John 14:1-4
Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be
worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in
my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am
going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I
will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know
the way to where I am going.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Greg
and I planned to take the children to the movie theater after church
yesterday to see “The Jungle Book.” So on the way home, I told the kids
I would bake them a pizza. Timothy wanted a cheese sandwich instead.
Zola declared that she wanted pizza…and scrambled eggs. Nathan agreed
that he wanted eggs with his pizza, too. I made sandwiches for Greg and
me…so we had a full-service diner in operation. Two of the children
wanted chocolate milk – the third wanted juice. And all three of them
wanted ALL of this instantaneously. Nobody wanted to wait for the meal
to be prepared.
Now here’s the thing…the kids KNOW that it takes
time to bake a pizza – and even pour milk and juice. They KNOW that we
are not about to let them starve – or be deprived in any way. Still,
they tried to act like the world was falling apart because the food and
drink did not magically appear at that exact moment! They demonstrated a
total lack of faith in us to feed and care for them.
Now this
was not our first rodeo. We both knew that a lot of this “drama” was an
attempt to manipulate us…to see just how tightly they could wind us
up. So we tried to ignore many of their comments and just
“git-r-done.” But here’s where this applies to you and me…we all know
that God has promised to meet our every need. We all have been told
repeatedly – and read in scripture numerous times – that Jesus left His
Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us.
We have been given the
assurance that we who have confessed our sins to Jesus Christ and
surrendered our hearts to Him will be called to Heaven to live with Him
when we die…or He will return for us someday and take us home at that
time. Either way, we will be with Jesus for all Eternity! Yet many of
us live such lives of worry and despair. We operate in hopelessness –
and helplessness – at every turn. We act as if the world is falling
apart around us and everyone is doomed. We need visible, tangible
results of Jesus in our lives…and we need them NOW! In behaving this
way, we deny our Christian faith…and people are taking notice!
We
know better. And yes, some of us are simply being “drama queens” to
some degree. But a lot of us are just plain weak in the trust
department. We have not fully accepted Jesus as the Author and Finisher
of our faith. We do not fully operate in confidence that Jesus is
the Son of God – and He is not only preparing a room in His Heavenly
mansion for us…He is also meeting our needs every minute of the day here
on this earth.
When we make this mind shift and fully begin to
operate in Christian faith, everything about our life – and our
attitudes – will be different…and people will notice. When we “let go
and let God” have control…and trust Him to meet our every need…we are
filled with peace and confidence that defies explanation. The “food” is
coming…Jesus is preparing everything…and He totally has our back. We
can relax and spend our time doing the things that serve His Kingdom
rather than worry about what will happen next.
I am convinced
that this is a better way to operate…and I’m doing everything I can to
grow in faith and kick the Enemy and his little “worry game” to the
curb. My “Heavenly reservation” is made…I’m just waiting on Jesus to
get the room ready. I don’t want to spend the time I have left wringing
my hands and being frustrated and upset. Jesus has better things for me
to be doing…and I need to be busy accomplishing them. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label being faithful in all things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being faithful in all things. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 25, 2015
Joshua 4:21-24
Then Joshua told the people:
Years from now your children will ask you why these rocks are here. Tell them, “The Lord our God dried up the Jordan River so we could walk across. He did the same thing here for us that he did for our people at the Red Sea, because he wants everyone on earth to know how powerful he is. And he wants us to worship only him.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last night during our now-likely-“traditional” Christmas Eve pizza dinner, I looked up and noticed that the almost-full moon had risen and was brightly shining over the valley. We called the little ones to the window and had them look at the big, bright orb. “There hasn’t been a full moon at Christmas since 1977!” we commented. “The next one will happen in about 30 years.” I looked it up today, and actually, it will be 2034, so that is only 19 years away. However, I remarked to the children’s parents, “By the time we see this again, you all will likely be grandparents!”
Both mother and father were taken aback by this thought! We laughed and suggested that they “do the math.” Timothy will be 36 years old…and even in 19 years, he will be the same age as his mother is today – and only 2 years younger than his dad is presently. So the possibility that they could be grandparents when we have another “Christmas moon” is something that could definitely happen!
Now, as humorous and thought-provoking as the idea of our little ones having children of their own by the next “Christmas moon,” is…the more interesting point in my mind is that we actually are anticipating this phenomenon again in the year 2034. There are many things that occur in nature with a fair degree of regularity – and we simply take them for granted. We never consider that they represent a consistency in God’s promises. We sing “The Sun Will Come Out…Tomorrow” and we totally take for granted that God will turn the earth on its axis and cause the sun to “rise” in our neck of the woods.
We even take for granted a lot of events and circumstances that God has made a point to promise to us. We look at the rainbow and remember briefly that God sent the first one to Noah as a symbol of His promise to never again destroy the earth and its people because of their sins. When you think about it, Jesus’ birth in a lowly manger was yet another symbol of this promise. In essence, Jesus Christ is a powerful, profound, and everlasting “rainbow” Who has taken our sins once and for all.
And so, I am watching and waiting for tonight’s “Christmas moon”…and maybe I’ll be around to see the next one in 2034. If so, I will once again be reminded of God’s love and care, because I know that in a span of 19 years, He will show me over and again how important I am to Him. I know that He will “dry the river” or “part the sea” for me and those I love more times than I can count – in ways that I can’t begin to imagine or explain. And should I miss the next “Christmas moon,” it will only mean that God has made a place for me at His feet and fully in His presence…which will fulfill another promise that He has made to me.
I don’t know where you will watch the next “Christmas moon” – or if you will see it in the flesh. My prayer is that either way, you are fully, confidently “walking” in the promises of God…enjoying His incredible love and care and delighting in His abundant blessings…all while worshipping only Him and giving Him all the glory and adulation!
Even when there are no rainbows, parted seas, dried rivers, or “Christmas moons,” god continually demonstrates His faithfulness to us. Are you giving Him your full worship in return? Will this “Christmas moon” serve as a reminder to give God your very best at all times? Don’t you think it should?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Then Joshua told the people:
Years from now your children will ask you why these rocks are here. Tell them, “The Lord our God dried up the Jordan River so we could walk across. He did the same thing here for us that he did for our people at the Red Sea, because he wants everyone on earth to know how powerful he is. And he wants us to worship only him.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last night during our now-likely-“traditional” Christmas Eve pizza dinner, I looked up and noticed that the almost-full moon had risen and was brightly shining over the valley. We called the little ones to the window and had them look at the big, bright orb. “There hasn’t been a full moon at Christmas since 1977!” we commented. “The next one will happen in about 30 years.” I looked it up today, and actually, it will be 2034, so that is only 19 years away. However, I remarked to the children’s parents, “By the time we see this again, you all will likely be grandparents!”
Both mother and father were taken aback by this thought! We laughed and suggested that they “do the math.” Timothy will be 36 years old…and even in 19 years, he will be the same age as his mother is today – and only 2 years younger than his dad is presently. So the possibility that they could be grandparents when we have another “Christmas moon” is something that could definitely happen!
Now, as humorous and thought-provoking as the idea of our little ones having children of their own by the next “Christmas moon,” is…the more interesting point in my mind is that we actually are anticipating this phenomenon again in the year 2034. There are many things that occur in nature with a fair degree of regularity – and we simply take them for granted. We never consider that they represent a consistency in God’s promises. We sing “The Sun Will Come Out…Tomorrow” and we totally take for granted that God will turn the earth on its axis and cause the sun to “rise” in our neck of the woods.
We even take for granted a lot of events and circumstances that God has made a point to promise to us. We look at the rainbow and remember briefly that God sent the first one to Noah as a symbol of His promise to never again destroy the earth and its people because of their sins. When you think about it, Jesus’ birth in a lowly manger was yet another symbol of this promise. In essence, Jesus Christ is a powerful, profound, and everlasting “rainbow” Who has taken our sins once and for all.
And so, I am watching and waiting for tonight’s “Christmas moon”…and maybe I’ll be around to see the next one in 2034. If so, I will once again be reminded of God’s love and care, because I know that in a span of 19 years, He will show me over and again how important I am to Him. I know that He will “dry the river” or “part the sea” for me and those I love more times than I can count – in ways that I can’t begin to imagine or explain. And should I miss the next “Christmas moon,” it will only mean that God has made a place for me at His feet and fully in His presence…which will fulfill another promise that He has made to me.
I don’t know where you will watch the next “Christmas moon” – or if you will see it in the flesh. My prayer is that either way, you are fully, confidently “walking” in the promises of God…enjoying His incredible love and care and delighting in His abundant blessings…all while worshipping only Him and giving Him all the glory and adulation!
Even when there are no rainbows, parted seas, dried rivers, or “Christmas moons,” god continually demonstrates His faithfulness to us. Are you giving Him your full worship in return? Will this “Christmas moon” serve as a reminder to give God your very best at all times? Don’t you think it should?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 19, 2015
Luke 16:10-13
Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
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.
A friend of mine works out at our local CrossFit gym. According to information at the CrossFit website*, “CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program…designed for universal scalability, making it the perfect application for any committed individual regardless of experience. We’ve used our same routines for elderly individuals with heart disease and cage fighters one month out from televised bouts. We scale load and intensity; we don’t change programs.”
Recently, my friend shared on Facebook that she had struggled with “box jumps”…an exercise in which one jumps from the ground and lands with both feet on top of an elevated box. It’s harder than it sounds…and my friend struggled for weeks to perform this exercise. Meanwhile, she fell several times and developed a “mental block” about completing the jump…until her husband and workout buddies encouraged her and supported (quite literally) her effort. Now that she has done one successful “box jump”…she is off and running. These will likely become easier and easier for her.
Even though a “box jump” is a positive example of something getting easier with practice…we have plenty of situations and circumstances in our lives where “one thing leads to another” – and not in a good way. Small lies become big ones…stealing something seemingly insignificant becomes the gateway to taking bigger things. Looking the other way on something that doesn’t seem all that important can lead to covering up a major wrong down the road. Working too much…participating in your favorite game, sport or activity…overeating or drinking too much…and wasting time on “mindless drivel” may seem harmless in the short run…but these can become nasty (and sinful) habits over time.
The bottom line is that little things matter…in every aspect of our lives. Just like my friend who was encouraged to persist in achieving the “box jump,” we must keep focused on accomplishing the big things for God. And we must encourage others in the same manner. We must “zero in” on what pleases God…what is really significant…what furthers His missions and His kingdom…and make these the goal of our daily living.
We must demonstrate at every turn that we are trustworthy in the little things…or God will never trust us with the bigger ones. If you read a few more verses in Luke 16, you’ll see that Jesus tells the Pharisees…”What society sees and calls monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous.” This is a profound statement that needs to soak into our hearts and souls.
Are we faithful to God in all things…even the little ones? Or have we allowed ourselves to be caught up in the “monumental” things of society and created something of a “monster” in the process? It’s time we settled this once and for all…made the vertical leap to trustworthy discipleship…and left the devil in the dust. Are you ready to “jump” with me?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-crossfit.html
Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
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.
A friend of mine works out at our local CrossFit gym. According to information at the CrossFit website*, “CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program…designed for universal scalability, making it the perfect application for any committed individual regardless of experience. We’ve used our same routines for elderly individuals with heart disease and cage fighters one month out from televised bouts. We scale load and intensity; we don’t change programs.”
Recently, my friend shared on Facebook that she had struggled with “box jumps”…an exercise in which one jumps from the ground and lands with both feet on top of an elevated box. It’s harder than it sounds…and my friend struggled for weeks to perform this exercise. Meanwhile, she fell several times and developed a “mental block” about completing the jump…until her husband and workout buddies encouraged her and supported (quite literally) her effort. Now that she has done one successful “box jump”…she is off and running. These will likely become easier and easier for her.
Even though a “box jump” is a positive example of something getting easier with practice…we have plenty of situations and circumstances in our lives where “one thing leads to another” – and not in a good way. Small lies become big ones…stealing something seemingly insignificant becomes the gateway to taking bigger things. Looking the other way on something that doesn’t seem all that important can lead to covering up a major wrong down the road. Working too much…participating in your favorite game, sport or activity…overeating or drinking too much…and wasting time on “mindless drivel” may seem harmless in the short run…but these can become nasty (and sinful) habits over time.
The bottom line is that little things matter…in every aspect of our lives. Just like my friend who was encouraged to persist in achieving the “box jump,” we must keep focused on accomplishing the big things for God. And we must encourage others in the same manner. We must “zero in” on what pleases God…what is really significant…what furthers His missions and His kingdom…and make these the goal of our daily living.
We must demonstrate at every turn that we are trustworthy in the little things…or God will never trust us with the bigger ones. If you read a few more verses in Luke 16, you’ll see that Jesus tells the Pharisees…”What society sees and calls monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous.” This is a profound statement that needs to soak into our hearts and souls.
Are we faithful to God in all things…even the little ones? Or have we allowed ourselves to be caught up in the “monumental” things of society and created something of a “monster” in the process? It’s time we settled this once and for all…made the vertical leap to trustworthy discipleship…and left the devil in the dust. Are you ready to “jump” with me?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-crossfit.html
Daily Devotional for December 10, 2013
Mark 5:35-36
While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“It ain’t over til it’s over!”* On November 30, 2013, the No. 1-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 4-ranked Auburn University Tigers met to play the “Iron Bowl”… an in-state football rivalry. With one second left on the clock, Alabama attempted a 57-yard field goal to win the game. The kick was a miss that Auburn Tiger Chris Davis returned 100 yards to win the game, 34-28. It was a historical finish… one that sportscasters will talk about for decades… and one that has caused many people – myself included – to recognize that there is always hope… even in a football game!
And so we come to this scripture passage from Mark where a young girl has died, and the people are essentially saying, “There is no need to turn to Jesus… it’s too late.” And the simple yet profound response from Jesus is that… “It is NEVER too late for Me!”
I have a little desktop book of quips and quotes that I flip the page each day…and for today, it said, “May the dazzling rays of the sunshine of God’s love reach through the clouds of your life and brighten up your skies.” This expression of hope truly captures the essence of Christian faith. No matter the “clouds of your life”… no matter how dismal and hopeless things appear, it is never too late with Jesus! Nothing is settled… nothing is finished…His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness – and yes, HOPE… are eternal!
Many people need to hear this today. For several - perhaps even YOU - there seems to be one second left on the clock and you are facing a seemingly insurmountable 100-yard, last-ditch effort. And I am here to tell you that because of Jesus, all hope is not lost. So won’t you spend a few minutes in prayer and communication with God… reaching out to Him and asking Him to fill you with hope where perhaps you have none? Ask God to meet you on the “playing field of life” and give you the wisdom and courage for that last-second play…to fill you with hope in your darkest hour… to reach through the clouds of your life and brighten your skies with His incredible love.
With God, anything truly is possible…if only you will trust Him. Do you have hope and faith in Him today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
*Quote attributed to Yogi Berra
While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“It ain’t over til it’s over!”* On November 30, 2013, the No. 1-ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 4-ranked Auburn University Tigers met to play the “Iron Bowl”… an in-state football rivalry. With one second left on the clock, Alabama attempted a 57-yard field goal to win the game. The kick was a miss that Auburn Tiger Chris Davis returned 100 yards to win the game, 34-28. It was a historical finish… one that sportscasters will talk about for decades… and one that has caused many people – myself included – to recognize that there is always hope… even in a football game!
And so we come to this scripture passage from Mark where a young girl has died, and the people are essentially saying, “There is no need to turn to Jesus… it’s too late.” And the simple yet profound response from Jesus is that… “It is NEVER too late for Me!”
I have a little desktop book of quips and quotes that I flip the page each day…and for today, it said, “May the dazzling rays of the sunshine of God’s love reach through the clouds of your life and brighten up your skies.” This expression of hope truly captures the essence of Christian faith. No matter the “clouds of your life”… no matter how dismal and hopeless things appear, it is never too late with Jesus! Nothing is settled… nothing is finished…His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness – and yes, HOPE… are eternal!
Many people need to hear this today. For several - perhaps even YOU - there seems to be one second left on the clock and you are facing a seemingly insurmountable 100-yard, last-ditch effort. And I am here to tell you that because of Jesus, all hope is not lost. So won’t you spend a few minutes in prayer and communication with God… reaching out to Him and asking Him to fill you with hope where perhaps you have none? Ask God to meet you on the “playing field of life” and give you the wisdom and courage for that last-second play…to fill you with hope in your darkest hour… to reach through the clouds of your life and brighten your skies with His incredible love.
With God, anything truly is possible…if only you will trust Him. Do you have hope and faith in Him today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
*Quote attributed to Yogi Berra
Daily Devotional for September 12, 2013
Deuteronomy 30:9-10
“The Lord your God will then make you successful in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and he will cause your fields to produce abundant harvests, for the Lord will again delight in being good to you as he was to your ancestors. The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Friends of ours have just sold their house and pretty much everything in it, bought a motorhome and car to tow behind, and made plans to “hit the road”! Every day, countless people across the country sell or give away virtually all that they own, buy an RV (recreational vehicle) and begin traveling America’s highways. At the very least, many of them downsize tremendously… pare their belongings to just what will fit into less than 350 square feet of living space… and trade a conventional lifestyle for the lure of travel, adventure, and a relatively simpler way of life. This can be a daunting choice… but for some, it’s an easy one. For others, the thought of giving up all of their “stuff,” leaving their home and virtually starting over is just too much. It seems difficult, fraught with challenges, and downright fearful.
A lot of people go through the same struggles as they wrestle with the thought of giving up an old, sin-filled life and choosing to live for Jesus. It’s tough to set aside deep-rooted lifestyles… long-time friends…and “fun” habits. The fear of the unknown looms large on the horizon. Will it be as good as promised? Will there truly be abundance, blessings, and delights? Or will serving God be boring, lonely, and sad? This is a question thousands have asked… and one that exponentially more will ask in the days/weeks/years to come. There is no “crystal ball” to see into the future and know for sure that what God has promised will come true. That’s why it’s called “FAITH!”
So how do you know what to choose? How do you know with anything in life? In a lot of cases, you talk to people who have already made a choice. You ask them about the challenges… the “pros and cons”… you get a “testimonial” for how their lives have been since they made the move. This applies to everything from picking a college – or fraternity or sorority – to choosing a career, deciding who to marry, having children, buying a house and/or car… and yes… choosing whether to follow Jesus. There is no shame in asking around and talking to those with experience. Having all the facts before you make a choice is a wise move.
In the end, I hope you will find that those who have chosen to serve God shore up your confidence and build your faith. I hope that those of us who have chosen Jesus serve as active examples of His abundance, blessings, and the joy of living for Him. I pray that you decide to “downsize” your baggage and lighten your load… to step out and take a chance on Jesus and all that He offers.
Anyone who has ever owned an RV will tell you that, “the minute you leave your driveway, something will go wrong.” It’s part of the lifestyle. RVing, like most things in life, is not 100% smooth sailing. There are challenges, breakdowns, limits to how much you can carry, and more. But most take these in stride and rely on a strong support network in the RVing community and industry to keep the wheels turning… just as we Christians rely on our Heavenly Father to help us through any and all challenges we encounter.
So whaddya say? Are you ready to take a giant leap of faith and serve God with your whole heart? If you’re already a Christian, can you truly say you are “all in” for Jesus? Do you need to recommit to serving Him completely – to say, “LORD, here I am, ready to give my heart fully to you and receive all that you are offering!”? Isn’t this the perfect time to “hit the road” with God and see where He takes you? Will this be the day you start your new adventure with Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“The Lord your God will then make you successful in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and he will cause your fields to produce abundant harvests, for the Lord will again delight in being good to you as he was to your ancestors. The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Friends of ours have just sold their house and pretty much everything in it, bought a motorhome and car to tow behind, and made plans to “hit the road”! Every day, countless people across the country sell or give away virtually all that they own, buy an RV (recreational vehicle) and begin traveling America’s highways. At the very least, many of them downsize tremendously… pare their belongings to just what will fit into less than 350 square feet of living space… and trade a conventional lifestyle for the lure of travel, adventure, and a relatively simpler way of life. This can be a daunting choice… but for some, it’s an easy one. For others, the thought of giving up all of their “stuff,” leaving their home and virtually starting over is just too much. It seems difficult, fraught with challenges, and downright fearful.
A lot of people go through the same struggles as they wrestle with the thought of giving up an old, sin-filled life and choosing to live for Jesus. It’s tough to set aside deep-rooted lifestyles… long-time friends…and “fun” habits. The fear of the unknown looms large on the horizon. Will it be as good as promised? Will there truly be abundance, blessings, and delights? Or will serving God be boring, lonely, and sad? This is a question thousands have asked… and one that exponentially more will ask in the days/weeks/years to come. There is no “crystal ball” to see into the future and know for sure that what God has promised will come true. That’s why it’s called “FAITH!”
So how do you know what to choose? How do you know with anything in life? In a lot of cases, you talk to people who have already made a choice. You ask them about the challenges… the “pros and cons”… you get a “testimonial” for how their lives have been since they made the move. This applies to everything from picking a college – or fraternity or sorority – to choosing a career, deciding who to marry, having children, buying a house and/or car… and yes… choosing whether to follow Jesus. There is no shame in asking around and talking to those with experience. Having all the facts before you make a choice is a wise move.
In the end, I hope you will find that those who have chosen to serve God shore up your confidence and build your faith. I hope that those of us who have chosen Jesus serve as active examples of His abundance, blessings, and the joy of living for Him. I pray that you decide to “downsize” your baggage and lighten your load… to step out and take a chance on Jesus and all that He offers.
Anyone who has ever owned an RV will tell you that, “the minute you leave your driveway, something will go wrong.” It’s part of the lifestyle. RVing, like most things in life, is not 100% smooth sailing. There are challenges, breakdowns, limits to how much you can carry, and more. But most take these in stride and rely on a strong support network in the RVing community and industry to keep the wheels turning… just as we Christians rely on our Heavenly Father to help us through any and all challenges we encounter.
So whaddya say? Are you ready to take a giant leap of faith and serve God with your whole heart? If you’re already a Christian, can you truly say you are “all in” for Jesus? Do you need to recommit to serving Him completely – to say, “LORD, here I am, ready to give my heart fully to you and receive all that you are offering!”? Isn’t this the perfect time to “hit the road” with God and see where He takes you? Will this be the day you start your new adventure with Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 3, 2013
Matthew 6:25-34
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?
Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is “tax-free” weekend in Arkansas. For two days, parents can shop for back-to-school clothes and supplies and the state sales tax will be waived on certain purchases. This includes clothing selling for up to $100 per item, and purses and accessories retailing for up to $50 per item. My question is… “Do school-aged children really need $50 purses and clothing items that are $100 each?” Maybe I am just out of touch with the times… but I don’t pay this much for my own clothing and accessories. My experience with children and teenagers has taught me that most will not take care of said items well enough to merit these prices! I am sure some of my nieces, nephews and young friends – and maybe even you – would disagree… and that’s your business. But I honestly believe we have become so “appearance/label conscious” in this society that we have lost touch with reality in many instances.
As someone who sews, I’ve taken a look at high-priced items of clothing and discovered that many are poorly made. Materials are thin and the dyes fade quickly…the stitching is often less than secure and subject to raveling… and the quality just doesn’t match the price. And at the end of the day… are you really happier or more comfortable in a nearly $100 pair of designer jeans than a $20 pair of Levis from Wal-Mart – or even a good clean $2 pair from the local thrift store? Does that tee-shirt from the high end apparel shop clothe you better than one from a familiar name-brand department store? Is a $10 gourmet hamburger truly tastier and more filling than a $3-$5 Whopper® meal from Burger King? Our pastor shared with us recently that $10 can feed a family of four for ONE WEEK in Costa Rica. How far can you stretch $10? My point is this…we all tend to be far too concerned with things that don’t last and won’t bring us peace and happiness.
Before my husband and I married, we planned to attend college at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, where he was already a student. I would major in Elementary Education there… he would finish a degree in Accounting. Then he took a course in statistics and realized that sitting behind a desk crunching numbers did not interest him as much as being outdoors in nature. After much prayerful consideration, he decided to transfer to Arkansas Tech University and pursue a degree in Park Administration.
We had all of the paper work complete for my enrollment at UALR. We were already looking for housing and making plans. In a few short months, we would be married, so changing locations – and universities – was daunting at this juncture. But my husband-to-be did not come to this decision lightly, and one day he opened the Gideon Bible he had been given his freshman year of college and showed me this passage from Matthew 6. He explained that a career in the “Parks and Rec” field might never be as lucrative as one in accounting… that park rangers and school teachers might only “make ends meet” on comparatively small salaries. But he assured me that he would be much happier as a park ranger than an accountant… and that as long as we were together, “things” really didn’t matter. With God's help, we would make it work.
In that instant, I realized that I had the most important gift… someone who loved me – and not my possessions or my “earned income potential”. I began a mantra that I have repeated to my husband for nearly 40 years now… “I’d live in a pup tent, as long as you are with me.” And we have never lacked for anything.
On a far grander scale, we have a similar – yet greater – Gift. We have Someone who loves us… not for what we have or how we look… not for how we dress or whether we dine on gourmet meals and live in mansions. We have a God who loves us and wants to be with us… because of who we are – not what we have. And He is willing to see that all of our needs are met, just so we can be together. God really doesn’t care whether you carry a $50 purse or stuff your money into your pocket. He is not the least bit interested in whether your jeans have a designer label or came from the thrift store. What God desires is your obedience… your trust… and your devotion. He will handle the rest. You may not have much… but you will always have enough. This should give each of us a tremendous sense of peace!
If you shop this weekend, I hope you will think about what really matters… spend your “tax-free” money wisely… and make every dollar count. Start learning to focus on your relationship with God… and with others. Make God’s work your top priority. Evangelist Joyce Meyer tells of standing in front of the mirror one Sunday morning… stewing about which outfit to wear and what accessories to add. She clearly heard God say, “Oh for goodness’ sake, Joyce… just put on something and GO!” It’s time for us to do the same. We’ve kept God waiting long enough! Won’t you set your worries aside and get busy doing His work? God may never ask you to “live in a pup tent,” but if He did… how would you respond?
©2013 Debbie Robus
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?
Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is “tax-free” weekend in Arkansas. For two days, parents can shop for back-to-school clothes and supplies and the state sales tax will be waived on certain purchases. This includes clothing selling for up to $100 per item, and purses and accessories retailing for up to $50 per item. My question is… “Do school-aged children really need $50 purses and clothing items that are $100 each?” Maybe I am just out of touch with the times… but I don’t pay this much for my own clothing and accessories. My experience with children and teenagers has taught me that most will not take care of said items well enough to merit these prices! I am sure some of my nieces, nephews and young friends – and maybe even you – would disagree… and that’s your business. But I honestly believe we have become so “appearance/label conscious” in this society that we have lost touch with reality in many instances.
As someone who sews, I’ve taken a look at high-priced items of clothing and discovered that many are poorly made. Materials are thin and the dyes fade quickly…the stitching is often less than secure and subject to raveling… and the quality just doesn’t match the price. And at the end of the day… are you really happier or more comfortable in a nearly $100 pair of designer jeans than a $20 pair of Levis from Wal-Mart – or even a good clean $2 pair from the local thrift store? Does that tee-shirt from the high end apparel shop clothe you better than one from a familiar name-brand department store? Is a $10 gourmet hamburger truly tastier and more filling than a $3-$5 Whopper® meal from Burger King? Our pastor shared with us recently that $10 can feed a family of four for ONE WEEK in Costa Rica. How far can you stretch $10? My point is this…we all tend to be far too concerned with things that don’t last and won’t bring us peace and happiness.
Before my husband and I married, we planned to attend college at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, where he was already a student. I would major in Elementary Education there… he would finish a degree in Accounting. Then he took a course in statistics and realized that sitting behind a desk crunching numbers did not interest him as much as being outdoors in nature. After much prayerful consideration, he decided to transfer to Arkansas Tech University and pursue a degree in Park Administration.
We had all of the paper work complete for my enrollment at UALR. We were already looking for housing and making plans. In a few short months, we would be married, so changing locations – and universities – was daunting at this juncture. But my husband-to-be did not come to this decision lightly, and one day he opened the Gideon Bible he had been given his freshman year of college and showed me this passage from Matthew 6. He explained that a career in the “Parks and Rec” field might never be as lucrative as one in accounting… that park rangers and school teachers might only “make ends meet” on comparatively small salaries. But he assured me that he would be much happier as a park ranger than an accountant… and that as long as we were together, “things” really didn’t matter. With God's help, we would make it work.
In that instant, I realized that I had the most important gift… someone who loved me – and not my possessions or my “earned income potential”. I began a mantra that I have repeated to my husband for nearly 40 years now… “I’d live in a pup tent, as long as you are with me.” And we have never lacked for anything.
On a far grander scale, we have a similar – yet greater – Gift. We have Someone who loves us… not for what we have or how we look… not for how we dress or whether we dine on gourmet meals and live in mansions. We have a God who loves us and wants to be with us… because of who we are – not what we have. And He is willing to see that all of our needs are met, just so we can be together. God really doesn’t care whether you carry a $50 purse or stuff your money into your pocket. He is not the least bit interested in whether your jeans have a designer label or came from the thrift store. What God desires is your obedience… your trust… and your devotion. He will handle the rest. You may not have much… but you will always have enough. This should give each of us a tremendous sense of peace!
If you shop this weekend, I hope you will think about what really matters… spend your “tax-free” money wisely… and make every dollar count. Start learning to focus on your relationship with God… and with others. Make God’s work your top priority. Evangelist Joyce Meyer tells of standing in front of the mirror one Sunday morning… stewing about which outfit to wear and what accessories to add. She clearly heard God say, “Oh for goodness’ sake, Joyce… just put on something and GO!” It’s time for us to do the same. We’ve kept God waiting long enough! Won’t you set your worries aside and get busy doing His work? God may never ask you to “live in a pup tent,” but if He did… how would you respond?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 14, 2013
Ephesians 4:1-3
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
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.
Yesterday, we celebrated the life of my grandmother, Willie Dove “Polly” Chandler… all 100 years, 123 days of it. My grandmother was by no means perfect, but if you could have heard all of the wonderful things said about her and how she served others, you would be tempted to argue this point! She was described by one speaker as a “Proverbs 31” woman (go look it up!)… and by many who passed by her casket as “such a loving, giving person who always had a smile and a word of encouragement for others.” She didn’t just walk down the road God called her to travel… she ran!
I learned so much from my grandmother… and emulating her will be no small challenge! Of all the things she taught me, the most important were summed up in one of her favorite mantras… “The LORD will take care of me” …and He did. Was her life easy? Absolutely not! I can’t begin to tell you everything she saw and did in more than a century, but I know the LORD took care of her through the abandonment by her father at around age 12… the loss of her first baby, who died at birth…the loss of her older brother in a car accident when he was about 18…the death of her mother and all of her other siblings, her husband, her only living son, and her grandson, as well as countless friends and relatives… the loss of virtually all of her earthly belongings in a house fire when she was in her early 70s… numerous surgeries, illnesses and physical challenges – including a wreck when she was driving the school bus that left her with whiplash and put her in a cervical collar and traction for months. Still… the LORD took care of her through each of these things… and many more.
My grandmother grew up with virtually nothing, and for most of her adult life, she lived meagerly on the modest earnings she and my grandfather were able to produce from working more than one job and growing almost all of their own food (and selling the excess). Still, the LORD took care of her, and she faithfully presented a regular tithe to her church. When I took over managing her affairs, I marveled at how her dollars could stretch… and I made sure to make her tithe the first check I wrote each month!
Yes, the LORD took good care of her. And my grandmother quickly gave Him all the credit. When she met someone new, she would ask, “Can you stay for dinner (lunch) or supper?” …followed quickly by “Where do y’all go to church?” If the answer was not satisfactory, she would invite them to join her – at her table… and for services the following Sunday. Hers was a life rich in the things of the LORD… not necessarily material objects or monetary wealth. Her focus was firmly fixed on a heavenly home, where I know she is dancing and shouting today… and feasting at the LORD’s table. You see…He is still taking good care of her!
What about us? What is our focus? Which road are we traveling, and at what speed? Are we quick to serve the LORD… and to trust Him to take care of us? Do we depend upon Him even when things get rough… or tragedy strikes? Or do we fold up and turn to take another path? What is our ultimate focus… where are we headed?
I’ll be honest…the “glue” that held my family together - our matriarch - has gone to be with Jesus, and we’re all just a little lost. But I can already hear my grandmother saying, “Dry it up (the tears) and get up from there! You’ve got work to do and there’s no sense wasting time. The LORD will take care of you… you just need to let Him. Get on, now! They’s lots worse things than dying.” And she is right. So c’mon… we’ve got work to do… let’s work on this together and stay on the right path until the LORD calls us to heaven. I’m in… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
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 learned so much from my grandmother… and emulating her will be no small challenge! Of all the things she taught me, the most important were summed up in one of her favorite mantras… “The LORD will take care of me” …and He did. Was her life easy? Absolutely not! I can’t begin to tell you everything she saw and did in more than a century, but I know the LORD took care of her through the abandonment by her father at around age 12… the loss of her first baby, who died at birth…the loss of her older brother in a car accident when he was about 18…the death of her mother and all of her other siblings, her husband, her only living son, and her grandson, as well as countless friends and relatives… the loss of virtually all of her earthly belongings in a house fire when she was in her early 70s… numerous surgeries, illnesses and physical challenges – including a wreck when she was driving the school bus that left her with whiplash and put her in a cervical collar and traction for months. Still… the LORD took care of her through each of these things… and many more.
My grandmother grew up with virtually nothing, and for most of her adult life, she lived meagerly on the modest earnings she and my grandfather were able to produce from working more than one job and growing almost all of their own food (and selling the excess). Still, the LORD took care of her, and she faithfully presented a regular tithe to her church. When I took over managing her affairs, I marveled at how her dollars could stretch… and I made sure to make her tithe the first check I wrote each month!
Yes, the LORD took good care of her. And my grandmother quickly gave Him all the credit. When she met someone new, she would ask, “Can you stay for dinner (lunch) or supper?” …followed quickly by “Where do y’all go to church?” If the answer was not satisfactory, she would invite them to join her – at her table… and for services the following Sunday. Hers was a life rich in the things of the LORD… not necessarily material objects or monetary wealth. Her focus was firmly fixed on a heavenly home, where I know she is dancing and shouting today… and feasting at the LORD’s table. You see…He is still taking good care of her!
What about us? What is our focus? Which road are we traveling, and at what speed? Are we quick to serve the LORD… and to trust Him to take care of us? Do we depend upon Him even when things get rough… or tragedy strikes? Or do we fold up and turn to take another path? What is our ultimate focus… where are we headed?
I’ll be honest…the “glue” that held my family together - our matriarch - has gone to be with Jesus, and we’re all just a little lost. But I can already hear my grandmother saying, “Dry it up (the tears) and get up from there! You’ve got work to do and there’s no sense wasting time. The LORD will take care of you… you just need to let Him. Get on, now! They’s lots worse things than dying.” And she is right. So c’mon… we’ve got work to do… let’s work on this together and stay on the right path until the LORD calls us to heaven. I’m in… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 19, 2013
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Like many others, my husband and I have been Arkansas Razorbacks fans for decades. I like to think we are fans whether they win or lose. But let’s be honest… it’s a whole lot more fun when they are winning! We cheer, “call the Hogs,” and sing “Oh, Lord, It’s Hard to be Humble” with the best of them at games. There is something incredibly energizing and refreshing about the drumbeat of the band and hearing the U of A Fight Song. And who can beat the exhilaration of yelling “Woo Pig Sooie!”? Even though we both graduated from Arkansas Tech, we support the Razorbacks wholeheartedly… they are forever “our team.”
There was a time when we took our fan support of the Razorbacks more seriously than we do these days… and we know some fairly rabid fans even now! They practically live and die by the ups and downs of our beloved Hogs – especially when it comes to football, basketball, baseball and track. We have settled into what I believe is a healthy loyalty… a recognition that these are just sporting events played by young men and women. We are still exuberant over victories… but far less devastated by the defeats.
I have to wonder, do we give the same allegiance to God that we give to our athletic teams? After all, He supports US like no other. He is always there for us… always winning victories on our behalf… always singing and rejoicing over our triumphs. His love refreshes and energizes us each and every day. God is much more than the “wind beneath our wings.” He is our refuge, our strength… our everything! But do we treat Him with appropriate regard?
Do we give God the same “fan support” that we give to our beloved Arkansas Razorbacks? Are we ready to praise Him and maintain a relationship with Him when the chips are down and things are not going so well in our lives? Or maybe that’s the only time we ARE in close contact… when things go badly and we need God to bail us out! We can’t have it both ways, you know. We’re either in all the way… or we’re not in at all. Faith should not be fickle… and neither should our relationship with God.
We need to recognize God’s presence and power in our lives… His ability to secure victory after victory for us… to lift us up when we are sinking… and to celebrate when we are at the top of the heap! How refreshed are you by God’s presence in your life? Do you have a “fair weather fan” relationship… or have you gone “whole hog?” Isn’t it time you gave Him your “full fan support?” God is always with YOU… can you say the same in return?
©2013 Debbie Robus
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Like many others, my husband and I have been Arkansas Razorbacks fans for decades. I like to think we are fans whether they win or lose. But let’s be honest… it’s a whole lot more fun when they are winning! We cheer, “call the Hogs,” and sing “Oh, Lord, It’s Hard to be Humble” with the best of them at games. There is something incredibly energizing and refreshing about the drumbeat of the band and hearing the U of A Fight Song. And who can beat the exhilaration of yelling “Woo Pig Sooie!”? Even though we both graduated from Arkansas Tech, we support the Razorbacks wholeheartedly… they are forever “our team.”
There was a time when we took our fan support of the Razorbacks more seriously than we do these days… and we know some fairly rabid fans even now! They practically live and die by the ups and downs of our beloved Hogs – especially when it comes to football, basketball, baseball and track. We have settled into what I believe is a healthy loyalty… a recognition that these are just sporting events played by young men and women. We are still exuberant over victories… but far less devastated by the defeats.
I have to wonder, do we give the same allegiance to God that we give to our athletic teams? After all, He supports US like no other. He is always there for us… always winning victories on our behalf… always singing and rejoicing over our triumphs. His love refreshes and energizes us each and every day. God is much more than the “wind beneath our wings.” He is our refuge, our strength… our everything! But do we treat Him with appropriate regard?
Do we give God the same “fan support” that we give to our beloved Arkansas Razorbacks? Are we ready to praise Him and maintain a relationship with Him when the chips are down and things are not going so well in our lives? Or maybe that’s the only time we ARE in close contact… when things go badly and we need God to bail us out! We can’t have it both ways, you know. We’re either in all the way… or we’re not in at all. Faith should not be fickle… and neither should our relationship with God.
We need to recognize God’s presence and power in our lives… His ability to secure victory after victory for us… to lift us up when we are sinking… and to celebrate when we are at the top of the heap! How refreshed are you by God’s presence in your life? Do you have a “fair weather fan” relationship… or have you gone “whole hog?” Isn’t it time you gave Him your “full fan support?” God is always with YOU… can you say the same in return?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 13, 2013
Philippians 4:13
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Last week I had one of those “what-have-I-gotten-myself-into” moments that we all have occasionally. I discovered that my cousin’s in-laws were coming to Arkansas from Indiana and Tennessee for his wife’s funeral… 20-25 of them or better. I asked my cousin if he needed any food while they were visiting. He sent word that they could use meals for Friday night, Saturday breakfast, and Saturday evening… and possibly Sunday. I had some organizing to do! So I went over to my mom’s house, and she and I sat down and made a menu for three meals… dinner Friday night, breakfast Saturday morning, and dinner again Saturday evening. That wasn’t everything the family had asked for, but it was a good start!
We made a list of people we felt would want to help, and we got out the telephone directory and began calling them. The first half dozen calls we made were unanswered. We made a plan to “divide and conquer” the list, and I headed for the grocery store. Before I left, I told my mom, “I’m not worried about this… I’ve done it before, and we always have a ‘fish and five loaves’ situation. We’ll probably end up with more than enough. I know we will be okay.” On the way to the store, I prayed that God would make it so. And he did!
By Thursday morning, we had so much food coming that we had to scale back and ask some people to provide drinks, ice and paper goods instead. As people began to drop by with desserts, bread and sandwich meat, we reduced the amount of those items on our list. Then the church that hosted the funeral decided to provide the family with an after-service meal… and the family made plans to return home Saturday evening. So we started thinking in terms of what to do with leftovers!
Just as I predicted, God provided more than enough physical sustenance for this family. As He provided for their nourishment and bodily strength, He showed me once again that I can do anything with His help. And whether you are organizing a food committee for a bereaved family or planning a move to another city, God can handle it for you. If you need to overcome an addiction or lose a few pounds, God will give you the strength to do so. When you are grieving, sick, frustrated, frightened, or stressed out over something happy and fun… call on God to meet all of your needs – and He will gladly answer!
This is one of my favorite scriptures, because truly the message of Jesus Christ is fully encompassed. I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength… who died for my sins and took them upon Himself. I can do everything through Christ, who loves me in ways I cannot begin to understand and gives me strength to love others in ways that seem daunting, if not impossible. I can do everything through Christ, who sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in me and be my constant companion until He calls me home to live forever in His glorious presence! Nothing is impossible because of Jesus!
When I have a “what-have-I-gotten-myself-into” moment, I’m learning to remind myself of this… to say, “Okay, LORD, buckle Your seatbelt! It may be a bumpy ride, but if You will drive, I know we will get there in one piece!” I am learning to operate in HIS strength – and believe that all things are possible. Can you say the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Last week I had one of those “what-have-I-gotten-myself-into” moments that we all have occasionally. I discovered that my cousin’s in-laws were coming to Arkansas from Indiana and Tennessee for his wife’s funeral… 20-25 of them or better. I asked my cousin if he needed any food while they were visiting. He sent word that they could use meals for Friday night, Saturday breakfast, and Saturday evening… and possibly Sunday. I had some organizing to do! So I went over to my mom’s house, and she and I sat down and made a menu for three meals… dinner Friday night, breakfast Saturday morning, and dinner again Saturday evening. That wasn’t everything the family had asked for, but it was a good start!
We made a list of people we felt would want to help, and we got out the telephone directory and began calling them. The first half dozen calls we made were unanswered. We made a plan to “divide and conquer” the list, and I headed for the grocery store. Before I left, I told my mom, “I’m not worried about this… I’ve done it before, and we always have a ‘fish and five loaves’ situation. We’ll probably end up with more than enough. I know we will be okay.” On the way to the store, I prayed that God would make it so. And he did!
By Thursday morning, we had so much food coming that we had to scale back and ask some people to provide drinks, ice and paper goods instead. As people began to drop by with desserts, bread and sandwich meat, we reduced the amount of those items on our list. Then the church that hosted the funeral decided to provide the family with an after-service meal… and the family made plans to return home Saturday evening. So we started thinking in terms of what to do with leftovers!
Just as I predicted, God provided more than enough physical sustenance for this family. As He provided for their nourishment and bodily strength, He showed me once again that I can do anything with His help. And whether you are organizing a food committee for a bereaved family or planning a move to another city, God can handle it for you. If you need to overcome an addiction or lose a few pounds, God will give you the strength to do so. When you are grieving, sick, frustrated, frightened, or stressed out over something happy and fun… call on God to meet all of your needs – and He will gladly answer!
This is one of my favorite scriptures, because truly the message of Jesus Christ is fully encompassed. I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength… who died for my sins and took them upon Himself. I can do everything through Christ, who loves me in ways I cannot begin to understand and gives me strength to love others in ways that seem daunting, if not impossible. I can do everything through Christ, who sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in me and be my constant companion until He calls me home to live forever in His glorious presence! Nothing is impossible because of Jesus!
When I have a “what-have-I-gotten-myself-into” moment, I’m learning to remind myself of this… to say, “Okay, LORD, buckle Your seatbelt! It may be a bumpy ride, but if You will drive, I know we will get there in one piece!” I am learning to operate in HIS strength – and believe that all things are possible. Can you say the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 7, 2013
Job13:15
God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
I am going to argue my case with him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I spoke with my cousin JD this morning for quite a while. He is determined to carry on his tent revival ministry, despite the sudden and unexpected death yesterday of his wife and ministry partner, Angie. He reminded me that “my best Bible teacher has been pain.” And JD has endured much pain and challenge in his 30+ years - some of it self-induced, but also some that is simply part of life… the death of his mother to breast cancer when he was about twenty, the near-fatal logging accident four years ago, and several life-threatening accidents and illnesses involving his dad, just to name a few.
JD told me, “The devil has thrown prison, bankruptcy, near-death, drug abuse and more at me… and each time, I’ve shown him that He can’t beat me.” Now JD faces a tremendous hurdle… how to carry on his ministry without Angie. He is already “arguing his case”… planning his return to the mission field in Florida, as he and Angie had hoped to do later this month. As we talked, I heard such sadness and grief in JD’s voice… but I also detected a spirit of hope.
Here is some of what we shared… and what I want you to take from all of this today…
There is a profound difference between saying that you trust God, and truly TRUSTING Him. If you have ever been knocked to your knees in some way and gotten back up, you know the power of God to rescue and sustain you. Are you calling on that power as you move forward? When you plead your case before God, can you genuinely say that you have completely surrendered and relied on Him fully for strength and sustenance? If you or I woke up in the next few minutes in heaven, would we be able to plead our case with God as His faithful servant? Or do we still have work to do? I don’t believe our work for the LORD ever ends… or that we can possibly do enough for God in this lifetime… but our gauge of this and His are different. Satisfying God and fully yielding to His will is ALL that matters! How are you doing these days?
©2013 Debbie Robus
God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
I am going to argue my case with him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I spoke with my cousin JD this morning for quite a while. He is determined to carry on his tent revival ministry, despite the sudden and unexpected death yesterday of his wife and ministry partner, Angie. He reminded me that “my best Bible teacher has been pain.” And JD has endured much pain and challenge in his 30+ years - some of it self-induced, but also some that is simply part of life… the death of his mother to breast cancer when he was about twenty, the near-fatal logging accident four years ago, and several life-threatening accidents and illnesses involving his dad, just to name a few.
JD told me, “The devil has thrown prison, bankruptcy, near-death, drug abuse and more at me… and each time, I’ve shown him that He can’t beat me.” Now JD faces a tremendous hurdle… how to carry on his ministry without Angie. He is already “arguing his case”… planning his return to the mission field in Florida, as he and Angie had hoped to do later this month. As we talked, I heard such sadness and grief in JD’s voice… but I also detected a spirit of hope.
Here is some of what we shared… and what I want you to take from all of this today…
- When sadness and tragedy occurs in our life, it is okay to grieve – even as a faith-filled Christian. Jesus grieved over the death of Lazarus. God understands our pain… and He grieves for us in our heartache. But He also sustains us and gives us hope and strength.
- Even in death, Angie’s ministry continues. If you could read her Facebook page, you would see that she continues to be the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth to those who knew and loved her. Are you living in such a way that the same could be said of you?
- God may allow us to endure tragic circumstances… illness, accidents, debt, natural disaster, and even loss of life… but He never leaves us. He provides us with a protective shield – sometimes in the form of shock and numbness for a time. He gives us the fortitude and courage to keep putting one foot in front of the other – and to continue serving Him.
- Healing takes many forms. We are elated when healing comes in an earthly form… but ultimate restoration comes in Heaven. So we must celebrate today that Angie has received the definitive reward… she has seen the face of Jesus, and she is radiant and exquisite in His presence.
There is a profound difference between saying that you trust God, and truly TRUSTING Him. If you have ever been knocked to your knees in some way and gotten back up, you know the power of God to rescue and sustain you. Are you calling on that power as you move forward? When you plead your case before God, can you genuinely say that you have completely surrendered and relied on Him fully for strength and sustenance? If you or I woke up in the next few minutes in heaven, would we be able to plead our case with God as His faithful servant? Or do we still have work to do? I don’t believe our work for the LORD ever ends… or that we can possibly do enough for God in this lifetime… but our gauge of this and His are different. Satisfying God and fully yielding to His will is ALL that matters! How are you doing these days?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 29, 2012
1 Samuel 30:6
David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My husband’s oldest brother spent Christmas at his mother-in-law’s, in a city 150+ miles from his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. While he and his wife were away, the epic Christmas Day snowstorm ravaged much of our state, leaving their neighborhood looking like a war zone. Downed trees now weigh down power lines. Streets and driveways are impassable because of fallen tree limbs. Utility workers are vigilantly trying to restore electrical power to cold, hungry residents who are anxious to take a hot shower and get out of the dark.
This is the third time that my brother-in-law and his wife have experienced devastating power outages… twice to ice and snow, and once after residual high winds from a hurricane. They are weary and understandably frustrated. I am sure that they – and many of those who have been without power for at least four days now - have felt a little like David… vulnerable and downhearted… discouraged and miserable. But help is arriving. All throughout our state, those who can are rallying to assist others. Those who cannot physically help are sending money to organizations like the American Red Cross… and countless numbers are praying for those in need.
The strength of the LORD comes in many forms. My husband and his middle brother drove to Little Rock to help clear trees and unblock their older brother’s driveway. I am sure that this was of great comfort to him… and served as a reminder that God is still in control… still recognizing his needs – and meeting them. I know that his family, friends and church family are all praying for them as they face a huge cleanup and restoration project in coming weeks… and this must encourage them tremendously.
Thankfully, few of us will ever face something as daunting as the potential to be stoned by our peers. But we may endure hardships that feel just as formidable. Let us remember that God is with us. He is strengthening us for whatever obstacles and challenges we face, and He will equip us to meet them head-on.
Are you calling on God for strength today? Do you feel His presence and His power? When you face difficult times, where do you turn? Take heart… God is with you… find strength in the LORD your God!
©2012 Debbie Robus
David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My husband’s oldest brother spent Christmas at his mother-in-law’s, in a city 150+ miles from his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. While he and his wife were away, the epic Christmas Day snowstorm ravaged much of our state, leaving their neighborhood looking like a war zone. Downed trees now weigh down power lines. Streets and driveways are impassable because of fallen tree limbs. Utility workers are vigilantly trying to restore electrical power to cold, hungry residents who are anxious to take a hot shower and get out of the dark.
This is the third time that my brother-in-law and his wife have experienced devastating power outages… twice to ice and snow, and once after residual high winds from a hurricane. They are weary and understandably frustrated. I am sure that they – and many of those who have been without power for at least four days now - have felt a little like David… vulnerable and downhearted… discouraged and miserable. But help is arriving. All throughout our state, those who can are rallying to assist others. Those who cannot physically help are sending money to organizations like the American Red Cross… and countless numbers are praying for those in need.
The strength of the LORD comes in many forms. My husband and his middle brother drove to Little Rock to help clear trees and unblock their older brother’s driveway. I am sure that this was of great comfort to him… and served as a reminder that God is still in control… still recognizing his needs – and meeting them. I know that his family, friends and church family are all praying for them as they face a huge cleanup and restoration project in coming weeks… and this must encourage them tremendously.
Thankfully, few of us will ever face something as daunting as the potential to be stoned by our peers. But we may endure hardships that feel just as formidable. Let us remember that God is with us. He is strengthening us for whatever obstacles and challenges we face, and He will equip us to meet them head-on.
Are you calling on God for strength today? Do you feel His presence and His power? When you face difficult times, where do you turn? Take heart… God is with you… find strength in the LORD your God!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 3, 2012
Matthew 8:5-13
When Jesus was going into the town of Capernaum, an army officer came up to him and said, “Lord, my servant is at home in such terrible pain that he can’t even move.”
“I will go and heal him,” Jesus replied.
But the officer said, “Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you that in all of Israel I’ve never found anyone with this much faith! Many people will come from everywhere to enjoy the feast in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But the ones who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown out into the dark. They will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”
Then Jesus said to the officer, “You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.”
Right then his servant was healed.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know at least one person who can be trusted to always do what he/she promises? Is this person someone of whom you can ask a favor or give a task, and you don’t even have to check to see if they did it… you just know that they did? Isn’t that a great feeling?! I know a few people like this, and I can’t begin to express how valuable they are to me. I know they will move heaven and earth to get things done. Barring an unforeseen circumstance, I won’t have to give this another thought.
On the other hand, don’t you know at least one person who has to be not only prodded to get things done… but he/she also has to be monitored to ensure that the task was completed? It’s not that these are necessarily bad people… but the level of steadfastness and reliability is simply lacking to non-existent! You check up on them because you must, if you want to be sure things get done!
I am so very grateful that we serve a God who is reliable, steady, loyal, accountable, and powerful! We don’t have to check up on God… we don’t have to worry that He will answer our prayers, meet our needs, or heal our “wounds” and “diseases.” Our Heavenly Father is honorable, deliberate, and able to do all things. When we ask anything of Him, it is safe to assume that He’s “on it,” and all will be handled according to His will.
Does this mean that God will always answer exactly as we expect? Absolutely not! When we learn to trust God not only to answer… but also for His perfect answer… we have reached a new level in our relationship with Him. It is human nature to check up on God… to somewhat pester Him for answers. We all go through a time where we remind Him often, “LORD, I still need such-and-such…” or “Father, I’m still hurting here,” or even, “God, WHEN will you hear me?”
When we get to a point that we no longer have to ask… when we don’t have to see God at work or have Him physically visit our home and touch us to heal us… when we just KNOW that He is working things out for us… we begin to fully operate in Christian faith. I pray that you are getting there. I hope you are making strides in your ability to trust the most trustworthy One of all. There will still be times when you will question… but I hope you will also feel a little foolish for doing so. I know I do!
The statement Jesus made about His observance of the army officer’s level of faith is incredibly profound… an amazing commendation any one of us would covet. When Jesus looks at your faith… is He equally astounded? Shouldn’t He be?
©2012 Debbie Robus
When Jesus was going into the town of Capernaum, an army officer came up to him and said, “Lord, my servant is at home in such terrible pain that he can’t even move.”
“I will go and heal him,” Jesus replied.
But the officer said, “Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you that in all of Israel I’ve never found anyone with this much faith! Many people will come from everywhere to enjoy the feast in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But the ones who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown out into the dark. They will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”
Then Jesus said to the officer, “You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.”
Right then his servant was healed.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know at least one person who can be trusted to always do what he/she promises? Is this person someone of whom you can ask a favor or give a task, and you don’t even have to check to see if they did it… you just know that they did? Isn’t that a great feeling?! I know a few people like this, and I can’t begin to express how valuable they are to me. I know they will move heaven and earth to get things done. Barring an unforeseen circumstance, I won’t have to give this another thought.
On the other hand, don’t you know at least one person who has to be not only prodded to get things done… but he/she also has to be monitored to ensure that the task was completed? It’s not that these are necessarily bad people… but the level of steadfastness and reliability is simply lacking to non-existent! You check up on them because you must, if you want to be sure things get done!
I am so very grateful that we serve a God who is reliable, steady, loyal, accountable, and powerful! We don’t have to check up on God… we don’t have to worry that He will answer our prayers, meet our needs, or heal our “wounds” and “diseases.” Our Heavenly Father is honorable, deliberate, and able to do all things. When we ask anything of Him, it is safe to assume that He’s “on it,” and all will be handled according to His will.
Does this mean that God will always answer exactly as we expect? Absolutely not! When we learn to trust God not only to answer… but also for His perfect answer… we have reached a new level in our relationship with Him. It is human nature to check up on God… to somewhat pester Him for answers. We all go through a time where we remind Him often, “LORD, I still need such-and-such…” or “Father, I’m still hurting here,” or even, “God, WHEN will you hear me?”
When we get to a point that we no longer have to ask… when we don’t have to see God at work or have Him physically visit our home and touch us to heal us… when we just KNOW that He is working things out for us… we begin to fully operate in Christian faith. I pray that you are getting there. I hope you are making strides in your ability to trust the most trustworthy One of all. There will still be times when you will question… but I hope you will also feel a little foolish for doing so. I know I do!
The statement Jesus made about His observance of the army officer’s level of faith is incredibly profound… an amazing commendation any one of us would covet. When Jesus looks at your faith… is He equally astounded? Shouldn’t He be?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 7, 2012
Hebrews 11:32-40
I could go on and on, but I’ve run out of time. There are so many more—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets. . . . Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn’t deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.
Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from 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.
I’ve told you before about hearing people talk of someone who has a “direct line” to God. I’m willing to bet you know someone who believes that it makes a difference in their lives when certain people pray over them. There truly are people who think that God bestows favors on certain believers… and answers their prayers more swiftly or with a better outcome. I don’t believe this is the case… and I’ll take this scripture passage as proof!
As these verses illustrate, people endured all sorts of things to serve God… yet they often continued to suffer. Many were tortured, stoned, sawed in two, and murdered. Surely their answers and rewards did not come in this lifetime. And ours may not, either! The point is that God has something wonderful for each of us… we just don’t get to pick when, where, and how He will deliver it! He will not favor one servant over another… God will not answer one person’s prayers more readily than others’.
It may appear that some people seem to walk in more blessings and receive preferential treatment… but we don’t know the whole story. I would venture to guess that every person you think is being given partial treatment by God has untold struggles, worries, and concerns. He/she may just do a better job of walking in faith that God will handle these things than we do!
My point is that we are all precious to God. He has great plans in store for each of us… and He will bestow His gifts and blessings upon us with perfect precision and timing. Our job is to stay faithful… just like the saints and servants of long ago… to continue to honor, praise, and serve God even in our darkest hours. We all can equally share in God’s promises. At exactly the right time, these will be revealed to us… and it will be worth the wait!
Stay faithful… keep on “keepin’ on!” Know that God hears your every thought and prayer as well as anyone else’s. Serve Him with a glad heart - even when you are anything but glad. Know that He is preparing amazing things for your future. Trust God to give you all you need and more… and live like you really mean it!
©2012 Debbie Robus
I could go on and on, but I’ve run out of time. There are so many more—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets. . . . Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn’t deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.
Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from 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.
I’ve told you before about hearing people talk of someone who has a “direct line” to God. I’m willing to bet you know someone who believes that it makes a difference in their lives when certain people pray over them. There truly are people who think that God bestows favors on certain believers… and answers their prayers more swiftly or with a better outcome. I don’t believe this is the case… and I’ll take this scripture passage as proof!
As these verses illustrate, people endured all sorts of things to serve God… yet they often continued to suffer. Many were tortured, stoned, sawed in two, and murdered. Surely their answers and rewards did not come in this lifetime. And ours may not, either! The point is that God has something wonderful for each of us… we just don’t get to pick when, where, and how He will deliver it! He will not favor one servant over another… God will not answer one person’s prayers more readily than others’.
It may appear that some people seem to walk in more blessings and receive preferential treatment… but we don’t know the whole story. I would venture to guess that every person you think is being given partial treatment by God has untold struggles, worries, and concerns. He/she may just do a better job of walking in faith that God will handle these things than we do!
My point is that we are all precious to God. He has great plans in store for each of us… and He will bestow His gifts and blessings upon us with perfect precision and timing. Our job is to stay faithful… just like the saints and servants of long ago… to continue to honor, praise, and serve God even in our darkest hours. We all can equally share in God’s promises. At exactly the right time, these will be revealed to us… and it will be worth the wait!
Stay faithful… keep on “keepin’ on!” Know that God hears your every thought and prayer as well as anyone else’s. Serve Him with a glad heart - even when you are anything but glad. Know that He is preparing amazing things for your future. Trust God to give you all you need and more… and live like you really mean it!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 3, 2012
October 3 ~ Ezekiel 37:11-14
The Lord said: Ezekiel, the people of Israel are like dead bones. They complain that they are dried up and that they have no hope for the future. So tell them, “I, the Lord God, promise to open your graves and set you free. I will bring you back to Israel, and when that happens, you will realize that I am the Lord. My Spirit will give you breath, and you will live again. I will bring you home, and you will know that I have kept my promise. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have a great recipe for a sour cream raisin pie. This may sound awful to you, but I promise, it is delicious. Raisins are suspended in a creamy, sweet custard made mostly of eggs, sugar, and sour cream… topped by a golden meringue. Now, I love raisins, but the thought of hard, chewy nuggets in a creamy pie does not appeal to me. The key to making the raisins tasty for this pie is to soak them for a few minutes in boiling water. They plump and become juicy and have an altogether different consistency from that of their dried state. The raisins are transformed!
There are many situations in life where we become like dried raisins… lifeless, hard and chewy. Or we become like dead bones… no life in us at all. We give up… we throw our hands in the air and say, “This is too hard… I just cannot continue. Things will never change. My future is hopeless.” Or we give up on someone else – or a certain situation. We humans are often pretty quick to lose our hope and throw in the towel!
Here’s the deal… with God, all things are possible. It ain’t over until He says it’s over! We must never give up. Just like dried raisins can be rejuvenated – brought back to life, so to speak – and used to create an amazingly wonderful pie… God can often breathe life back into us or our situation. He can make a way where we saw none. God can “open our graves” and set us free.
I don’t know what you are facing. I don’t know where you have admitted defeat and decided things are hopeless. I have no clue how or when you have given up… but I know that many of us have - at least for a while. And I am here to tell you that we serve a God of endless possibilities… miracles we cannot imagine. All we have to do is say, “LORD, I don’t know how, when, or where you will change my situation… but I know that you will. I am giving this to You, recognizing Your strength and power, and asking You to turn things around, according to Your perfect will.”
I pray that you will develop the kind of deep abiding faith in God that allows you to release your “dry bones” to Him. Do whatever it takes to become so in tune with Him that you trust Him completely – not just if you face uncertainties, but especially when these happen! Get to a point in your relationship with God where nothing rattles you… where you hand Him all of your troubles and truly release them. Feel the freedom of knowing that HE is in control and working things out perfectly. Learn to truly LIVE in God… to allow His Spirit to fully give you breath… and to operate in the confidence and peace of knowing that He always has your back!
©2012 Debbie Robus
The Lord said: Ezekiel, the people of Israel are like dead bones. They complain that they are dried up and that they have no hope for the future. So tell them, “I, the Lord God, promise to open your graves and set you free. I will bring you back to Israel, and when that happens, you will realize that I am the Lord. My Spirit will give you breath, and you will live again. I will bring you home, and you will know that I have kept my promise. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I have a great recipe for a sour cream raisin pie. This may sound awful to you, but I promise, it is delicious. Raisins are suspended in a creamy, sweet custard made mostly of eggs, sugar, and sour cream… topped by a golden meringue. Now, I love raisins, but the thought of hard, chewy nuggets in a creamy pie does not appeal to me. The key to making the raisins tasty for this pie is to soak them for a few minutes in boiling water. They plump and become juicy and have an altogether different consistency from that of their dried state. The raisins are transformed!
There are many situations in life where we become like dried raisins… lifeless, hard and chewy. Or we become like dead bones… no life in us at all. We give up… we throw our hands in the air and say, “This is too hard… I just cannot continue. Things will never change. My future is hopeless.” Or we give up on someone else – or a certain situation. We humans are often pretty quick to lose our hope and throw in the towel!
Here’s the deal… with God, all things are possible. It ain’t over until He says it’s over! We must never give up. Just like dried raisins can be rejuvenated – brought back to life, so to speak – and used to create an amazingly wonderful pie… God can often breathe life back into us or our situation. He can make a way where we saw none. God can “open our graves” and set us free.
I don’t know what you are facing. I don’t know where you have admitted defeat and decided things are hopeless. I have no clue how or when you have given up… but I know that many of us have - at least for a while. And I am here to tell you that we serve a God of endless possibilities… miracles we cannot imagine. All we have to do is say, “LORD, I don’t know how, when, or where you will change my situation… but I know that you will. I am giving this to You, recognizing Your strength and power, and asking You to turn things around, according to Your perfect will.”
I pray that you will develop the kind of deep abiding faith in God that allows you to release your “dry bones” to Him. Do whatever it takes to become so in tune with Him that you trust Him completely – not just if you face uncertainties, but especially when these happen! Get to a point in your relationship with God where nothing rattles you… where you hand Him all of your troubles and truly release them. Feel the freedom of knowing that HE is in control and working things out perfectly. Learn to truly LIVE in God… to allow His Spirit to fully give you breath… and to operate in the confidence and peace of knowing that He always has your back!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 18, 2012
James 5:9-11
Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Last week, my dad’s first cousin passed away in Texas. A graveside funeral was held in Arkansas, just outside my hometown in a family cemetery. I saw cousins I had not seen in a long, long time – some for more than four decades. And I was reminded of my grandparents, aunts and uncles… the parents of my dad and his cousin and others. These were hard-working people who faced many challenges and adversities.
Some of my uncles were “characters” who probably drove my aunts crazy. But to a woman, I remember my aunts as gracious, generous, loving women who always had a smile for me – and room at their table for one more. When I hear my grandmother talk about all that she has experienced in 100 years, I marvel at her strength. I know that most of it comes from her deeply rooted faith in God. She will tell you that He has seen her through more than her fair share of trials and tribulations. And she is living proof that God never gives us more than we can handle – nor does He leave us to fend for ourselves.
For all of my grandmother’s good qualities, she was always one to “tell it like it is” – and I am afraid I inherited a hefty dose of this trait. I will admit that I have to work very hard at not being so frank - or being critical of others… even if I believe that what I am saying is the truth. None of us is perfect. And truly, nobody knows what is in another person’s heart… his/her motives… what the “back-story” is for their actions and behaviors. Most of the time, we simply don’t have all the facts. And even if we did… judgment is not OUR responsibility. To judge others is to say that we know better than God.
In talking with another of my dad’s cousins, I told her that my grandmother and I used to talk on the phone several times a week… if not daily. I shared with my cousin that my grandmother and I have a close relationship – I have always been able to talk to her about virtually anything. Now, she is lucky if she can get out one or two words… and talking on the phone is out of the question. I commented that I probably miss our conversations even more than I realize. But I have her legacy… her example of faith and courage, love and generosity. For all of her sauciness, my grandmother has treated others very well in her lifetime… and her reputation is one of a Godly woman who stayed the course, emulated Jesus in her service to others, and trusted God to meet her needs. “The LORD will take care of me,” was not just a catch-phrase… it has been her standard.
In all honesty, I have never heard my grandmother say, “I quit.” When one door closed, she figured out a way to open a window – with God’s help. In recent months when her body has failed her, she has expressed a desire to die… not because she is done, but because she is ready for heaven and the next chapter.
I pray that you have a mentor in your life to share with you how God cares about you down to the last detail. I pray that you are kind to others, generous, tolerant, and slow to criticize. Remember that “The LORD will take care of you” – no matter what happens. When you are discouraged, stop and think of those who have demonstrated this so well… and take a page from their book.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Last week, my dad’s first cousin passed away in Texas. A graveside funeral was held in Arkansas, just outside my hometown in a family cemetery. I saw cousins I had not seen in a long, long time – some for more than four decades. And I was reminded of my grandparents, aunts and uncles… the parents of my dad and his cousin and others. These were hard-working people who faced many challenges and adversities.
Some of my uncles were “characters” who probably drove my aunts crazy. But to a woman, I remember my aunts as gracious, generous, loving women who always had a smile for me – and room at their table for one more. When I hear my grandmother talk about all that she has experienced in 100 years, I marvel at her strength. I know that most of it comes from her deeply rooted faith in God. She will tell you that He has seen her through more than her fair share of trials and tribulations. And she is living proof that God never gives us more than we can handle – nor does He leave us to fend for ourselves.
For all of my grandmother’s good qualities, she was always one to “tell it like it is” – and I am afraid I inherited a hefty dose of this trait. I will admit that I have to work very hard at not being so frank - or being critical of others… even if I believe that what I am saying is the truth. None of us is perfect. And truly, nobody knows what is in another person’s heart… his/her motives… what the “back-story” is for their actions and behaviors. Most of the time, we simply don’t have all the facts. And even if we did… judgment is not OUR responsibility. To judge others is to say that we know better than God.
In talking with another of my dad’s cousins, I told her that my grandmother and I used to talk on the phone several times a week… if not daily. I shared with my cousin that my grandmother and I have a close relationship – I have always been able to talk to her about virtually anything. Now, she is lucky if she can get out one or two words… and talking on the phone is out of the question. I commented that I probably miss our conversations even more than I realize. But I have her legacy… her example of faith and courage, love and generosity. For all of her sauciness, my grandmother has treated others very well in her lifetime… and her reputation is one of a Godly woman who stayed the course, emulated Jesus in her service to others, and trusted God to meet her needs. “The LORD will take care of me,” was not just a catch-phrase… it has been her standard.
In all honesty, I have never heard my grandmother say, “I quit.” When one door closed, she figured out a way to open a window – with God’s help. In recent months when her body has failed her, she has expressed a desire to die… not because she is done, but because she is ready for heaven and the next chapter.
I pray that you have a mentor in your life to share with you how God cares about you down to the last detail. I pray that you are kind to others, generous, tolerant, and slow to criticize. Remember that “The LORD will take care of you” – no matter what happens. When you are discouraged, stop and think of those who have demonstrated this so well… and take a page from their book.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 22, 2012
James 1:5-8
If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our niece went shopping for a rug for her new house. She found two she really liked at a great price, so she bought them both. She was worried that the rug she chose might not be right, so she kept her options open by purchasing two. She reasoned that she would either find a use for the one that didn’t work as well… or she would return it. In other words, she had doubts.
There is probably little to no harm in doing this with a rug purchase. But when we lack confidence in our prayers… when we fail to trust God to do what He has promised and cannot make up our mind, we can’t expect God to be front and center with answers. Am I saying that God will withhold answers from us? Not necessarily. I am saying that what we expect and what God grants us may be two completely different things… and rightly so!
Think of it this way… suppose you want a family member to help you with something. You know that he/she will gladly do this… but you don’t want to ask them. So you sit at home and wait… expecting this person to read your mind or have some sort of magical mental telepathy and know that, “Hey, So-and-So needs my help!” When no help arrives, do you have a right to be upset? What if you did ask for help, and then you decided, “He/she won’t really come through,” so you went off and did something else and weren’t where you said you would be at the appointed hour? Would you be entitled to be upset with the person you asked to help you? Do you think he/she would be interested in agreeing to help you again? Would you blame them?
This is what we do all the time with God. We ask Him for help – or guidance – or some sort of answer or miracle. Then we “leave home.” We decide that there is no way God will really come through for us. We doubt His ability to deliver and His promises… and we doubt our own ability to hear and believe His answers. We don’t really give God a chance to answer. And then we wonder why things are not going so well in our lives.
Read this passage again, and really let its message soak into your heart and mind. Don’t have doubts. Don’t second guess or hedge your bets when you pray. There is only one option. You can’t ask God to help you and then develop a “back-up” plan. God is all you need! He is always the right choice, and He stands ready, willing, and more than able to meet your needs. The question is… will you let Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our niece went shopping for a rug for her new house. She found two she really liked at a great price, so she bought them both. She was worried that the rug she chose might not be right, so she kept her options open by purchasing two. She reasoned that she would either find a use for the one that didn’t work as well… or she would return it. In other words, she had doubts.
There is probably little to no harm in doing this with a rug purchase. But when we lack confidence in our prayers… when we fail to trust God to do what He has promised and cannot make up our mind, we can’t expect God to be front and center with answers. Am I saying that God will withhold answers from us? Not necessarily. I am saying that what we expect and what God grants us may be two completely different things… and rightly so!
Think of it this way… suppose you want a family member to help you with something. You know that he/she will gladly do this… but you don’t want to ask them. So you sit at home and wait… expecting this person to read your mind or have some sort of magical mental telepathy and know that, “Hey, So-and-So needs my help!” When no help arrives, do you have a right to be upset? What if you did ask for help, and then you decided, “He/she won’t really come through,” so you went off and did something else and weren’t where you said you would be at the appointed hour? Would you be entitled to be upset with the person you asked to help you? Do you think he/she would be interested in agreeing to help you again? Would you blame them?
This is what we do all the time with God. We ask Him for help – or guidance – or some sort of answer or miracle. Then we “leave home.” We decide that there is no way God will really come through for us. We doubt His ability to deliver and His promises… and we doubt our own ability to hear and believe His answers. We don’t really give God a chance to answer. And then we wonder why things are not going so well in our lives.
Read this passage again, and really let its message soak into your heart and mind. Don’t have doubts. Don’t second guess or hedge your bets when you pray. There is only one option. You can’t ask God to help you and then develop a “back-up” plan. God is all you need! He is always the right choice, and He stands ready, willing, and more than able to meet your needs. The question is… will you let Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 21, 2012
James 1:1-4
From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.
My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is a new program on TLC called “Big Tiny.” It features a brother and sister in Illinois who are in their early twenties. Bri and Brad Jordan are primordial dwarves. Both are featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest siblings, and Bri is the world’s tiniest living woman. At 23 years of age, Bri stands 28 inches tall. Brad, age 20, has 38 inches of height. The two siblings live with their mom in Sandoval, Illinois.
Bri and Brad want so badly to be “normal” young adults. They attend college… Brad actually attends on a cheerleading scholarship. As you might imagine, he is used to top “pyramids” and the other members of the squad toss him into the air in some of their stunts. Brad is a talented gymnast and can do flips across the basketball court with the best of them. Bri is a “girlie girl” all the way and loves to spend time between classes sharing a snack with a table of girlfriends… all of whom are of “normal” size and stature.
Bri and Brad would really love to live on their own like other young adults their age. They have gotten licenses to drive a car (with special adaptations for little people like them), and they are learning to do chores around the house that would be necessary for independent living… laundry, housekeeping, and cooking. I watched an episode that featured them pushing the vacuum across the floor. At just over 2 feet tall, Bri was admittedly terrified of the vacuum, and she could barely push it. She complained afterward that her arms and hands were hurting, and she explained that someone of her small stature has limited upper body strength. The logistics of maneuvering something tall and heavy (like a vacuum or a pile of clean laundry) are quite different than for someone of standard height.
When I watched the siblings climb a step stool and stand on kitchen counters to put soup and mac ‘n cheese in the microwave for lunch, I held my breath! If our little nephew Timothy (who is 38+” tall at age 3) tried to do this, we would have a fit! Yet this is how Bri and Brad will have to manage, if they hope to live independently. And I know their mom will pray every day that God keeps them safe…if/when this happens.
From all indications, Bri and Brad Jordan are incredibly happy, positive, hopeful individuals. They have enormous challenges… health issues that would stymie a senior citizen… and more obstacles than I would ever want to consider. But they both exude joy. They endure everything. And so does their mother. She made the comment on one program that “’Can’t’ doesn’t live in our house!”
My point is that everybody has problems. You cannot always tell for certain what is happening in another person’s life just by looking at him/her. The person who is bright, cheerful and positive may have ten times the issues and challenges of someone who appears sad and grumpy. The most beautiful, tall fashion model or athlete may have ten times the problems of someone with primordial dwarfism like Bri and Brad. Not everyone wears their difficulties and worries on their sleeve! Does this mean we should never share our burdens? Should we keep our troubles bottled inside and never let anyone know what is happening in our life? The answer is a resounding, “NO!”
At the same time, we should not be defined by our troubles… but rather, how we handle them. If we are allowing God to have control, nothing is unmanageable. When we trust God to help us through anything and everything, we can endure it all. And in doing so, we are completed. GOD makes the difference! He handles what we cannot… and strengthens us for the journey.
When others look at us, do they see a person with the weight of the world on his/her shoulders? Or do they see someone who is operating in joy and hope? The difference could lie in large part with WHO we trust to handle our daily cares. When your faith is tested, who helps you to endure? Do you operate in Spiritual maturity… or are you living in lack? I encourage you to redouble your efforts to grow closer to God… to give EVERYTHING to Him, and trust that He will manage all of your troubles and enable you to live with hope and peace. Wear the joy of a faith-filled life in Christ on your sleeve… not your troubles!
©2012 Debbie Robus
From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.
My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is a new program on TLC called “Big Tiny.” It features a brother and sister in Illinois who are in their early twenties. Bri and Brad Jordan are primordial dwarves. Both are featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest siblings, and Bri is the world’s tiniest living woman. At 23 years of age, Bri stands 28 inches tall. Brad, age 20, has 38 inches of height. The two siblings live with their mom in Sandoval, Illinois.
Bri and Brad want so badly to be “normal” young adults. They attend college… Brad actually attends on a cheerleading scholarship. As you might imagine, he is used to top “pyramids” and the other members of the squad toss him into the air in some of their stunts. Brad is a talented gymnast and can do flips across the basketball court with the best of them. Bri is a “girlie girl” all the way and loves to spend time between classes sharing a snack with a table of girlfriends… all of whom are of “normal” size and stature.
Bri and Brad would really love to live on their own like other young adults their age. They have gotten licenses to drive a car (with special adaptations for little people like them), and they are learning to do chores around the house that would be necessary for independent living… laundry, housekeeping, and cooking. I watched an episode that featured them pushing the vacuum across the floor. At just over 2 feet tall, Bri was admittedly terrified of the vacuum, and she could barely push it. She complained afterward that her arms and hands were hurting, and she explained that someone of her small stature has limited upper body strength. The logistics of maneuvering something tall and heavy (like a vacuum or a pile of clean laundry) are quite different than for someone of standard height.
When I watched the siblings climb a step stool and stand on kitchen counters to put soup and mac ‘n cheese in the microwave for lunch, I held my breath! If our little nephew Timothy (who is 38+” tall at age 3) tried to do this, we would have a fit! Yet this is how Bri and Brad will have to manage, if they hope to live independently. And I know their mom will pray every day that God keeps them safe…if/when this happens.
From all indications, Bri and Brad Jordan are incredibly happy, positive, hopeful individuals. They have enormous challenges… health issues that would stymie a senior citizen… and more obstacles than I would ever want to consider. But they both exude joy. They endure everything. And so does their mother. She made the comment on one program that “’Can’t’ doesn’t live in our house!”
My point is that everybody has problems. You cannot always tell for certain what is happening in another person’s life just by looking at him/her. The person who is bright, cheerful and positive may have ten times the issues and challenges of someone who appears sad and grumpy. The most beautiful, tall fashion model or athlete may have ten times the problems of someone with primordial dwarfism like Bri and Brad. Not everyone wears their difficulties and worries on their sleeve! Does this mean we should never share our burdens? Should we keep our troubles bottled inside and never let anyone know what is happening in our life? The answer is a resounding, “NO!”
At the same time, we should not be defined by our troubles… but rather, how we handle them. If we are allowing God to have control, nothing is unmanageable. When we trust God to help us through anything and everything, we can endure it all. And in doing so, we are completed. GOD makes the difference! He handles what we cannot… and strengthens us for the journey.
When others look at us, do they see a person with the weight of the world on his/her shoulders? Or do they see someone who is operating in joy and hope? The difference could lie in large part with WHO we trust to handle our daily cares. When your faith is tested, who helps you to endure? Do you operate in Spiritual maturity… or are you living in lack? I encourage you to redouble your efforts to grow closer to God… to give EVERYTHING to Him, and trust that He will manage all of your troubles and enable you to live with hope and peace. Wear the joy of a faith-filled life in Christ on your sleeve… not your troubles!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 28, 2012
1 Peter 2:22-23
Christ did not sin or ever tell a lie. Although he was abused, he never tried to get even. And when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he had faith in God, who judges fairly.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
NBC’s Today Show co-host, Ann Curry, said a tearful “Good-bye” to her faithful early-morning followers this morning. Apparently, the “powers that be” have decided that Curry’s co-hosting style is not conducive to high ratings. So she has been “re-assigned” to other projects for the “Today Show family” with a “new title and a new role.” As Curry spoke, she said, “This is not as I expected… to leave this couch after 15 years.” You could hear the pain in her voice and see the sadness on her face. Yet she did not lash out in any way. Instead, she said, “I am so grateful… especially to all of you who watch me…”
Curry thanked a lot of people who work behind the scenes, and then she said, “For all of you who saw me as a ground breaker, I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball over the Finish line… but man, I did try!” Curry did not lay blame on anyone… she was gracious and humble. I have no doubt there is a lot more to this story, but Ann Curry did not air any “dirty laundry” in public nor make any pointed jabs at her bosses.
In a similar manner, we watched late night comedian Conan O’Brien get the boot from NBC (is there a pattern here?) a few years ago, when Jay Leno decided he did not like “retirement” and wanted his old job back. In a recent interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, O’Brien talked about the devastation of losing his job as a late-night host, saying… “Not that I'm a great figure, whatever that would be. But there should be -- in a good career, there should be a lot of challenges. And so I wouldn't -- I would honestly not really change anything that happened. It's been fascinating. It brought me to where I am now, which I love.”
Again, I’m not saying there wasn’t huge disappointment for Curry and O’Brien, because clearly they were both hurt and upset by their dismissals. And we don’t know what went on behind the scenes… nor how they behaved in private. But publicly, at least, they took the high road and appeared to act honorably… knowing that much of the world was watching.
Like O’Brien, most of us are not “great figures” – and we may feel that few are watching or give a hoot about how we behave or react to circumstances in our lives. But I assure you, people are watching! We would do well to take a page from the books of these two celebrities and apply it to our daily living. We should listen to the words of these verses in 1 Peter and avoid attempts to get even – or make threats. God will judge fairly… He will protect us. For every “bad” outcome, God will give us a better one. As O’Brien said, there will be lots of challenges, and like Curry, we may not always “carry the ball over the Finish line.” But these challenges will all lead to positive outcomes for those who trust God to handle the bumps in the road.
Conan O’Brien has found a new late night home on TBS, a cable network. He says he is having the time of his life there. I have no doubt that Ann Curry will land on her feet and do great things in the future. I am equally confident that we can also have wonderful lives filled with blessings… if we keep our focus on God and trust Him to number our steps.
When others look at your reactions to the challenges of life, what sort of “faith walk” will they see? Are you ready to move over and let God have control in your life?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Christ did not sin or ever tell a lie. Although he was abused, he never tried to get even. And when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he had faith in God, who judges fairly.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
NBC’s Today Show co-host, Ann Curry, said a tearful “Good-bye” to her faithful early-morning followers this morning. Apparently, the “powers that be” have decided that Curry’s co-hosting style is not conducive to high ratings. So she has been “re-assigned” to other projects for the “Today Show family” with a “new title and a new role.” As Curry spoke, she said, “This is not as I expected… to leave this couch after 15 years.” You could hear the pain in her voice and see the sadness on her face. Yet she did not lash out in any way. Instead, she said, “I am so grateful… especially to all of you who watch me…”
Curry thanked a lot of people who work behind the scenes, and then she said, “For all of you who saw me as a ground breaker, I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball over the Finish line… but man, I did try!” Curry did not lay blame on anyone… she was gracious and humble. I have no doubt there is a lot more to this story, but Ann Curry did not air any “dirty laundry” in public nor make any pointed jabs at her bosses.
In a similar manner, we watched late night comedian Conan O’Brien get the boot from NBC (is there a pattern here?) a few years ago, when Jay Leno decided he did not like “retirement” and wanted his old job back. In a recent interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, O’Brien talked about the devastation of losing his job as a late-night host, saying… “Not that I'm a great figure, whatever that would be. But there should be -- in a good career, there should be a lot of challenges. And so I wouldn't -- I would honestly not really change anything that happened. It's been fascinating. It brought me to where I am now, which I love.”
Again, I’m not saying there wasn’t huge disappointment for Curry and O’Brien, because clearly they were both hurt and upset by their dismissals. And we don’t know what went on behind the scenes… nor how they behaved in private. But publicly, at least, they took the high road and appeared to act honorably… knowing that much of the world was watching.
Like O’Brien, most of us are not “great figures” – and we may feel that few are watching or give a hoot about how we behave or react to circumstances in our lives. But I assure you, people are watching! We would do well to take a page from the books of these two celebrities and apply it to our daily living. We should listen to the words of these verses in 1 Peter and avoid attempts to get even – or make threats. God will judge fairly… He will protect us. For every “bad” outcome, God will give us a better one. As O’Brien said, there will be lots of challenges, and like Curry, we may not always “carry the ball over the Finish line.” But these challenges will all lead to positive outcomes for those who trust God to handle the bumps in the road.
Conan O’Brien has found a new late night home on TBS, a cable network. He says he is having the time of his life there. I have no doubt that Ann Curry will land on her feet and do great things in the future. I am equally confident that we can also have wonderful lives filled with blessings… if we keep our focus on God and trust Him to number our steps.
When others look at your reactions to the challenges of life, what sort of “faith walk” will they see? Are you ready to move over and let God have control in your life?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 15, 2012
Matthew 6:25-34
"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My mom took her mother to the doctor once, and my grandmother announced that she would never return to that particular physician. When Mom questioned her, my grandmother said, “He wasn’t a real doctor… he didn’t wear a white coat or a tie.” Years later, my dad’s mother complained to me about another doctor… “He didn’t even touch me.” Do you see the difference? In reference to one of her caregivers, I recently told my grandmother, “I don’t care if she wears a clown wig and a red nose… if she takes good care of you, nothing else matters!”
We are so obsessed with appearances and STUFF. We care about the wrong things. We rush from one thing to the next and never notice the intricacies of how God knit together the feathers on a bird… how He gave spiders the ability to create the most spectacular woven creations… how the body of a tiny baby is perfectly formed – a miniature of our own larger selves. Worry is one of the devil’s biggest tools… and he surely knows how to use it!
But God is the King of “worry-busters.” If we trust Him in everything, He will handle it all, starting with the small stuff. Even those of us who trust Him for big things often forget this and begin to stress out over things like how we look, what we drive, how much money we make, and more. We focus more on what we don’t have than how much God has blessed us.
This is not a license to stop caring… to let yourself go and become a slob or a bum. God wants us to use what He has given us to the best of our ability - and represent Him well. But that doesn’t mean we will all look like cover models or superstars. Can I tell you something? The most attractively dressed person is the one who exudes faith, confidence, grace, joy, and love. We all know someone who is universally loved and respected – and looks less than perfect… and it doesn’t matter one whit! In fact, we really don’t even think about his/her looks. We’re too busy enjoying this person’s company and admiring him/her for making the most of God’s gifts.
Let’s face it… worry is excess baggage that we need to remove. Can we set it down, once and for all, and make this the day we start to fully operate in faith that God will meet our needs? Can we truly “let go and let God?” Can we recognize that our God, Who cares about the least wildflower in the field - or the tiniest bird in the air - cares deeply for each of us, as well? It is time to step away from the mirror and trust God to “cloak you in beauty.”
Let’s stop worrying about the “white coat and tie” and focus on the “touch.” The time has come for us to step up and be who God called us to be – and to trust Him to meet ALL of our needs. Are you ready to take this leap of faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My mom took her mother to the doctor once, and my grandmother announced that she would never return to that particular physician. When Mom questioned her, my grandmother said, “He wasn’t a real doctor… he didn’t wear a white coat or a tie.” Years later, my dad’s mother complained to me about another doctor… “He didn’t even touch me.” Do you see the difference? In reference to one of her caregivers, I recently told my grandmother, “I don’t care if she wears a clown wig and a red nose… if she takes good care of you, nothing else matters!”
We are so obsessed with appearances and STUFF. We care about the wrong things. We rush from one thing to the next and never notice the intricacies of how God knit together the feathers on a bird… how He gave spiders the ability to create the most spectacular woven creations… how the body of a tiny baby is perfectly formed – a miniature of our own larger selves. Worry is one of the devil’s biggest tools… and he surely knows how to use it!
But God is the King of “worry-busters.” If we trust Him in everything, He will handle it all, starting with the small stuff. Even those of us who trust Him for big things often forget this and begin to stress out over things like how we look, what we drive, how much money we make, and more. We focus more on what we don’t have than how much God has blessed us.
This is not a license to stop caring… to let yourself go and become a slob or a bum. God wants us to use what He has given us to the best of our ability - and represent Him well. But that doesn’t mean we will all look like cover models or superstars. Can I tell you something? The most attractively dressed person is the one who exudes faith, confidence, grace, joy, and love. We all know someone who is universally loved and respected – and looks less than perfect… and it doesn’t matter one whit! In fact, we really don’t even think about his/her looks. We’re too busy enjoying this person’s company and admiring him/her for making the most of God’s gifts.
Let’s face it… worry is excess baggage that we need to remove. Can we set it down, once and for all, and make this the day we start to fully operate in faith that God will meet our needs? Can we truly “let go and let God?” Can we recognize that our God, Who cares about the least wildflower in the field - or the tiniest bird in the air - cares deeply for each of us, as well? It is time to step away from the mirror and trust God to “cloak you in beauty.”
Let’s stop worrying about the “white coat and tie” and focus on the “touch.” The time has come for us to step up and be who God called us to be – and to trust Him to meet ALL of our needs. Are you ready to take this leap of faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 14, 2012
Nehemiah 1:5-11
Lord God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned by choosing to disobey you and the laws and teachings you gave to your servant Moses.
Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped.
Our Lord, I am praying for your servants - those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and have him do what I ask.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For several weeks now, I’ve been seeing ads for a new 90-day workout plan devised by my favorite fitness trainer. Honestly, I’ve been ready to push the button several times and order these DVDs… but I’ve yet to do so. For one thing, I am not sure I am fully committed to this level of physical exertion. I am also not sure exactly how much of it I could actually accomplish! So for now, I opted to order a less intense – yet still strenuous – workout tape to add to my library.
Let me be clear… I’ve got quite a few workout tapes that have probably become brittle in their box. Having the tools at your disposal to become physically fit does not automatically ensure results! You have to USE them! And I have actually used the last few I’ve purchased… with surprisingly good results. I feel more confident… healthier, and much better physically and mentally.
I’m no athlete, but I’ve learned that when I work at it, I can actually do things I never dreamed possible… like pushups and lifting weights while balancing on one foot! The trainer pushes me to do things I feel inadequate to perform… she knows better than I that I have the “stuff” to do this. She will say things like “I’ve got 400-lb. people who can do this… and so can you!” And she is right!
So often, we lack confidence in our faith walk. We have the God-given tools for success… He has given us the “stuff”… but we fail to put this to work in our own lives. It’s not that we lack confidence in GOD… we lack confidence in ourselves. God would not allow us to go through some of the things that challenge us if he didn’t know we what it takes to accomplish them and persevere. He may be telling us and showing us that we have what it takes to get surmount our problems and obstacles, but we have to believe Him and become people of action!
In this passage, we learn about one man, one prayer, and one cup. In the King James Version, Verse eleven ends with “For I was the king’s cup bearer.” Nehemiah recognizes he is only one man – and a mere servant at that! But with God’s power behind him, he knows that he can accomplish the work of many. And so he asks God to forgive him and his people for their sin, lack of faith and failure to be bold people of action. He reminds God of His promise to step in and care for His children as soon as they turn back to Him. And then He asked God for His help… to answer His prayers and meet his needs – and to make the King receptive to his requests.
Can I tell you something? We are a lot stronger than we think we are… mentally, physically, and spiritually. Never underestimate your abilities in any arena… most certainly when God is in the mix. If God allows you to have a workout of any kind, trust that things will work out! Recognize that even though you are one person, God can use you to accomplish big things… starting with your own health and wellbeing! You may be “just a cup-bearer”… but in God’s eyes, you have the capacity for great things.
What is your confidence level? Do you believe in yourself? More importantly, do you believe in God’s ability to use you to accomplish whatever He desires…in your own life and the lives of others? Remember… one man, one prayer, one cup. Examine your own life today and see where God is applying this principle. Are you rising to the occasion?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Lord God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned by choosing to disobey you and the laws and teachings you gave to your servant Moses.
Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped.
Our Lord, I am praying for your servants - those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and have him do what I ask.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For several weeks now, I’ve been seeing ads for a new 90-day workout plan devised by my favorite fitness trainer. Honestly, I’ve been ready to push the button several times and order these DVDs… but I’ve yet to do so. For one thing, I am not sure I am fully committed to this level of physical exertion. I am also not sure exactly how much of it I could actually accomplish! So for now, I opted to order a less intense – yet still strenuous – workout tape to add to my library.
Let me be clear… I’ve got quite a few workout tapes that have probably become brittle in their box. Having the tools at your disposal to become physically fit does not automatically ensure results! You have to USE them! And I have actually used the last few I’ve purchased… with surprisingly good results. I feel more confident… healthier, and much better physically and mentally.
I’m no athlete, but I’ve learned that when I work at it, I can actually do things I never dreamed possible… like pushups and lifting weights while balancing on one foot! The trainer pushes me to do things I feel inadequate to perform… she knows better than I that I have the “stuff” to do this. She will say things like “I’ve got 400-lb. people who can do this… and so can you!” And she is right!
So often, we lack confidence in our faith walk. We have the God-given tools for success… He has given us the “stuff”… but we fail to put this to work in our own lives. It’s not that we lack confidence in GOD… we lack confidence in ourselves. God would not allow us to go through some of the things that challenge us if he didn’t know we what it takes to accomplish them and persevere. He may be telling us and showing us that we have what it takes to get surmount our problems and obstacles, but we have to believe Him and become people of action!
In this passage, we learn about one man, one prayer, and one cup. In the King James Version, Verse eleven ends with “For I was the king’s cup bearer.” Nehemiah recognizes he is only one man – and a mere servant at that! But with God’s power behind him, he knows that he can accomplish the work of many. And so he asks God to forgive him and his people for their sin, lack of faith and failure to be bold people of action. He reminds God of His promise to step in and care for His children as soon as they turn back to Him. And then He asked God for His help… to answer His prayers and meet his needs – and to make the King receptive to his requests.
Can I tell you something? We are a lot stronger than we think we are… mentally, physically, and spiritually. Never underestimate your abilities in any arena… most certainly when God is in the mix. If God allows you to have a workout of any kind, trust that things will work out! Recognize that even though you are one person, God can use you to accomplish big things… starting with your own health and wellbeing! You may be “just a cup-bearer”… but in God’s eyes, you have the capacity for great things.
What is your confidence level? Do you believe in yourself? More importantly, do you believe in God’s ability to use you to accomplish whatever He desires…in your own life and the lives of others? Remember… one man, one prayer, one cup. Examine your own life today and see where God is applying this principle. Are you rising to the occasion?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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