Ephesians 4:20-24
But that isn't what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about him and learned about him. You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Change is hard… even when we know it is good for us. We know that exercising and eating right will help us live a healthier life – and give us a slimmer, more toned physique. But knowing this and actually doing the work are two different things. Often, overeating and lack of exercise become habits, and any habit can be hard to break. But equally as often, once we get in the groove and change the habit, we wonder what took us so long to make the change. Haven’t you ever known a smoker who said, “I’ll never smoke again!” – or someone who lost a lot of weight and maybe took up running or some other form of exercise and said, “I can’t believe I was ever like that!”?
The same can be said of our Christian faith. There are a lot of factors that keep us from being all we can be and changing into a new person… fear, laziness, procrastination, and more. And if we are honest, we will admit that all of these boil down to listening to the devil. HE plants these doubts, fears and excuses in our mind.
If we can just call upon the Holy Spirit and ask Him to fill us… to change our heart and mind… to help us to be more like God… He will do so. And over time, with careful attention, dedication, and determination, we will begin to lose the old habits that hold us back and keep us in the dark. We will become more sure of our “new self,” and we’ll be saying, “What was I thinking?!” We will struggle to recognize the old person and find it easier and easier to leave him/her in the dust.
We were created for so much more. We were created by God to be like Him… to please Him and be truly holy. And God sent His Holy Spirit to change our way of thinking and help us become this new person. Have you recognized the Holy Spirit in your life? Have you acknowledged Him and called on Him for help to become the new you? Isn’t it about time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 18, 2011
1 Corinthians 7:20
So don't try to change what you were when God chose you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When we got our first kitten, she was extremely wild. A friend “caught” her as she and her litter mates followed their mother across busy Highway 7 just north of Arkansas Tech. Tigger was clearly the runt of the litter, and she was just slow enough for our friend to rescue. The others made it safely across the road and into thick brush. For weeks after Tigger came to our home, she would hide under the couch, scared to death of her enormous owners. This tiny kitten fit in the palm of our hand. I would reach under the couch and drag her out… then wrap her in a dish towel to protect myself from her tiny, razor-sharp claws… and I would hold her tightly to my chest and talk soothingly to her.
I don’t remember exactly how long it took, but eventually, Tigger was no longer afraid of us or our little mobile home. She snuggled with us voluntarily, played and romped through the place, and generally became “Queen of the Castle.” When we would drive home to visit our family on weekends, she road on the dashboard of our car… perfectly content to doze there – even oblivious to the motion of the windshield wipers when it rained.
Then Tigger had kittens… and she changed again. She was still loving and fearless, but her contentment in the car was gone forever. All it took was one long, miserable ride home with her babies in a basket… crying, sick, and unhappy… and she had forever had enough of the car. From that point forward, there was no changing her. She was totally disgusted with the car and would let us know it! We might have succeeded in changing her from a terrified kitten on the side of the road into a loving, nurturing house cat… but we would never get her to ride on our dashboard again!
I will tell you right now… people will try to change you all of your life. Friends will want you to like what they like… to enjoy their same tastes in everything from fashion to sports to video games and music. Love interests may try to get you to become more like them. They may tell others, “He would be perfect if I could just get him to like musicals…” or “She is great except for being so disorganized… if I can just change that, we’ll get along fine.” Still others may say, “You need to come to this Bible study we are having – if you were serious about your walk with God, you would come to more things like this.”
Go back and read the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 7:20. Clearly, God has a plan for our lives, and while some changes are positive – and there is nothing wrong with a Bible study, becoming more organizing, or deciding you like musicals – we can’t become someone else. We are who God made us to be… and trying to change to suit anyone except Him is just plain wrong. It will only lead to misery and possible disaster. We are not feral kittens who can be “tamed” over time… and this is not God’s design for us!
Search your heart… and spend time every day talking to God. Ask Him in all circumstances… “Is this what You want me to do? Is this who You have called me to be?” Trust His answers. If you sense that God is telling you the changes you are about to make are not of His doing, stop immediately and move in another direction.
The devil will delight in using others to try to sway your opinions… and he’s really clever at making a convincing argument. Our job as Christians is to stay awake and alert – and in constant communication with our Heavenly Father, who chose us just as we were and doesn’t want anyone else. Be authentic… be who God chose…only change if HE says so!
©2011 Debbie Robus
So don't try to change what you were when God chose you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When we got our first kitten, she was extremely wild. A friend “caught” her as she and her litter mates followed their mother across busy Highway 7 just north of Arkansas Tech. Tigger was clearly the runt of the litter, and she was just slow enough for our friend to rescue. The others made it safely across the road and into thick brush. For weeks after Tigger came to our home, she would hide under the couch, scared to death of her enormous owners. This tiny kitten fit in the palm of our hand. I would reach under the couch and drag her out… then wrap her in a dish towel to protect myself from her tiny, razor-sharp claws… and I would hold her tightly to my chest and talk soothingly to her.
I don’t remember exactly how long it took, but eventually, Tigger was no longer afraid of us or our little mobile home. She snuggled with us voluntarily, played and romped through the place, and generally became “Queen of the Castle.” When we would drive home to visit our family on weekends, she road on the dashboard of our car… perfectly content to doze there – even oblivious to the motion of the windshield wipers when it rained.
Then Tigger had kittens… and she changed again. She was still loving and fearless, but her contentment in the car was gone forever. All it took was one long, miserable ride home with her babies in a basket… crying, sick, and unhappy… and she had forever had enough of the car. From that point forward, there was no changing her. She was totally disgusted with the car and would let us know it! We might have succeeded in changing her from a terrified kitten on the side of the road into a loving, nurturing house cat… but we would never get her to ride on our dashboard again!
I will tell you right now… people will try to change you all of your life. Friends will want you to like what they like… to enjoy their same tastes in everything from fashion to sports to video games and music. Love interests may try to get you to become more like them. They may tell others, “He would be perfect if I could just get him to like musicals…” or “She is great except for being so disorganized… if I can just change that, we’ll get along fine.” Still others may say, “You need to come to this Bible study we are having – if you were serious about your walk with God, you would come to more things like this.”
Go back and read the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 7:20. Clearly, God has a plan for our lives, and while some changes are positive – and there is nothing wrong with a Bible study, becoming more organizing, or deciding you like musicals – we can’t become someone else. We are who God made us to be… and trying to change to suit anyone except Him is just plain wrong. It will only lead to misery and possible disaster. We are not feral kittens who can be “tamed” over time… and this is not God’s design for us!
Search your heart… and spend time every day talking to God. Ask Him in all circumstances… “Is this what You want me to do? Is this who You have called me to be?” Trust His answers. If you sense that God is telling you the changes you are about to make are not of His doing, stop immediately and move in another direction.
The devil will delight in using others to try to sway your opinions… and he’s really clever at making a convincing argument. Our job as Christians is to stay awake and alert – and in constant communication with our Heavenly Father, who chose us just as we were and doesn’t want anyone else. Be authentic… be who God chose…only change if HE says so!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 15, 2011
John 3:6
Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you belong to a particular church denomination, most likely this is the denomination of your parents and/or grandparents… or your spouse or another family member. We tend to be “born into” a particular church and stay there… or at least in that denomination. Maybe you have heard the joke, “I had a drug problem… I was drug to church all my life.” Plenty of parents, like my own, took their children to church from the time they were just a few weeks old.
It would be great if parents could guarantee the salvation of their children just by taking them to church. I’m sure many parents would gladly accept this responsibility. Lots of grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, moms and dads and other adults would be happy to drag kids to church every Sunday if they were even 25% hopeful that this really could ensure them a place in heaven.
But this is the one thing that parents and other adults cannot do for children – or any other person. Each person is solely responsible for giving his/her heart to Jesus. Every one of us make this commitment for ourselves. And going to church does not change us into Spirit-filled children of God. Yes… we are all God’s children, meaning God created all of us. But to truly be HIS forever and into Eternity, we have to accept His gift of Jesus Christ and invite His Holy Spirit to dwell within our heart.
Your parents can provide lots of things for you – a home, a loving family environment, food, clothing, transportation, an education, payment of your debts, and more. They can pray for you, drag you to church, and provide a Spirit-filled home and atmosphere in which to rear you. But when it comes to choosing to become a Christian, you have to make this choice – and change – for yourself.
There is one thing we others can do… we can encourage you to make this choice and change TODAY. Give your heart to God… accept His gift of Jesus Christ for your sins, and begin to serve Him now. Becoming a Spirit-filled child of God will be the best “grown-up” decision you ever make.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you belong to a particular church denomination, most likely this is the denomination of your parents and/or grandparents… or your spouse or another family member. We tend to be “born into” a particular church and stay there… or at least in that denomination. Maybe you have heard the joke, “I had a drug problem… I was drug to church all my life.” Plenty of parents, like my own, took their children to church from the time they were just a few weeks old.
It would be great if parents could guarantee the salvation of their children just by taking them to church. I’m sure many parents would gladly accept this responsibility. Lots of grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, moms and dads and other adults would be happy to drag kids to church every Sunday if they were even 25% hopeful that this really could ensure them a place in heaven.
But this is the one thing that parents and other adults cannot do for children – or any other person. Each person is solely responsible for giving his/her heart to Jesus. Every one of us make this commitment for ourselves. And going to church does not change us into Spirit-filled children of God. Yes… we are all God’s children, meaning God created all of us. But to truly be HIS forever and into Eternity, we have to accept His gift of Jesus Christ and invite His Holy Spirit to dwell within our heart.
Your parents can provide lots of things for you – a home, a loving family environment, food, clothing, transportation, an education, payment of your debts, and more. They can pray for you, drag you to church, and provide a Spirit-filled home and atmosphere in which to rear you. But when it comes to choosing to become a Christian, you have to make this choice – and change – for yourself.
There is one thing we others can do… we can encourage you to make this choice and change TODAY. Give your heart to God… accept His gift of Jesus Christ for your sins, and begin to serve Him now. Becoming a Spirit-filled child of God will be the best “grown-up” decision you ever make.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 13, 2011
Matthew 18:3
Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy has been staying with us lately, and I always marvel at how curious he is… and how we can almost see his thought processes. There are three decorative “nested” metal tins stacked on the floor beside our staircase. Each lid is painted with a picture of angels. Timothy loves them… mostly because the empty tins make a great noise when he bangs them together or on something else. But he also loves to try to stack the tins… although usually his efforts result in much clanging as the stack falls to the floor.
But lately, he has figured out if he will put the largest tin on bottom, then the smallest one next, and then the middle-sized one on top, they stay in place and he can pick the stack up and move it from one place to another. It’s really rewarding to see him develop – even in such a small way. His thought processes have progressed to a stage where he can reason out this little dilemma and come up with a viable solution.
Imagine how we must seem to God. Think of our faith in the context of a baby who grows and progresses in development. In the “toddler” stage, we begin to figure out how to use the gifts God has given us to handle difficult situations… to call on Him to give us wisdom and discernment to navigate challenges and problems. As we grow and mature, we learn even more about how God operates within us… how the Holy Spirit moves to guide us through every minute of the day. This must give Him such delight to see us grow and discover how He works.
None of us “knows it all” the day we become a Christian. None of us ever has all of the wisdom and potential that God wishes for us… we are all forever works in progress. We all began as babies… and we are hopefully growing and developing in our walk with Christ and our abilities to serve Him well. Just like children, some of us will progress more quickly than others… while some of us will be “slow learners.”
The key to this passage is our understanding that we must approach God with the innocence of a child… the wonder and awe at even the simplest things, like three nested tin cans! We must not come with a “know-it-all attitude” that we don’t need guidance… or that our salvation makes us better than anyone else. We must come to Jesus with humility, a hunger for knowledge, and the childlike enthusiasm for all He wishes to share with us.
For some of us, this means we need to make a change. Maybe we tried to “skip ahead” and be more than we were capable of too soon. Perhaps we need to humble ourselves and say, “Lord, I don’t know nearly as much as I thought I did… but I’m willing to listen and learn.” Maybe we need to rekindle our excitement and enthusiasm… our wonder and awe… for the amazing life we have in Christ. Maybe we need to reacquaint ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Whatever we need to do… the time for change is now. The day to start is this one. Are you ready to become like a kid again?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy has been staying with us lately, and I always marvel at how curious he is… and how we can almost see his thought processes. There are three decorative “nested” metal tins stacked on the floor beside our staircase. Each lid is painted with a picture of angels. Timothy loves them… mostly because the empty tins make a great noise when he bangs them together or on something else. But he also loves to try to stack the tins… although usually his efforts result in much clanging as the stack falls to the floor.
But lately, he has figured out if he will put the largest tin on bottom, then the smallest one next, and then the middle-sized one on top, they stay in place and he can pick the stack up and move it from one place to another. It’s really rewarding to see him develop – even in such a small way. His thought processes have progressed to a stage where he can reason out this little dilemma and come up with a viable solution.
Imagine how we must seem to God. Think of our faith in the context of a baby who grows and progresses in development. In the “toddler” stage, we begin to figure out how to use the gifts God has given us to handle difficult situations… to call on Him to give us wisdom and discernment to navigate challenges and problems. As we grow and mature, we learn even more about how God operates within us… how the Holy Spirit moves to guide us through every minute of the day. This must give Him such delight to see us grow and discover how He works.
None of us “knows it all” the day we become a Christian. None of us ever has all of the wisdom and potential that God wishes for us… we are all forever works in progress. We all began as babies… and we are hopefully growing and developing in our walk with Christ and our abilities to serve Him well. Just like children, some of us will progress more quickly than others… while some of us will be “slow learners.”
The key to this passage is our understanding that we must approach God with the innocence of a child… the wonder and awe at even the simplest things, like three nested tin cans! We must not come with a “know-it-all attitude” that we don’t need guidance… or that our salvation makes us better than anyone else. We must come to Jesus with humility, a hunger for knowledge, and the childlike enthusiasm for all He wishes to share with us.
For some of us, this means we need to make a change. Maybe we tried to “skip ahead” and be more than we were capable of too soon. Perhaps we need to humble ourselves and say, “Lord, I don’t know nearly as much as I thought I did… but I’m willing to listen and learn.” Maybe we need to rekindle our excitement and enthusiasm… our wonder and awe… for the amazing life we have in Christ. Maybe we need to reacquaint ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Whatever we need to do… the time for change is now. The day to start is this one. Are you ready to become like a kid again?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 12, 2011
Matthew 17:2
There in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. His face was shining like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I like to sell some of my antiques and treasures online through websites like Etsy and eBay. One of the keys to making a sale is posting good pictures of your products. Antique glassware, jewelry, and similar objects are hard for amateurs like me to photograph well. I’ve researched and practiced, and I’ve learned a lot… and one of the keys to a great photo is proper lighting.
Direct lighting is too harsh and often distorts the true coloring of the object. Back lighting may create shadows and dark areas. The trick is to almost make the object look as if the light comes from within. You want to illuminate all of the beauty and the best assets of the piece… to showcase the item in all its glory and cause those who see it to say, “I have to have this!”
Now stick with me… think about your spiritual relationship. Not everyone has the “heavenly moment” we see depicted on television and in the movies, where choirs of angels sing and we are bathed in bright white light. I know that many people would love for their salvation experience to be this dramatic, but just because we don’t see bright light and hear choirs doesn’t mean we have not been transformed.
And that’s not the point. See, it’s not about the light… or the drama of our transformation. It’s about what we do with our salvation. Just like the antiques that may not benefit or “show well” in bright light or back lighting, our Christian witness is best presented when the “Light” comes from within. When we demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives, we have the most impact for Jesus. We allow HIS light and glory to shine.
Peter, James, and John got to witness “the glory of the Lord.” We get to experience it as His Holy Spirit dwells within us and radiates outward. Just how brightly the Light shines is, in large part, up to us. Are you living in such a way that others see your witness and what God is doing in your life and say, “I have to have that for myself?” How much “glory” are others seeing in you these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
There in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. His face was shining like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I like to sell some of my antiques and treasures online through websites like Etsy and eBay. One of the keys to making a sale is posting good pictures of your products. Antique glassware, jewelry, and similar objects are hard for amateurs like me to photograph well. I’ve researched and practiced, and I’ve learned a lot… and one of the keys to a great photo is proper lighting.
Direct lighting is too harsh and often distorts the true coloring of the object. Back lighting may create shadows and dark areas. The trick is to almost make the object look as if the light comes from within. You want to illuminate all of the beauty and the best assets of the piece… to showcase the item in all its glory and cause those who see it to say, “I have to have this!”
Now stick with me… think about your spiritual relationship. Not everyone has the “heavenly moment” we see depicted on television and in the movies, where choirs of angels sing and we are bathed in bright white light. I know that many people would love for their salvation experience to be this dramatic, but just because we don’t see bright light and hear choirs doesn’t mean we have not been transformed.
And that’s not the point. See, it’s not about the light… or the drama of our transformation. It’s about what we do with our salvation. Just like the antiques that may not benefit or “show well” in bright light or back lighting, our Christian witness is best presented when the “Light” comes from within. When we demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives, we have the most impact for Jesus. We allow HIS light and glory to shine.
Peter, James, and John got to witness “the glory of the Lord.” We get to experience it as His Holy Spirit dwells within us and radiates outward. Just how brightly the Light shines is, in large part, up to us. Are you living in such a way that others see your witness and what God is doing in your life and say, “I have to have that for myself?” How much “glory” are others seeing in you these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 10, 2011
Jeremiah 13:23
Can you ever change and do what's right? Can people change the color of their skin, or can a leopard remove its spots? If so, then maybe you can change and learn to do right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A decade ago, I was a sun worshipper. My skin is incredibly pale, and I thought a tan made me look better… younger, healthier, and more fit. In the winter, I would skip the tanning bed and give my skin a rest, and I did not like how it looked… pasty, freckled, and almost ghostly! But over time, I realized that I was not really changing my skin… I was just making it age faster. No matter how much time I spend in a tanning bed – or how much I am able to darken my skin – when I stop the process, my skin will once again be pasty white (albeit with more freckles and “sun/age spots” as a result).
In other words, I didn’t really change my skin color, any more than bleaching my hair changes the fact that my “natural color” is a salt-and-pepper combo of dishwater blonde and snowy white. Once I stop spending time in the tanning bed or out in the sun – or going to a hairdresser and having my hair color adjusted – the original color returns. The change is only on the surface.
Sadly, there are some people who seem to treat their relationship with God like tanning or coloring their hair. The results are short-term, and fairly shallow. Once the “new” wears off, old habits and behaviors resurface. The “change” was not from deep within the heart. Maybe these people thought the change was real… maybe they convinced themselves that they had given their heart to God and were committed to following Him and serving as Christ’s disciple. And maybe nobody explained to them that salvation is not the end – it’s the beginning!
Accepting Jesus is the first step… inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart is vital… but Jesus’ words were, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” He also told us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The rewards of a life in Christ are great… but so is the responsibility. And often, our commitment to God involves incredible, profound, permanent change. I’ll be the first to tell you that this is difficult… and there may be periods when we slip and fall and seem to lose our way for a time. But the key is to get back to God as quickly as possible, to admit your shortcomings and earnestly work to correct them.
Maybe we can’t change our ethnicity or the real color of our hair (at least not once and for all), but with work and dedication… faith and trust in God… we can change our heart to line up more closely with His. Are you willing to do what it takes to make the changes that matter? Is today the day you begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Can you ever change and do what's right? Can people change the color of their skin, or can a leopard remove its spots? If so, then maybe you can change and learn to do right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A decade ago, I was a sun worshipper. My skin is incredibly pale, and I thought a tan made me look better… younger, healthier, and more fit. In the winter, I would skip the tanning bed and give my skin a rest, and I did not like how it looked… pasty, freckled, and almost ghostly! But over time, I realized that I was not really changing my skin… I was just making it age faster. No matter how much time I spend in a tanning bed – or how much I am able to darken my skin – when I stop the process, my skin will once again be pasty white (albeit with more freckles and “sun/age spots” as a result).
In other words, I didn’t really change my skin color, any more than bleaching my hair changes the fact that my “natural color” is a salt-and-pepper combo of dishwater blonde and snowy white. Once I stop spending time in the tanning bed or out in the sun – or going to a hairdresser and having my hair color adjusted – the original color returns. The change is only on the surface.
Sadly, there are some people who seem to treat their relationship with God like tanning or coloring their hair. The results are short-term, and fairly shallow. Once the “new” wears off, old habits and behaviors resurface. The “change” was not from deep within the heart. Maybe these people thought the change was real… maybe they convinced themselves that they had given their heart to God and were committed to following Him and serving as Christ’s disciple. And maybe nobody explained to them that salvation is not the end – it’s the beginning!
Accepting Jesus is the first step… inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart is vital… but Jesus’ words were, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” He also told us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The rewards of a life in Christ are great… but so is the responsibility. And often, our commitment to God involves incredible, profound, permanent change. I’ll be the first to tell you that this is difficult… and there may be periods when we slip and fall and seem to lose our way for a time. But the key is to get back to God as quickly as possible, to admit your shortcomings and earnestly work to correct them.
Maybe we can’t change our ethnicity or the real color of our hair (at least not once and for all), but with work and dedication… faith and trust in God… we can change our heart to line up more closely with His. Are you willing to do what it takes to make the changes that matter? Is today the day you begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 9, 2011
Jeremiah 7:5
The LORD told me to stand by the gate of the temple and to tell the people who were going in that the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, had said: Pay attention, people of Judah! Change your ways and start living right, then I will let you keep on living in your own country. Don't fool yourselves! My temple is here in Jerusalem, but that doesn't mean I will protect you. I will keep you safe only if you change your ways. Be fair and honest with each other. Stop taking advantage of foreigners, orphans, and widows. Don't kill innocent people. And stop worshiping other gods. Then I will let you enjoy a long life in this land I gave your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s all about who you know. Isn’t this how many of us operate? You get into certain organizations or events because you know “the guy” in charge… or your dad was a friend of someone who is involved. Or you vouch for someone because, “His brother is a friend of mine,” or “I know her mother.” A lot of people go through life playing the system and riding on the coat-tails of other people in this manner.
But this passage is telling us that we can’t do this with God. When it comes to our own Christianity, it doesn’t matter if our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances are all faithful disciples of Christ. It’s not enough that your parents belong to such-and-such church or your wife goes to worship every Sunday. If you want God to bless you and protect you… if you want to get into heaven and spend Eternity with your Heavenly Father... YOU have to change your ways and make a commitment to serve Him. Nobody can do this for you… and you can’t stand in for anyone else.
God sees everything we do. He hears every word we speak and knows every thought we create. He knows our heart… when we are being sincere – and when we are playing a game. But our relationship with God is no game. We cannot manipulate the Holy Spirit – or expect Him to protect us when we merely “go through the motions.”
It’s time for us to renew our commitment to God. It’s time for us to forget about invoking the name of others or expecting anyone else to serve in our place. We need to get serious about our faith and make real and lasting changes. Are you ready to do this? Haven’t you played around with your relationship with God long enough? If you are willing to make the change, He is willing to meet you more than halfway. How can you refuse such an amazing offer… and why would you? Step out in faith today. Make the needed changes and face God with confidence in His promises… and His amazing protection.
©2010 Debbie Robus
The LORD told me to stand by the gate of the temple and to tell the people who were going in that the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, had said: Pay attention, people of Judah! Change your ways and start living right, then I will let you keep on living in your own country. Don't fool yourselves! My temple is here in Jerusalem, but that doesn't mean I will protect you. I will keep you safe only if you change your ways. Be fair and honest with each other. Stop taking advantage of foreigners, orphans, and widows. Don't kill innocent people. And stop worshiping other gods. Then I will let you enjoy a long life in this land I gave your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s all about who you know. Isn’t this how many of us operate? You get into certain organizations or events because you know “the guy” in charge… or your dad was a friend of someone who is involved. Or you vouch for someone because, “His brother is a friend of mine,” or “I know her mother.” A lot of people go through life playing the system and riding on the coat-tails of other people in this manner.
But this passage is telling us that we can’t do this with God. When it comes to our own Christianity, it doesn’t matter if our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances are all faithful disciples of Christ. It’s not enough that your parents belong to such-and-such church or your wife goes to worship every Sunday. If you want God to bless you and protect you… if you want to get into heaven and spend Eternity with your Heavenly Father... YOU have to change your ways and make a commitment to serve Him. Nobody can do this for you… and you can’t stand in for anyone else.
God sees everything we do. He hears every word we speak and knows every thought we create. He knows our heart… when we are being sincere – and when we are playing a game. But our relationship with God is no game. We cannot manipulate the Holy Spirit – or expect Him to protect us when we merely “go through the motions.”
It’s time for us to renew our commitment to God. It’s time for us to forget about invoking the name of others or expecting anyone else to serve in our place. We need to get serious about our faith and make real and lasting changes. Are you ready to do this? Haven’t you played around with your relationship with God long enough? If you are willing to make the change, He is willing to meet you more than halfway. How can you refuse such an amazing offer… and why would you? Step out in faith today. Make the needed changes and face God with confidence in His promises… and His amazing protection.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 8, 2011
Ecclesiastes 1:4
People come, and people go, but still the world never changes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, I had a small circle of close friends. I was friendly with other kids in my class and at church, but four girls – Becky, Carla, Martha and Robin – were especially dear. I didn’t have bridesmaids when we married, so these girls served cake and punch at our wedding. After high school, we did a fairly good job of staying in touch for several years… often getting together for brunch during Christmas break. But over time, we got together less often. We all married and moved in different directions… and as husbands and babies came along and lives got busy, we grew apart in some ways.
But the bond never left. We all grieved when breast cancer took Becky from us a few years ago… and when Robin’s daughter was tragically killed in a car wreck. We supported Carla through the illnesses and subsequent deaths of her parents. We celebrated the accomplishments of each other’s children along the way … and the birth of Becky’s grand-daughter and namesake.
On Christmas Eve, my friend Carla dropped in at our house to purchase a copy of a book my mother has written. We quickly snapped a couple of photos, not knowing when we will see each other again. I keep up with Robin on Facebook… and Martha sent a Christmas card with a photo of her two teenage sons. We don’t see each other very often any more, but I still feel a bond with these women. I have witnessed the ebb and flow of similar relationships between my mother and some of her childhood friends… and the underlying bond that remains.
We tend to romanticize the friendships of our childhood. We fondly remember long days spent playing together or working on a class project. We build up the conflicts and clashes, and they become epic events that forever shape our personalities. As we mature, we come to recognize that friends come and go in our lives. Some of my closest friends now are childhood friends with whom I lost touch for a number of years and have reconnected. Other people with whom I developed friendships as an adult have, for the moment, gone in different directions, and we seldom – if ever – communicate.
The thing is… we often treat our relationship with God like a friendship. And while Jesus is our “Forever Friend,” as we tell our children, the relationship we have with God and His Holy Spirit should not change. There should be no periods of distance… no need for reconnection. We should work hard to keep in constant touch with God, regardless of our circumstances… because I assure you, HE has not gone anywhere! Nothing has changed on God’s end… but we allow the things of this world to get in the way and affect our relationship.
If you need to reconnect with God today, I urge you to make this change. Rekindle your relationship with Him… rebuild your friendship… and NEVER, EVER move away again. People come and people go, but GOD is always there. The question is… where are YOU?
©2010 Debbie Robus
People come, and people go, but still the world never changes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, I had a small circle of close friends. I was friendly with other kids in my class and at church, but four girls – Becky, Carla, Martha and Robin – were especially dear. I didn’t have bridesmaids when we married, so these girls served cake and punch at our wedding. After high school, we did a fairly good job of staying in touch for several years… often getting together for brunch during Christmas break. But over time, we got together less often. We all married and moved in different directions… and as husbands and babies came along and lives got busy, we grew apart in some ways.
But the bond never left. We all grieved when breast cancer took Becky from us a few years ago… and when Robin’s daughter was tragically killed in a car wreck. We supported Carla through the illnesses and subsequent deaths of her parents. We celebrated the accomplishments of each other’s children along the way … and the birth of Becky’s grand-daughter and namesake.
On Christmas Eve, my friend Carla dropped in at our house to purchase a copy of a book my mother has written. We quickly snapped a couple of photos, not knowing when we will see each other again. I keep up with Robin on Facebook… and Martha sent a Christmas card with a photo of her two teenage sons. We don’t see each other very often any more, but I still feel a bond with these women. I have witnessed the ebb and flow of similar relationships between my mother and some of her childhood friends… and the underlying bond that remains.
We tend to romanticize the friendships of our childhood. We fondly remember long days spent playing together or working on a class project. We build up the conflicts and clashes, and they become epic events that forever shape our personalities. As we mature, we come to recognize that friends come and go in our lives. Some of my closest friends now are childhood friends with whom I lost touch for a number of years and have reconnected. Other people with whom I developed friendships as an adult have, for the moment, gone in different directions, and we seldom – if ever – communicate.
The thing is… we often treat our relationship with God like a friendship. And while Jesus is our “Forever Friend,” as we tell our children, the relationship we have with God and His Holy Spirit should not change. There should be no periods of distance… no need for reconnection. We should work hard to keep in constant touch with God, regardless of our circumstances… because I assure you, HE has not gone anywhere! Nothing has changed on God’s end… but we allow the things of this world to get in the way and affect our relationship.
If you need to reconnect with God today, I urge you to make this change. Rekindle your relationship with Him… rebuild your friendship… and NEVER, EVER move away again. People come and people go, but GOD is always there. The question is… where are YOU?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 7, 2011
Proverbs 30:6
Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Years ago, my husband worked with a man who liked to say, “If you lie, you fry. – Hezekiah 3:5.” For the record, there is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible… and this is not an actual scripture passage. We’ve laughed at this phrase and used it as a running joke for years. But there are other phrases that people use and claim to be scriptural… such as “God helps those who help themselves”… that are not actually found in the Bible, either.
While these phrases and others like them are relatively harmless… and they may even hint at an actual Biblical truth… some people want to interpret scripture to suit their own situation or desires… and this is very dangerous. When you hear someone say, “That may be what the scripture says, but that’s not what God meant,” your antenna should automatically be raised. A lot of us would like to twist God’s words to justify our own desires and behaviors. But this simply is not how we Christians should operate!
Everybody makes mistakes, and we will all have to admit at some point that we were wrong about one thing or another. But nothing will ever compare with the humility of having to admit you twisted God’s words to suit yourself. God will not be pleased, mocked, or misrepresented! If you believe there is “wiggle room” with the laws of God, you are greatly mistaken. The devil – the king of liars – has convinced you that God can be swayed… and I assure you, He cannot!
We cannot change what God has declared… and honestly, we don’t want to do this. His ways are perfect… His plans are exactly right for us… His will is for us to have everything He designed for us and to experience peace, prosperity and joy in Him. The only change necessary is how we are thinking… our attitude and our reactions to life circumstances. Don’t try to change what God has said… instead, ask Him to change YOU… to give you an attitude of humility and servitude - and confidence in His plans for your life.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Years ago, my husband worked with a man who liked to say, “If you lie, you fry. – Hezekiah 3:5.” For the record, there is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible… and this is not an actual scripture passage. We’ve laughed at this phrase and used it as a running joke for years. But there are other phrases that people use and claim to be scriptural… such as “God helps those who help themselves”… that are not actually found in the Bible, either.
While these phrases and others like them are relatively harmless… and they may even hint at an actual Biblical truth… some people want to interpret scripture to suit their own situation or desires… and this is very dangerous. When you hear someone say, “That may be what the scripture says, but that’s not what God meant,” your antenna should automatically be raised. A lot of us would like to twist God’s words to justify our own desires and behaviors. But this simply is not how we Christians should operate!
Everybody makes mistakes, and we will all have to admit at some point that we were wrong about one thing or another. But nothing will ever compare with the humility of having to admit you twisted God’s words to suit yourself. God will not be pleased, mocked, or misrepresented! If you believe there is “wiggle room” with the laws of God, you are greatly mistaken. The devil – the king of liars – has convinced you that God can be swayed… and I assure you, He cannot!
We cannot change what God has declared… and honestly, we don’t want to do this. His ways are perfect… His plans are exactly right for us… His will is for us to have everything He designed for us and to experience peace, prosperity and joy in Him. The only change necessary is how we are thinking… our attitude and our reactions to life circumstances. Don’t try to change what God has said… instead, ask Him to change YOU… to give you an attitude of humility and servitude - and confidence in His plans for your life.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 4, 2011
1 Samuel 15:29
Besides, the eternal God of Israel isn't a human being. He doesn't tell lies or change his mind."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever thought about how often we change our minds? We go to a restaurant, saying all the way there, “I’m going to have a steak.” But when we arrive, the “special” is a shrimp dinner that sounds so good that we just have to order this instead. We make plans to wear one outfit, and at the last minute, something doesn’t “feel” right, so we change to another. We carry an item around the store, planning to purchase it, and before we check out we have talked ourselves into putting it back on the shelf. We are certain we are going to major in medicine until we go to anatomy class and nearly faint when we have to draw our own blood!
And how many times do we lie? Oh, we don’t call it that… we call it, “withholding the truth.” We don’t want to hurt feelings, so we change the subject when a friend asks for our opinion about their mode of dress, weight, or hair color. When someone asks, “Was I wrong to feel this way?” we carefully weigh our response and offer something we feel is politically correct… but not altogether honest. We omit information from our resume that we feel could keep us from getting a job, hoping the employer won’t investigate and find out we had poor attendance at Job ABC. We cut corners and skip steps and hope nobody notices.
What if God operated this way? What if we were sick and God kept serious complications at bay for months… then suddenly decided He didn’t care any longer? What if God had led Moses and the Israelites to the Red Sea and then changed His mind about parting the waters… or He had simply lied about this? What if God told us to do something and promised to guide and protect us, and then He didn’t honor His promises?
As human beings, we can change our minds about things like menu choices, careers, relationships, and more. Sometimes there are few consequences – if any. Sometimes the consequences can be rather serious and life-changing. I’m thankful to know that my God doesn’t change His mind in a way that brings anything to my life but grace, mercy, and blessings. I’m grateful to Him for keeping His word… for choosing the absolute best for me and making it happen.
I am so comforted to know that God is firm in His plans for my life and does not waiver. And what He does for me, He is doing for you, as well. Have you thanked Him lately for being so steady? Have you praised Him for His honesty and consistent care? Isn’t it time to do so?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Besides, the eternal God of Israel isn't a human being. He doesn't tell lies or change his mind."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever thought about how often we change our minds? We go to a restaurant, saying all the way there, “I’m going to have a steak.” But when we arrive, the “special” is a shrimp dinner that sounds so good that we just have to order this instead. We make plans to wear one outfit, and at the last minute, something doesn’t “feel” right, so we change to another. We carry an item around the store, planning to purchase it, and before we check out we have talked ourselves into putting it back on the shelf. We are certain we are going to major in medicine until we go to anatomy class and nearly faint when we have to draw our own blood!
And how many times do we lie? Oh, we don’t call it that… we call it, “withholding the truth.” We don’t want to hurt feelings, so we change the subject when a friend asks for our opinion about their mode of dress, weight, or hair color. When someone asks, “Was I wrong to feel this way?” we carefully weigh our response and offer something we feel is politically correct… but not altogether honest. We omit information from our resume that we feel could keep us from getting a job, hoping the employer won’t investigate and find out we had poor attendance at Job ABC. We cut corners and skip steps and hope nobody notices.
What if God operated this way? What if we were sick and God kept serious complications at bay for months… then suddenly decided He didn’t care any longer? What if God had led Moses and the Israelites to the Red Sea and then changed His mind about parting the waters… or He had simply lied about this? What if God told us to do something and promised to guide and protect us, and then He didn’t honor His promises?
As human beings, we can change our minds about things like menu choices, careers, relationships, and more. Sometimes there are few consequences – if any. Sometimes the consequences can be rather serious and life-changing. I’m thankful to know that my God doesn’t change His mind in a way that brings anything to my life but grace, mercy, and blessings. I’m grateful to Him for keeping His word… for choosing the absolute best for me and making it happen.
I am so comforted to know that God is firm in His plans for my life and does not waiver. And what He does for me, He is doing for you, as well. Have you thanked Him lately for being so steady? Have you praised Him for His honesty and consistent care? Isn’t it time to do so?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 3, 2011
Deuteronomy 29:4
He has even told you, "For forty years I, the LORD, led you through the desert, but your clothes and your sandals didn't wear out, and I gave you special food. I did these things so you would realize that I am your God." But the LORD must give you a change of heart before you truly understand what you have seen and heard.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched several episodes of a cooking competition lately called “Worst Cooks in America.” Two accomplished chefs tried to teach people who couldn’t boil water how to cook like a pro in only two short weeks. One man in particular seemed to catch on quickly to the techniques… but he always had to deviate from the recipe in some way and put his personal “spin” on the dish, which drove his instructor crazy. And while the chef stressed neatness and finished products that were plated cleanly, one contestant consistently turned out sloppy products. The chef asked, “Haven’t you been listening? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve told you about neatness?”
Maybe you have experienced the frustration of trying to show someone how to do something numerous times, and it’s as if they either do not comprehend… or they simply are not listening. I’ve watched Timothy play with his little box of shaped blocks and the lid that has holes that correspond to these shapes. Even though we show him how this works, he will repeatedly put his blocks atop the hole with the wrong shape and then get frustrated because the block won’t fit. But Timothy is not even two years old… he has an excuse! As he grows and matures, his understanding of this concept will change. For us… the “change” is often more one of our heart and will, rather than one of intellectual maturity.
One of the biggest revelations for me in recent years is how much God has been trying to give me… and yet, it’s as if I have had a giant “Spiritual firewall” in place that prevented reception. More often than not, that “firewall” has been my heart! See, we have to open our heart and mind to the possibilities God offers. We have to walk in faith and trust that He will do what the Bible tells us He has promised. We have to truly believe that with God, all things are possible. There is no room for “Yeah, but…” We have to operate completely in “For sure!”
The other thing we have to remember is that this change of heart is not instantaneous. We are works in progress. God is never done with us, and there are always new things to discover about His plan for our lives. But a good first step is to open our heart and mind to the possibilities and promises. The more we do this… the more we accept His incredible love and care for us… the more we can truly understand what we have seen and heard. Have you checked your heart for “Spiritual firewalls” lately? Isn’t it time to remove them?
©2010 Debbie Robus
He has even told you, "For forty years I, the LORD, led you through the desert, but your clothes and your sandals didn't wear out, and I gave you special food. I did these things so you would realize that I am your God." But the LORD must give you a change of heart before you truly understand what you have seen and heard.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched several episodes of a cooking competition lately called “Worst Cooks in America.” Two accomplished chefs tried to teach people who couldn’t boil water how to cook like a pro in only two short weeks. One man in particular seemed to catch on quickly to the techniques… but he always had to deviate from the recipe in some way and put his personal “spin” on the dish, which drove his instructor crazy. And while the chef stressed neatness and finished products that were plated cleanly, one contestant consistently turned out sloppy products. The chef asked, “Haven’t you been listening? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve told you about neatness?”
Maybe you have experienced the frustration of trying to show someone how to do something numerous times, and it’s as if they either do not comprehend… or they simply are not listening. I’ve watched Timothy play with his little box of shaped blocks and the lid that has holes that correspond to these shapes. Even though we show him how this works, he will repeatedly put his blocks atop the hole with the wrong shape and then get frustrated because the block won’t fit. But Timothy is not even two years old… he has an excuse! As he grows and matures, his understanding of this concept will change. For us… the “change” is often more one of our heart and will, rather than one of intellectual maturity.
One of the biggest revelations for me in recent years is how much God has been trying to give me… and yet, it’s as if I have had a giant “Spiritual firewall” in place that prevented reception. More often than not, that “firewall” has been my heart! See, we have to open our heart and mind to the possibilities God offers. We have to walk in faith and trust that He will do what the Bible tells us He has promised. We have to truly believe that with God, all things are possible. There is no room for “Yeah, but…” We have to operate completely in “For sure!”
The other thing we have to remember is that this change of heart is not instantaneous. We are works in progress. God is never done with us, and there are always new things to discover about His plan for our lives. But a good first step is to open our heart and mind to the possibilities and promises. The more we do this… the more we accept His incredible love and care for us… the more we can truly understand what we have seen and heard. Have you checked your heart for “Spiritual firewalls” lately? Isn’t it time to remove them?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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