Ephesians 1:18
My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.
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.
Many people face some pretty big decisions today. For some, it may be whether they should eat that second piece of pie…while for others, the choice may be far more significant – even life changing! For far too many people, today is more a day of uncertainty than a day of thanksgiving. For them, the only thing they know for sure is how to get through this day… and then they will begin to worry about tomorrow. I have several friends who are experiencing grief and loss this holiday season… and for these precious souls, it’s all about putting one foot in front of the other at the moment. Others have just welcomed new babies into their families, and the future seems full of hope and aspirations for these little ones and those who love them. In any given year, you and I could be standing in either pair of shoes… filled with extreme sadness… or overflowing with great joy.
The common thread that we all have today is how much God loves us… that He chose us to belong to Him and made tremendous sacrifices so that in return, we could choose to live with Him forever. Whatever we are experiencing… wherever we happen to be today in this journey called “life”… we can have hope because of God’s gift of Jesus. He stands ready and able to give us “glorious blessings”. He has the strength, wisdom and power to make a way where we see none at all. He can heal broken hearts in grownups and kids alike…and orchestrate amazing futures for “babies” of all ages.
Whatever you need… wherever you are…there is hope today in Jesus Christ. Let His light flood your heart…embrace this prospect. Run and leap with joy if you can… and at the very least, put one foot in front of the other. Celebrate God’s goodness with those around you… or find someone with whom to share His Good News. And never lose faith in God’s promises… they give us more than enough reasons to be thankful today. Wouldn’t you agree?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Gods promises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gods promises. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 19, 2013
Hebrews 10:32-39
Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
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.
On the television show “The Biggest Loser,” contestants discover that losing weight and seeing results happens more quickly at the beginning than the end. In fact, as these participants become lighter and leaner, it becomes harder with each passing week to shed the last pounds and inches. Progress is still possible, but the thrill of those first few weeks and the truly drastic changes are gone. This is where the real work begins.
It’s easy to become discouraged… or at least complacent. After all, some of these contestants have dropped 100 pounds or more. Losing that last stubborn 15 to 50 seems akin to climbing Mt. Everest. There is a temptation to reward all of the hard work with a favorite dessert… or to skip a workout here and there. After all, the entrant has come so far… what would it hurt? OR… the challenge may be finishing. The desire to keep going and lose the rest may wane… settling for the current weight and size may seem appealing. This is when the patient endurance must kick in and keep these contestants going. They have made it this far… reached countless milestones… and they must keep going and finish strong!
In our Christian faith, we often seem to lose steam after a while. The spark and excitement of our initial salvation experience may pale. Our encouragement and support from others may wane… and our inner resolve to forge ahead and continue to grow with the Holy Spirit can fade. We’ve come so far… God has given us so much… maybe we could just stop and rest here a while! And many of us do exactly that. The trouble is… too many of us grow stale at our “resting point.” We settle for a “good enough” relationship with the Holy Spirit - and miss out on all He wants to give us by doing so.
Just as in a weight-loss program that we hope will bring permanent, lasting results, we must practice patient endurance as we grow in our faith. We must keep on “keepin’ on,” continue to study, pray, fellowship and learn. We must not “rest on our laurels” – or on the blessings we have received from God already. We cannot quit! We have to keep trusting God for outcomes, learning how He works, and expecting His promises to be fulfilled. We have to wait on the LORD in all things… and believe that He will show up, right on time!
This is a tall order… but such a “sure thing” as the blessings and rewards of a life in Christ is certainly worth it! Are you ready to press forward and persevere? Are you still “in the game” and trusting all the way? Will you make it to the Finish Line with Jesus… or will you give up and quit? The choice is yours… what will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
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.
On the television show “The Biggest Loser,” contestants discover that losing weight and seeing results happens more quickly at the beginning than the end. In fact, as these participants become lighter and leaner, it becomes harder with each passing week to shed the last pounds and inches. Progress is still possible, but the thrill of those first few weeks and the truly drastic changes are gone. This is where the real work begins.
It’s easy to become discouraged… or at least complacent. After all, some of these contestants have dropped 100 pounds or more. Losing that last stubborn 15 to 50 seems akin to climbing Mt. Everest. There is a temptation to reward all of the hard work with a favorite dessert… or to skip a workout here and there. After all, the entrant has come so far… what would it hurt? OR… the challenge may be finishing. The desire to keep going and lose the rest may wane… settling for the current weight and size may seem appealing. This is when the patient endurance must kick in and keep these contestants going. They have made it this far… reached countless milestones… and they must keep going and finish strong!
In our Christian faith, we often seem to lose steam after a while. The spark and excitement of our initial salvation experience may pale. Our encouragement and support from others may wane… and our inner resolve to forge ahead and continue to grow with the Holy Spirit can fade. We’ve come so far… God has given us so much… maybe we could just stop and rest here a while! And many of us do exactly that. The trouble is… too many of us grow stale at our “resting point.” We settle for a “good enough” relationship with the Holy Spirit - and miss out on all He wants to give us by doing so.
Just as in a weight-loss program that we hope will bring permanent, lasting results, we must practice patient endurance as we grow in our faith. We must keep on “keepin’ on,” continue to study, pray, fellowship and learn. We must not “rest on our laurels” – or on the blessings we have received from God already. We cannot quit! We have to keep trusting God for outcomes, learning how He works, and expecting His promises to be fulfilled. We have to wait on the LORD in all things… and believe that He will show up, right on time!
This is a tall order… but such a “sure thing” as the blessings and rewards of a life in Christ is certainly worth it! Are you ready to press forward and persevere? Are you still “in the game” and trusting all the way? Will you make it to the Finish Line with Jesus… or will you give up and quit? The choice is yours… what will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 29, 2012
1 Corinthians 10:13
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
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.
In the newspaper today, I saw a photograph of a woman kneeling at a grave site in a military cemetery. She was placing an American flag on one of the graves… and she appeared to be crying. I wondered if this was the grave of her husband… father…mother… or a son or daughter. I imagined how she must be remembering the sad events surrounding this person’s death… and reliving them. I thought of my own loved ones – and how I would feel were I the person in the picture. And I also considered how this woman is one of thousands all over the world who are mourning the loss of a dear loved one lost to one war or another.
Yesterday was Memorial Day in our country, and many of my Facebook “friends” posted photos of their loved ones who served in a branch of our armed forces. Some of these men and women perished during their tour of duty. But as the survivors posted their picture and reminded us of their sacrifice and service, I have to believe they also found comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone. They had to sense that others understood how they felt… and that ALL of them had managed to somehow come through this. More than few credited God with giving them the strength to endure the pain and grief… the heartache and loss. And just as surely as He has done this… He has also steered the paths people in similar situations in the same direction in order to bolster one another with empathy and encouragement.
A friend told me recently, “I sometimes feel like I am all alone on an island.” We all feel this way at times. But look around you. I’m betting you don’t have to look very far to find someone who is going through something very similar to your own experiences… or something far worse. Does this discount or diminish your feelings? Absolutely not! But the same God who is helping the other guy get through his/her test or temptation will help you. And maybe God wants you to help each other!
Let’s be honest… even the youngest among us has been through some “stuff!” And the older we get, the broader our experience base becomes. I don’t believe this is an accident. God doesn’t waste opportunities any more than He gives us more than we can handle. Perhaps instead of asking, “Why me, LORD?” we should be asking “What are You showing me… and how will You use this – and me – for Your glory?” My dear friend Becky, who lost her battle to breast cancer several years ago, always asked, “Why NOT me?” Now that’s FAITH in action!
We need to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and buckle on the full armor of God. We need to say to ourselves… and to others… “With God, all things are possible. He will never let me down.” We need to leave the devil’s pity party and the negative enabling that is in steady supply and move over to the LORD’s table. We’ll be among friends there... support and encouragement will be the “Daily Special.” We will feast on the profusion of God’s strength and blessings… abundance that enables us to handle anything and everything that comes our way.
The choice is ours. We can decide which “party” to attend – and what kind of “support” we will seek. Whose table are you sitting at these days?
©2012 Debbie Robus
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
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.
In the newspaper today, I saw a photograph of a woman kneeling at a grave site in a military cemetery. She was placing an American flag on one of the graves… and she appeared to be crying. I wondered if this was the grave of her husband… father…mother… or a son or daughter. I imagined how she must be remembering the sad events surrounding this person’s death… and reliving them. I thought of my own loved ones – and how I would feel were I the person in the picture. And I also considered how this woman is one of thousands all over the world who are mourning the loss of a dear loved one lost to one war or another.
Yesterday was Memorial Day in our country, and many of my Facebook “friends” posted photos of their loved ones who served in a branch of our armed forces. Some of these men and women perished during their tour of duty. But as the survivors posted their picture and reminded us of their sacrifice and service, I have to believe they also found comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone. They had to sense that others understood how they felt… and that ALL of them had managed to somehow come through this. More than few credited God with giving them the strength to endure the pain and grief… the heartache and loss. And just as surely as He has done this… He has also steered the paths people in similar situations in the same direction in order to bolster one another with empathy and encouragement.
A friend told me recently, “I sometimes feel like I am all alone on an island.” We all feel this way at times. But look around you. I’m betting you don’t have to look very far to find someone who is going through something very similar to your own experiences… or something far worse. Does this discount or diminish your feelings? Absolutely not! But the same God who is helping the other guy get through his/her test or temptation will help you. And maybe God wants you to help each other!
Let’s be honest… even the youngest among us has been through some “stuff!” And the older we get, the broader our experience base becomes. I don’t believe this is an accident. God doesn’t waste opportunities any more than He gives us more than we can handle. Perhaps instead of asking, “Why me, LORD?” we should be asking “What are You showing me… and how will You use this – and me – for Your glory?” My dear friend Becky, who lost her battle to breast cancer several years ago, always asked, “Why NOT me?” Now that’s FAITH in action!
We need to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and buckle on the full armor of God. We need to say to ourselves… and to others… “With God, all things are possible. He will never let me down.” We need to leave the devil’s pity party and the negative enabling that is in steady supply and move over to the LORD’s table. We’ll be among friends there... support and encouragement will be the “Daily Special.” We will feast on the profusion of God’s strength and blessings… abundance that enables us to handle anything and everything that comes our way.
The choice is ours. We can decide which “party” to attend – and what kind of “support” we will seek. Whose table are you sitting at these days?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 19, 2012
John 15:11-17
"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
"But remember the root command: Love one another.
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.
©2012 Debbie Robus
"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
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.
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| My sister, Mam-ma Polly, & me at a Mother's Day luncheon on May 10, 2012. |
When I read this passage, I immediately thought of my grandmother. We’ve spent a lot of time together - especially in the last three weeks since she fell and broke her leg. She is now confined to bed – unless aides lift her and place her in a nearby recliner for a few hours and a change of scenery. She is “in and out” of coherent sleep and coherent thoughts. But two days this week, she actually was pretty clear… and she asked about family members and friends. She said of one person, “I wish I was able to send her a note… but I can’t.” I assured her that I would contact this friend and let her know that Mam-ma thought of her. At almost 100 years old and in the end stages of life, my grandmother is still loving others and thinking of them.
To say that my grandmother has borne good fruit in her life would be an understatement. Yes, she is a mess at times… but she is our mess, and we love her dearly. She would give you her last dime if you needed it… with the assurance that “I’ll be praying for you.” Her first question of a new neighbor was always, “Would you like to stay for dinner (what she calls lunch) or supper?”… followed by “Where do y’all go to church?”
I’ve watched this woman live out Jesus’ command in John 15 for almost 55 years… and I hope I have learned from her. I’ve seen God’s promises fulfilled in her life… and the joy He has given her in even the most extreme and tragic circumstances. And even today as she struggles with unbearable pain and human indignities, she asks about other people.
The question is… are we loving one another? Have we learned from the examples of Godly people like my grandmother? Do we understand just how fully God operates in and through us when we put our own life on the line – or set aside our own troubles - for our friends? I am grateful for this incredible example that God has set before me. I am inspired to live well for however long God grants me on this earth… to love others in His name… and to bear good fruit that will never spoil. Are you?
Daily Devotional for April 18, 2012
Romans 4:19-25
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In 1988, Reverend Jesse Jackson ended his speech at the Democratic National Convention with these words… “You must not surrender! You may or may not get there but just know that you're qualified! And you hold on, and hold out! We must never surrender!! America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive! Keep hope alive! On tomorrow night and beyond, keep hope alive!”
This is Paul’s message to the Romans – and to us! Because of the blood of Jesus and the grace and mercy of Almighty God, we are “qualified.” We must hold on – and hold out – and never surrender. When the devil tries to tell you that you will never be healthy…thin and fit…financially secure…in a committed, loving relationship…living in a decent home… working at a good job so that you can afford to feed your family… passing your classes to graduate or stay in college… or whatever it is you feel you cannot accomplish…keep hope alive. When “the world” tells you that things are bleak and impossible, remind yourself that God has promised that all things are possible when He is in charge.
Remember, you must have the necessary tools to be able to speak and hear God’s language… and the primary tool you need is God’s word – which leads to hearing His voice. Read the scriptures. Pour out your heart to God and tell Him your needs and desires… hear His answers and promises as He leads you to specific verses and passages – and shows you His will for your life in all sorts of ways. Stay awake and alert, so that you don’t miss His messages… and never forget that the God who brought Jesus to life in what appeared to be impossible circumstances stands ready to set us upright, also.
Never underestimate the power of God to work in and through you. With God, all things are possible. Our job is to keep His hope alive!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In 1988, Reverend Jesse Jackson ended his speech at the Democratic National Convention with these words… “You must not surrender! You may or may not get there but just know that you're qualified! And you hold on, and hold out! We must never surrender!! America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive! Keep hope alive! On tomorrow night and beyond, keep hope alive!”
This is Paul’s message to the Romans – and to us! Because of the blood of Jesus and the grace and mercy of Almighty God, we are “qualified.” We must hold on – and hold out – and never surrender. When the devil tries to tell you that you will never be healthy…thin and fit…financially secure…in a committed, loving relationship…living in a decent home… working at a good job so that you can afford to feed your family… passing your classes to graduate or stay in college… or whatever it is you feel you cannot accomplish…keep hope alive. When “the world” tells you that things are bleak and impossible, remind yourself that God has promised that all things are possible when He is in charge.
Remember, you must have the necessary tools to be able to speak and hear God’s language… and the primary tool you need is God’s word – which leads to hearing His voice. Read the scriptures. Pour out your heart to God and tell Him your needs and desires… hear His answers and promises as He leads you to specific verses and passages – and shows you His will for your life in all sorts of ways. Stay awake and alert, so that you don’t miss His messages… and never forget that the God who brought Jesus to life in what appeared to be impossible circumstances stands ready to set us upright, also.
Never underestimate the power of God to work in and through you. With God, all things are possible. Our job is to keep His hope alive!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 28, 2012
2 Corinthians 5:1
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last July, my friend Mary McCurry, passed away. Mary lived 60 years in a crippled body… the victim of cerebral palsy since birth. She was smart, sharp-witted, and a strong Christian who could not communicate verbally as you and I do. Mary spoke mostly with her eyes and facial expressions, and those closest to her had little trouble understanding her. Some of those who did not truly get to know Mary were critical - and even cruel. They did not believe she was intelligent, nor did they “get” how devoted she was to family, friends – and to Jesus.
When Mary left this earth, the crippled “tent” of a body that she inhabited here was exchanged for a beautifully whole and complete one in heaven. I am convinced that she and her dear mother (who died less than 36 hours later) are having continual, animated conversations… and all of heaven is smiling. Mary’s “tent” is now a beautiful “home.”
We all live in an earthly “tent” of sorts. Some of us have “pup tents” like those we created as kids out of an old blanket that we draped over a chair or other furniture. We are trapped in a body that is mangled, crippled or disfigured… or weighted down with the physical, mental and emotional challenges of our daily lives. Others have a multi-roomed, fancy rig… complete with zippered windows and doorways, and maybe even divided rooms! For them, life at least appears to be a breeze… and truly, they are blessed beyond measure – even here in this life. But when we get to heaven, we will all have homes… mansions… perfect and complete – beautiful in every way.
Sixty years in a crippled “tent” seems like a terribly long time. And it can be… if we allow Satan to control our attitude and our thinking. If we choose to live as Mary did… with the attitude that this earthly “tent” is merely a temporary inconvenience at best – and for most of us, really not all that bad! – we truly glorify who we are in Christ and testify to His promise of better days ahead!
I don’t know what sort of “tent” you live in today. Maybe you are due for an “earthly upgrade” – a change in your thinking and faith to remind you that God has bigger and better things in store for you, even on this earth. Surely we could all use at least a little bit of an attitude adjustment. Isn’t it time we all focused more on our heavenly home and less on the earthly “tent?” When we shift our thinking and begin to live for Jesus and the promise of heaven, we are better equipped to serve Him here and now… in whatever dwelling He provides. Our life becomes more of a statement about our heart-felt relationship to Jesus, and less about the visible exterior. When others look at you, who – and what – do they see? Are you known by your heart… or your “tent?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last July, my friend Mary McCurry, passed away. Mary lived 60 years in a crippled body… the victim of cerebral palsy since birth. She was smart, sharp-witted, and a strong Christian who could not communicate verbally as you and I do. Mary spoke mostly with her eyes and facial expressions, and those closest to her had little trouble understanding her. Some of those who did not truly get to know Mary were critical - and even cruel. They did not believe she was intelligent, nor did they “get” how devoted she was to family, friends – and to Jesus.
When Mary left this earth, the crippled “tent” of a body that she inhabited here was exchanged for a beautifully whole and complete one in heaven. I am convinced that she and her dear mother (who died less than 36 hours later) are having continual, animated conversations… and all of heaven is smiling. Mary’s “tent” is now a beautiful “home.”
We all live in an earthly “tent” of sorts. Some of us have “pup tents” like those we created as kids out of an old blanket that we draped over a chair or other furniture. We are trapped in a body that is mangled, crippled or disfigured… or weighted down with the physical, mental and emotional challenges of our daily lives. Others have a multi-roomed, fancy rig… complete with zippered windows and doorways, and maybe even divided rooms! For them, life at least appears to be a breeze… and truly, they are blessed beyond measure – even here in this life. But when we get to heaven, we will all have homes… mansions… perfect and complete – beautiful in every way.
Sixty years in a crippled “tent” seems like a terribly long time. And it can be… if we allow Satan to control our attitude and our thinking. If we choose to live as Mary did… with the attitude that this earthly “tent” is merely a temporary inconvenience at best – and for most of us, really not all that bad! – we truly glorify who we are in Christ and testify to His promise of better days ahead!
I don’t know what sort of “tent” you live in today. Maybe you are due for an “earthly upgrade” – a change in your thinking and faith to remind you that God has bigger and better things in store for you, even on this earth. Surely we could all use at least a little bit of an attitude adjustment. Isn’t it time we all focused more on our heavenly home and less on the earthly “tent?” When we shift our thinking and begin to live for Jesus and the promise of heaven, we are better equipped to serve Him here and now… in whatever dwelling He provides. Our life becomes more of a statement about our heart-felt relationship to Jesus, and less about the visible exterior. When others look at you, who – and what – do they see? Are you known by your heart… or your “tent?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 27, 2012
John 14:18-20
I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.
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.
Years ago when I was a kindergarten teacher, my husband and I would talk on the phone more than once during the summer months when school was not in session. He would call me on his breaks, just to see how I was doing. This was nearly 30 years ago… before cell phones came along. During school hours, I did not usually get a break that coincided with his, so we were pretty well unable to communicate throughout the day. One day shortly before my summer break ended, we were talking, and my husband said, “When you go back to work, I’m going to miss being able to call you during the day.” Just knowing I was at home… and available… and that he could call me any time of day was important – to both of us.
Sometimes, I think we forget that Jesus is always with us. We may even begin to feel isolated and lonely, when in truth, He is always available. We can call on Jesus any time. This should give us tremendous comfort – and confidence. We never have to feel anxious or fearful… because Jesus goes with us everywhere. We don’t have to worry about our decisions… we can ask Jesus for help and guidance any time. We can face any challenge or obstacle... all we have to do is call on Jesus for wisdom and protection!
When we keep Jesus in our heart, we are never alone. And the best part is that we don’t even need a work break or a telephone to contact Him! We can call on Jesus with all of our questions and concerns… or even simply to say, “Hi!” - or to thank Him for loving us and to tell Him that we love Him, too! The question is… do we? Are you in constant contact with Jesus… or are there hours in the day where you “go it alone”… and treat Him as if you are unavailable? Have you truly given Jesus a place in your heart… and recognized His constant presence there? Isn’t it time to do exactly this… and never be alone again?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.
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.
Years ago when I was a kindergarten teacher, my husband and I would talk on the phone more than once during the summer months when school was not in session. He would call me on his breaks, just to see how I was doing. This was nearly 30 years ago… before cell phones came along. During school hours, I did not usually get a break that coincided with his, so we were pretty well unable to communicate throughout the day. One day shortly before my summer break ended, we were talking, and my husband said, “When you go back to work, I’m going to miss being able to call you during the day.” Just knowing I was at home… and available… and that he could call me any time of day was important – to both of us.
Sometimes, I think we forget that Jesus is always with us. We may even begin to feel isolated and lonely, when in truth, He is always available. We can call on Jesus any time. This should give us tremendous comfort – and confidence. We never have to feel anxious or fearful… because Jesus goes with us everywhere. We don’t have to worry about our decisions… we can ask Jesus for help and guidance any time. We can face any challenge or obstacle... all we have to do is call on Jesus for wisdom and protection!
When we keep Jesus in our heart, we are never alone. And the best part is that we don’t even need a work break or a telephone to contact Him! We can call on Jesus with all of our questions and concerns… or even simply to say, “Hi!” - or to thank Him for loving us and to tell Him that we love Him, too! The question is… do we? Are you in constant contact with Jesus… or are there hours in the day where you “go it alone”… and treat Him as if you are unavailable? Have you truly given Jesus a place in your heart… and recognized His constant presence there? Isn’t it time to do exactly this… and never be alone again?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 21, 2012
Ephesians 3:14-19
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My cousin shared this sweet story with me recently:
I challenge you to start to live in the fullness and strength of Psalm 23:1. I pray that you will thank God for all that He promises in this passage… and live as if you really believe He will supply all of your needs. “The LORD is my Shepherd… I shall not want.” Can you say the same? Embrace all that God offers you, and live in the power of His blessings and glory. The LORD is our Shepherd…what more could we possibly desire?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My cousin shared this sweet story with me recently:
- A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."
I challenge you to start to live in the fullness and strength of Psalm 23:1. I pray that you will thank God for all that He promises in this passage… and live as if you really believe He will supply all of your needs. “The LORD is my Shepherd… I shall not want.” Can you say the same? Embrace all that God offers you, and live in the power of His blessings and glory. The LORD is our Shepherd…what more could we possibly desire?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 13, 2012
Romans 3:1-6
So what difference does it make who's a Jew and who isn't, who has been trained in God's ways and who hasn't? As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference—but not the difference so many have assumed. First, there's the matter of being put in charge of writing down and caring for God's revelation, these Holy Scriptures.
So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn't abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness? Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same: Your words stand fast and true; rejection doesn't faze you.
But if our wrongdoing only underlines and confirms God's rightdoing, shouldn't we be commended for helping out? Since our bad words don't even make a dent in his good words, isn't it wrong of God to back us to the wall and hold us to our word? These questions come up. The answer to such questions is no, a most emphatic No! How else would things ever get straightened out if God didn't do the straightening?
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.
Have you ever been “stood up”? Has someone ever told you they would call you, stop by and see you, or help you with something… then they either called and said they weren’t available – or you never heard from them at all? It stinks, doesn’t it? And honestly, don’t you know people who seldom – if ever – keep their word? I have said of more than one such person… “If their lips are moving, they are probably lying.” That’s a pretty sad commentary, isn’t it?
You may also know people who profess to be Christians… but they take great license with their salvation. It’s as if they feel that because they are saved by the blood of Jesus, they have a free ticket to do as they please without fear of any consequences. Clearly, this passage shows us that God is not happy by our assumptions. GOD’s words matter… OUR words matter… and so do the actions we put behind them!
God would never think of going back on His word… and neither should we! We should never “abandon our post” and dishonor Him by interpreting scripture to suit our own purposes…taking our salvation for granted… or speaking “bad words” to others. As Disciples of Christ, we are called to honor His sacrifice by speaking words that are true, hopeful, positive, kind, and reliable. When we say we will do something, we should do it. When we promise to call or help someone, we must follow through and show up. We must remember WHOSE we are – and what it cost for us to become heirs to His throne… and we must behave honorably even when all around us seem to have lost their heads!
There will be times when we become discouraged. We will feel that God’s promises of blessings, good health and prosperity must be meant for someone else. We will have struggles, challenges, and disappointments… and the natural tendency will be to blame God – or at least complain to Him loudly. We will be tempted to throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” The short answer is that every word from God is true, whether it lines up with physical fact or not. We can’t always see what God is doing in our lives… so we live in faith that He is really at work in us.
Don’t become discouraged. Work hard to be more like Jesus every day. Make your word your bond… and believe that God’s word is infallible. Honor your commitments… to God and to others. In my notes, I have written… “You can’t expect things to come if you don’t call them. Call healing when you are sick… call prosperity when you are poor… call light when there is darkness. Keep asking… seeking… calling until it comes. Get violent (intense) faith.” What are you speaking today? Are your words your bond… or are you merely offering lip service - to God and others? Do you believe what God is speaking over your life? Can others believe your words, as well? What is God saying to you this day… and how will you respond?
©2012 Debbie Robus
So what difference does it make who's a Jew and who isn't, who has been trained in God's ways and who hasn't? As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference—but not the difference so many have assumed. First, there's the matter of being put in charge of writing down and caring for God's revelation, these Holy Scriptures.
So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn't abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness? Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same: Your words stand fast and true; rejection doesn't faze you.
But if our wrongdoing only underlines and confirms God's rightdoing, shouldn't we be commended for helping out? Since our bad words don't even make a dent in his good words, isn't it wrong of God to back us to the wall and hold us to our word? These questions come up. The answer to such questions is no, a most emphatic No! How else would things ever get straightened out if God didn't do the straightening?
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.
Have you ever been “stood up”? Has someone ever told you they would call you, stop by and see you, or help you with something… then they either called and said they weren’t available – or you never heard from them at all? It stinks, doesn’t it? And honestly, don’t you know people who seldom – if ever – keep their word? I have said of more than one such person… “If their lips are moving, they are probably lying.” That’s a pretty sad commentary, isn’t it?
You may also know people who profess to be Christians… but they take great license with their salvation. It’s as if they feel that because they are saved by the blood of Jesus, they have a free ticket to do as they please without fear of any consequences. Clearly, this passage shows us that God is not happy by our assumptions. GOD’s words matter… OUR words matter… and so do the actions we put behind them!
God would never think of going back on His word… and neither should we! We should never “abandon our post” and dishonor Him by interpreting scripture to suit our own purposes…taking our salvation for granted… or speaking “bad words” to others. As Disciples of Christ, we are called to honor His sacrifice by speaking words that are true, hopeful, positive, kind, and reliable. When we say we will do something, we should do it. When we promise to call or help someone, we must follow through and show up. We must remember WHOSE we are – and what it cost for us to become heirs to His throne… and we must behave honorably even when all around us seem to have lost their heads!
There will be times when we become discouraged. We will feel that God’s promises of blessings, good health and prosperity must be meant for someone else. We will have struggles, challenges, and disappointments… and the natural tendency will be to blame God – or at least complain to Him loudly. We will be tempted to throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” The short answer is that every word from God is true, whether it lines up with physical fact or not. We can’t always see what God is doing in our lives… so we live in faith that He is really at work in us.
Don’t become discouraged. Work hard to be more like Jesus every day. Make your word your bond… and believe that God’s word is infallible. Honor your commitments… to God and to others. In my notes, I have written… “You can’t expect things to come if you don’t call them. Call healing when you are sick… call prosperity when you are poor… call light when there is darkness. Keep asking… seeking… calling until it comes. Get violent (intense) faith.” What are you speaking today? Are your words your bond… or are you merely offering lip service - to God and others? Do you believe what God is speaking over your life? Can others believe your words, as well? What is God saying to you this day… and how will you respond?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 3, 2012
2 Corinthians 4:16
So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
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 don’t know about you, but I have had a few life experiences that left me feeling as if things were falling apart on me. It was hard to say goodbye to loved ones… to bury my pets… to let our little Timothy go home after spending so much time with us. I was frustrated when I broke my ankle and had to spend three months sitting on the couch, asking for help with everything – even a shower! I was deeply disappointed when I truly believed I was in line for a new job… then I wasn’t selected. I’ve felt the sting of conceding that “enough is enough” and letting go of toxic relationships and unhealthy habits. There have been times when I spent a few days or longer merely going through the motions of getting through the day… and I bet you have been there, too!
I don’t like to compare myself to others. I believe God wants us to examine our own lives and consider how we stack up to His desires and expectations for us. However, in this instance, I think we should momentarily make an exception. If we look around, we can see examples in every life situation of people who are handling similar experiences… or far worse. We may grieve for loved ones who now live in Heaven, but that is nothing compared to those who grieve for loved ones who never professed to know Jesus. We may have lost a beloved pet… others have lost a child – or several children. We may not get the new job… others don’t have a job in the first place. We may have broken a bone or two - or suffered a temporary, treatable illness… others face a lifelong, chronic condition or an incurable disease.
We may have setbacks in relationships, challenges in the workplace and at school, or face a temporary separation from someone we love… others face complete estrangement from their families and friends, do not have the opportunity to work or study, or experience permanent banishment from their loved ones.
And if that isn’t enough… consider all that Jesus suffered - entirely on our behalf - and everything that is promised because of His suffering. No matter what we are facing… however difficult, sad, or disappointing life may seem today… we cannot wallow in self-pity. We must look to the cross, and beyond, and realize that even on our worst day, God is blessing us and equipping us in ways we can’t begin to imagine. We must realize that our hearts are not breaking – at least not in the way we think. While we feel like our heart is bursting open and everything is falling apart, God is at work… filling us with love, grace and new mercies – and mending our hearts in a way that strengthens us for another day.
I could cite countless examples of people who have lived with hope and courage in spite of incredible, seemingly impossible challenges and roadblocks. I could tell you about many persons I know who have endured one tragedy after another with a positive spirit that seems incredulous. I am guessing you could make your own list of inspiring individuals. Instead, I want to encourage you to work on adding your name to that list. Open your heart to all that God wants to give you… acknowledge that He is working behind the scenes and healing you in ways you can’t begin to fully understand. Live with hope and courage that a better day is coming… lavish celebrations are on the way… and God is making a new life for each of us.
When challenges come – and they will! – don’t allow them to completely sap your faith and courage. You may suffer a momentary setback. Grief and sadness - for a season - is perfectly normal. But ultimately, remember Who is at work in your heart - storing up blessings to last forever. Never give up. Examine the depths of your heart and see how God is working… and live from this abundance. There truly is far more here than meets the eye. What has God placed in your heart today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
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 don’t know about you, but I have had a few life experiences that left me feeling as if things were falling apart on me. It was hard to say goodbye to loved ones… to bury my pets… to let our little Timothy go home after spending so much time with us. I was frustrated when I broke my ankle and had to spend three months sitting on the couch, asking for help with everything – even a shower! I was deeply disappointed when I truly believed I was in line for a new job… then I wasn’t selected. I’ve felt the sting of conceding that “enough is enough” and letting go of toxic relationships and unhealthy habits. There have been times when I spent a few days or longer merely going through the motions of getting through the day… and I bet you have been there, too!
I don’t like to compare myself to others. I believe God wants us to examine our own lives and consider how we stack up to His desires and expectations for us. However, in this instance, I think we should momentarily make an exception. If we look around, we can see examples in every life situation of people who are handling similar experiences… or far worse. We may grieve for loved ones who now live in Heaven, but that is nothing compared to those who grieve for loved ones who never professed to know Jesus. We may have lost a beloved pet… others have lost a child – or several children. We may not get the new job… others don’t have a job in the first place. We may have broken a bone or two - or suffered a temporary, treatable illness… others face a lifelong, chronic condition or an incurable disease.
We may have setbacks in relationships, challenges in the workplace and at school, or face a temporary separation from someone we love… others face complete estrangement from their families and friends, do not have the opportunity to work or study, or experience permanent banishment from their loved ones.
And if that isn’t enough… consider all that Jesus suffered - entirely on our behalf - and everything that is promised because of His suffering. No matter what we are facing… however difficult, sad, or disappointing life may seem today… we cannot wallow in self-pity. We must look to the cross, and beyond, and realize that even on our worst day, God is blessing us and equipping us in ways we can’t begin to imagine. We must realize that our hearts are not breaking – at least not in the way we think. While we feel like our heart is bursting open and everything is falling apart, God is at work… filling us with love, grace and new mercies – and mending our hearts in a way that strengthens us for another day.
I could cite countless examples of people who have lived with hope and courage in spite of incredible, seemingly impossible challenges and roadblocks. I could tell you about many persons I know who have endured one tragedy after another with a positive spirit that seems incredulous. I am guessing you could make your own list of inspiring individuals. Instead, I want to encourage you to work on adding your name to that list. Open your heart to all that God wants to give you… acknowledge that He is working behind the scenes and healing you in ways you can’t begin to fully understand. Live with hope and courage that a better day is coming… lavish celebrations are on the way… and God is making a new life for each of us.
When challenges come – and they will! – don’t allow them to completely sap your faith and courage. You may suffer a momentary setback. Grief and sadness - for a season - is perfectly normal. But ultimately, remember Who is at work in your heart - storing up blessings to last forever. Never give up. Examine the depths of your heart and see how God is working… and live from this abundance. There truly is far more here than meets the eye. What has God placed in your heart today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 29, 2012
Genesis 15:1-6
After all these things, this word of God came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram. I'm your shield. Your reward will be grand!" Abram said, "God, Master, what use are your gifts as long as I'm childless and Eliezer of Damascus is going to inherit everything?" Abram continued, "See, you've given me no children, and now a mere house servant is going to get it all."
Then God's Message came: "Don't worry, he won't be your heir; a son from your body will be your heir." Then he took him outside and said, "Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You're going to have a big family, Abram!" And he believed! Believed God! God declared him "Set-Right-with-God."
Romans 4:17-18
We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!”
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.
In October 2010, I bought a workout video and told myself that I would do this… I would get in shape and become more healthy. The first day, I put the DVD in the machine and did as much of the workout as I could… and I honestly thought I might die. My legs shook like jelly for about an hour. I could not get my breath, my heart pounded, and I hurt – everywhere. The trainer on the DVD said, “If you are on Day Six or Seven, these exercises are probably already a little easier than on Day One.” Yeah, right! I wondered if I would ever even see Day Six or Seven. But her words encouraged me, and I took a giant leap of faith and trusted that in time, I truly would be able to do the workout routine… and hopefully I would become healthier and more fit.
More than a year later, I am able to do things I never dreamed I could do –pushups, jogging and weight lifting. I can balance and flex in ways I never thought possible at my age, and I’ve lowered my cholesterol and other “numbers” while becoming more fit and healthy. I listened to the trainer and kept the faith that she would deliver on her promises of strength and stamina. Now, when I face an exercise that seems daunting – or impossible – I look at how far I have come, and I realize that maybe I can actually do this! I know it is at least worth my best shot!
So often in life, we consider the problem… and not the promise. We look at the obstacles in our life… age, heritage, home life, health, economic status, race, level of education, and more… and we say, “There’s no way I can overcome this. I can never do what God is asking of me. I can never be what He thinks I can be. This is totally hopeless.” In truth, whatever God desires for you is entirely possible… from serving others in His name to serving on a committee at church or in your community to being a leader in your community, state, or country.
If God wants you to be a parent, head a major corporation, or serve as a missionary in a foreign land… He will equip you for the task. If He wants you to be able to purchase your own home and vehicle, overcome an addiction, or even lose a few pounds and get in shape, He can help you accomplish this. Our job is to focus on the promise… not the problem. Satan will try to trip us up at every turn by telling us that we are not good enough… that our situation is hopeless… that the promises are too grand, out of our league, and completely unattainable.
God has created a covenant partnership with us, as believers in Jesus Christ. He has promised that all things are possible, according to His will, when we trust Him. God NEVER defaults on a promise. The best thing we can do is continue to trust God even when we can’t see how things are going to come together. Just as it took several weeks of huffing and puffing and only being able to do small portions of the daily workout routine before I began to see any results, we often have to huff and puff along with God for a while before we catch a glimmer of the work He is doing in our lives.
We must not stagger… we must not backslide… and we most certainly must not give up! Have faith that God will deliver on His promises… keep plugging away at whatever path He has placed before you. Live on the basis of what God has said He will do… not what you can’t accomplish on your own. Pay attention to the small gains you make along the way, and stop to thank God for even small victories. When everything looks hopeless, listen for God’s voice… and keep going. Strengthen your faith as you grow in God’s promises. Focus on the potential for days when your “workout” will become easier… and all that you strived to accomplish has been delivered.
©2012 Debbie Robus
After all these things, this word of God came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram. I'm your shield. Your reward will be grand!" Abram said, "God, Master, what use are your gifts as long as I'm childless and Eliezer of Damascus is going to inherit everything?" Abram continued, "See, you've given me no children, and now a mere house servant is going to get it all."
Then God's Message came: "Don't worry, he won't be your heir; a son from your body will be your heir." Then he took him outside and said, "Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You're going to have a big family, Abram!" And he believed! Believed God! God declared him "Set-Right-with-God."
Romans 4:17-18
We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!”
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.
In October 2010, I bought a workout video and told myself that I would do this… I would get in shape and become more healthy. The first day, I put the DVD in the machine and did as much of the workout as I could… and I honestly thought I might die. My legs shook like jelly for about an hour. I could not get my breath, my heart pounded, and I hurt – everywhere. The trainer on the DVD said, “If you are on Day Six or Seven, these exercises are probably already a little easier than on Day One.” Yeah, right! I wondered if I would ever even see Day Six or Seven. But her words encouraged me, and I took a giant leap of faith and trusted that in time, I truly would be able to do the workout routine… and hopefully I would become healthier and more fit.
More than a year later, I am able to do things I never dreamed I could do –pushups, jogging and weight lifting. I can balance and flex in ways I never thought possible at my age, and I’ve lowered my cholesterol and other “numbers” while becoming more fit and healthy. I listened to the trainer and kept the faith that she would deliver on her promises of strength and stamina. Now, when I face an exercise that seems daunting – or impossible – I look at how far I have come, and I realize that maybe I can actually do this! I know it is at least worth my best shot!
So often in life, we consider the problem… and not the promise. We look at the obstacles in our life… age, heritage, home life, health, economic status, race, level of education, and more… and we say, “There’s no way I can overcome this. I can never do what God is asking of me. I can never be what He thinks I can be. This is totally hopeless.” In truth, whatever God desires for you is entirely possible… from serving others in His name to serving on a committee at church or in your community to being a leader in your community, state, or country.
If God wants you to be a parent, head a major corporation, or serve as a missionary in a foreign land… He will equip you for the task. If He wants you to be able to purchase your own home and vehicle, overcome an addiction, or even lose a few pounds and get in shape, He can help you accomplish this. Our job is to focus on the promise… not the problem. Satan will try to trip us up at every turn by telling us that we are not good enough… that our situation is hopeless… that the promises are too grand, out of our league, and completely unattainable.
God has created a covenant partnership with us, as believers in Jesus Christ. He has promised that all things are possible, according to His will, when we trust Him. God NEVER defaults on a promise. The best thing we can do is continue to trust God even when we can’t see how things are going to come together. Just as it took several weeks of huffing and puffing and only being able to do small portions of the daily workout routine before I began to see any results, we often have to huff and puff along with God for a while before we catch a glimmer of the work He is doing in our lives.
We must not stagger… we must not backslide… and we most certainly must not give up! Have faith that God will deliver on His promises… keep plugging away at whatever path He has placed before you. Live on the basis of what God has said He will do… not what you can’t accomplish on your own. Pay attention to the small gains you make along the way, and stop to thank God for even small victories. When everything looks hopeless, listen for God’s voice… and keep going. Strengthen your faith as you grow in God’s promises. Focus on the potential for days when your “workout” will become easier… and all that you strived to accomplish has been delivered.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 28, 2012
Ephesians 2:1-6
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
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.
There is a long-standing joke in my family about how my grandmother never hesitates to tell us when she feels we are “getting too fat”… while she is simultaneously shoving sugar cookies, peanut brittle, candy of some sort, pie, or a hot homemade roll in our direction. We all know we could shed a few pounds, but the treats look so delicious! We fool ourselves into believing that “It’s Christmas – we’re supposed to indulge” or “One little bite/cookie/slice of pie won’t hurt” or “We’ll hurt Mam-ma’s feelings if we don’t eat this!” And we let “the world” tell us how to live and lull us into a false confidence that we are healthy and fit. Some of us have gotten to a point where we feel things are so far gone and hopeless that we no longer care… we just consume everything in sight (and I am not just talking food here!).
We are bombarded with commercials for all sorts of tantalizing fast food… burgers, steaks, ice cream treats, gourmet coffee concoctions, and more. We go to the doctor, and he/she tells us that our cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure are through the roof… then we stop on the way home and pick up a burger, fries and shake. We see ads at every turn for this gadget or that item that we simply have to have to be happy. We are told that we have to look like this celebrity or perform like that entertainer or athlete or operate in business like such-and-such executive in order to truly enjoy success and happiness. And yes, it’s a wonder God doesn’t just call us home and end the madness!
While good health is important- and we need to start exercising and eating a healthy diet from childhood – our “Spiritual health” is far more critical. We need to learn to say a polite “No” to a steady diet of fast food, sweet treats, inactivity and lethargy… and an even more emphatic “No!” to the lies and sins of this world. The problem many of us have with all of this is a level of commitment.
When we asked Jesus to forgive our sins and become LORD of our life, we entered into a “blood covenant” partnership with Him. We made a commitment and agreement to carry out His assignment… to love Him with all of our heart, mind, body and soul… to love others as we love ourselves… and to share His Good News throughout the world. This is not the same as a contract with Weight Watchers® or NutriSystem® to follow their plan. We are not signing up for a few weeks of fitness training at the local gym. We’re not promising to make payments on a house… car… boat or student loan. We have committed to a lifetime of service and obedience to God… with the promise of Eternal Life and the earthly presence of His Holy Spirit in the meantime.
My prayer for all of us today is that we would start to take commitments of all kinds more seriously… especially our commitment to Jesus Christ. God has so freely and extravagantly gifted us with His love, grace, mercy, and a new life in Jesus Christ. When we insult Him with our insolent, sinful lifestyles, we “violate the contract.” And often, we “shoot ourselves in the foot” and block the blessings He wants to give us, because of our own selfish actions.
If we will truly commit to God, He will show up in our lives in ways we never even expected. If we will honor our partnership by pledging love, loyalty, service and the abandonment of our sinful behaviors, God will bless us in areas we haven’t even considered… maybe even shedding a few pounds and becoming more fit! Just like the commitment to diet and exercise, a covenant with God will require hard work, time and energy. But the end results will be more than worth the effort. Are you ready to truly enter into a partnership with God and enjoy all that He has in store for you? How committed are you to God today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
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.
There is a long-standing joke in my family about how my grandmother never hesitates to tell us when she feels we are “getting too fat”… while she is simultaneously shoving sugar cookies, peanut brittle, candy of some sort, pie, or a hot homemade roll in our direction. We all know we could shed a few pounds, but the treats look so delicious! We fool ourselves into believing that “It’s Christmas – we’re supposed to indulge” or “One little bite/cookie/slice of pie won’t hurt” or “We’ll hurt Mam-ma’s feelings if we don’t eat this!” And we let “the world” tell us how to live and lull us into a false confidence that we are healthy and fit. Some of us have gotten to a point where we feel things are so far gone and hopeless that we no longer care… we just consume everything in sight (and I am not just talking food here!).
We are bombarded with commercials for all sorts of tantalizing fast food… burgers, steaks, ice cream treats, gourmet coffee concoctions, and more. We go to the doctor, and he/she tells us that our cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure are through the roof… then we stop on the way home and pick up a burger, fries and shake. We see ads at every turn for this gadget or that item that we simply have to have to be happy. We are told that we have to look like this celebrity or perform like that entertainer or athlete or operate in business like such-and-such executive in order to truly enjoy success and happiness. And yes, it’s a wonder God doesn’t just call us home and end the madness!
While good health is important- and we need to start exercising and eating a healthy diet from childhood – our “Spiritual health” is far more critical. We need to learn to say a polite “No” to a steady diet of fast food, sweet treats, inactivity and lethargy… and an even more emphatic “No!” to the lies and sins of this world. The problem many of us have with all of this is a level of commitment.
When we asked Jesus to forgive our sins and become LORD of our life, we entered into a “blood covenant” partnership with Him. We made a commitment and agreement to carry out His assignment… to love Him with all of our heart, mind, body and soul… to love others as we love ourselves… and to share His Good News throughout the world. This is not the same as a contract with Weight Watchers® or NutriSystem® to follow their plan. We are not signing up for a few weeks of fitness training at the local gym. We’re not promising to make payments on a house… car… boat or student loan. We have committed to a lifetime of service and obedience to God… with the promise of Eternal Life and the earthly presence of His Holy Spirit in the meantime.
My prayer for all of us today is that we would start to take commitments of all kinds more seriously… especially our commitment to Jesus Christ. God has so freely and extravagantly gifted us with His love, grace, mercy, and a new life in Jesus Christ. When we insult Him with our insolent, sinful lifestyles, we “violate the contract.” And often, we “shoot ourselves in the foot” and block the blessings He wants to give us, because of our own selfish actions.
If we will truly commit to God, He will show up in our lives in ways we never even expected. If we will honor our partnership by pledging love, loyalty, service and the abandonment of our sinful behaviors, God will bless us in areas we haven’t even considered… maybe even shedding a few pounds and becoming more fit! Just like the commitment to diet and exercise, a covenant with God will require hard work, time and energy. But the end results will be more than worth the effort. Are you ready to truly enter into a partnership with God and enjoy all that He has in store for you? How committed are you to God today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 23, 2012
2 Chronicles 6:28-31
When disasters strike, famine or catastrophe, crop failure or disease, locust or beetle, or when an enemy attacks their defenses—calamity of any sort—any prayer that's prayed from anyone at all among your people Israel, their hearts penetrated by disaster, hands and arms thrown out for help to this Temple, listen from your home in heaven, forgive and reward us: reward each life and circumstance, for you know each life from the inside, (you're the only one with such inside knowledge!), so they'll live before you in lifelong reverence and believing obedience on this land you gave our ancestors.
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.
My maternal grandmother’s uncle, Sam Dial, operated the local livery, where he stabled horses, rented cars and wagons, and served as something of the “cab driver” of the day. When a devastating tornado ravaged our town on Thanksgiving Day 1926, my Uncle Sam and his wife, Lucy, took a truck to the western part of town to collect the dead and dying. In the book Time and the River by Evalena Berry, Aunt Lucy is quoted as saying, “I helped Sam, and we loaded them in those trucks. I carried their feet and he carried their head and we loaded them in there like cord wood. We took them to the Court House and laid them out. When I got home you couldn’t tell what my dress was but mud and blood. That was the ’26 tornado.”
In all, 19 people lost their lives that day. My grandmother was 17 years old when this tornado tore through Heber Springs. She stood on the street and watched her aunt and uncle pass with the truckload of bodies, and she never forgot the gruesome image. This partly explains why we spent much of our childhood hiding in a storm cellar at the first hint of a dark cloud on the horizon. My grandmother was forever changed by this horrific event.
Others have been transformed by involvement with a drunk driver, a catastrophic illness, the loss of a loved one, and more – calamities of any sort. And many have reached out to God with a heart penetrated by disaster. Some are only temporarily transformed, while others are changed for good. But only God can truly know the person’s heart. When we reach out to Him in a genuine spirit of humility and yearning for His help… comfort… rescue… restoration… He answers. God knows when we are sincere in our desire for His help – and for change - and He stands ready to deliver us.
I don’t know your heart. Some people experience disaster and devastation at a young age… some not at all… and some have a lifetime that seems to be filled with such events. Whatever your situation… regardless of your “stage” in life… God stands ready to hear your prayers and meet your needs. If your heart is pure… if you truly desire His answers, He will give them, according to His will for your life.
Psalm 56:8 says “You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them.”* Give your tears to God today… ask Him to forgive your sins and repair your heart. Humbly and reverently seek Him, and He will reward your life and its circumstances. Give God your devotion and trust, and walk in confidence that He is guiding your steps and rewarding your obedience.
©2012 Debbie Robus
* Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When disasters strike, famine or catastrophe, crop failure or disease, locust or beetle, or when an enemy attacks their defenses—calamity of any sort—any prayer that's prayed from anyone at all among your people Israel, their hearts penetrated by disaster, hands and arms thrown out for help to this Temple, listen from your home in heaven, forgive and reward us: reward each life and circumstance, for you know each life from the inside, (you're the only one with such inside knowledge!), so they'll live before you in lifelong reverence and believing obedience on this land you gave our ancestors.
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.
My maternal grandmother’s uncle, Sam Dial, operated the local livery, where he stabled horses, rented cars and wagons, and served as something of the “cab driver” of the day. When a devastating tornado ravaged our town on Thanksgiving Day 1926, my Uncle Sam and his wife, Lucy, took a truck to the western part of town to collect the dead and dying. In the book Time and the River by Evalena Berry, Aunt Lucy is quoted as saying, “I helped Sam, and we loaded them in those trucks. I carried their feet and he carried their head and we loaded them in there like cord wood. We took them to the Court House and laid them out. When I got home you couldn’t tell what my dress was but mud and blood. That was the ’26 tornado.”
In all, 19 people lost their lives that day. My grandmother was 17 years old when this tornado tore through Heber Springs. She stood on the street and watched her aunt and uncle pass with the truckload of bodies, and she never forgot the gruesome image. This partly explains why we spent much of our childhood hiding in a storm cellar at the first hint of a dark cloud on the horizon. My grandmother was forever changed by this horrific event.
Others have been transformed by involvement with a drunk driver, a catastrophic illness, the loss of a loved one, and more – calamities of any sort. And many have reached out to God with a heart penetrated by disaster. Some are only temporarily transformed, while others are changed for good. But only God can truly know the person’s heart. When we reach out to Him in a genuine spirit of humility and yearning for His help… comfort… rescue… restoration… He answers. God knows when we are sincere in our desire for His help – and for change - and He stands ready to deliver us.
I don’t know your heart. Some people experience disaster and devastation at a young age… some not at all… and some have a lifetime that seems to be filled with such events. Whatever your situation… regardless of your “stage” in life… God stands ready to hear your prayers and meet your needs. If your heart is pure… if you truly desire His answers, He will give them, according to His will for your life.
Psalm 56:8 says “You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them.”* Give your tears to God today… ask Him to forgive your sins and repair your heart. Humbly and reverently seek Him, and He will reward your life and its circumstances. Give God your devotion and trust, and walk in confidence that He is guiding your steps and rewarding your obedience.
©2012 Debbie Robus
* Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Daily Devotional for January 22, 2012
Proverbs 23:4-5
Give up trying so hard to get rich. Your money flies away before you know it, just like an eagle suddenly taking off.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About five years ago, we built a house overlooking the Little Red River. We enjoy watching an abundance of wildlife that inhabits the bluffs behind our house, and we are sometimes graced with the sighting of bald eagles. A couple of weeks ago, my husband started out for a walk and spotted two eagles flying up the river toward Greers Ferry Dam. He rushed back home to grab a video camera and returned to the point where he had spotted them. Both had landed in a tree, where they were in the process of eating a fish. One left, but the other continued eating… until the horn at the power house blew, signaling the start of the generators and warning fishermen below of quickly rising waters. The eagle abandoned his fish and flew away.
Generally our eagle sightings are quite brief. Sometimes these majestic birds will roost in a tree below our house for a while. But most often, they are flying by one minute… and totally out of sight the next. The analogy in this passage for how quickly money can disappear is a good one!
Please do not misunderstand me. Money is not bad. There is nothing wrong with working hard and aspiring to be successful. Almost all of us desire to have nice things… to live in a comfortable home, drive a good car, and have plenty of food and clothing. We all like to have a new pair of jeans once in a while… or go out for a delicious steak. Nobody wants to worry about how to pay bills, much less where he/she will find the next meal.
But when we define our lives by our level of wealth, we totally miss the mark. God doesn’t care about the balance in our checkbook. He measures the fullness of our heart. The richest person in the world can sit on his duff, hoard his wealth and never serve God or honor Him. The homeless man on the street who shares his cardboard box and a half a sandwich with someone else – or even a stray dog or cat – has served God better. I have observed people on both sides of this equation, and I can tell you with full confidence that those who serve out of their lack are the richest.
Many people are so focused on reaching the next rung in the ladder… making the big deal… or acquiring more “stuff” that they fail to truly experience the life that God desires for them. All of their “acquisitions” and aspirations can be gone in a day… but the real substance of a life in Christ lasts forever. Most likely you fall somewhere in the middle... not filthy rich (materially or monetarily)- but not homeless and on the street, either. But all of us can be incredibly rich in what matters most… the blessings and glory of God…and our efforts to serve Him according to His desires.
The majestic eagles that soar along the river are not concerned with abundance… yet God meets their every need. They may have to abandon a fish mid-meal, but God will provide another. Shouldn’t we take a page from the eagle’s book? Shouldn’t we work diligently to be all that God desires… in our job, our studies, our church ministries...as neighbors, family members and friends… and trust God to bless our efforts? If God cares so deeply for a mere bird, won’t He surely meet our needs, as well?
Where do you need to shift your focus? Where could you pay more attention to serving with the least of what you have than to obtaining more? If you lost all of your money and material possessions tomorrow, would you still be able to serve God? Would you have the knowledge and wisdom… the faith and confidence in His promises… to move forward? Isn’t it time you started filling your heart with the things that matter… and trusting God to handle the rest? Isn't today a good day to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Give up trying so hard to get rich. Your money flies away before you know it, just like an eagle suddenly taking off.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About five years ago, we built a house overlooking the Little Red River. We enjoy watching an abundance of wildlife that inhabits the bluffs behind our house, and we are sometimes graced with the sighting of bald eagles. A couple of weeks ago, my husband started out for a walk and spotted two eagles flying up the river toward Greers Ferry Dam. He rushed back home to grab a video camera and returned to the point where he had spotted them. Both had landed in a tree, where they were in the process of eating a fish. One left, but the other continued eating… until the horn at the power house blew, signaling the start of the generators and warning fishermen below of quickly rising waters. The eagle abandoned his fish and flew away.
Generally our eagle sightings are quite brief. Sometimes these majestic birds will roost in a tree below our house for a while. But most often, they are flying by one minute… and totally out of sight the next. The analogy in this passage for how quickly money can disappear is a good one!
Please do not misunderstand me. Money is not bad. There is nothing wrong with working hard and aspiring to be successful. Almost all of us desire to have nice things… to live in a comfortable home, drive a good car, and have plenty of food and clothing. We all like to have a new pair of jeans once in a while… or go out for a delicious steak. Nobody wants to worry about how to pay bills, much less where he/she will find the next meal.
But when we define our lives by our level of wealth, we totally miss the mark. God doesn’t care about the balance in our checkbook. He measures the fullness of our heart. The richest person in the world can sit on his duff, hoard his wealth and never serve God or honor Him. The homeless man on the street who shares his cardboard box and a half a sandwich with someone else – or even a stray dog or cat – has served God better. I have observed people on both sides of this equation, and I can tell you with full confidence that those who serve out of their lack are the richest.
Many people are so focused on reaching the next rung in the ladder… making the big deal… or acquiring more “stuff” that they fail to truly experience the life that God desires for them. All of their “acquisitions” and aspirations can be gone in a day… but the real substance of a life in Christ lasts forever. Most likely you fall somewhere in the middle... not filthy rich (materially or monetarily)- but not homeless and on the street, either. But all of us can be incredibly rich in what matters most… the blessings and glory of God…and our efforts to serve Him according to His desires.
The majestic eagles that soar along the river are not concerned with abundance… yet God meets their every need. They may have to abandon a fish mid-meal, but God will provide another. Shouldn’t we take a page from the eagle’s book? Shouldn’t we work diligently to be all that God desires… in our job, our studies, our church ministries...as neighbors, family members and friends… and trust God to bless our efforts? If God cares so deeply for a mere bird, won’t He surely meet our needs, as well?
Where do you need to shift your focus? Where could you pay more attention to serving with the least of what you have than to obtaining more? If you lost all of your money and material possessions tomorrow, would you still be able to serve God? Would you have the knowledge and wisdom… the faith and confidence in His promises… to move forward? Isn’t it time you started filling your heart with the things that matter… and trusting God to handle the rest? Isn't today a good day to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 8, 2012
Psalm 148:1-4
Shout praises to the LORD! Shout the LORD's praises in the highest heavens. All of you angels, and all who serve him above, come and offer praise. Sun and moon, and all of you bright stars, come and offer praise. Highest heavens, and the water above the highest heavens, come and offer praise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One year ago this day, my cousin J.D. and a woman named Angie were married. While all wedding anniversaries are milestones, what makes this one particularly worthy of mention lies in the story of how these two were brought together in the first place… and how God works in our lives each and every day. On his website at www.kingdomcallministries.org, J.D. tells his story… how he became consumed with both using and dealing drugs as a teenager… how he was in and out of rehabs and jails – and ultimately he was incarcerated in prison for more than three years. True to his nature and the pull of the devil on his heart, J.D. was rebellious and uncooperative, and he became a frequent visitor to “The Hole” – also known as solitary confinement.
J.D. writes that… “Being sent to prison relegates you to a low class. Being sent to a prison within in a prison places one in the top ranks of the biggest losers… that is where I was. Most, I’m sure, had given up on me ever becoming a productive human being. My life was a mess, my brain was shot, and my situation was hopeless.” J.D. got some of it right… a few people did give up on him. But others did not. We prayed, we encouraged… and God kept working. And one day while sitting alone in “The Hole,” J.D. had a visit from Jesus that totally transformed his life.
After his release from prison in 2007, J.D. returned home and found a job – and a church home. He grew in his faith and found that God was calling Him to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others… to be a living testament to His ability to make a way where none seems possible. It wasn’t easy… and Satan would not go away. In 2009, J.D. awoke in a hospital with virtually every bone in his face broken, and his jaws wired shut. He had been involved in a horrible logging accident where a pine tree fell directly onto his face. In his words…“Satan had tried to take me out with that pine tree and had come awfully close to succeeding.”
But J.D. recovered fully from his injuries, and he began to share the word of God wherever a church would invite him to speak. He spent his days immersed in prayer and studying God’s word. He trusted God to provide for his needs via “love offerings” and a small business he managed selling chainsaws and parts online. And one evening as he stopped to attend a tent revival near Romance, Arkansas, he greeted the evangelist and his assistant – a woman named Angie, who would soon become his wife.
In the past year, J.D. and Angie have begun their own ministry and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others in churches and via tent revivals from Arkansas to Indiana. The young man who was hopeless and helpless is now using his own story of rescue and redemption to offer the hope and promise of a life in Christ to others. And at every turn, he and Angie are praising God for His faithfulness… and encouraging others to do the same.
J.D. and I have laughed and agreed that the God who can fix him can fix anybody! But really, this is no laughing matter… it’s the plain and simple truth. I don’t know what you are facing. I don’t know your challenges… your concerns… your needs and fears. But I know that God can accomplish ANYTHING. So I am asking you to hang on… to keep the faith… to never give up… and to always… ALWAYS, give Him the praise He so richly deserves. To God be the glory for rescuing J.D. and uniting Him with Angie. To God be the glory for the miraculous and wonderful things He is doing – and will continue – in each of our lives. Won’t you come and offer Him YOUR praise today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Shout praises to the LORD! Shout the LORD's praises in the highest heavens. All of you angels, and all who serve him above, come and offer praise. Sun and moon, and all of you bright stars, come and offer praise. Highest heavens, and the water above the highest heavens, come and offer praise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One year ago this day, my cousin J.D. and a woman named Angie were married. While all wedding anniversaries are milestones, what makes this one particularly worthy of mention lies in the story of how these two were brought together in the first place… and how God works in our lives each and every day. On his website at www.kingdomcallministries.org, J.D. tells his story… how he became consumed with both using and dealing drugs as a teenager… how he was in and out of rehabs and jails – and ultimately he was incarcerated in prison for more than three years. True to his nature and the pull of the devil on his heart, J.D. was rebellious and uncooperative, and he became a frequent visitor to “The Hole” – also known as solitary confinement.
J.D. writes that… “Being sent to prison relegates you to a low class. Being sent to a prison within in a prison places one in the top ranks of the biggest losers… that is where I was. Most, I’m sure, had given up on me ever becoming a productive human being. My life was a mess, my brain was shot, and my situation was hopeless.” J.D. got some of it right… a few people did give up on him. But others did not. We prayed, we encouraged… and God kept working. And one day while sitting alone in “The Hole,” J.D. had a visit from Jesus that totally transformed his life.
After his release from prison in 2007, J.D. returned home and found a job – and a church home. He grew in his faith and found that God was calling Him to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others… to be a living testament to His ability to make a way where none seems possible. It wasn’t easy… and Satan would not go away. In 2009, J.D. awoke in a hospital with virtually every bone in his face broken, and his jaws wired shut. He had been involved in a horrible logging accident where a pine tree fell directly onto his face. In his words…“Satan had tried to take me out with that pine tree and had come awfully close to succeeding.”
But J.D. recovered fully from his injuries, and he began to share the word of God wherever a church would invite him to speak. He spent his days immersed in prayer and studying God’s word. He trusted God to provide for his needs via “love offerings” and a small business he managed selling chainsaws and parts online. And one evening as he stopped to attend a tent revival near Romance, Arkansas, he greeted the evangelist and his assistant – a woman named Angie, who would soon become his wife.
In the past year, J.D. and Angie have begun their own ministry and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others in churches and via tent revivals from Arkansas to Indiana. The young man who was hopeless and helpless is now using his own story of rescue and redemption to offer the hope and promise of a life in Christ to others. And at every turn, he and Angie are praising God for His faithfulness… and encouraging others to do the same.
J.D. and I have laughed and agreed that the God who can fix him can fix anybody! But really, this is no laughing matter… it’s the plain and simple truth. I don’t know what you are facing. I don’t know your challenges… your concerns… your needs and fears. But I know that God can accomplish ANYTHING. So I am asking you to hang on… to keep the faith… to never give up… and to always… ALWAYS, give Him the praise He so richly deserves. To God be the glory for rescuing J.D. and uniting Him with Angie. To God be the glory for the miraculous and wonderful things He is doing – and will continue – in each of our lives. Won’t you come and offer Him YOUR praise today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 25, 2011
Philippians 4:6-7
Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our Christmas Eve meal was pretty well prepared and in the oven. We planned to eat at 3:30 p.m. My mother and her sister had picked up my grandmother at her assisted living facility, and I glanced up in time to see Mom’s Jeep pull into our driveway. Then I heard my mother yell for my husband to come quickly. My grandmother had fallen. I rushed outside to see her lying lifeless on the driveway. My husband rushed to call 911 as I hurried toward my Mam-ma. That’s when I saw the pool of blood forming under her head and trailing down our driveway.
I pressed a cloth tightly to her head, but the blood soaked through and poured on to the concrete underneath. The ambulance arrived, and my grandmother was transported to the hospital emergency room, where scans indicated no internal head or neck injury. Once the bandages were removed and everything was cleaned, she had a large hematoma (blood pocket) with a small puncture wound in the center. Her head was bandaged, and she was given pain medication, which made her woozy.
The doctor said there was no “medical justification” for admitting my grandmother to the hospital. I begged and pleaded, but he insisted he could not do this. I was at my wits’ end. I looked up and saw a sign beside a door where I was standing. It said “Chapel.” I stepped inside the chapel to call my husband and my mom. As we talked, I looked at plaques that hung on the wall. These contained scriptures, and the first thing I saw was Philippians 4:6-7. Then I read Lamentations 3:22-23, followed by Psalm 23, and finally... Jeremiah 29:11. I suggest you look these last three passages up and read them. I said a prayer before I left the chapel and asked God to handle this… to take my worries and fretting and give me peace about this situation.
When I stepped back into my grandmother’s exam room, I was visibly upset… and the nurse who had been treating my grandmother offered… “I can ask the ER doctor to call the doctor on duty upstairs and see if he will admit your grandmother - at least overnight.” She didn’t make any promises, but it was worth a shot. A few minutes later, the nurse returned to tell me that my grandmother was being admitted.
I cannot tell you the overwhelming peace and relief that flooded me when the nurse offered to talk with the doctors. I cannot begin to express how I felt when she returned to tell me that the doctor had agreed. I was so grateful to God for working out what I could not… and for directing me into that chapel for a few minutes. There, as I read those scripture passages, God gave me what I needed… peace and a sense of calmness, reassurance that He was in control… hope and love overflowing.
This is the gift of Christmas. It’s not found in the stockings, tinsel and beautifully wrapped packages. The love of our Heavenly Father, expressed by the birth, life and death of His only Son, surrounds us and meets our every need. All we have to do is open our heart and receive Him.
I was prepared to lose my grandmother on our driveway. I felt God’s peace and calm there in a way I cannot begin to describe. But I am grateful that He chose to wait for another place and time for this inevitable event. Meanwhile, I am reminded once again that God is in control… that I am His, and He blankets me with His love, grace and peace. My prayer for you this Christmas Day is that you feel His presence, too. I hope your holiday has been less “eventful,” and that you have celebrated the love of Christ with those most dear to you. Merry Christmas!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our Christmas Eve meal was pretty well prepared and in the oven. We planned to eat at 3:30 p.m. My mother and her sister had picked up my grandmother at her assisted living facility, and I glanced up in time to see Mom’s Jeep pull into our driveway. Then I heard my mother yell for my husband to come quickly. My grandmother had fallen. I rushed outside to see her lying lifeless on the driveway. My husband rushed to call 911 as I hurried toward my Mam-ma. That’s when I saw the pool of blood forming under her head and trailing down our driveway.
I pressed a cloth tightly to her head, but the blood soaked through and poured on to the concrete underneath. The ambulance arrived, and my grandmother was transported to the hospital emergency room, where scans indicated no internal head or neck injury. Once the bandages were removed and everything was cleaned, she had a large hematoma (blood pocket) with a small puncture wound in the center. Her head was bandaged, and she was given pain medication, which made her woozy.
The doctor said there was no “medical justification” for admitting my grandmother to the hospital. I begged and pleaded, but he insisted he could not do this. I was at my wits’ end. I looked up and saw a sign beside a door where I was standing. It said “Chapel.” I stepped inside the chapel to call my husband and my mom. As we talked, I looked at plaques that hung on the wall. These contained scriptures, and the first thing I saw was Philippians 4:6-7. Then I read Lamentations 3:22-23, followed by Psalm 23, and finally... Jeremiah 29:11. I suggest you look these last three passages up and read them. I said a prayer before I left the chapel and asked God to handle this… to take my worries and fretting and give me peace about this situation.
When I stepped back into my grandmother’s exam room, I was visibly upset… and the nurse who had been treating my grandmother offered… “I can ask the ER doctor to call the doctor on duty upstairs and see if he will admit your grandmother - at least overnight.” She didn’t make any promises, but it was worth a shot. A few minutes later, the nurse returned to tell me that my grandmother was being admitted.
I cannot tell you the overwhelming peace and relief that flooded me when the nurse offered to talk with the doctors. I cannot begin to express how I felt when she returned to tell me that the doctor had agreed. I was so grateful to God for working out what I could not… and for directing me into that chapel for a few minutes. There, as I read those scripture passages, God gave me what I needed… peace and a sense of calmness, reassurance that He was in control… hope and love overflowing.
This is the gift of Christmas. It’s not found in the stockings, tinsel and beautifully wrapped packages. The love of our Heavenly Father, expressed by the birth, life and death of His only Son, surrounds us and meets our every need. All we have to do is open our heart and receive Him.
I was prepared to lose my grandmother on our driveway. I felt God’s peace and calm there in a way I cannot begin to describe. But I am grateful that He chose to wait for another place and time for this inevitable event. Meanwhile, I am reminded once again that God is in control… that I am His, and He blankets me with His love, grace and peace. My prayer for you this Christmas Day is that you feel His presence, too. I hope your holiday has been less “eventful,” and that you have celebrated the love of Christ with those most dear to you. Merry Christmas!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 24, 2011
1 Chronicles 16:8-15
Praise the LORD and pray in his name! Tell everyone what he has done. Sing praises to the LORD! Tell about his miracles. Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart. Trust the LORD and his mighty power. Worship him always. Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions.
You belong to the family of Israel, his servant; you are his chosen ones, the descendants of Jacob. The LORD is our God, bringing justice everywhere on earth. We must never forget his agreement and his promises, not in thousands of years.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s finally here… one of the days we wait for all year long - Christmas Eve! No doubt, there will be celebration and worship going on in every corner of the world, as we revel in the birth of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. And surely more than a handful of promises have been made… “I promise to be good so Santa will come”… “I promise to stop over to visit during the holidays”… “I promise I won’t eat or drink too much”… “I promise not to spend more than I can afford”… “I promise to focus more on Jesus this year and less on the commercialism of the holidays.”
Many promises will be made with the best of intentions, but more than a few of these will also be broken. Thankfully, we serve a God who is just and fair and always honors His commitments. The promises He gave us in the prophecy of the Old Testament were fulfilled over 2000 years ago… and still hold up today. Jesus came to earth to live among us as a human being and to show us how to love one another and serve God wholeheartedly. He died on a cross to pay for our sins… and we cling to the promise of spending Eternity in Heaven with Him someday.
In this season of tinsel and garland, twinkling lights and decadent food, gifts and festivities extraordinaire, we must remember WHOSE we are… and WHY we celebrate. This is a great time to reflect on the miracles in our own lives that were performed by the same God who sent His only Son to earth so long ago. Acknowledge how blessed you are and how fair God has been in your life. Recognize that He promises to continue to bless you and work in and through you to accomplish great things in His name. The birth of Jesus Christ was completely wrapped in the promises of God’s hope and glory… and these promises and agreements are as solid today as they ever were.
THIS is the real reason we celebrate. This is the reason we gather and shower each other with love, gifts, food and more. We are saying, “Jesus has come, by the power of God! He has showered us with blessings and miracles… and He will continue to do so. Praise be to God for His great love and kindness.” Never will there be another birthday celebration so grand. We are truly honored to be included in this party. Will your celebration be fit for the King of Kings?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Praise the LORD and pray in his name! Tell everyone what he has done. Sing praises to the LORD! Tell about his miracles. Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart. Trust the LORD and his mighty power. Worship him always. Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions.
You belong to the family of Israel, his servant; you are his chosen ones, the descendants of Jacob. The LORD is our God, bringing justice everywhere on earth. We must never forget his agreement and his promises, not in thousands of years.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s finally here… one of the days we wait for all year long - Christmas Eve! No doubt, there will be celebration and worship going on in every corner of the world, as we revel in the birth of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. And surely more than a handful of promises have been made… “I promise to be good so Santa will come”… “I promise to stop over to visit during the holidays”… “I promise I won’t eat or drink too much”… “I promise not to spend more than I can afford”… “I promise to focus more on Jesus this year and less on the commercialism of the holidays.”
THIS is the real reason we celebrate. This is the reason we gather and shower each other with love, gifts, food and more. We are saying, “Jesus has come, by the power of God! He has showered us with blessings and miracles… and He will continue to do so. Praise be to God for His great love and kindness.” Never will there be another birthday celebration so grand. We are truly honored to be included in this party. Will your celebration be fit for the King of Kings?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 20, 2011
Psalm 146:6-10
God made heaven and earth; he created the sea and everything else. God always keeps his word. He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls.
The LORD loves good people and looks after strangers. He defends the rights of orphans and widows, but destroys the wicked. The LORD God of Zion will rule forever!
Shout praises to the LORD!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Christmas Day was the one time of the year when my mom actually said, “Have a cookie for breakfast!” For most of us, we associate December 25th with something magical – a time to somewhat throw caution to the wind. We eat what we want, skip our workouts and diets, stay in our pajamas all day, get together with people we haven’t seen all year for a great big celebration, and more. Many of us drink too much, party to hearty, and spend far more than we have in the bank! For others, December 25th is a day they would just as soon skip altogether. They are lonely, poor, hungry, sick, grieving and downtrodden. A holiday that is supposed to be all about joy and “making merry and bright” is simply like a knife to the heart.
God understands all of this… and He stands ready to meet you right where you are this holiday season. He always keeps His word…and not just on December 25th. For this, we can shout praises to the Him, no matter where we find ourselves - this Christmas, and every day of the year.
We find it easy to focus on the joy of giving during the Christmas season. We also find it easy to focus on what we lack and feel rather sorry for ourselves. The truth is that we serve an awesome, amazing, powerful and loving God who is always there for us, every minute of every day of the year. And for this, we can continually celebrate and be grateful.
As we approach December 25th, stop and shout praises to the LORD for meeting you right where you are and always having your back. Celebrate all that He has created… and thank Him for showing up in our lives each and every day.
©2011 Debbie Robus
God made heaven and earth; he created the sea and everything else. God always keeps his word. He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls.
The LORD loves good people and looks after strangers. He defends the rights of orphans and widows, but destroys the wicked. The LORD God of Zion will rule forever!
Shout praises to the LORD!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Christmas Day was the one time of the year when my mom actually said, “Have a cookie for breakfast!” For most of us, we associate December 25th with something magical – a time to somewhat throw caution to the wind. We eat what we want, skip our workouts and diets, stay in our pajamas all day, get together with people we haven’t seen all year for a great big celebration, and more. Many of us drink too much, party to hearty, and spend far more than we have in the bank! For others, December 25th is a day they would just as soon skip altogether. They are lonely, poor, hungry, sick, grieving and downtrodden. A holiday that is supposed to be all about joy and “making merry and bright” is simply like a knife to the heart.
God understands all of this… and He stands ready to meet you right where you are this holiday season. He always keeps His word…and not just on December 25th. For this, we can shout praises to the Him, no matter where we find ourselves - this Christmas, and every day of the year.
We find it easy to focus on the joy of giving during the Christmas season. We also find it easy to focus on what we lack and feel rather sorry for ourselves. The truth is that we serve an awesome, amazing, powerful and loving God who is always there for us, every minute of every day of the year. And for this, we can continually celebrate and be grateful.
As we approach December 25th, stop and shout praises to the LORD for meeting you right where you are and always having your back. Celebrate all that He has created… and thank Him for showing up in our lives each and every day.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 8, 2011
Psalm 143:5-6
I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend and I were talking recently about tragic events that have occurred in our community. In the conversation, we mentioned some who were hurting emotionally – and others who had been through similar experiences. We noted how God could use those hurtful experiences for good. I shared with her my own experience as the “replacement” teacher for a young woman who had suffered a brain aneurysm and died. Many of the other teachers, including the woman’s best friend who taught next door, resented my presence. It took me years to realize that the anger and resentment was not personal… those who were hurting simply did not know where else to direct it other than toward me.
The very next year, the best-friend teacher was tragically killed in a car accident over the Thanksgiving break. Now there was a “replacement” teacher next door. And I found myself able to commiserate with her and offer encouragement. When she had an unpleasant or upsetting experience, she would come to me, and I would acknowledge her feelings and share how I had handled similar events. I remember the day she found the teacher’s coffee cup tucked away on a closet shelf… and I was able to say, “I found my teacher’s umbrella hanging on the closet doorknob. I understand.”
Through the years, I have gained a tremendous understanding of the many things God did in years gone by… and how they have provided both moments of great comfort and encouragement – and opportunities to bless others in His name. When I reflect on the many times that God has shown up in my life in ways I didn’t expect and couldn’t even imagine, I am truly overwhelmed. It is very much like water for the desert of a thirsty soul.
Wherever you find yourself today… in whatever circumstances you are experiencing… know that God can bless and comfort you. He can use these events – and you – to bless others in the future. He can nurture your heart and water your thirsty soul. Lift your hands and pray. Receive all that He wants to give you this day… and always.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend and I were talking recently about tragic events that have occurred in our community. In the conversation, we mentioned some who were hurting emotionally – and others who had been through similar experiences. We noted how God could use those hurtful experiences for good. I shared with her my own experience as the “replacement” teacher for a young woman who had suffered a brain aneurysm and died. Many of the other teachers, including the woman’s best friend who taught next door, resented my presence. It took me years to realize that the anger and resentment was not personal… those who were hurting simply did not know where else to direct it other than toward me.
The very next year, the best-friend teacher was tragically killed in a car accident over the Thanksgiving break. Now there was a “replacement” teacher next door. And I found myself able to commiserate with her and offer encouragement. When she had an unpleasant or upsetting experience, she would come to me, and I would acknowledge her feelings and share how I had handled similar events. I remember the day she found the teacher’s coffee cup tucked away on a closet shelf… and I was able to say, “I found my teacher’s umbrella hanging on the closet doorknob. I understand.”
Through the years, I have gained a tremendous understanding of the many things God did in years gone by… and how they have provided both moments of great comfort and encouragement – and opportunities to bless others in His name. When I reflect on the many times that God has shown up in my life in ways I didn’t expect and couldn’t even imagine, I am truly overwhelmed. It is very much like water for the desert of a thirsty soul.
Wherever you find yourself today… in whatever circumstances you are experiencing… know that God can bless and comfort you. He can use these events – and you – to bless others in the future. He can nurture your heart and water your thirsty soul. Lift your hands and pray. Receive all that He wants to give you this day… and always.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 18, 2011
Psalm 130:5-6
With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for you! I trust your promises. I wait for you more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn. Yes, I wait more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Waiting… we aren’t very good at it, are we?! When I was a little girl, the hardest day of the year for me to wait was Christmas morning. I had trouble going to sleep on Christmas Eve when we got home from my grandparents’ farm. I would wake up every hour, if not more often, and check to see if it was time for everyone else to get up. I would sometimes go into the living room and check under the tree… and my mother would send me back to bed! Sometimes I got my sister up and made her play Monopoly or some other game with me in the closet until daylight dawned! It wasn’t just that I couldn’t wait to open my presents… I always got a kick out of watching others open what I had for them under the tree, as well! I thought they should be as eager as I was!
I find it funny that there are so many things we have a hard time waiting on… but waiting on God isn’t always at the top of that list! It should be… and the more I grow in my faith, the more I find myself placing Him there. I am waiting for the day when I see Him face to face… when I snuggle in His lap and have all of the answers and none of the cares! I am waiting for the time when He gives me a “Heavenly assignment” and equips me with everything I need to accomplish it perfectly. Meanwhile, I am waiting… maybe not quite with the anticipation of a child waiting for Christmas morning – yet! …but waiting all the same.
Who are you waiting for? Are you living in eager anticipation of meeting God face to face? Does this excite you? Or are you frightened by the prospect? Do you live in eager anticipation of this day… or some sense of dread and trepidation? I encourage you to talk to God about this. Get to know Him better and learn more about His promises, so that all fears and worries disappear as you grow in your knowledge of Him. Work on your relationship until you can honestly and eagerly say, “With all my heart, I am waiting on the LORD!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for you! I trust your promises. I wait for you more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn. Yes, I wait more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Waiting… we aren’t very good at it, are we?! When I was a little girl, the hardest day of the year for me to wait was Christmas morning. I had trouble going to sleep on Christmas Eve when we got home from my grandparents’ farm. I would wake up every hour, if not more often, and check to see if it was time for everyone else to get up. I would sometimes go into the living room and check under the tree… and my mother would send me back to bed! Sometimes I got my sister up and made her play Monopoly or some other game with me in the closet until daylight dawned! It wasn’t just that I couldn’t wait to open my presents… I always got a kick out of watching others open what I had for them under the tree, as well! I thought they should be as eager as I was!
I find it funny that there are so many things we have a hard time waiting on… but waiting on God isn’t always at the top of that list! It should be… and the more I grow in my faith, the more I find myself placing Him there. I am waiting for the day when I see Him face to face… when I snuggle in His lap and have all of the answers and none of the cares! I am waiting for the time when He gives me a “Heavenly assignment” and equips me with everything I need to accomplish it perfectly. Meanwhile, I am waiting… maybe not quite with the anticipation of a child waiting for Christmas morning – yet! …but waiting all the same.
Who are you waiting for? Are you living in eager anticipation of meeting God face to face? Does this excite you? Or are you frightened by the prospect? Do you live in eager anticipation of this day… or some sense of dread and trepidation? I encourage you to talk to God about this. Get to know Him better and learn more about His promises, so that all fears and worries disappear as you grow in your knowledge of Him. Work on your relationship until you can honestly and eagerly say, “With all my heart, I am waiting on the LORD!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
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