Psalm 39:7
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Where did I put my _____? You fill in the blank! Each one of us probably asks this question several times a day. We wonder where we put put our keys… our phone…our wallet…even our car (in a busy parking lot)! It’s enough to drive a person batty at times… especially if we cannot find said item!
I wonder if you have ever asked yourself, “Where is my hope?” Because you see, there are plenty of things in life that seem to cause people to lose theirs. At any given moment, we may be stressing and fretting over a final exam…funding for a scholarship…bills we can’t seem to pay…not enough work - or sleep…the challenges of parenthood – or aging…too much to do – or too little…illness and/or injury…and more. And let’s not even talk about grief and loneliness… a feeling of helplessness over things that are beyond our control! I’m talking real, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, anxiety-producing situations that reduce us to a blithering mess! In these moments, many – if not all of us - will ask, “Where is my hope?”
C’mon now… you know the answer! You’ve always known that your hope lies in Jesus Christ and what He did for you. But you know what else? God understands when we question this! He gets it when we are despondent and heartsick and worry and fret. See… in those moments, we are raw… broken… REAL! And God gets a chance to truly show up and show out! He stands in the wings, waiting for us to realize that He can fix this! He can restore us… encourage us… give us new insights and a positive outlook. And the sooner we realize this and recognize His power to help… the better!
So where did you put your hope today? Have you momentarily lost it? Has it actually been missing for a long, long time? Isn’t today the perfect day to find it again… to rediscover God and what He does for us every day through His Son, Jesus Christ? Will this be the moment that you heave a sigh of relief and say, “I’ve found my hope…His name is Jesus!”? He’s standing right beside you… isn’t it time you acknowledged Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label God is our only hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God is our only hope. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 16, 2013
Psalm 146:3-9
Don’t put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don’t have what it takes;
when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Sunday morning, Timothy came stomping into the bathroom where I was dressing for church. “Aunt Debbie,” he said indignantly, “Uncle Greg just called me a ‘stinker’!” I asked Timothy what he had done, and he replied, “But I’m hungry!” He had been opening the kitchen cabinets and drawers to scavenge for a snack! And truly, he comes by his “stinker” trait honestly. My Mam-ma Polly… Timothy’s great-great-grandmother, could really be a stinker at times. Take for instance the summer day that I grocery shopped for her, and she put Clorox® bleach on her list. It was at least 103 in the shade, and I had planned to shop at Wal-Mart. Clorox® bleach was on sale at a grocery store across town – for ten cents less. I told Mam-ma that I would just get her the store brand, because it was even cheaper. She went into a tailspin! It had to be Clorox®! I told her that “bleach is bleach”… but she vehemently disagreed. To “seal the deal”, she added a loaf of bread to her list – Best Choice… sold only at the store where the bleach was a dime cheaper! So of course, I did what any respectful grand-daughter would do… I trekked across town to the other store and bought her Clorox® bleach and the loaf of bread!
I come from a long line of “stinkers”… and we are all “brand snobs” about certain things. I will only use Hellmann’s REAL mayonnaise, and my chili flavoring of choice is Williams. My brother was a “brand snob” about several food items, and he, my dad, and my Mam-ma’s boyfriend all had major – and differing – opinions about which brand of canned pork ‘n beans was the best! And while each of us has preferences about certain things… or silly notions, ideas and opinions about this or that (and feel that OUR opinion is the RIGHT one!)…the world will not fall apart if we prefer Bush’s beans over Van de Kamp’s… or Kraft Mayo over Hellmann’s. It won’t even matter whether we use a generic bleach or the Clorox® brand!
But when it comes to our life – both on this earth and for all eternity… in the matter of where we place our hope… it matters greatly who we listen to and trust. You don’t have to look very far to get a zillion opinions. Some will tell you that you must attend this church or that one… that you must memorize scripture or perform certain rituals. Others will say that it doesn’t really matter – there are many ways to God and plenty of paths to heaven. Do NOT accept any imitations in your faith walk. Do not listen to those who speak of anything other than God’s word and time spent in His presence to determine what HE is saying to you. Study, pray, listen and learn for yourself! Don’t leave this up to anyone else!
Just because your friends and family members prefer “Brand A” faith doesn’t make it right for you any more than your taste buds are better suited to one store brand over another. You may be swayed by the media and peer pressure to purchase certain brands, to support a particular political party, and even to drive a certain kind of car. You may do everything you can to fit in with others in society…to conform to what others tell you is “normal” and “expected.” But I am telling you this… in matters of your heart, your soul, and your eternity… all the hype in the world is exactly that - puff and fluff. Stick with the REAL DEAL… put your hope in God Almighty. Trust the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ… believe in His sacrifices for you on the cross, and in the hope of a place in His presence someday in heaven.
If you must be a “stinker”, be one for God! Insist on Him and nothing else. Make Him your “brand of choice”… your only hope… and never waver. You can always trust Him to give you the best results… to bless you immeasurably and never steer you down the wrong path. God is worth the “drive across town”… His love and care is literally the biggest savings of your life!
Who are you listening to these days? Are you swayed by the message of “experts”… or are you clinging to the words and wisdom of God Almighty? Are you secure in the hope of heaven and God’s promises? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Don’t put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don’t have what it takes;
when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Sunday morning, Timothy came stomping into the bathroom where I was dressing for church. “Aunt Debbie,” he said indignantly, “Uncle Greg just called me a ‘stinker’!” I asked Timothy what he had done, and he replied, “But I’m hungry!” He had been opening the kitchen cabinets and drawers to scavenge for a snack! And truly, he comes by his “stinker” trait honestly. My Mam-ma Polly… Timothy’s great-great-grandmother, could really be a stinker at times. Take for instance the summer day that I grocery shopped for her, and she put Clorox® bleach on her list. It was at least 103 in the shade, and I had planned to shop at Wal-Mart. Clorox® bleach was on sale at a grocery store across town – for ten cents less. I told Mam-ma that I would just get her the store brand, because it was even cheaper. She went into a tailspin! It had to be Clorox®! I told her that “bleach is bleach”… but she vehemently disagreed. To “seal the deal”, she added a loaf of bread to her list – Best Choice… sold only at the store where the bleach was a dime cheaper! So of course, I did what any respectful grand-daughter would do… I trekked across town to the other store and bought her Clorox® bleach and the loaf of bread!
I come from a long line of “stinkers”… and we are all “brand snobs” about certain things. I will only use Hellmann’s REAL mayonnaise, and my chili flavoring of choice is Williams. My brother was a “brand snob” about several food items, and he, my dad, and my Mam-ma’s boyfriend all had major – and differing – opinions about which brand of canned pork ‘n beans was the best! And while each of us has preferences about certain things… or silly notions, ideas and opinions about this or that (and feel that OUR opinion is the RIGHT one!)…the world will not fall apart if we prefer Bush’s beans over Van de Kamp’s… or Kraft Mayo over Hellmann’s. It won’t even matter whether we use a generic bleach or the Clorox® brand!
But when it comes to our life – both on this earth and for all eternity… in the matter of where we place our hope… it matters greatly who we listen to and trust. You don’t have to look very far to get a zillion opinions. Some will tell you that you must attend this church or that one… that you must memorize scripture or perform certain rituals. Others will say that it doesn’t really matter – there are many ways to God and plenty of paths to heaven. Do NOT accept any imitations in your faith walk. Do not listen to those who speak of anything other than God’s word and time spent in His presence to determine what HE is saying to you. Study, pray, listen and learn for yourself! Don’t leave this up to anyone else!
Just because your friends and family members prefer “Brand A” faith doesn’t make it right for you any more than your taste buds are better suited to one store brand over another. You may be swayed by the media and peer pressure to purchase certain brands, to support a particular political party, and even to drive a certain kind of car. You may do everything you can to fit in with others in society…to conform to what others tell you is “normal” and “expected.” But I am telling you this… in matters of your heart, your soul, and your eternity… all the hype in the world is exactly that - puff and fluff. Stick with the REAL DEAL… put your hope in God Almighty. Trust the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ… believe in His sacrifices for you on the cross, and in the hope of a place in His presence someday in heaven.
If you must be a “stinker”, be one for God! Insist on Him and nothing else. Make Him your “brand of choice”… your only hope… and never waver. You can always trust Him to give you the best results… to bless you immeasurably and never steer you down the wrong path. God is worth the “drive across town”… His love and care is literally the biggest savings of your life!
Who are you listening to these days? Are you swayed by the message of “experts”… or are you clinging to the words and wisdom of God Almighty? Are you secure in the hope of heaven and God’s promises? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 7, 2013
Job 13:13-15
Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think. God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me - I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel!” If you have not ever uttered that phrase to someone, perhaps it has been expressed to you. And truly, there are people with whom we can be brutally honest, “vent” and share our innermost thoughts… and others for whom we sugarcoat the situation. I am truly blessed to have a mate and partner with whom I can be completely honest. I don’t have to pretend to Greg that I am having a good day when I am not. I can share my greatest joys with him with confidence that he will celebrate the victories with me. I can also express my deepest frustration and pain… and he will commiserate and console. It’s a “no-holds-barred” relationship… and I truly treasure this.
I am blessed to share a similar relationship with my best friend Marla Ann… and my cousin Natalie. Because of our relationship and our “history,” we share thoughts and feelings that nobody else would understand. We are comfortable being real and raw with each other about what is happening in our lives. And like the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we know we can be completely honest and transparent with each other… and nobody else will ever hear of it.
So here we are with Job. He is being persecuted and tortured with all sorts of afflictions. And he has decided to ask God exactly why this is happening to him. Others are warning him NOT to question God… suggesting that he will die for his audacity! But here’s the thing… Job knows that his only hope is God. It’s a risk he is willing to take.
Now remember, this all happened to Job long before Jesus came to earth and died for our sins so that we could have first-hand access to God. In Job’s day, mere mortals were not supposed to talk to God directly. They were expected to talk to a high priest who would intercede on their behalf. The nerve of Job to think he could just cry out to God and plead his case! But that is exactly what he did. And this is what we can do, as well.
God is more than our best friend… He is closer than our mate… He is always ready to hear from us - and never betrays our confidence. God wants to hear how we really feel! He can take it! This should be the best news you have had all day! This should fill each of us with hope and confidence… that God is ready, willing, and able to hear our petitions – and to answer them. We truly have nothing to lose. We are not Godless… and He will save us.
I am grateful for Greg, Marla Ann and Natalie. I am glad that God has given me earthly support in the form of these three people. But I am even more grateful for His love and care… and the promises He has made to me to meet my every need. So the question is, “Are you ready to take your life into your own hands and lay it on the line with God?” Is He your hope… your only hope? Will you be completely honest and open with Him and trust His guidance and care? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think. God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me - I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel!” If you have not ever uttered that phrase to someone, perhaps it has been expressed to you. And truly, there are people with whom we can be brutally honest, “vent” and share our innermost thoughts… and others for whom we sugarcoat the situation. I am truly blessed to have a mate and partner with whom I can be completely honest. I don’t have to pretend to Greg that I am having a good day when I am not. I can share my greatest joys with him with confidence that he will celebrate the victories with me. I can also express my deepest frustration and pain… and he will commiserate and console. It’s a “no-holds-barred” relationship… and I truly treasure this.
I am blessed to share a similar relationship with my best friend Marla Ann… and my cousin Natalie. Because of our relationship and our “history,” we share thoughts and feelings that nobody else would understand. We are comfortable being real and raw with each other about what is happening in our lives. And like the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we know we can be completely honest and transparent with each other… and nobody else will ever hear of it.
So here we are with Job. He is being persecuted and tortured with all sorts of afflictions. And he has decided to ask God exactly why this is happening to him. Others are warning him NOT to question God… suggesting that he will die for his audacity! But here’s the thing… Job knows that his only hope is God. It’s a risk he is willing to take.
Now remember, this all happened to Job long before Jesus came to earth and died for our sins so that we could have first-hand access to God. In Job’s day, mere mortals were not supposed to talk to God directly. They were expected to talk to a high priest who would intercede on their behalf. The nerve of Job to think he could just cry out to God and plead his case! But that is exactly what he did. And this is what we can do, as well.
God is more than our best friend… He is closer than our mate… He is always ready to hear from us - and never betrays our confidence. God wants to hear how we really feel! He can take it! This should be the best news you have had all day! This should fill each of us with hope and confidence… that God is ready, willing, and able to hear our petitions – and to answer them. We truly have nothing to lose. We are not Godless… and He will save us.
I am grateful for Greg, Marla Ann and Natalie. I am glad that God has given me earthly support in the form of these three people. But I am even more grateful for His love and care… and the promises He has made to me to meet my every need. So the question is, “Are you ready to take your life into your own hands and lay it on the line with God?” Is He your hope… your only hope? Will you be completely honest and open with Him and trust His guidance and care? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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