Galatians 5:22-23
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
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.
Sunday morning after church, we got everyone fastened into car seats and started to drive out of the church parking lot. I asked Timothy, “What did you learn in Sunday school today?” He replied, “We learned that you have to listen to GOD (emphasis here on the Father’s name in a dramatic drawl).” “Really?” I quizzed. “Yes!” he continued, “and some people ate the fruit of the tree, and they got in TROUBLE!” Later, when we took the children home, Timothy repeated this story to his mother. But he added… “And the lady and that girl ate the fruit, and they can’t ever go into the jungle again!”
This is what happens when we don’t listen to God! Well, okay… maybe we will still be able to “go into the jungle” – which means that God continues to love us, and we Christians can still enjoy the blessings of Salvation…even when we sin. But this kind of thinking focuses on settling for “adequate” rather than operating in “abundance.” I don’t know about you… but I’d rather have operate in the latter!
Do you really want a life of “good enough”… of barely getting by… of living in the relative drudgery of putting one foot in front of the other each day and doing the same old thing for years on end? I’m not just talking about your physical assets – home, car, clothing and possessions – or your job. I’m also talking about having relationships that are stale – or always in some sort of state of discord or high drama… living with a poor self-image…and worst of all, lacking in joy and confidence with regard to your relationship with the Holy Spirit… or feeling like you don’t even have a relationship with the Holy Spirit in the first place.
When we live God’s way, scripture describes how all sorts of things come into full view for us… how we find ourselves feeling more complete and satisfied… functioning at a higher level in all areas of life. My dad would call this “running on all cylinders”… and hopefully you get this picture! God has perfect plans for each of us. All we have to do is seek them – and follow through! Clearly, our little four-year-old has a few things to learn yet about sin and disobedience… or does he? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to chance being exiled from the “jungle” of God’s gifts forever.
Will you listen to GOD and live His way? Aren’t you ready to experience His peace? Are you ready to eat the “good fruit” He wishes to give you? Isn’t today the perfect time to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label avoiding sin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label avoiding sin. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 4, 2011
Psalm 22:15, 24
My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt.
The LORD doesn't hate or despise the helpless in all of their troubles. When I cried out, he listened and did not turn away.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I moved all of my “treasures” from one antique store to another recently, I dropped a little decorative plate. It splintered into about 5 pieces. This was not an expensive plate – I probably paid at most a couple of dollars for it at a garage sale or auction. But it was beautiful… a robin’s-egg blue scalloped edge tipped in gold, delicate pink roses and raised white dots called a “moriage” technique. It would have been a perfect accent for a shelf or display cabinet… or a nice little dish to set out with a few candies for guests.
I carefully gathered up the shards and put them in a container and brought them home. I could have dumped this plate into the trash, but instead, I got out my bottle of glue and began to reassemble the piece. I still don’t know if it will hold together – or if so, for how long – but it’s worth a shot. Once glued, this plate still has potential. It can be tucked in behind something else so that the broken parts are not readily visible. It still has purpose… beauty… value.
To God, we are the broken plates. While HE did not drop us or cause us to break, in our sin and our “humanity” we did just that. But we still have value… worth… beauty… purpose. God knows this. He stands ready to glue the pieces back together. We may not be the same. Like the plate, there may be rough edges and little cracks where a splinter or two were not recovered. But God will fill in the rough spots. He will make us whole, useful, and able to serve once again.
The key to being restored and repurposed is to acknowledge God. It may seem like He deserts us from time to time… leaves us on the scrap heap in a zillion broken shards. But this is not the case. He is waiting for us to reach up to Him and believe that He can fix us… that He can heal the broken parts and restore us to serve another day. Have you called on God lately? Are you piled up on the scrap heap, wallowing in self-pity? Or are you standing ready to be reglued… repaired… repurposed… and given another chance? The choice is yours…what will you do?
©2011 Debbie Robus
My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt.
The LORD doesn't hate or despise the helpless in all of their troubles. When I cried out, he listened and did not turn away.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I moved all of my “treasures” from one antique store to another recently, I dropped a little decorative plate. It splintered into about 5 pieces. This was not an expensive plate – I probably paid at most a couple of dollars for it at a garage sale or auction. But it was beautiful… a robin’s-egg blue scalloped edge tipped in gold, delicate pink roses and raised white dots called a “moriage” technique. It would have been a perfect accent for a shelf or display cabinet… or a nice little dish to set out with a few candies for guests.
I carefully gathered up the shards and put them in a container and brought them home. I could have dumped this plate into the trash, but instead, I got out my bottle of glue and began to reassemble the piece. I still don’t know if it will hold together – or if so, for how long – but it’s worth a shot. Once glued, this plate still has potential. It can be tucked in behind something else so that the broken parts are not readily visible. It still has purpose… beauty… value.
To God, we are the broken plates. While HE did not drop us or cause us to break, in our sin and our “humanity” we did just that. But we still have value… worth… beauty… purpose. God knows this. He stands ready to glue the pieces back together. We may not be the same. Like the plate, there may be rough edges and little cracks where a splinter or two were not recovered. But God will fill in the rough spots. He will make us whole, useful, and able to serve once again.
The key to being restored and repurposed is to acknowledge God. It may seem like He deserts us from time to time… leaves us on the scrap heap in a zillion broken shards. But this is not the case. He is waiting for us to reach up to Him and believe that He can fix us… that He can heal the broken parts and restore us to serve another day. Have you called on God lately? Are you piled up on the scrap heap, wallowing in self-pity? Or are you standing ready to be reglued… repaired… repurposed… and given another chance? The choice is yours…what will you do?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 3, 2011
Psalm 19:11-14
By your teachings, Lord, I am warned; by obeying them, I am greatly rewarded. None of us know our faults. Forgive me when I sin without knowing it. Don't let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault. Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We don’t always have the whole story. Two recent events triggered an old memory for me recently. We have been seeing our high school principal at basketball games – he’s come to watch his grand-daughters cheer. Then a former classmate mentioned Home Economics class on Facebook. When I was in high school, I couldn’t take Home Economics class, because there was a schedule conflict with my band class. So I took General Science instead. This meant that I had a different class schedule - and lunch hour - than my fellow ninth graders.
One day, our principal called an assembly to announce that the campus was going to be closed during the lunch hour, meaning we could no longer leave to go out to eat or home for lunch. He gathered us all together and then said, “If you are in grades 7-9, this doesn’t involve you, so go back to class.” The upper classmen who were in my science class said, “You need to stay, since you have lunch with us.” So I did. When I returned to class, my teacher didn’t think I should have stayed for the information. Neither did the teacher in the next class, for which I arrived late, and she sent me to the principal’s office.
I explained to the principal that I did not know I had done anything wrong – and told him why I stayed for his assembly. He “forgave” me and sent me back to class. I can see why the teachers thought I shouldn’t have stayed. I truly did not believe I was doing anything wrong by staying. I realized later that I could have gotten the information from someone in my science class, but at the time, I felt that what was being said pertained to me, and I needed to hear it firsthand.
In a totally unrelated event, my dad once told me of a conversation he had with an aunt who had no children. She made some comment about child-rearing, and my dad (who was just a young boy), replied, “How would you know? You’ve never had children.” What Daddy did not know was that his aunt had lost a baby as a teenager… and she felt that loss deeply, particularly since she never gave birth to any other children. My grandmother took my dad aside and explained this to him, and he felt badly. He really loved his aunt, and he was so sad that he had hurt her feelings… albeit unknowingly.
See… we don’t always have all the information. And sometimes, we say and do things we shouldn’t because we truly do not know we have made a mistake. There are two lessons here. The first is to be more aware of what we say and how we say it… and to be more careful with our words and behaviors. The second is to understand that we all make mistakes – many of them innocent, if no less wrong or hurtful. Thankfully, we serve a God who forgives us and sets us back on our feet.
None of us is perfect… we all have faults. God understands this. It is not an excuse – or a license to sin or to behave badly. But we must look at our own lives – and the lives of others – and consider how God loves us and extends grace and mercy when we falter. I am so grateful that God cares for us this way – and with this level of understanding. But do we do this for others? Are we willing to forgive and extend compassion and encouragement to those we encounter? Are we willing to do for others what God does for us on a daily basis? Shouldn’t we?
©2011 Debbie Robus
By your teachings, Lord, I am warned; by obeying them, I am greatly rewarded. None of us know our faults. Forgive me when I sin without knowing it. Don't let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault. Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We don’t always have the whole story. Two recent events triggered an old memory for me recently. We have been seeing our high school principal at basketball games – he’s come to watch his grand-daughters cheer. Then a former classmate mentioned Home Economics class on Facebook. When I was in high school, I couldn’t take Home Economics class, because there was a schedule conflict with my band class. So I took General Science instead. This meant that I had a different class schedule - and lunch hour - than my fellow ninth graders.
One day, our principal called an assembly to announce that the campus was going to be closed during the lunch hour, meaning we could no longer leave to go out to eat or home for lunch. He gathered us all together and then said, “If you are in grades 7-9, this doesn’t involve you, so go back to class.” The upper classmen who were in my science class said, “You need to stay, since you have lunch with us.” So I did. When I returned to class, my teacher didn’t think I should have stayed for the information. Neither did the teacher in the next class, for which I arrived late, and she sent me to the principal’s office.
I explained to the principal that I did not know I had done anything wrong – and told him why I stayed for his assembly. He “forgave” me and sent me back to class. I can see why the teachers thought I shouldn’t have stayed. I truly did not believe I was doing anything wrong by staying. I realized later that I could have gotten the information from someone in my science class, but at the time, I felt that what was being said pertained to me, and I needed to hear it firsthand.
In a totally unrelated event, my dad once told me of a conversation he had with an aunt who had no children. She made some comment about child-rearing, and my dad (who was just a young boy), replied, “How would you know? You’ve never had children.” What Daddy did not know was that his aunt had lost a baby as a teenager… and she felt that loss deeply, particularly since she never gave birth to any other children. My grandmother took my dad aside and explained this to him, and he felt badly. He really loved his aunt, and he was so sad that he had hurt her feelings… albeit unknowingly.
See… we don’t always have all the information. And sometimes, we say and do things we shouldn’t because we truly do not know we have made a mistake. There are two lessons here. The first is to be more aware of what we say and how we say it… and to be more careful with our words and behaviors. The second is to understand that we all make mistakes – many of them innocent, if no less wrong or hurtful. Thankfully, we serve a God who forgives us and sets us back on our feet.
None of us is perfect… we all have faults. God understands this. It is not an excuse – or a license to sin or to behave badly. But we must look at our own lives – and the lives of others – and consider how God loves us and extends grace and mercy when we falter. I am so grateful that God cares for us this way – and with this level of understanding. But do we do this for others? Are we willing to forgive and extend compassion and encouragement to those we encounter? Are we willing to do for others what God does for us on a daily basis? Shouldn’t we?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 10, 2010
Jeremiah 5:3
Search Jerusalem for honest people who try. If you can find even one, I'll forgive the whole city. Everyone breaks promises made in my name." I answered, "I know that you look for truth. You punished your people for their lies, but in spite of the pain, they became more stubborn and refused to turn back to you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were watching a silly television sitcom recently where a man visited his ex-wife, and while he was there, he “lifted” a pair of diamond earrings he had given her shortly before she filed for divorce. He needed a birthday gift for his new girlfriend and had no money – and his justification was not only revenge but the claim that his first wife “never wore them!” The show ended with this man’s brother asking if he felt any remorse, and he held up a necklace and said something to the effect of “No… and it was even easier the second time.”
Albert Einstein defines insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Yet this is exactly what we seem to do with the truth. We know that our lies, cheating and deceit dishonor and disappoint God. We know that in the end, these behaviors create even larger problems for us. But we continue down the same path, repeating the same mistakes, and hoping for different results – this time!
The sitcom was truly silly, but it does serve to illustrate a very real point. Lying… and sin in general… becomes easier with practice. So while we may not consciously set out to get better at this over time, what seemed daunting and risky today may not seem so bad tomorrow. This is how people get into serious trouble with things like money. They “rob Peter to pay Paul” by taking a little money from their kids’ piggy bank to gamble, thinking the winnings will be more than enough to pay everyone back… and then some. But when the bet fails, and the money is gone, the gambler has to become more creative – and dishonest – about how and where to find more money for the next bet.
When you lie to a friend or family member about what you are doing or where you are going, it may be hard the first time. But it gets easier the more you practice. It may not seem like a bad thing to tell someone you accomplished something you didn’t – or to stretch the truth a little. But soon, you are well-versed in stretching things, and nobody can believe a word you say, because your claims are so outlandish and your reputation for exaggerating, at best, precedes you.
Maybe you have gotten so “good” at this that you honestly don’t know how to stop. If this is the case, it’s too late for me to tell you to never begin! But I do have help for you…and His name is Jesus. We can call on Jesus to help us accomplish whatever we cannot do on our own. We can ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins (which is the first step), and then we can call on Him to help us begin to rebuild our character and reputation. Jesus will give us the strength to tell the truth… even if it means we have to do without or make personal sacrifices. Believe me, none of them compares to the sacrifice HE made on the cross for us.
Examine your life today. Look in the nooks and crannies and see where you are practicing the insanity of lies, deceit, and sin of any kind. Confess these to Jesus and ask Him to help you get on your feet. Ask Jesus to help you avoid repeating the sins of your past. Give Him your burdens and free your mind to focus on what – and Who – really matters!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Search Jerusalem for honest people who try. If you can find even one, I'll forgive the whole city. Everyone breaks promises made in my name." I answered, "I know that you look for truth. You punished your people for their lies, but in spite of the pain, they became more stubborn and refused to turn back to you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We were watching a silly television sitcom recently where a man visited his ex-wife, and while he was there, he “lifted” a pair of diamond earrings he had given her shortly before she filed for divorce. He needed a birthday gift for his new girlfriend and had no money – and his justification was not only revenge but the claim that his first wife “never wore them!” The show ended with this man’s brother asking if he felt any remorse, and he held up a necklace and said something to the effect of “No… and it was even easier the second time.”
Albert Einstein defines insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Yet this is exactly what we seem to do with the truth. We know that our lies, cheating and deceit dishonor and disappoint God. We know that in the end, these behaviors create even larger problems for us. But we continue down the same path, repeating the same mistakes, and hoping for different results – this time!
The sitcom was truly silly, but it does serve to illustrate a very real point. Lying… and sin in general… becomes easier with practice. So while we may not consciously set out to get better at this over time, what seemed daunting and risky today may not seem so bad tomorrow. This is how people get into serious trouble with things like money. They “rob Peter to pay Paul” by taking a little money from their kids’ piggy bank to gamble, thinking the winnings will be more than enough to pay everyone back… and then some. But when the bet fails, and the money is gone, the gambler has to become more creative – and dishonest – about how and where to find more money for the next bet.
When you lie to a friend or family member about what you are doing or where you are going, it may be hard the first time. But it gets easier the more you practice. It may not seem like a bad thing to tell someone you accomplished something you didn’t – or to stretch the truth a little. But soon, you are well-versed in stretching things, and nobody can believe a word you say, because your claims are so outlandish and your reputation for exaggerating, at best, precedes you.
Maybe you have gotten so “good” at this that you honestly don’t know how to stop. If this is the case, it’s too late for me to tell you to never begin! But I do have help for you…and His name is Jesus. We can call on Jesus to help us accomplish whatever we cannot do on our own. We can ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins (which is the first step), and then we can call on Him to help us begin to rebuild our character and reputation. Jesus will give us the strength to tell the truth… even if it means we have to do without or make personal sacrifices. Believe me, none of them compares to the sacrifice HE made on the cross for us.
Examine your life today. Look in the nooks and crannies and see where you are practicing the insanity of lies, deceit, and sin of any kind. Confess these to Jesus and ask Him to help you get on your feet. Ask Jesus to help you avoid repeating the sins of your past. Give Him your burdens and free your mind to focus on what – and Who – really matters!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 13, 2010
Psalm 27:11
Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve been in a fast-moving carnival ride that shuffled me and my passenger from one scary spot to another as things jumped up and popped out, yelled and screamed, and scared the bejeepers out of us! We knew that around every turn, new scary stuff would be waiting, but we still screamed and felt our hearts pound… and we laughed (nervously) because we understood it was all in good fun and the scary ride would end in a short while.
Sadly, the devil and his army of enemies are waiting around the corner on many streets and paths… just hoping we will make a wrong turn or a poor choice, and end up in front of them. And unlike the harmless spooks of the carnival ride, these guys mean business! They plan to capture their prey through any means necessary… fear, enticement, lies, deceit, shame, guilt, glitz and glamour… whatever it takes. Once you get in the car with Satan, his ride can take you places you’ll wish you’d never gone.
The key is to listen to God… to follow His instruction… to stay on His path. God offers us a perfect road map… with a straight shot to victory, blessings, peace, and joy. There may be bumps along the way, and short detours, but God will always be there with us to handle them. No spooks, screams, scary monsters, or heart-stopping fears await us… we can be assured that God will never use such tactics. And if you encounter them, you may need to re-evaluate whose road map you are following!
Carnival rides are fun… a cheap thrill and a harmless scare. But Satan’s “carnival rides” are serious business. You do not want to hop aboard! Ask God to help you stay in His will… following His road maps… and listening for His voice. Don’t give the devil and his henchmen any chance to make a play for your attention. Stay on course, in the light of Christ… safe, secure, and out of harm’s way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve been in a fast-moving carnival ride that shuffled me and my passenger from one scary spot to another as things jumped up and popped out, yelled and screamed, and scared the bejeepers out of us! We knew that around every turn, new scary stuff would be waiting, but we still screamed and felt our hearts pound… and we laughed (nervously) because we understood it was all in good fun and the scary ride would end in a short while.
Sadly, the devil and his army of enemies are waiting around the corner on many streets and paths… just hoping we will make a wrong turn or a poor choice, and end up in front of them. And unlike the harmless spooks of the carnival ride, these guys mean business! They plan to capture their prey through any means necessary… fear, enticement, lies, deceit, shame, guilt, glitz and glamour… whatever it takes. Once you get in the car with Satan, his ride can take you places you’ll wish you’d never gone.
The key is to listen to God… to follow His instruction… to stay on His path. God offers us a perfect road map… with a straight shot to victory, blessings, peace, and joy. There may be bumps along the way, and short detours, but God will always be there with us to handle them. No spooks, screams, scary monsters, or heart-stopping fears await us… we can be assured that God will never use such tactics. And if you encounter them, you may need to re-evaluate whose road map you are following!
Carnival rides are fun… a cheap thrill and a harmless scare. But Satan’s “carnival rides” are serious business. You do not want to hop aboard! Ask God to help you stay in His will… following His road maps… and listening for His voice. Don’t give the devil and his henchmen any chance to make a play for your attention. Stay on course, in the light of Christ… safe, secure, and out of harm’s way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 9, 2010
Mark 4:13-20
Jesus told them: If you don't understand this story, you won't understand any others. What the farmer is spreading is really the message about the kingdom. The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But Satan soon comes and snatches it away from them. The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. But they don't have any roots, and they don't last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.
The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was planted.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This passage is the last part of a parable Jesus told in which he talks about a farmer and what happened to seeds he scattered in various places – some eaten by birds, some falling on rocky ground, some that dried up from the scorching sun, some that fell into thorny bushes… and some that found fertile ground. Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about a farmer and seeds at all. He was talking about us! GOD is the “farmer” – we are the “seeds!”
There is an old saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” But if you plant yourself in bad soil, among “thorns,” on rocky ground or out in the hot scorching sun, you don’t have much of a chance – if any – to “bloom!”
This means we must think about who we choose to be associated with – in all walks of life. We must choose our friends carefully – and our more significant relationship partners even more so. We must think about where we go, and what we say and do. It all counts! We must ask ourselves constantly if our choices are God’s choices … or Satan’s … and we need to pay attention to what we discover.
We need to wake up each morning and ask God to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our steps. And each night we need to thank Him for His guidance. We need to be sure that we are always firmly rooted in “good ground” – God’s ground. Don’t get caught off guard or in poor soil. Don’t wind up among the thorns or exposed to the elements. Stick with God, listen to His instruction, and ask Him to continually plant you where you can truly bloom for His glory!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Jesus told them: If you don't understand this story, you won't understand any others. What the farmer is spreading is really the message about the kingdom. The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message. But Satan soon comes and snatches it away from them. The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. But they don't have any roots, and they don't last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.
The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and welcome the message. They produce thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was planted.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This passage is the last part of a parable Jesus told in which he talks about a farmer and what happened to seeds he scattered in various places – some eaten by birds, some falling on rocky ground, some that dried up from the scorching sun, some that fell into thorny bushes… and some that found fertile ground. Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about a farmer and seeds at all. He was talking about us! GOD is the “farmer” – we are the “seeds!”
There is an old saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” But if you plant yourself in bad soil, among “thorns,” on rocky ground or out in the hot scorching sun, you don’t have much of a chance – if any – to “bloom!”
This means we must think about who we choose to be associated with – in all walks of life. We must choose our friends carefully – and our more significant relationship partners even more so. We must think about where we go, and what we say and do. It all counts! We must ask ourselves constantly if our choices are God’s choices … or Satan’s … and we need to pay attention to what we discover.
We need to wake up each morning and ask God to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our steps. And each night we need to thank Him for His guidance. We need to be sure that we are always firmly rooted in “good ground” – God’s ground. Don’t get caught off guard or in poor soil. Don’t wind up among the thorns or exposed to the elements. Stick with God, listen to His instruction, and ask Him to continually plant you where you can truly bloom for His glory!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 8, 2010
Proverbs 29:20
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
All you have to do is turn on the television to one of the news outlets and listen for a few minutes, and you will probably hear someone who speaks – or has spoken – without thinking. So we have dozens of “video clips” of people saying things they truly wish they hadn’t. “I didn’t know I would be running for office when I said that,” or “I didn’t know the microphone was on,” or “I was just a kid” are common excuses.
We all “open mouth, insert foot” on occasion. But some people seem to have made a career out of doing this. And I like the way Proverbs 29:20 analyzes this… “there is more hope for a fool” than people who speak without thinking.
Surely we don’t want others to think of us as foolish. I would hope that we want to be people of substance – people who are careful and thoughtful with our speech and consider what we are going to say before we say it! Ask God to guide your thoughts… which is the first step… and then the words that follow.
When we let our communication with God lapse and begin to try to “go it alone,” we get into trouble. We tend to say and do stupid things. It may seem like a farfetched correlation, but truly, staying close to God – through prayer, Bible study, and listening for His voice in every hour of your day – can directly affect what comes out of your mouth… and how seldom you speak without thinking!
Today, let’s ask God to guide our thoughts and our words. Let’s ask Him to keep us from “acting a fool,” and help us act and speak thoughtfully and in a way that honors our relationship with Him. Let’s do things God’s way instead of ours… and see what a difference He can make in the outcome!
©2010 Debbie Robus
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
All you have to do is turn on the television to one of the news outlets and listen for a few minutes, and you will probably hear someone who speaks – or has spoken – without thinking. So we have dozens of “video clips” of people saying things they truly wish they hadn’t. “I didn’t know I would be running for office when I said that,” or “I didn’t know the microphone was on,” or “I was just a kid” are common excuses.
We all “open mouth, insert foot” on occasion. But some people seem to have made a career out of doing this. And I like the way Proverbs 29:20 analyzes this… “there is more hope for a fool” than people who speak without thinking.
Surely we don’t want others to think of us as foolish. I would hope that we want to be people of substance – people who are careful and thoughtful with our speech and consider what we are going to say before we say it! Ask God to guide your thoughts… which is the first step… and then the words that follow.
When we let our communication with God lapse and begin to try to “go it alone,” we get into trouble. We tend to say and do stupid things. It may seem like a farfetched correlation, but truly, staying close to God – through prayer, Bible study, and listening for His voice in every hour of your day – can directly affect what comes out of your mouth… and how seldom you speak without thinking!
Today, let’s ask God to guide our thoughts and our words. Let’s ask Him to keep us from “acting a fool,” and help us act and speak thoughtfully and in a way that honors our relationship with Him. Let’s do things God’s way instead of ours… and see what a difference He can make in the outcome!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 5, 2010
Psalm 101:5
Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced, and no one who is conceited will be my friend.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Believe it or not, there are people who thrive on gossip and fill their days with it. Do you know someone of whom it is said, “If you want to know what’s going on, just ask So-and-So.” I don’t mean local history or what events are coming up at school or in your community … I mean the down-and-dirty personal details of the lives of others. And people like this live in every community. Have you ever had someone sit with you for a visit, and you felt like the whole time you were talking, they were merely trying to pump you for information about certain situations and people? It’s frustrating, isn’t it?! I surely hope you are not one of these people!
Equally upsetting are those who “put on airs,” as my grandmothers used to say. These are people who look sideways at those who are not “like them” in some way – dress, apparent economic or social status, race, creed, color, and more. I have to admit, I’ve been somewhat convicted lately that I fall into this category for laughing at those “people of Wal-Mart” e-mails I get. “But those are hilarious!” you may be saying… and you’d be right. But I have realized that I am laughing at someone else’s expense. And while they very well may deserve it for dressing in underwear and fur boots or overexposing themselves inappropriately and choosing t-shirts that have indecent slogans, these are still children of our Most High God. He loves them as much as He loves you and me, regardless of their ridiculous choices. By laughing at them, even in private, we are setting ourselves apart – being conceited – and that does not make us a friend of God.
Let’s be honest. Gossip can be fun! We can get big belly laughs from the antics of others, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling “high and mighty.” But all it takes is one dose of being on the wrong end of gossip to know how hurtful this is – and how bad it feels. All it takes is one slip-up and feeling like someone thinks they are better than you to know that this is wrong, un-Godly behavior. And as this passage points out, some day, God will deal with those who gossip and are conceited … and I have a feeling that will be a very embarrassing day for many.
I don’t want to stand before God in heaven some day and have to admit that I gossiped and considered myself to be better than others. I don’t want to hear Him ask me why I thought this was a good idea … or to express disappointment in my behavior choices. More than this, I don’t want to dishonor Him now by choosing behaviors that displease Him. And hopefully, neither do you!
Let’s make a concerted effort to avoid gossip – and let’s operate in a spirit of humility. On any given day, we could bear the brunt of gossip and conceit from others … and we know that would feel awful. Let’s work to make sure that none of this comes from us. Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus at every turn and share His Good News, love, grace and mercy with everyone we encounter.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced, and no one who is conceited will be my friend.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Believe it or not, there are people who thrive on gossip and fill their days with it. Do you know someone of whom it is said, “If you want to know what’s going on, just ask So-and-So.” I don’t mean local history or what events are coming up at school or in your community … I mean the down-and-dirty personal details of the lives of others. And people like this live in every community. Have you ever had someone sit with you for a visit, and you felt like the whole time you were talking, they were merely trying to pump you for information about certain situations and people? It’s frustrating, isn’t it?! I surely hope you are not one of these people!
Equally upsetting are those who “put on airs,” as my grandmothers used to say. These are people who look sideways at those who are not “like them” in some way – dress, apparent economic or social status, race, creed, color, and more. I have to admit, I’ve been somewhat convicted lately that I fall into this category for laughing at those “people of Wal-Mart” e-mails I get. “But those are hilarious!” you may be saying… and you’d be right. But I have realized that I am laughing at someone else’s expense. And while they very well may deserve it for dressing in underwear and fur boots or overexposing themselves inappropriately and choosing t-shirts that have indecent slogans, these are still children of our Most High God. He loves them as much as He loves you and me, regardless of their ridiculous choices. By laughing at them, even in private, we are setting ourselves apart – being conceited – and that does not make us a friend of God.
Let’s be honest. Gossip can be fun! We can get big belly laughs from the antics of others, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling “high and mighty.” But all it takes is one dose of being on the wrong end of gossip to know how hurtful this is – and how bad it feels. All it takes is one slip-up and feeling like someone thinks they are better than you to know that this is wrong, un-Godly behavior. And as this passage points out, some day, God will deal with those who gossip and are conceited … and I have a feeling that will be a very embarrassing day for many.
I don’t want to stand before God in heaven some day and have to admit that I gossiped and considered myself to be better than others. I don’t want to hear Him ask me why I thought this was a good idea … or to express disappointment in my behavior choices. More than this, I don’t want to dishonor Him now by choosing behaviors that displease Him. And hopefully, neither do you!
Let’s make a concerted effort to avoid gossip – and let’s operate in a spirit of humility. On any given day, we could bear the brunt of gossip and conceit from others … and we know that would feel awful. Let’s work to make sure that none of this comes from us. Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus at every turn and share His Good News, love, grace and mercy with everyone we encounter.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 29, 2010
Romans 3:10-18; 21-24
The Scriptures tell us, "No one is acceptable to God! Not one of them understands or even searches for God. They have all turned away and are worthless. There isn't one person who does right. Their words are like an open pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies. Each word is as deadly as the fangs of a snake, and they say nothing but bitter curses. These people quickly become violent. Wherever they go, they leave ruin and destruction. They don't know how to live in peace. They don't even fear God."
Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn't by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About once a week now, I get an e-mail message from a friend or acquaintance that contains “outrageous” information about this politician or celebrity or a current hot topic. People are hitting the “send” button without doing homework and any investigation – assuming the claims are true. They start their forwarded message with an “endorsement” such as “I’m outraged!” or “This made my blood boil!” Were it not so serious, it would almost be laughable at times, because the claims made in the e-mail message appear so ridiculous that you wonder how anyone could have believed them.
But my point is not to make a political or social commentary today about e-mail forwards. My point is that we make snap judgments – all the time. And my question is … “What if our Heavenly Father operated this way?” What if God took a look at you and me and said, “He/she is worthless … there is nothing there to redeem. I saw that indiscretion. I heard that gossip. I see how he/she conducts his/her daily life … I know the thoughts swirling in his/her head, and I am outraged. It makes my blood boil.”
What if God didn’t see our heart? What if He had not sent Jesus to die on the cross and cover our sins, indiscretions and impure thoughts with His own blood? What if we never had the opportunity to invite Jesus to wash us clean and place His Holy Spirit in our hearts, so that God looks deeper and sees beyond our sins?
We all want God to love us … to forgive our sins and accept us – warts and all. But so often, we are totally unwilling to do the same for others. We make snap judgments based on appearance, what we heard through the grapevine, or our own biases and prejudices. Read these verses again. “No one is acceptable to God … there isn’t one person who does right … all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” But the beautiful part is that “God treats us much better than we deserve … He freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.”
We’re willing to accept God’s grace, mercy, love and forgiveness … but are we willing to offer the same to others? Where have you made snap judgments? Where do you need to ask for – and offer – forgiveness? If we are unwilling to pay forward what God has done for us, perhaps we have not truly accepted the gift of salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ.
In order to truly receive acceptance from God – and all of the gifts and blessings He offers us – we must be willing to accept others in His name. Will you “pick and choose” and make rash judgments … or are you ready for the good stuff that comes with letting Jesus work in and through your life? None of us is more acceptable to God than the next. But through faith in Jesus, we can all be set free.
In the words of one person who responded to a group e-mail I received, “Why can’t we all just get along?” It would seem to me that God might be asking this same question of His children. Where do you fit in this? Are you treating others better than they deserve – as God does for us – or are you making snap judgments and leaving ruin and destruction? Don’t you think it’s time we start learning how to live in God’s peace? Isn’t today a good time to begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
The Scriptures tell us, "No one is acceptable to God! Not one of them understands or even searches for God. They have all turned away and are worthless. There isn't one person who does right. Their words are like an open pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies. Each word is as deadly as the fangs of a snake, and they say nothing but bitter curses. These people quickly become violent. Wherever they go, they leave ruin and destruction. They don't know how to live in peace. They don't even fear God."
Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn't by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About once a week now, I get an e-mail message from a friend or acquaintance that contains “outrageous” information about this politician or celebrity or a current hot topic. People are hitting the “send” button without doing homework and any investigation – assuming the claims are true. They start their forwarded message with an “endorsement” such as “I’m outraged!” or “This made my blood boil!” Were it not so serious, it would almost be laughable at times, because the claims made in the e-mail message appear so ridiculous that you wonder how anyone could have believed them.
But my point is not to make a political or social commentary today about e-mail forwards. My point is that we make snap judgments – all the time. And my question is … “What if our Heavenly Father operated this way?” What if God took a look at you and me and said, “He/she is worthless … there is nothing there to redeem. I saw that indiscretion. I heard that gossip. I see how he/she conducts his/her daily life … I know the thoughts swirling in his/her head, and I am outraged. It makes my blood boil.”
What if God didn’t see our heart? What if He had not sent Jesus to die on the cross and cover our sins, indiscretions and impure thoughts with His own blood? What if we never had the opportunity to invite Jesus to wash us clean and place His Holy Spirit in our hearts, so that God looks deeper and sees beyond our sins?
We all want God to love us … to forgive our sins and accept us – warts and all. But so often, we are totally unwilling to do the same for others. We make snap judgments based on appearance, what we heard through the grapevine, or our own biases and prejudices. Read these verses again. “No one is acceptable to God … there isn’t one person who does right … all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” But the beautiful part is that “God treats us much better than we deserve … He freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.”
We’re willing to accept God’s grace, mercy, love and forgiveness … but are we willing to offer the same to others? Where have you made snap judgments? Where do you need to ask for – and offer – forgiveness? If we are unwilling to pay forward what God has done for us, perhaps we have not truly accepted the gift of salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ.
In order to truly receive acceptance from God – and all of the gifts and blessings He offers us – we must be willing to accept others in His name. Will you “pick and choose” and make rash judgments … or are you ready for the good stuff that comes with letting Jesus work in and through your life? None of us is more acceptable to God than the next. But through faith in Jesus, we can all be set free.
In the words of one person who responded to a group e-mail I received, “Why can’t we all just get along?” It would seem to me that God might be asking this same question of His children. Where do you fit in this? Are you treating others better than they deserve – as God does for us – or are you making snap judgments and leaving ruin and destruction? Don’t you think it’s time we start learning how to live in God’s peace? Isn’t today a good time to begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 25, 2010
1 Corinthians 1:10
My dear friends, as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg you to get along with each other. Don't take sides. Always try to agree in what you think.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of the most difficult life experiences is the breakup of two friends. Whether they were married or not doesn’t really matter, although experiencing the divorce of friends is especially tough. If you were close to both persons, it almost always comes down to a matter of choosing “sides.” At least, both members of the couple and their “camps” usually want you to do this. To truly stay neutral and friendly with both parties is a tall order.
Equally difficult is to be friends with people who believe differently than you about such issues as politics, religion, and lifestyle choices. Even being friends with people who smoke or drink when you do not is sometimes difficult.
Paul is not saying in this scripture passage that we should change our beliefs – or even compromise them for friendship. He is saying that there are many situations in which we simply have to “agree to disagree.” I feel one way – you feel another. We can still be friends and get along – we just don’t happen to agree on this issue. I’m not “for” you nor “against” you – I’m just your friend, and I love you.
If we applied this to a lot of different situations in our lives, things would go more smoothly. In a divorce situation, we could say, “He isn’t wrong, and she isn’t right. Clearly, there is conflict and division, but I still love them both and will continue to be cordial and kind toward both of them.” It may be that in order to maintain your neutrality, you have to stop hanging out with either party. But you can still be kind and friendly and love them both. I’ve lived through more than one election where my candidate did not win. That didn’t mean I stopped speaking to friends of mine who supported the winner. It also didn’t mean I changed my mind and supported their candidate(s). It just meant that I chose to love the person and not choose “sides” in particular issues.
We learn from an early age to “choose sides.” Everything from Red Rover games to kickball has teams that are usually chosen one person at a time. And we learn to “choose sides” in arguments, debates and controversies at a young age, too. But we can “unlearn” this habit. We can make a conscious, prayerful effort to be agreeable to all … kind and loving. We can keep our opinions to ourselves – or at least keep them from affecting our relationships with our friends and neighbors. We’ll have to ask God to help us with this one, because Satan will delight in playing the “human nature” card. But it can be done … and God is more than willing to give us the strength and wisdom for this task. The real question is … are you up to the challenge?
©2010 Debbie Robus
My dear friends, as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg you to get along with each other. Don't take sides. Always try to agree in what you think.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of the most difficult life experiences is the breakup of two friends. Whether they were married or not doesn’t really matter, although experiencing the divorce of friends is especially tough. If you were close to both persons, it almost always comes down to a matter of choosing “sides.” At least, both members of the couple and their “camps” usually want you to do this. To truly stay neutral and friendly with both parties is a tall order.
Equally difficult is to be friends with people who believe differently than you about such issues as politics, religion, and lifestyle choices. Even being friends with people who smoke or drink when you do not is sometimes difficult.
Paul is not saying in this scripture passage that we should change our beliefs – or even compromise them for friendship. He is saying that there are many situations in which we simply have to “agree to disagree.” I feel one way – you feel another. We can still be friends and get along – we just don’t happen to agree on this issue. I’m not “for” you nor “against” you – I’m just your friend, and I love you.
If we applied this to a lot of different situations in our lives, things would go more smoothly. In a divorce situation, we could say, “He isn’t wrong, and she isn’t right. Clearly, there is conflict and division, but I still love them both and will continue to be cordial and kind toward both of them.” It may be that in order to maintain your neutrality, you have to stop hanging out with either party. But you can still be kind and friendly and love them both. I’ve lived through more than one election where my candidate did not win. That didn’t mean I stopped speaking to friends of mine who supported the winner. It also didn’t mean I changed my mind and supported their candidate(s). It just meant that I chose to love the person and not choose “sides” in particular issues.
We learn from an early age to “choose sides.” Everything from Red Rover games to kickball has teams that are usually chosen one person at a time. And we learn to “choose sides” in arguments, debates and controversies at a young age, too. But we can “unlearn” this habit. We can make a conscious, prayerful effort to be agreeable to all … kind and loving. We can keep our opinions to ourselves – or at least keep them from affecting our relationships with our friends and neighbors. We’ll have to ask God to help us with this one, because Satan will delight in playing the “human nature” card. But it can be done … and God is more than willing to give us the strength and wisdom for this task. The real question is … are you up to the challenge?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 31, 2010
Colossians 1:13
God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son…
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Many years ago, some teenage boys were spelunking in the area now known as Blanchard Caverns. This was probably the late 1950’s, before the caves were developed for public exploration. These boys found themselves deep within the cave … and they got lost. As the felt around in the scary darkness - not knowing where they were, what was surrounding them, or how to escape - they felt their way along with just the tiny beams of light from their flashlights. Then the unthinkable happened … their flashlight batteries died. Now they were in total darkness.
Miraculously, help came. The boys made their way to an opening in the caves that leads to the outside world, and they were rescued. Today this opening is covered by a metal grate, so that no one can accidentally fall into what could be a world of darkness and danger.
The dark power of Satan is somewhat like that cave … full of all sorts of unknowns, holes, crevices, slick and slippery spots, and dangers at every turn. Many of us are still fumbling around in the cave of Satan’s darkness. We have not recognized that God stands ready to pull us up out of the pit and save us from all of this. He wants to bring us into the light, joy and peace that surround Jesus and give us a place of safety there – and to cover the opening with the “grate” of salvation through Jesus Christ!
For those of us who have been rescued by God, we still want to dance near the edge of the cave sometimes. We peek over the edge and dabble with the temptation and allure that lies in the dark, mysterious pit. We need to stop this! We need to recognize that the power, grace and mercy of God that saved us … the life in Christ and the blessings of His kingdom … are more than enough. We need to be done with Satan, once and for all, and rest in the joy of the awesome rescue of our Almighty God.
Where are you today? Have you managed to get far, far away from the opening to Satan’s darkness, or are you still dancing along the edge, toying with the temptation of what lies beneath? Isn’t it time you moved away once and for all? Is today the day?
©2010 Debbie Robus
God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son…
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Many years ago, some teenage boys were spelunking in the area now known as Blanchard Caverns. This was probably the late 1950’s, before the caves were developed for public exploration. These boys found themselves deep within the cave … and they got lost. As the felt around in the scary darkness - not knowing where they were, what was surrounding them, or how to escape - they felt their way along with just the tiny beams of light from their flashlights. Then the unthinkable happened … their flashlight batteries died. Now they were in total darkness.
Miraculously, help came. The boys made their way to an opening in the caves that leads to the outside world, and they were rescued. Today this opening is covered by a metal grate, so that no one can accidentally fall into what could be a world of darkness and danger.
The dark power of Satan is somewhat like that cave … full of all sorts of unknowns, holes, crevices, slick and slippery spots, and dangers at every turn. Many of us are still fumbling around in the cave of Satan’s darkness. We have not recognized that God stands ready to pull us up out of the pit and save us from all of this. He wants to bring us into the light, joy and peace that surround Jesus and give us a place of safety there – and to cover the opening with the “grate” of salvation through Jesus Christ!
For those of us who have been rescued by God, we still want to dance near the edge of the cave sometimes. We peek over the edge and dabble with the temptation and allure that lies in the dark, mysterious pit. We need to stop this! We need to recognize that the power, grace and mercy of God that saved us … the life in Christ and the blessings of His kingdom … are more than enough. We need to be done with Satan, once and for all, and rest in the joy of the awesome rescue of our Almighty God.
Where are you today? Have you managed to get far, far away from the opening to Satan’s darkness, or are you still dancing along the edge, toying with the temptation of what lies beneath? Isn’t it time you moved away once and for all? Is today the day?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 30, 2010
1 Peter 1:19
You were rescued by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, my mother-in-law found a very dirty baby bib in a box of linens she bought at an estate sale. She tried to clean it with the detergents and bleaching agents she had at home. Since the bib was really cute, she asked my husband to bring it home to me, saying, “There is probably nothing she can do with it, but it’s worth a try.” I soaked it in Oxi-clean, then bleached it, and – voila! – all of the stains came out of the bib, and we have a picture of Timothy wearing it as proof!
My mother-in-law was amazed and pleased. She said, “How did you do that?” When I told her what I had used, she said, “I tried that, but it didn’t work.” We decided she had not used a strong enough concentration of the cleaning agent … a heavy-duty soaking had done the trick. I often have to do this to our white shirts, because I inevitably spill something on mine or rub against something dirty. I love to wear a white shirt, but I’m not very good at keeping them neat and clean. I don’t know how some people manage to wear a white shirt all day and keep it looking crisp, clean, and unwrinkled.
But I do know about Jesus! I know that His blood is better than the big containers of powdered Oxi-clean that sit in my laundry room aside a jug of bleach. I know that Jesus’ blood is more powerful than the best laundry detergent. I know that, Spiritually, I can wear a white shirt every day of the year if I want, because Jesus has washed it, starched and ironed it, and made it spotless! Occasionally, I still spill something on my “Spiritual white shirt,” but I never have to worry about it coming clean again. I have Jesus watching over me, and He sets me back on my feet and gives me another chance.
I think sometimes we are like the bib … we try to remove our sin, but we are using the wrong detergent – or the wrong strength. We are often trying to do things our way, by ourselves, when what we really need is Jesus! We have been rescued by the most powerful “Cleaning Agent” in the universe. Why would we ever use anything else? With Jesus, we can wear white every single day, boldly and with confidence! What is in your “Spiritual closet?” How clean are you “clothes” these days? When you get a stain, do you know where to turn to remove it? Have you been rescued by the precious blood of Christ … the spotless and innocent lamb?
©2010 Debbie Robus
You were rescued by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, my mother-in-law found a very dirty baby bib in a box of linens she bought at an estate sale. She tried to clean it with the detergents and bleaching agents she had at home. Since the bib was really cute, she asked my husband to bring it home to me, saying, “There is probably nothing she can do with it, but it’s worth a try.” I soaked it in Oxi-clean, then bleached it, and – voila! – all of the stains came out of the bib, and we have a picture of Timothy wearing it as proof!
My mother-in-law was amazed and pleased. She said, “How did you do that?” When I told her what I had used, she said, “I tried that, but it didn’t work.” We decided she had not used a strong enough concentration of the cleaning agent … a heavy-duty soaking had done the trick. I often have to do this to our white shirts, because I inevitably spill something on mine or rub against something dirty. I love to wear a white shirt, but I’m not very good at keeping them neat and clean. I don’t know how some people manage to wear a white shirt all day and keep it looking crisp, clean, and unwrinkled.
But I do know about Jesus! I know that His blood is better than the big containers of powdered Oxi-clean that sit in my laundry room aside a jug of bleach. I know that Jesus’ blood is more powerful than the best laundry detergent. I know that, Spiritually, I can wear a white shirt every day of the year if I want, because Jesus has washed it, starched and ironed it, and made it spotless! Occasionally, I still spill something on my “Spiritual white shirt,” but I never have to worry about it coming clean again. I have Jesus watching over me, and He sets me back on my feet and gives me another chance.
I think sometimes we are like the bib … we try to remove our sin, but we are using the wrong detergent – or the wrong strength. We are often trying to do things our way, by ourselves, when what we really need is Jesus! We have been rescued by the most powerful “Cleaning Agent” in the universe. Why would we ever use anything else? With Jesus, we can wear white every single day, boldly and with confidence! What is in your “Spiritual closet?” How clean are you “clothes” these days? When you get a stain, do you know where to turn to remove it? Have you been rescued by the precious blood of Christ … the spotless and innocent lamb?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 28, 2010
Jonah 2:6
I had sunk down below the underwater mountains; I knew that forever, I would be a prisoner there. But, you, LORD God, rescued me from that pit.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
July 22, 2010, will be a day that Lance Treankler never forgets. This resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was driving down a street on Milwaukee’s east side in his Cadillac Escalade, when the road gave way underneath him. He was unconscious for a few seconds before awaking to water rushing over him. He had fallen into a sinkhole created by massive flooding. Treankler managed to get out of his vehicle and stand on the roof, where passerby Mark Pawlik spotted him. Pawlik somehow was able to reach the man caught in the twenty-foot sinkhole. According to a report on CNN.com, Pawlik told Treankler, “"I grabbed your hand. You looked at me and said, 'Get me out of here.'"
In much the same way, God is standing before us, ready to rescue us from the pit of sin. We may not even realize how deeply we have sunk … and we may be somewhat “unconscious” to how serious our situation is. But when we awaken and recognize the seriousness of our situation, God is there… offering His hand.
The question is… are we ready to say to God, “Get me out of here!”? Have we recognized how dangerous and deadly our situation is without His rescue? Have we sunk into a pit of sin and become a prisoner there? Or have we grabbed God’s hand and held on for dear life? It’s time to get out of the pit! It’s time to recognize God’s hand and grab it with all our might. Don’t let the waters of sin cover you a second longer. Take God’s hand and get out of there!
©2010 Debbie Robus
I had sunk down below the underwater mountains; I knew that forever, I would be a prisoner there. But, you, LORD God, rescued me from that pit.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
July 22, 2010, will be a day that Lance Treankler never forgets. This resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was driving down a street on Milwaukee’s east side in his Cadillac Escalade, when the road gave way underneath him. He was unconscious for a few seconds before awaking to water rushing over him. He had fallen into a sinkhole created by massive flooding. Treankler managed to get out of his vehicle and stand on the roof, where passerby Mark Pawlik spotted him. Pawlik somehow was able to reach the man caught in the twenty-foot sinkhole. According to a report on CNN.com, Pawlik told Treankler, “"I grabbed your hand. You looked at me and said, 'Get me out of here.'"
In much the same way, God is standing before us, ready to rescue us from the pit of sin. We may not even realize how deeply we have sunk … and we may be somewhat “unconscious” to how serious our situation is. But when we awaken and recognize the seriousness of our situation, God is there… offering His hand.
The question is… are we ready to say to God, “Get me out of here!”? Have we recognized how dangerous and deadly our situation is without His rescue? Have we sunk into a pit of sin and become a prisoner there? Or have we grabbed God’s hand and held on for dear life? It’s time to get out of the pit! It’s time to recognize God’s hand and grab it with all our might. Don’t let the waters of sin cover you a second longer. Take God’s hand and get out of there!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 18, 2010
2 Peter 1:10
My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all seen and heard a lot in the news lately about Lindsay Lohan. I don’t want to pick on this celebrity, because I truly to not know her heart. But from all appearances, she was given some chances to change – to clean up her act, stop partying, and overcome her addictions to alcohol and drugs. But she continued to “stumble and fall.”
So when she was sitting in a courtroom hearing the judge sentence her to sixty days in jail followed by probationary time, she acted as if she was completely baffled at the sentence. I heard her comment, “I’m 23… if I want to party at night with friends, I should be able to do this.” While she may be of legal age to have a drink in public, no one is legally allowed to drive while drinking…which is one of the things with which Lohan is charged.
My point is that we can’t say we are changed and continue to act the same. We can’t acknowledge that we are chosen by God and continue to live as we please, sin when it’s comfortable and fun, and serve our Heavenly Father only when it is convenient. It’s pretty much an all or nothing deal. But when we act like a chosen child of God… when we acknowledge Him and trust Him to guide our steps, we don’t have to worry about consequences for poor actions and choices. I’m not saying we never sin… because we all do… but when we focus on being who God called us to be, there are fewer chances for Satan to trip us up… and when we do fall short, we readily recognize our errors and quickly make an effort to correct them.
Being a Christian is not a free ride. Acknowledging that God has chosen us comes with responsibility to behave accordingly. We must be ready to serve, honor, and obey God. We must set high standards for ourselves in all areas of life. And in return we will be blessed. We can’t be like the Lindsay Lohans of the world… assuming that we can get by on our status and public popularity. Think of the old adage… “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time.” When it comes to God, there is a way to avoid the “crime” and the “time.” How well are you representing your status in Him these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all seen and heard a lot in the news lately about Lindsay Lohan. I don’t want to pick on this celebrity, because I truly to not know her heart. But from all appearances, she was given some chances to change – to clean up her act, stop partying, and overcome her addictions to alcohol and drugs. But she continued to “stumble and fall.”
So when she was sitting in a courtroom hearing the judge sentence her to sixty days in jail followed by probationary time, she acted as if she was completely baffled at the sentence. I heard her comment, “I’m 23… if I want to party at night with friends, I should be able to do this.” While she may be of legal age to have a drink in public, no one is legally allowed to drive while drinking…which is one of the things with which Lohan is charged.
My point is that we can’t say we are changed and continue to act the same. We can’t acknowledge that we are chosen by God and continue to live as we please, sin when it’s comfortable and fun, and serve our Heavenly Father only when it is convenient. It’s pretty much an all or nothing deal. But when we act like a chosen child of God… when we acknowledge Him and trust Him to guide our steps, we don’t have to worry about consequences for poor actions and choices. I’m not saying we never sin… because we all do… but when we focus on being who God called us to be, there are fewer chances for Satan to trip us up… and when we do fall short, we readily recognize our errors and quickly make an effort to correct them.
Being a Christian is not a free ride. Acknowledging that God has chosen us comes with responsibility to behave accordingly. We must be ready to serve, honor, and obey God. We must set high standards for ourselves in all areas of life. And in return we will be blessed. We can’t be like the Lindsay Lohans of the world… assuming that we can get by on our status and public popularity. Think of the old adage… “If you do the crime, you gotta do the time.” When it comes to God, there is a way to avoid the “crime” and the “time.” How well are you representing your status in Him these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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