Romans 5:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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.
This is traditionally a day filled with a mixed bag of emotions. For some, there is a let-down. Christmas is officially “over” in their household, and it’s back to work – and on with “life”. Some will spend the day rushing to take down the tree and put away every indicator of the Christmas celebrated just a few hours ago. Others will be busy playing with new toys – or even new electronic gadgets and gizmos – and thinking about how to incorporate them into their daily living in the next few weeks/months. Still others will be completely relieved that a painful reminder of the loneliness and sadness in their lives has passed… and they can try to return to some semblance of “normalcy”.
I’ll admit… for just a few minutes after everyone left our house last night and it got really quiet, I looked around and wished everything was put away. But it was more a weariness from the busy day - and the thought of actually putting it all back in the closet - than a sense of finality. Several years ago, I gave myself permission to leave most of the Christmas decorations out until after New Year’s Day. For one thing, it takes me 2-3 days to get everything decorated… and it seems a shame to rush to put them away just 23 days later! More importantly, I’m simply not done with Christmas yet… and truly, none of us should be!
Hear me out… I’m not talking about the decorations and the gifts. Maybe you feel like you will burst or go into a diabetic coma if you eat one more cookie, bite of turkey or ham, or piece of chocolate. But that’s not the true story of Christmas anyway, now… is it?! The message of Christmas is the hope that God sent us in the form of a tiny baby who grew into a wise-beyond-his-years boy… and then into a young adult leader/teacher/healer. The story is how God came to us in human form to show us how to live for Him… how to walk with Him… and then suffered and died for us so that we can carry the power of His Holy Spirit in our hearts forever! We really, really need to revel in that a little while longer. If keeping the decorations up and celebrating with cookies and cocoa helps us to do that…then, we shouldn’t rush to “un-decorate”!
More importantly, we should do whatever it takes to keep the “spirit of Christmas” alive in our hearts and minds all through the year. We need to take some time to talk to God and study His word and allow Him to fill us with complete joy and peace. We must invite Him to fill our hearts and souls with the power of His Holy Spirit… and an unending source – and sense – of hope. We may not say “Merry Christmas” in June or July… but our attitude and demeanor should convey the joy, kindness and warmth that seem to flow so easily and readily in the first three weeks of December.
How will you treat your faith and God’s gift of hope in the next few days/weeks/months? Will this be the day that you pack Him away with the tree and decorations, dust your hands and say, “That’s it until next year!”? Or will you take time to sit quietly and reflect on the amazing gift God gave you? Will you give as much time and attention to thinking about how you can utilize God’s power and the teachings of Jesus in the coming months as you do to the new gifts you opened yesterday?
Isn’t this a day to take some time for a relaxing cup of cocoa or coffee… one last Christmas cookie…and a little conversation with God about where – and how – you’ll use His bequests in the coming year? Christmas isn’t over… it should be just beginning! In the words of the old carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” this is actually the Second Day! How are you spending yours?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label God's power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's power. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 7, 2013
Hebrews 2:5-9
God didn’t put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we’re dealing with here. It says in Scripture,
What is man and woman that you bother with them;
why take a second look their way?
You made them not quite as high as angels,
bright with Eden’s dawn light;
Then you put them in charge
of your entire handcrafted world.
When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded. But we don’t see it yet, don’t see everything under human jurisdiction. What we do see is Jesus, made “not quite as high as angels,” and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory “bright with Eden’s dawn light.” In that death, by God’s grace, he fully experienced death in every person’s place.
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 recently shared in another devotional about the sudden death of a young friend… the son of a childhood classmate. Today, I visited the family and expressed my sadness over this tragic accident. I shared with my friend how I have prayed for his son for many years, and that this was not the answer I was anticipating. But I quickly added that I am learning that very often I don’t get my way in these matters. God answers… just not as I suggested!
I’ve been reading back through prayer journals in recent days, and I’ve seen several examples of answered prayers that had outcomes far different from what I expected. Still, God answered. And I must respect His sovereignty…and His decisions. In some of these instances, I could see where the answer God gave was not only different… but better. Others puzzle me to this day. And in others, I noticed that even a decade or more later, I am still praying over the same people and/or situation. And I had to wonder… do I need to shift the focus of my prayers? Am I truly praying for God’s will and respecting His plans… or am I still asking for my way in these matters – and essentially blocking any forward progress whatsoever.
Lest you think I overestimate the power of my own prayers, let me quickly add that I have the utmost respect for God’s ability to operate independently – or in spite of – my intercessions. Still, I wonder how often we fail to recognize that an unexpected death might have been God’s way of sparing someone further difficulties. How often does God say to us, “I know what you want me to do… but that will not accomplish what needs to happen in the grander scheme of things.”? Have we missed the point that God is trying to make? When it seems that God will never answer, are we disrespecting His timing with our impatience?
Scripture tells us that there were many who questioned God’s decision to send Jesus to earth as a human being. After all, we read in Psalm 8:4-8, where David says to God…“Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way? Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods, bright with Eden’s dawn light. You put us in charge of your handcrafted world, repeated to us your Genesis-charge, made us lords of sheep and cattle, even animals out in the wild, birds flying and fish swimming, whales singing in the ocean deeps.” He speaks of how unworthy humans are to make wise decisions and be in charge of much of anything… yet God did exactly this when He created Adam and Eve… and then He sent Jesus as a human being with the ability to heal the sick, turn water into wine, feed thousands with a basketful of food, and much more.
Not until Jesus died for our sins on the cross did we see the full spectrum of God’s plan. Only in the resurrection of Jesus after His crucifixion did we learn that He was so much more than a mere mortal. Only then did God fully reveal the total perfection of His plans. Only in this sacrifice do we see how much God loves us… and deserves our utmost respect.
I wish I could say I will never ask God “Why?”… or plead with Him to hurry up and fix something or someone. Like those in David’s Psalm… I am human. But I will do my best to be more cognizant of the intent of my prayers. I will strive to show complete respect for God’s will and His authority… to trust His outcomes more deeply, and to rest in His decisions. Someday, I may see how this all comes together perfectly. But by then, I will be in heaven with Jesus…and I seriously doubt I will care about the “hows and whys”! Meanwhile, I will keep praying… I will keep believing… and I will trust God to answer perfectly. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
God didn’t put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we’re dealing with here. It says in Scripture,
What is man and woman that you bother with them;
why take a second look their way?
You made them not quite as high as angels,
bright with Eden’s dawn light;
Then you put them in charge
of your entire handcrafted world.
When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded. But we don’t see it yet, don’t see everything under human jurisdiction. What we do see is Jesus, made “not quite as high as angels,” and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory “bright with Eden’s dawn light.” In that death, by God’s grace, he fully experienced death in every person’s place.
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 recently shared in another devotional about the sudden death of a young friend… the son of a childhood classmate. Today, I visited the family and expressed my sadness over this tragic accident. I shared with my friend how I have prayed for his son for many years, and that this was not the answer I was anticipating. But I quickly added that I am learning that very often I don’t get my way in these matters. God answers… just not as I suggested!
I’ve been reading back through prayer journals in recent days, and I’ve seen several examples of answered prayers that had outcomes far different from what I expected. Still, God answered. And I must respect His sovereignty…and His decisions. In some of these instances, I could see where the answer God gave was not only different… but better. Others puzzle me to this day. And in others, I noticed that even a decade or more later, I am still praying over the same people and/or situation. And I had to wonder… do I need to shift the focus of my prayers? Am I truly praying for God’s will and respecting His plans… or am I still asking for my way in these matters – and essentially blocking any forward progress whatsoever.
Lest you think I overestimate the power of my own prayers, let me quickly add that I have the utmost respect for God’s ability to operate independently – or in spite of – my intercessions. Still, I wonder how often we fail to recognize that an unexpected death might have been God’s way of sparing someone further difficulties. How often does God say to us, “I know what you want me to do… but that will not accomplish what needs to happen in the grander scheme of things.”? Have we missed the point that God is trying to make? When it seems that God will never answer, are we disrespecting His timing with our impatience?
Scripture tells us that there were many who questioned God’s decision to send Jesus to earth as a human being. After all, we read in Psalm 8:4-8, where David says to God…“Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way? Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods, bright with Eden’s dawn light. You put us in charge of your handcrafted world, repeated to us your Genesis-charge, made us lords of sheep and cattle, even animals out in the wild, birds flying and fish swimming, whales singing in the ocean deeps.” He speaks of how unworthy humans are to make wise decisions and be in charge of much of anything… yet God did exactly this when He created Adam and Eve… and then He sent Jesus as a human being with the ability to heal the sick, turn water into wine, feed thousands with a basketful of food, and much more.
Not until Jesus died for our sins on the cross did we see the full spectrum of God’s plan. Only in the resurrection of Jesus after His crucifixion did we learn that He was so much more than a mere mortal. Only then did God fully reveal the total perfection of His plans. Only in this sacrifice do we see how much God loves us… and deserves our utmost respect.
I wish I could say I will never ask God “Why?”… or plead with Him to hurry up and fix something or someone. Like those in David’s Psalm… I am human. But I will do my best to be more cognizant of the intent of my prayers. I will strive to show complete respect for God’s will and His authority… to trust His outcomes more deeply, and to rest in His decisions. Someday, I may see how this all comes together perfectly. But by then, I will be in heaven with Jesus…and I seriously doubt I will care about the “hows and whys”! Meanwhile, I will keep praying… I will keep believing… and I will trust God to answer perfectly. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 20, 2011
Psalm 109:21-31
Be true to your name, LORD God! Show your great kindness and rescue me. I am poor and helpless, and I have lost all hope. I am fading away like an evening shadow; I am tossed aside like a crawling insect. I have gone without eating, until my knees are weak, and my body is bony. When my enemies see me, they say cruel things and shake their heads.
Please help me, LORD God! Come and save me because of your love. Let others know that you alone have saved me. I don't care if they curse me, as long as you bless me. You will make my enemies fail when they attack, and you will make me glad to be your servant. You will cover them with shame, just as their bodies are covered with clothes. I will sing your praises and thank you, LORD, when your people meet. You help everyone in need, and you defend them when they are on trial.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched an episode of “Oprah” recently about a young man in Indiana named Clayton, who was locked in a 2-ft by 2-ft closet, wrapped in wire fencing material and bound with chains. Sometimes he wasn’t fed for days. Clayton was only six years old when this happened. His abusers were his own mother and stepfather. They did unbelievably cruel, horrible things to this child. Police estimate this went on for three to six months.
Clayton’s 14-year-old stepsister was kind to him. When the parents would leave, she would sometimes let him out of the closet, feed him and rub lotion on his body wounds caused by the fencing and chains. At some point, the stepsister ran away to Kentucky, and when police found her, she told them everything. An astute policeman contacted the parents and told them he had their daughter, but they must come and get her. He was hoping they would bring Clayton. They did… and the officer insisted on speaking with him privately. It was a hunch – one that paid off.
The officer in Kentucky really had no jurisdiction over a matter in Indiana. But he sat Clayton on his lap and fed him peanut butter and crackers. He said later to Clayton, “You ate a lot of peanut butter and crackers!” He realized quickly that Clayton loved his stepdad, in spite of the abuse… and even blamed himself for some of it. So the policeman said, “Your father wants you to tell me exactly what has happened.” Clayton replied, “He does?” The policeman does not regret the “white lie.” It worked. Clayton confirmed his stepsister’s story.
Clayton is now 18 years old. Since the rescue 12 years ago, he has been reared by a great-aunt, Patti, and her husband. The couple adopted Clayton and worked through the challenges of helping him overcome the nightmare of his confinement and abuse at the hands of his parents. Clayton’s stepfather and mother received the maximum sentence for their actions… four years each in prison. However, his mother only served two years and three months, and his stepfather was released from prison after 21 months. You can read more of Clayton’s story at http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Claytons-Survival-Story/7#ixzz1VXOutjdN
Clayton’s great-aunt, Patti, said she had married and moved away when Clayton was little, and she had no idea that any of this was happening. When she was told of it, she dropped to her knees in horror and despair. And I understood that completely… I can imagine how devastated I would be if something like this happened to a young child I loved. But at the same time, I began to count the ways God worked in this situation to conquer enemies and save the innocent.
God surely gave Clayton a stepsister who loved him enough to risk her own safety to let him out, tend his wounds, and feed him. I can’t help but believe that God gave that teenage girl the courage to run away and try to gain safety for herself… and for Clayton. God equipped the investigating officer with wisdom and quick thinking… and he was able to gain the confidence of the teenage sister – and then that of little Clayton. God gave Clayton to loving adoptive parents… his great-aunt Patti and her husband… and he gave them the wisdom, patience and courage to help Clayton overcome his experiences and become the productive, happy young man that he appears to be today.
Clayton has not seen his parents since he was rescued, but he has come to terms with his experiences – and grown from them. He says he tries to be especially kind to others as a result… to be better for what has happened to him. And I can’t help but believe that God orchestrated that, too.
I don’t know what you are enduring today. I don’t know what your “closet” is - or what may have caused you to lose hope. But I know Someone who can rescue you… Someone who is equipped to handle whatever you throw at Him – and He wants to do just that! I also am not going to dwell on why these horrible things happened to little Clayton. Instead, I am going to look at what God has done with this situation to bring about positive results… and how this can serve as a lesson for each of us.
Oprah first aired information about Clayton in 2000, but she didn’t use his name. She told his story, and at one point in the show, she looked into the camera and said something to the effect of, “If you or someone you know is being abused or mistreated, tell a parent. If you can’t tell a parent, go to school and tell a teacher.” A six-year-old girl who was watching did just that. She was being raped by her stepfather, and the next day, she told a teacher. The stepfather was prosecuted and sent to prison for his crime. Because of Clayton’s story – and Oprah’s sharing of it… this little girl was rescued.
My point is that God may be placing you in a situation to connect the dots about someone who is in trouble. It may not be child abuse… it could be some other form of abuse… or a struggle with alcoholism, drugs, or another addiction. Someone could be despondent or in deep trouble… desperately needing others to pick up on the signs and point them toward appropriate help. God may be counting on you to be the “stepsister in Indiana” or the “officer in Kentucky”… or you may be the “Aunt Patti.” The question is… are you paying attention? Are you tuned in to God and His calling for you? Are you ready and willing to do your part? Notice I didn’t say “able”… because if God wants you to do something, He will give you the necessary ability!
I know this message is long, but it is important that we recognize that God may be calling us to be His agents on this earth to bring about great changes… to rescue others from enemies we can’t even imagine. He may be giving us opportunities to physically demonstrate His amazing power and love… and to praise Him for the opportunity and the rescue afterward. Are you paying attention? Are you ready to do your part? Will you step up and be a rescuer in God’s name… and praise Him for the outcome?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Be true to your name, LORD God! Show your great kindness and rescue me. I am poor and helpless, and I have lost all hope. I am fading away like an evening shadow; I am tossed aside like a crawling insect. I have gone without eating, until my knees are weak, and my body is bony. When my enemies see me, they say cruel things and shake their heads.
Please help me, LORD God! Come and save me because of your love. Let others know that you alone have saved me. I don't care if they curse me, as long as you bless me. You will make my enemies fail when they attack, and you will make me glad to be your servant. You will cover them with shame, just as their bodies are covered with clothes. I will sing your praises and thank you, LORD, when your people meet. You help everyone in need, and you defend them when they are on trial.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched an episode of “Oprah” recently about a young man in Indiana named Clayton, who was locked in a 2-ft by 2-ft closet, wrapped in wire fencing material and bound with chains. Sometimes he wasn’t fed for days. Clayton was only six years old when this happened. His abusers were his own mother and stepfather. They did unbelievably cruel, horrible things to this child. Police estimate this went on for three to six months.
Clayton’s 14-year-old stepsister was kind to him. When the parents would leave, she would sometimes let him out of the closet, feed him and rub lotion on his body wounds caused by the fencing and chains. At some point, the stepsister ran away to Kentucky, and when police found her, she told them everything. An astute policeman contacted the parents and told them he had their daughter, but they must come and get her. He was hoping they would bring Clayton. They did… and the officer insisted on speaking with him privately. It was a hunch – one that paid off.
The officer in Kentucky really had no jurisdiction over a matter in Indiana. But he sat Clayton on his lap and fed him peanut butter and crackers. He said later to Clayton, “You ate a lot of peanut butter and crackers!” He realized quickly that Clayton loved his stepdad, in spite of the abuse… and even blamed himself for some of it. So the policeman said, “Your father wants you to tell me exactly what has happened.” Clayton replied, “He does?” The policeman does not regret the “white lie.” It worked. Clayton confirmed his stepsister’s story.
Clayton is now 18 years old. Since the rescue 12 years ago, he has been reared by a great-aunt, Patti, and her husband. The couple adopted Clayton and worked through the challenges of helping him overcome the nightmare of his confinement and abuse at the hands of his parents. Clayton’s stepfather and mother received the maximum sentence for their actions… four years each in prison. However, his mother only served two years and three months, and his stepfather was released from prison after 21 months. You can read more of Clayton’s story at http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Claytons-Survival-Story/7#ixzz1VXOutjdN
Clayton’s great-aunt, Patti, said she had married and moved away when Clayton was little, and she had no idea that any of this was happening. When she was told of it, she dropped to her knees in horror and despair. And I understood that completely… I can imagine how devastated I would be if something like this happened to a young child I loved. But at the same time, I began to count the ways God worked in this situation to conquer enemies and save the innocent.
God surely gave Clayton a stepsister who loved him enough to risk her own safety to let him out, tend his wounds, and feed him. I can’t help but believe that God gave that teenage girl the courage to run away and try to gain safety for herself… and for Clayton. God equipped the investigating officer with wisdom and quick thinking… and he was able to gain the confidence of the teenage sister – and then that of little Clayton. God gave Clayton to loving adoptive parents… his great-aunt Patti and her husband… and he gave them the wisdom, patience and courage to help Clayton overcome his experiences and become the productive, happy young man that he appears to be today.
Clayton has not seen his parents since he was rescued, but he has come to terms with his experiences – and grown from them. He says he tries to be especially kind to others as a result… to be better for what has happened to him. And I can’t help but believe that God orchestrated that, too.
I don’t know what you are enduring today. I don’t know what your “closet” is - or what may have caused you to lose hope. But I know Someone who can rescue you… Someone who is equipped to handle whatever you throw at Him – and He wants to do just that! I also am not going to dwell on why these horrible things happened to little Clayton. Instead, I am going to look at what God has done with this situation to bring about positive results… and how this can serve as a lesson for each of us.
Oprah first aired information about Clayton in 2000, but she didn’t use his name. She told his story, and at one point in the show, she looked into the camera and said something to the effect of, “If you or someone you know is being abused or mistreated, tell a parent. If you can’t tell a parent, go to school and tell a teacher.” A six-year-old girl who was watching did just that. She was being raped by her stepfather, and the next day, she told a teacher. The stepfather was prosecuted and sent to prison for his crime. Because of Clayton’s story – and Oprah’s sharing of it… this little girl was rescued.
My point is that God may be placing you in a situation to connect the dots about someone who is in trouble. It may not be child abuse… it could be some other form of abuse… or a struggle with alcoholism, drugs, or another addiction. Someone could be despondent or in deep trouble… desperately needing others to pick up on the signs and point them toward appropriate help. God may be counting on you to be the “stepsister in Indiana” or the “officer in Kentucky”… or you may be the “Aunt Patti.” The question is… are you paying attention? Are you tuned in to God and His calling for you? Are you ready and willing to do your part? Notice I didn’t say “able”… because if God wants you to do something, He will give you the necessary ability!
I know this message is long, but it is important that we recognize that God may be calling us to be His agents on this earth to bring about great changes… to rescue others from enemies we can’t even imagine. He may be giving us opportunities to physically demonstrate His amazing power and love… and to praise Him for the opportunity and the rescue afterward. Are you paying attention? Are you ready to do your part? Will you step up and be a rescuer in God’s name… and praise Him for the outcome?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 26, 2011
Judges 16:26-30
A young man was leading Samson by the hand, and Samson said to him, "I need to lean against something. Take me over to the columns that hold up the roof." The Philistine rulers were celebrating in a temple packed with people and with three thousand more on the flat roof. They had all been watching Samson and making fun of him.
Samson prayed, "Please remember me, LORD God. The Philistines poked out my eyes, but make me strong one last time, so I can take revenge for at least one of my eyes!" Samson was standing between the two middle columns that held up the roof. He felt around and found one column with his right hand, and the other with his left hand.
Then he shouted, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed against the columns as hard as he could, and the temple collapsed with the Philistine rulers and everyone else still inside. Samson killed more Philistines when he died than he had killed during his entire life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched CNN’s Anderson Cooper interview a young woman in Joplin, Missouri, who was caught in the devastating tornado that ravaged her community. The woman said that while she took refuge underneath an overpass, she observed an eighteen-wheeler flying through the air… literally tossed about by the tornado. When it came to rest, the vehicle was on its side. She left her car and rushed to check on the driver, who was trapped in the cab. The windshield was loose in one spot, and she somehow managed to grab hold of the windshield wipers and rip the windshield away so that the man could climb out and free himself.
She explained that after she rescued this driver, she returned to her car, and a law enforcement officer approached her with a person who was injured and asked her to drive this person to medical help. She began searching for a Red Cross rescue unit for this person… thinking she could stick around and volunteer. The woman explained that she had volunteered for the Red Cross before in disasters that were far more minor.
Anderson Cooper was amazed that this young woman who had just experienced such a shocking event was willing and able to volunteer to help others. He was even more stunned when she casually said, “Well, my home was destroyed, so this gave me something to do.” It was as if she said, “Lord, my eyes have been poked out by the enemy, but please remember me one more time. Let me bring something constructive and good out of all of this chaos.”
I wonder… how often do we do this? When our “eyes” are gouged out by the enemy, do we ask God to give us opportunities to serve? Or do we “tuck tail” and run for the hills? Samson was by no means a perfect man. He had his flaws… and his failures. His faith may have faltered at times, but He never gave up on God… and God never gave up on Samson!
God has not given up on you, either. It may seem like He has turned His back on you… but truly, this is not the case. God may step back and give us a little room to squirm… a chance to learn a few hard lessons… but He never deserts us completely. We are the ones who walk away. But it doesn’t have to be like this. We have everything to gain by staying faithful to God… and everything to lose by trying to do things our own way. We shouldn’t have to have a tornado or an “eyes gouged out” moment to shake us into a right relationship with God, but if that’s where you find yourself… there is still hope.
Stop what you are doing and talk with God. Ask Him to forgive you for wandering away and thinking you could make it on your own. Humbly come before Him and offer yourself to Him…gouged eyes and all…and see what He has in store. Discover the opportunities that God has waiting for you… to serve… to be a blessing… and to be blessed.
©2011 Debbie Robus
A young man was leading Samson by the hand, and Samson said to him, "I need to lean against something. Take me over to the columns that hold up the roof." The Philistine rulers were celebrating in a temple packed with people and with three thousand more on the flat roof. They had all been watching Samson and making fun of him.
Samson prayed, "Please remember me, LORD God. The Philistines poked out my eyes, but make me strong one last time, so I can take revenge for at least one of my eyes!" Samson was standing between the two middle columns that held up the roof. He felt around and found one column with his right hand, and the other with his left hand.
Then he shouted, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed against the columns as hard as he could, and the temple collapsed with the Philistine rulers and everyone else still inside. Samson killed more Philistines when he died than he had killed during his entire life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched CNN’s Anderson Cooper interview a young woman in Joplin, Missouri, who was caught in the devastating tornado that ravaged her community. The woman said that while she took refuge underneath an overpass, she observed an eighteen-wheeler flying through the air… literally tossed about by the tornado. When it came to rest, the vehicle was on its side. She left her car and rushed to check on the driver, who was trapped in the cab. The windshield was loose in one spot, and she somehow managed to grab hold of the windshield wipers and rip the windshield away so that the man could climb out and free himself.
She explained that after she rescued this driver, she returned to her car, and a law enforcement officer approached her with a person who was injured and asked her to drive this person to medical help. She began searching for a Red Cross rescue unit for this person… thinking she could stick around and volunteer. The woman explained that she had volunteered for the Red Cross before in disasters that were far more minor.
Anderson Cooper was amazed that this young woman who had just experienced such a shocking event was willing and able to volunteer to help others. He was even more stunned when she casually said, “Well, my home was destroyed, so this gave me something to do.” It was as if she said, “Lord, my eyes have been poked out by the enemy, but please remember me one more time. Let me bring something constructive and good out of all of this chaos.”
I wonder… how often do we do this? When our “eyes” are gouged out by the enemy, do we ask God to give us opportunities to serve? Or do we “tuck tail” and run for the hills? Samson was by no means a perfect man. He had his flaws… and his failures. His faith may have faltered at times, but He never gave up on God… and God never gave up on Samson!
God has not given up on you, either. It may seem like He has turned His back on you… but truly, this is not the case. God may step back and give us a little room to squirm… a chance to learn a few hard lessons… but He never deserts us completely. We are the ones who walk away. But it doesn’t have to be like this. We have everything to gain by staying faithful to God… and everything to lose by trying to do things our own way. We shouldn’t have to have a tornado or an “eyes gouged out” moment to shake us into a right relationship with God, but if that’s where you find yourself… there is still hope.
Stop what you are doing and talk with God. Ask Him to forgive you for wandering away and thinking you could make it on your own. Humbly come before Him and offer yourself to Him…gouged eyes and all…and see what He has in store. Discover the opportunities that God has waiting for you… to serve… to be a blessing… and to be blessed.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 12, 2011
Psalm 63:1-8
You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you. I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.
I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Death is a fact of life. And the older I get, the more funerals I seem to be attending. Many of the friends and relatives in my grandparents’ age group are gone now… along with most of the folks in my childhood neighborhood, who were “satellite grandparents” to me and my siblings. Now, people in my parents’ circle of friends are beginning to decline – and go to heaven. It’s not really a sad time… more bittersweet… because I know they are receiving a great reward for their faithfulness on this earth, and they are happy in the face-to-face company of Jesus and those who went before them.
But all the same, there is some understandable sadness for those who are left behind, because these people are missed. God understands this… and He blesses us with memories… moments to reflect on our time with these people… and hopefully a time to laugh and smile as we think about what they meant to us and events we shared.
And so it is with a man named Dickie… a friend of my parents… the son of my childhood neighbor, Mary… who passed away recently. My personal association with Dickie goes back to a time when I was probably ten or eleven years old. Every Sunday morning in the summer, Dickie would come to our house around 8:00 and pick me up, and we would drive to DamSite Park, where he and I conducted a “lakeside worship” service for campers and visitors to our area. Dickie would unpack an old blue box “pump organ” from the trunk of his car and set it up for me. I would pass out hymnals and brochures about our church. We would sing a couple of hymns while I played the organ – “Blessed Assurance” was a favorite! – and then Dickie would read Scripture and deliver a few words. It was all over in time for us to get home and dress for our own Sunday-school and church services.
I don’t know how many years we did this… but I was thinking that Dickie was probably in his forties then. I wondered how many 40-something men would be so faithful and committed these days. For as long as I can remember, Dickie has been a faithful servant of his church and his LORD… until Alzheimer’s rendered him unable to be active in recent months.
Lest you think Dickie had a cushy life that made serving God easy, let me set things straight. Dickie lost his only son, Steve, to cancer in the 1980s after a long, gut-wrenching battle and dozens of experimental treatments. He suffered more than one bout with Bell’s Palsy, a weakness and paralysis of the facial muscles. Then he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. But he kept going.
He traveled with his wife and their friends… often in an RV caravan… across the country and back – frequently visiting places out West… Arizona, California, and even Alaska. He and his wife participated in “car shows” – showcasing Steve’s prized Shelby and other Mustangs that Dickie restored. And Dickie served in many capacities in his home church, including substituting as a Sunday-school teacher for a men’s class when the regular teacher would be away… sometimes for months at a time.
When I think of my friend Dickie, I think of a man of great integrity and faith… someone who paid attention to details… whether on the car he was restoring, the gas heating unit he was installing or repairing in his propane business, or the materials he carried to a campground pavilion each Sunday to bring the Good News to weekend visitors. I think of someone who knew the power and glory of God… that no matter what he endured on this earth, this God would reward him well in heaven… someone who shared his faith and trust in God with others.
Today, I celebrate the faithful service of my friend Dickie… and I recognize God’s love and strength through his model of Christian service. We would do well to look around at the shining examples among us of those who rest in God and realize their salvation comes from him. We can learn much from people like Dickie. Look around for your own models of faith and service… those who dance and praise God in the shadow of His wings. We should strive to be more like them. We, too, must stay close to God and lean on His arms for support… until He calls us home for our own reward.
©2011 Debbie Robus
You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you. I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.
I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Death is a fact of life. And the older I get, the more funerals I seem to be attending. Many of the friends and relatives in my grandparents’ age group are gone now… along with most of the folks in my childhood neighborhood, who were “satellite grandparents” to me and my siblings. Now, people in my parents’ circle of friends are beginning to decline – and go to heaven. It’s not really a sad time… more bittersweet… because I know they are receiving a great reward for their faithfulness on this earth, and they are happy in the face-to-face company of Jesus and those who went before them.
But all the same, there is some understandable sadness for those who are left behind, because these people are missed. God understands this… and He blesses us with memories… moments to reflect on our time with these people… and hopefully a time to laugh and smile as we think about what they meant to us and events we shared.
And so it is with a man named Dickie… a friend of my parents… the son of my childhood neighbor, Mary… who passed away recently. My personal association with Dickie goes back to a time when I was probably ten or eleven years old. Every Sunday morning in the summer, Dickie would come to our house around 8:00 and pick me up, and we would drive to DamSite Park, where he and I conducted a “lakeside worship” service for campers and visitors to our area. Dickie would unpack an old blue box “pump organ” from the trunk of his car and set it up for me. I would pass out hymnals and brochures about our church. We would sing a couple of hymns while I played the organ – “Blessed Assurance” was a favorite! – and then Dickie would read Scripture and deliver a few words. It was all over in time for us to get home and dress for our own Sunday-school and church services.
I don’t know how many years we did this… but I was thinking that Dickie was probably in his forties then. I wondered how many 40-something men would be so faithful and committed these days. For as long as I can remember, Dickie has been a faithful servant of his church and his LORD… until Alzheimer’s rendered him unable to be active in recent months.
Lest you think Dickie had a cushy life that made serving God easy, let me set things straight. Dickie lost his only son, Steve, to cancer in the 1980s after a long, gut-wrenching battle and dozens of experimental treatments. He suffered more than one bout with Bell’s Palsy, a weakness and paralysis of the facial muscles. Then he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. But he kept going.
He traveled with his wife and their friends… often in an RV caravan… across the country and back – frequently visiting places out West… Arizona, California, and even Alaska. He and his wife participated in “car shows” – showcasing Steve’s prized Shelby and other Mustangs that Dickie restored. And Dickie served in many capacities in his home church, including substituting as a Sunday-school teacher for a men’s class when the regular teacher would be away… sometimes for months at a time.
When I think of my friend Dickie, I think of a man of great integrity and faith… someone who paid attention to details… whether on the car he was restoring, the gas heating unit he was installing or repairing in his propane business, or the materials he carried to a campground pavilion each Sunday to bring the Good News to weekend visitors. I think of someone who knew the power and glory of God… that no matter what he endured on this earth, this God would reward him well in heaven… someone who shared his faith and trust in God with others.
Today, I celebrate the faithful service of my friend Dickie… and I recognize God’s love and strength through his model of Christian service. We would do well to look around at the shining examples among us of those who rest in God and realize their salvation comes from him. We can learn much from people like Dickie. Look around for your own models of faith and service… those who dance and praise God in the shadow of His wings. We should strive to be more like them. We, too, must stay close to God and lean on His arms for support… until He calls us home for our own reward.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 2, 2011
Psalm 66:20
Let's praise God! He listened when I prayed, and he is always kind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I recently attended my first “Family Council” meeting at the assisted living facility where my grandmother now resides. The administrator made the comment that it may seem that some of the residents are always happy and never have any complaints or difficulties. She assured us that all of the residents have issues from time to time… and all families represented have issues. And ALL of these people with “issues” pass through her office doors at one time or another.
I marveled at how this woman maintains her pleasant, positive attitude while managing so many people and problems. Surely she has her own days when she has “issues,” but to date, I have not observed this. She listens and is kind to those she encounters. She is the mediator… the counselor… and the authority for much of what happens in this facility. And many in the Council meeting sang her praises.
Imagine God as something of an “Administrator” on a supernatural level. Think of all of the prayers He hears in even a split second… request for healing and help of all kinds… complaints… gripes and grumblings… praises and glory. Just thinking about it makes my head spin… but because He is GOD, it’s all in a day’s work for Him. And as much as we may occasionally feel God’s wrath for our wrongdoings… far more often, we experience His love and kindness. Even when God is angry with us and punishing us, He is acting in love. His desire for us to straighten up and do better is wrapped in kindness when He welcomes us back into His arms.
Sometimes we all feel like people are not listening to us. We feel like we are crying out for help or trying to express ourselves… but the other guy doesn’t get it. Let me tell you something… GOD is always listening… and I assure you, He gets it! He hears us… He loves us, and He is waiting to shower us with kindness. I don’t know how He does it! But I know this… I’m giving Him praise… aren’t you?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Let's praise God! He listened when I prayed, and he is always kind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I recently attended my first “Family Council” meeting at the assisted living facility where my grandmother now resides. The administrator made the comment that it may seem that some of the residents are always happy and never have any complaints or difficulties. She assured us that all of the residents have issues from time to time… and all families represented have issues. And ALL of these people with “issues” pass through her office doors at one time or another.
I marveled at how this woman maintains her pleasant, positive attitude while managing so many people and problems. Surely she has her own days when she has “issues,” but to date, I have not observed this. She listens and is kind to those she encounters. She is the mediator… the counselor… and the authority for much of what happens in this facility. And many in the Council meeting sang her praises.
Imagine God as something of an “Administrator” on a supernatural level. Think of all of the prayers He hears in even a split second… request for healing and help of all kinds… complaints… gripes and grumblings… praises and glory. Just thinking about it makes my head spin… but because He is GOD, it’s all in a day’s work for Him. And as much as we may occasionally feel God’s wrath for our wrongdoings… far more often, we experience His love and kindness. Even when God is angry with us and punishing us, He is acting in love. His desire for us to straighten up and do better is wrapped in kindness when He welcomes us back into His arms.
Sometimes we all feel like people are not listening to us. We feel like we are crying out for help or trying to express ourselves… but the other guy doesn’t get it. Let me tell you something… GOD is always listening… and I assure you, He gets it! He hears us… He loves us, and He is waiting to shower us with kindness. I don’t know how He does it! But I know this… I’m giving Him praise… aren’t you?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 7, 2011
Romans 15:30-31
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me. Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This has been a week of heavy-duty prayer for me… for those whose lives are changing due to moves, illness, and even death… for others who are sick and suffering… and for some who are grieving the loss of a loved one. I know that my prayers are working – alongside those of other Christians who are also praying for these same people. There is POWER in prayer. Don’t you believe this? Do you pray for your friends and loved ones? Did you know that people are praying for YOU on a regular basis? How does that make you feel?
It is hard some days to find time to do everything that needs to be done… and quite often, prayer gets kicked to the curb as something that is “optional.” But this is really poor thinking on our part. Surely we want to live “by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit”… don’t we? Do we not want this for our friends and loved ones, also? Certainly, God knows our needs, desires, hurts, heartaches, joys and fears. But He wants to HEAR them expressed by us. He wants us to give them a VOICE! He wants us to physically come before Him and present everything in our lives for His consideration.
Imagine… if YOU pray for yourself and others… and others pray for YOU… then exponentially, the voices calling out to God on a regular basis are beyond what we can even imagine… and so are the blessings! There IS power in prayer… and as prayer warriors, we can call on God’s power to work in any situation! Have you tapped into the power of prayer today? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
My friends, by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit, I beg you to pray sincerely with me and for me. Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This has been a week of heavy-duty prayer for me… for those whose lives are changing due to moves, illness, and even death… for others who are sick and suffering… and for some who are grieving the loss of a loved one. I know that my prayers are working – alongside those of other Christians who are also praying for these same people. There is POWER in prayer. Don’t you believe this? Do you pray for your friends and loved ones? Did you know that people are praying for YOU on a regular basis? How does that make you feel?
It is hard some days to find time to do everything that needs to be done… and quite often, prayer gets kicked to the curb as something that is “optional.” But this is really poor thinking on our part. Surely we want to live “by the love that comes from the Holy Spirit”… don’t we? Do we not want this for our friends and loved ones, also? Certainly, God knows our needs, desires, hurts, heartaches, joys and fears. But He wants to HEAR them expressed by us. He wants us to give them a VOICE! He wants us to physically come before Him and present everything in our lives for His consideration.
Imagine… if YOU pray for yourself and others… and others pray for YOU… then exponentially, the voices calling out to God on a regular basis are beyond what we can even imagine… and so are the blessings! There IS power in prayer… and as prayer warriors, we can call on God’s power to work in any situation! Have you tapped into the power of prayer today? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 13, 2011
Psalm 29:3-9
The voice of the LORD echoes over the oceans.
The glorious LORD God thunders above the roar of the raging sea, and his voice is mighty and marvelous. The voice of the LORD destroys the cedar trees; the LORD shatters cedars on Mount Lebanon. God makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf and Mount Hermon jump like a wild ox. The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash and the desert tremble. And because of the LORD, the desert near Kadesh shivers and shakes. The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
During our last snowstorm, my husband and I took a long hike. It was snowing hard, and there were several inches of snow already covering the landscape. We hiked Mossy Bluff Trail to the Visitor Center near our house, and as we stood next to the highway, my husband said, “It’s so quiet.” Scarcely a car went by on the slick, snow-packed highway. We walked back home in the silence. But all around us, we could “hear” God.
God’s voice did not thunder in the snowfall… it did not flash and tremble. But God Almighty was evident in every snowflake… the majesty of the rocky crags covered in giant icicles along the trail spoke of His artistry… and His power. The thick powdery snow that covered everything in sight like a massive blanket spoke of God’s protection and care for each of us.
The hungry birds at our backyard feeder reminded us that God watches over even the smallest of His creatures. The snug, warm safety of our house when we returned was proof that God has met all of our needs.
We don’t always “hear” from God with a crash of thunder or a flash of lightning. He doesn’t always speak in shivers and shakes and roaring seas (although I’m pretty sure I heard Him in the gurgling of the water in the creek that ran under a footbridge we crossed on the trail!). The trouble we humans have is that we are not always listening! We fail to recognize God’s voice much of the time… until he has to “shout” to get our attention!
We need to dial back the “white noise” in our lives – the distractions that keep us from hearing from God – and pay closer attention. We need to be looking and listening for God’s voice – whether in the form of a thunderstorm, an earthquake, or even a snowfall. God may speak with great force… but so often, He simply whispers. Will you hear Him? Are you listening closely enough?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The voice of the LORD echoes over the oceans.
The glorious LORD God thunders above the roar of the raging sea, and his voice is mighty and marvelous. The voice of the LORD destroys the cedar trees; the LORD shatters cedars on Mount Lebanon. God makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf and Mount Hermon jump like a wild ox. The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash and the desert tremble. And because of the LORD, the desert near Kadesh shivers and shakes. The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
During our last snowstorm, my husband and I took a long hike. It was snowing hard, and there were several inches of snow already covering the landscape. We hiked Mossy Bluff Trail to the Visitor Center near our house, and as we stood next to the highway, my husband said, “It’s so quiet.” Scarcely a car went by on the slick, snow-packed highway. We walked back home in the silence. But all around us, we could “hear” God.
God’s voice did not thunder in the snowfall… it did not flash and tremble. But God Almighty was evident in every snowflake… the majesty of the rocky crags covered in giant icicles along the trail spoke of His artistry… and His power. The thick powdery snow that covered everything in sight like a massive blanket spoke of God’s protection and care for each of us.
The hungry birds at our backyard feeder reminded us that God watches over even the smallest of His creatures. The snug, warm safety of our house when we returned was proof that God has met all of our needs.
We don’t always “hear” from God with a crash of thunder or a flash of lightning. He doesn’t always speak in shivers and shakes and roaring seas (although I’m pretty sure I heard Him in the gurgling of the water in the creek that ran under a footbridge we crossed on the trail!). The trouble we humans have is that we are not always listening! We fail to recognize God’s voice much of the time… until he has to “shout” to get our attention!
We need to dial back the “white noise” in our lives – the distractions that keep us from hearing from God – and pay closer attention. We need to be looking and listening for God’s voice – whether in the form of a thunderstorm, an earthquake, or even a snowfall. God may speak with great force… but so often, He simply whispers. Will you hear Him? Are you listening closely enough?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 9, 2011
Exodus 15:1-15
The LORD is my strength, the reason for my song, because he has saved me. I praise and honor the LORD -- he is my God and the God of my ancestors. The LORD is his name, and he is a warrior! He threw the chariots and army of Egypt's king into the Red Sea, and he drowned the best of the king's officers. They sank to the bottom just like stones. With the tremendous force of your right arm, our LORD, you crushed your enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We never know where or when we will get an opportunity to share with someone just how powerful God is. Recently I walked in to a local office to drop off some papers, and as soon as I opened the door, I was blasted by the smell of cigarettes. I’m not talking the faint smell of smoke, as if someone snuffed a cigarette in the parking lot as they entered the building. I’m talking the smell of a dozen or more people sitting in a crowded room, all lit up and puffing away.
The cigarette smell belonged to one man who was standing at the counter, and he appeared to be in his late forties. He was talking to the receptionist about his paper work. He was animated and friendly, and when he turned and saw me standing off to the side awaiting my turn, he graciously stepped aside and gestured for me to “come on over.” I walked up to the window. Then he moved in toward me and began to chat. What did I think about the snow we’re having? Who was the man in the photo hanging on the wall? (Governor Beebe – it was a state office.) The receptionist was busy copying the man’s papers, so we had a few minutes to stand in line together.
The man then began to talk about how much we needed the snow, because the drought last summer really hurt the trees in his yard. Then he asked me, “You don’t know anyone who would like to buy a beautiful home, do you? Because I think I’m selling mine and leaving this place. There just aren’t many opportunities for a guy my age to meet someone here.” And he winked and nudged my arm. I smiled, not knowing quite what to say… and he continued, “I tried going to church, but that didn’t work, so I’m not going back.”
Very clearly, I felt my opportunity present itself… “Why would you not go back to church?” I asked. He replied, “I don’t figure God would like it too much if I came to church to find a woman.” I asked him, “How do you know? What if you thought you were only going to church to meet someone, but God was leading you to church so He could do other things for you?” He stopped and looked at me with a puzzled look, and asked, “So you’re saying I’m selling God short?” “Maybe,” I told him. “You might be underestimating the power of God… and you are surely underestimating how much He cares about you.”
The man seemed a bit caught off guard by my comments. He smiled and said, “So in other words, I should give God another chance?” “Probably,” I said with a smile… “there are a lot of wonderful churches around here… you should check them out and give God another try.” I did not invite him to my church… I planted a seed, and I thought I’d let God handle the rest. This was not a “sales pitch” for my own church.
The receptionist came back to the window and finished her business with this man. He thanked me and said, “You’ve given me a new way to look at all of this.” He smiled and walked away.
I thought about the brief encounter, and I know that the outcome was totally God’s doing. Because of the strong cigarette smell, I was maintaining a wide berth. When the man stepped aside and gestured for me to approach the window, I could have waved him off and stayed where I was, but I stepped up, signed in, and stood beside him. And when he started to talk to me and get chummy, I could have given him one-word answers, nods of the head, and generally let him know I was not interested in what he had to say. I kept reminding myself, “He’s God’s child, too… he’s God’s child, too. Get past this.”
I felt God was saying, “Okay, I’m giving you an opportunity to speak for me… what are you going to do with it?” I believe we get many of these opportunities… often several times a day. And most of the time, we either fail to recognize them… or we fail to accept them.
Later in the day, another incident reminded me of an encounter I had years ago with my cousin, J.D. Mired in all sorts of personal struggles, J.D. attended my dad’s funeral, and he tells me that I approached him at the cemetery and said, “I’m praying for you.” I have absolutely no recollection of this. I do know I was praying for J.D. – and today he is a totally new person. The road to recovery was a long, difficult one, but he now travels several states conducting worship services and tent revivals. His focus every day is living for Jesus Christ and bringing others to a relationship with Him. And in recent months, J.D. actually did meet a Christian woman at a revival service – and they were married a month ago!
I’m not saying that the man I met in the local office will find his soul mate in church - or become a minister. But what I am saying is that we do sell God short. We underestimate His love for us… and His power to make the impossible happen. I told the man yesterday that the Bible tells us, “With God, all things are possible.” I hope he understood what I was saying to him in so many words… that we are each and every one precious and incredibly important to God. He knows us… He knows our needs, our desires, our hopes and dreams – and our talents and abilities. He understands what we can accomplish – for ourselves and for His kingdom. He can free us of addictions, debt, emotional baggage, sinful attitudes and behaviors, and more. And the kicker is… He wants to do this for us!
My prayer today is that we would all start to recognize the little opportunities God provides us each day to share His message with others. I also pray that we would look past appearances, smoky jackets and overly-talkative personalities and see the person inside that God sees… and recognize that he/she has incredible value to God – just like we do!
I have to admit, I have griped and grumbled (at least to myself) every time I have had to set foot in this local office for something. But now I see that God gave me an opportunity in the very spot I didn’t want to be... and I could easily have missed it. Are you recognizing how important you are to God… and the chances He offers you to serve Him? Are you paying attention to God these days? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD is my strength, the reason for my song, because he has saved me. I praise and honor the LORD -- he is my God and the God of my ancestors. The LORD is his name, and he is a warrior! He threw the chariots and army of Egypt's king into the Red Sea, and he drowned the best of the king's officers. They sank to the bottom just like stones. With the tremendous force of your right arm, our LORD, you crushed your enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We never know where or when we will get an opportunity to share with someone just how powerful God is. Recently I walked in to a local office to drop off some papers, and as soon as I opened the door, I was blasted by the smell of cigarettes. I’m not talking the faint smell of smoke, as if someone snuffed a cigarette in the parking lot as they entered the building. I’m talking the smell of a dozen or more people sitting in a crowded room, all lit up and puffing away.
The cigarette smell belonged to one man who was standing at the counter, and he appeared to be in his late forties. He was talking to the receptionist about his paper work. He was animated and friendly, and when he turned and saw me standing off to the side awaiting my turn, he graciously stepped aside and gestured for me to “come on over.” I walked up to the window. Then he moved in toward me and began to chat. What did I think about the snow we’re having? Who was the man in the photo hanging on the wall? (Governor Beebe – it was a state office.) The receptionist was busy copying the man’s papers, so we had a few minutes to stand in line together.
The man then began to talk about how much we needed the snow, because the drought last summer really hurt the trees in his yard. Then he asked me, “You don’t know anyone who would like to buy a beautiful home, do you? Because I think I’m selling mine and leaving this place. There just aren’t many opportunities for a guy my age to meet someone here.” And he winked and nudged my arm. I smiled, not knowing quite what to say… and he continued, “I tried going to church, but that didn’t work, so I’m not going back.”
Very clearly, I felt my opportunity present itself… “Why would you not go back to church?” I asked. He replied, “I don’t figure God would like it too much if I came to church to find a woman.” I asked him, “How do you know? What if you thought you were only going to church to meet someone, but God was leading you to church so He could do other things for you?” He stopped and looked at me with a puzzled look, and asked, “So you’re saying I’m selling God short?” “Maybe,” I told him. “You might be underestimating the power of God… and you are surely underestimating how much He cares about you.”
The man seemed a bit caught off guard by my comments. He smiled and said, “So in other words, I should give God another chance?” “Probably,” I said with a smile… “there are a lot of wonderful churches around here… you should check them out and give God another try.” I did not invite him to my church… I planted a seed, and I thought I’d let God handle the rest. This was not a “sales pitch” for my own church.
The receptionist came back to the window and finished her business with this man. He thanked me and said, “You’ve given me a new way to look at all of this.” He smiled and walked away.
I thought about the brief encounter, and I know that the outcome was totally God’s doing. Because of the strong cigarette smell, I was maintaining a wide berth. When the man stepped aside and gestured for me to approach the window, I could have waved him off and stayed where I was, but I stepped up, signed in, and stood beside him. And when he started to talk to me and get chummy, I could have given him one-word answers, nods of the head, and generally let him know I was not interested in what he had to say. I kept reminding myself, “He’s God’s child, too… he’s God’s child, too. Get past this.”
I felt God was saying, “Okay, I’m giving you an opportunity to speak for me… what are you going to do with it?” I believe we get many of these opportunities… often several times a day. And most of the time, we either fail to recognize them… or we fail to accept them.
Later in the day, another incident reminded me of an encounter I had years ago with my cousin, J.D. Mired in all sorts of personal struggles, J.D. attended my dad’s funeral, and he tells me that I approached him at the cemetery and said, “I’m praying for you.” I have absolutely no recollection of this. I do know I was praying for J.D. – and today he is a totally new person. The road to recovery was a long, difficult one, but he now travels several states conducting worship services and tent revivals. His focus every day is living for Jesus Christ and bringing others to a relationship with Him. And in recent months, J.D. actually did meet a Christian woman at a revival service – and they were married a month ago!
I’m not saying that the man I met in the local office will find his soul mate in church - or become a minister. But what I am saying is that we do sell God short. We underestimate His love for us… and His power to make the impossible happen. I told the man yesterday that the Bible tells us, “With God, all things are possible.” I hope he understood what I was saying to him in so many words… that we are each and every one precious and incredibly important to God. He knows us… He knows our needs, our desires, our hopes and dreams – and our talents and abilities. He understands what we can accomplish – for ourselves and for His kingdom. He can free us of addictions, debt, emotional baggage, sinful attitudes and behaviors, and more. And the kicker is… He wants to do this for us!
My prayer today is that we would all start to recognize the little opportunities God provides us each day to share His message with others. I also pray that we would look past appearances, smoky jackets and overly-talkative personalities and see the person inside that God sees… and recognize that he/she has incredible value to God – just like we do!
I have to admit, I have griped and grumbled (at least to myself) every time I have had to set foot in this local office for something. But now I see that God gave me an opportunity in the very spot I didn’t want to be... and I could easily have missed it. Are you recognizing how important you are to God… and the chances He offers you to serve Him? Are you paying attention to God these days? Shouldn’t you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 27, 2011
Psalm 8:3-9
I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power-- the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have not watched the movie Temple Grandin, you need to rent it! The true story of a woman with autism, this film tells not only about the life and work of Temple Grandin and how she struggled with her condition… it is also about the incredible work she has done in the area of humane treatment of cattle.
The movie is a little hard to watch in spots, because inhumane treatment of cattle is depicted. But as you will see in the movie, Temple Grandin champions the care of both horses and cattle… and her dedication serves to remind us that something as “lowly” as a cow is valuable to God and deserves to be treated kindly.
I’ve thought about this movie a lot since we viewed it, and I have come to recognize even more strongly the incredible work God has done in and through Temple Grandin. God used her to provide care and a change in the way cattle are treated today in many corners of our country. God used Temple Grandin to show others so much about autism. I don’t want to give away the movie, but let’s just say that I don’t think you can watch this movie without being struck by how much God has used her… and the fact that God can use each of us in extraordinary ways, if we will open our hearts to Him.
We all have doubts from time to time… but hear me clearly… the same God who created the moon and stars… the same God who cares about cattle and horses, bugs and birds… the same God who can accomplish miraculous things through someone with autism… this God loves you dearly. You are precious to Him, and He values you more than you realize. When you start to feel down or discourage, remember that the God of the Universe thinks you are amazing. He values you above all other of His creatures. He’s got your back! How can we not honor Him? How can we help but sing His praise and serve Him with our whole heart? How can we ever feel useless?
The same God who used Temple Grandin to accomplish incredible things wants to bless you, too. What’s holding you back… have you acknowledged Him in your life? Are you giving Him the glory and honor He deserves? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power-- the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have not watched the movie Temple Grandin, you need to rent it! The true story of a woman with autism, this film tells not only about the life and work of Temple Grandin and how she struggled with her condition… it is also about the incredible work she has done in the area of humane treatment of cattle.
The movie is a little hard to watch in spots, because inhumane treatment of cattle is depicted. But as you will see in the movie, Temple Grandin champions the care of both horses and cattle… and her dedication serves to remind us that something as “lowly” as a cow is valuable to God and deserves to be treated kindly.
I’ve thought about this movie a lot since we viewed it, and I have come to recognize even more strongly the incredible work God has done in and through Temple Grandin. God used her to provide care and a change in the way cattle are treated today in many corners of our country. God used Temple Grandin to show others so much about autism. I don’t want to give away the movie, but let’s just say that I don’t think you can watch this movie without being struck by how much God has used her… and the fact that God can use each of us in extraordinary ways, if we will open our hearts to Him.
We all have doubts from time to time… but hear me clearly… the same God who created the moon and stars… the same God who cares about cattle and horses, bugs and birds… the same God who can accomplish miraculous things through someone with autism… this God loves you dearly. You are precious to Him, and He values you more than you realize. When you start to feel down or discourage, remember that the God of the Universe thinks you are amazing. He values you above all other of His creatures. He’s got your back! How can we not honor Him? How can we help but sing His praise and serve Him with our whole heart? How can we ever feel useless?
The same God who used Temple Grandin to accomplish incredible things wants to bless you, too. What’s holding you back… have you acknowledged Him in your life? Are you giving Him the glory and honor He deserves? Isn’t it time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 5, 2011
Psalm 7:12
Whenever your enemies refuse to change their ways, you sharpen your sword and string your bow.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever asked someone why they were putting up with a situation that was hurtful, frustrating… or even potentially dangerous… and the reply was, “It’s just easier to go along than to make waves.”? This is how people become the “doormat” for others… or tolerate abuse…or get themselves into messy situations that seem to have no solution.
Maybe you find yourself in one of these situations. Maybe you have decided that things will never change… and there is nothing you can do. And you would be partly right – there is nothing you can do! But GOD can do plenty!
Today, we need to give our hopeless – and helpless – situations to God. We need to recognize that other people and/or the situations themselves are not the enemy… their driving force is Satan! HE is the one who is wreaking havoc in so many lives, and we must “sharpen our sword and string our bow” in the name of the Lord against him.
How do we do this? Prayer… and lots of it… is our first line of defense. As we make hard choices and step out in faith – and away from the offending situation or behavior(s) – is daunting… but not impossible if we earnestly seek God’s power and protection. Believing that things can change by the power and grace of God may test the level of our faith… but we are up to the challenge!
We must not let the devil have his way. We can’t keep cowering in the corner like a trapped animal. It’s time to shore up our arsenal of tools to combat Satan’s efforts… and to call on God to defeat him. Are you ready to roll?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Whenever your enemies refuse to change their ways, you sharpen your sword and string your bow.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever asked someone why they were putting up with a situation that was hurtful, frustrating… or even potentially dangerous… and the reply was, “It’s just easier to go along than to make waves.”? This is how people become the “doormat” for others… or tolerate abuse…or get themselves into messy situations that seem to have no solution.
Maybe you find yourself in one of these situations. Maybe you have decided that things will never change… and there is nothing you can do. And you would be partly right – there is nothing you can do! But GOD can do plenty!
Today, we need to give our hopeless – and helpless – situations to God. We need to recognize that other people and/or the situations themselves are not the enemy… their driving force is Satan! HE is the one who is wreaking havoc in so many lives, and we must “sharpen our sword and string our bow” in the name of the Lord against him.
How do we do this? Prayer… and lots of it… is our first line of defense. As we make hard choices and step out in faith – and away from the offending situation or behavior(s) – is daunting… but not impossible if we earnestly seek God’s power and protection. Believing that things can change by the power and grace of God may test the level of our faith… but we are up to the challenge!
We must not let the devil have his way. We can’t keep cowering in the corner like a trapped animal. It’s time to shore up our arsenal of tools to combat Satan’s efforts… and to call on God to defeat him. Are you ready to roll?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 2, 2011
Deuteronomy 10:17
The LORD your God is more powerful than all other gods and lords, and his tremendous power is to be feared. His decisions are always fair, and you cannot bribe him to change his mind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“I’ll make you a deal…” If we had a nickel for every time we have said or heard this phrase, we would all have hefty bank accounts! We humans often operate in bargains, manipulations, and bribes… for everything from paying kids to make good grades to getting your spouse to help with the dishes or put gas in the car to promising the police officer we will never speed again if he/she will agree not to write us a ticket. We operate in “if you will do this, I will do that” on a daily basis… if not more frequently.
Our Spiritual life is no exception. We tell God, “If you will just grant me this one thing, I will do XYZ for you.” We promise to serve Him in unbelievable ways in exchange for good health, prosperity, a certain relationship, and even tangible things like a new job or a new car. “Lord, just make me skinny, and I will serve you night and day. Give me a new SUV, and I will hall the children’s choir around for You! Let our team win the championship, and I’ll organize a new chapter of FCA in your honor! Lord, please don’t let me lose this job, and I promise I will give you all the glory.” The sad part is that we really think this sort of tactic can work!
Apparently many of us have not paid attention to Deuteronomy 10:17. We cannot bribe God. We cannot make Him change His mind by making outrageous promises. We can’t earn God’s grace and mercy… or salvation through Jesus Christ… and we can’t bargain with God.
“So why bother?” you may ask. If God has made up His mind already, what difference does it make what we say or do? The key is to understand that God may very well change His mind… but not because of our ridiculous displays of desperation and conniving. If God sees us earnestly working to serve Him and honor His blessings upon our lives, He may extend additional grace and mercy to us out of unconditional love for one of His children.
We’ve all experienced a time when we changed our mind out because we felt a deep love and compassion for someone else… a time when we did something nice for them “just because” we wanted to make their day. God wants to do things for His children… to bless us “just because.” But trying to bribe Him can actually serve to question His judgment… and God’s judgment is always fair.
We would do well to learn how to operate without bribes, manipulations, and con games - certainly when it comes to God, but also in our everyday lives. We should live in way that God – and others - want to work with us and do things for us because of who we are and how we conduct our lives.
God may change His mind from time to time… but it won’t be because of any bribe we may offer. Cons and bribes are for the devil and his gang. Instead of trying to change God’s mind, let’s concentrate on changing our attitudes and behavior to line up with His will. Let’s offer God our very best every day… and trust His decisions to always be perfect and fair.
©2010 Debbie Robus
The LORD your God is more powerful than all other gods and lords, and his tremendous power is to be feared. His decisions are always fair, and you cannot bribe him to change his mind.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“I’ll make you a deal…” If we had a nickel for every time we have said or heard this phrase, we would all have hefty bank accounts! We humans often operate in bargains, manipulations, and bribes… for everything from paying kids to make good grades to getting your spouse to help with the dishes or put gas in the car to promising the police officer we will never speed again if he/she will agree not to write us a ticket. We operate in “if you will do this, I will do that” on a daily basis… if not more frequently.
Our Spiritual life is no exception. We tell God, “If you will just grant me this one thing, I will do XYZ for you.” We promise to serve Him in unbelievable ways in exchange for good health, prosperity, a certain relationship, and even tangible things like a new job or a new car. “Lord, just make me skinny, and I will serve you night and day. Give me a new SUV, and I will hall the children’s choir around for You! Let our team win the championship, and I’ll organize a new chapter of FCA in your honor! Lord, please don’t let me lose this job, and I promise I will give you all the glory.” The sad part is that we really think this sort of tactic can work!
Apparently many of us have not paid attention to Deuteronomy 10:17. We cannot bribe God. We cannot make Him change His mind by making outrageous promises. We can’t earn God’s grace and mercy… or salvation through Jesus Christ… and we can’t bargain with God.
“So why bother?” you may ask. If God has made up His mind already, what difference does it make what we say or do? The key is to understand that God may very well change His mind… but not because of our ridiculous displays of desperation and conniving. If God sees us earnestly working to serve Him and honor His blessings upon our lives, He may extend additional grace and mercy to us out of unconditional love for one of His children.
We’ve all experienced a time when we changed our mind out because we felt a deep love and compassion for someone else… a time when we did something nice for them “just because” we wanted to make their day. God wants to do things for His children… to bless us “just because.” But trying to bribe Him can actually serve to question His judgment… and God’s judgment is always fair.
We would do well to learn how to operate without bribes, manipulations, and con games - certainly when it comes to God, but also in our everyday lives. We should live in way that God – and others - want to work with us and do things for us because of who we are and how we conduct our lives.
God may change His mind from time to time… but it won’t be because of any bribe we may offer. Cons and bribes are for the devil and his gang. Instead of trying to change God’s mind, let’s concentrate on changing our attitudes and behavior to line up with His will. Let’s offer God our very best every day… and trust His decisions to always be perfect and fair.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 26, 2010
June 26 ~ Hebrews 11:27
Because of his faith, Moses left Egypt. Moses had seen the invisible God and wasn't afraid of the king's anger.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you are like me, when you get unpleasant news, your mind goes into overdrive. I am a “fixer” by nature, and I immediately begin thinking about how to resolve this… a “what-can-I-do?” approach to the problem – even if it’s someone else’s! A few years after my brother died, I helped a nurse friend of his with a problem. She said to me, “Tim always said, ‘Debbie can fix anything.’ And I believe it!” I’m here to tell you, I cannot fix everything! And much as I would like to be able to “fix” several situations and/or the people in them, there are many things that are far beyond my abilities… or any other human’s, for that matter.
What I am learning is how to rely on God to fix the things I cannot. “But don’t you know that already?” you might be asking. Maybe I’m a slow learner! More likely, I’m like a lot of people. The “heart” knows that God is in control, but the “head” has not quite accepted this yet. And then there’s that old codger, the devil, who stands in the corner and says, “You need to DO something!” He’s right – well, partly. We do need to get on our knees and give these things to God and ask Him to handle them according to His will. We also need to acknowledge that we are NOT in control… but we serve a God who is more than able.
So often, we take the safe, easy route. We don’t want to “ruffle feathers” or risk being alienated or talked about or hurt in any way. We need to take a page from Moses’ book and trust the “Invisible God” who is working 24/7 on our behalf. If we have prayerfully considered our actions and choices and are certain that God is leading the way, we have nothing to fear. Are you trusting the Invisible God today? Is He guiding your choices and handling your concerns? Who fixes things for you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Because of his faith, Moses left Egypt. Moses had seen the invisible God and wasn't afraid of the king's anger.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you are like me, when you get unpleasant news, your mind goes into overdrive. I am a “fixer” by nature, and I immediately begin thinking about how to resolve this… a “what-can-I-do?” approach to the problem – even if it’s someone else’s! A few years after my brother died, I helped a nurse friend of his with a problem. She said to me, “Tim always said, ‘Debbie can fix anything.’ And I believe it!” I’m here to tell you, I cannot fix everything! And much as I would like to be able to “fix” several situations and/or the people in them, there are many things that are far beyond my abilities… or any other human’s, for that matter.
What I am learning is how to rely on God to fix the things I cannot. “But don’t you know that already?” you might be asking. Maybe I’m a slow learner! More likely, I’m like a lot of people. The “heart” knows that God is in control, but the “head” has not quite accepted this yet. And then there’s that old codger, the devil, who stands in the corner and says, “You need to DO something!” He’s right – well, partly. We do need to get on our knees and give these things to God and ask Him to handle them according to His will. We also need to acknowledge that we are NOT in control… but we serve a God who is more than able.
So often, we take the safe, easy route. We don’t want to “ruffle feathers” or risk being alienated or talked about or hurt in any way. We need to take a page from Moses’ book and trust the “Invisible God” who is working 24/7 on our behalf. If we have prayerfully considered our actions and choices and are certain that God is leading the way, we have nothing to fear. Are you trusting the Invisible God today? Is He guiding your choices and handling your concerns? Who fixes things for you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 14, 2010
June 14 ~ Isaiah 35:4
Don't tremble with fear! Didn't I tell you long ago? Didn't you hear me? I alone am God -- no one else is a mighty rock.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever considered how many landmarks include a rock? Early settlers docked near La Petite Rocher (later called La Petite Roche) – a “Little Rock” outcropping that became a noted landmark on maps and the point where ferries crossed the Arkansas River, as well as our state capital. When we talk about Sugar Loaf, we are usually referring to the “mountain” behind ASU-Heber Springs that is topped by a rock outcropping. However, there is a Sugar Loaf in Greers Ferry Lake near Fairfield Bay, and my parents and grandparents knew another rock outcropping as “Little Sugar Loaf” before the lake was formed. Today, when the lake level is low, the very top of “Little Sugar Loaf” is visible, just beyond a row of houses on Lakeshore Drive.
There are countless rock formations around the world that are readily recognizable by name. And the point is, when we think of a rock formation, we think of something solid and steady – something immovable and everlasting. When we think of God as our rock, we think of Him in the same way. He is solid, steady, immovable, everlasting. We don’t give a second thought to climbing to the top of Sugar Loaf… we expect the rock formation to hold us. We can depend on the rock that is our God to hold us without fail, as well.
Early settlers used rock formations and caves as shelter from the elements. God is our shelter. He is strong and protective and will keep us from harm. When someone says “Mt. Rushmore,” or “Little Rock,” or even “Sugar Loaf,” we know what they mean. There may be more than one formation with the same name, but in general, we think of the landmark that is within our scope of experience. The good news is that there is no mistaking who we mean when we talk of God as our rock, because there is no other. He is the one and only Rock on which we can place all of our fears, our worries, our insecurities – and our sins – and He will take them all and give us protection and comfort. He is infallible, immovable, strong and able. When God is truly our rock, we have nothing to fear. The key is to recognize Him and acknowledge His strength and power over our lives. Which “rocks” do you recognize? Do you trust in The One who matters most?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Don't tremble with fear! Didn't I tell you long ago? Didn't you hear me? I alone am God -- no one else is a mighty rock.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever considered how many landmarks include a rock? Early settlers docked near La Petite Rocher (later called La Petite Roche) – a “Little Rock” outcropping that became a noted landmark on maps and the point where ferries crossed the Arkansas River, as well as our state capital. When we talk about Sugar Loaf, we are usually referring to the “mountain” behind ASU-Heber Springs that is topped by a rock outcropping. However, there is a Sugar Loaf in Greers Ferry Lake near Fairfield Bay, and my parents and grandparents knew another rock outcropping as “Little Sugar Loaf” before the lake was formed. Today, when the lake level is low, the very top of “Little Sugar Loaf” is visible, just beyond a row of houses on Lakeshore Drive.
There are countless rock formations around the world that are readily recognizable by name. And the point is, when we think of a rock formation, we think of something solid and steady – something immovable and everlasting. When we think of God as our rock, we think of Him in the same way. He is solid, steady, immovable, everlasting. We don’t give a second thought to climbing to the top of Sugar Loaf… we expect the rock formation to hold us. We can depend on the rock that is our God to hold us without fail, as well.
Early settlers used rock formations and caves as shelter from the elements. God is our shelter. He is strong and protective and will keep us from harm. When someone says “Mt. Rushmore,” or “Little Rock,” or even “Sugar Loaf,” we know what they mean. There may be more than one formation with the same name, but in general, we think of the landmark that is within our scope of experience. The good news is that there is no mistaking who we mean when we talk of God as our rock, because there is no other. He is the one and only Rock on which we can place all of our fears, our worries, our insecurities – and our sins – and He will take them all and give us protection and comfort. He is infallible, immovable, strong and able. When God is truly our rock, we have nothing to fear. The key is to recognize Him and acknowledge His strength and power over our lives. Which “rocks” do you recognize? Do you trust in The One who matters most?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 9, 2010
June 9 ~ Psalm 46:2
And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever gotten news that absolutely sent you into a tailspin? As soon as you heard it, your mind started racing… “Omigosh… what will happen next? How will this end? Will everyone be okay? What does this mean for me?” It seems that Satan has a tremendous ability to upset our apple cart with very little effort sometimes. All he has to do is plant a seed of doubt or fear in our mind, and we are off to the races!
The next time you get this feeling… the next time something rattles your cage even momentarily, remember Psalm 46:2… “and so, we won’t be afraid. Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.” Let the devil try his hardest to upset us and make us worry, shake, rattle and roll. But let God’s peace and power cover us! Stand up and say, “It will be okay. God will make it so! I am not going to let this concern me for even one minute!”
Psalm 46:10 says, “Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God!’” Stop and rest in that for a while. Then thank Him for being so merciful… for blessing us with His power, grace and mercy. Thank God that you don’t have to operate in fear for even one minute… and kick that ole devil to the curb!
©2010 Debbie Robus
And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever gotten news that absolutely sent you into a tailspin? As soon as you heard it, your mind started racing… “Omigosh… what will happen next? How will this end? Will everyone be okay? What does this mean for me?” It seems that Satan has a tremendous ability to upset our apple cart with very little effort sometimes. All he has to do is plant a seed of doubt or fear in our mind, and we are off to the races!
The next time you get this feeling… the next time something rattles your cage even momentarily, remember Psalm 46:2… “and so, we won’t be afraid. Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.” Let the devil try his hardest to upset us and make us worry, shake, rattle and roll. But let God’s peace and power cover us! Stand up and say, “It will be okay. God will make it so! I am not going to let this concern me for even one minute!”
Psalm 46:10 says, “Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God!’” Stop and rest in that for a while. Then thank Him for being so merciful… for blessing us with His power, grace and mercy. Thank God that you don’t have to operate in fear for even one minute… and kick that ole devil to the curb!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 7, 2010
June 7 ~ Psalm 27:3
Armies may surround me, but I won't be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The next time someone says to me, “I think the ‘end times’ are near,” I’m gonna shout “Whoopie!!!” People say that in the same tone as they say, “Oooo… the boogie man is gonna get you!” If you stop and think about it, this is a ridiculous comment. Okay, maybe they say it because they see souls yet to be won to Christ and feel time is short. But this is really not how I hear it. I hear it more like “Be afraid… be very afraid!”
I, for one, am not afraid! For one thing, Psalm 27:3 tells us not to be. War may break out – the world may seem to fall apart – but we have nothing to fear. If we truly believe in God’s promises – if we believe that we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and destined for Paradise, then we have absolutely, positively NOTHING to fear – most certainly about ‘end times!’
I may not have another day, week, month, or year. I have no clue… and frankly, even pondering it is a waste of the time God has given me to serve Him on this earth. I know that He knows exactly to the minute how long I have here, and He is counting on me to use my time wisely and to trust Him for the rest. So what if we are in the ‘end times’ – I’m ready…aren’t you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Armies may surround me, but I won't be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The next time someone says to me, “I think the ‘end times’ are near,” I’m gonna shout “Whoopie!!!” People say that in the same tone as they say, “Oooo… the boogie man is gonna get you!” If you stop and think about it, this is a ridiculous comment. Okay, maybe they say it because they see souls yet to be won to Christ and feel time is short. But this is really not how I hear it. I hear it more like “Be afraid… be very afraid!”
I, for one, am not afraid! For one thing, Psalm 27:3 tells us not to be. War may break out – the world may seem to fall apart – but we have nothing to fear. If we truly believe in God’s promises – if we believe that we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and destined for Paradise, then we have absolutely, positively NOTHING to fear – most certainly about ‘end times!’
I may not have another day, week, month, or year. I have no clue… and frankly, even pondering it is a waste of the time God has given me to serve Him on this earth. I know that He knows exactly to the minute how long I have here, and He is counting on me to use my time wisely and to trust Him for the rest. So what if we are in the ‘end times’ – I’m ready…aren’t you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 25, 2010
May 25 ~ Joshua 10:24-25
After Joshua had called the army together, he forced the five kings to lie down on the ground. Then he called his officers forward and told them, "You fought these kings along with me, so put your feet on their necks." The officers did, and Joshua continued, "Don't ever be afraid or discouraged. Be brave and strong. This is what the LORD will do to all your enemies."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us know that immobilizing the “neck” of any living creature will render it helpless. The neck is somewhat “command central” for the body… containing critical nerves, arteries, the windpipe, and important muscles. There is a lot of symbolism – literally and figuratively – in the phrases “sticking one’s neck out” and “putting your neck on the line.” So when we visualize God putting His foot on the neck of our enemies… or even better – Satan himself… we are relieved, comforted, and encouraged.
What’s troubling you today? What are your struggles, challenges and obstacles? It may be something as seemingly insignificant as wishing you had clear skin, a better grade in math, more ability to concentrate and focus, or figuring out where you left your car keys or reading glasses. Or, it may be something huge, like health issues, broken relationships, loss of employment and income, and failure to maintain your G.P.A. and keep your scholarship.
It really doesn’t matter what your “enemy” is today... God can handle it… and He will. Right now, envision your enemy – or enemies – laid out on the ground. See God systematically stomp on each one at the neck. Hear Him say, “You will not bother My child any longer. Leave him/her alone.” BELIEVE this! Trust God to trample your fears underneath His feet – and leave them there! Then thank Him for being your protector and provider. Give GOD the credit, and the glory, and walk away with confidence and courage that He is always on your side.
©2010 Debbie Robus
After Joshua had called the army together, he forced the five kings to lie down on the ground. Then he called his officers forward and told them, "You fought these kings along with me, so put your feet on their necks." The officers did, and Joshua continued, "Don't ever be afraid or discouraged. Be brave and strong. This is what the LORD will do to all your enemies."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us know that immobilizing the “neck” of any living creature will render it helpless. The neck is somewhat “command central” for the body… containing critical nerves, arteries, the windpipe, and important muscles. There is a lot of symbolism – literally and figuratively – in the phrases “sticking one’s neck out” and “putting your neck on the line.” So when we visualize God putting His foot on the neck of our enemies… or even better – Satan himself… we are relieved, comforted, and encouraged.
What’s troubling you today? What are your struggles, challenges and obstacles? It may be something as seemingly insignificant as wishing you had clear skin, a better grade in math, more ability to concentrate and focus, or figuring out where you left your car keys or reading glasses. Or, it may be something huge, like health issues, broken relationships, loss of employment and income, and failure to maintain your G.P.A. and keep your scholarship.
It really doesn’t matter what your “enemy” is today... God can handle it… and He will. Right now, envision your enemy – or enemies – laid out on the ground. See God systematically stomp on each one at the neck. Hear Him say, “You will not bother My child any longer. Leave him/her alone.” BELIEVE this! Trust God to trample your fears underneath His feet – and leave them there! Then thank Him for being your protector and provider. Give GOD the credit, and the glory, and walk away with confidence and courage that He is always on your side.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 15, 2010
May 15 ~ Isaiah 41:10
Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mom has a 53-lb. boxer mix named Spot who is terrified of thunder and storms. My sister has a yellow lab, Wrinkles, who is the size of a small pony. But let a thunderstorm approach, and he tries to crawl in her lap. Both dogs tremble and drool. My sister says she thinks Wrinkles would get under her skin if he could! We don’t know what makes these big dogs so terrified of thunder, but we have learned that this is a common problem with dogs of all sizes and breeds. Sometimes, my sister medicates her dog to calm him when storms come. Sometimes, she just wraps her arms around him and hangs on until it’s over.
Whether we realize it or not, when the “storms of life” threaten, we all are prone to tremble. We may not show fear outwardly, but we are nervous, apprehensive, and worried about what will happen. And some of us shake, tremble, wring our hands, and “freak out” over what is happening. When the chips are down, we often fail to recognize God’s presence. We fail to feel His arms wrapping around us and giving us protection and comfort. We do not hear His voice saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.” And so we “shake, rattle and roll.”
It’s time we started giving our fears to God and allowing Him to handle them for us. It’s time we started acknowledging not only His power to do this, but His desire to protect us. We’ve trembled long enough. We’ve let Satan defeat us too long. It’s time to call on God to make us strong and give us victory. Are you in?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mom has a 53-lb. boxer mix named Spot who is terrified of thunder and storms. My sister has a yellow lab, Wrinkles, who is the size of a small pony. But let a thunderstorm approach, and he tries to crawl in her lap. Both dogs tremble and drool. My sister says she thinks Wrinkles would get under her skin if he could! We don’t know what makes these big dogs so terrified of thunder, but we have learned that this is a common problem with dogs of all sizes and breeds. Sometimes, my sister medicates her dog to calm him when storms come. Sometimes, she just wraps her arms around him and hangs on until it’s over.
Whether we realize it or not, when the “storms of life” threaten, we all are prone to tremble. We may not show fear outwardly, but we are nervous, apprehensive, and worried about what will happen. And some of us shake, tremble, wring our hands, and “freak out” over what is happening. When the chips are down, we often fail to recognize God’s presence. We fail to feel His arms wrapping around us and giving us protection and comfort. We do not hear His voice saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.” And so we “shake, rattle and roll.”
It’s time we started giving our fears to God and allowing Him to handle them for us. It’s time we started acknowledging not only His power to do this, but His desire to protect us. We’ve trembled long enough. We’ve let Satan defeat us too long. It’s time to call on God to make us strong and give us victory. Are you in?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 14, 2010
May 14 ~ Isaiah 35:4
"Cheer up! Don't be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I can’t believe I am admitting this, but I am watching a lot of NickJr television these days, and Timothy’s all-time favorite show is “The Wonder Pets.” On this show, a guinea pig, turtle and duckling (a.k.a. “Linny, Tuck, and Ming-Ming, too!”) who live in a nursery school, come to the rescue of baby animals in danger. Part of their song is “We’re not too big and we’re not too tough, but when we work together, we’ve got the right stuff!”
For the Wonder Pets, teamwork is the key. They have to work together and solve problems as a trio, unlike the “hero” of my childhood, Mighty Mouse, whose motto was “Here I come to save the day!” And thankfully, we don’t rely on any of these “heroes” in our real life… because we have the Ultimate Superhero on our side… GOD! He can solve any problem. He can defeat any enemy. He can take on all giants and “super-powers” and rescue us from all harm. But… like the baby animals in the episodes of “Wonder Pets,” we have to do our part by calling on God for help. See, each story starts with the “ring-ring” of the pencil can, signifying “There’s an animal in trouble somewhere,” and “This is serious!”
I know this is a silly analogy, but in truth, God can answer our calls any hour of the night or day, and He will stand in front of us against any and all enemies. Are you doing your part? Are you calling on God and trusting Him? Are you operating in confidence… or do you let fear get the best of you much of the time? Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. God has come to save the day… HE will rescue us from all that Satan can throw our way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Cheer up! Don't be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I can’t believe I am admitting this, but I am watching a lot of NickJr television these days, and Timothy’s all-time favorite show is “The Wonder Pets.” On this show, a guinea pig, turtle and duckling (a.k.a. “Linny, Tuck, and Ming-Ming, too!”) who live in a nursery school, come to the rescue of baby animals in danger. Part of their song is “We’re not too big and we’re not too tough, but when we work together, we’ve got the right stuff!”
For the Wonder Pets, teamwork is the key. They have to work together and solve problems as a trio, unlike the “hero” of my childhood, Mighty Mouse, whose motto was “Here I come to save the day!” And thankfully, we don’t rely on any of these “heroes” in our real life… because we have the Ultimate Superhero on our side… GOD! He can solve any problem. He can defeat any enemy. He can take on all giants and “super-powers” and rescue us from all harm. But… like the baby animals in the episodes of “Wonder Pets,” we have to do our part by calling on God for help. See, each story starts with the “ring-ring” of the pencil can, signifying “There’s an animal in trouble somewhere,” and “This is serious!”
I know this is a silly analogy, but in truth, God can answer our calls any hour of the night or day, and He will stand in front of us against any and all enemies. Are you doing your part? Are you calling on God and trusting Him? Are you operating in confidence… or do you let fear get the best of you much of the time? Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. God has come to save the day… HE will rescue us from all that Satan can throw our way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 12, 2010
May 12 ~ Psalm 27:1
You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, my grandparents’ farm was considered “out in the country.” It sat alongside a dirt road, surrounded by thick woods on three sides. At night, it was incredibly dark and quiet there. There were no LED lights at night to illuminate the bedroom, and the only noise was the steady ticking of my grandparents’ mantel clock, which also chimed each hour and half hour. My sister and I snuggled in our bed beneath soft, warm quilts. We were not afraid of the dark, but once we got in bed, we rarely moved again until morning!
Now, most of us have all kinds of lights to brighten our homes. Someone commented recently that, even in the dark of night, we are not in the dark. Our televisions and digital clocks glow. Our smoke and radon detectors blink and flash. We illuminate our sidewalks and flower beds with landscaping lights. Street lights and “night watchmen” glow in even the most remote subdivisions and fields. And that light has become familiar to us, so that when we are truly thrust into the dark, we are uncomfortable… if not downright fearful.
In our spiritual life, God is our light. He is the bright illumination of a “night watchman” that glows in a field or the tiny blinking of a carbon monoxide detector that monitors our home – and He is protecting us from the darkness of Satan and sin at every turn. We don’t have to fear anything. God shines the light brightly on every aspect of our life and shows us where the mine fields of sin are located. He spotlights them and gives us His wisdom and care to overcome all odds. Just as we do not have to fear the dark of night, we do not have to fear the darkness of sin, either. Jesus overcame this darkness on the cross and His love, grace and mercy forever shine brightly over us.
How awesome is it to know we have this constant protection! How great it feels to know that Someone always has our back – and is lighting our way. Have no fear… God is lighting your way. Trust His protection and have confidence in His power to keep you safe.
©2010 Debbie Robus
You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, my grandparents’ farm was considered “out in the country.” It sat alongside a dirt road, surrounded by thick woods on three sides. At night, it was incredibly dark and quiet there. There were no LED lights at night to illuminate the bedroom, and the only noise was the steady ticking of my grandparents’ mantel clock, which also chimed each hour and half hour. My sister and I snuggled in our bed beneath soft, warm quilts. We were not afraid of the dark, but once we got in bed, we rarely moved again until morning!
Now, most of us have all kinds of lights to brighten our homes. Someone commented recently that, even in the dark of night, we are not in the dark. Our televisions and digital clocks glow. Our smoke and radon detectors blink and flash. We illuminate our sidewalks and flower beds with landscaping lights. Street lights and “night watchmen” glow in even the most remote subdivisions and fields. And that light has become familiar to us, so that when we are truly thrust into the dark, we are uncomfortable… if not downright fearful.
In our spiritual life, God is our light. He is the bright illumination of a “night watchman” that glows in a field or the tiny blinking of a carbon monoxide detector that monitors our home – and He is protecting us from the darkness of Satan and sin at every turn. We don’t have to fear anything. God shines the light brightly on every aspect of our life and shows us where the mine fields of sin are located. He spotlights them and gives us His wisdom and care to overcome all odds. Just as we do not have to fear the dark of night, we do not have to fear the darkness of sin, either. Jesus overcame this darkness on the cross and His love, grace and mercy forever shine brightly over us.
How awesome is it to know we have this constant protection! How great it feels to know that Someone always has our back – and is lighting our way. Have no fear… God is lighting your way. Trust His protection and have confidence in His power to keep you safe.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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