James 5:7-8
Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.
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 will be the first to admit that waiting is not my strong suit. Last week, I walked out on our back porch and found a hummingbird, belly up in the seat of one of our patio chairs. I told my husband, “There is a dead hummingbird on our back porch… what should I do?” He replied, “Leave it alone.” The next morning, the bird was gone. I wondered aloud to my husband, “What kind of ‘critter’ took that bird?” He surmised… “It was probably just stunned… that’s why you leave them alone for a while.”
Birds fly into our picture windows all the time and fall to the ground in a temporary stupor. Hours later, they are gone. I’m amazed at their resilience. I’m also frustrated by my impatience and impulsiveness. So often, we shoot ourselves in the foot, so to speak… or we make things much harder and more complicated than they need to be… because we do not wait patiently.
For several months now, my grandmother has been indicating to me that she is ready to die. I can see that she is miserable… trapped in a body that no longer responds in the ways she wishes, with a severely limited ability to speak that leaves her frustrated and isolated. I have watched lately as young people who appeared to have so much to live for were called to heaven, while obedient, faithful, elderly servants linger – and often appear to suffer in the process. I admit… I am sorely tempted to question God, even though I know He has reasons I will never understand in this lifetime.
I have prayed for lives to be changed and trusted God to do exactly this… and then asked Him, “When, LORD… WHEN?” I have prayed with countless others for the drought to end this summer, knowing full well that God knew people were hurting, losing their crops and livelihood, facing higher prices at the store as a result, and suffering in dozens of other ways. I have wondered why this was allowed…and when it would end. And in His timing, God has answered with refreshing restorative rainfall. I know that God will answer my other requests… when the time is perfect.
I have waited... but only because there was nothing else I could do, in most cases. The lesson of the hummingbird is that there is purpose in waiting. Our job is to remain faithful, awake, and alert… because we truly do not know when or how God will answer – only that He will. My challenge for all of us is to wait patiently – and confidently… to trust that God is in control and will show up at exactly the right moment. We must prepare… stay strong… and be ready for God’s appearance. What about you? Do you wait on God faithfully and expectantly… or because you feel you have no other choice? Exactly how prepared are you for God to show up in your life? How well are you waiting?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label anticipation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anticipation. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 8, 2012
Psalm 90:3-6
At your command we die and turn back to dust, but a thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night. You bring our lives to an end just like a dream. We are merely tender grass that sprouts and grows in the morning, but dries up by evening.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, my cousin’s wife posted on Facebook that their daughter is doing a “senior pictures” photo shoot today. She made the remark, “How time flies…” And it does seem that way. One minute you are a little kid playing outside, riding your bike and swimming all summer… and the next you are working at a marina so others can play on the water… or you have a job in an office or facility with no windows that allow you to enjoy the beauty of summer… or you are taking your own children/grandchildren to parks, pools and lakes to play. It often seems like a dozen years go by like a day - or a few hours in the night!
So what does this mean for us as Christians? First, we must remember that time doesn’t mean the same thing to God as it does to us. He knew us long before we were born… and He will still care about us long after we die. We always matter to God... always!
Do you know how it feels to anticipate an event… maybe your graduation, a special party, your wedding day, a big game or concert… or even Christmas Day? You get so excited and worked up making plans and preparations… you think about the details and envision how much fun you will have… how wonderful the event will be. And then the day arrives, the event happens, and it’s over and done. So often, the planning and anticipation are more enjoyable than the actual event… most certainly better than the day after!
This brings us to the second thing to remember… that with God, there is no letdown. Each “new thing” is just that - a new experience - and He wants to give us more and more of these. But God wants us to savor each experience… to stop and appreciate where we are in life – where He has brought us, and where He will take us next.
Time does seem to pass quickly. But our job as Christians is to take time to enjoy every minute of each day… to count our blessings… and to look for opportunities to bless and serve others in God’s name. At the end of our earthly journey, when God turns us back to dust and calls us to Heaven, let it be said that we made the most of our time here. Whether you are given a few days or a hundred-plus years, make them count for Him.
God has incredible plans for each of our lives. Make sure that you give Him your very best every day of yours. The time may still seem to fly by… but you will have made the most of your earthly journey.
©2012 Debbie Robus
At your command we die and turn back to dust, but a thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night. You bring our lives to an end just like a dream. We are merely tender grass that sprouts and grows in the morning, but dries up by evening.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, my cousin’s wife posted on Facebook that their daughter is doing a “senior pictures” photo shoot today. She made the remark, “How time flies…” And it does seem that way. One minute you are a little kid playing outside, riding your bike and swimming all summer… and the next you are working at a marina so others can play on the water… or you have a job in an office or facility with no windows that allow you to enjoy the beauty of summer… or you are taking your own children/grandchildren to parks, pools and lakes to play. It often seems like a dozen years go by like a day - or a few hours in the night!
So what does this mean for us as Christians? First, we must remember that time doesn’t mean the same thing to God as it does to us. He knew us long before we were born… and He will still care about us long after we die. We always matter to God... always!
Do you know how it feels to anticipate an event… maybe your graduation, a special party, your wedding day, a big game or concert… or even Christmas Day? You get so excited and worked up making plans and preparations… you think about the details and envision how much fun you will have… how wonderful the event will be. And then the day arrives, the event happens, and it’s over and done. So often, the planning and anticipation are more enjoyable than the actual event… most certainly better than the day after!
This brings us to the second thing to remember… that with God, there is no letdown. Each “new thing” is just that - a new experience - and He wants to give us more and more of these. But God wants us to savor each experience… to stop and appreciate where we are in life – where He has brought us, and where He will take us next.
Time does seem to pass quickly. But our job as Christians is to take time to enjoy every minute of each day… to count our blessings… and to look for opportunities to bless and serve others in God’s name. At the end of our earthly journey, when God turns us back to dust and calls us to Heaven, let it be said that we made the most of our time here. Whether you are given a few days or a hundred-plus years, make them count for Him.
God has incredible plans for each of our lives. Make sure that you give Him your very best every day of yours. The time may still seem to fly by… but you will have made the most of your earthly journey.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 4, 2012
Romans 5:3-5
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
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 a regional “lifestyles” section of our newspaper, I read an article today about Lorrie Thiel of Jacksonville, Arkansas, who was injured in a serious car wreck nearly 10 years ago. As a result, Lorrie suffers frequent seizures. She obtained a service dog named Schultzy to alert her when a seizure is about to occur. She and Schultzy later adopted Galahad from the local animal shelter and trained him to become Lorrie’s service companion.
Galahad can not only alert Lorrie when a seizure is forthcoming, he also wears a special backpack which contains her medications on one side, and her purse (hidden) on the other. When a seizure is eminent, Galahad lets Lorrie know so that she can find a safe, comfortable chair and sit down – and she can take medication to lessen the seizure’s effects. If Lorrie is unable to take her medications, and other people are present, Galahad will rub against someone’s leg with the side of the pack that contains the medication. If they don’t respond, he stops and starts this process until they look in his pack. He is also trained not to let anyone look in the side of his pack containing Lorrie’s purse unless they are wearing a police or paramedic uniform.
Lorrie now trains service dogs for others in need. She still suffers two to three seizures a week, but she has used the troubles that once hemmed her in to develop a passion for helping others who may be in a similar situation. She was alert for what God was going to do next in her life, and as a result, her blessings are abundant and have poured over into the lives of many others.
So often, we are so busy living in fear of what might or might not happen in our lives that we fail to recognize the opportunities God is presenting us with at this very moment. We impatiently anticipate big things from God at the expense of what He may be showing us… if only we would sit still and pay attention. When we are hemmed in by troubles on all sides, we panic. How could this happen to us? Where is God? What will become of us… how will we ever get past this?
I would be willing to bet that Lorrie Thiel didn’t dream that her life would take this turn. I feel pretty sure that this mother of two teenagers never saw herself experiencing such a life-changing event… or allowing God to use her to bless so many other people out of her own troubles. I don’t know what God has planned today, tomorrow, next week or next year – for any of us. But I know that through the Holy Spirit, He wants to generously pour into our lives an abundance of love, grace, mercy and blessings that we can’t possibly gather enough containers to hold!
We have two choices… 1) we can operate in fear and impatience, worrying continually about what will happen each day to us and those we love… we can allow Satan to fill us with dread and dissatisfaction and stay stagnant in our faith walk, or 2) we can take the daily experiences of life and steel ourselves with patience and passion as God pours into us. We can anticipate what amazing, incredible things He has in store for us… believe for them, watch and listen for them to arrive… and act on them to pay forward what He stands ready to deliver. The choice is 100% ours. I don’t know about you, but I’ve already started looking for bigger containers!
©2012 Debbie Robus
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
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 a regional “lifestyles” section of our newspaper, I read an article today about Lorrie Thiel of Jacksonville, Arkansas, who was injured in a serious car wreck nearly 10 years ago. As a result, Lorrie suffers frequent seizures. She obtained a service dog named Schultzy to alert her when a seizure is about to occur. She and Schultzy later adopted Galahad from the local animal shelter and trained him to become Lorrie’s service companion.
Galahad can not only alert Lorrie when a seizure is forthcoming, he also wears a special backpack which contains her medications on one side, and her purse (hidden) on the other. When a seizure is eminent, Galahad lets Lorrie know so that she can find a safe, comfortable chair and sit down – and she can take medication to lessen the seizure’s effects. If Lorrie is unable to take her medications, and other people are present, Galahad will rub against someone’s leg with the side of the pack that contains the medication. If they don’t respond, he stops and starts this process until they look in his pack. He is also trained not to let anyone look in the side of his pack containing Lorrie’s purse unless they are wearing a police or paramedic uniform.
Lorrie now trains service dogs for others in need. She still suffers two to three seizures a week, but she has used the troubles that once hemmed her in to develop a passion for helping others who may be in a similar situation. She was alert for what God was going to do next in her life, and as a result, her blessings are abundant and have poured over into the lives of many others.
So often, we are so busy living in fear of what might or might not happen in our lives that we fail to recognize the opportunities God is presenting us with at this very moment. We impatiently anticipate big things from God at the expense of what He may be showing us… if only we would sit still and pay attention. When we are hemmed in by troubles on all sides, we panic. How could this happen to us? Where is God? What will become of us… how will we ever get past this?
I would be willing to bet that Lorrie Thiel didn’t dream that her life would take this turn. I feel pretty sure that this mother of two teenagers never saw herself experiencing such a life-changing event… or allowing God to use her to bless so many other people out of her own troubles. I don’t know what God has planned today, tomorrow, next week or next year – for any of us. But I know that through the Holy Spirit, He wants to generously pour into our lives an abundance of love, grace, mercy and blessings that we can’t possibly gather enough containers to hold!
We have two choices… 1) we can operate in fear and impatience, worrying continually about what will happen each day to us and those we love… we can allow Satan to fill us with dread and dissatisfaction and stay stagnant in our faith walk, or 2) we can take the daily experiences of life and steel ourselves with patience and passion as God pours into us. We can anticipate what amazing, incredible things He has in store for us… believe for them, watch and listen for them to arrive… and act on them to pay forward what He stands ready to deliver. The choice is 100% ours. I don’t know about you, but I’ve already started looking for bigger containers!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 6, 2011
John 16:19-22
Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, "Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.
"When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You'll no longer be so full of questions.
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.
Sometimes I will tell Timothy, “You will see me again in two ‘night-nights’.” He nods as if he understands, but to a 2-year-old, the concept of time means nothing. "In a minute” seems too long for little children. When you say, “Hold on a second,” you might as well have said, “Give me three years.” But when I see Timothy again, he runs to me with open arms as if no time has passed.
For us, a lot of time periods seem long and difficult to endure. It is hard for us to wait a day/week/year for the things we are anticipating… and waiting years for something seems almost impossible – especially if we are talking about seeing loved ones again who have passed away. Think about soldiers who go to war. Imagine how hard it must be for their families to wait for them to return. But once they do, the time seems to dissolve into the joy of being reunited.
This is how Jesus is describing the time with Him to His disciples. Of course, for those of us who have never physically seen Him, this concept is somewhat different. But still, as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, it seems that we often become more eager to physically SEE Him… and the wait becomes challenging. I see this a lot in older people like my grandmother and her friends at the Assisted Living Facility… many who have told me, “I have prayed to die. I’m ready to go home.”
I don’t know what you are waiting on today, but I do know that Jesus is with you, whether you physically see Him with your eyes or not. Maybe you are counting the days until graduation, a big date, the playoffs, or your wedding or a big move. Maybe you are waiting on the birth of a child… or you are either caring for someone with a serious illness – or you are sick and know that your time on earth is coming to a close. Whatever you wait for… whatever you anticipate… Jesus is with you. His Holy Spirit can nurture you and guide you… He is ready to comfort you and fill your heart with strength, courage, and patience.
This is a passage of hope. This message from Jesus should make us confident and joyful… knowing that Jesus is with us now – and that the day we DO see His face will be amazing. All of the time we spent in trials, challenges and waiting will fade quickly away, and we will only know the sheer joy and jubilation of being in His presence. Meanwhile, we have work to do… a purpose to fulfill for His glory in this lifetime. I don’t know what your purpose is, but God will show you if you will just ask… and listen.
I pray that this makes the waiting easier. I pray that today you are encouraged in whatever situation you face. Realize that you are not alone. Take heart in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and let Him fill you with peace and comfort. Ask God to give you patience and peace, as you wait for the day when your joy erases every speck of anticipation and He answers all of your questions.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, "Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.
"When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You'll no longer be so full of questions.
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.
Sometimes I will tell Timothy, “You will see me again in two ‘night-nights’.” He nods as if he understands, but to a 2-year-old, the concept of time means nothing. "In a minute” seems too long for little children. When you say, “Hold on a second,” you might as well have said, “Give me three years.” But when I see Timothy again, he runs to me with open arms as if no time has passed.
For us, a lot of time periods seem long and difficult to endure. It is hard for us to wait a day/week/year for the things we are anticipating… and waiting years for something seems almost impossible – especially if we are talking about seeing loved ones again who have passed away. Think about soldiers who go to war. Imagine how hard it must be for their families to wait for them to return. But once they do, the time seems to dissolve into the joy of being reunited.
This is how Jesus is describing the time with Him to His disciples. Of course, for those of us who have never physically seen Him, this concept is somewhat different. But still, as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, it seems that we often become more eager to physically SEE Him… and the wait becomes challenging. I see this a lot in older people like my grandmother and her friends at the Assisted Living Facility… many who have told me, “I have prayed to die. I’m ready to go home.”
I don’t know what you are waiting on today, but I do know that Jesus is with you, whether you physically see Him with your eyes or not. Maybe you are counting the days until graduation, a big date, the playoffs, or your wedding or a big move. Maybe you are waiting on the birth of a child… or you are either caring for someone with a serious illness – or you are sick and know that your time on earth is coming to a close. Whatever you wait for… whatever you anticipate… Jesus is with you. His Holy Spirit can nurture you and guide you… He is ready to comfort you and fill your heart with strength, courage, and patience.
This is a passage of hope. This message from Jesus should make us confident and joyful… knowing that Jesus is with us now – and that the day we DO see His face will be amazing. All of the time we spent in trials, challenges and waiting will fade quickly away, and we will only know the sheer joy and jubilation of being in His presence. Meanwhile, we have work to do… a purpose to fulfill for His glory in this lifetime. I don’t know what your purpose is, but God will show you if you will just ask… and listen.
I pray that this makes the waiting easier. I pray that today you are encouraged in whatever situation you face. Realize that you are not alone. Take heart in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and let Him fill you with peace and comfort. Ask God to give you patience and peace, as you wait for the day when your joy erases every speck of anticipation and He answers all of your questions.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 18, 2011
Proverbs 21:31
Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust GOD to bring victory.
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.
When my husband and I built our house four years ago, we created a “safe room” – a concrete block-enclosed structure built into the ground where we can retreat if a tornado or severe storm is approaching. We’ve visited that “safe room” a few times in the last four years. We’ve also seen the devastation that tornadoes and strong winds have brought to others in our area… the complete destruction of homes… and even loss of human life. So we have made sure that we are prepared to the best of our ability to escape physical harm, should a storm come our way.
In truth, we could someday emerge from our “safe room” to find that all above us is gone… that our house has been torn from its foundation, and everything we belong is gone. And yes, we could fail to get to the refuge in time and perish or be injured. But we’ve made the best preparations possible to guard against this, and we are trusting God to do the rest.
In so many areas of life, we don’t do the necessary preparation. We don’t do our best to prepare for the worst… and then we are totally devastated by what results. We don’t have a proper handle on trusting God to bring us victory… much less to see us through what we deem as “total destruction”. We don’t save any money in case an emergency arises. We don’t study like we should, and we drop out of school and have to take a job that, at best, is less than what we hoped for – and may be nothing more than a dead end that leaves us barely making ends meet. We don’t prayerfully consider our relationships with others, and we end up hanging out with people who are going nowhere and drag us down in the process. We don’t build a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father, and when crises come our way, we fall apart with no clue how to pick ourselves up and move forward.
Some who do make preparations fail to follow through on the most important key… trusting God to do what humans cannot. At the end of the day, when you have saved, studied, prayed and prepared, you still must allow God to have the final say. We must always trust that He will orchestrate the final outcomes according to His perfect will… and that we will be able to handle whatever comes our way because of this.
I don’t know what your “storms” are today. I don’t know what preparations you have – or have not – made. But I know that your worst day with God is better than your best day without Him. If you prayerfully plan for the best… and trust God to manage the details and the final outcome… you will be able handle anything. What plans have you made today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust GOD to bring victory.
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.
When my husband and I built our house four years ago, we created a “safe room” – a concrete block-enclosed structure built into the ground where we can retreat if a tornado or severe storm is approaching. We’ve visited that “safe room” a few times in the last four years. We’ve also seen the devastation that tornadoes and strong winds have brought to others in our area… the complete destruction of homes… and even loss of human life. So we have made sure that we are prepared to the best of our ability to escape physical harm, should a storm come our way.
In truth, we could someday emerge from our “safe room” to find that all above us is gone… that our house has been torn from its foundation, and everything we belong is gone. And yes, we could fail to get to the refuge in time and perish or be injured. But we’ve made the best preparations possible to guard against this, and we are trusting God to do the rest.
In so many areas of life, we don’t do the necessary preparation. We don’t do our best to prepare for the worst… and then we are totally devastated by what results. We don’t have a proper handle on trusting God to bring us victory… much less to see us through what we deem as “total destruction”. We don’t save any money in case an emergency arises. We don’t study like we should, and we drop out of school and have to take a job that, at best, is less than what we hoped for – and may be nothing more than a dead end that leaves us barely making ends meet. We don’t prayerfully consider our relationships with others, and we end up hanging out with people who are going nowhere and drag us down in the process. We don’t build a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father, and when crises come our way, we fall apart with no clue how to pick ourselves up and move forward.
Some who do make preparations fail to follow through on the most important key… trusting God to do what humans cannot. At the end of the day, when you have saved, studied, prayed and prepared, you still must allow God to have the final say. We must always trust that He will orchestrate the final outcomes according to His perfect will… and that we will be able to handle whatever comes our way because of this.
I don’t know what your “storms” are today. I don’t know what preparations you have – or have not – made. But I know that your worst day with God is better than your best day without Him. If you prayerfully plan for the best… and trust God to manage the details and the final outcome… you will be able handle anything. What plans have you made today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 30, 2010
Matthew 24:43-46
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in. Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A whole lot of preparation has been going on lately – for everything from holiday celebrations and gift-giving to abundant meals to football bowl games. And the question of the day seems to be “Are you ready?” People pass in the store and ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” They see mutual fans for their football team and ask, “Are you ready for the big game?” The coaches are talking on newscasts about how they are preparing their team, and “We’re almost ready!”
The common thread for all of these events is that we know when they will occur. We know the date for Christmas, the Sugar Bowl, a wedding, and sometimes… even the birth of a baby! But we don’t know when Jesus will return. We don’t know when we will die and pass over into Heaven (hopefully!). We don’t know what will befall us next day/week/year.
So we have some work to do. It seems a little crazy that we work so hard to prepare for the events for which we know the date, yet the most important events of our lives don’t get nearly the same amount of attention. Would we work harder to be ready for Jesus if we knew the hour of our death or when He would return for His church? Would we procrastinate until the last minute, like we do about so many other things?
The point is… we do not know God’s timing. But we need to be ready! We need to continually be on top of our game… in the best possible condition… totally prepared and committed in service and obedience to our Heavenly Father. There will most likely be other Christmases. There may be more bowl games and second chances for other events… but we only get one shot at Eternity. There are no “do-overs!” when Jesus returns or calls us home. Will you be ready? Have you prepared daily to be called His faithful servant? Isn’t it time you began?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in. Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A whole lot of preparation has been going on lately – for everything from holiday celebrations and gift-giving to abundant meals to football bowl games. And the question of the day seems to be “Are you ready?” People pass in the store and ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” They see mutual fans for their football team and ask, “Are you ready for the big game?” The coaches are talking on newscasts about how they are preparing their team, and “We’re almost ready!”
The common thread for all of these events is that we know when they will occur. We know the date for Christmas, the Sugar Bowl, a wedding, and sometimes… even the birth of a baby! But we don’t know when Jesus will return. We don’t know when we will die and pass over into Heaven (hopefully!). We don’t know what will befall us next day/week/year.
So we have some work to do. It seems a little crazy that we work so hard to prepare for the events for which we know the date, yet the most important events of our lives don’t get nearly the same amount of attention. Would we work harder to be ready for Jesus if we knew the hour of our death or when He would return for His church? Would we procrastinate until the last minute, like we do about so many other things?
The point is… we do not know God’s timing. But we need to be ready! We need to continually be on top of our game… in the best possible condition… totally prepared and committed in service and obedience to our Heavenly Father. There will most likely be other Christmases. There may be more bowl games and second chances for other events… but we only get one shot at Eternity. There are no “do-overs!” when Jesus returns or calls us home. Will you be ready? Have you prepared daily to be called His faithful servant? Isn’t it time you began?
©2010 Debbie Robus
May 26 ~ 1 John 4:18
A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Is there a person or a situation you avoid because you fear the drama? Maybe there is a person in your life who is always negative or on the attack. If you say “Good morning,” this person asks “What’s good about it?” Or maybe there is a situation – say a family get-together – that always results in unpleasant feelings, if not an out-and-out fiasco of some sort. When we encounter unpleasant people or events, we start to feel out of sorts just thinking about them. And yes, these experiences do seem somewhat akin to a punishment. You start to wonder, “Why put myself through this?”
The answer lies, in part, in the fact that we cannot skate through life avoiding every person or situation that is frightening, upsetting, or unpleasant. And believe it or not, other people may view us – or situations in which we are involved – in much the same manner! I know this sounds simplistic, but the solution to coping with these experiences depends largely on our own attitude… and how much and how well we love others.
If we operate from a place of love and compassion for others, then their unpleasant comments and behavior are easier to overlook and forgive. If we approach situations with the love of God and a love for all of His children, we can often rise above the chaos of discord and fiery personality dynamics. I’m not saying that these people and situations won’t still get to us, but we won’t be afraid to at least try to get along. It’s the old “take the high road” approach, to some degree.
At the end of the day - when we look back at how we behaved and reacted to others - if we have operated out of love rather than fear, I believe we will realize a better outcome. So the next time someone “unlovely” approaches you, or you must face a situation with potential to be unpleasant, ask God to fill your heart with love. Ask Him to take your fears and give you courage and His peace. Then see if things don’t go better than expected for everyone concerned.
©2010 Debbie Robus
A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Is there a person or a situation you avoid because you fear the drama? Maybe there is a person in your life who is always negative or on the attack. If you say “Good morning,” this person asks “What’s good about it?” Or maybe there is a situation – say a family get-together – that always results in unpleasant feelings, if not an out-and-out fiasco of some sort. When we encounter unpleasant people or events, we start to feel out of sorts just thinking about them. And yes, these experiences do seem somewhat akin to a punishment. You start to wonder, “Why put myself through this?”
The answer lies, in part, in the fact that we cannot skate through life avoiding every person or situation that is frightening, upsetting, or unpleasant. And believe it or not, other people may view us – or situations in which we are involved – in much the same manner! I know this sounds simplistic, but the solution to coping with these experiences depends largely on our own attitude… and how much and how well we love others.
If we operate from a place of love and compassion for others, then their unpleasant comments and behavior are easier to overlook and forgive. If we approach situations with the love of God and a love for all of His children, we can often rise above the chaos of discord and fiery personality dynamics. I’m not saying that these people and situations won’t still get to us, but we won’t be afraid to at least try to get along. It’s the old “take the high road” approach, to some degree.
At the end of the day - when we look back at how we behaved and reacted to others - if we have operated out of love rather than fear, I believe we will realize a better outcome. So the next time someone “unlovely” approaches you, or you must face a situation with potential to be unpleasant, ask God to fill your heart with love. Ask Him to take your fears and give you courage and His peace. Then see if things don’t go better than expected for everyone concerned.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 18, 2010
May 18 ~ Ephesians 3:12
Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so that we can come to God by faith.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my brother was in the first grade, we lived in Oklahoma for a while, and we would travel to a little town called Wagoner, where we took swimming lessons at a junior college. The indoor pool had two diving boards – a low board and one that was very high. My little brother wanted so badly to dive from that high board. His friends were all jumping from that height, and his instructor encouraged him to try it, too.
So Tim climbed the ladder and walked out to the edge of the board… and froze. The instructor below was encouraging him… “C’mon… just jump. I’m right here.” Over and over, Tim would shake his head “No!” The kids in line behind him grew restless, but he was still trying to muster his courage to jump. The instructor continued to tread water and encourage, but this was going nowhere. Finally, my little brother left the board and climbed back down the ladder, dejected and a little defeated… but still uncertain that it would have been okay if he had jumped.
How often are we like this with God? We walk to the edge of the high board, and then we end up climbing back down the ladder. We lack the faith that God won’t ask us to do anything He can’t help us handle. We don’t trust that He will really be there to catch us and keep us from drowning. In my brother’s defense, I didn’t jump off the high board, either, and I was in the fifth grade! It was a daunting height for a six-year-old. But when it comes to leaps of faith with God, I’ve taken my share… and He has never failed me. I can promise that what He does for me, He will also do for you. Be confident and full of courage in Christ Jesus, and boldly step out in faith to do whatever God requires.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so that we can come to God by faith.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my brother was in the first grade, we lived in Oklahoma for a while, and we would travel to a little town called Wagoner, where we took swimming lessons at a junior college. The indoor pool had two diving boards – a low board and one that was very high. My little brother wanted so badly to dive from that high board. His friends were all jumping from that height, and his instructor encouraged him to try it, too.
So Tim climbed the ladder and walked out to the edge of the board… and froze. The instructor below was encouraging him… “C’mon… just jump. I’m right here.” Over and over, Tim would shake his head “No!” The kids in line behind him grew restless, but he was still trying to muster his courage to jump. The instructor continued to tread water and encourage, but this was going nowhere. Finally, my little brother left the board and climbed back down the ladder, dejected and a little defeated… but still uncertain that it would have been okay if he had jumped.
How often are we like this with God? We walk to the edge of the high board, and then we end up climbing back down the ladder. We lack the faith that God won’t ask us to do anything He can’t help us handle. We don’t trust that He will really be there to catch us and keep us from drowning. In my brother’s defense, I didn’t jump off the high board, either, and I was in the fifth grade! It was a daunting height for a six-year-old. But when it comes to leaps of faith with God, I’ve taken my share… and He has never failed me. I can promise that what He does for me, He will also do for you. Be confident and full of courage in Christ Jesus, and boldly step out in faith to do whatever God requires.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 17, 2010
May 17 ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“What in the world have I gotten myself into?” Have you ever asked this question? Have you ever accepted a job or a particular task – or agreed to serve on a committee or spearhead some project – and then second-guessed yourself? Maybe you wondered, “What was I thinking?” Often when we try something new, we have moments of doubt. “Can I really do this? Am I qualified? How will I get it all done? What will other people think?” All of these are questions we may ask. And many among us have asked some of these same questions – or similar ones – when it came to living the life of a Christian.
We worry about our past. We wonder how we can measure up to others we consider to be strong, faith-filled witnesses. “How can I serve alongside so-and-so? What can I bring to the table? Will people believe me if they know where I’ve been and what I’ve done?”
The truth is… God does not care about your past, your fears, your insecurities and your apprehensions, because He doesn’t see them. He sees His child, equipped with everything needed to serve Him and witness to others… because He gave you these things! So be confident in your faith. Step up and out and do whatever He calls you to do. And trust God to help you with the things of this world, too… from that project at school or work to how you will manage your new baby and the demands of a job and a family. God has given you the power, love, and self-control you must exercise in every situation. Be bold in your usage of His gifts and see where they can take you.
©2010 Debbie Robus
God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
“What in the world have I gotten myself into?” Have you ever asked this question? Have you ever accepted a job or a particular task – or agreed to serve on a committee or spearhead some project – and then second-guessed yourself? Maybe you wondered, “What was I thinking?” Often when we try something new, we have moments of doubt. “Can I really do this? Am I qualified? How will I get it all done? What will other people think?” All of these are questions we may ask. And many among us have asked some of these same questions – or similar ones – when it came to living the life of a Christian.
We worry about our past. We wonder how we can measure up to others we consider to be strong, faith-filled witnesses. “How can I serve alongside so-and-so? What can I bring to the table? Will people believe me if they know where I’ve been and what I’ve done?”
The truth is… God does not care about your past, your fears, your insecurities and your apprehensions, because He doesn’t see them. He sees His child, equipped with everything needed to serve Him and witness to others… because He gave you these things! So be confident in your faith. Step up and out and do whatever He calls you to do. And trust God to help you with the things of this world, too… from that project at school or work to how you will manage your new baby and the demands of a job and a family. God has given you the power, love, and self-control you must exercise in every situation. Be bold in your usage of His gifts and see where they can take you.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 26, 2010
March 26 ~ Romans 4:20-25
But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. So God accepted him, just as we read in the Scriptures. But these words were not written only for Abraham. They were written for us, since we will also be accepted because of our faith in God, who raised our Lord Jesus to life. God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I wish I could say I have never doubted or questioned God’s promise. But unlike Abraham, I have to admit that at times, my faith has wavered. I want to trust God fully, but let’s face it… sometimes this is really hard. When we see injustices and heartaches and hatred… disease and strife and suffering… it’s hard to smile and say, “Oh, yes, God loves us… He’s taking care of everything for us.”
But I am learning that when things seem rough and tough – when we are down and out, heartsick, disappointed, and hopeless - THIS is when God really starts to work in us. This is when we truly exercise faith and trust God to pull us through… and believe that He will do just that! We can assume from scripture that when Jesus knelt in the garden to pray before He was handed over to the Roman soldiers, He was more than a little bit scared and apprehensive. In fact, He asked God if there was not another way to accomplish the same things. But in the end, knowing the horrific events that lay ahead of Him, Jesus trusted God to know what was best.
Here’s the deal… I’m pretty sure none of us is facing anything remotely close to the torture and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Our challenges may be huge, but they still pale in comparison. Yet, Jesus trusted God to make Him strong enough to face these horrors, and He gave God all the credit and glory for the outcome. Everything Jesus did was for US… so that we could trust God to meet our needs. So why does our faith waver so much? Isn’t it time we trusted God completely and for everything? What would that feel like? Are you willing to find out for yourself?
Humbly ask God to forgive your lack of faith, then do all you can to “let go and let God” in your life. Trust Him to fulfill the same promises given to Abraham in your life, and see how far faith will take you.
©2010 Debbie Robus
But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. So God accepted him, just as we read in the Scriptures. But these words were not written only for Abraham. They were written for us, since we will also be accepted because of our faith in God, who raised our Lord Jesus to life. God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I wish I could say I have never doubted or questioned God’s promise. But unlike Abraham, I have to admit that at times, my faith has wavered. I want to trust God fully, but let’s face it… sometimes this is really hard. When we see injustices and heartaches and hatred… disease and strife and suffering… it’s hard to smile and say, “Oh, yes, God loves us… He’s taking care of everything for us.”
But I am learning that when things seem rough and tough – when we are down and out, heartsick, disappointed, and hopeless - THIS is when God really starts to work in us. This is when we truly exercise faith and trust God to pull us through… and believe that He will do just that! We can assume from scripture that when Jesus knelt in the garden to pray before He was handed over to the Roman soldiers, He was more than a little bit scared and apprehensive. In fact, He asked God if there was not another way to accomplish the same things. But in the end, knowing the horrific events that lay ahead of Him, Jesus trusted God to know what was best.
Here’s the deal… I’m pretty sure none of us is facing anything remotely close to the torture and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Our challenges may be huge, but they still pale in comparison. Yet, Jesus trusted God to make Him strong enough to face these horrors, and He gave God all the credit and glory for the outcome. Everything Jesus did was for US… so that we could trust God to meet our needs. So why does our faith waver so much? Isn’t it time we trusted God completely and for everything? What would that feel like? Are you willing to find out for yourself?
Humbly ask God to forgive your lack of faith, then do all you can to “let go and let God” in your life. Trust Him to fulfill the same promises given to Abraham in your life, and see how far faith will take you.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 10, 2010
February 10 ~ John 16:23-26
When that time comes, you won't have to ask me about anything. I tell you for certain that the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so that you will be completely happy. I have used examples to explain to you what I have been talking about. But the time will come when I will speak to you plainly about the Father and will no longer use examples like these. You will ask the Father in my name, and I won't have to ask him for you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I keep our 9-month-old great-nephew, Timmy, several days a week while his mother works and attends college. We never had children of our own, and it’s been several years since I spent much time with a baby. So I have a LOT of questions. There’s an old saying that “Babies don’t come with instructions,” and that’s true! But thankfully, I have a bevy of wonderful experienced mothers I can call… and the Internet for other answers. So I don’t have to wonder if I’m caring for Timmy in the right way.
Sometimes, the answers to our questions are not so readily available. I have heard more than one person who had just lost a loved one say, “I picked up the phone to ask Dad such-and-such, and then I remembered he’s gone,” or “I was going to make Mom’s famous recipe for “whatever” – and I realized that I didn’t have it… and now I can’t ask her how to make it!” And SOME answers, like “Why does God allow children to suffer?” or “Why doesn’t God prevent natural disasters?” will just not be answered this side of heaven!
But the good news is that some day we WILL have all of the answers. I honestly believe that we are not supposed to understand everything about how God operates, because 1) we would not be able to handle it all; and 2) we would lose our need to trust Him and walk in faith that He will sustain us. We can always go to God and ask anything, in the name of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us. We can even question why children suffer, wars take place, and natural disasters wipe out entire villages and communities. We can question anything and everything.
Does that mean God will always answer us quickly and in a way we expect? Absolutely not! But He will answer, in the best manner for us at the time. And some day, every single answer to every question we have will be available in heaven. I have a feeling when I get there, the questions/answers I have will no longer matter. But just in case… I’ve got a short list! Meanwhile, I’m leaning on God to meet my daily needs and answer my prayers as He sees fit. He has never failed me yet… and I know He never will.
©2009 Debbie Robus
When that time comes, you won't have to ask me about anything. I tell you for certain that the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so that you will be completely happy. I have used examples to explain to you what I have been talking about. But the time will come when I will speak to you plainly about the Father and will no longer use examples like these. You will ask the Father in my name, and I won't have to ask him for you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I keep our 9-month-old great-nephew, Timmy, several days a week while his mother works and attends college. We never had children of our own, and it’s been several years since I spent much time with a baby. So I have a LOT of questions. There’s an old saying that “Babies don’t come with instructions,” and that’s true! But thankfully, I have a bevy of wonderful experienced mothers I can call… and the Internet for other answers. So I don’t have to wonder if I’m caring for Timmy in the right way.
Sometimes, the answers to our questions are not so readily available. I have heard more than one person who had just lost a loved one say, “I picked up the phone to ask Dad such-and-such, and then I remembered he’s gone,” or “I was going to make Mom’s famous recipe for “whatever” – and I realized that I didn’t have it… and now I can’t ask her how to make it!” And SOME answers, like “Why does God allow children to suffer?” or “Why doesn’t God prevent natural disasters?” will just not be answered this side of heaven!
But the good news is that some day we WILL have all of the answers. I honestly believe that we are not supposed to understand everything about how God operates, because 1) we would not be able to handle it all; and 2) we would lose our need to trust Him and walk in faith that He will sustain us. We can always go to God and ask anything, in the name of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us. We can even question why children suffer, wars take place, and natural disasters wipe out entire villages and communities. We can question anything and everything.
Does that mean God will always answer us quickly and in a way we expect? Absolutely not! But He will answer, in the best manner for us at the time. And some day, every single answer to every question we have will be available in heaven. I have a feeling when I get there, the questions/answers I have will no longer matter. But just in case… I’ve got a short list! Meanwhile, I’m leaning on God to meet my daily needs and answer my prayers as He sees fit. He has never failed me yet… and I know He never will.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 3, 2010
February 3 ~ Matthew 6:11
Give us our food for today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my brother was a little boy, we would sit down to breakfast, and he would ask, “What’s for dinner?” It’s not that he was worried about what was for dinner… or that we didn’t have enough to eat. We never missed a meal! It was just a thing with Tim… he enjoyed food and was naturally curious as a child. He didn’t worry about the next meal… he just wondered what it would be!
Many of us spend a lot of time worrying about our “next meal.” I’m not literally talking food… I’m talking about all of the “worries of our day.” We wonder what will happen next – we “anticipate” many things. The truth of the matter is that God will provide for our needs each and every day… and that should be our primary focus. “But wait!” you may be saying. “Haven’t we just spent the better part of a month looking at scripture passages that deal with planning?” Yes, and plans are important. I am not saying we should not have them!
The point I want to make with this verse from Matthew 6 is that often we have situations that seem overwhelming – too big for us to handle. Maybe you are in the middle of a really tough semester of school work, and you wonder how on earth you will survive it. Ask God to “Give me food for today.” Maybe you are sick or injured, and the doctor has told you that recovery is going to take weeks or months. Ask God to get you through – one day at a time. Maybe you have lost a loved one, or you have just suffered a broken relationship, and you feel like the grief will never end. Ask God for strength for today… then ask Him again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.
In essence, this passage gives new meaning to the phrase, “Take one day at a time.” The Bible tells us we are not promised more than this day, so why don’t we focus on where we are at the moment?! Ask God to give you all you need for today. Trust Him to “feed” you – body, mind, and soul – and believe that He will continue to care for you in all the days to follow.
©2009 Debbie Robus
Give us our food for today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my brother was a little boy, we would sit down to breakfast, and he would ask, “What’s for dinner?” It’s not that he was worried about what was for dinner… or that we didn’t have enough to eat. We never missed a meal! It was just a thing with Tim… he enjoyed food and was naturally curious as a child. He didn’t worry about the next meal… he just wondered what it would be!
Many of us spend a lot of time worrying about our “next meal.” I’m not literally talking food… I’m talking about all of the “worries of our day.” We wonder what will happen next – we “anticipate” many things. The truth of the matter is that God will provide for our needs each and every day… and that should be our primary focus. “But wait!” you may be saying. “Haven’t we just spent the better part of a month looking at scripture passages that deal with planning?” Yes, and plans are important. I am not saying we should not have them!
The point I want to make with this verse from Matthew 6 is that often we have situations that seem overwhelming – too big for us to handle. Maybe you are in the middle of a really tough semester of school work, and you wonder how on earth you will survive it. Ask God to “Give me food for today.” Maybe you are sick or injured, and the doctor has told you that recovery is going to take weeks or months. Ask God to get you through – one day at a time. Maybe you have lost a loved one, or you have just suffered a broken relationship, and you feel like the grief will never end. Ask God for strength for today… then ask Him again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.
In essence, this passage gives new meaning to the phrase, “Take one day at a time.” The Bible tells us we are not promised more than this day, so why don’t we focus on where we are at the moment?! Ask God to give you all you need for today. Trust Him to “feed” you – body, mind, and soul – and believe that He will continue to care for you in all the days to follow.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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