John 3:5-8
Jesus answered:
I tell you for
certain that before you can get into God’s kingdom, you must be born
not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their
children. Yet only God’s Spirit can change you into a child of God.
Don’t be surprised when I say that you must be born from above. Only
God’s Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows
wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don’t know where it
comes from or where it is going.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last
year after Halloween, I bought “super-hero” costumes off the clearance
rack and gave Timothy, Zola and Nathan each a costume for Christmas.
The children have had capes and masks before…but this was the “whole
shebang”…suit, mask, and accessories. And all three kids have almost
worn these costumes threadbare. Ask Nathan who he is when in costume,
and he will tell you, “I’m Batman®!” or “I’m Spiderman®!” But ask about
the well-known superheroes…especially Spiderman®…and these children can
also readily tell you that he is the alter-ego of "Peter Parker." Even
though they believe that the costume makes them (at least temporarily)
into someone else (if only in a pretend sense), they also grasp the
concept of “human” – and “superhuman”.
I guess it should come
as no surprise to me how readily these little ones accept God. They
know we cannot see Him…they understand that “God lives ‘up there’ in
Heaven,” as Nathan puts it. They will even tell you that God lives in
our hearts, too…and they believe it! We are working to establish the
understanding that God is not just a “superhero” like Spiderman®, Iron
Man® or Superman®…that He is REAL all the time – even if we cannot “see”
Him – or an alter-ego - in the flesh.
I’m wondering at what
point we change from being children who readily accept that God exists
to the questioning beings that many of us are today. When do we stop
believing what God tells us and start to doubt Him? Why do so many of
us SAY we trust in Jesus, and then fail to act as if we do? How can we
possibly demonstrate Christian faith to others when our own confidence
is so terribly lacking?
We need to buckle down and spend some
time with God…both studying His word and in prayer and conversation. We
need to re-establish the connection of faith…and to truly grasp what it
means to be “born of water and spirit” – and changed into a child of
God. Some of us have not made that leap of faith – and fully embraced
the Holy Spirit. We’re like a little kid who put on the superhero
costume, then sat down and refused to play the part. The costume adds
nothing if we don’t put on the “spirit.” And once we take it off, we are
no different than when we began.
The time is here to put on the
“spirit” of God…to carry Him in our hearts every minute of the day. We
have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus…now it is time to put on
His whole armor…and keep it on…to become the spirit-filled child
of God that He has made us to be! By the time God calls us to heaven,
our “outfit” should be so threadbare that He can’t help but reward us
with a new one!
My question to you today is, “Who are you?”
Have you truly been transformed into a spirit-filled child of God? Can
others readily see this? Are you really ready to fully embrace your New
Life in Christ – and His Holy Spirit - forever and ever? Will this be
the day that you make the change?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label believing God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label believing God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 29, 2014
Romans 8:28
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
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 few weeks ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team beat the LSU Tigers 17-0 to snap a 17-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play. The following Saturday, the team shut out then-8th-ranked Ole Miss, 30-0. I wish I could say the streak continued with a win over the University of Missouri, but this was not to be. However, the basketball team was able to secure a win on the same day against North Texas State that gave the squad their first 5-0 start since 2006-2007.
In both cases, the coaches have been quoted in the media as saying, essentially, that “wins will come – when they are supposed to.” Coach Bret Bielema has said often that his team would win when they earned it. Both coaches are relatively new to the University of Arkansas – and there has been a “learning curve” for all involved. Now, things seem to be starting to “jell”.
I’ve heard a lot of people who have endured hardships or difficult times say that they would not trade them for an easier time. I’ve heard amputees say that the loss of a limb taught them how to appreciate life – and God’s hand in theirs. I’ve known countless people who looked back on troublesome or unpleasant experiences and said, “This is where God helped me”…or “God really worked in this situation”…or even, “This was a huge turning point for me.” And I am among them.
You may be in the fight of your life. You may simply be in a 17-0 losing streak. But wherever you are…whatever is happening…God is with you - working out every detail for His perfect purposes. OUR JOB is to recognize Him…to give Him room to work…and to be grateful for His presence. He will do the rest…I promise. Will it be easy and painless? Probably not…but any day or experience with God is far better than a single minute without Him!
Keep this scripture passage handy. Read it often, and remind yourself of God’s presence in your life – and how He is perfectly orchestrating all of the details. Keep the faith...stay humble and grateful. Allow God to be GOD in your life…and watch what amazing things He brings to bear.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
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 few weeks ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team beat the LSU Tigers 17-0 to snap a 17-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play. The following Saturday, the team shut out then-8th-ranked Ole Miss, 30-0. I wish I could say the streak continued with a win over the University of Missouri, but this was not to be. However, the basketball team was able to secure a win on the same day against North Texas State that gave the squad their first 5-0 start since 2006-2007.
In both cases, the coaches have been quoted in the media as saying, essentially, that “wins will come – when they are supposed to.” Coach Bret Bielema has said often that his team would win when they earned it. Both coaches are relatively new to the University of Arkansas – and there has been a “learning curve” for all involved. Now, things seem to be starting to “jell”.
I’ve heard a lot of people who have endured hardships or difficult times say that they would not trade them for an easier time. I’ve heard amputees say that the loss of a limb taught them how to appreciate life – and God’s hand in theirs. I’ve known countless people who looked back on troublesome or unpleasant experiences and said, “This is where God helped me”…or “God really worked in this situation”…or even, “This was a huge turning point for me.” And I am among them.
You may be in the fight of your life. You may simply be in a 17-0 losing streak. But wherever you are…whatever is happening…God is with you - working out every detail for His perfect purposes. OUR JOB is to recognize Him…to give Him room to work…and to be grateful for His presence. He will do the rest…I promise. Will it be easy and painless? Probably not…but any day or experience with God is far better than a single minute without Him!
Keep this scripture passage handy. Read it often, and remind yourself of God’s presence in your life – and how He is perfectly orchestrating all of the details. Keep the faith...stay humble and grateful. Allow God to be GOD in your life…and watch what amazing things He brings to bear.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 28, 2014
Psalm 136:1-3
Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
His love never quits
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.
No sooner did we swallow the last bites of turkey and pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving Day than the Christmas frenzy began…including the seasonal televisions programs. There is no need to record them at our house…we’ve probably watched “Frosty the Snowman” at least once every month (or more) for the last two or years. And last Christmas season, we recorded “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer”, also. Greg likes to say that “It’s always Christmas at the Robus house!
I would have to say that we are pretty “up” on our “Frosty” around here…and from where I stand, “Frosty the Snowman” is anything but a quitter! He does everything possible to stay alive…but not at the expense of others. He is quite concerned with a little friend, Karen, who gets too cold. He worries about her feelings – and her health. Frosty is kind and loving to the children in the village…and he is even nicer than most would be to the evil magician who wants to steal his magic hat!
Now, I know what you are thinking…surely she isn’t comparing “Frosty the Snowman” to God! Absolutely not! But here’s the deal…we have little to no problem accepting that a make-believe snowman can do these things. We readily accept that he can be kind to others and see after their needs – sometimes at the expense of his own. We trust that Frosty really will come to life again someday…and with childlike wonder, we swallow this hook, line, and sinker.
But when it comes to all that God does for us…all of the gazillions of ways that He NEVER quits on our behalf…the tremendous sacrifice that He made for us in giving us Jesus to die for our sins…it seems like we often more readily trust in “Frosty the Snowman”! We certainly do not treat God with the respect and care that He deserves - much less give Him the gratitude.
This holiday season – and throughout the coming year – let’s focus more on the unending love and care that God provides for us. Let’s remind ourselves often how He never quits on our behalf. And let’s be grateful…really, truly, genuinely, visibly grateful. Doesn’t the One who named and numbered the stars - yet has time to hear and answer our every prayer - deserve our thanks and praise?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
His love never quits
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.
No sooner did we swallow the last bites of turkey and pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving Day than the Christmas frenzy began…including the seasonal televisions programs. There is no need to record them at our house…we’ve probably watched “Frosty the Snowman” at least once every month (or more) for the last two or years. And last Christmas season, we recorded “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer”, also. Greg likes to say that “It’s always Christmas at the Robus house!
I would have to say that we are pretty “up” on our “Frosty” around here…and from where I stand, “Frosty the Snowman” is anything but a quitter! He does everything possible to stay alive…but not at the expense of others. He is quite concerned with a little friend, Karen, who gets too cold. He worries about her feelings – and her health. Frosty is kind and loving to the children in the village…and he is even nicer than most would be to the evil magician who wants to steal his magic hat!
Now, I know what you are thinking…surely she isn’t comparing “Frosty the Snowman” to God! Absolutely not! But here’s the deal…we have little to no problem accepting that a make-believe snowman can do these things. We readily accept that he can be kind to others and see after their needs – sometimes at the expense of his own. We trust that Frosty really will come to life again someday…and with childlike wonder, we swallow this hook, line, and sinker.
But when it comes to all that God does for us…all of the gazillions of ways that He NEVER quits on our behalf…the tremendous sacrifice that He made for us in giving us Jesus to die for our sins…it seems like we often more readily trust in “Frosty the Snowman”! We certainly do not treat God with the respect and care that He deserves - much less give Him the gratitude.
This holiday season – and throughout the coming year – let’s focus more on the unending love and care that God provides for us. Let’s remind ourselves often how He never quits on our behalf. And let’s be grateful…really, truly, genuinely, visibly grateful. Doesn’t the One who named and numbered the stars - yet has time to hear and answer our every prayer - deserve our thanks and praise?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 12, 2013
1 Peter 5:6-7
Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few weeks ago, we had a very strong storm come through our county. Some even said there was a tornado in the storm, although I cannot confirm this. At any rate, a young family we know escaped disaster when a tree was blown over onto their sun porch… narrowly missing their bedroom and the room where their two young daughters slept. We all know that porches can be replaced…people cannot. So our friends were grateful – as were we – that their lives were spared. Still, renovating the house was not in their current budget, so I am certain this was a cause of worry and concern for them.
I know this young couple to be people of faith who trust God with their worries. Today, one of them posted this on Facebook:
God knows our concerns… and He knows how to handle them. The question is… do we truly believe that He can – and will? Do we honestly trust God to meet our needs in any and all circumstances? Do we operate in peace and confidence that He will do this… or are we continually anxious and distressed over our worries? Isn’t it time to “cast all your cares upon the LORD” and let Him do what He has promised? Aren’t you ready to see how He will bless you and meet your needs? Don’t you long for some genuine peace and quiet in your life? Will you trust God to provide this?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few weeks ago, we had a very strong storm come through our county. Some even said there was a tornado in the storm, although I cannot confirm this. At any rate, a young family we know escaped disaster when a tree was blown over onto their sun porch… narrowly missing their bedroom and the room where their two young daughters slept. We all know that porches can be replaced…people cannot. So our friends were grateful – as were we – that their lives were spared. Still, renovating the house was not in their current budget, so I am certain this was a cause of worry and concern for them.
I know this young couple to be people of faith who trust God with their worries. Today, one of them posted this on Facebook:
Ways God has blessed me today (aside from health, good job, roof over my head, etc.):This is a perfect example of how God cares for us and will honor us when we turn our cares and concerns over to Him. Human nature dictates that we wring our hands, curse the world, stomp around and/or pout for a while. What we really need to do is stop and spend some time with God… tell Him our concerns (even though He knows them already!), and humbly “cast all our cares” on Him. Think of a time when someone said to you…“Don’t worry about a thing… I’ll handle this!” This is what God tells us each and every day… we just don’t always hear Him – or believe him!
- After looking for 2 days for my engagement ring, in my final panic I dropped a peppermint out of my purse, bent over to pick it up...and BOOM! Ring right under the kitchen cabinet!
- After stressing over this room addition and IF we would be able to finish the siding on the rest of the house...BOOM! [Our carpenter] finds perfectly intact cedar lap siding under the nasty white vinyl during his demo today!
God knows our concerns… and He knows how to handle them. The question is… do we truly believe that He can – and will? Do we honestly trust God to meet our needs in any and all circumstances? Do we operate in peace and confidence that He will do this… or are we continually anxious and distressed over our worries? Isn’t it time to “cast all your cares upon the LORD” and let Him do what He has promised? Aren’t you ready to see how He will bless you and meet your needs? Don’t you long for some genuine peace and quiet in your life? Will you trust God to provide this?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 24, 2012
Acts 4:11-16
While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch. Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, I’ve heard someone say to another person… “I know you have a direct line to heaven, so please pray for me,” or something to that effect. And I admit, I have said that a few times to someone who I thought was a strong disciple of Christ. The trouble with this concept is that the “direct line” to God is not exclusive to a select few people. God does not give more attention to one person over another. We all have the same “line” to God… the difference is in how we utilize it.
Honestly, most people probably say this to another person as a way of paying them a compliment or acknowledging the blessings of his/her faithfulness. But we really need to be careful what we say… even with the best of intentions. What makes the prayers of certain people seem more effective is a result of their level of faith and trust in God. In truth, their prayers are not heard more often than ours… ahead of ours… or instead of ours! But their trust in God to answer may trump ours any day of the week.
People who go to church every Sunday, sing in the choir, serve in leadership roles in the church, or do mission work do not have their prayers answered - or live a problem-free life - because of their actions. Your heart… and your faith… are what matters. The most powerful, faithful, devoted servant of God may be a little old lady in the nursing home who trusts God to meet her needs and prays daily – and faithfully – for the needs of others. The soldier stationed in a foreign country who trusts God for safety and “daily bread” – in the trenches and for his/her family back at home – may receive more of God’s blessings than the deacon or church leader who is always in “high profile” for his/her latest projects, missions, or acts of service. Some of the people you consider to be “strong Christians” may actually have fairly weak faith behind their public persona.
What makes a Christian strong, confident, able and blessed is a matter of faith, not specific actions or mere talk. We can say all the right things… work in the church and serve in our community… be a “good person” and a friend to everyone we encounter… and still not operate in faith. Until we develop a deep, abiding faith in God… until we trust Him completely and operate from this foundation rather than the expectations and standards of the world… we will never truly experience all that God has for us.
Do not misunderstand me. Service is important… Jesus commanded us to love one another and to serve in His name. Corporate worship is important… we are called to fellowship with others – to come together to praise God and study His word. A positive attitude and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is mandated by scripture. But all of these are fueled by a genuine faith in our Heavenly Father. Without a true faith in the promises of God, much of what we say and do is merely “lip service” to make us look good and feel better.
We cannot know for certain what is in another person’s heart… and we are not to judge anyway. We must cultivate our own relationship with God based entirely in faith that He will meet our every need, according to His will. We must trust Him to make us strong and well… and to always “take our calls.” People are watching… and they may see what appears to be a faith-filled Christian with a “direct line” to God. But God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are merely “religious” or truly operating in faith and trust. He hears our prayers… and more importantly, the intention behind them. What are your intentions… are you operating in faith, or merely “talking religion?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch. Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, I’ve heard someone say to another person… “I know you have a direct line to heaven, so please pray for me,” or something to that effect. And I admit, I have said that a few times to someone who I thought was a strong disciple of Christ. The trouble with this concept is that the “direct line” to God is not exclusive to a select few people. God does not give more attention to one person over another. We all have the same “line” to God… the difference is in how we utilize it.
Honestly, most people probably say this to another person as a way of paying them a compliment or acknowledging the blessings of his/her faithfulness. But we really need to be careful what we say… even with the best of intentions. What makes the prayers of certain people seem more effective is a result of their level of faith and trust in God. In truth, their prayers are not heard more often than ours… ahead of ours… or instead of ours! But their trust in God to answer may trump ours any day of the week.
People who go to church every Sunday, sing in the choir, serve in leadership roles in the church, or do mission work do not have their prayers answered - or live a problem-free life - because of their actions. Your heart… and your faith… are what matters. The most powerful, faithful, devoted servant of God may be a little old lady in the nursing home who trusts God to meet her needs and prays daily – and faithfully – for the needs of others. The soldier stationed in a foreign country who trusts God for safety and “daily bread” – in the trenches and for his/her family back at home – may receive more of God’s blessings than the deacon or church leader who is always in “high profile” for his/her latest projects, missions, or acts of service. Some of the people you consider to be “strong Christians” may actually have fairly weak faith behind their public persona.
What makes a Christian strong, confident, able and blessed is a matter of faith, not specific actions or mere talk. We can say all the right things… work in the church and serve in our community… be a “good person” and a friend to everyone we encounter… and still not operate in faith. Until we develop a deep, abiding faith in God… until we trust Him completely and operate from this foundation rather than the expectations and standards of the world… we will never truly experience all that God has for us.
Do not misunderstand me. Service is important… Jesus commanded us to love one another and to serve in His name. Corporate worship is important… we are called to fellowship with others – to come together to praise God and study His word. A positive attitude and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is mandated by scripture. But all of these are fueled by a genuine faith in our Heavenly Father. Without a true faith in the promises of God, much of what we say and do is merely “lip service” to make us look good and feel better.
We cannot know for certain what is in another person’s heart… and we are not to judge anyway. We must cultivate our own relationship with God based entirely in faith that He will meet our every need, according to His will. We must trust Him to make us strong and well… and to always “take our calls.” People are watching… and they may see what appears to be a faith-filled Christian with a “direct line” to God. But God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are merely “religious” or truly operating in faith and trust. He hears our prayers… and more importantly, the intention behind them. What are your intentions… are you operating in faith, or merely “talking religion?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 4, 2012
1 Chronicles 17:23-27
LORD God, please do what you promised me and my descendants. Then you will be famous forever, and everyone will say, "The LORD All-Powerful rules Israel and is their God
My kingdom will be strong, because you are my God, and you have promised that my descendants will be kings. That's why I have the courage to pray to you like this, even though I am only your servant.
You are the LORD God, and you have made this good promise to me. Now please bless my descendants forever, and let them always be your chosen kings. You have already blessed my family, and I know you will bless us forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Four days into this New Year, some of us are filled with high expectations for great accomplishments and abundant blessings. We have set some lofty goals, but we feel confident that we can reach them. Still others have already folded. The first couple of days of an exercise plan were just too hard… we’ve blown our diet… this month’s paycheck is already spent to cover our Christmas debt, and we feel completely defeated.
What makes the difference between confidence and defeat? Often, it boils down to a matter of focus… and where we have placed our trust. Too many of us do not believe that God wants us to live like kings. Mind you, I’m not talking about monetary wealth here… I’m talking about something far more important!
God wants us to give Him our praise and our loyalty… but He also wants us to share our burdens and needs – and to ask Him for help. More than this, God wants us to believe that He will answer and bless us. When we truly start to believe that all things are possible with God, we have the confidence to persevere through hard workouts. We try again another day to stick to a diet and get healthy and fit. We ask God to show us how to set up a budget – and stick to it – and to get out of the financial mess in which we find ourselves.
When we put God first and have the courage to pray to Him with the confidence of a king, He makes big things happen in our lives. If you don’t believe me, just try it. Sit down and have a real, honest conversation with God. Tell Him exactly what you think you need… express your goals and your heart’s desires to Him. Then ask God to help you meet these needs and goals, according to His will. Tell Him that you are placing your trust in Him to make a way where none seems possible… and mean it!
Make this the year that your primary resolution is to draw closer to God and trust Him to handle every single day of your life. Make this the year that you live in abundance and kick a spirit of defeat to the curb. Make this the year when you truly start to live like an heir to the throne of Almighty God… and give Him the glory for honoring His promises – and blessing you and your family. Trust God to make you strong and bless you like a king… and prepare to be amazed when He does exactly this!
©2012 Debbie Robus
LORD God, please do what you promised me and my descendants. Then you will be famous forever, and everyone will say, "The LORD All-Powerful rules Israel and is their God
My kingdom will be strong, because you are my God, and you have promised that my descendants will be kings. That's why I have the courage to pray to you like this, even though I am only your servant.
You are the LORD God, and you have made this good promise to me. Now please bless my descendants forever, and let them always be your chosen kings. You have already blessed my family, and I know you will bless us forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Four days into this New Year, some of us are filled with high expectations for great accomplishments and abundant blessings. We have set some lofty goals, but we feel confident that we can reach them. Still others have already folded. The first couple of days of an exercise plan were just too hard… we’ve blown our diet… this month’s paycheck is already spent to cover our Christmas debt, and we feel completely defeated.
What makes the difference between confidence and defeat? Often, it boils down to a matter of focus… and where we have placed our trust. Too many of us do not believe that God wants us to live like kings. Mind you, I’m not talking about monetary wealth here… I’m talking about something far more important!
God wants us to give Him our praise and our loyalty… but He also wants us to share our burdens and needs – and to ask Him for help. More than this, God wants us to believe that He will answer and bless us. When we truly start to believe that all things are possible with God, we have the confidence to persevere through hard workouts. We try again another day to stick to a diet and get healthy and fit. We ask God to show us how to set up a budget – and stick to it – and to get out of the financial mess in which we find ourselves.
When we put God first and have the courage to pray to Him with the confidence of a king, He makes big things happen in our lives. If you don’t believe me, just try it. Sit down and have a real, honest conversation with God. Tell Him exactly what you think you need… express your goals and your heart’s desires to Him. Then ask God to help you meet these needs and goals, according to His will. Tell Him that you are placing your trust in Him to make a way where none seems possible… and mean it!
Make this the year that your primary resolution is to draw closer to God and trust Him to handle every single day of your life. Make this the year that you live in abundance and kick a spirit of defeat to the curb. Make this the year when you truly start to live like an heir to the throne of Almighty God… and give Him the glory for honoring His promises – and blessing you and your family. Trust God to make you strong and bless you like a king… and prepare to be amazed when He does exactly this!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 12, 2011
1 Kings 4:12-13
If you obey my commands and do what I say, I will keep the promise I made to your father David. I will live among my people Israel in this temple you are building, and I will not desert them.
Psalm 111:7-8
God is always honest and fair, and his laws can be trusted. They are true and right and will stand forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In many ways, two-year-olds trust no one! I promise Timothy that he can play outside when he wakes from a nap, but he doesn’t believe me. I tell him that he cannot play on the stairs unattended, because he might fall… but he has to take a little tumble to be convinced. We tell him that the kitties don’t want to be bothered, but he has to get a spit and a swat from them to believe it.
We always have Timothy’s very best interest at heart… but he doesn’t see it that way at all! In this little two-year-old’s mind, every time we leave without him, we’ve deserted him forever. We have broken every promise we ever made… and he is crushed. The good news is that we do honor our promises, and his trust is always restored. He forgets all about being upset with us and showers us with hugs and kisses and giggles.
Do you think God sees us as His very own two-year-olds? Don’t we behave much like little Timothy? Do we not act as if God’s promises are unbelievable and unworthy of our trust? Don’t we treat God like He has completely deserted us at the first sign of trouble? Aren’t we crushed the second God tells us to stand on our own two feet and operate in faith that He will carry us through whatever we are facing?
Timothy will grow up soon enough. Hopefully, he will learn who to trust… and when he is being told the truth. For us as Christians, the time to grow up is NOW! We can no longer act like fickle two-year-olds. God has told us… shown us… demonstrated over and again His power, love, grace, and mercy. He has delivered on countless promises already… and assured us that He will make good on hundreds more.
We must mature in our faith and trust God to do what He says. We must recognize His laws as honest, fair, and in our best interest. We must believe that He will hear our prayers and answer in a way that is perfect for our situation. And we must shower Him with “hugs, kisses and giggles” in the form of our praise and devotion… our service and gratitude.
Growing up is never easy… whether you are a two-year-old just learning the ropes or a Christian trying to operate in total surrender of self. Both are a process… but you have to start somewhere. Are you ready to trust God and believe Him? Are you growing in your faith… or are stuck in the “terrible twos”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
If you obey my commands and do what I say, I will keep the promise I made to your father David. I will live among my people Israel in this temple you are building, and I will not desert them.
Psalm 111:7-8
God is always honest and fair, and his laws can be trusted. They are true and right and will stand forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In many ways, two-year-olds trust no one! I promise Timothy that he can play outside when he wakes from a nap, but he doesn’t believe me. I tell him that he cannot play on the stairs unattended, because he might fall… but he has to take a little tumble to be convinced. We tell him that the kitties don’t want to be bothered, but he has to get a spit and a swat from them to believe it.
We always have Timothy’s very best interest at heart… but he doesn’t see it that way at all! In this little two-year-old’s mind, every time we leave without him, we’ve deserted him forever. We have broken every promise we ever made… and he is crushed. The good news is that we do honor our promises, and his trust is always restored. He forgets all about being upset with us and showers us with hugs and kisses and giggles.
Do you think God sees us as His very own two-year-olds? Don’t we behave much like little Timothy? Do we not act as if God’s promises are unbelievable and unworthy of our trust? Don’t we treat God like He has completely deserted us at the first sign of trouble? Aren’t we crushed the second God tells us to stand on our own two feet and operate in faith that He will carry us through whatever we are facing?
Timothy will grow up soon enough. Hopefully, he will learn who to trust… and when he is being told the truth. For us as Christians, the time to grow up is NOW! We can no longer act like fickle two-year-olds. God has told us… shown us… demonstrated over and again His power, love, grace, and mercy. He has delivered on countless promises already… and assured us that He will make good on hundreds more.
We must mature in our faith and trust God to do what He says. We must recognize His laws as honest, fair, and in our best interest. We must believe that He will hear our prayers and answer in a way that is perfect for our situation. And we must shower Him with “hugs, kisses and giggles” in the form of our praise and devotion… our service and gratitude.
Growing up is never easy… whether you are a two-year-old just learning the ropes or a Christian trying to operate in total surrender of self. Both are a process… but you have to start somewhere. Are you ready to trust God and believe Him? Are you growing in your faith… or are stuck in the “terrible twos”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 29, 2011
July 29 ~ John 5:1-9
Later, Jesus went to Jerusalem for another Jewish festival. In the city near the sheep gate was a pool with five porches, and its name in Hebrew was Bethzatha. Many sick, blind, lame, and crippled people were lying close to the pool. Beside the pool was a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw the man and realized that he had been crippled for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to be healed?"
The man answered, "Lord, I don't have anyone to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up. I try to get in, but someone else always gets there first."
Jesus told him, "Pick up your mat and walk!" Right then the man was healed. He picked up his mat and started walking around. The day on which this happened was a Sabbath.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I come from a fairly long line of impatient people. All of my life, my grandmother telephoned to summon us for some chore, and by the time we got to her house, she had done it herself! “Well, I decided y’all weren’t coming!” she would say, whether we arrived in three hours or thirty minutes! I grew up around a number of people who could not wait for much of anything. So it is no surprise that I often gave Christmas and birthday gifts ahead of the date, because I couldn’t wait. I grew terribly impatient as time drew near for our wedding, anxiously marking off each day on a giant multi-month calendar I had made.
When I had surgery years ago – and again when I broke my ankle – I couldn’t sit back and just chill out for the required multi-week recovery period. I tried to speed up the process… I fidgeted and fumed… and I felt like time was standing still and I would never be well again!
So when I read about a man who waited at a “healing pool” for thirty-eight years, I am truly impressed. I am amazed at his patience… and his confidence that one day, his turn would come. I am also humbled by this lesson, because as I read this passage, I clearly heard God saying, “Be patient. Trust my timing. My answers really are on the way.” And I know this… I’ve seen it over and again. If I wait – as patiently as is possible for me! – and remain faithful and fervent in asking God to answer… and trusting that He will… He does exactly that. And often, I am caught off-guard… but in the very best way!
Do we have the faith and patience of the man at the pool of Bethzatha? Or are we fidgeting and fuming and trying to hurry things along on our own timetable? When will we realize that this makes no sense – and doesn’t have any effect on God’s timetable? It’s time to learn to remain faithful and patient… and to believe that our time in the “healing pool” will surely arrive. And everything about it will be perfect!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Later, Jesus went to Jerusalem for another Jewish festival. In the city near the sheep gate was a pool with five porches, and its name in Hebrew was Bethzatha. Many sick, blind, lame, and crippled people were lying close to the pool. Beside the pool was a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw the man and realized that he had been crippled for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to be healed?"
The man answered, "Lord, I don't have anyone to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up. I try to get in, but someone else always gets there first."
Jesus told him, "Pick up your mat and walk!" Right then the man was healed. He picked up his mat and started walking around. The day on which this happened was a Sabbath.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I come from a fairly long line of impatient people. All of my life, my grandmother telephoned to summon us for some chore, and by the time we got to her house, she had done it herself! “Well, I decided y’all weren’t coming!” she would say, whether we arrived in three hours or thirty minutes! I grew up around a number of people who could not wait for much of anything. So it is no surprise that I often gave Christmas and birthday gifts ahead of the date, because I couldn’t wait. I grew terribly impatient as time drew near for our wedding, anxiously marking off each day on a giant multi-month calendar I had made.
When I had surgery years ago – and again when I broke my ankle – I couldn’t sit back and just chill out for the required multi-week recovery period. I tried to speed up the process… I fidgeted and fumed… and I felt like time was standing still and I would never be well again!
So when I read about a man who waited at a “healing pool” for thirty-eight years, I am truly impressed. I am amazed at his patience… and his confidence that one day, his turn would come. I am also humbled by this lesson, because as I read this passage, I clearly heard God saying, “Be patient. Trust my timing. My answers really are on the way.” And I know this… I’ve seen it over and again. If I wait – as patiently as is possible for me! – and remain faithful and fervent in asking God to answer… and trusting that He will… He does exactly that. And often, I am caught off-guard… but in the very best way!
Do we have the faith and patience of the man at the pool of Bethzatha? Or are we fidgeting and fuming and trying to hurry things along on our own timetable? When will we realize that this makes no sense – and doesn’t have any effect on God’s timetable? It’s time to learn to remain faithful and patient… and to believe that our time in the “healing pool” will surely arrive. And everything about it will be perfect!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 21, 2011
2 Samuel 7:28-29
"And now, Master GOD, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You've already as much as said that you would, Master GOD! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, we added a new member to our family. Three weeks ago, we welcomed Timothy’s baby sister, Zola, to the world. As soon as we knew that Zola was on the way, I began to pray for her. When the doctor declared that the baby would be a girl and a name was selected, I began to ask God specifically to nurture and protect Zola… before her birth and always. In the same way, I am praying for the unborn baby girl that my cousin and his wife are expecting, as well as the many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives in our extended family.
I don’t always pray for my family members by name… sometimes the prayer is more collective, as in “Please protect my husband’s brothers, their wives and children,” or “LORD, bless my cousins in northwest Arkansas and my husband’s family in Iowa.” But I believe these prayers make a difference… and pack more punch than we realize!
There is a lot of talk in the Old Testament about covenants – agreements between God and His children… promises to lead them through trials and tribulations and keep them safe. In the New Testament, the covenant between us and God comes from the blood of Jesus. When we invite Jesus to be LORD of our life, this covenant blood covers all of our sins and secures our future with Him in heaven. And when we pray and ask God for help, protection, answers, healing, and more… He hears us and delivers – according to His will.
I believe we fail to recognize the power of reminding God of His covenant with us as it extends to our family. There is power in the prayer, “Father, you promised to bless my family and keep your eye on them.” There is even more power in the confidence that God will do exactly this! I have seen the power of these prayers in action… I’ve seen the blessings and protection of God over my family members in a variety of situations. And I’ve come to recognize the power of God’s promise in the lives of those who are faithful. This makes me want to operate more fully in faith.
As much as people are watching, God is watching even more closely. When he sees a family member who is faithful and serving with honor… glorifying His name and trusting Him to mark their steps… I believe God looks at the extended family and blesses accordingly when asked. You may have family members who are not believers… or who certainly are not serving God and honoring Him in their lives. But because of your faithfulness and fervent prayers, God may bring about events that change this. I’m not saying your faith can save your family – or that they can be Christians “by proxy” through you. But I am saying that God will look at you – your service, your requests, and your faithfulness – and He will bless you in ways you can’t imagine – even to caring for your extended family.
So remember to talk to God often about everything – but be sure to remind Him of His covenant with you and your family. Ask Him to bless your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins – and those yet to come in future generations. Believe that God will hear your prayers and answer according to His will… which is always perfect. Then operate in the confidence that God is “on the clock” – for you and your family!
©2011 Debbie Robus
"And now, Master GOD, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You've already as much as said that you would, Master GOD! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, we added a new member to our family. Three weeks ago, we welcomed Timothy’s baby sister, Zola, to the world. As soon as we knew that Zola was on the way, I began to pray for her. When the doctor declared that the baby would be a girl and a name was selected, I began to ask God specifically to nurture and protect Zola… before her birth and always. In the same way, I am praying for the unborn baby girl that my cousin and his wife are expecting, as well as the many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives in our extended family.
I don’t always pray for my family members by name… sometimes the prayer is more collective, as in “Please protect my husband’s brothers, their wives and children,” or “LORD, bless my cousins in northwest Arkansas and my husband’s family in Iowa.” But I believe these prayers make a difference… and pack more punch than we realize!
There is a lot of talk in the Old Testament about covenants – agreements between God and His children… promises to lead them through trials and tribulations and keep them safe. In the New Testament, the covenant between us and God comes from the blood of Jesus. When we invite Jesus to be LORD of our life, this covenant blood covers all of our sins and secures our future with Him in heaven. And when we pray and ask God for help, protection, answers, healing, and more… He hears us and delivers – according to His will.
I believe we fail to recognize the power of reminding God of His covenant with us as it extends to our family. There is power in the prayer, “Father, you promised to bless my family and keep your eye on them.” There is even more power in the confidence that God will do exactly this! I have seen the power of these prayers in action… I’ve seen the blessings and protection of God over my family members in a variety of situations. And I’ve come to recognize the power of God’s promise in the lives of those who are faithful. This makes me want to operate more fully in faith.
As much as people are watching, God is watching even more closely. When he sees a family member who is faithful and serving with honor… glorifying His name and trusting Him to mark their steps… I believe God looks at the extended family and blesses accordingly when asked. You may have family members who are not believers… or who certainly are not serving God and honoring Him in their lives. But because of your faithfulness and fervent prayers, God may bring about events that change this. I’m not saying your faith can save your family – or that they can be Christians “by proxy” through you. But I am saying that God will look at you – your service, your requests, and your faithfulness – and He will bless you in ways you can’t imagine – even to caring for your extended family.
So remember to talk to God often about everything – but be sure to remind Him of His covenant with you and your family. Ask Him to bless your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins – and those yet to come in future generations. Believe that God will hear your prayers and answer according to His will… which is always perfect. Then operate in the confidence that God is “on the clock” – for you and your family!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 7, 2011
Luke 7:1-9
After Jesus had finished teaching the people, he went to Capernaum. In that town an army officer's servant was sick and about to die. The officer liked this servant very much. And when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish leaders to ask him to come and heal the servant.
The leaders went to Jesus and begged him to do something. They said, "This man deserves your help! He loves our nation and even built us a meeting place." So Jesus went with them.
When Jesus wasn't far from the house, the officer sent some friends to tell him, "Lord, don't go to any trouble for me! I am not good enough for you to come into my house. And I am certainly not worthy to come to you. Just say the word, 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, "In all of Israel I've never found anyone with this much faith!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve talked before about repairing broken objects and giving them a new life… especially vintage pieces that I feel tell a story or still have a lot of value. I use a lot of Elmer’s Glue in my projects, and I have to admit, I am not a patient repair person! I will glue two broken pieces together… and before they can “set,” I’ll try to add a third and/or fourth piece. Often all of the pieces come apart, and I have to begin again. I can’t seem to do the repair and walk away, trusting the glue to do it’s job and merge the broken pieces.
This is somewhat how we treat our faith. We ask God to help us… to heal us, give us comfort, work in specific situations… and then we start to meddle and fidget and pick at whatever we’ve supposedly given over to Him. Don’t misunderstand me… I’m not saying that you shouldn’t continue to bring your request before God. But instead of saying – and believing – “Hey, God… remember my problem? Don’t forget now! Please, please, please help me! I hope you won’t let me down!”… we need to shift to “God, I know you are handling this for me, and I thank you! I give you praise for answering even my smallest requests and for caring for me each and every second of the day.”
See… in the first prayer, we really have not trusted God to help us. In the second, we have given the situation over to God… but we are still communicating… still needing His help – but expecting it and thanking Him in advance. The difference is attitude. The soldier in this passage got it… He knew that just a word from God was sufficient for his needs. And we know this too… or we should! Just as the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed, we need to learn to operate in the faith realm that allows us to say, “I’ve spoken to God about this… and He’s on it! I’m moving on and letting Him glue things back together… giving Him time to work… and praising Him ahead of time for handling this.” Getting to this level takes practice – maybe a lifetime of it! – but this is one area where we do need to keep coming back and exercising persistence.
Instead of pestering God about something you’ve already given Him, pester yourself to believe that it’s a done deal - that God has taken care of your situation according to His will… and all is well.
©2011 Debbie Robus
After Jesus had finished teaching the people, he went to Capernaum. In that town an army officer's servant was sick and about to die. The officer liked this servant very much. And when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish leaders to ask him to come and heal the servant.
The leaders went to Jesus and begged him to do something. They said, "This man deserves your help! He loves our nation and even built us a meeting place." So Jesus went with them.
When Jesus wasn't far from the house, the officer sent some friends to tell him, "Lord, don't go to any trouble for me! I am not good enough for you to come into my house. And I am certainly not worthy to come to you. Just say the word, 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, "In all of Israel I've never found anyone with this much faith!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve talked before about repairing broken objects and giving them a new life… especially vintage pieces that I feel tell a story or still have a lot of value. I use a lot of Elmer’s Glue in my projects, and I have to admit, I am not a patient repair person! I will glue two broken pieces together… and before they can “set,” I’ll try to add a third and/or fourth piece. Often all of the pieces come apart, and I have to begin again. I can’t seem to do the repair and walk away, trusting the glue to do it’s job and merge the broken pieces.
This is somewhat how we treat our faith. We ask God to help us… to heal us, give us comfort, work in specific situations… and then we start to meddle and fidget and pick at whatever we’ve supposedly given over to Him. Don’t misunderstand me… I’m not saying that you shouldn’t continue to bring your request before God. But instead of saying – and believing – “Hey, God… remember my problem? Don’t forget now! Please, please, please help me! I hope you won’t let me down!”… we need to shift to “God, I know you are handling this for me, and I thank you! I give you praise for answering even my smallest requests and for caring for me each and every second of the day.”
See… in the first prayer, we really have not trusted God to help us. In the second, we have given the situation over to God… but we are still communicating… still needing His help – but expecting it and thanking Him in advance. The difference is attitude. The soldier in this passage got it… He knew that just a word from God was sufficient for his needs. And we know this too… or we should! Just as the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed, we need to learn to operate in the faith realm that allows us to say, “I’ve spoken to God about this… and He’s on it! I’m moving on and letting Him glue things back together… giving Him time to work… and praising Him ahead of time for handling this.” Getting to this level takes practice – maybe a lifetime of it! – but this is one area where we do need to keep coming back and exercising persistence.
Instead of pestering God about something you’ve already given Him, pester yourself to believe that it’s a done deal - that God has taken care of your situation according to His will… and all is well.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 5, 2011
Psalm 25:17-18, 21
My awful worries keep growing. Rescue me from sadness. See my troubles and misery and forgive my sins.
I obey you with all my heart, and I trust you, knowing that you will save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If fear is one of the devil’s biggest tools, worry is the vehicle in which he delivers it. We worry about everything – what we will wear, who likes us or doesn’t, how we will make a living and put food on the table, what will happen to us when we grow old, and so much more. And I’m sorry to say that I am right there with everyone else much of the time.
I think what makes me the maddest is understanding how much this thrills Satan. I don’t want to give him even a split second of joy. So why can’t I stop worrying? Why can’t you?
Here’s the deal… as long as we let worry have a place in our lives, we have not “let go and let God” have control. Believe me, I know it’s hard. But I am committed to making a change… to surrendering to God’s control and letting him have my worries and any resulting troubles, misery and sadness. As the Apostle Paul pointed out, this will be a “daily surrender,” but I am ready to do whatever it takes… aren’t you?
Let’s make this the year we trust God to save us and put aside our worries. Let’s obey Him with all our heart and feel the joy and peace that can come from resting in His rescue and forgiveness. I’m more than ready for this journey… are you coming with me?
©2011 Debbie Robus
My awful worries keep growing. Rescue me from sadness. See my troubles and misery and forgive my sins.
I obey you with all my heart, and I trust you, knowing that you will save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If fear is one of the devil’s biggest tools, worry is the vehicle in which he delivers it. We worry about everything – what we will wear, who likes us or doesn’t, how we will make a living and put food on the table, what will happen to us when we grow old, and so much more. And I’m sorry to say that I am right there with everyone else much of the time.
I think what makes me the maddest is understanding how much this thrills Satan. I don’t want to give him even a split second of joy. So why can’t I stop worrying? Why can’t you?
Here’s the deal… as long as we let worry have a place in our lives, we have not “let go and let God” have control. Believe me, I know it’s hard. But I am committed to making a change… to surrendering to God’s control and letting him have my worries and any resulting troubles, misery and sadness. As the Apostle Paul pointed out, this will be a “daily surrender,” but I am ready to do whatever it takes… aren’t you?
Let’s make this the year we trust God to save us and put aside our worries. Let’s obey Him with all our heart and feel the joy and peace that can come from resting in His rescue and forgiveness. I’m more than ready for this journey… are you coming with me?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 24, 2010
Psalm 59:16
But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Around 4:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve 1997, we were awakened by a phone call from my mom. She and my brother were taking my dad to the ER. He was having trouble breathing. My dad was already very ill, having suffered kidney failure following an arteriogram to test for vascular blockage in October of that year. My husband and I rushed to the hospital, where doctors eventually determined that my dad needed to be transported by ambulance to Little Rock. We had planned a huge “open house” at our home for Christmas Eve afternoon… lots of food, fun and visits with family and friends. But none of that mattered now… we needed to get my mom to Little Rock and see about my dad.
Mom had other ideas. “You are to stay here,” she insisted. “I’ll go home and gather some things and be on my way… I won’t be far behind the ambulance. You are to go ahead with your open house as planned… that’s what your dad and I want. You don’t need to worry about me… I’ll be fine.” My mother inherited her dad’s stubborn streak, and it was shining brightly at the moment! Standing in her raincoat, her curly white hair peeking from the hood, my mother looked small, but determined. And on this Christmas Eve morning, I was immediately reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Historians say that Mary was very young – possibly no more than thirteen when Jesus was born. Yet we know nothing of the parents of Mary and Joseph. We do know that Mary had a cousin named Elizabeth. And Scripture tells us that when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she was pregnant, she trusted this information and accepted it on faith, even though she was a virgin.
So I can imagine that a very pregnant Mary said to her parents, “Don’t worry about me… I’ll be fine.” I can just see her hugging her parents and telling them good-bye, then climbing atop Joseph’s donkey to make the trip to Bethlehem. And her parents must have been equally faithful… confident that letting their daughter go off with her fiancé to a foreign land in this condition – as crazy as it seemed - was exactly what was supposed to happen!
We went ahead with our “open house”. My dad was released from the hospital a few days later, and he and my mom returned home. We celebrated Christmas as a family on New Year’s weekend. And just as she had said, my mom made it safely to Little Rock and back. I can’t say she was “fine,” because I know she spent a lonely, difficult Christmas in that hospital by my dad’s bedside. I’m sure she was worried for him and homesick for us. But God gave her the strength, courage and resolve to make it through this and many other challenging situations.
I saw God do the same thing for the wife of my cousin a few years later, when she traveled alone in the dark of night back and forth between Heber Springs and Memphis, where her husband was hospitalized. She told her children the same thing, “I’ll be fine.” And because she and my mother share the same kind of abiding, unwavering faith, I knew in reason she would be. I was able to reassure them with confidence – and experience – that this was the case.
You and I have quite a legacy of faith… not to mention the protection of God. So often we panic and wring our hands and forget that He promised long, long ago to take care of us… and He’s still in the business of doing so today. Just as God was a fortress for Joseph and Mary, and millions of other people through the ages, He is our fortress today.
I don’t know what you are going through. I don’t know if you are facing scary things this Christmas Eve… the prospect of being alone for the holidays… or huge challenges that loom in the future. But I know that with God, all things are possible. With God as your fortress, you can handle anything. You can put your trust in Him to walk with you and offer you protection and guidance every step of the way… and you can rest in the faith that He will do this.
God’s word was good enough for Mary and Joseph… it was good enough for my mom and countless others through the centuries… and it’s good enough for us! Are we faithful enough to believe it? Isn’t today the perfect time to begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Around 4:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve 1997, we were awakened by a phone call from my mom. She and my brother were taking my dad to the ER. He was having trouble breathing. My dad was already very ill, having suffered kidney failure following an arteriogram to test for vascular blockage in October of that year. My husband and I rushed to the hospital, where doctors eventually determined that my dad needed to be transported by ambulance to Little Rock. We had planned a huge “open house” at our home for Christmas Eve afternoon… lots of food, fun and visits with family and friends. But none of that mattered now… we needed to get my mom to Little Rock and see about my dad.
Mom had other ideas. “You are to stay here,” she insisted. “I’ll go home and gather some things and be on my way… I won’t be far behind the ambulance. You are to go ahead with your open house as planned… that’s what your dad and I want. You don’t need to worry about me… I’ll be fine.” My mother inherited her dad’s stubborn streak, and it was shining brightly at the moment! Standing in her raincoat, her curly white hair peeking from the hood, my mother looked small, but determined. And on this Christmas Eve morning, I was immediately reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Historians say that Mary was very young – possibly no more than thirteen when Jesus was born. Yet we know nothing of the parents of Mary and Joseph. We do know that Mary had a cousin named Elizabeth. And Scripture tells us that when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she was pregnant, she trusted this information and accepted it on faith, even though she was a virgin.
So I can imagine that a very pregnant Mary said to her parents, “Don’t worry about me… I’ll be fine.” I can just see her hugging her parents and telling them good-bye, then climbing atop Joseph’s donkey to make the trip to Bethlehem. And her parents must have been equally faithful… confident that letting their daughter go off with her fiancé to a foreign land in this condition – as crazy as it seemed - was exactly what was supposed to happen!
We went ahead with our “open house”. My dad was released from the hospital a few days later, and he and my mom returned home. We celebrated Christmas as a family on New Year’s weekend. And just as she had said, my mom made it safely to Little Rock and back. I can’t say she was “fine,” because I know she spent a lonely, difficult Christmas in that hospital by my dad’s bedside. I’m sure she was worried for him and homesick for us. But God gave her the strength, courage and resolve to make it through this and many other challenging situations.
I saw God do the same thing for the wife of my cousin a few years later, when she traveled alone in the dark of night back and forth between Heber Springs and Memphis, where her husband was hospitalized. She told her children the same thing, “I’ll be fine.” And because she and my mother share the same kind of abiding, unwavering faith, I knew in reason she would be. I was able to reassure them with confidence – and experience – that this was the case.
You and I have quite a legacy of faith… not to mention the protection of God. So often we panic and wring our hands and forget that He promised long, long ago to take care of us… and He’s still in the business of doing so today. Just as God was a fortress for Joseph and Mary, and millions of other people through the ages, He is our fortress today.
I don’t know what you are going through. I don’t know if you are facing scary things this Christmas Eve… the prospect of being alone for the holidays… or huge challenges that loom in the future. But I know that with God, all things are possible. With God as your fortress, you can handle anything. You can put your trust in Him to walk with you and offer you protection and guidance every step of the way… and you can rest in the faith that He will do this.
God’s word was good enough for Mary and Joseph… it was good enough for my mom and countless others through the centuries… and it’s good enough for us! Are we faithful enough to believe it? Isn’t today the perfect time to begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 16, 2010
Mark 16:14-16
Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life. Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We have enjoyed beautiful fall weather lately, and the color in the trees and shrubbery has been spectacular… at least in my neighborhood. One day as I drove my grandmother to the beauty shop, I found myself traveling streets that are seldom on my route. In doing so, I enjoyed breathtaking views of maples, oaks, and elms in beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow. Crepe myrtles were splendid on the church campus in a fiery burst of orange and yellow. The bushes in the yard of my grandmother’s neighbor were a brilliant ruby red.
Later, my husband gently teased me as I recanted all I had seen and we drove down the street toward his mother’s house. As we passed each brilliant tree, he would laughingly say, “Oooohhh, look at that one! Ohhhhhh… that one is amazing!” And they were! And once again I was reminded that all of this beauty was created by a God I have never physically seen. As we sat and enjoyed a sunny morning on our back deck, I marveled at a brilliant yellow hickory tree and how intricately God designed something as mundane as the bark on that tree… and yet He created the entire planet and rules over the universe.
I have so many questions. I wonder which came first… God or the universe? … the chicken or the egg? I wonder how God thought of all of these beautiful creations of nature… and why He bothered with things like armadillos and spiders! And do we really need snakes? More importantly, why does God bother with the likes of me? Why did He take such care to create every hair on our head… and to number them before we were even born?
Okay, many will argue that I have no way of knowing that God really did all of this. Others will ask, “If God is so powerful and great, why do we have wars, famine, droughts and other natural disasters, pain and suffering?” I have an idea about some of these, but truly, I don’t have the answer. And some use this as an excuse to deny that God exists… or to choose not to believe in Him and follow His teachings. I have made a conscious – and heartfelt – choice to believe in God.
Several years ago, I read today’s scripture passage one day while listening to a televangelist who gave his interpretation of its deeper meaning. He said that as important as the original disciples were to the cause of Jesus Christ, those of us who are His disciples today are just as vital… if not more. Why? Because the original disciples saw Jesus. They touched the nail-scarred hands and the pierced side. They had physical proof that He had been crucified, then rose from the grave.
We have none of this. We weren’t there. We have not physically seen anything. And yet we believe. We look at nature and all of God’s creations. We read the scripture and take them totally at face value… believing that the details are accurate… that what the Bible says took place actually happened. We listen for the voice of our Heavenly Father to guide us, and we share Christ’s Good News and teachings with others. Once I realized how truly exposed it is to walk in faith… to “lay it all on the line” and trust in Jesus Christ and believe His promises, even though many would argue we have no physical proof of His existence… I finally “got it!”I finally understood how incredible this “faith walk” really is… and how amazing it feels to surrender completely and just “be” in Him.
I am in awe of creation… a sunrise, the moon on a crisp autumn night, the beauty and intricacy of kittens, puppies, and small children… the wonder of an old person’s wrinkles. But more than this, I am amazed and awed again and again by the joy of daring to walk in faith and trusting God to number my days as well as my hair! Yes, I want to believe… but it’s more than that. I no longer have to convince myself that Jesus is real… I know it with every fiber of my being. He may “scold” me for many things, but it won’t be for failing to believe. What about you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life. Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We have enjoyed beautiful fall weather lately, and the color in the trees and shrubbery has been spectacular… at least in my neighborhood. One day as I drove my grandmother to the beauty shop, I found myself traveling streets that are seldom on my route. In doing so, I enjoyed breathtaking views of maples, oaks, and elms in beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow. Crepe myrtles were splendid on the church campus in a fiery burst of orange and yellow. The bushes in the yard of my grandmother’s neighbor were a brilliant ruby red.
Later, my husband gently teased me as I recanted all I had seen and we drove down the street toward his mother’s house. As we passed each brilliant tree, he would laughingly say, “Oooohhh, look at that one! Ohhhhhh… that one is amazing!” And they were! And once again I was reminded that all of this beauty was created by a God I have never physically seen. As we sat and enjoyed a sunny morning on our back deck, I marveled at a brilliant yellow hickory tree and how intricately God designed something as mundane as the bark on that tree… and yet He created the entire planet and rules over the universe.
I have so many questions. I wonder which came first… God or the universe? … the chicken or the egg? I wonder how God thought of all of these beautiful creations of nature… and why He bothered with things like armadillos and spiders! And do we really need snakes? More importantly, why does God bother with the likes of me? Why did He take such care to create every hair on our head… and to number them before we were even born?
Okay, many will argue that I have no way of knowing that God really did all of this. Others will ask, “If God is so powerful and great, why do we have wars, famine, droughts and other natural disasters, pain and suffering?” I have an idea about some of these, but truly, I don’t have the answer. And some use this as an excuse to deny that God exists… or to choose not to believe in Him and follow His teachings. I have made a conscious – and heartfelt – choice to believe in God.
Several years ago, I read today’s scripture passage one day while listening to a televangelist who gave his interpretation of its deeper meaning. He said that as important as the original disciples were to the cause of Jesus Christ, those of us who are His disciples today are just as vital… if not more. Why? Because the original disciples saw Jesus. They touched the nail-scarred hands and the pierced side. They had physical proof that He had been crucified, then rose from the grave.
We have none of this. We weren’t there. We have not physically seen anything. And yet we believe. We look at nature and all of God’s creations. We read the scripture and take them totally at face value… believing that the details are accurate… that what the Bible says took place actually happened. We listen for the voice of our Heavenly Father to guide us, and we share Christ’s Good News and teachings with others. Once I realized how truly exposed it is to walk in faith… to “lay it all on the line” and trust in Jesus Christ and believe His promises, even though many would argue we have no physical proof of His existence… I finally “got it!”I finally understood how incredible this “faith walk” really is… and how amazing it feels to surrender completely and just “be” in Him.
I am in awe of creation… a sunrise, the moon on a crisp autumn night, the beauty and intricacy of kittens, puppies, and small children… the wonder of an old person’s wrinkles. But more than this, I am amazed and awed again and again by the joy of daring to walk in faith and trusting God to number my days as well as my hair! Yes, I want to believe… but it’s more than that. I no longer have to convince myself that Jesus is real… I know it with every fiber of my being. He may “scold” me for many things, but it won’t be for failing to believe. What about you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 8, 2010
2 Kings 6:16
"Don't be afraid," Elisha answered. "There are more troops on our side than on theirs."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all been there… we’ve all had a time when we felt like “the deck was stacked against us.” The obstacles seemed too large… we couldn’t see how we could overcome such huge odds. But we learn in this passage that “there are more troops on our side than theirs.”
Still not convinced? Consider this… with God on our side, we don’t need large armies. We don’t need huge odds in our favor… we’ve already got the overwhelming “Majority Vote!” Once again, we underestimate our God! We fail to recognize that He can defeat any and all enemies… and He can do it single-handedly.
It’s time we recognized God’s power in our life. It’s time we started to humbly seek His will, then act courageously as He leads us. We’ve been meek, timid and fearful long enough. Now it’s time to act like God’s children… and to begin to really live for Him! Don’t be afraid… with God on our side, we have all the “troops” we need!
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Don't be afraid," Elisha answered. "There are more troops on our side than on theirs."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all been there… we’ve all had a time when we felt like “the deck was stacked against us.” The obstacles seemed too large… we couldn’t see how we could overcome such huge odds. But we learn in this passage that “there are more troops on our side than theirs.”
Still not convinced? Consider this… with God on our side, we don’t need large armies. We don’t need huge odds in our favor… we’ve already got the overwhelming “Majority Vote!” Once again, we underestimate our God! We fail to recognize that He can defeat any and all enemies… and He can do it single-handedly.
It’s time we recognized God’s power in our life. It’s time we started to humbly seek His will, then act courageously as He leads us. We’ve been meek, timid and fearful long enough. Now it’s time to act like God’s children… and to begin to really live for Him! Don’t be afraid… with God on our side, we have all the “troops” we need!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 2, 2010
Psalm 27:7-10; 14
Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, so don’t hide from me. I am your servant, and you have helped me. Don’t turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don’t reject or desert me. Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.
Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little nephew Timothy has started covering his eyes with his hands and then pulling them away – a version of “Where’s Timmy?” that we started with blankets and cloth diapers several months ago. When he removes his little fists, he just laughs and growls and is quite proud of himself. This is partly because of the fun of the game itself… and partly because he is certain we will still be sitting right there with him when he moves his hands. We are not hiding from him, and we would never desert him. Even at almost fourteen months, this baby has learned a lot about trust… and the peace it brings.
When it comes to our faith in God, we could take a page from the book of a small child. We aggravate, frustrate, and anger God all day long… yet we still expect Him to be right there when we call on Him. And because of His grace and mercy, that’s exactly where we find God… waiting for us, ready to help and never deserting us.
Knowing how much God loves us… and how faithful He is to us… why do we doubt? Why do we test His limits and question His motives – and His timing? Don’t we get it? Don’t we know by now that God will take care of us even when it seems like everyone else has left the building? Our hearts do indeed tell us to pray, because this is the right thing to do. But there is more… we have to believe! We have to trust that God will hear our prayers – and answer. How brave and strong are you today? How much peace is in your heart? Are you trusting the Lord to take care of you? Shouldn’t you be?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, so don’t hide from me. I am your servant, and you have helped me. Don’t turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don’t reject or desert me. Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.
Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little nephew Timothy has started covering his eyes with his hands and then pulling them away – a version of “Where’s Timmy?” that we started with blankets and cloth diapers several months ago. When he removes his little fists, he just laughs and growls and is quite proud of himself. This is partly because of the fun of the game itself… and partly because he is certain we will still be sitting right there with him when he moves his hands. We are not hiding from him, and we would never desert him. Even at almost fourteen months, this baby has learned a lot about trust… and the peace it brings.
When it comes to our faith in God, we could take a page from the book of a small child. We aggravate, frustrate, and anger God all day long… yet we still expect Him to be right there when we call on Him. And because of His grace and mercy, that’s exactly where we find God… waiting for us, ready to help and never deserting us.
Knowing how much God loves us… and how faithful He is to us… why do we doubt? Why do we test His limits and question His motives – and His timing? Don’t we get it? Don’t we know by now that God will take care of us even when it seems like everyone else has left the building? Our hearts do indeed tell us to pray, because this is the right thing to do. But there is more… we have to believe! We have to trust that God will hear our prayers – and answer. How brave and strong are you today? How much peace is in your heart? Are you trusting the Lord to take care of you? Shouldn’t you be?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)