Daily Devotional for November 14, 2016

Romans 1:8-12
First, I thank God in the name of Jesus Christ for all of you. I do this because people everywhere in the world are talking about your faith. God has seen how I never stop praying for you, while I serve him with all my heart and tell the good news about his Son.

In all my prayers, I ask God to make it possible for me to visit you. I want to see you and share with you the same blessings that God’s Spirit has given me. Then you will grow stronger in your faith. What I am saying is that we can encourage each other by the faith that is ours.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

In the last 24 hours, I have referenced faith THREE TIMES in correspondence with friends who are concerned about the future.  I’ve prayed for loved ones and acquaintances that are in some difficult situations…and I’ve asked God to work as only He can.

The Apostle Paul speaks in this passage of wishing he could meet some of his loved ones and friends in person, so that they could encourage one another in the LORD face to face.  I know that when I am encouraging Timothy, Zola and Nathan, they sometimes need a hug and a smile to go with my words of hope.  And we adults are no different!

But let’s be real…we can’t be everywhere at once.  So we have the next best thing…correspondence!  We have letters, cards, e-mail messages, texts, FaceTime, Skype…and the telephone!  And we ALWAYS have prayer.  We really have no excuse for failing to encourage one another and sharing our faith in God to see us through every situation and circumstance.  If the Apostle Paul could do this so effectively from his jail cell…surely WE can do this from the comfort of our own home/school/workplace - or wherever we happen to find ourselves!

So here’s my message to you today…keep the faith!  We say we believe in God and trust Him to do all things…now is the time to demonstrate this!  Encourage your friends and neighbors.  If you are with them in person, smile and offer them a hug when they need it.  If you are using modern technology to correspond, include a hopeful emoji where appropriate.  Write a note…send a card…pick up the phone…PRAY!

Fill your heart and mind with the hope and faith that God is still in control – of EVERYTHING – and let others truly see this at work in you.  And let’s all get started today!

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 3, 2015

2 Timothy 1:6-8
...I want to remind you to stir into flame the strength and boldness that is in you, that entered into you when I laid my hands upon your head and blessed you. For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.

If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord or to let them know that I am your friend even though I am here in jail for Christ’s sake. You will be ready to suffer with me for the Lord, for he will give you strength in suffering.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
       
In October 2014, I shared some of my Mam-ma Polly’s prized “Kentucky Wonder” bean seeds with friends who were visiting from Pennsylvania.  These friends are gardening enthusiasts extraordinaire!  They planted the seeds last summer and harvested a bumper crop of beans.  And a couple of days ago, a squishy padded envelope arrived in our mailbox – dried beans that our friends returned to us with best wishes for a good crop of our own next year.  I shared this story with my mother, and we agreed that my Mam-ma Polly would be tickled pink by this.  To her, “Kentucky Wonder” beans were like gold!

This got me thinking about my Mam-ma Polly.  She’s been on my mind a lot lately.  My grandmother was not afraid to speak her mind – about anything!  As I noted at her funeral, she was a mess – but she was our mess!  For all of the 56 years that I knew her, my Mam-ma Polly was never shy about sharing Jesus with others.  She did this in direct ways…and in subtle gestures.  Her table always had room for one more.  When she met a new neighbor, her first question was always, “Where do you go to church?”  She cared for the sick, shared with the needy, and prayed without ceasing.  She was an extraordinary role model for love of others and Christian discipleship…and I am blessed by her legacy.

In this letter from the Apostle Paul, we see him encourage Timothy to be bold and courageous…to call on the strength and inner power of God’s Holy Spirit as he represented the love and mercy of Jesus Christ to others.  And this is what we are called to do.  This is a season of generosity…of sharing love and giving to others.  We seem to find it easier to do this in December as we “get in the Christmas mood.”  But we need to expand our boldness and discipleship to the other eleven months as well.

It’s easier to share Jesus in these holiday weeks.  We smile more…we say “Merry Christmas” and display signage on everything from ornaments to sweatshirts that says, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”  We give to charities, bake goodies for friends and acquaintances, and carefully select gifts for everyone from family members to co-workers and needy children.  We attend programs that proclaim the “Joy to the World” of Jesus’ coming.  We generally demonstrate in ways great and small how much we love Jesus - and how glad we are to celebrate His birth.

My challenge for all of us is to take a page from my Mam-ma Polly’s book and extend this spirit to encompass the entire year.  Let’s be more bold and courageous in our demonstrations of Christian faith and love.  Let’s do whatever it takes to become more comfortable sharing our story and telling others what Jesus has done in our lives.  This may require some practice…but I can tell you, repetition does make it easier!  Let’s get in the pattern of smiling more and representing the joy that comes from the peace of our salvation and faith in Jesus.

Even something as simple as the exchange of some pole bean seed can be an act of Christian love and discipleship.  I shared one of my grandmother’s most prized possessions with friends…and they reciprocated.  This opened the door for dialog and the exchange of love and friendship halfway across the country…and that’s sometimes all it takes to allow others to see Jesus in us…and to spur a deeper discussion of Christian faith. 

So get started…just jump in with both feet and do it!  Reach out to someone with a smile and a kind word or gesture, and see where God takes you.  Love people and genuinely enjoy being with them…and discover where and how God will stir the flame of boldness to further His Kingdom.

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 15, 2015

James 2:21-24
Don’t you remember that even our father Abraham was declared good because of what he did when he was willing to obey God, even if it meant offering his son Isaac to die on the altar? You see, he was trusting God so much that he was willing to do whatever God told him to; his faith was made complete by what he did—by his actions, his good deeds. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say, that Abraham trusted God, and the Lord declared him good in God’s sight, and he was even called “the friend of God.” So you see, a man is saved by what he does, as well as by what he believes.

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

Yesterday, Timothy wanted me to play “Spiderman” with him.  What this amounted to was that I pretended that a “villain” was after me…and Timothy pretended to be Spiderman and rescued me with his “webs” that he “shot” from his hands to capture the bad guy.  He thought of several villains for me to pretend were attacking…and then he said, “Now, you think of one.”  I chose Cat Woman.  He said, “No, no!  Cat Woman goes with Batman.  Well, okay…I’ll be Batman.”

So Timothy pretended to be Batman (and he changed his “voice” to fit the character). I told him that Cat Woman was bothering me, and he looked a little frustrated and said, “Well…she’s kinda my wife, so I can’t really do anything about that!  But I guess I could talk to her and see if she will leave you alone.”

So often, we are like the Timothy/Batman character.  We tell God…I hear you calling for me to do XYZ…but my hands are tied.  There’s really not much I can do.  (Insert excuses here!)  We claim weakness of some sort…lack of time…desire to pursue other interests…feelings of inferiority, and more.  We blame our family, our job, and our studies. Sometimes, we like how things are going…even when we know that what we are doing is not really what God wants. And sometimes, we just simply are not willing to do what God asks, whether we readily admit this or not.

Do these sound like the actions of someone who has unwavering faith in God to handle every single detail?  Does this reflect the confidence of someone who truly believes that when God calls us to do something, He will adjust our schedules, smooth out the rough spots, and fully equip us to do it?  Is our trust in God as strong as that of Abraham?  Could we place our child upon an altar, draw a sharp knife, and prepare to sacrifice him/her because we “heard” or “felt” an unseen God tell us to do this?

Just how big is our faith, anyway?!  When we claim to trust in God for all things, are we making a point…or are we making a difference?  Do our words and actions demonstrate our confidence and obedience…or have we tailored a Christian “faith” that suits our timetable and personal desires?  Do our excuses sound about as lame as those of a six-year-old “Batman” who claims he has little control over a villain?

Look…true Christian faith is scary sometimes.  God calls us to step up – and out – and to do some pretty daunting things.  Speaking up is hard for some of us, while others find it a stretch to give up control – of lots of things!  But all we have to do is think about Jesus…how He obeyed God…how he suffered and sacrificed – and stood up for you and me, in amazing, incomprehensible ways. 

Now I ask you again…how big is your faith…and are you ready to show it? 

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 31, 2014

1 John 5:13-15
My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.
 
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.
 
Timothy and our cousin Owen (who is six weeks younger than Timothy) both visited us one day last summer.  I had to laugh at them.  Owen has not spent nearly as much time at our house as Timothy has…and Timothy made sure Owen knew that!  He demonstrated his familiarity by helping himself to his “owie bags” from the freezer and more.  Timothy knew where we kept his favorite snacks…what items and areas of our house were off limits, and more.  And he felt quite comfortable making himself at home and asking for anything…confident that we were listening and would answer (and hopefully give him whatever he requested)!
 
Timothy wasn’t ugly about it, but he clearly let Owen knew that he “belonged” at our house…and this gave him special advantages!  He was kind and shared his toys (for the most part)…and in the end, I am sure Owen thought our house was a pretty neat place to visit, too.
 
What about us?  Do we let others know that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is pretty neat?  Do we live in such a way that others see the “perks” of belonging to Jesus?  Do we share His gifts and blessings…love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and understanding with others?  Or are we selfish with them…even smug and arrogant about our salvation and the relationship we have with Jesus?  Do we let others know that they can enjoy the same bond with Christ that we have?
 
Do we demonstrate the power of prayer…by offering to pray for others and letting them know how God has answered us?  Or are we embarrassed – or even too lazy or ashamed – to share our faith with others?  Do we keep our blessings in Christ to ourselves?  Do others even know we are a Christian?
 
Isn’t it time that we started claiming God’s amazing gift and blessings in our life…and freely communicating with Him in full confidence that His will is perfect – and anything we ask for that aligns with His will, He will grant us?  Shouldn’t we be demonstrating our hope and confidence in Christ to others?  Shouldn’t they be readily able to discern Whose we are…and shouldn’t they desire this same salvation and access to God for themselves?
 
Just how familiar are you with God?  Are you comfortable making yourself at home with Him and asking for anything?  How often do you give others a reason to desire these same advantages for themselves?  Isn’t it time you started “representing” Jesus?  Will this be the day that you begin?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 31, 2013

Matthew 10:17-23
“Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
 
“When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
 
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 can remember times when I was growing up that certain friends and acquaintances did not include me in an activity or conversation because they thought I would not approve, based on my church affiliation.  Whether their assumption was correct or not, they must have assumed that I would judge them… so they judged me first!  I wasn’t invited to certain parties… I was excluded from a few “cliques”.  Honestly, I wasn’t all that popular.  It wasn’t that I was judgmental – or even that I was especially vocal about my faith.  It was more that since I attended a certain church with a reputation for believing particular things, others assumed that I felt the same way and would probably condemn those who attended elsewhere – or nowhere at all!
 
Like many, I was stung by these judgments… so much so that I distanced myself from church in my early adulthood.  I never turned my back on God, but I tried to be more “regular”… to fit in and avoid situations where others might label me a “Jesus freak” – or even “religious” or “spiritual”.  Maybe you have done this, too.  It’s an easy trap to fall into…and there is a certain comfort level in hanging out “under the radar,” so to speak.  Nobody expects very much of you there… and most never think to judge you one way or the other.
 
As God began to help me through some difficult and challenging situations, I realized that being bold in my faith was not an option… it was an obligation.  But there is a caveat… we Christians walk a fine line between being effective examples of faith in Jesus Christ – and being obnoxious fools. There will always be those who label us as “the token Christian of the family”… a “Jesus freak”… “the Church lady”…”religious fanatics”…or some other tag meant to demean and offend us.  The temptation will be there to close our mouths, lay low, and try to fit in with the rest of the world.  But we must listen to Jesus’ words in this passage… “Don’t quit!  Don’t cave in! It is all well worth it in the end.”
 
How do we do this?  I don’t have a solid answer for you.  But I can give you a couple of working examples.  I have two very dear lifelong friends, JR and John, who have always been loved and accepted by others as kind, hardworking men… good husbands, fathers, and in one case – an adoring grandfather.  You will see them at outings from school sporting events to civic gatherings. They take their wives to the movies – as one of them put it…“to see a chick flick with my chick!”  And you will see them at church on Sundays, where one serves as a pastor – the other (also an ordained minister) serves as a minister of music.
 
These men are not “preachy” or pushy about their faith, but their quiet, wise demeanor speaks volumes about their Christian faith.  Both have a way of offering a welcoming smile and calming, sage advice… of praying over a friend with wisdom and confidence… of saying just what needs to be said and showing up at exactly the right time.  And I have seen both of them criticized for their stance…and judged unfairly.
 
In my book, these men have mastered the “dance” of proclaiming love in the midst of hate.  They have figured out how to “win friends and influence people” by simply living for Jesus.  Yes, they are pastors… but they do not “preach” outside of the pulpit.  On the street on an ordinary weekday, they are just JR and John… men who love God and care deeply about His people… and it shows.  They do more to win over the naysayers with their quiet strength than a dozen sidewalk evangelists!  And we would do well to take a good long look at their “Christian business model” and copy it in our own daily living.
 
If you are persecuted or judged for your faith, I’m sorry… it’s often part of Discipleship.  But there are things we can do to temper this.  We don’t have to stop proclaiming the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ… or sharing what great things He has done in our own lives with those around us.  But we can ask God to grant us the wisdom and good sense to know when to simply BE… to love others unconditionally and SHOW them how we have been blessed rather than by telling them… to quietly distance ourselves from activities and conversations that we know are wrong, rather than making a big noise about it… to show others that living for Jesus doesn’t make us weird or superior – or even dull and boring!
 
We can show others that a life in Christ is filled with peace, joy, and abiding comfort in all situations.  Maybe then, others will want what we have for themselves.  Isn’t it worth a shot?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 11, 2013

Matthew 17:20
“Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”

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

Have you ever eaten something with little seeds – poppy seed muffins, blackberries, blueberries or strawberries, etc. – and gotten one stuck in your teeth? It felt like the thing is the size of a marble… right? Yet when the tiny offender was removed, you might have been amazed at how insignificant in size it truly was. Still, it wielded great power – or discomfort – over your life.

Last week, a friend of mine lost her 51-year-old sister to cancer. As I exchanged messages with her, I shared with her how I try to do things for others – to show them kindness, empathy and encouragement – in honor of my brother, Tim, who left us over 14 years ago. I challenged her to honor HER sister in this way… to carry Cindy's amazing legacy for being the hands and feet of Jesus forward to those she encounters.

This week, my cousin’s 42-year-old wife died suddenly from breast cancer. We never even knew she was ill. She masked her rapid decline and talked only of Jesus and how He was allowing her to share in the ministry she and my cousin had founded - and to win countless souls for the Kingdom of Heaven. So in consoling my cousin, I have encouraged him to keep putting one foot in front of the other… to continue the work – and in so doing, to honor Angie as He honors his faith in God.

Neither one of these ladies were community leaders or well-known figures. But mention either name, and you should hear the chatter! You should see Facebook light up with comments about each one and how she blessed others – and how both of these women were on fire for Jesus. They may have been “tiny poppy seeds” on this earth… but their impact was tremendous. God’s power and strength coursing through them could not be contained… it radiated outwardly to everyone they encountered.

What about you? What are you doing with your faith and God’s blessings? Even if you only have “poppy seed faith” – or “mustard seed faith” as many translations of this scripture call it – this is enough to accomplish tremendous things in the name of Jesus. You have Supernatural power and energy running through your veins! How are you using it?

Do you put one foot in front of the other – even when what little faith you may have is tested – and see where God can take you? Isn’t it time you opened your heart to the possibilities He offers? What are you waiting for? There is NOTHING you cannot tackle with God… NOTHING! Are you ready to take Him seriously?

©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 13, 2012

Luke 1:11-17
All at once an angel from the Lord appeared to Zechariah at the right side of the altar. Zechariah was confused and afraid when he saw the angel. But the angel told him:

Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you must name him John. His birth will make you very happy, and many people will be glad. Your son will be a great servant of the Lord. He must never drink wine or beer, and the power of the Holy Spirit will be with him from the time he is born.

John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord with the same power and spirit that Elijah had. And because of John, parents will be more thoughtful of their children. And people who now disobey God will begin to think as they ought to. That is how John will get people ready for the Lord.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Few, if any of us have experienced a miracle – or a turning point – on the scale of what happened to Zechariah! But I would be willing to bet that God has heard your prayers at some point and answered you in a way you never expected… done something for you that you had imagined was pretty nearly impossible.

How did this make you feel? How did it affect your attitude toward God? Did you become more determined to serve Him? Was your faith increased as a result?

My point is twofold:

1. While this is human nature, we really shouldn’t have to be dumbstruck by God in order to truly serve Him or believe in His promises, and
2. Never stop praying and believing, because God will answer… often when you least expect it.

I could cite more than one example of how God has answered my own prayers and facilitated amazing turning points. Hopefully, you have many examples of your own that you could share, as well. But know this… God is faithful to us. When we communicate with Him and honor Him with our actions and serve in His name, He blesses. He answers… delivers…indulges us in ways we cannot even imagine - with gifts and favor beyond anything we could dare to dream!

Never give up on God! He most certainly has not given up on you! Your blessings may not be as profound as those He gave to Zechariah… but they will be no less significant in your own life – or toward furthering His kingdom. Stay awake and alert… ready to be blessed… and always, always, trust in the LORD’s ability to use you!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 12, 2012

Isaiah 64:3-4, 8-9
Your fearsome deeds have completely amazed us; even the mountains shake when you come down. You are the only God ever seen or heard of who works miracles for his followers.

You, Lord, are our Father. We are nothing but clay, but you are the potter who molded us. Don’t be so furious or keep our sins in your thoughts forever! Remember that all of us are your people.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

In the songbook Then Sings My Soul, an account is given of the life of Adelaide A. Pollard, author of the well-known hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Pollard was apparently healed of diabetes in the early 1900s, through the ministry of a Scottish-born faith healer, John Alexander Dowie. Years later, she sat in a prayer meeting… her heart heavy because she could not raise the necessary funds to travel to Africa as a missionary. Another lady attending the meeting prayed, “It doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives, LORD. Just have your own way with us.”

Pollard had recently read the story of the potter and the clay in Jeremiah 18, where in verse six, God says, “People of Israel, I, the Lord, have power over you, just as a potter has power over clay.” She used this verse and the woman’s prayer as inspiration to create the well-loved hymn. In the verses, she asks repeatedly, “Have Thine own way, LORD! Have Thine own way!” and she reminds God that “Thou art the Potter… I am the clay.” In the third verse she says, “Wounded and weary… help me, I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!” And finally, she asks, “Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see, Christ only, always… living in me!”

As someone who attends a contemporary worship service most Sundays, I have to tell you that I miss old hymns like this one. I didn’t fully appreciate them when I was young… and I remember thinking this one was particularly mournful… but that had more to do with the tune itself and the tempo than the words themselves. There is something truly beautiful about so many of the old hymns, and this one is no exception. In these verses, we are reminded that God is willing to reward those who step out and spend time with Him. “Hold o’er my being absolute sway,”… then “Touch me and heal me” with your power!... can there be a stronger statement of faith and commitment?

We all get discouraged from time to time… and clearly, Adelaide Pollard did, as well. Even after being healed of a life-altering disease, she still found the need to humble herself before God and ask for a miracle. But the key point here is that God did answer… and eventually, Pollard made it to Africa. However, World War I caused her to move to Scotland – and eventually back to America, where she spoke frequently to groups, ministered to others, and wrote poetry. She was on her way to a speaking engagement in Pennsylvania, when she was stricken with a seizure and later died.

Surely God worked in the life of Adelaide Pollard and “had His own way” with her heart. Clearly she trusted Him to fill her with the Holy Spirit… and to lean on His wisdom and plans for her life. I find it inspiring that examples of faith know no time limit… what worked for a woman in the early 1900s can work for us in 2012 – and beyond. All we have to do is to ask God to “Have Thine own way” and to trust Him to mold us and make us after His own will. If we will sincerely and humbly do this, I truly believe that “we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Are you ready to find out for yourself? Will this be the day you truly ask God to “Have Thine own way?”

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 23, 2012

Colossians 1:3-5
Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can't quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you! We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians. The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope.

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.

You may have heard the saying that “Iron sharpens iron.” We’ve all heard coaches talk about a team leader who strengthens other players as he/she “leads by example.” Perhaps there are people in your own circle of influence who have strengthened and encouraged you by their perseverance and faith that never seems to waver.

This passage reminds us that God has already delivered us from our sins, if we have claimed Jesus as our Savior. He has already paved the way and anchored the “lines of purpose” in our lives. We can be strengthened and blessed by God’s abundant blessings. We can prosper in all areas of life because of what He has established in and for us. The hope of spending an eternity in His presence keeps those “ropes” taut.

God is using people all around you to bless and strengthen you in His name… and He wants to use you to do this for others, as well. Look around and see who is strengthening and encouraging you. What examples of faith has God placed before you? How is He working in your own life to keep the “ropes” taut… and how can you lead by example? When was the last time you thanked God for those who bless and encourage you… and when was the last time you thanked them for being so faithful and strong?

Just as God can strengthen and bless you through His blessings, He can use you to do the same for others. Are you open to the possibilities? Remember, people are watching you! The question is… what sort of “lifelines” do they see? Are your “lines of purpose” tightly secured by hope and faith? Are you living as “God’s iron” to sharpen and encourage others in your circle? Isn’t it time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 13, 2012

Romans 3:1-6
So what difference does it make who's a Jew and who isn't, who has been trained in God's ways and who hasn't? As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference—but not the difference so many have assumed. First, there's the matter of being put in charge of writing down and caring for God's revelation, these Holy Scriptures.

So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn't abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness? Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same: Your words stand fast and true; rejection doesn't faze you.

But if our wrongdoing only underlines and confirms God's rightdoing, shouldn't we be commended for helping out? Since our bad words don't even make a dent in his good words, isn't it wrong of God to back us to the wall and hold us to our word? These questions come up. The answer to such questions is no, a most emphatic No! How else would things ever get straightened out if God didn't do the straightening?

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

Have you ever been “stood up”? Has someone ever told you they would call you, stop by and see you, or help you with something… then they either called and said they weren’t available – or you never heard from them at all? It stinks, doesn’t it? And honestly, don’t you know people who seldom – if ever – keep their word? I have said of more than one such person… “If their lips are moving, they are probably lying.” That’s a pretty sad commentary, isn’t it?

You may also know people who profess to be Christians… but they take great license with their salvation. It’s as if they feel that because they are saved by the blood of Jesus, they have a free ticket to do as they please without fear of any consequences. Clearly, this passage shows us that God is not happy by our assumptions. GOD’s words matter… OUR words matter… and so do the actions we put behind them!

God would never think of going back on His word… and neither should we! We should never “abandon our post” and dishonor Him by interpreting scripture to suit our own purposes…taking our salvation for granted… or speaking “bad words” to others. As Disciples of Christ, we are called to honor His sacrifice by speaking words that are true, hopeful, positive, kind, and reliable. When we say we will do something, we should do it. When we promise to call or help someone, we must follow through and show up. We must remember WHOSE we are – and what it cost for us to become heirs to His throne… and we must behave honorably even when all around us seem to have lost their heads!

There will be times when we become discouraged. We will feel that God’s promises of blessings, good health and prosperity must be meant for someone else. We will have struggles, challenges, and disappointments… and the natural tendency will be to blame God – or at least complain to Him loudly. We will be tempted to throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” The short answer is that every word from God is true, whether it lines up with physical fact or not. We can’t always see what God is doing in our lives… so we live in faith that He is really at work in us.

Don’t become discouraged. Work hard to be more like Jesus every day. Make your word your bond… and believe that God’s word is infallible. Honor your commitments… to God and to others. In my notes, I have written… “You can’t expect things to come if you don’t call them. Call healing when you are sick… call prosperity when you are poor… call light when there is darkness. Keep asking… seeking… calling until it comes. Get violent (intense) faith.” What are you speaking today? Are your words your bond… or are you merely offering lip service - to God and others? Do you believe what God is speaking over your life? Can others believe your words, as well? What is God saying to you this day… and how will you respond?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 29, 2012

Genesis 15:1-6
After all these things, this word of God came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram. I'm your shield. Your reward will be grand!" Abram said, "God, Master, what use are your gifts as long as I'm childless and Eliezer of Damascus is going to inherit everything?" Abram continued, "See, you've given me no children, and now a mere house servant is going to get it all."

Then God's Message came: "Don't worry, he won't be your heir; a son from your body will be your heir." Then he took him outside and said, "Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You're going to have a big family, Abram!" And he believed! Believed God! God declared him "Set-Right-with-God."

Romans 4:17-18
We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!”

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

In October 2010, I bought a workout video and told myself that I would do this… I would get in shape and become more healthy. The first day, I put the DVD in the machine and did as much of the workout as I could… and I honestly thought I might die. My legs shook like jelly for about an hour. I could not get my breath, my heart pounded, and I hurt – everywhere. The trainer on the DVD said, “If you are on Day Six or Seven, these exercises are probably already a little easier than on Day One.” Yeah, right! I wondered if I would ever even see Day Six or Seven. But her words encouraged me, and I took a giant leap of faith and trusted that in time, I truly would be able to do the workout routine… and hopefully I would become healthier and more fit.


More than a year later, I am able to do things I never dreamed I could do –pushups, jogging and weight lifting. I can balance and flex in ways I never thought possible at my age, and I’ve lowered my cholesterol and other “numbers” while becoming more fit and healthy. I listened to the trainer and kept the faith that she would deliver on her promises of strength and stamina. Now, when I face an exercise that seems daunting – or impossible – I look at how far I have come, and I realize that maybe I can actually do this! I know it is at least worth my best shot!


So often in life, we consider the problem… and not the promise. We look at the obstacles in our life… age, heritage, home life, health, economic status, race, level of education, and more… and we say, “There’s no way I can overcome this. I can never do what God is asking of me. I can never be what He thinks I can be. This is totally hopeless.” In truth, whatever God desires for you is entirely possible… from serving others in His name to serving on a committee at church or in your community to being a leader in your community, state, or country.


If God wants you to be a parent, head a major corporation, or serve as a missionary in a foreign land… He will equip you for the task. If He wants you to be able to purchase your own home and vehicle, overcome an addiction, or even lose a few pounds and get in shape, He can help you accomplish this. Our job is to focus on the promise… not the problem. Satan will try to trip us up at every turn by telling us that we are not good enough… that our situation is hopeless… that the promises are too grand, out of our league, and completely unattainable.


God has created a covenant partnership with us, as believers in Jesus Christ. He has promised that all things are possible, according to His will, when we trust Him. God NEVER defaults on a promise. The best thing we can do is continue to trust God even when we can’t see how things are going to come together. Just as it took several weeks of huffing and puffing and only being able to do small portions of the daily workout routine before I began to see any results, we often have to huff and puff along with God for a while before we catch a glimmer of the work He is doing in our lives.


We must not stagger… we must not backslide… and we most certainly must not give up! Have faith that God will deliver on His promises… keep plugging away at whatever path He has placed before you. Live on the basis of what God has said He will do… not what you can’t accomplish on your own. Pay attention to the small gains you make along the way, and stop to thank God for even small victories. When everything looks hopeless, listen for God’s voice… and keep going. Strengthen your faith as you grow in God’s promises. Focus on the potential for days when your “workout” will become easier… and all that you strived to accomplish has been delivered.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 11, 2011

John 19: 25-27
Jesus' mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. When Jesus saw his mother and his favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, "This man is now your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is now your mother." From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I have a collection of nativity scenes that I display on my piano and other areas of my piano room each Christmas. This collection includes probably a dozen “nativity” Christmas ornaments that hang on our big tree, as well. Numbering well over 50 sets, my collection would be considered out of control by some. But for me, setting out my nativities is one of the highlights of the Christmas season.

In recent years, I began to acquire the occasional Madonna figurine at auctions and sales, and these began to find a home in my display. I am not one who prays to the Virgin Mary. I do not believe she has the Divine Power of Jesus or our Heavenly Father. But I do respect her as a very important person in Christian history. And as I have “mothered” little Timothy often in the last two years, I have come to better understand her position – her sacrifices – and her deep, abiding faith.

I am not sure I could have accepted Mary’s mission. When the angel appeared and said, “You are going to bear a baby, even though you are a virgin and it could very well cost you your reputation and your fiancé,” I might have said, “Whoa… hang on there! I think I’ll pass!” But scripture says that Mary accepted the angel’s declaration – in fact, she welcomed it! She trusted God to work out the details… and He did.

I am pretty sure I could not have followed my son - who was beaten almost beyond recognition - up the hill to Calvary and watch as soldiers drove spikes through his hands and feet and hung him on a cross to die. Yet Mary endured this and stayed with Jesus until the very end of His earthly life.

Yes, I have a newfound respect for Mary in recent years. When I look at my figurines that are supposed to remind me of her, I am indeed reminded of the incredible faith that she exhibited. Each Christmas season, as I display my nativity scenes and remember the birth of Jesus, I will look at my Madonna figurines and remind myself that God can do incredible things, if only we will trust Him. I may never have true Mother Mary faith… but I can keep trying. Will you?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 8, 2011

Psalm 143:5-6
I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

A friend and I were talking recently about tragic events that have occurred in our community. In the conversation, we mentioned some who were hurting emotionally – and others who had been through similar experiences. We noted how God could use those hurtful experiences for good. I shared with her my own experience as the “replacement” teacher for a young woman who had suffered a brain aneurysm and died. Many of the other teachers, including the woman’s best friend who taught next door, resented my presence. It took me years to realize that the anger and resentment was not personal… those who were hurting simply did not know where else to direct it other than toward me.

The very next year, the best-friend teacher was tragically killed in a car accident over the Thanksgiving break. Now there was a “replacement” teacher next door. And I found myself able to commiserate with her and offer encouragement. When she had an unpleasant or upsetting experience, she would come to me, and I would acknowledge her feelings and share how I had handled similar events. I remember the day she found the teacher’s coffee cup tucked away on a closet shelf… and I was able to say, “I found my teacher’s umbrella hanging on the closet doorknob. I understand.”

Through the years, I have gained a tremendous understanding of the many things God did in years gone by… and how they have provided both moments of great comfort and encouragement – and opportunities to bless others in His name. When I reflect on the many times that God has shown up in my life in ways I didn’t expect and couldn’t even imagine, I am truly overwhelmed. It is very much like water for the desert of a thirsty soul.

Wherever you find yourself today… in whatever circumstances you are experiencing… know that God can bless and comfort you. He can use these events – and you – to bless others in the future. He can nurture your heart and water your thirsty soul. Lift your hands and pray. Receive all that He wants to give you this day… and always.

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 13, 2011

John 17:13-23
Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing so my people can experience my joy completed in them. I gave them your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn't join the world's ways, just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes so they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission.

I'm praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they'll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved me.

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.

Recently I told you about watching a television program called “Our America with Lisa Ling,” which documented the experiences of veterans with PTSD who were attending a week-long therapy retreat in New Mexico. I was struck by the words of a Native American “Medicine Man” to one of the veterans… “You did what you were supposed to do. This is not on you.” These words truly struck a chord with me, because so often, we do all God is calling us to do in a specific situation… yet we feel like we need to do more. We become mired in guilt and frustration and fail to recognize that often, we must step away in order for God to finish the job.

Jesus is saying in this passage, “I have done what I came to earth to do. I have nurtured these Disciples and given them the foundation and tools to grow in Your love… now it is time for God to take over. He will equip these believers to witness to others. He will strengthen them and meet their daily needs.” Notice that Jesus continues to pray for these people, but He does not anguish over what is beyond His control… and He does not try to do God’s work for Him.

I don’t know what is happening in your life. I know that it is human nature to give our concerns to God… then pick them up again. We lack faith… our trust in God is often shallow. Today, I feel quite certain you have something that you need to give to God. It may be a friend or family member… it may be a co-worker or classmate. Maybe you are working and studying as hard as you can in a difficult class, and you need to ask God to make the difference and bless your efforts. Maybe you have spread yourself as thinly as you can to help this cause and another… and it’s time to take a breath and let God work and multiply your service. Maybe you have carried a burden of guilt and shame over a situation that you supposedly gave to God a long time ago… but you keep picking it back up and stewing about it over and again.

Today is the day to ask God… “Have I done all I can in this instance? Is it time to let go and trust You to do the rest?” This is the time to stop berating yourself over things you were never supposed to accomplish on your own… to ask God to “take it from here.” In some way/shape/form, you have done all you can do… you have done your part… now it’s time to let God do His. Are you ready to do this?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 10, 2011

Psalm 131
I am not conceited, LORD, and I don't waste my time on impossible schemes. But I have learned to feel safe and satisfied, just like a young child on its mother's lap. People of Israel, you must trust the LORD now and forever.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Last week, my nephew Timothy came home from daycare one day feeling very tired and cranky. He stood in the middle of the room and cried, saying, “I sad.” I scooped him up and soothed him. I really don’t know for sure why Timothy felt sad… and he might have simply been tired and unable to express that. The next day, I sat on my grandmother’s bed and wrapped her in a hug as she cried. I’m not sure exactly why she was so sad, except it was her 99th birthday, and she is feeling old and tired. In each case, my hug and snuggle was soothing to a point… but it was something of a “Band-aid” approach to the real cause of their sadness.

Sometimes the best thing I can give Timothy is a snuggle on my lap. He settles in when he is tired, sad, frightened… or just needs a hug. I know from his body language that he feels safe and satisfied. This reminds me of how secure I felt when I was little and an older cousin or an adult family member snuggled me. Now I find a grown-up comfort in snuggling in my husband’s arms. And in the last few years, I’ve come to truly appreciate the safety and satisfaction of settling into the lap of Jesus and resting there.

Hugs from another human being are important… and helpful. But the real hug we need is the one from God… the one that says, “I’ll handle this for you… just sit here and rest.” See, we can’t fix everything ourselves… and we’re crazy and conceited if we think we can. We must learn to really trust God to take our worries, cares, and burdens… our sins and our shortcomings… and sort them out, repair the damage, and set us upright again. And we must truly leave these things to God and not pick them up over and again.

After a little time, Timothy got down from my lap and started happily playing again. My grandmother dried her tears and greeted a well-wisher who had stopped in to say “Happy Birthday.” I didn’t fix their problems, but I made them feel loved and secure for a few minutes. And after God comforts us, we can slide off of His lap and move forward, restored and renewed. The difference is that God truly can handle things for us and make things better.

We are so blessed to have a God who loves us like this. We should be thanking Him daily for His love and comfort and truly trusting Him now and forever. The sooner we learn to turn to God for safety and satisfaction, the better. Have you spent some time in His lap lately?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 20, 2011

John 13:36-38
Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You can't go with me now, but later on you will." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I go with you now? I would die for you!" "Would you really die for me?" Jesus asked. "I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't even know me."

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

If an emergency arises on an airplane, adult passengers traveling with a child are told to put on their oxygen masks first before they mask their children. This is to ensure that they have the capability to assist their little ones. In other words, they have to save themselves first in order to be able to save anyone else.

Sometimes there is a progression that must be followed in certain situations in order to obtain the desired outcome. Peter had to go through some things to strengthen his faith. Jesus knew this. He knew that Peter would ultimately be an amazing Apostle… and He referred to him as “the rock” in Matthew 16. That’s a pretty strong endorsement in my book! Yet Peter denied Jesus – three times!! - despite his insistence that this would never happen. And we often behave in much the same manner.

Who among us has not affirmed that we were faith-filled Christians who trust God to meet our every need… then whined, cried and wrung our hands over all sorts of issues both great and small? How many of us have claimed that God is our fortress… mighty and strong… then fallen apart and said, “I just can’t take this!”? Someone said to me recently, “I just want to be happy.” My response was that sometimes we have to be unhappy for a while in order to get to “happy!” And I think this is illustrated beautifully in this scripture passage. Jesus knew that Peter was going to have to suffer and go through some things in order to come out strong and truly dependent on Him for His strength and power.

None of us thinks we would blatantly deny Jesus Christ… yet we do this every day in many ways by wavering in our faith and wallowing in fear, self-pity, and impatience. We need to take a deep breath, say a heart-felt prayer, ask God to help us with whatever is challenging us in any way… then thank Him for answering according to His will. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus is still with us when we emerge from our trials and tribulations… He never deserts us… and for this we should be incredibly grateful.

We may never be “rock star” Apostles for Jesus… but we can become the most humble, devoted servants possible and witness for Him in every circumstance. We may have to go through some things and be unhappy or uncomfortable in order to become the Disciple of Christ that God desires. Or, we can continue to deny Jesus… whether we realize we are doing so or not… and wallow in the misery of the pit that Satan has designed for us. The choice is ours… how will you decide?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Psalm 118:5-7
When I was really hurting, I prayed to the LORD. He answered my prayer, and took my worries away. The LORD is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me. With the LORD on my side, I will defeat all of my hateful enemies.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

A few weeks ago, I was very worried about a specific situation. I prayed… hard… and asked God to take this burden… to give me peace. But the devil was having such a good time making me miserable… and he kept bringing up troubling thoughts. “What if this...? What if that happens? Did you think about such-and such?” I begged God for a specific outcome… MY will, I knew - but I asked that it be His, also.

In the end, I humbled myself – quite literally on my knees – and tearfully told God, “Okay. If your will is not mine, then You have to make this okay. You have to protect those involved and fix this situation… because I cannot!” And I got up and walked away, leaving my burdens and the devil for God to wrestle. I continued to pray… and I won’t say I didn’t grieve over the situation at times in the days that followed. But I was done worrying and being afraid.

I have to tell you, this was huge for me… a lesson I have had to experience many times in recent years. This either makes me a slow learner or human – or both! But each time, I feel I grow a little in my faith and my walk with God… and the pain and worry don’t consume me like they once did. And they don’t stick around nearly as long now, either. I’m not “there” yet… but I’m on my way.

What about you? Is God dealing with your enemies and defeating them for you? Is he answering your prayers and taking your worries… and are you truly praying with confidence that He can and will do this? Whose side are you on… and who is on your side? Choose God. Let Him fight your battles. Trust Him for the outcome… and let the worries go. I know it isn’t easy… but He will make it all okay. Don’t trust me on this… trust GOD… and allow Him to do exactly what He has promised.

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 30, 2011

Psalm 108:1-5
Our God, I am faithful to you with all my heart, and you can trust me. I will sing and play music for you with all that I am. I will start playing my harps before the sun rises. I will praise you, LORD, for everyone to hear; I will sing hymns to you in every nation. Your love reaches higher than the heavens, and your loyalty extends beyond the clouds. Our God, may you be honored above the heavens; may your glory be seen everywhere on earth.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Everybody needs a hero, and I’ve had a dandy. For more than fifty-four years, I’ve been encouraged and nurtured by a remarkable lady who shared my birthday. Yesterday, she went to heaven… less than 48 hours after her beloved baby girl died. “MawMac,” as I called her, was really Geraldine McCurry. She took great pride in being the wife of the local Chevrolet dealer, Andrew McCurry… and mother to three girls - Andrea, Marsha, and Mary.

As Andrea wrote in Mary’s obituary, “…a tragic accident at birth caused her to be severely physically handicapped by cerebral palsy. Because of her condition, she was never able to walk, talk, use her hands or be able to care for herself in any way. However, she devised a method of communication when she was about a year and a half old using her eyes. For those who took the time to learn to "talk" with Mary, they found a warm, loving, rather bawdy personality with a little streak of the devil.” Mary would have been 60 this October. Mary’s family and all who knew her loved her dearly. And in a time when many children with cerebral palsy were hidden away in institutions, the McCurrys never treated Mary with such disdain. MawMac and her family were ahead of their time in recognizing that Mary was a bright girl trapped in a body that betrayed her… and they did all they could to make life as “normal” as possible for this precious girl.

As further proof of this, a friend recalled on Facebook the Sunday that Mrs. McCurry wheeled Mary to the front of our church sanctuary, where she said Mary was wishing to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized. MawMac said, “I just couldn’t hold her back any longer… she insisted on coming to the altar.” That was our MawMac… dedicated to her children… and to her God. She was also fiercely patriotic. I like to joke that I am a “Firecracker Baby” because of my July 4th birthday… but MawMac truly was… and she had a collection of red/white/blue memorabilia that defies belief – down to a life-sized “Uncle Sam!” This past July 4th, she wore a new blouse fashioned by her daughters to fit her 4-ft frame… featuring red/white/blue stars, of course! She wore it with red/white/blue shoes, and – what else? – a headband with shooting stars that bobbled along! Did I mention that MawMac was 93 on her last birthday?

If you didn’t get a chance to know Geraldine “MawMac” McCurry in this lifetime, you will hopefully meet her in heaven. She will be the one standing with Jesus, tall and stately, healed from the osteoporosis that shrunk her tiny frame by almost 5 inches… and she will be talking and greeting everyone who enters the Pearly Gates! MawMac taught me a lot about life and overcoming challenges and obstacles… but she taught me more about faith and devotion. She hardly ever missed a church service (or anything else in our community, for that matter!), and she was one of the most devoted Christians I ever knew. She wasn’t preachy or one of those who spouted scripture and lectured about sinful behaviors. She merely modeled the teachings of Jesus… every single day of her life.

I know MawMac wasn’t perfect. I’m sure she had her moments. But I never saw them. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that she and Mary are dancing with Jesus… two faithful women who were loyal to Him without fail. This scripture passage is so fitting for Geraldine and Mary. I know they are having a celebration to end all celebrations… and because of this, I feel like singing and dancing, too – in spite of my sadness.

The more of my loved ones who pass on and go to heaven, the more real heaven becomes to me. It’s a glorious resting place for those who have chosen to follow Jesus, and I am so looking forward to joining the party there. Will you be along? Do you know Jesus in the way MawMac and Mary know Him? Do you live for Him each day – and will you dance and sing His praises even into Eternity? You can! Who – or what – is holding you back? Isn’t it time you raced down the altar, so to speak, like Mary did… and secured your place at the party?

I ask you to please stop and thank God today for heroes like MawMac… for Godly women who are devoted to their Heavenly Father, their family, church and community. Pray for those who will miss her… and thank God for welcoming her and Mary to His banquet table. I’m sure they’ve saved a seat nearby for me… and I am looking forward to seeing them again someday. Won’t you join us?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 9, 2011

John 6:1-6
Jesus crossed Lake Galilee, which was also known as Lake Tiberias. A large crowd had seen him work miracles to heal the sick, and those people went with him. It was almost time for the Jewish festival of Passover, and Jesus went up on a mountain with his disciples and sat down. When Jesus saw the large crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, "Where will we get enough food to feed all these people?" He said this to test Philip, since he already knew what he was going to do.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Have you ever been in a dilemma, and you prayed, “LORD, what is going to happen?” You asked this question in a state of worry… as in, “How will I ever get out of this mess?” or “How can there possibly be a good outcome in this situation?” Now let me ask you this… later, when you looked back at how well things actually did come together… and how beautifully God orchestrated it all… weren’t you a little embarrassed at your lack of faith? Didn’t you feel a little foolish for wringing your hands and being so doubtful?

I think that God sometimes allows us to behave like this. I think that He often plants these questions in our heads just to see how we will react… and whether our faith is strong. I believe He teaches us in these moments… and yes, embarrasses us a bit, so that the next time around, we’ll remember how generous He is to us. Hopefully, we will remember that God is faithful to keep His promises and meet our every need.

I also find it funny that in this particular instance, God not only fed all of the people… he provided leftovers. That’s how God operates… in abundance. Not only do we look back and see that He met our needs and answered our prayers… in many instances, He exceeded what was promised and expected!

My challenge today is for us to begin to operate more in faith… to be able to answer the “test questions” with confidence that “all will be well - with God in control.” We say we can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us… now it’s time to really prove it. When Jesus asks you a test question, will you give the right answer?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 31, 2011

July 31 ~ John 5:37-40
The Father who sent me also speaks for me, but you have never heard his voice or seen him face to face. You have not believed his message, because you refused to have faith in the one he sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, but you refuse to come to me for eternal life.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I really love a good cookbook. I can sit and read the recipes for hours and dream of creating wonderful casseroles and soups… rich, calorie-laden desserts… delicious, fragrant breads… and even something light, healthy, and tasty. But most of the time, I slide the cookbook back onto the shelf and cook the same old standards in my “culinary repertoire.” This is partly because I don’t want to expend the time and effort required to create these dishes. But there is also a part of me that fears a poor result – a part that lacks faith and confidence in my ability to deliver the outcome promised in the cookbook!

Let’s be honest. Watching cooking shows on TV, buying the fancy knives and utensils, and reading recipes does not make one a great cook! There is a commitment involved… a determination to accept the challenge, do the work, and step out in faith that the delicious dishes detailed and photographed in the cookbooks can indeed be accomplished by a “regular Joe or Jane”.

I’m afraid we are a often a lot like that in our Spiritual life. We read the scriptures and give ourselves a pep talk… “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! He’s got the answers. We really ought to follow Him and share His Good News with others.” Or we read the Psalms and think, “LORD, this surely sounds good… You are our rock… You can handle all of our cares.” We read the stories of courage and faith in the Old Testament and the incredibly sound advice of the Proverbs… we read the letters of the Apostle Paul and hear Him encouraging us to live for Jesus.

Then we shelve our Bible, say a quick prayer and go back to life as usual. We never fully commit to the cross. We never leave our old, sinful, burdened life at the feet of Jesus and let His blood wash over them. We talk a good talk… but we never fully embrace the walk. In part, we are afraid and lacking in faith. In part, we are just plain stubborn and lazy! But in total, we are totally missing out on all that Jesus offers… and some of us are even risking the opportunity to spend Eternity with Him in heaven.

Our life in Christ is no recipe, and the Bible is no cookbook. This is serious business, and operating in faith is critical. It’s time we “hitched up our britches” and stepped up and out toward Jesus. It’s time we completely acknowledged that we truly can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us. We may have never seen Him in the flesh, but He is completely with us… even in the air we breathe… and His message is, “Come to Me. Open your heart and let me inside… I will give you peace, comfort – and Eternal Life!”

What are you waiting for? Isn’t it time you stopped merely reading and talking about your Christian faith and took action? Isn’t it time to truly come to Jesus and believe in Him completely? Your future depends on how you choose… what will you decide?

©2011 Debbie Robus