Daily Devotional for August 31, 2016

John 20:1-9
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone was rolled aside from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and me and said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!”

We ran to the tomb to see; I outran Peter and got there first, and stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but I didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went on inside. He also noticed the cloth lying there, while the swath that had covered Jesus’ head was rolled up in a bundle and was lying at the side. Then I went in too, and saw, and believed that he had risen - for until then we hadn’t realized that the Scriptures said he would come to life again!

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
I saw a talk show interview with actor/comedian/filmmaker Mel Brooks in which he spoke of his dear friend, the late actor Gene Wilder.  Brooks said he knew that his friend was not well – that his time on earth was growing short.  But once Wilder passed, Mel Brooks said that he actually felt “shocked” for a while.  Brooks could not accept that he would never be able to call Wilder and speak to him again.  This this is a typical reaction for someone who is grieving…part of a normal process.

When American gymnasts Simone Biles and Aly Raisman took the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the 2016 Rio Olympics,  there were a few moments where the two young women and their coaches stood and hugged each other somewhat in disbelief.  The “talk” for days had been that these girls would win medals.  It was certainly no surprise that Biles took the gold.  But in the initial moments, there was a bit of surprise and excitement…and awe!  Again, this was a normal reaction.  The culmination of all that had happened was almost overwhelming.

Think of a time when someone told you something…but what they were saying didn’t really register.  Maybe you were not paying enough attention. Perhaps you simply did not comprehend what you were being told.  Or maybe, what you were hearing was so astounding that you didn’t think it could possibly be accurate or really happen.  So when you realized that this.was.real…you were “dazed and confused” – at least momentarily.

When I read this scripture passage, I asked myself…”What is our take-away?”  And the message I kept getting is…”pay attention!”  So often, we are caught up in a myriad of circumstances and emotions – many of them important, but some not so much – and we don’t really comprehend what we read or hear.  This is especially true when it comes to God’s word for our life.  So we can read a scripture passage over and again for decades…and one day, it all “clicks” and we realize…”THIS is what Jesus was saying!”  Or we move along through life and don’t realize that Scriptures told us plainly what would happen in this or that situation…and we simply didn’t grasp it!

The bottom line is that we must pay closer attention to God’s word for us…both written and whispered.  We must be awake and alert to His “signs and wonders”…in tune with His directives.  We must ask questions…dig deeper…and really GET what we are being fed!  The mission is too important…the message is unbelievably crucial.  We don’t have time to waste…and figuring things out after the fact – when “the tomb is empty” – is unacceptable.  God wants us to be so attuned to His word that we anticipate what is coming next…that we expect Him to show up…that we are never caught off guard.

I don’t know about you, but this means that I have work to do!  I have to get my act together and sharpen my focus.  I have to start seeking God more and living with confidence that He is always close at hand.  I have to be less shocked when God shows up and “shows out”…and better prepared for His miraculous presence and perfection.  I suspect it is much the same for you, as well.

Will you be like John and Peter at the empty tomb?  Or will this be the day that you sit up a little straighter, perk your ears, and zero in on what God is showing you?  Are you truly paying attention?  Don't you think you should be?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 8, 2016

1 John 5:13-15
I have written this to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I saw a “pin” on Pinterest titled, “How to pray when you just can’t focus.”  Boy, does that ever describe me lately!  The suggestions included…Pray the “LORD’s Prayer”…Pray out loud…Pray with someone else…Pray the Psalms.

I have to admit, I take comfort in knowing that I am not alone…that others mean well yet sometimes struggle to maintain focus in their prayer life.  I am reminded that we are, after all, mere humans - and subject to becoming easily distracted!  The GOOD NEWS for me is that God is NEVER distracted!  He is always watching and listening…and when we make our requests known to Him, they are heard.

Romans 8:26 reminds us that when we cannot form the words, the Holy Spirit prays for us.  This scripture comforts me greatly!  The KEY is to remain in tune with the Holy Spirit, so that this can happen.  But when we have lost focus (for whatever reason)…when life beats us down to a point where words just do not form…God still knows our heart and is able to answer our petitions!

I don’t know about you, but this gives me tremendous comfort and courage.  And I want to share this knowledge with others.  I want us all to understand that there are times in our lives when we love the LORD with all our hearts…but words simply fail us.  There are situations and circumstances where our needs are tremendous…and we are completely unable to express them in any sensible manner.  Bolstered with the knowledge that God still hears me – and answers – during these times…I am overwhelmed with peace, courage, and confidence. 

None of us has a “corner on this market.”  What God does for us, He will gladly do for others who seek His will and desire to serve Him.  I don’t know whether this is a season of great focus for you…or if your thoughts are scattered to the four winds.  But if you are in step with the Holy Spirit, rest assured that God is hearing you – and answering perfectly – no matter what you are actually saying.

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 16, 2015

Romans 8:15-17
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

Last night was the final session of our church’s Vacation Bible School for this year.  The kids had a wonderful time, but I have to say…we were all glad that VBS is over.  Coupled with daily swim lessons, I think we were all pretty weary.  Greg counted yesterday and determined that for the last several days, the children have been buckled in and out of the car at least six times a day!  And I counted up at least 4 daily wardrobe changes for three kids plus myself!  It’s July…and we have heat indexes over 100 degrees, which adds to the overall fatigue.  Last night during Timothy’s crafts rotation at VBS, he told me, “Aunt Debbie, I have to tell you something…we played ‘Freeze Tag’ – and I’m exhausted!”

Today as we headed home from swim lessons, I reminded the kids, “Just one more day this week, and then we get a break.”  There is light at the end of this tunnel, but we have journeyed far this last five days/nights.  The children learned important Bible lessons…and their swimming skills are improving every day.  But the schedule has been a bit much at times.  And sometimes, we’ve kept them going with promises of a prize at the end…ice cream after a nap, suckers after swim lessons…or a chance to choose a new toy at the end of the week. There have been some tears and a tantrum or two…and the kids have been grumpy as well (just kidding!).  But we are surviving, and the week is almost over.

In this scripture passage, Paul is comparing our Christian faith to that of a “Father/child relationship” in which we anticipate what is next with God…what lies ahead with our Heavenly Father.  But in the meantime, we probably will have to go through some “stuff.”  We will face challenges, temptations, and even hardships, sadness and disappointments.  But it won’t be anything that Jesus didn’t endure.  And even more importantly, we won’t go through anything on this earth without Jesus right there with us – at least we don’t have to!

For those of us who have surrendered fully to Christ…confessed our sins and given Him authority over our lives, we have gained a “Forever Friend.”  Those of us who have invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts never go through anything alone…no matter how empty or frustrated we might feel at any particular moment.  We are promised an unbelievable inheritance…but also a never-ending companionship.

I don’t know about you, but this keeps me going, to a large degree.  I know that God won’t ask me to handle anything by myself…and I truly do believe that His rewards – both in the short and long term – will make it all worthwhile.

Like children who cling to the prizes – both big and little – we cling to hope in Jesus Christ…and His promises that an unbelievable inheritance awaits us someday.  Meanwhile, we trust in Him to give us hope and encouragement…and an occasional nap doesn’t hurt, either!  My prayer is that you feel God’s presence, promises, and peace this day…and in those to come.
   
©2015 Debbie Robus