, I was desperate to change work settings – or more to the point, administrators! I ended up teaching kindergarten for a ninth, and final year, and it was one of the best years of my teaching “career.” I think partly that was because after the devastation of not being selected for the fifth grade position, I began to ask God to help me figure out what to do next. And together with my husband, we began to seek a new direction for our lives, which ultimately led us to both quit our jobs and begin a new business together. We had a plan… and that made a huge difference!
Looking back, I see that God was making better plans for me. Had I gotten the teaching position, we might have both continued in our original careers. While that would not have necessarily been a bad thing, I can see that we have had so many opportunities to serve God by serving others through the years, and God orchestrated all of this perfectly. Were there “bumps in the road?” Absolutely! But I would have to say that most of those were self-inflicted – not listening to God and trying to “drive the car” ourselves.
If I could do anything over again, I would make more of a concerted effort to consult God about everything – to be sure He was guiding my plans at all times. I’m sure there were times that He sat back with His arms folded and just shook His head, knowing I was about to make a royal mess of things. We all do this… but we can do better. And those of you who are still teenagers or young adults can learn from my mistakes and star now to consult God about your plans. For those of us who are older, it’s never too late to begin seeking God’s will for our lives – and His perfect plans. From planning a trip or a weekend to planning your future, be sure you talk things over with God first, and everything will work out better than you could ever have imagined. The scripture is true… “Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 6 ~ Proverbs 15:22
Without good advice everything goes wrong-- it takes careful planning for things to go right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine if you went to a football or basketball game, and the coach showed up right before it started and told the team, “Just do whatever feels right out there tonight… I really don’t have a plan.” How do you think the game would go? What if the cheerleaders and the dance team didn’t practice and plan their cheers and routines? What if the band didn’t rehearse, and everyone just showed up and played whatever they wanted at halftime and throughout the game?
What if you went to church on Sunday, and nothing was planned? There was no bulletin, and no hymns or worship music had been selected. The pastor didn’t have any idea what he/she was going to say, and nobody paid any attention to the clock. Would this be a church service you would like to attend? It might sound like fun to think that your teachers were going to conduct classes without lesson plans, but honestly, I think you would be pretty disappointed when it came time to take college entrance exams and your benchmarks! Suppose nobody planned for restocking the shelves at the grocery store or your favorite fast-food restaurant.
Suppose you didn’t make any plans for your life… or even your day. That might work okay for a day or two – or maybe even a week or so – but eventually, everyone needs a plan. And not just any plan will do! Notice that this passage says that careful plans are needed in order for things to go well.
Notice, also, that the passage says everything goes wrong without good advice. Sometimes, we feel like we are perfectly capable of managing our lives on our own. But all of us need a little help from time to time… and clearly, good advice is worth its weight in gold. Don’t hesitate to seek help from people you respect and trust. Listen to those who have “been there/done that” and prayerfully consider what they have to say. Don’t be so cocky as to think you don’t need helpful suggestions or a plan… both are keys to successful living – and part of God’s plan for us! Plan well – and thoughtfully – using all resources that God provides. Make sure that He is in the details, and you will never be disappointed in the outcome.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 5 ~ Proverbs 12:20
An evil mind is deceitful, but gentle thoughts bring happiness.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Turn on the television or go to the movies, and you will see and hear stories of people who plot and plan to harm others. And sadly, we have seen first-hand how the plots and plans of evil people can hurt … the Jewish Holocaust, 9-11, Rwanda, and more. We know that members of Al Qaeda wish to harm Americans and have all sorts of evil plans for us. We also know that there are those in our own country who would love to see harm come to certain races and socio-economic groups… or even our President. There may be people in our own school or community who wish to harm others. The fact of the matter is that there are evil minds in this world – Satan is alive and well!
But God calls us to be better than this - to live with a pure mind and heart, filled with love for others and plans to serve Him in peace and harmony. As Christians, our plans should only be those God gives us according to His will – plans to:
- help others in Jesus’ name
- spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus
- serve God and share His love, power, grace and mercy with others
- operate in joy and peace, and to make all efforts to get along, and much more.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 4 ~ Proverbs 3:29
Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Let’s say your neighbor does something that continually aggravates you. Maybe he/she plays the radio or stereo really loud with the windows open, and you can feel the pulse of the bass in your own home above the noise of your television. Or let’s say your “neighbor” has the locker above yours and is continually cramming too much stuff into the locker, which opens and spills out on the floor in front of YOUR locker. Feeling like a little revenge? Plotting a way to get even? Don’t do it!
The Bible clearly tells us not to plot and plan against our neighbor… even if they asked for it! Plan to get along. Find a way to resolve conflicts without trouble. Ask God to show you how to work out a good plan that creates harmony and peace for everyone. So often, we fail to talk to God about such things, either thinking we can handle them ourselves, or that they are too trivial for God’s time. Neither is correct. God can help – and He wants to do just that! Ask Him how to help you get along with your neighbor. Plan for success – not trouble – and plan to coexist with your friends and neighbors in peace.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 3 ~ Psalm 146:3-4
You can't depend on anyone, not even a great leader. Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother has been sharing with me lately the tragic story of a young widow in Kansas who is dying of cancer. Candice’s two children have already lost their dad, and now their mother is not doing well. Their grandmother also has cancer, so all these young children have ever known is illness, heartache, tragedy, and uncertainty. Candice recently sat her girls down before a surgery and explained to them that they would be taken care of, regardless of her outcome. It was the first time the children realized that their mother may die soon.
This young mother has signed over guardianship of her daughters to her sister, should she die. Other family, friends, and church members have stepped up to fill in the gaps, keep the girls in school and their activities, clean the house, visit with Candice, and more. As sad as this story is… there is a great lesson here for all of us, and the lesson is that we can’t plan for the unexpected – but God can help us manage it.
In other words, none of us plans for cancer, job loss, war, natural disasters, physical injury… or even death. And we all depend on others for many things each and every day. But when the rug gets pulled from underneath us, we must remember that God is still with us. He is still in control – and planning for our future. Our plans are temporary and precarious. God’s plans are perfect and last forever. Be sure that you consult God about every plan and make sure that He is on board. Take comfort in knowing that even the best laid plans may have faults and failures – but God will still be with you working out your future.
And say a prayer for Candice, her daughters and all of those she is depending upon these days. She knows God is in control of her life and their future. Ask Him to give her comfort and peace and to plan lives for her daughters that honor their family and glorify Him.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 2 ~ Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD destroys the plans and spoils the schemes of the nations. But what the LORD has planned will stand forever. His thoughts never change.Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother has been sharing with me lately the tragic story of a young widow in Kansas who is dying of cancer. Candice’s two children have already lost their dad, and now their mother is not doing well. Their grandmother also has cancer, so all these young children have ever known is illness, heartache, tragedy, and uncertainty. Candice recently sat her girls down before a surgery and explained to them that they would be taken care of, regardless of her outcome. It was the first time the children realized that their mother may die soon.
This young mother has signed over guardianship of her daughters to her sister, should she die. Other family, friends, and church members have stepped up to fill in the gaps, keep the girls in school and their activities, clean the house, visit with Candice, and more. As sad as this story is… there is a great lesson here for all of us, and the lesson is that we can’t plan for the unexpected – but God can help us manage it.
In other words, none of us plans for cancer, job loss, war, natural disasters, physical injury… or even death. And we all depend on others for many things each and every day. But when the rug gets pulled from underneath us, we must remember that God is still with us. He is still in control – and planning for our future. Our plans are temporary and precarious. God’s plans are perfect and last forever. Be sure that you consult God about every plan and make sure that He is on board. Take comfort in knowing that even the best laid plans may have faults and failures – but God will still be with you working out your future.
And say a prayer for Candice, her daughters and all of those she is depending upon these days. She knows God is in control of her life and their future. Ask Him to give her comfort and peace and to plan lives for her daughters that honor their family and glorify Him.
©2009 Debbie Robus
------------------------------------------------------------------
January 2 ~ Psalm 33:10-11
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Ask a young boy what he wants to be when he grows up, and he may tell you he plans to be a pro athlete or a rock star. Ask a girl the same question, and she may say she plans to be a model, actress, or TV host like Rachel Ray or Tyra Banks. And while plans, goals and aspirations are a great thing, we often are dreaming and planning on the order of sky diving without a parachute!
When I was young, my grandmothers used to tell me, “Become a doctor and make lots of money.” Another suggestion was that I become a nurse. There were two problems with these ideas… 1) I am squeamish around needles, and 2) nobody was consulting God to see what was included in His plans for me! So God saw to it that the grand plans of my childhood (which also included becoming an architect or a ballerina) were spoiled in one way or another. But the plans He had for me came to life. I can see now that God was ordering the steps of my life from the very beginning, and while I would have loved to design beautiful houses or dance in a lacy tutu, He wanted me to teach and work with people. He wanted me to write and serve in other ways.
Sometimes we think God is planning one thing, when He actually is thinking something altogether different. God gave me musical abilities that almost led me to a college degree in music. But I realized early on that He wanted me to enjoy my music and incorporate it into my life – but not as a career. Had I been more prayerful early on – and more earnest in seeking His direction, I might have seen this even more clearly. The point is, we need to seek God’s plans in all situations and at every turn. Start early – and if you are already an adult, it’s still not too late – even if it means changing directions. Make sure that your plans are God’s plans and not schemes and desires that you are trying to create on your own. What God plans will stand forever… and it will be perfect. Don’t you want to be part of His plans?
©2009 Debbie Robus
------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1 ~ 1 Chronicles 28:9
Solomon, my son, worship God and obey him with all your heart and mind, just as I have done. He knows all your thoughts and your reasons for doing things, and so if you turn to him, he will hear your prayers. But if you ignore him, he will reject you forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m guessing at least a few of us have made a New Year’s resolution or two. I don’t make resolutions every year, but this year, I decided it is time to clear the clutter. Now, for those of you who know me well, you know that I am a pack rat, so this won’t be easy… especially if you have seen my desk! But I am resolving to become more organized and neat… to “act not stack” the papers I receive in the mail… and to make better use of my time! This is more of a plan than a resolution for me. I plan to do better in 2010!
There is nothing wrong with making resolutions – and plans are certainly good. In fact, God has plans for each of us. And those individual plans are part of His “big plan” for the universe! Here’s where it gets a little complicated… God’s plans are perfect. Ours almost never are! And certainly, if we do not consult God – and obey Him – our plans are most likely going to fail.
There’s one more thing. Plans without prayer aren’t worth the time they take us to make them! Ask God to show you how to plan for your future. Seek His wisdom and guidance – and then follow it! He will see you through every step, whether your plans work out as you had hoped or not. But be assured, if you consult Him and obey, the outcome will be perfect for you.
This year, I resolve… to ask God to show me how to plan… and to guide my steps. And if He sees fit to help me keep my desk clean, that would be icing on the cake! Happy New Year!
©2009 Debbie Robus
October 2009 Devos
October 7 ~ Luke 6:12
About that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night there.
Luke 9:28
About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
You might be wondering what on earth JESUS needed to pray about! Maybe a better way to look at this is to consider that even Jesus spent time talking with God. He realized that a time of quiet meditation with Father God was important. And then He took His disciples and showed them how to engage in quiet prayer time. Clearly, quiet prayer time is important!
I will be the first to admit that I am not good at consistently spending time each day in quiet prayer… much like I am not good at making time for a daily workout. Other things get in the way. For you it may be school and after-school activities, church activities, your family, a job, your own children and family, or even poor health. But just like our body needs exercise, so does our soul… in the form of prayer.
I need to do better at both forms of exercise… and I am going to work on this. I’ve found a “system” that seems to work for me, and I am going to do better at implementing this “system.” For me, the best way to do this is to take a daily walk… and to pray while I’m walking! On bad-weather days, when I walk on the treadmill, I need to either turn off my DVR and spend that time in prayer, too. Or, I need to set aside other time to sit and quietly meditate on God and talk with Him. For you, the best time to pray might be right after you read these daily devotionals. You don’t have to pray for a certain length of time, but you don’t need to rush through it, either. Just sit quietly for however long God leads you, and talk to Him… listen to Him… meditate on the Father and what He has to tell you. We don’t have to go to a mountain to pray, but I think Jesus’ point in doing so was to emphasize the need to get away from the noise and busyness of life and set aside time each day to talk to God. If Jesus needed quiet prayer time, surely so do we.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 6 ~ Acts 6:2-7
The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, "We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables. My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching." This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch. These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show that they had been chosen to do this work. God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
One human being can’t do it all. We each have a job to do, especially when it comes to serving Christ. The disciples were wise enough to realize that their efforts needed to be focused on praying and preaching. They needed someone else to settle disagreements and run the day-to-day business of ministry. The disciples placed hands on some Godly men, prayed, and anointed them to handle the “business” side of the church work.
What I want you to realize from this passage is that everyone has a purpose… and a ministry. No person can do everything alone. YOU have been called by God to serve in some capacity… even if you are a teenager or a senior citizen. God didn’t just call young adults to do the work. Teenagers can use the tools at their disposal – texting, Facebook, and more – to reach others for Christ. Or they can do mission work to help those in their community who are not able to do things around the home, mentor young children, and assist with church activities. Even shut-ins who are experiencing poor health can be called as prayer warriors. There is a job for everyone.
So let’s all get busy praying and asking God to show us where we fit into His plan for ministry. Feel His hands on you, anointing you to do whatever He has called you to do to serve in His name, further His work, and bring others into His kingdom. You have been chosen to do specific things for God. Do you know what they are?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 5 ~ Acts 4:29
Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Fear is a huge motivator. We fear all sorts of things – rejection, ridicule, loss, illness, pain and suffering, death. I come from a long line of worry worts! Some of my family members have made a career out of worry over anything and everything. When I was in college, I read a book by a man named Dale Carnegie called How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (©1948 The Chaucer Press, Ltd). Carnegie listed the “Fundamental Facts You Should Know About Worry”:
About that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night there.
Luke 9:28
About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
You might be wondering what on earth JESUS needed to pray about! Maybe a better way to look at this is to consider that even Jesus spent time talking with God. He realized that a time of quiet meditation with Father God was important. And then He took His disciples and showed them how to engage in quiet prayer time. Clearly, quiet prayer time is important!
I will be the first to admit that I am not good at consistently spending time each day in quiet prayer… much like I am not good at making time for a daily workout. Other things get in the way. For you it may be school and after-school activities, church activities, your family, a job, your own children and family, or even poor health. But just like our body needs exercise, so does our soul… in the form of prayer.
I need to do better at both forms of exercise… and I am going to work on this. I’ve found a “system” that seems to work for me, and I am going to do better at implementing this “system.” For me, the best way to do this is to take a daily walk… and to pray while I’m walking! On bad-weather days, when I walk on the treadmill, I need to either turn off my DVR and spend that time in prayer, too. Or, I need to set aside other time to sit and quietly meditate on God and talk with Him. For you, the best time to pray might be right after you read these daily devotionals. You don’t have to pray for a certain length of time, but you don’t need to rush through it, either. Just sit quietly for however long God leads you, and talk to Him… listen to Him… meditate on the Father and what He has to tell you. We don’t have to go to a mountain to pray, but I think Jesus’ point in doing so was to emphasize the need to get away from the noise and busyness of life and set aside time each day to talk to God. If Jesus needed quiet prayer time, surely so do we.
©2009 Debbie Robus
------------------------------------------------------------
October 6 ~ Acts 6:2-7
The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, "We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables. My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching." This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch. These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show that they had been chosen to do this work. God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
One human being can’t do it all. We each have a job to do, especially when it comes to serving Christ. The disciples were wise enough to realize that their efforts needed to be focused on praying and preaching. They needed someone else to settle disagreements and run the day-to-day business of ministry. The disciples placed hands on some Godly men, prayed, and anointed them to handle the “business” side of the church work.
What I want you to realize from this passage is that everyone has a purpose… and a ministry. No person can do everything alone. YOU have been called by God to serve in some capacity… even if you are a teenager or a senior citizen. God didn’t just call young adults to do the work. Teenagers can use the tools at their disposal – texting, Facebook, and more – to reach others for Christ. Or they can do mission work to help those in their community who are not able to do things around the home, mentor young children, and assist with church activities. Even shut-ins who are experiencing poor health can be called as prayer warriors. There is a job for everyone.
So let’s all get busy praying and asking God to show us where we fit into His plan for ministry. Feel His hands on you, anointing you to do whatever He has called you to do to serve in His name, further His work, and bring others into His kingdom. You have been chosen to do specific things for God. Do you know what they are?
©2009 Debbie Robus
--------------------------------------------------------
October 5 ~ Acts 4:29
Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Fear is a huge motivator. We fear all sorts of things – rejection, ridicule, loss, illness, pain and suffering, death. I come from a long line of worry worts! Some of my family members have made a career out of worry over anything and everything. When I was in college, I read a book by a man named Dale Carnegie called How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (©1948 The Chaucer Press, Ltd). Carnegie listed the “Fundamental Facts You Should Know About Worry”:
- If you want to avoid worry, do what Sir William Osler did: Live in "day-tight compartments." Don't stew about the future. Just live each day until bedtime.
- The next time Trouble--with a Capital T--backs you up in a corner, try the magic formula of Willis H. Carrier:
a. Ask yourself, "What is the worst that can possibly happen if I can't solve my problem?
b. Prepare yourself mentally to accept the worst--if necessary.
c. Then calmly try to improve upon the worst--which you have already mentally agreed to accept. - Remind yourself of the exorbitant price you can pay for worry in terms of your health. "Those who do not know how to fight worry die young."
To this day, I have remembered the steps the “magic formula” in point #2. I find myself often asking, “What is the worst that can possibly happen?” and “Am I prepared to handle it?” Let’s say that living for Jesus could cost you your friends… won’t God bring you new ones? What if it costs you a significant other, a mate, or your parents? Can’t God bring other people or activities into your life to fill the emptiness? What if you give up old habits and bad influences to serve God… will He bless your efforts? Yes, bad things happen – and I don’t mean to be flip about the loss of relationships/family/friends. But generally, the “worst” that can happen isn’t that bad in the light of day. And in terms of serving God and His blessings, it’s nothing at all!
The disciples knew what spreading the Good News had cost Jesus. They saw first-hand the suffering and sacrifice… and yet Jesus kept preaching, and they were willing to follow. But they knew the key to making this all work was asking God to help them! So study these “Fundamental Facts You Should Know About Worry” and start trying them in your own life. BUT… remember to ask God to guide you. His help will make the difference in whether or not you are successful at conquering your fears and worries. God’s wisdom is the key to making this work!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 4 ~ Acts 1:24-25
Then they all prayed, "Lord, you know what everyone is like! Show us the one you have chosen to be an apostle and to serve in place of Judas, who got what he deserved." They drew names, and Matthias was chosen to join the group of the eleven apostles.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
We all make choices every day. Some are simple – like what to eat for lunch or dinner. Others are more difficult… choosing a career, a spouse, who to hire for a particular job, or which candidate would make the best leader. Many of the choices we have to make in life are beyond what we can wisely decide on our own. If we are smart, we will seek the guidance and advice of someone who is more experienced and wiser than we are. And if we are really smart, we will prayerfully ask God to help us with our decisions.
I find it very interesting that the disciples prayed for the Lord to show them who to pick to replace Judas, and then they drew names! Now, maybe the Lord told them to do it this way. And maybe Matthias was really His choice. But how many times do we ask God to show us what to do, and then in essence, we toss a coin to make our decision? How often do we truly ask God’s advice – and then wait to receive it, much less take it?
We need to learn to be more patient in our conversations with the Lord. We need to realize that His timing is perfect… and wait for a clear, distinct answer from Him for all of our needs. God will always answer on time. So if it seems like an answer isn’t coming as quickly as you had hoped, chill out and wait. God knows the need… and He will meet it when the time is right. Coin tosses at football games are one thing – but in the important questions of life, this will simply not suffice. Ask God to help you with all important decisions… and even some of those you feel aren’t so important… then wait for His answer. See how much better the outcomes can be for all concerned.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 3 ~ 2 Chronicles 6:41
Come to your new home, where we have already placed the sacred chest, which is the symbol of your strength. I pray that when the priests announce your power to save people, those who are faithful to you will celebrate what you've done for them.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever watched one of those shows where someone buys a house, makes upgrades and renovations, and then invites the previous owner back to see what was done? It doesn’t always go well. Often the previous owner is not pleased with the changes. But the new owner did not make the changes to please the previous owner. Those changes were done to please the new residents.
In our spiritual life, our heart, mind, and soul are our home… the place where we wish for the Holy Spirit to dwell. And unlike a physical dwelling, we want any changes we make to our “Spiritual home” to be pleasing to God, not us! We want the Holy Spirit to be delighted and glorified by our “improvements.” We should desire that the Holy Spirit would find our “home” a celebration of what God has done for us… and a platform for Him to bless and save others.
When I pray, I often say, “Come Holy Spirit.” I invite Him to dwell within me and to be a part of everything I say and do. I know that the Holy Spirit is always with me, but I like to think that this invitation is an acknowledgment of His presence and a recognition of His power to work in and through me. Today, I pray that you will invite the Holy Spirit to your “Spiritual home.” More importantly, I pray that He will be pleased with what He finds there… that your changes will honor and glorify our Heavenly Father and celebrate His power in and through your life.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 2 ~ Ephesians 6:18-20
Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people. Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever started a new workout program or diet? The first day, you are psyched… “This is gonna be great!” you may think… and you follow the plan to the letter, anticipating that buff/thinner/healthier you in the near future. Then the trouble starts – this really didn’t feel as good as you hoped. Dieting and/or working out were not nearly as much fun as you wanted them to be. Or maybe this was downright unpleasant. You might have even overdone it a bit and come up sick or injured. Maybe you were tempted to say, “That’s it… I’ll never do this again!”
In our Christian life, many of us start out all excited and ready for anything and everything. “Bring it on, Devil…” we may think… “we’re in God’s army now!” But let the first challenge occur… a shift in your friends because of your faith, feeling like your prayers were not answered – or weren’t answered as you wished, trying to do what is right and being “thrown under the bus” by others. Let things go even slightly awry, and we are ready to throw in the towel and give up on God. Let someone ridicule us or reject us, and we are ready to go back to our old ways and wallow in self-pity and misery.
Paul was thrown into jail for preaching the Good News of Jesus, yet he kept right on preaching and praying – and praising God! Even though he knew others were not living as they should, he continued to diligently and sincerely pray for them in the power of the Holy Spirit. This means he didn’t just recite a memorized prayer and say “God bless Joe or Sue…” – he PRAYED for others, immersing himself in the act of prayer and communion with God and humbly, fervently asking Him to meet the needs of others.
The bottom line is that for all of us, it sometimes seems like we just as well quit trying. Living for Jesus doesn’t come without a price. Sometimes this means that our friends, or even our family, desert us. Sometimes living for Jesus costs us our job, our lifestyle, and for some… our very lives. But the “price” for following and serving God is NOTHING compared to the price Jesus paid so that we could have this privilege. When you think of all He did for us, giving up is not an option.
Serving God is more than worth whatever we feel it “costs” us. I’m not saying we have to enjoy the challenges, but we need to embrace them and use them to encourage and motivate us, not drag us down. Be brave and bold, and share the Good News every chance you get. Pray fervently, stay positive, and keep fighting for Jesus… the One who never quits on us!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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October 1 ~ 2 Corinthians 1:11
Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I have to admit, I am having mixed feelings these days about Facebook. Oh, sure… it’s been great to connect – and reconnect – with friends. I enjoy being able to share photos and information quickly with a large group of people… and to see their photos and keep up with their lives. But the looming concern over hackers determining my password and manipulating information – or a virus or malware getting past my anti-virus software and corrupting my computer – has turned me off in a big way. I am particularly leery of the games and “trimmings” offered by Facebook, most of which require access to personal information.
Having said all of this, I have found Facebook to be a great tool for one thing in particular – prayer. Sometimes friends will post a specific prayer request on Facebook, and I am happy to offer my support. But often, there is a hidden need expressed in comments and posts. And that is where the real opportunities lie. When someone posts that they are struggling to study for a test, or their child is sick, or things are hectic and challenging at work, there is a need for prayer included in the post! When someone talks about an impending wedding date, or taking a trip, or practicing for a cross-country meet, friends can pray for them.
When someone mentions an accomplishment or how wonderful a church service or youth meeting at church was – or how well the football team did… there is an opportunity to offer a prayer of thanks – for the blessing, team safety, a chance to worship together, or whatever suits the particular event.
Through something as hi-tech as Facebook, God can be glorified… and others can receive blessings. As you read your posts in the days ahead, look for hidden opportunities to pray… and give thanks for the blessings that will result.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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