Luke 6:30-35
Give to everyone who asks and
don’t ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others
just as you want to be treated.
If you love only someone who
loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who
love them. If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God
be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are
kind to them. If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you
back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to
sinners because they think they will get it all back.
But love
your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid
back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true
children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful
and cruel.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s
happened more than once. A person I thought was a friend did something
hurtful toward me – or toward another friend or loved one. And then
this person acted as if nothing had happened. There are also a few
people who never respond to my kindnesses…who never say “Thank You” when
I wish them well or do something nice for them. And I continue to do it
anyway. Why? Because decades ago, someone gave me some excellent (and scriptural) advice when another person had treated me poorly…”Kill ‘em with kindness.”
Here’s
the thing…think of all that you have done that broke Jesus’ heart. Did
He turn His back on you? Did Jesus say, “You mistreated Me, so I am not
doing another thing for you!”…or “You are dead to Me!” No, Jesus
continues to love us and bless us even as we disappoint Him on a daily
basis. We are offered unmerited favor, also known as GRACE – God’s
Riches At Christ’s Expense. And we are called to extend this same gift
to others.
At every turn, we must ask ourselves, “How do we wish
to be treated?” We must consider how Jesus treats us – even when we
falter…how He reacts when we “borrow” and don’t repay…how He loves us
even when we break His heart. We have to ask ourselves whether we think
we are better than Jesus…or whether we should be implementing His model
of compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness in our daily interaction
with others.
The answer is clear to me. I won’t say that I don’t
have to sometimes grit my teeth and bite my tongue while I smile and
say or do nice things for someone else. But because of God’s grace, I
try to treat others as I wish to be treated…whether they reciprocate or
not. At some point, your efforts may be noticed. The “borrower” or
“offender” may acknowledge that you treated him/her better than he/she
deserved. But either way, you will be able to say to yourself – and
most importantly, to Jesus – “I did my best to honor what You commanded.
I treated others as YOU treat me…and as I wish to be treated.”
There
are people who will hurt us...people who will borrow and never
repay…people who will disappoint us – or even break our hearts – and
then act as if nothing ever happened. Bad things will happen to “good”
people…at the hands of other people we thought were inherently “good.” How we react and respond speaks volumes about where we are as a Christian disciple. What - and WHO - are you showing to others these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label God's grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's grace. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 30, 2016
May 30 ~ Romans 11:1-5
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As Nathan approaches his fourth birthday, he has taken up the rally cry of “You don’t love me anymore!” when he is reprimanded. We assure him that we do, and he often follows with, “Well, then I don’t love YOU anymore!”…or the “knife-to-the-heart” response – “I am not your bestest friend any MORE!” We smile and say, “Okay”…and he has to do his “time out” or whatever anyway!
Timothy, our resident worry-wart, will often spontaneously ask, “Are you mad at me?” …as if he has done something that upset us – or that he knows he should not do. Of course, we assure him that we are NOT mad at him. And Zola just goes with the flow! The three children are in many ways a microscopic model of the world at large and how we operate and react in regard to others – particularly authority figures and leaders.
I have long heard it said (and more frequently in recent months)…that by all rights, God should wipe us all out and either start over or give up completely. We’ve all said and done things that must make God crazy in any given moment. The quote for this date on my daily calendar says, “Only some of us can learn by other people’s mistakes. The rest of us have to be the other people.” And this is where God’s grace comes into play.
Without God’s grace, we surely would be totally banished from the face of the earth. He could not put up with us otherwise! Because of God’s grace, we are given second chances – often, lots of them! God honors His promise to redeem us through the blood of Jesus. So those of us who have surrendered our hearts to Jesus Christ and admitted our sins and shortcomings are covered by God’s grace and mercy. This is not a license to live as we please…but it IS a reminder that our “good works” will not get us into God’s “good graces.”
The message for today is that God is occasionally mad at us - or disappointed. He may not feel like being our “bestest friend” in the moment. But because of the blood of Jesus…and God’s amazing grace…we are part of the “remnant” who are protected and given more chances than we deserve to turn things around. Let’s show God just how grateful we are and make the most of them, shall we?
©2016 Debbie Robus
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
As Nathan approaches his fourth birthday, he has taken up the rally cry of “You don’t love me anymore!” when he is reprimanded. We assure him that we do, and he often follows with, “Well, then I don’t love YOU anymore!”…or the “knife-to-the-heart” response – “I am not your bestest friend any MORE!” We smile and say, “Okay”…and he has to do his “time out” or whatever anyway!
Timothy, our resident worry-wart, will often spontaneously ask, “Are you mad at me?” …as if he has done something that upset us – or that he knows he should not do. Of course, we assure him that we are NOT mad at him. And Zola just goes with the flow! The three children are in many ways a microscopic model of the world at large and how we operate and react in regard to others – particularly authority figures and leaders.
I have long heard it said (and more frequently in recent months)…that by all rights, God should wipe us all out and either start over or give up completely. We’ve all said and done things that must make God crazy in any given moment. The quote for this date on my daily calendar says, “Only some of us can learn by other people’s mistakes. The rest of us have to be the other people.” And this is where God’s grace comes into play.
Without God’s grace, we surely would be totally banished from the face of the earth. He could not put up with us otherwise! Because of God’s grace, we are given second chances – often, lots of them! God honors His promise to redeem us through the blood of Jesus. So those of us who have surrendered our hearts to Jesus Christ and admitted our sins and shortcomings are covered by God’s grace and mercy. This is not a license to live as we please…but it IS a reminder that our “good works” will not get us into God’s “good graces.”
The message for today is that God is occasionally mad at us - or disappointed. He may not feel like being our “bestest friend” in the moment. But because of the blood of Jesus…and God’s amazing grace…we are part of the “remnant” who are protected and given more chances than we deserve to turn things around. Let’s show God just how grateful we are and make the most of them, shall we?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 3, 2011
Proverbs 20:27
Our inner thoughts are a lamp from the LORD, and they search our hearts.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We all know that there are some things that escape our notice without a bright light. Doctors have strong lights to shine into our throats and take a look at our tonsils. Dentists use a bright light to better examine our teeth and gums. Even the “American Pickers” use a strong flashlight to search the depths of musty barn lofts, attics and drawers as they look for hidden treasures.
Often, I will shine a flashlight under the couch and pieces of furniture to locate missing toys that belong to Timothy or our cats. And sometimes, I’m surprised at what I find there… things I am almost embarrassed to describe, like big lint balls and such!
It comes as no surprise that we can’t see everything clearly in the dark. When it comes to matters of the heart, a few of us would probably prefer that no light ever shone there! We don’t want our “lint balls” illuminated! But if we are going to truly follow Jesus, we must have an open heart… one that is ready for inspection at all times.
The cool thing is that God knows what’s in our heart anyway, but His light helps expose our hidden motives… our impure thoughts and desires… and allows us to correct them. He doesn’t condemn us for what is in our heart…He just points His lamp at our “swollen tonsil” and says, “There’s your problem!” It’s up to us to make adjustments and corrections… and God is more than willing to help us with that, as well.
Our goal should be to get so comfortable and familiar with living for Jesus that we no longer have hidden motives or “lint ball desires.” The devil will never stop trying to plant these in our heart… but God will never stop shining His light on them, either! I pray that God is winning the war in your heart… that there is more of Him in your heart than the devil’s “lint balls.” How does your heart look today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Our inner thoughts are a lamp from the LORD, and they search our hearts.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We all know that there are some things that escape our notice without a bright light. Doctors have strong lights to shine into our throats and take a look at our tonsils. Dentists use a bright light to better examine our teeth and gums. Even the “American Pickers” use a strong flashlight to search the depths of musty barn lofts, attics and drawers as they look for hidden treasures.
Often, I will shine a flashlight under the couch and pieces of furniture to locate missing toys that belong to Timothy or our cats. And sometimes, I’m surprised at what I find there… things I am almost embarrassed to describe, like big lint balls and such!
It comes as no surprise that we can’t see everything clearly in the dark. When it comes to matters of the heart, a few of us would probably prefer that no light ever shone there! We don’t want our “lint balls” illuminated! But if we are going to truly follow Jesus, we must have an open heart… one that is ready for inspection at all times.
The cool thing is that God knows what’s in our heart anyway, but His light helps expose our hidden motives… our impure thoughts and desires… and allows us to correct them. He doesn’t condemn us for what is in our heart…He just points His lamp at our “swollen tonsil” and says, “There’s your problem!” It’s up to us to make adjustments and corrections… and God is more than willing to help us with that, as well.
Our goal should be to get so comfortable and familiar with living for Jesus that we no longer have hidden motives or “lint ball desires.” The devil will never stop trying to plant these in our heart… but God will never stop shining His light on them, either! I pray that God is winning the war in your heart… that there is more of Him in your heart than the devil’s “lint balls.” How does your heart look today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 21, 2011
John 6:30-33
They replied, "What miracle will you work, so that we can have faith in you? What will you do? For example, when our ancestors were in the desert, they were given manna to eat. It happened just as the Scriptures say, `God gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "Jesus then told them, "I tell you for certain that Moses wasn't the one who gave you bread from heaven. My Father is the one who gives you the true bread from heaven. And the bread that God gives is the one who came down from heaven to give life to the world."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us are probably familiar with the scene in the movie “Jerry Maguire” where Cuba Gooding, Jr. screams, “Show me the money!” Gooding portrays a pro football player who is disgruntled with his contract. As his agent (played by Tom Cruise) tries to appease him, Gooding’s character is totally dissatisfied with the explanation. He wants proof of what Cruise’s character is promising… he wants more… he wants Cruise to “show me the money!”
Isn’t this how we operate with God many times? If we are really honest, don’t we want God to “show me the money!”? Oh, I don’t mean we literally want money… though some do! We are not satisfied with the things God does for us every minute of the day… the subtle mercies He offers us… the way He loves us when we don’t deserve it… the grace He extends as we muddle through our lives. We want Him to bring lightning bolts and thunder and pull out the BIG guns and really do miraculous things that are clearly visible. Maybe then we will really recognize Him and give Him due credit!
Does this sound familiar? How many times have you said, “LORD, I need a miracle!”? We fail to recognize that the fact that God loves us in the first place is probably one of the biggest miracles ever! Beyond this, we don’t stop to acknowledge all of the countless ways He is present in our lives on a daily basis. In essence, we don’t really recognize GOD! Unless He “shows us the money” in a grand way that makes a spectacular production for the world to see, we aren’t interested.
Look around. Take a good, hard look at your life in the light of what God has done – and continues to do – for you every day. See His hand in the smallest of events, as well as those larger ones. Get a grip on how much God loves us, and understand that He really does “show you the money” every minute of the day. Now humble yourself and thank Him… really thank Him for His tender love, grace and mercy… and start to operate in a spirit of full awareness of His presence – and gratitude for His blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
They replied, "What miracle will you work, so that we can have faith in you? What will you do? For example, when our ancestors were in the desert, they were given manna to eat. It happened just as the Scriptures say, `God gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "Jesus then told them, "I tell you for certain that Moses wasn't the one who gave you bread from heaven. My Father is the one who gives you the true bread from heaven. And the bread that God gives is the one who came down from heaven to give life to the world."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us are probably familiar with the scene in the movie “Jerry Maguire” where Cuba Gooding, Jr. screams, “Show me the money!” Gooding portrays a pro football player who is disgruntled with his contract. As his agent (played by Tom Cruise) tries to appease him, Gooding’s character is totally dissatisfied with the explanation. He wants proof of what Cruise’s character is promising… he wants more… he wants Cruise to “show me the money!”
Isn’t this how we operate with God many times? If we are really honest, don’t we want God to “show me the money!”? Oh, I don’t mean we literally want money… though some do! We are not satisfied with the things God does for us every minute of the day… the subtle mercies He offers us… the way He loves us when we don’t deserve it… the grace He extends as we muddle through our lives. We want Him to bring lightning bolts and thunder and pull out the BIG guns and really do miraculous things that are clearly visible. Maybe then we will really recognize Him and give Him due credit!
Does this sound familiar? How many times have you said, “LORD, I need a miracle!”? We fail to recognize that the fact that God loves us in the first place is probably one of the biggest miracles ever! Beyond this, we don’t stop to acknowledge all of the countless ways He is present in our lives on a daily basis. In essence, we don’t really recognize GOD! Unless He “shows us the money” in a grand way that makes a spectacular production for the world to see, we aren’t interested.
Look around. Take a good, hard look at your life in the light of what God has done – and continues to do – for you every day. See His hand in the smallest of events, as well as those larger ones. Get a grip on how much God loves us, and understand that He really does “show you the money” every minute of the day. Now humble yourself and thank Him… really thank Him for His tender love, grace and mercy… and start to operate in a spirit of full awareness of His presence – and gratitude for His blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 14, 2011
John 3:16-18
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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.
I was watching a movie recently about a family of con artists. One day there was a knock at the door, and one of the children saw a policemen standing there. She froze… scared to open the door. The father opened the door and had a pleasant, innocent conversation with the policeman who was merely making a courtesy call. Afterward, the father told his family, “People in this neighborhood don’t fear the police… the police are their friends!” He added that most people in that neighborhood had no reason to expect something bad when the policeman knocked on their door… they had not done anything wrong, so they knew that nothing was going to happen.
If you don’t get anything else today from this writing, get this… God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us… to wag his finger and tell us how perfectly awful we are. We have every reason to be like those who feared the policeman. We’ve done wrong, and we know it… yet that is not why Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts. That is not why He gave His very life on the cross for us. If you don’t understand anything else today, try as hard as you can to see how much Jesus loves you! He wants you to be with Him – now and forever. He doesn’t want to see you condemned – to hell… or to an existence akin to hell on earth. He wants to capture your heart and fill you with hope and peace and joy.
The thing of it is… we will never be forced to choose Jesus. It’s all up to us. God sent Him to earth to save us… but only if we wish to be rescued. Choosing Jesus changes everything. Choosing Jesus says, “I love you for loving me.”
There are a zillion other reasons to choose Jesus… but what could be better than pure love - His… and ours in return? Have you chosen Jesus?
©2011 Debbie Robus
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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.
I was watching a movie recently about a family of con artists. One day there was a knock at the door, and one of the children saw a policemen standing there. She froze… scared to open the door. The father opened the door and had a pleasant, innocent conversation with the policeman who was merely making a courtesy call. Afterward, the father told his family, “People in this neighborhood don’t fear the police… the police are their friends!” He added that most people in that neighborhood had no reason to expect something bad when the policeman knocked on their door… they had not done anything wrong, so they knew that nothing was going to happen.
If you don’t get anything else today from this writing, get this… God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us… to wag his finger and tell us how perfectly awful we are. We have every reason to be like those who feared the policeman. We’ve done wrong, and we know it… yet that is not why Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts. That is not why He gave His very life on the cross for us. If you don’t understand anything else today, try as hard as you can to see how much Jesus loves you! He wants you to be with Him – now and forever. He doesn’t want to see you condemned – to hell… or to an existence akin to hell on earth. He wants to capture your heart and fill you with hope and peace and joy.
The thing of it is… we will never be forced to choose Jesus. It’s all up to us. God sent Him to earth to save us… but only if we wish to be rescued. Choosing Jesus changes everything. Choosing Jesus says, “I love you for loving me.”
There are a zillion other reasons to choose Jesus… but what could be better than pure love - His… and ours in return? Have you chosen Jesus?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 6, 2011
Psalm 97:10-12
God loves all who hate evil,
And those who love him he keeps safe,
Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.
Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.
So, God's people, shout praise to God,
Give thanks to our Holy God!
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.
Through the magic of television, many around the world have been glued to the Casey Anthony trial, in which a young mother was accused of murdering her small child, Caylee, and covering up the death for 31 days. I have heard a few bits and pieces of information, but I chose not to follow the minute coverage of this trial. And I guess because so many did watch every single second of testimony on the airwaves, they feel that they have an “informed” opinion about whether this young mother is guilty or not. I find the whole situation very sad and heartbreaking. But honestly, I do not have an opinion one way or the other about this woman’s guilt or innocence… and that is not the point of this devotional.
I have a different “take” on some things. My perspective changed greatly when I read The Shack by William P. Young. In his fictional story, Young tells of a little girl who disappeared from her family while they are on a camping trip. Her body was never found, but the authorities did find her blood-soaked red dress, and a little “ladybug” pin – the signature “calling card” of a serial killer. The guilt-ridden father goes on a Spiritual journey that culminates in a healing experience for him, as he makes several profound discoveries about God and his faith… that God never left this child… that He was right beside her through all of the brutality… and that He swept her into His arms and carried her safely to heaven… and that the father must forgive all involved – including himself – in order to truly heal.
As I listened to the snippets of coverage about this latest trial, I was reminded over and over that God was with little Caylee Anthony every step of the way. He shielded her in ways we can’t even imagine from the horror of the events… He swept her up, kept her safe, and snatched her from the grip of evil and wickedness that might have been her life on this earth. In The Shack, Young writes as if he were speaking as God… “Nobody knows what horrors I have saved the world from ‘cuz people can’t see what never happened. All evil flows from independence, and independence is your choice. Evil is the chaos of this age that you brought to me, but it will not have the final say. Now it touches everyone that I love, those who follow me and those who don’t. If I take away the consequences of people’s choices, I destroy the possibility of love. Love that is forced is no love at all.” We don’t know why God allowed this to happen. But we do know that God never stops loving us… even in the midst of evil.
I would never venture to suggest to any of you how you should feel about this trial or any other event. But I do suggest that you spend some time in prayer for all concerned… and thank God that He is still in control. God knows every detail surrounding this horrific tragedy, and He will mete out perfect justice to everyone involved. Little Caylee Anthony is safe and whole in His arms. Any lies, cover-ups, deceit, and evil that occurred before, during, and after her death will be dealt with as only God can.
Regardless of how you are feeling about this particular case, be joyful that in the end, evil will not win. God always has the last say… and He will prevail. He will mete out perfect justice to those who embrace evil… and He will bless and keep those who are innocent. Praise God for His fairness, grace and mercy… praise Him for loving each of us… and for always meeting our needs.
©2011 Debbie Robus
God loves all who hate evil,
And those who love him he keeps safe,
Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.
Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.
So, God's people, shout praise to God,
Give thanks to our Holy God!
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.
Through the magic of television, many around the world have been glued to the Casey Anthony trial, in which a young mother was accused of murdering her small child, Caylee, and covering up the death for 31 days. I have heard a few bits and pieces of information, but I chose not to follow the minute coverage of this trial. And I guess because so many did watch every single second of testimony on the airwaves, they feel that they have an “informed” opinion about whether this young mother is guilty or not. I find the whole situation very sad and heartbreaking. But honestly, I do not have an opinion one way or the other about this woman’s guilt or innocence… and that is not the point of this devotional.
I have a different “take” on some things. My perspective changed greatly when I read The Shack by William P. Young. In his fictional story, Young tells of a little girl who disappeared from her family while they are on a camping trip. Her body was never found, but the authorities did find her blood-soaked red dress, and a little “ladybug” pin – the signature “calling card” of a serial killer. The guilt-ridden father goes on a Spiritual journey that culminates in a healing experience for him, as he makes several profound discoveries about God and his faith… that God never left this child… that He was right beside her through all of the brutality… and that He swept her into His arms and carried her safely to heaven… and that the father must forgive all involved – including himself – in order to truly heal.
As I listened to the snippets of coverage about this latest trial, I was reminded over and over that God was with little Caylee Anthony every step of the way. He shielded her in ways we can’t even imagine from the horror of the events… He swept her up, kept her safe, and snatched her from the grip of evil and wickedness that might have been her life on this earth. In The Shack, Young writes as if he were speaking as God… “Nobody knows what horrors I have saved the world from ‘cuz people can’t see what never happened. All evil flows from independence, and independence is your choice. Evil is the chaos of this age that you brought to me, but it will not have the final say. Now it touches everyone that I love, those who follow me and those who don’t. If I take away the consequences of people’s choices, I destroy the possibility of love. Love that is forced is no love at all.” We don’t know why God allowed this to happen. But we do know that God never stops loving us… even in the midst of evil.
I would never venture to suggest to any of you how you should feel about this trial or any other event. But I do suggest that you spend some time in prayer for all concerned… and thank God that He is still in control. God knows every detail surrounding this horrific tragedy, and He will mete out perfect justice to everyone involved. Little Caylee Anthony is safe and whole in His arms. Any lies, cover-ups, deceit, and evil that occurred before, during, and after her death will be dealt with as only God can.
Regardless of how you are feeling about this particular case, be joyful that in the end, evil will not win. God always has the last say… and He will prevail. He will mete out perfect justice to those who embrace evil… and He will bless and keep those who are innocent. Praise God for His fairness, grace and mercy… praise Him for loving each of us… and for always meeting our needs.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 24, 2011
Luke 24:28-34
They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.
Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?"
They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!"
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.
“Light bulb moments”… “Aha! Moments”… whatever you call them, we’ve all had that time when “the lights went on,” and we truly understood something that had eluded us beforehand. For these two men on the road to Emmaus, their “light bulb” moment came when Jesus sat with them and broke bread, then blessed it. They had been so caught up in their sadness over the crucifixion, death and disappearance of Jesus that they couldn’t recognize Him walking right alongside them on the road.
Suddenly, all of the things Jesus had said and done as He walked with them to their home came together and made sense… and helped them to realize that THIS was the man everyone was talking about… the person who was crucified, buried, and then came up missing from the tomb. THIS was no mere mortal… He was JESUS CHRIST… the MESSIAH! These men realized in an instant just how much Jesus loved them… how true His teachings were… and just how incredibly real His power was.
An entire “community” has been built around this scripture passage. Information about the Walk to Emmaus at www.upperroom.org says “The Walk to Emmaus offers today's disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ's presence in their lives, to gain fresh understanding of God's transforming grace, and to form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity.” While the Walk to Emmaus is associated with the United Methodist Church, anyone can attend. For teenagers, there is a comparable event known as Chrysalis. Other denominations have similar spiritual renewal programs, such as the Catholic Church’s Cursillo and a non-denominational “Faith Walk” program that is offered in several locations throughout the South.
Whether you ever attend one of these four-day events or not is irrelevant. I found my Walk to Emmaus experience to be life-changing, as I discovered more about the abundant grace of Jesus Christ… how much He loves us and wants us to trust Him – and to serve Him by sharing His love and grace with others. It is safe to say that I had a “light bulb moment” on my “walk.” But we can have this same experience in the quiet of our own home… out on a hike in the natural beauty of God’s creation… or in the midst of a noisy praise and worship service at a local church.
The key is to open our hearts and minds to the possibilities with Jesus… to really, really recognize that He is walking right beside us! We’re on the road of life, head hung low, slogging through our daily routine and worrying and fretting about all sorts of things – many of which are quite legitimate! – and we fail to recognize that Jesus is right there with us. He’s ready to take on our burdens, to extend His grace to us for our shortcomings, and to love us unconditionally. But a lot of us have simply never fully recognized His presence.
Let’s make today a “light bulb moment” day for all of us. Even if you have had such an experience in the past… we all need a refresher course from time to time. Let’s stop what we are doing for a few seconds, close our eyes, and say, “Come close, LORD… I know you are there… I really, truly feel you with me.” Then DO IT! Feel His presence… accept His grace, mercy, and love – and bask in them. And share this good news with others by serving like the Disciple you are. It’s time… this is the day… altogether now… say, “Aha!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.
Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?"
They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!"
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.
“Light bulb moments”… “Aha! Moments”… whatever you call them, we’ve all had that time when “the lights went on,” and we truly understood something that had eluded us beforehand. For these two men on the road to Emmaus, their “light bulb” moment came when Jesus sat with them and broke bread, then blessed it. They had been so caught up in their sadness over the crucifixion, death and disappearance of Jesus that they couldn’t recognize Him walking right alongside them on the road.
Suddenly, all of the things Jesus had said and done as He walked with them to their home came together and made sense… and helped them to realize that THIS was the man everyone was talking about… the person who was crucified, buried, and then came up missing from the tomb. THIS was no mere mortal… He was JESUS CHRIST… the MESSIAH! These men realized in an instant just how much Jesus loved them… how true His teachings were… and just how incredibly real His power was.
An entire “community” has been built around this scripture passage. Information about the Walk to Emmaus at www.upperroom.org says “The Walk to Emmaus offers today's disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ's presence in their lives, to gain fresh understanding of God's transforming grace, and to form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity.” While the Walk to Emmaus is associated with the United Methodist Church, anyone can attend. For teenagers, there is a comparable event known as Chrysalis. Other denominations have similar spiritual renewal programs, such as the Catholic Church’s Cursillo and a non-denominational “Faith Walk” program that is offered in several locations throughout the South.
Whether you ever attend one of these four-day events or not is irrelevant. I found my Walk to Emmaus experience to be life-changing, as I discovered more about the abundant grace of Jesus Christ… how much He loves us and wants us to trust Him – and to serve Him by sharing His love and grace with others. It is safe to say that I had a “light bulb moment” on my “walk.” But we can have this same experience in the quiet of our own home… out on a hike in the natural beauty of God’s creation… or in the midst of a noisy praise and worship service at a local church.
The key is to open our hearts and minds to the possibilities with Jesus… to really, really recognize that He is walking right beside us! We’re on the road of life, head hung low, slogging through our daily routine and worrying and fretting about all sorts of things – many of which are quite legitimate! – and we fail to recognize that Jesus is right there with us. He’s ready to take on our burdens, to extend His grace to us for our shortcomings, and to love us unconditionally. But a lot of us have simply never fully recognized His presence.
Let’s make today a “light bulb moment” day for all of us. Even if you have had such an experience in the past… we all need a refresher course from time to time. Let’s stop what we are doing for a few seconds, close our eyes, and say, “Come close, LORD… I know you are there… I really, truly feel you with me.” Then DO IT! Feel His presence… accept His grace, mercy, and love – and bask in them. And share this good news with others by serving like the Disciple you are. It’s time… this is the day… altogether now… say, “Aha!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 23, 2011
March 23 ~ Psalm 59:16-17
But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble. I will sing your praises! You are my mighty fortress, and you love me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My sister discovered a book on my grandmother’s bookshelf titled Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy by Barbara Johnson. In the preface, the author says that she “wanted to reach out, one to one, heart to heart, to help that one freshly hurt mother who felt as though no one could possibly understand the depth of her despair.” She adds that, via her own personal experiences, she understands that mother’s hurts and wanted to “model a firm grip on God’s loving promises, and then to gently nudge us back to normalcy… a place we thought we’d never see again.”
For a title to Chapter 1 of this book, Johnson chose: “Pain Is Inevitable… Misery is Optional.” Earlier in the tenth verse of this Psalm, The Message translates the words like this… “God in dependable love shows up on time, shows me my enemies in ruin.” David writes in this Psalm of the enemies showing up “like snarling dogs” to hurt us… but God is always there to serve as our fortress and protection in times of trouble.
Because God “has our back,” we can praise Him night and day – in times both good and bad. We can “stick a geranium in our hat and be happy” no matter what is happening to us. We can count on God to show up on time and fight our battles for us. Does this mean trouble won’t come… that we won’t have worries, fears, heartaches, suffering, and sadness? Absolutely not! Does it mean that we will be given more than we can handle? Never! We will have pain in our life… but we choose whether or not to be miserable.
In recent days, I have observed several families who are dealing with extraordinary challenges… serious health issues that have ravaged the bodies of precious young children and Godly adults. I have marveled at the ability of family members to speak positively, even when watching their babies suffer or be hooked to machines and devices that bring healing and life sustaining nutrients and medication. I’ve watched families be given the news that “the end” of this earthly life is near for a loved one… and young mothers report on Facebook about their little ones’ afflictions… RSV, pneumonia, a brain shunt for one and kidney problems… a serious infection for another.
I have seen others learn that new, seemingly inconvenient or complicated therapies or treatments will be necessary, and they take it in stride… making the necessary arrangements for appointments, equipment, and more. Always, they ask, “Please pray,” but not once have they said, “God has deserted or disappointed us.” They sing of His strength… and when even slight improvements or healings… they quickly thank God for answering and protecting them.”
Surely we can do the same. With God’s help, we can handle whatever “life” hands us. We can sing His praises, stick a flower in our hat and be happy… because we are LOVED and protected by the Most High God! He’s “large and in charge” – and He is all we need! This is GOOD NEWS! This is reason to be happy and confident. We can handle ANYTHING with God… don’t you believe this? What will you choose today – a positive outlook… or misery? Will you live like God is in control? Will others see God’s strength operating in and through you? Just what sort of “hat” are you wearing today… and will it have a flower?
©2011 Debbie Robus
But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble. I will sing your praises! You are my mighty fortress, and you love me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My sister discovered a book on my grandmother’s bookshelf titled Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy by Barbara Johnson. In the preface, the author says that she “wanted to reach out, one to one, heart to heart, to help that one freshly hurt mother who felt as though no one could possibly understand the depth of her despair.” She adds that, via her own personal experiences, she understands that mother’s hurts and wanted to “model a firm grip on God’s loving promises, and then to gently nudge us back to normalcy… a place we thought we’d never see again.”
For a title to Chapter 1 of this book, Johnson chose: “Pain Is Inevitable… Misery is Optional.” Earlier in the tenth verse of this Psalm, The Message translates the words like this… “God in dependable love shows up on time, shows me my enemies in ruin.” David writes in this Psalm of the enemies showing up “like snarling dogs” to hurt us… but God is always there to serve as our fortress and protection in times of trouble.
Because God “has our back,” we can praise Him night and day – in times both good and bad. We can “stick a geranium in our hat and be happy” no matter what is happening to us. We can count on God to show up on time and fight our battles for us. Does this mean trouble won’t come… that we won’t have worries, fears, heartaches, suffering, and sadness? Absolutely not! Does it mean that we will be given more than we can handle? Never! We will have pain in our life… but we choose whether or not to be miserable.
In recent days, I have observed several families who are dealing with extraordinary challenges… serious health issues that have ravaged the bodies of precious young children and Godly adults. I have marveled at the ability of family members to speak positively, even when watching their babies suffer or be hooked to machines and devices that bring healing and life sustaining nutrients and medication. I’ve watched families be given the news that “the end” of this earthly life is near for a loved one… and young mothers report on Facebook about their little ones’ afflictions… RSV, pneumonia, a brain shunt for one and kidney problems… a serious infection for another.
I have seen others learn that new, seemingly inconvenient or complicated therapies or treatments will be necessary, and they take it in stride… making the necessary arrangements for appointments, equipment, and more. Always, they ask, “Please pray,” but not once have they said, “God has deserted or disappointed us.” They sing of His strength… and when even slight improvements or healings… they quickly thank God for answering and protecting them.”
Surely we can do the same. With God’s help, we can handle whatever “life” hands us. We can sing His praises, stick a flower in our hat and be happy… because we are LOVED and protected by the Most High God! He’s “large and in charge” – and He is all we need! This is GOOD NEWS! This is reason to be happy and confident. We can handle ANYTHING with God… don’t you believe this? What will you choose today – a positive outlook… or misery? Will you live like God is in control? Will others see God’s strength operating in and through you? Just what sort of “hat” are you wearing today… and will it have a flower?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 11, 2011
Numbers 14:17-19
Show us your great power, LORD. You promised that you love to show mercy and kindness. And you said that you are very patient, but that you will punish everyone guilty of doing wrong--not only them but their children and grandchildren as well.
You are merciful, and you treat people better than they deserve. So please forgive these people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity… “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”… should be tattooed on the foreheads of many of us. How many times have you been guilty of knowing what you are doing won’t work… but you do it anyway?!
The Israelites were certainly like this, and Moses had quite a time trying to keep them in line. They were demanding whiners and complainers who were, for the most part, completely ungrateful for the blessings and care God showed them. And because of their lousy attitudes – and their “insanity” – they wandered around in the desert for forty years! They made God so mad that He cursed their children and grandchildren… and just flat-out killed many of them.
Believe me, God showed plenty of patience and mercy… but eventually, He had enough of this disobedience and disrespect. And remember, this happened before Jesus died on the cross for us. God’s way of dealing with sinful people was different in Moses’ day… although He still can get disgusted and let us wallow in our sin and the consequences to the point we feel pretty uncomfortable!
But the point is that we are all modern-day Israelites. We know what the Bible tells us about Christian behavior and the commandments to love God and love one another… and to follow the commandments given to Moses and his people by God centuries earlier. We know that a lot of what we do qualifies as “insanity” – the results are the same, but we keep trying for different ones anyway! So we think that we can sneak some illicit behavior in under the wire just this one time. We think we can turn our back on worship and Bible study and prayer… and God will cover us with His grace and mercy and let us take a little break for a few days/weeks/months/years.
We fail to recognize that the very things that troubled our parents and grandparents often trouble us. We repeat the same mistakes, character patterns and flaws in judgment and thinking… when we could be asking God to break the curse (of alcoholism, racism and bigotry, obesity, abuse, negativity, and more) and make us the start of generations who live differently. We have an opportunity, through the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father – and with the blood of Jesus washing us clean – to do better. We can stop the extended fallout of the “sins of our forefathers” and live in the shadow of the love and protection of God Almighty.
I am guilty of Einstein’s “insanity” on a regular basis – in ways great and small. But I want to do better. I want to learn from my mistakes – and those of past generations. I want to recognize the guidance and wisdom of my Heavenly Father – and pay attention! I want to feel the extravagance of His loyal love and stop wandering in the “wilderness”. Will you ask God to help you break your own “insanity” – and come along with me?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Show us your great power, LORD. You promised that you love to show mercy and kindness. And you said that you are very patient, but that you will punish everyone guilty of doing wrong--not only them but their children and grandchildren as well.
You are merciful, and you treat people better than they deserve. So please forgive these people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity… “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”… should be tattooed on the foreheads of many of us. How many times have you been guilty of knowing what you are doing won’t work… but you do it anyway?!
The Israelites were certainly like this, and Moses had quite a time trying to keep them in line. They were demanding whiners and complainers who were, for the most part, completely ungrateful for the blessings and care God showed them. And because of their lousy attitudes – and their “insanity” – they wandered around in the desert for forty years! They made God so mad that He cursed their children and grandchildren… and just flat-out killed many of them.
Believe me, God showed plenty of patience and mercy… but eventually, He had enough of this disobedience and disrespect. And remember, this happened before Jesus died on the cross for us. God’s way of dealing with sinful people was different in Moses’ day… although He still can get disgusted and let us wallow in our sin and the consequences to the point we feel pretty uncomfortable!
But the point is that we are all modern-day Israelites. We know what the Bible tells us about Christian behavior and the commandments to love God and love one another… and to follow the commandments given to Moses and his people by God centuries earlier. We know that a lot of what we do qualifies as “insanity” – the results are the same, but we keep trying for different ones anyway! So we think that we can sneak some illicit behavior in under the wire just this one time. We think we can turn our back on worship and Bible study and prayer… and God will cover us with His grace and mercy and let us take a little break for a few days/weeks/months/years.
We fail to recognize that the very things that troubled our parents and grandparents often trouble us. We repeat the same mistakes, character patterns and flaws in judgment and thinking… when we could be asking God to break the curse (of alcoholism, racism and bigotry, obesity, abuse, negativity, and more) and make us the start of generations who live differently. We have an opportunity, through the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father – and with the blood of Jesus washing us clean – to do better. We can stop the extended fallout of the “sins of our forefathers” and live in the shadow of the love and protection of God Almighty.
I am guilty of Einstein’s “insanity” on a regular basis – in ways great and small. But I want to do better. I want to learn from my mistakes – and those of past generations. I want to recognize the guidance and wisdom of my Heavenly Father – and pay attention! I want to feel the extravagance of His loyal love and stop wandering in the “wilderness”. Will you ask God to help you break your own “insanity” – and come along with me?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 5, 2011
Psalm 40:11-17
You, LORD, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure. I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak. Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me! Disappoint and confuse all who want me dead; turn away and disgrace all who want to hurt me. Embarrass and shame all of those who say, "Just look at you now!"
Our LORD, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, "The LORD is wonderful!" I am poor and needy, but, LORD God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know about you, but more than once I have felt like… “I have more troubles than I can count.” And recently, this has certainly been true for actor Charlie Sheen. Everyone seems to be talking about him and his situation… made worse by his television interviews and insistence that there is nothing wrong with him! The truth is, we do not know his heart… but he appears to be very sick and, as described in verse 2 of this Psalm, stuck in “a lonely pit full of mud and mire.”
Hopefully we will never find ourselves in a pit of the mud and mire of drug addiction and accompanying mental illness (if only temporarily). But when we do find ourselves in trouble, we know THE WAY out… and His name is Jesus!
I know I often say, “People are watching”… and they are. But people are also talking… sometimes about things that are not totally true – or at the very least, none of their business. I have heard more than one person say that they felt like everyone was talking about them and their “scandal” of sorts. My response is that we all only get about 15 minutes, and then people are on to the next big story of the day. More importantly, if you have squared your situation with God… if you have confessed any sins and wrongdoing on your part and asked for His forgiveness, then the talk and judgment of others does not matter.
If you have ever felt that you were in a situation where others were judging you – wrongfully, or even with some merit – you know how awful this feels. Don’t be that person for others… not even Charlie Sheen or others in the limelight. Ask God to lift them from the mud and the mire. Call on Him to place people in their path who can introduce them to THE WAY out of their troubles and set their feet on the Rock that is Jesus Christ!
Thank God for coming to your rescue and setting you upright again… for His forgiveness, grace and mercy. Praise Him for loving us so much… especially when we are poor and needy… and standing by to help in a hurry. There IS hope for all of us… and He stands ready to save. He will not disappoint those of us who turn to Him. Where are you looking these days?
©2011 Debbie Robus
You, LORD, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure. I have more troubles than I can count. My sins are all around me, and I can't find my way. My sins outnumber the hairs on my head, and I feel weak. Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me! Disappoint and confuse all who want me dead; turn away and disgrace all who want to hurt me. Embarrass and shame all of those who say, "Just look at you now!"
Our LORD, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, "The LORD is wonderful!" I am poor and needy, but, LORD God, you care about me, and you come to my rescue. Please hurry and help.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know about you, but more than once I have felt like… “I have more troubles than I can count.” And recently, this has certainly been true for actor Charlie Sheen. Everyone seems to be talking about him and his situation… made worse by his television interviews and insistence that there is nothing wrong with him! The truth is, we do not know his heart… but he appears to be very sick and, as described in verse 2 of this Psalm, stuck in “a lonely pit full of mud and mire.”
Hopefully we will never find ourselves in a pit of the mud and mire of drug addiction and accompanying mental illness (if only temporarily). But when we do find ourselves in trouble, we know THE WAY out… and His name is Jesus!
I know I often say, “People are watching”… and they are. But people are also talking… sometimes about things that are not totally true – or at the very least, none of their business. I have heard more than one person say that they felt like everyone was talking about them and their “scandal” of sorts. My response is that we all only get about 15 minutes, and then people are on to the next big story of the day. More importantly, if you have squared your situation with God… if you have confessed any sins and wrongdoing on your part and asked for His forgiveness, then the talk and judgment of others does not matter.
If you have ever felt that you were in a situation where others were judging you – wrongfully, or even with some merit – you know how awful this feels. Don’t be that person for others… not even Charlie Sheen or others in the limelight. Ask God to lift them from the mud and the mire. Call on Him to place people in their path who can introduce them to THE WAY out of their troubles and set their feet on the Rock that is Jesus Christ!
Thank God for coming to your rescue and setting you upright again… for His forgiveness, grace and mercy. Praise Him for loving us so much… especially when we are poor and needy… and standing by to help in a hurry. There IS hope for all of us… and He stands ready to save. He will not disappoint those of us who turn to Him. Where are you looking these days?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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