Daily Devotional for January 7, 2017

1 John 2:28-29
And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.

Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children.

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.

Today, our heads are spinning with news of the latest tragic shooting in our country.  You may also be confronted with personal challenges…family members and friends who are ill or have recently passed…money woes…or loss of work because of the latest “snow event.”  You may be stressed from the care and nurture of children and your immediate family…a heavy load at work or school…and so much more.

With everything that we face on a daily basis, it can sometimes be hard to live deeply in Christ…but this is exactly WHY we need to make the effort to do so!  In my daily readings the last few days from Jesus Calling*, these are some of the charges that have stuck out to me…”There could never be another companion as devoted as I am. Try saying, ‘I trust You, Jesus’ in response to whatever happens to you.  Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.”

I cannot imagine what the people in Ft. Lauderdale are enduring…the heartache and shock for all involved…the horror and complete terror that must have stricken hundreds of people throughout this event.  But I know that God was right there with them, through it all. I recently visited with a friend whose mother is quite ill.  She and I agreed that as we cry out to God that we are in “deep waters,” we recognize that He has led others through them already.  So why wouldn’t He do this for us, as well?  When we realize that Jesus is our most devoted companion, it becomes imperative that we live deeply in Him…and trust Him in whatever happens to us.

Living deeply in Christ doesn’t happen overnight.  You cannot just snap your fingers and instantly gain this most intimate relationship with Him.  You must cultivate deep and abiding faith over time…through continual communion with Jesus in prayer, Bible study – and quite frankly, going through some stuff!  Each experience strengthens your faith muscle.  Every prayer draws you closer to Jesus and allows Him to show you just how much He cares for every detail of your life.  Each time you read Scripture – or a daily devotional such as this one – you gain insights into how God is working for you every second of the night and day.

You have to start somewhere…and today is as good as any to begin.  Call out to Jesus…tell Him, “I trust You” – and mean it! My prayer is that this would be the day that you make every effort to keep your Dearest Companion close at all times…and start to live deeply in His promises and care.  Jesus is calling…are you ready to welcome Him into your heart forever?

©2017 Debbie Robus

*Jesus Calling ~ www.jesuscalling.com    (quotes from January 3 and January 4 entries)

Daily Devotional for December 19, 2016

Philippians 4:19
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.

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.

This morning, I helped Timothy’s teacher get his class ready to trek across campus to the high school gymnasium for the school-wide Christmas music program.  When I got up at 6:00 a.m., it was twelve degrees.  By the time we made the walk across what amounts to about a city block at 8:45 a.m., I would say the temperature MIGHT have risen to 18 degrees – with a wind!  Friday, we made this walk for a rehearsal, and several of the children were not dressed warmly.  It was in the 30s then, but several of the children shook and shivered as we traveled to and from the gym.

I knew in reason that today, there would be some cold kids.  Wind chills were in the single digits. Timothy and Zola have heavy warm coats – and gloves – but I knew that a lot of their classmates would have only a windbreaker, at best.  So I gathered extra scarves and several fleece blankets that our children enjoy when they are visiting and took them with me.  The six blankets and scarves I brought were just enough to fully wrap the children in Timothy’s class whose coats and jackets were inadequate.

I went down the line of 20 children and made sure each one had his/her hood on…and that whatever they were wearing was fully zipped. One little boy had what appeared to be a brand new coat, but he was not wearing it.  I told him to put it on and zip it up…and he said, “I can’t…it doesn’t fit me.”  I insisted…and he tearfully let me put him in the coat.  His arms barely slid in, and I thought I might not get it zipped. He looked like a stuffed sausage!  Once the program ended, I could not get this child to put the coat back on…and I mentioned this to a resource teacher who was standing next to me. She shook her head and said, “He has to have a warm coat for Christmas break. I can fix this…let me see what I can do.”

Thirty minutes later, the teacher showed up in Timothy’s classroom with an almost-new coat that fit much better. The teacher made the swap, and I wish you could have seen this child’s face. The relief and happiness that swept over him almost moved me to tears.
Each fall, there is an organization in our community that conducts a coat drive.  People donate new and used coats for those who are in need…and hundreds of coats are distributed. This distribution just happened recently, and I suspect that the “leftovers” are housed somewhere in our school - just for situations like this.

I know this is a long story, but two things struck me.  God put it on my heart to take those blankets and scarves this morning – not because I am so wonderful...but because HE is.  He met the needs of those cold children and placed me in a position to realize that there was a child who needed a bigger coat.  He put a burden on the hearts of people in our community to gather coats for those who need them…and to create a program to see that those in need received a helping hand.

God orchestrated the “connection” between me and the teacher who found this child a new coat.  He touched the hearts of the older elementary children who started a food pantry at our school that creates “weekend bags” of food for students who would otherwise go hungry for those days.  Today, I was again almost moved to tears as I looked at the “Christmas break” bags that were placed at each classroom door for the teachers to disseminate.

My point is that God is meeting needs and touching hearts…motivating people and sending disciples all around us, whether we actually realize it or not.  The question is…are you one of them?  Don’t you want to be?  Open your heart and mind to the possibilities.  Don’t ask God “Why?”  Instead, ask, “Why not?”  Whatever He places on your heart and in your mind to do for others, He will help you accomplish.  Where you can’t see a way for things to work out…God has already handled every detail and will implement His plan according to His perfect timing.  In any and every situation where you are tempted to throw up your hands and say, “I don’t know how much more I can take!”…God has already accounted for this, and He is leaps and bounds ahead of you!

God is in the business of loving us generously…of caring for our every need – and then some.  I don’t get it…but the Bible tells us that His is a love we cannot fully comprehend.  And I accept this, because I so want to believe…and trust…and bask in the fullness of His glory and His goodness.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 6, 2016

Luke 11:10-13    
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

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.

This is the time of year when children ask Santa Claus for specific items…and they expect to receive them. After all, we’re talking about SANTA CLAUS!  He would never disappoint a child…right?  You and I both know that we adults have to sometimes do some fancy finagling…like when the child comes up with a totally new request, just days before Christmas - and after “Santa” has already “made” all of the toys asked for back in November!

Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t operate like this?  Isn’t it comforting to know that we can go to Him any hour of the day and say, “Lord, I need…” and He will answer our request.  Notice I did not say that God will always give us exactly what we asked for.  God is not in the business of doling out wishes and whims willy-nilly!  But God will always meet our true needs - according to His will for us.

Every year, I give the children pajamas, socks and underwear for Christmas. A few years ago, Timothy pulled a package of underwear out of his stocking, walked over to his father and said, “Here, Dad…these are for YOU!”  Needless to say, our nephew was not impressed with this gift!  But I knew that it was something that he and his siblings truly needed.

God always gives us what we need when we ask.  He will ALWAYS send His Holy Spirit if we ask for comfort, wisdom, guidance and companionship…even when our actual requisition takes a more vague form, as in, “I need help with XYZ.”  He may even send us an “underwear-type” gift, if that is what He feels is appropriate.  But the point is…we will never lack when we seek God.  He will always give us good and perfect gifts.

Thank goodness God doesn’t operate on the “naughty or nice” scale of giving.  We will never be able to earn His goodness…nor will we deserve His gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  But God gives them anyway…because He loves us more than we can ever imagine.  His “Christmas gift” is available to us 24/7/365. What a blessing!

What are you asking God for these days?  And what are you expecting?  When He gives you good and perfect gifts, will you recognize them and be truly grateful?  Don’t you think you should be?

©2016 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for December 3, 2016

December 3 ~ Genesis 28:20-22
And Jacob vowed this vow to God: “If God will help and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothes, and will bring me back safely to my father, then I will choose Jehovah as my God! And this memorial pillar shall become a place for worship; and I will give you back a tenth of everything you give me!”

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

We learn at an early age to “bargain.”  Little children tell adults, “Just let me have five more minutes…eat one cookie…do XYZ…and I will go straight to bed, brush my teeth, or whatever it is we are wanting them to do at the moment. On the flip side, we adults make promises to children if they will behave a certain way, clean their rooms, or simply brush their teeth and go to bed!

But we adults have truly mastered bargaining…particularly with God.  If only He will make life perfect for us, we will serve Him with our whole heart and give back to Him at least a tenth of all we have been given!  If only He will get us out of our current mess, we will serve Him with all we have for the rest of our earthly lives!  Sounds fair…right? 

I can see why Jacob bargained with God.  This was Old Testament times.  Jesus had not come to earth yet.  Jacob felt like this was a fair agreement…and perhaps for the time, it was.  But the God who loved us enough to send Jesus to die on the cross for our sins – before we were even born – deserves ALL that we can give Him.  Of course, everything we have came from God, so anything we give to Him will essentially be a “re-gift!”  But still, to put contingencies on these “gifts” seems as if we don’t believe in His promises.  Surely that is not the case!

How about we do this?  Why not just cut to the chase and lay it all out before God?  What if we simply say, “Lord…I give You my best…all that I can…whatever You desire.  You gave me a promise of eternal life with You in Heaven.  What can I give You while I’m still on this earth?”  Whatever God asks of you, He will equip you to accomplish.  Even if it seems impossible - like giving up a circle of “friends” who are not the right crowd for you…breaking a lifelong habit…or putting yourself “out there” in a way you would rather not - God will assure that everything comes together perfectly.  If GOD ordains it, you cannot fail.

So let’s quit bargaining with God, revel in His promise of Eternal Life, and serve Him on this earth with every ounce of energy and courage we can muster. Let’s put our faith into action and show the world that with God, anything and everything is possible.  And let’s give Him our very best each and every day without a single though about what is in it for us.  Are you with really ready to give?
 
©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 15, 2016

Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who believe it to heaven. This message was preached first to the Jews alone, but now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way. This Good News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven—makes us right in God’s sight—when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it, “The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”

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

I’ve been having some serious conversations with God lately…peppered with several questions…”How? Why? When? Will we? Can we? What if?”  We all want to believe that everything will be okay…in a myriad of circumstances and situations.  But the head and heart often have a major disconnect.

For more than a few of us, there are people in our lives who have questions, also – especially children. As Christian disciples, it is somewhat our job to reassure them.  Just as God promises us that He has the power – and desire – to meet our every need (perfectly!)…we must assure those we encounter of this claim.  In order to make a good “sell,” we have to believe it for ourselves!

Read the last sentence of our scripture passage again…”The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”  Don’t you want this?  Don’t you want to live in confidence and peace, rather than fear and an unsettled spirit?   I know I do…and I am working hard to fortify my trust in God.  I am studying His word…praying…and seeking encouragement in the everyday blessings He bestows upon me.

I am not ashamed of the Good News about Christ…and I am determined to build my faith and trust as God makes me ready for heaven – and demonstrate this to others.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 9, 2016

Matthew 8:5-10
When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a Roman army captain came and pled with him to come to his home and heal his servant boy who was in bed paralyzed and racked with pain.

“Yes,” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

Then the officer said, “Sir, I am not worthy to have you in my home; and it isn’t necessary for you to come. If you will only stand here and say, ‘Be healed,’ my servant will get well! I know, because I am under the authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers, and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave boy, ‘Do this or that,’ and he does it. And I know you have authority to tell his sickness to go—and it will go!”

Jesus stood there amazed! Turning to the crowd he said, “I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
    
I was so anxious – almost excited – to see what God would have to say to me today in His Holy Word.  I knew it would be profound…comforting…encouraging…healing.  And I am not disappointed.  Clearly, God is using this passage to show me that He is still in control…still ready, willing, and able to meet our needs.  All we have to do is trust Him.

Wherever I am, I can simply whisper, “LORD, I need You…” and He will be there.  Whatever is on my heart…I can share…and Jesus hears me.  Whenever I am defeated, He lifts me up…and when I am joyful and victorious, He celebrates with me.  I know with all my heart that when I ask Jesus to come to me – or heal me – He is already one step ahead of me.

So today…in ALL things…I am whispering, “LORD…I need You.”  And I know that He hears me…and will answer.

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 8, 2016

Matthew 21:18-22
When Jesus got up the next morning, he was hungry. He started out for the city, and along the way he saw a fig tree. But when he came to it, he found only leaves and no figs. So he told the tree, “You will never again grow any fruit!” Right then the fig tree dried up.

The disciples were shocked when they saw how quickly the tree had dried up. But Jesus said to them, “If you have faith and don’t doubt, I promise that you can do what I did to this tree. And you will be able to do even more. You can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for.”

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

I volunteer at the elementary school in Timothy and Zola’s classes…usually on Fridays.  Timmy told me yesterday that he was spending Saturday night with his PawPaw…and they were going to the store to buy him a small Lego® set. Timmy absolutely LOVES Legos®!  So when I left school near the end of the day, I hugged and kissed Timmy and said, “Have a good Saturday!”  He hung his head and said, “It won’t be good.”  I laughed, because this was all for my benefit…and I reminded him of the fun time he was going to have with his grandfather.  Timmy demonstrated no faith that he could have plenty of fun somewhere besides our house!

So often, we shoot ourselves in the foot, just like a 7-year-old boy.  We make up our minds long before we ever think of talking to God that what we are asking for is simply impossible.  We not only doubt the power of our prayer…we demonstrate a lack of faith in God’s ability to answer. Does this mean that we can ask for absolutely anything, and because we believe for it, God will grant us our every wish? Certainly not!  I knew someone who once stated openly that he knew that God was going to give him a Mercedes Benz…because he had prayed for it!  God doesn’t operate in this manner…and this is not how He answers prayers from even the most faith-filled Christian!

We have to function within the framework that God has presented in scripture.  We have to understand the teachings of Jesus - and the inherent expectations of us as Christ’s disciples.  We must submit to the will of God and trust that when we ask for something, we will receive what God believes is best for us.  He will answer…but it may not be exactly as we expected.

We so often pray with doubt – and without expectation.  We must learn to trust that God has our back…that He truly does want what is best for us.  When we begin to believe this…and ask in a humble and obedient manner for His help, care and blessings, God truly will deliver.  You may never drive anything but a “clunker,” but it won’t matter – to you or anyone else.

Let’s be the kind of faithful disciple that demonstrates to the world…”I’m right where God wants me to be…and I am good with that! He hears my prayers and answers…and with Him, all things are possible!”  And let’s pray expectantly and faithfully - and harness the power of God – and see how many “mountains” we can move!

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 10, 2016

John 3:31-36
“He has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is a fountain of truth. For this one—sent by God—speaks God’s words, for God’s Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves this man because he is his Son, and God has given him everything there is. And all who trust him — God’s Son — to save them have eternal life; those who don’t believe and obey him shall never see heaven, but the wrath of God remains upon them.”

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
At least once a week, I see a story posted on Facebook that sounds so wonderful – or plausible - and many people are eagerly sharing. I learned the hard way to go to Snopes.com* first and make sure whether or not these stories are true.  Slaves in Charleston, South Carolina did not start Memorial Day to honor the Union war dead…baby cribs were not circled up outside of the Pentagon on 9/11 to protect infants and toddlers who attended a daycare there…journalist Matt Lauer and NBC did not omit the statement from the mother of a Navy seal killed in Libya that her Christian faith sustains her. These and so many more “shared-for-truth” viral stories are carefully and articulately debunked on fact-checking websites, if only we will take a few minutes to investigate and verify.

Let’s be honest…we are pretty gullible…and sometimes we’re downright naïve. We also seem to have a penchant for believing the stories that are outrageous, tug at our heartstrings, make us want to wave our flags and feel all “patriotic”…and those that make our blood boil.  We are human…and this is part of our nature.

The sad truth is that we can have ALL of this – and so much more – in God’s word and the “story” that Jesus has to share with us.  There are tales of outrageous acts, battles, struggles and suffering. There are heartwarming stories of rescue and redemption.  We have opportunities to thump our chest and praise our Warrior God who defeats all enemies and protects His Kingdom.  And we have the accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, the murder of innocent babies, and other heinous acts that can make our blood boil.  And we can believe every single word we read and share it with others to our heart’s content!

There are two lessons here…1) check your sources – AND your facts – before you share what you read and hear from mere mortals…even your closest friend or relative, and 2) learn to trust the word of God – and believe and obey His directives.

I particularly like the image of God’s “fountain of truth.”  Who doesn’t love a beautiful fountain?  When my siblings and I were little, our city park had a “wading pool” with a fountain.  We loved to stand under the shower of refreshing water and bask in its coolness on a hot summer day. The idea that God’s gifts are like that fountain - that He sustains, encourages, and renews our spirit throughout this earthly life - gives me hope, peace and joy.  The thought of eternal life in the presence of God, where EVERY MINUTE is more glorious than I can even dream, gives me motivation to seek Him and His truth at each turn in this earthly journey.

Go after the truth in all things…both earthly declarations and the message of Jesus. Take advantages of resources like Snopes.com for the former – and the Holy Bible for the latter.  Learn to live in bold confidence that you always operate in facts and concrete information.  Stand under the “fountain” of God’s truth, and let Him continually pour out His wisdom and blessings on you as you serve faithfully and obediently. Learn to make every minute count…and make this the day that you renew your commitment fully prepare for eternity at the feet of Jesus. The stakes are high…the reward is great…and the time is now to get this right!

©2016 Debbie Robus

* http://snopes.com

Daily Devotional for September 6, 2016

John 3:10-15  
Jesus replied: How can you be a teacher of Israel and not know these things? I tell you for certain that we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. If you don’t believe when I talk to you about things on earth, how can you possibly believe if I talk to you about things in heaven?

No one has gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from there. And the Son of Man must be lifted up, just as that metal snake was lifted up by Moses in the desert. Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life.

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

Several years ago, my mother gave me a little desktop flip calendar called “365 Days of Humor for Women.”  Today’s entry says…”Tell people that there are 400 billion stars, and they’ll believe you.  Tell them a bench has wet paint, and they’ll have to touch it.”  Talk about a perfect fit for today’s scripture passage!

Too many of us are running around wringing our hands and bemoaning this or that, when what we ought to be doing is “picking up the snake” and trusting God to make good on His promises!  We SAY we believe in Jesus…that He is the LORD of our lives…but we surely do not act like it or demonstrate this to others.  It’s like we went through the turnstile at a concert, but didn’t go on in for the show!  We are stuck!  We accepted Jesus…we received His forgiveness and redemption…but we’ve done nothing since then to share our newfound faith with others – or even demonstrate that we trust in an unseen God.

The crazy thing is that we readily accept everything from the posts we read on social media to the gossip we hear on the streets to those outlandish promises that if we just sign up for XYZ, we could win everything from a cruise or free airline tickets to millions of dollars!  But when it comes to Jesus, we need to “touch the bench” to make sure the paint is really wet!

I do not dare to judge others, but I do notice a lot of people who are ready to like a meme about Jesus, or one of those “If-you-really-love-Jesus-like-this-and-share-it” posts.  And right before or after this, they claim to the world that “My ‘ex’ is a jerk,” call a politician or someone who differs with them in some manner an ugly name, or declare that “I’m a Christian, so I am so much better than someone who believes such-and-such.”  This is what Jesus explained to Nicodemus…either you are “all in” with Him, or you are stuck at the “turnstile.”  Either you trust wholeheartedly that Jesus is ready, willing, and able to meet all of your needs, or you are touching the bench to see if the paint is really wet.

We need to pull it together and get real about our faith.  We need to understand that Jesus did not redeem us so that we could go on about our old ways of living and continue to doubt, gossip, or mistreat others. In short, we cannot continue to sin as much as more than we did before we supposedly gave our hearts to Him. Yes, Jesus’ love is unconditional…but His salvation comes with a mission! And it is time we got busy fulfilling our assignments!

Are you ready to believe Jesus for everything…and act like it?  Will you make this the day that you move forward and begin to truly live as Christ’s disciple?  Let others see your faith in action.  Stand up…step out – and boldly declare that you know who Jesus is - and what He can do for each of us. Are you ready to prove your confidence in Christ’s power? Are you ready to demonstrate unequivocally that when He says “the bench has wet paint,” you never have to touch it to be certain?  Isn’t it time you were?

©2016 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for June 8, 2016

Romans 8:24-28
Then he told them:

We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have—for a man who already has something doesn’t need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn’t happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.

And in the same way—by our faith — the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.

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

Our Nathan is in his “superhero phase.”  He wears a Batman or Spiderman costume almost every day – sometimes with a mask, sometimes without.  I am talking the full costume, complete with cape where appropriate!  Lately, he has discovered a French animated series about four new “superhero” characters, the Disney Channel’s PJ Masks.  His favorite is Connor/Catboy, who Wikipedia describes as…

”a blue-eyed boy with brown hair. When he transforms he wears a blue costume with cat ears and a thin feline tail. He is the leader of the group.  He has super-hearing using Cat Ears, can leap high and far using Super Cat Jump, and sprints fast using Super Cat Speed, or just Super Speed. His vehicle is the Cat Car, located in the middle segment of the Masks' tower. His bedroom is on the second floor of a blue-roofed blue-doored house…”

And Nathan wants his costume!

I looked online and found a blue nylon bodysuit that covers everything head to toe except the child’s face.  It’s a little pricey, but I know it would be worn often…perhaps too often!  I printed out masks of all the PJ Masks characters for Nathan and Timothy, and Nathan said, “When you buy me the suit for my birthday (in August), I will have the whole costume!”  I am waiting to buy it until I know for sure that Nathan will still be interested in these characters when the time comes, but he is quite certain that he will get this suit for his birthday.  In his mind, it is a “done deal,” and he is waiting “patiently and confidently.”

Most of us could use a hefty dose of this almost-four-year-old confidence and patience when it comes to our relationship with God and how we wait on Him for answers.  If only we could trust that God will always answer and deliver perfectly when the time is right. Just as it is entirely possible that by August 3rd, Nathan may be completely over the Catboy character - and wanting some other toy or costume that he cannot live without - it may be that the deepest desire of our heart is not what we really want…or need.  And in God’s perfect timing, He will set us straight. 

You and I spend far too much time trying to “drive the car” and tell God what to do.  We don’t know nearly as much as we think we do…and we let our imaginations and desires run amok.  If we could only learn to stop, rest, and wait on God…to trust Him to decide what is best for us and to serve Him faithfully in the meantime…things would be so much better for us.  We would be so much better if we would rest and allow God to hear the “groaning of unspoken prayers” once in awhile instead of constantly berating Him with a verbal litany of our wants and needs.  We need to stop trying to make our point and make His difference…and let God do the orchestrating in all of this.

I don’t know whether Catboy will reign supreme this fall at our house or not.  I also don’t know what God has in store for us in the coming weeks, months, and years.  But I am trusting that it will all be good…and I am committing myself to live every day with patience and confidence as I wait on His plans and their implementation.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 7, 2016

Romans 8:18-23
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect his children. For on that day thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay — the things that overcame the world against its will at God’s command—will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God’s children enjoy.

For we know that even the things of nature, like animals and plants, suffer in sickness and death as they await this great event. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us—bodies that will never be sick again and will never die.

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

A few weeks after my dad died, I was telling a friend about how much he suffered…the two years of daily dialysis that confined him to bed and a machine for 14 hours every night…the chronic depression that made him want to lie in that bed and beg to die much of the time…the constant itching and sensitivity to smells and tastes that goes along with renal failure and makes one miserable…the countless trips to the hospital and Emergency Room for treatments for everything from anxiety to blood loss. And in the midst of this, my dad lost his only son and suffered incredible grief and heartache.  He often cried, “I want to go with him.”  I noted that after all of this, my dad had a stroke one day post hernia surgery that paralyzed him from the chest down…and a few hours later, a heart attack took his life.  I questioned why Daddy had to suffer like this, when the ultimate result was “sudden” death.

I will never forget my friend’s response.  He asked, “In the scheme of things, wasn’t all of that suffering just a ‘blip on the screen’ compared to what awaited your dad in heaven forever and ever?”  He went on to suggest that we think about our earthly suffering in terms of time as we know it…but in comparison to Eternity and the peace and joy that awaits us there, it loses much of its punch and power.

Do not misunderstand me…I know that many have suffered.  I do not in any way wish to diminish any person’s grief, physical discomfort and illness, and heartaches of all kinds.  I know that people are physically, mentally and emotionally ravaged by lousy childhoods, war, the violence and hatred of others, and horrific injuries and diseases. I acknowledge human and animal cruelty…and how agonizing it can be to endure cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other terrible diseases. I know that life can be very hard for many.  And it is easy to ask God, “WHY?” 

But I also know that because I trust God…because I believe in His promises…the suffering will end – and it will have been a “blip on the screen” for those who trusted Him and waited anxiously for Heaven.  In the meantime, suffering is real for so many…and to those who suffer, I say, “God sees you.  He knows you are hurting, and He is not punishing you.  He is drawing you close in your pain, heartache and grief.  He is strengthening your ‘faith muscle’ as you rely more on Him and less on yourself to do these really hard things.”

I have discovered in the last few days that I’ve been relying too much on my own strength in recent months – and not enough on the power of God…and I didn’t even realize it.  I have finally humbled myself and admitted to God that I need His help…that “life” has been a lot harder than I thought it was going to be…and I cannot do this without Him.  I know that I am not going to be instantly “better” because of this…but my focus has shifted.  I am looking at the bigger picture, rather than the “blip on the screen.” 

I am recognizing just how much I need God in my life…His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and healing.  I have redoubled my determination to walk in faith even more…and to let God carry me as I focus on a broader landscape – and the promise of Heaven – and less on the past and the immediate present.  There will be plenty of unpleasant events and circumstances yet to come in my lifetime, but I will not face them alone.  I will do all I can to wait patiently for God to lead me out of these adversities…and I will look forward to the glory of Heaven and the perfect peace that He is preparing for me there.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 10, 2016

Matthew 24:25
The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.

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

I read a column written by a comedienne about being a grandparent “then vs. now.”  She compared how things were when WE were children to present day with humorous observations like how our baby food was whatever the adults were eating – only mashed…and today, a lot of parents want only “organic and gluten-free.”  Or how we used to live by the “5-second rule” about food dropped on the floor and then eaten…and today, we’re all about baby wipes and hand sanitizer.

The point was that things change.  The pendulum swings from one generation to the next.  Every few years, an “expert” declares that we’ve been doing things all wrong, and there is some newfangled method that is foolproof.  When I was a child, there were certain topics we would never have considered discussing “in polite company,” and now, pretty much anything is deemed “fair game” by many.  Words I never thought I would hear uttered in public are now in the mainstream on prime time and daytime television…and nobody even looks up from their electronic device!

I do not necessarily endorse these changes.  I merely make note of them to point out that we humans are fickle.  What we wholeheartedly believe one year changes the next.  We are easily swayed and persuaded…and as a result, we often find it hard to trust anything or anyone.

But JESUS is the real deal.  He never changes.  When everything has totally dissolved into nothingness, His word will still stand.  The promise that He will always love us…that He will cleanse us of all sin if we ask Him to…that His peace is given to us and will never leave…that He is preparing a home for us in Heaven and will return for us someday…all of these are everlasting, steadfast, and unfailing.  We can “take them to the bank!”  His command to us to love others as He loves us will never change.  There will never be “exceptions to the rule” or qualifiers of any kind.

I don’t know about you, but in a sea of continual changes, this is a great comfort to me.  I serve a God whose message is timeless.  I surrendered my heart to a Savior who will NEVER alter His mission…never renege on a promise…never withhold His love.  We can’t ask for more than this!

As recipients of such amazing promises and their inherent benefits, we should be more than eager to glorify Jesus with our thoughts, words and actions.  We should strive to stand strong in our resolve to love Him and serve Him.  We should make every effort to carry out Jesus’ teachings…to demonstrate love and kindness to every person we encounter – and to recognize his/her worth in God’s eyes.  We should continually check our behavior and conversation and see where we speak negativity and disparity – or downright hatred – toward others. 

We are human. Our words will never hold the same promise and authority as those of Jesus.  But as we strive to be more like Him, our level of integrity should increase exponentially.  We should walk in truth and confidence that what Jesus taught us is infallible and endures forever…and we should do our best to emulate these truths in our own daily living. 

Do you believe that Jesus’ word endures forever?  Are you demonstrating this to others in your own words and actions?  Don’t you think it’s time you did? 

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 6, 2016

Luke 21:8-9
He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”

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 traveled with Timothy’s class to a goat farm today.  Yes…a goat farm!  We watched the farmer milk a goat and then make soap with the milk and other ingredients.  We toured the milking room and saw babies, yearlings, and full-grown Nubian goats.  We took a hayride and looked at beautiful cattle – including several newborn calves - grazing under a grove of trees.  The children ran relays on stick horses and got to pet a beautiful horse named Mercedes. 

We finished the morning with a picnic lunch.  The fields were full of buttercups.  Everything was crisp and green…the goats were adorable…the sky was deep blue, and there was lots of sunshine and a light breeze to keep things cool.  It was what my mother used to call a “Chamber of Commerce Day!”

The dad of one of Timothy’s classmates rode over to the farm with me. He moved to our state from New Jersey, and he marveled at the foliage and the landscape as we traveled.  He talked of living in a “concrete jungle” just a few miles from New York City, and how he was glad his children were growing up where nature was abundant.  Everything about the farm was as new and exciting to him as it was to any of the 6-and-7-year-olds who visited.

After we returned from the trip, I purchased a couple dozen farm fresh eggs and several quarts of just-picked strawberries from local vendors.  By the time I got home, I was tired from all of the fresh air, sunshine, and the day’s activities…but my heart was so full.  God had shown me firsthand just how blessed I am.

I grew up around farm animals, riding my own horse, and eating freshly grown food from my grandparents’ garden.  I have lived most of my 58+ years within 100 miles of my present location…and I have never lacked for greenery, changing seasons, or an abundance of wildlife. I looked around and realized just how blessed I am – and I was reminded how easy it is to become complacent – or negative…and to forget all of this!

My mother said over and over that there was nothing new about the wars and hatred of today.  If you study history at all…or if you read your Bible…you will learn more about torture and strife than you could ever imagine. You will see that negativity, bullying, and abuses of all kinds are anything but new.  You will also see that people have been saying that “the end is near” for centuries!  We all know that Matthew 24:36 tells us…“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.”  Yet many still want to try to predict what God is planning – and when!

Here’s the lesson for us…stop worrying about when Jesus will return – and start focusing on what God has given you!  Count your blessings…open your eyes and recognize the opportunities and possibilities in your midst.  Ask God what He wants you to do with each and every day…and then prepare to DO IT!  Trust that God has amazing plans for you.  Live with faith that Jesus will return at the right time…and meanwhile, He will handle ALL THINGS in your life.  I do not mean to belittle war and dissention – or to disrespect those who fight for our country or any of our leaders who are working to bring about resolution and peace.

But let’s be honest…the most important thing that you and I can do to eliminate strife in our own life – and our own circle of influence – is to operate in God’s will and honor His blessings in our lives.  Recognize a “good day” – and come to expect more of them.  Show others what it means to live fully in God’s abundance…fearless about the future and a victor rather than a victim of negativity and disagreement.  Don’t buy into the false message of those who would have you believe that everything is quite literally “going to hell in a hand basket.”  God is still on the throne!  He is still the King of Kings…large and in charge…calling the shots and blessing His people.  And you are among them!

Who are you listening to these days?  Do you see the hand of God upon your life?  Do you trust Him?  Have you counted your blessings lately?  Isn’t it time you did?

©2016 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for April 30, 2016

Matthew 6:38-40
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.

“This, in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me by the Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole. This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
For decades, a women’s circle at my church has hosted a breakfast for the graduating high school seniors shortly before their last day of school.  This year, I offered to help with the preparation and serving of this breakfast.  As the students finished their meal, the class sponsor went over some important information with them…dates and times for baccalaureate…when and where to be for graduation rehearsal…the rescheduling of a group photo… and more. She covered many details, making sure that everything was neatly prepared and tied together so that everyone will be ready for these events - and the final ceremony will hopefully go off without a hitch.

The sponsor also read a little devotional to the students and talked to them about what happens after high school…how college is different – and continual study is required.  She reminded them that even those who are joining the workforce will need to learn to discipline themselves to get up and get going every day…that whatever happens in this next chapter of life for these almost-adults, effort will be required to be successful and productive.

Several times, this teacher told the group…”This is not my rule…it came from the administration.”  Or she would say, “I did not decide this…I’m telling you what I was told to share.” As for the “life lesson,” she cited comments from several college students and graduates who had told her how challenging life can be after high school.  In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples that “I came to do God’s will…and I am giving you EVERYTHING you need, so that when I return for those who believe in Me, you will all be ready.”

The students at the breakfast trust that the information the teacher/sponsor gave them is accurate and vital.  We who have given our hearts to Jesus are expected to trust His word for us - and to follow His instructions.  What does this include?  Jesus has told us to love God with all our heart, mind and soul…and to love others as we love Him. He has commanded us to share His Good News with everyone we encounter…to trust Him in all things…and to have hope and faith that He is preparing a place for us with Him for all Eternity.

Jesus performed miracles to demonstrate that He is all-powerful…that anything is possible with Him.  He demonstrated incomparable sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins.  He rose from the grave three days later and instructed His disciples concerning how to minister to others in His absence.  And He gave us the Holy Spirit to be our Forever Friend in the interim.

Jesus “covered all the bases.”  He left nothing to chance or assumption.  He was clear and distinct in His directives to us…and in His demonstrations of why we should trust Him and believe in Him.  And if we follow through on these instructions, everything should go exactly as it is supposed to on the day when we are called to Heaven…whether this happens before Christ returns for His church – or during.

I hope all of the students were listening carefully yesterday to the words from the sponsor.  More importantly, I hope that WE are listening to Jesus’ words for each of us.  He has accomplished the will of the One who sent Him…now it is time to do OUR part to honor His commitment and commandments.  How do you think you are doing so far?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 19, 2016

John 14:8-11
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

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

Today would be my mother’s 77th birthday.  She is celebrating in heaven with my dad, who would have been 80 yesterday.  We always celebrated their birthdays as one…and now they are having one amazing “Heavenly party!”  When mother died, her pastor and dear friend, J.R. asked, “Did your mother have any favorite scripture passages?”  Man, did she ever!  I rattled them off to him…Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:7, Psalm 30:5.  These became the foundation of J.R.’s funeral sermon…which perfectly glorified God and honored my mother and her Christian faith.

For 58 years, my mother talked to me about Jesus.  She quoted these scriptures often, so I was fully confident that they were some of her favorites.  Through my mother’s demonstration of faith in Jesus – even in the midst of some pretty substantial challenges and struggles – I knew Him, too.  And I knew God.  I saw His authority and wisdom in action…and I felt His all-encompassing love and protection.

As I went through Mother’s Bible study journals lately, I found this note…”During the deaths of Tim [my brother] and James Paul [my dad], I’d often wonder, ‘Why am I not falling apart?’  Then I’d remember all the people across the country who were praying for us.” In this one statement, we see how she trusted God…how she KNEW that He was working in her life…and in the lives of her family members. 

Our three little ones often ask us, “Where is God?  Why can’t we see Him?” It is hard to give young children an answer that makes sense.  But through steadfast demonstration of faith in this “unseen God,” they will come to understand what my mother and others taught me.  They will learn what Jesus was telling His disciples…that God is evident all around us.  He doesn’t necessarily appear to us in flesh and blood, as Jesus did for a while…but He is real and alive, all the same.

Two things are required of us as Christians…to believe in Jesus – and God the Father…and to show Christ (and our Heavenly Father) to others through our words and actions.  In a nutshell, my mother’s favorite scriptures tell us that God knows the plans He has for us - and they are good plans designed to prosper us…that we may have weeping for a time, but God will restore our joy…and that we will be surrounded by a peace that passes all understanding and comprehension.  If we demonstrate these three scripture passages to others in our own lives, people will know Jesus through us – and they will see God in action, as well. 

When others look at you these days, who do they see?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 18, 2016

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

Daily Devotional for April 11, 2016

Isaiah 25:7-8
At that time he will remove the cloud of gloom, the pall of death that hangs over the earth; he will swallow up death forever. The Lord God will wipe away all tears and take away forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken—he will surely do it!
   
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I brought home all of my mother’s photo albums, and two LARGE containers of loose photos.  I’ve been sorting through these pictures…and scanning several.  A lot of them are not labeled, so I’ve shared some on Facebook…in hopes that friends and acquaintances in my area will recognize someone and help me put names with faces. Many of these photos are from the 1940-1950 era, and some from the 1960-70 time period.  Feedback is incredibly positive.  People LOVE to look at old photos and reminisce about “the good ole days.”  I joked lately that these photos are “the best thing on Facebook” right now!

All you have to do is listen to the nightly news to hear about people trading insults, mocking one another…or someone seeking revenge against a person who has “done him/her wrong.”  As a friend jokingly said recently, we’ve learned to “ask forgiveness instead of permission.”  And we have made a habit of justifying our actions to suit our personal agendas.

I admit, I am frequently dismayed these days by reports of how we are treating one another.  I have all but stopped listening to nightly news…and I skim the newspaper each day for accounts that interest me.  I slide right on past horrific “news stories” on my Facebook wall.  It’s not that I want to live in a bubble and pretend these things don’t happen.  But I simply feel I cannot become bogged down in the misery and disgust of some of these “human” behaviors and actions.

Is this naïve and apathetic on my part?  I don’t think so.  I prefer to dwell on positive stories…to spend my time encouraging others and offering them hope and joy.  I would rather share a happy photo from 40 years ago than to look at pictures of brutalized puppies or “the people of Walmart.”  I would rather read comments and recollections about my great-grandmother and her contemporaries than to hear about the latest round of name-calling between politicians.

I would rather spend my time thinking about how God pours out His grace and mercy on each of us…and how He will honor every promise He has made to “wipe away all tears and take away forever all insults and mockery against his land and people.”  I would rather share the Good News of Jesus with others - and assure them that He will make a way where none seems evident - than to wallow in the pit of frustration and anger over anything for even a second.

I don’t think this is immature or disingenuous on my part.  I believe God has promised to set all things right…and He is counting on us to demonstrate faith in His promise to others.  And we can start by living more positively…by stepping away from participation in much of the ugliness that is perpetuated in every arena of life – from the disgruntled parents on the little league fields to the bickering of politicians to the “Christians” who want to refuse the rights of ordinary citizens to do everything from voting to using a bathroom or sitting at a lunch counter.

Someday, God is going to wipe away every tear and settle every dispute in the lives of each of us. This may happen when He calls us to Heaven…or we may still be around for the return of Jesus.  Either way, it WILL happen!  Meanwhile, we have work to do as His disciples…and we need to get busy!  There is no time to waste on pettiness and disillusionment about things beyond our control.  We either trust God to handle these for us…or we don’t.  Which way are you leaning these days?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 10, 2016

Hebrews 11:32-40
What else can I say? There isn’t enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Their faith helped them conquer kingdoms, and because they did right, God made promises to them. They closed the jaws of lions and put out raging fires and escaped from the swords of their enemies. Although they were weak, they were given the strength and power to chase foreign armies away.

Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life. Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail. Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured. The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground.

All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.

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

Nathan and I were watching YouTube videos the other day of ordinary people opening boxed toys.  Every few minutes, Nathan would say, “I want that!” or “I need that toy, Debbie…can we get it?”  I would tell him, “Not now,” as I made a mental note of what he liked – or put something on my “wish list” at Amazon.com for future reference.  Then Nathan would say…”Yeah…but for my birthday!”  I would acknowledge…”Well, MAYBE for your birthday.”

It’s April…Nathan’s birthday is not until August.  For a 3½-year-old, waiting that long is akin to adults waiting for Jesus’ second coming…it’s a LONG TIME!  And if the truth be told, a lot of the toys on “the list” will never be purchased.  If Nathan doesn’t receive a Spider-Man mask that talks and a Spider-Man glove that “spins webs,” he will survive.  And he will be so excited over what he DOES get, that he will hardly notice that anything is missing.

Life is largely about priorities.  In one of my mother’s journals, she mentioned her arch-enemy…time.  Mother never had enough of it.  She said her husband pointed out to her that we all have 24 hours in a day.  I’m sure that did not go over well…and I get that!  We all have desires and goals…aspirations for things we want to accomplish.  We all have struggles and challenges…illnesses and injuries…hurts and heavy hearts at times.  And we all hope against hope that God will fix ALL of this!  And He does…but not always as we imagined or intended!

Just as there will be birthday parties – and presents – for Nathan and his siblings, there will be a “party to end all parties” someday for us in Heaven, if we have surrendered our hearts - and sins - to Jesus. All of the things we hoped and dreamed for – and all of the requests we made known to God - will not matter at that time, because the Ultimate Prize of His perfect promises and designs for our Eternity will be manifested.  In other words…a lot of the things we fight so hard for  - and think we want or need on this earth - really won’t matter in the long run.

Believe me…I’ve thought about this a lot lately.  My mother left many “projects” on the table - books and articles she wanted to write…trips she wanted to take…things she wanted to do with her great-grandchildren…and more.  She quite literally ran out of time.  And you know what?  None of it matters today.  She sits in Heaven at the feet of Jesus with other believers who went before her…and she would not return to work on her “list” for all of the tea in China! God has rewarded her with more time than she can use…and glorious activities to fill it.  She is at peace and has no frustration or sense of urgency about anything.  And this is waiting for us someday, as well.

So let’s shift our focus a little. We must continue to have goals…and hope.  We must continue to believe that God is in the business of fulfilling promises…healing and righting wrongs…fixing our messes and giving us the desires of our heart.  But we must also understand that these must all line up with HIS desires and plans for us…and it all pales in comparison to what He has waiting for us in Heaven. 

If we got all that God promised us now, there would nothing to look forward to afterward. We must live with faith that everything gets better in Paradise…and operate in hope and confidence until the day comes that we see it firsthand. Are you pleasing God with your faith these days?   

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 9, 2016

Hebrews 11:5-6
By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
     
When I was a child, the Young Business Men’s Club (YBMC) held an Easter egg hunt each year in our city park.  Among what must have been thousands of dyed boiled eggs were some “prize” eggs that could be redeemed for a baby chick – or a live rabbit if you found a “gold” one! Little did my siblings and I know that my mother had threatened those YBMC members within an inch of their lives if any of us came home with a live animal!  So we eagerly picked up the colored eggs and hoped against hope that we would somehow stumble onto one that could be redeemed for a prize…but we never found one!

We firmly believed that it was possible for us to find the prize egg.  We knew that these bunnies and chicks existed…and we had seen other children “win” them.  So we forged ahead, confident that WE could also find a golden egg.  And while we were disappointed, we still enjoyed the hunt.  We were happy with what we got…and we spent the next several days hiding and “finding” those eggs in our own yard.  And we did this year after year!

This is a loose analogy for today’s scripture passage.  But consider this…we cannot physically “see” God, which is why it has been so hard for me to explain Him to little children.  They operate in the “tangible” world of “I-find-a-prize-egg-and-you-give-me-the-chick-or-bunny!”  But we are not children…and life is not an Easter egg hunt. 

At the core of our Christian faith, we have to believe that God exists – and trust that He will care for us just as He promised.  We have to keep “hunting for the eggs” and serving God in whatever capacity He designates…understanding full well that the “prize” we seek may not be something we can hold in our hands like a “golden egg.”

Our “prize” is salvation through Jesus Christ…and the promise of Eternity spent in His presence.  And getting there may be bumpy – even rocky at times.  For some of us, every day will be something of a struggle in some way.  Does this mean God doesn’t love us and care about our well-being or happiness?  Absolutely not!  In some ways, I believe that God holds a special place in His heart for those who struggle, yet continue to serve with a joyful, faith-filled attitude. 

Let today’s scripture passage soak into your soul.  It is impossible to please God without faith.  You cannot serve Him and do His will if you aren’t confident that He exists and will fulfill His promises.  What do you believe today?  Who do you trust?  Are you willing to continue to “hunt” – and serve – even if you never get a tangible “prize” in this earthly lifetime? 

Do you truly believe that God exists…and that He has great things in store for you?  Isn’t it time you got a handle on this, once and for all?  Will this be the day you begin?
   
©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 30, 2016

Psalm 31:19
You are wonderful,
    and while everyone watches,
you store up blessings for all
    who honor and trust you.

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

Recent events have caused me to reflect on my life and the lives of those I love.  I found myself reading through some old prayer journals, and I realized once again just how blessed I have been.  Prayer after prayer has been answered.  Situations that seemed impossible have resolved – and perfectly.  Healings have taken place…people have turned their hearts to Jesus…and yes, some have been called to Heaven for all of eternity.

In each instance, I see how God worked.  I am blessed – and also humbled.  I am reminded how ridiculous it is to question Him…or to waste time on worry and fear.  I see how God has safely steered me through situations that I thought I could not handle…and comforted me when I thought that something in “life” was more than I could possibly bear.

As I read this passage, I had a mental image of a child stacking blocks.  I’ve done this countless times with Timothy, Zola and Nathan. I’ve watched the tower rise higher and higher into the air.  I also was reminded of the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” where the vine wound its way up into the heavens.  I couldn’t help but picture God stacking blessings and care…healings and resolutions…comfort and peace…and untold love – winding them higher and higher into the heavens on our behalf, while everyone stands and watches.

The trouble is…some of us are not paying attention!  We are not watching God do this for us, because we are busy tending to our own desires…wringing our hands in frustration, anger or worry…or throwing our own giant pity party.  It is time we shifted our focus and began to pay attention to what God is really doing in our lives…how He is meeting our every need. 

This is the day to begin to seek God in all things…to honor and trust Him for every single circumstance in our lives. Are you ready to do this?  Will this be the day that you your focus shifts to God and the plans that He has for you – the blessings He longs to stack on your behalf?  Don’t you think it’s time?

©2016 Debbie Robus