1 Chronicles 17:16-18
David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. He sat there and prayed: Lord God, my family and I don’t deserve what you have already done for us, and yet you have promised to do even more for my descendants. You are treating me as if I am a very important person. I am your servant, and you know my thoughts. What else can I say, except that you have honored me?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our great-nephew, Chase, is eight years old. He is totally mesmerized by all things “Titanic”. He knows facts and figures about the R.M.S. Titanic, the names of many passengers and whether they lived or perished, and much more. A couple of months ago, the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri, had a Centennial Tribute to commemorate 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic. My mother learned of Chase’s fascination with this vessel… as well as that of a teenage boy who lives in our town. She knows people on the staff at the Titanic Museum Attraction, and she told them about these two boys.
The staff invited Chase and the other young man to be V.I.P. guests for the day on April 14th, when the Centennial Tribute festivities were held. Chase and his dad drove across southern Missouri to be there. He was given a V.I.P. badge – and the “royal treatment.” On a recent visit to our house, Chase recanted how he was a “very important person” that day… and told us what all he had seen and done. Needless to say, he felt honored to have received such special care and attention.
Everyone likes to feel important. I seriously doubt any of us would turn down V.I.P. treatment. Most of us would be honored to be given such status – and all that accompanies it - in any given circumstance. What we do not realize is that God offers us V.I.P. status every day… and we don’t even recognize it – much less feel a sense of honor and humility. Sadly, we take much of what God grants us for granted. And still, He continues to bless us with His grace, mercy, love and forgiveness.
Don’t you think it’s time we stopped and paid a little attention to what God is doing in our lives? Isn’t it time to recognize how “royally” God treats us… and to thank Him for this? Doesn’t God deserve our respect and humility – our gratitude and behavior that at least begins to reflect someone worthy of such blessings?
Think about everything that God does for you. Now consider that He has promised to do even more for your descendants! Pretty amazing, isn’t it?! Don’t you feel honored? Don’t you feel humbled… and desire to show your gratitude in any and every way you can? Isn’t today a good day to get started on this?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 19, 2011
Proverbs 22:4
Respect and serve the LORD! Your reward will be wealth, a long life, and honor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine recently shared an amazing story with me. She said that on the morning of her aunt’s funeral, she awoke to a clear voice from the LORD saying, “Get up and make two pecan pies and TWO batches of chicken salad. Leave one salad at home… take the other to the church to be served for lunch.” She said the instructions were crystal clear. She told her sister about this and said, “I’ve made a grocery list, and we have to get busy.” Her sister trusted this word and helped make the pies and chicken salad.
When the family arrived at the church for the pre-funeral luncheon, my friend told one of the condolence committee volunteers, “I know you will think I’m crazy, but the LORD told me to bring this salad, so I did.” As it turned out, as many as twenty-five extra people showed up for lunch. Without the salad, there would not have been enough food. And as people returned to my friend’s house after the service, she served thin slices of the pecan pie and the second bowl of chicken salad to hungry guests. She told me, “I’m trying to pay attention when the LORD speaks… and I’m glad I did.”
My friend respects and serves the LORD. And while she may not be what some would consider wealthy or rich, all of her needs are met, and she lives in abundance. She is honorable… and on track to live a long, blessed life. I am taking a page from her book and listening to the LORD. I told her that I have really been trying to pay closer attention – and to do what God tells me to do. But her example has given me added inspiration to do this!
God is more than worthy of our respect and our obedience. So often we hear His voice and turn a deaf ear… or fail to pay close attention. And we miss out on so many blessings and opportunities to bless others in His name. It’s time to fine tune our listening skills. We need to open our hearts and minds to the voice of the LORD… to show Him our utmost respect… and to serve Him with everything we have. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Respect and serve the LORD! Your reward will be wealth, a long life, and honor.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine recently shared an amazing story with me. She said that on the morning of her aunt’s funeral, she awoke to a clear voice from the LORD saying, “Get up and make two pecan pies and TWO batches of chicken salad. Leave one salad at home… take the other to the church to be served for lunch.” She said the instructions were crystal clear. She told her sister about this and said, “I’ve made a grocery list, and we have to get busy.” Her sister trusted this word and helped make the pies and chicken salad.
When the family arrived at the church for the pre-funeral luncheon, my friend told one of the condolence committee volunteers, “I know you will think I’m crazy, but the LORD told me to bring this salad, so I did.” As it turned out, as many as twenty-five extra people showed up for lunch. Without the salad, there would not have been enough food. And as people returned to my friend’s house after the service, she served thin slices of the pecan pie and the second bowl of chicken salad to hungry guests. She told me, “I’m trying to pay attention when the LORD speaks… and I’m glad I did.”
My friend respects and serves the LORD. And while she may not be what some would consider wealthy or rich, all of her needs are met, and she lives in abundance. She is honorable… and on track to live a long, blessed life. I am taking a page from her book and listening to the LORD. I told her that I have really been trying to pay closer attention – and to do what God tells me to do. But her example has given me added inspiration to do this!
God is more than worthy of our respect and our obedience. So often we hear His voice and turn a deaf ear… or fail to pay close attention. And we miss out on so many blessings and opportunities to bless others in His name. It’s time to fine tune our listening skills. We need to open our hearts and minds to the voice of the LORD… to show Him our utmost respect… and to serve Him with everything we have. I’m in… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 16, 2011
Psalm 119:1-8
Our LORD, you bless everyone who lives right and obeys your Law. You bless all of those who follow your commands from deep in their hearts and who never do wrong or turn from you. You have ordered us always to obey your teachings; I don't ever want to stray from your laws. Thinking about your commands will keep me from doing some foolish thing. I will do right and praise you by learning to respect your perfect laws. I will obey all of them! Don't turn your back on me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I had three basic rules - or “laws”:
1. Be kind to others.
2. Work and play quietly.
3. Obey promptly.
I was very clear about these rules – and the consequences of breaking them. We spent the first week of school learning the rules and reviewing them in fun ways. These rules were simple… yet comprehensive… and we all knew from the beginning where we each stood.
If you drill it down, this is how it is for Christians, too. We know the rules…
1. Accept Jesus as your LORD and Savior.
2. Love God with all your heart.
3. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
4. Serve God by serving others and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
When you understand the rules – and the consequences of disobeying them (or simply choosing not to follow them) – you realize that life can be fairly simple and straightforward. When we surrender to God and obey His laws, He takes care of the rest.
Does this mean our life is always perfect? Does this mean we don’t have trials, tests, problems and hard times? Absolutely NOT! But it does mean that we never have anything that we cannot handle with God’s help. He never turns away from us and always stands right beside us to meet the day head-on!
My kindergarten students were not perfect… and more than a handful tested the waters to see if the consequences for breaking rules would be as promised. And we do this with God sometimes. The answer in both situations is “YES!” We know what will happen when we obey and serve – and when we don’t. So the choice seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it?!
Trust God… serve Him obediently and follow His laws. Praise Him for guiding your steps and blessing you every single day. And rest in the confidence that He will do exactly that!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Our LORD, you bless everyone who lives right and obeys your Law. You bless all of those who follow your commands from deep in their hearts and who never do wrong or turn from you. You have ordered us always to obey your teachings; I don't ever want to stray from your laws. Thinking about your commands will keep me from doing some foolish thing. I will do right and praise you by learning to respect your perfect laws. I will obey all of them! Don't turn your back on me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I had three basic rules - or “laws”:
1. Be kind to others.
2. Work and play quietly.
3. Obey promptly.
I was very clear about these rules – and the consequences of breaking them. We spent the first week of school learning the rules and reviewing them in fun ways. These rules were simple… yet comprehensive… and we all knew from the beginning where we each stood.
If you drill it down, this is how it is for Christians, too. We know the rules…
1. Accept Jesus as your LORD and Savior.
2. Love God with all your heart.
3. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
4. Serve God by serving others and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
When you understand the rules – and the consequences of disobeying them (or simply choosing not to follow them) – you realize that life can be fairly simple and straightforward. When we surrender to God and obey His laws, He takes care of the rest.
Does this mean our life is always perfect? Does this mean we don’t have trials, tests, problems and hard times? Absolutely NOT! But it does mean that we never have anything that we cannot handle with God’s help. He never turns away from us and always stands right beside us to meet the day head-on!
My kindergarten students were not perfect… and more than a handful tested the waters to see if the consequences for breaking rules would be as promised. And we do this with God sometimes. The answer in both situations is “YES!” We know what will happen when we obey and serve – and when we don’t. So the choice seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it?!
Trust God… serve Him obediently and follow His laws. Praise Him for guiding your steps and blessing you every single day. And rest in the confidence that He will do exactly that!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 27, 2011
Psalm 115:12-18
O God, remember us and bless us, bless the families of Israel and Aaron. And let God bless all who fear God—bless the small, bless the great. Oh, let God enlarge your families—giving growth to you, growth to your children. May you be blessed by God, by God, who made heaven and earth. The heaven of heavens is for God, but he put us in charge of the earth.
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.
Lately I have found myself torn in a dozen directions… hurrying here and there… spending time with Timothy… checking on my grandmother… taking care of my husband and our household… checking in with friends and other family members… grocery shopping, cleaning, and squeezing in a writing project or two here and there. The days are full… just like yours, perhaps! It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic bustle of daily living and forget to stop and count our blessings. But that is exactly what we need to do!
So today, while I bake banana bread, I will thank God for providing me with plenty to eat – and a beautiful, cozy kitchen in which to prepare our meals. While I drive to my grandmother’s apartment to visit her, I will thank God for blessing me with such faithful, Christian parents and grandparents. When I pick up Timothy at daycare, I will thank God for the loving teachers who care for him and help him grow and learn…and I will thank Him for the joy and laughter of children and how they enrich our lives.
All through the day, I will be thanking God for my wonderful husband and the abundance we share in our lives together. As I look around at the beauty of this glorious fall day, I will thank Him for blessing us with gorgeousautumn weather, bright sunshine, and cool, crisp mornings. I will praise God for blessing us with the gift of His Son – and the promise of eternity in Heaven.
Tomorrow, the world may seem to fall apart. There may be illnesses, death, disappointment, and certainly plenty of “busyness” to fill the day… all a part of life. But even then, I am going to make time to praise God for His blessings… because there will always be more blessings than challenges. What about you? Are you remembering to count your blessings… and to thank God for each of them? Isn’t today a good time to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
O God, remember us and bless us, bless the families of Israel and Aaron. And let God bless all who fear God—bless the small, bless the great. Oh, let God enlarge your families—giving growth to you, growth to your children. May you be blessed by God, by God, who made heaven and earth. The heaven of heavens is for God, but he put us in charge of the earth.
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.
Lately I have found myself torn in a dozen directions… hurrying here and there… spending time with Timothy… checking on my grandmother… taking care of my husband and our household… checking in with friends and other family members… grocery shopping, cleaning, and squeezing in a writing project or two here and there. The days are full… just like yours, perhaps! It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic bustle of daily living and forget to stop and count our blessings. But that is exactly what we need to do!
So today, while I bake banana bread, I will thank God for providing me with plenty to eat – and a beautiful, cozy kitchen in which to prepare our meals. While I drive to my grandmother’s apartment to visit her, I will thank God for blessing me with such faithful, Christian parents and grandparents. When I pick up Timothy at daycare, I will thank God for the loving teachers who care for him and help him grow and learn…and I will thank Him for the joy and laughter of children and how they enrich our lives.
All through the day, I will be thanking God for my wonderful husband and the abundance we share in our lives together. As I look around at the beauty of this glorious fall day, I will thank Him for blessing us with gorgeousautumn weather, bright sunshine, and cool, crisp mornings. I will praise God for blessing us with the gift of His Son – and the promise of eternity in Heaven.
Tomorrow, the world may seem to fall apart. There may be illnesses, death, disappointment, and certainly plenty of “busyness” to fill the day… all a part of life. But even then, I am going to make time to praise God for His blessings… because there will always be more blessings than challenges. What about you? Are you remembering to count your blessings… and to thank God for each of them? Isn’t today a good time to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 1, 2011
Psalm 100
Shout praises to the LORD, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the LORD! You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the LORD as you enter his temple. The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently I visited my grandmother at the retirement center where she now lives. It was time for lunch, and I visited with the ladies at her table while they waited to be served… all women I’ve known most, if not all, of my life. The ladies were all excited about their lunch – chicken livers! But when the meals were served, they each had a boneless chicken breast… and they were not happy. It seems that they had misunderstood… they were served the “daily lunch special.” Chicken livers was an option for those who didn’t want the “special.” But the ladies got it backwards… and they were very disappointed.
The food the ladies were served looked delicious, and I encouraged them to give it a try. And later, when I phoned my grandmother, we talked about how fortunate these seniors are to have such a wonderful, comfortable, safe place to live… a place where they have great care, delicious food, air conditioning in summer and heat in winter… and so much more. And I began to think about how often we are so busy complaining about something that is wrong that we fail to recognize all that is right!
It should be enough that we belong to God… that we are His people and the sheep in His pasture. Just knowing that we belong to God and He is caring for our every need should fill us with joy and make us want to “shout praises to the LORD!” But we – and I am right smack in the middle of this group – tend to find the glass half empty and stew about the things that are wrong in our little worlds. We should be busy listing our blessings and thanking God for all He does for us.
There is an e-mail message that circulates from time to time that starts off: "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.” I do not know who to credit for these comments. But they are great thoughts.
We have so many reasons to be thankful and to give God praise… and truly, so very little about which to complain. Yet we are often far more eager to tell anyone who will ask what is wrong with our lives than what is right. It’s time to change this! We need to be busy counting our blessings and praising God for all He does for us.
We need to be thankful for the house that needs cleaning… the less-than-restful night of sleep in a clean, warm bed and the clothing on our backs that may have come from a thrift store… because even when things are not up to our “standards” or desires, we are still incredibly blessed. And when we finally get our “chicken liver dinner,”… as the ladies at the retirement center did the next day… we need to thank God for blessing us even when we gripe!
What has been your “chicken liver dinner” lately? What will you praise God for today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Shout praises to the LORD, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the LORD! You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the LORD as you enter his temple. The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently I visited my grandmother at the retirement center where she now lives. It was time for lunch, and I visited with the ladies at her table while they waited to be served… all women I’ve known most, if not all, of my life. The ladies were all excited about their lunch – chicken livers! But when the meals were served, they each had a boneless chicken breast… and they were not happy. It seems that they had misunderstood… they were served the “daily lunch special.” Chicken livers was an option for those who didn’t want the “special.” But the ladies got it backwards… and they were very disappointed.
The food the ladies were served looked delicious, and I encouraged them to give it a try. And later, when I phoned my grandmother, we talked about how fortunate these seniors are to have such a wonderful, comfortable, safe place to live… a place where they have great care, delicious food, air conditioning in summer and heat in winter… and so much more. And I began to think about how often we are so busy complaining about something that is wrong that we fail to recognize all that is right!
It should be enough that we belong to God… that we are His people and the sheep in His pasture. Just knowing that we belong to God and He is caring for our every need should fill us with joy and make us want to “shout praises to the LORD!” But we – and I am right smack in the middle of this group – tend to find the glass half empty and stew about the things that are wrong in our little worlds. We should be busy listing our blessings and thanking God for all He does for us.
There is an e-mail message that circulates from time to time that starts off: "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.” I do not know who to credit for these comments. But they are great thoughts.
We have so many reasons to be thankful and to give God praise… and truly, so very little about which to complain. Yet we are often far more eager to tell anyone who will ask what is wrong with our lives than what is right. It’s time to change this! We need to be busy counting our blessings and praising God for all He does for us.
We need to be thankful for the house that needs cleaning… the less-than-restful night of sleep in a clean, warm bed and the clothing on our backs that may have come from a thrift store… because even when things are not up to our “standards” or desires, we are still incredibly blessed. And when we finally get our “chicken liver dinner,”… as the ladies at the retirement center did the next day… we need to thank God for blessing us even when we gripe!
What has been your “chicken liver dinner” lately? What will you praise God for today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 2, 2011
Proverbs 16:9
We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.
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 cannot tell you how many older adults I have encountered in the last few years who have made absolutely no plans for “old age.” And if you are a younger person reading this, you are probably thinking, “I have plenty of time for such thinking.” I’m sure that’s what my cousin thought, too… yet she fell over dead at age 46 while sitting on a patio, visiting with friends. She had plans to marry her companion of eleven years on 11-11-2011. You could say she had “planned the way she wanted to live” – but God surely had other plans.
Some of my dear friends are dealing with the care of aging relatives who have suddenly become unable to live alone and/or care for themselves. Another family that is close friends of ours is maintaining a hospital vigil over a loved one in his mid-sixties who suffered a sudden brain bleed and subsequent aneurysm. He was just working in his yard – minding his own business. He had plans for Easter weekend with his family and a concert with his daughters the following week, and now he is fighting to recover.
Some of you are just graduating from high school or college – and you have grand plans for the next chapter of your life… a career, marriage, children, and more. And God wants us to make plans and look forward to these seasons. But He also wants us to remember that all of our plans are subject to change. Nothing is set in stone, and because we cannot possibly know the plans that God has for us, what we humanly decide will be our course in life may not be what God delivers or allows to unfold.
The point is that we must be aware of Who is in control. We must ask Him to guide our steps and lead us in the direction that pleases Him and fits His plans. And when something unexpected happens… when He takes us in a different direction… we must be prepared to ask, “How would you have me handle this, Father?” and follow His lead at all times.
Remember, God’s plans are perfect – meant to bless us and to be for our good… not to hurt us in any way. Look for the goodness in every situation… the hidden blessings… the generous outcomes you might not have otherwise experienced if things had gone YOUR way! Thank God for always looking out for your best interest… and for being with you every step of the way.
©2011 Debbie Robus
We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.
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 cannot tell you how many older adults I have encountered in the last few years who have made absolutely no plans for “old age.” And if you are a younger person reading this, you are probably thinking, “I have plenty of time for such thinking.” I’m sure that’s what my cousin thought, too… yet she fell over dead at age 46 while sitting on a patio, visiting with friends. She had plans to marry her companion of eleven years on 11-11-2011. You could say she had “planned the way she wanted to live” – but God surely had other plans.
Some of my dear friends are dealing with the care of aging relatives who have suddenly become unable to live alone and/or care for themselves. Another family that is close friends of ours is maintaining a hospital vigil over a loved one in his mid-sixties who suffered a sudden brain bleed and subsequent aneurysm. He was just working in his yard – minding his own business. He had plans for Easter weekend with his family and a concert with his daughters the following week, and now he is fighting to recover.
Some of you are just graduating from high school or college – and you have grand plans for the next chapter of your life… a career, marriage, children, and more. And God wants us to make plans and look forward to these seasons. But He also wants us to remember that all of our plans are subject to change. Nothing is set in stone, and because we cannot possibly know the plans that God has for us, what we humanly decide will be our course in life may not be what God delivers or allows to unfold.
The point is that we must be aware of Who is in control. We must ask Him to guide our steps and lead us in the direction that pleases Him and fits His plans. And when something unexpected happens… when He takes us in a different direction… we must be prepared to ask, “How would you have me handle this, Father?” and follow His lead at all times.
Remember, God’s plans are perfect – meant to bless us and to be for our good… not to hurt us in any way. Look for the goodness in every situation… the hidden blessings… the generous outcomes you might not have otherwise experienced if things had gone YOUR way! Thank God for always looking out for your best interest… and for being with you every step of the way.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 17, 2011
Proverbs 10:22
When the LORD blesses you with riches, you have nothing to regret.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy Kodjo Owusu Frim, the little boy in Ghana whom we sponsor through Compassion International often writes that he is praying for us. How humbled I am by this! I recently read that in Ghana, most of the children who get an opportunity to go to school are those sponsored by people like my husband and me. And the schooling is slow… ten and twelve-year-olds are often just completing work in kindergarten and first grade. So when our ten-year-old Kodjo asks me to pray for him as he studies in school and at his church, I am very humbled and honored.
The average income in Kodjo’s village is around $32 a month… the amount my husband and I spend for his monthly sponsorship. We are allowed to send additional monetary gifts for Kodjo’s birthday and at Christmas… but there are dollar limits so that one child does not have more than his/her peers. We can send $25 to buy new clothes, a soccer ball, or a game Kodjo might like – and a little extra at Christmas time. Kodjo tells us that he loves our gifts. He also talks of time spent with family celebrating holidays and seasonal breaks from school, and he appears to feel quite blessed and “rich”, while by the world’s standards, he is living in abject poverty.
Pastor Rick Warren says in The Purpose Driven Life that… “you could reach all of your personal goals, become a raving success by the world’s standard, and still miss the purposes for which God created you.” This explains why some of the “richest” people in the world are some of those many of us would consider poor.
This is nothing new… the Apostle Paul spent much of his Christian life in prison – often in horrid, unthinkable conditions – and yet he was apparently happily praising God and sharing the Good News of Jesus with others… encouraging them and offering counsel and comfort. Mother Teresa had virtually nothing of her own, yet she devoted her life to giving to others… and apparently felt quite blessed by doing so.
It seems like this is a good time for all of us to take a good look at our lives and see what we value the most. What makes us “rich” – things and money, property and possessions? Or are we rich in relationships… first and foremost with Jesus Christ, and then with others, like family, friends, and members of our community? Are we blessed because of the generosity and love of others… or are we blessed because we are a blessing in Jesus’ name?
When you get to heaven, if all of the “riches” you accumulated were things that you left behind to gather dust or be haggled over by others, you really wasted your time. But if you have a heart filled with blessings… healthy relationships, wise use of your time and money to help others and share the love of Christ, a genuine effort to bless others and be a blessing… you will have no regrets. God will congratulate you on your faithful service, and He will assign you to greater positions than you ever imagined in His kingdom.
I wonder… when I get to heaven, will I be anywhere as rich as Kodjo and others like him? I hope so! I’m asking God to humble me and help me to use the earthly riches with which He entrusts me to make a difference with eternal ramifications, so that I have no regrets when I meet Him in person. Are you willing to do the same?
©2011 Debbie Robus
When the LORD blesses you with riches, you have nothing to regret.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy Kodjo Owusu Frim, the little boy in Ghana whom we sponsor through Compassion International often writes that he is praying for us. How humbled I am by this! I recently read that in Ghana, most of the children who get an opportunity to go to school are those sponsored by people like my husband and me. And the schooling is slow… ten and twelve-year-olds are often just completing work in kindergarten and first grade. So when our ten-year-old Kodjo asks me to pray for him as he studies in school and at his church, I am very humbled and honored.
The average income in Kodjo’s village is around $32 a month… the amount my husband and I spend for his monthly sponsorship. We are allowed to send additional monetary gifts for Kodjo’s birthday and at Christmas… but there are dollar limits so that one child does not have more than his/her peers. We can send $25 to buy new clothes, a soccer ball, or a game Kodjo might like – and a little extra at Christmas time. Kodjo tells us that he loves our gifts. He also talks of time spent with family celebrating holidays and seasonal breaks from school, and he appears to feel quite blessed and “rich”, while by the world’s standards, he is living in abject poverty.
Pastor Rick Warren says in The Purpose Driven Life that… “you could reach all of your personal goals, become a raving success by the world’s standard, and still miss the purposes for which God created you.” This explains why some of the “richest” people in the world are some of those many of us would consider poor.
This is nothing new… the Apostle Paul spent much of his Christian life in prison – often in horrid, unthinkable conditions – and yet he was apparently happily praising God and sharing the Good News of Jesus with others… encouraging them and offering counsel and comfort. Mother Teresa had virtually nothing of her own, yet she devoted her life to giving to others… and apparently felt quite blessed by doing so.
It seems like this is a good time for all of us to take a good look at our lives and see what we value the most. What makes us “rich” – things and money, property and possessions? Or are we rich in relationships… first and foremost with Jesus Christ, and then with others, like family, friends, and members of our community? Are we blessed because of the generosity and love of others… or are we blessed because we are a blessing in Jesus’ name?
When you get to heaven, if all of the “riches” you accumulated were things that you left behind to gather dust or be haggled over by others, you really wasted your time. But if you have a heart filled with blessings… healthy relationships, wise use of your time and money to help others and share the love of Christ, a genuine effort to bless others and be a blessing… you will have no regrets. God will congratulate you on your faithful service, and He will assign you to greater positions than you ever imagined in His kingdom.
I wonder… when I get to heaven, will I be anywhere as rich as Kodjo and others like him? I hope so! I’m asking God to humble me and help me to use the earthly riches with which He entrusts me to make a difference with eternal ramifications, so that I have no regrets when I meet Him in person. Are you willing to do the same?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 22, 2011
Mark 4:24-25
Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated--and even worse. Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose what little they have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook recently: “To get what you want, help others get what they want first.” A few days later, I was reading Joel Osteen’s book, Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You*, and I read this… “If you want your life to increase, if you want your life to get better, then you need to help improve somebody else’s life. If you will help somebody else become successful, God will make sure that you are successful.”
You may be wondering… “What do I have to give? I’m just a kid… I’m broke…I’m old… I’m disabled or handicapped in some way… I’m busy… I’m shy… I’m unattractive… I need help myself!” The truth is, you are a precious child of the Most High God, and as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk!” You have something to offer to someone that he/she desperately needs! It may be a smile… a kind word…your compassion and forgiveness. It may be a word of encouragement or a helping hand with something you see as insignificant.
I still remember an experience with my dear friend Betty Ray, who now rests with Jesus. She told me once that a hug I gave her in line for Holy Communion one Sunday had been just what she needed at that moment – it made her day! The hug did not cost me anything… and honestly, it was a spontaneous gesture rather than an intentional one. But so many things we can offer to others are just that – free, spontaneous, heartfelt gestures that could make all the difference.
We need to start operating in positives. Instead of finding fault with others… we need to look for good things… and actually encourage them. Remind yourself often that “the other guy” is just as precious to God as you are… no different whatsoever! What God does for you, He wants to do for that person, and vice versa. Don’t miss out on God’s blessings for either of you. Don’t stand in the way of your own portion by failing to give to others.
Start looking for ways to bless others in Jesus’ name. Get so comfortable doing this that it becomes second nature. Don’t do this simply so that you get more blessings from God, but because His blessings are more than enough to go around, and you want others to enjoy what you have. Share the wealth, and watch God’s blessings multiply – in your life and the lives of others.
©2011 Debbie Robus
*©2008 Joel Osteen - Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You - Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated--and even worse. Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose what little they have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook recently: “To get what you want, help others get what they want first.” A few days later, I was reading Joel Osteen’s book, Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You*, and I read this… “If you want your life to increase, if you want your life to get better, then you need to help improve somebody else’s life. If you will help somebody else become successful, God will make sure that you are successful.”
You may be wondering… “What do I have to give? I’m just a kid… I’m broke…I’m old… I’m disabled or handicapped in some way… I’m busy… I’m shy… I’m unattractive… I need help myself!” The truth is, you are a precious child of the Most High God, and as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk!” You have something to offer to someone that he/she desperately needs! It may be a smile… a kind word…your compassion and forgiveness. It may be a word of encouragement or a helping hand with something you see as insignificant.
I still remember an experience with my dear friend Betty Ray, who now rests with Jesus. She told me once that a hug I gave her in line for Holy Communion one Sunday had been just what she needed at that moment – it made her day! The hug did not cost me anything… and honestly, it was a spontaneous gesture rather than an intentional one. But so many things we can offer to others are just that – free, spontaneous, heartfelt gestures that could make all the difference.
We need to start operating in positives. Instead of finding fault with others… we need to look for good things… and actually encourage them. Remind yourself often that “the other guy” is just as precious to God as you are… no different whatsoever! What God does for you, He wants to do for that person, and vice versa. Don’t miss out on God’s blessings for either of you. Don’t stand in the way of your own portion by failing to give to others.
Start looking for ways to bless others in Jesus’ name. Get so comfortable doing this that it becomes second nature. Don’t do this simply so that you get more blessings from God, but because His blessings are more than enough to go around, and you want others to enjoy what you have. Share the wealth, and watch God’s blessings multiply – in your life and the lives of others.
©2011 Debbie Robus
*©2008 Joel Osteen - Daily Readings from Becoming a Better You - Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Daily Devotional for February 20, 2011
Psalm 34:1-11
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.
If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.
In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.
Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.
We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 31, 2010
Romans 1:11
I want to see you and share with you the same blessings that God's Spirit has given me. Then you will grow stronger in your faith.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This time of year, we often stop to reflect on all that has happened… and what lies ahead of us. For many, this is a time to count our blessings. We seem to have gotten pretty good at counting our blessings... but do we really appreciate how blessed we are?
When we get on the treadmill, do we really appreciate how blessed we are to have two good feet and strong legs to hold us up and propel us forward? When we open the refrigerator and look at that dish of leftover goulash, are we thankful we have food for our belly, unlike millions around the world who will go hungry another day? When we look in the closet and say, “I have nothing to wear,” have we considered those in Haiti and Pakistan and other locations where natural disasters have taken literally everything but the ragged clothes on their backs?
When we thank God for giving us His only Son to die for our sins on the cross, do we stop to truly contemplate what this means? Do we look at our own children and try to imagine letting them be beaten, tortured, and crucified to save people who don’t deserve it and won’t even be born for thousands of years?
This year, as we “ring out the old and ring in the new,” let’s stop for a few minutes, at least, and really count our blessings. Give some serious time to thinking about what God has done for you already – and what is yet to come. Evaluate how you are behaving in return… and where you can make improvements. Don’t just give lip service to counting your blessings this time… really acknowledge them. Then commit yourself to truly living well… to reflecting a blessed life to others and sharing the blessings that God’s Holy Spirit has given you. Grow stronger in your faith this year, and give God all the glory for His every blessing!
©2010 Debbie Robus
I want to see you and share with you the same blessings that God's Spirit has given me. Then you will grow stronger in your faith.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This time of year, we often stop to reflect on all that has happened… and what lies ahead of us. For many, this is a time to count our blessings. We seem to have gotten pretty good at counting our blessings... but do we really appreciate how blessed we are?
When we get on the treadmill, do we really appreciate how blessed we are to have two good feet and strong legs to hold us up and propel us forward? When we open the refrigerator and look at that dish of leftover goulash, are we thankful we have food for our belly, unlike millions around the world who will go hungry another day? When we look in the closet and say, “I have nothing to wear,” have we considered those in Haiti and Pakistan and other locations where natural disasters have taken literally everything but the ragged clothes on their backs?
When we thank God for giving us His only Son to die for our sins on the cross, do we stop to truly contemplate what this means? Do we look at our own children and try to imagine letting them be beaten, tortured, and crucified to save people who don’t deserve it and won’t even be born for thousands of years?
This year, as we “ring out the old and ring in the new,” let’s stop for a few minutes, at least, and really count our blessings. Give some serious time to thinking about what God has done for you already – and what is yet to come. Evaluate how you are behaving in return… and where you can make improvements. Don’t just give lip service to counting your blessings this time… really acknowledge them. Then commit yourself to truly living well… to reflecting a blessed life to others and sharing the blessings that God’s Holy Spirit has given you. Grow stronger in your faith this year, and give God all the glory for His every blessing!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 2, 2010
Ephesians 4:31
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 6, 2010
Psalm 86:11
Teach me to follow you, and I will obey your truth. Always keep me faithful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of the ladies who attended my grandmother’s birthday was a wonderful friend named Mary. I’ve known Mary for almost 25 years now, and I love her dearly… not only because of her sweet disposition, but because of her amazing example of abiding faith in God.
Mary has endured tremendous adversities and hardships. If I took the time and space to tell you about all of them, you might think I was making some of it up… a horrible tractor accident that left her husband, Fred, pinned under the machine – both of his legs crushed, and then the death of Fred several years later… tragic losses of a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson… poor health, and more. Yet Mary is neither bitter nor defeated.
As I visited with her, she hugged me tightly and squeezed my hand as she smiled and we talked. She told me of her darling grand-daughter, Riley, who is now attending college. She shared with the other ladies how we had known each other for a long time and had been members of the same Extension Homemaker’s Club, where I was far younger than the other ladies in our group. I told her how much I had learned from her and the other ladies, and she said, “We learned from each other.”
Somehow, I think I learned more than Mary and her peers… and as I looked at the ladies at my grandmother’s party, I was humbled to think how God has used so many of them to teach me over the years. These ladies showed me many useful and practical things, but more importantly, I saw God’s face through theirs. I saw faithfulness and perseverance in the lives of my own grandmother and my friend Mary. I saw the love and devotion of a mother for her child with cerebral palsy in my precious “birthday buddy,” whom I call MawMac… how she’s never treated her child as anything but the intelligent person she is - trapped in a body that doesn’t cooperate.
Even as my grandmother and her friends gathered around the table today to eat cake and drink punch, one of the ladies said, “Oh, we didn’t say the blessing!” And they stopped, put down their forks, held hands, and their Sunday School teacher led them in a prayer. As these ladies talked and laughed and shared memories that spanned more than nine decades in some cases, my 18-month-old great-nephew darted in and out among their chairs, awed by so many “grandmas” in one place. And God showed me the circle of life and reminded me of His promise to “make all things new.”
My point is that God is teaching us in all circumstances… if only we will pay attention. He can even use the birthday party of a 98-year-old grandmother and her friends to teach us about trust and faithfulness… perseverance and hard times… and the blessings of a life lived for Him, following in His steps and keeping the faith.
What is God showing you today? Who is He using to teach you His ways and truths? Are you learning from others and truly “getting” the lessons? Because I assure you, God is offering instruction… in places you probably never considered. Will you recognize these teachers and the lessons God offers through them? And what sort of example are you offering to others? Are you teaching about God’s love? Will you leave a legacy as rich in faith as these ladies? Are you really paying attention to God’s instruction these days? Shouldn’t you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Teach me to follow you, and I will obey your truth. Always keep me faithful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of the ladies who attended my grandmother’s birthday was a wonderful friend named Mary. I’ve known Mary for almost 25 years now, and I love her dearly… not only because of her sweet disposition, but because of her amazing example of abiding faith in God.
Mary has endured tremendous adversities and hardships. If I took the time and space to tell you about all of them, you might think I was making some of it up… a horrible tractor accident that left her husband, Fred, pinned under the machine – both of his legs crushed, and then the death of Fred several years later… tragic losses of a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson… poor health, and more. Yet Mary is neither bitter nor defeated.
As I visited with her, she hugged me tightly and squeezed my hand as she smiled and we talked. She told me of her darling grand-daughter, Riley, who is now attending college. She shared with the other ladies how we had known each other for a long time and had been members of the same Extension Homemaker’s Club, where I was far younger than the other ladies in our group. I told her how much I had learned from her and the other ladies, and she said, “We learned from each other.”
Somehow, I think I learned more than Mary and her peers… and as I looked at the ladies at my grandmother’s party, I was humbled to think how God has used so many of them to teach me over the years. These ladies showed me many useful and practical things, but more importantly, I saw God’s face through theirs. I saw faithfulness and perseverance in the lives of my own grandmother and my friend Mary. I saw the love and devotion of a mother for her child with cerebral palsy in my precious “birthday buddy,” whom I call MawMac… how she’s never treated her child as anything but the intelligent person she is - trapped in a body that doesn’t cooperate.
Even as my grandmother and her friends gathered around the table today to eat cake and drink punch, one of the ladies said, “Oh, we didn’t say the blessing!” And they stopped, put down their forks, held hands, and their Sunday School teacher led them in a prayer. As these ladies talked and laughed and shared memories that spanned more than nine decades in some cases, my 18-month-old great-nephew darted in and out among their chairs, awed by so many “grandmas” in one place. And God showed me the circle of life and reminded me of His promise to “make all things new.”
My point is that God is teaching us in all circumstances… if only we will pay attention. He can even use the birthday party of a 98-year-old grandmother and her friends to teach us about trust and faithfulness… perseverance and hard times… and the blessings of a life lived for Him, following in His steps and keeping the faith.
What is God showing you today? Who is He using to teach you His ways and truths? Are you learning from others and truly “getting” the lessons? Because I assure you, God is offering instruction… in places you probably never considered. Will you recognize these teachers and the lessons God offers through them? And what sort of example are you offering to others? Are you teaching about God’s love? Will you leave a legacy as rich in faith as these ladies? Are you really paying attention to God’s instruction these days? Shouldn’t you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 12, 2010
Proverbs 12:18
Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About a year ago, my husband and I went to the Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock. One of the permanent exhibits there is a collection of knives and swords from around the world. Some are centuries old. I am not a big fan of swords, but the intricacy and detail presented in some of these specimens was truly amazing … particularly in light of their age and the methods that must have been employed to create them. Someone put a lot of time and energy into creating something meant to be used as a lethal weapon!
Conversely, many of us don’t spend much time and effort at all thinking about what we say to others, so our words are often painful, cutting, or even lethal, i.e. they destroy the heart and soul of the person who hears them. And we toss them out without any care for how they will affect the other person. Or maybe we do care … but not as we should. Sometimes, we mean for our words to be hurtful and “cut like a sword.”
Just recently, I received a message from a young woman to whom I had sent a note of sympathy and encouragement a few years ago when she miscarried. She told me…”The words were perfect and I still have it. I read it from time to time and cry every time. It brought me a lot of comfort.” Today, she and her husband are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I think I acknowledged the pain of their loss and assured her that God understood … and that their unborn baby would be waiting for them in heaven. The point is that whatever God laid on my heart to say to this young woman helped her to heal from her grief.
God gives us wisdom in many forms – through our own life experiences, through His word, through prayer, through study and fellowship with others. And we can prayerfully use this wisdom to help others in their struggles and even their daily living. God can use our words of wisdom to heal others. But words of wisdom do not come easily – they require as much time and energy as is needed for the craftsmanship of ancient swords.
We have a choice… lethal words that cut like a knife, or healing words filled with the wisdom of our Heavenly Father. From time to time, we all choose both. My prayer is that we devote the time and energy necessary to gain wisdom and cultivate a life filled with healing words … not those that hurt. Ask God to help you in this area. Let’s start to build up a community of believers who speak positive, healing, wise, faith-filled messages of hope and promise. Let’s leave the sharp words in the past and move ahead with care and kindness.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About a year ago, my husband and I went to the Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock. One of the permanent exhibits there is a collection of knives and swords from around the world. Some are centuries old. I am not a big fan of swords, but the intricacy and detail presented in some of these specimens was truly amazing … particularly in light of their age and the methods that must have been employed to create them. Someone put a lot of time and energy into creating something meant to be used as a lethal weapon!
Conversely, many of us don’t spend much time and effort at all thinking about what we say to others, so our words are often painful, cutting, or even lethal, i.e. they destroy the heart and soul of the person who hears them. And we toss them out without any care for how they will affect the other person. Or maybe we do care … but not as we should. Sometimes, we mean for our words to be hurtful and “cut like a sword.”
Just recently, I received a message from a young woman to whom I had sent a note of sympathy and encouragement a few years ago when she miscarried. She told me…”The words were perfect and I still have it. I read it from time to time and cry every time. It brought me a lot of comfort.” Today, she and her husband are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I think I acknowledged the pain of their loss and assured her that God understood … and that their unborn baby would be waiting for them in heaven. The point is that whatever God laid on my heart to say to this young woman helped her to heal from her grief.
God gives us wisdom in many forms – through our own life experiences, through His word, through prayer, through study and fellowship with others. And we can prayerfully use this wisdom to help others in their struggles and even their daily living. God can use our words of wisdom to heal others. But words of wisdom do not come easily – they require as much time and energy as is needed for the craftsmanship of ancient swords.
We have a choice… lethal words that cut like a knife, or healing words filled with the wisdom of our Heavenly Father. From time to time, we all choose both. My prayer is that we devote the time and energy necessary to gain wisdom and cultivate a life filled with healing words … not those that hurt. Ask God to help you in this area. Let’s start to build up a community of believers who speak positive, healing, wise, faith-filled messages of hope and promise. Let’s leave the sharp words in the past and move ahead with care and kindness.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 10, 2010
Proverbs 15:2
Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
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.
Years ago, an elderly cousin took my mother, my sister and me to a place located just northeast of Wilburn where my great-grandmother and her family lived when she was a child. The home was near a wet-weather spring that my cousin called “Slate Springs.” He had been there earlier in the morning and dug back leaves and debris in the creek to reveal a slab of slate in a creek bed where the water bubbled forth, clean and clear. According to this cousin, my great-grandmother’s family lived in a house up on the hill above this spring and hiked down to collect water for their daily use. Why they lived so far from the spring itself is a mystery … the climb back to the house with a heavy pail of water must have been exhausting.
Equally mysterious and intriguing to me is how the water bubbles forth from the ground as a spring. I know in scientific terms what causes this, but I am still in awe of the process, the force, and the result. On the other hand, there is no mystery about the frustration and aggravation of a dripping, leaky faucet! So when you think of knowledge and the words of a wise person as like a spring of clear, clean water versus the talk of a foolish person resembling the irritation of a leaky dripping faucet, you get the picture, don’t you?
For my great-grandmother and her family, the spring represented life. It provided the water they needed for everyday living. And the words of someone who speaks prayerfully and carefully add much to life, as well. On the other hand, those who speak without thinking or say unkind, irritating things… those who drone on incessantly without saying anything of substance or merit … are like the nagging faucet drip.
Which one represents you these days? Do you think before you speak? Do you offer encouraging, positive, hope-filled messages to others that convey your faith in Jesus and your joy in His salvation? Or do you rant and rave, criticize and gossip, speak unkindly and use unsavory language – and irritate the dickens out of everyone you meet?
The next time you speak, think of the spring and the faucet. Choose your words carefully … choose knowledge and wisdom over nonsense. Choose the bubbling spring over the dripping faucet, and bless others rather than irritate them. You will honor God in the bargain … and that is the biggest blessing of all!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
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.
Years ago, an elderly cousin took my mother, my sister and me to a place located just northeast of Wilburn where my great-grandmother and her family lived when she was a child. The home was near a wet-weather spring that my cousin called “Slate Springs.” He had been there earlier in the morning and dug back leaves and debris in the creek to reveal a slab of slate in a creek bed where the water bubbled forth, clean and clear. According to this cousin, my great-grandmother’s family lived in a house up on the hill above this spring and hiked down to collect water for their daily use. Why they lived so far from the spring itself is a mystery … the climb back to the house with a heavy pail of water must have been exhausting.
Equally mysterious and intriguing to me is how the water bubbles forth from the ground as a spring. I know in scientific terms what causes this, but I am still in awe of the process, the force, and the result. On the other hand, there is no mystery about the frustration and aggravation of a dripping, leaky faucet! So when you think of knowledge and the words of a wise person as like a spring of clear, clean water versus the talk of a foolish person resembling the irritation of a leaky dripping faucet, you get the picture, don’t you?
For my great-grandmother and her family, the spring represented life. It provided the water they needed for everyday living. And the words of someone who speaks prayerfully and carefully add much to life, as well. On the other hand, those who speak without thinking or say unkind, irritating things… those who drone on incessantly without saying anything of substance or merit … are like the nagging faucet drip.
Which one represents you these days? Do you think before you speak? Do you offer encouraging, positive, hope-filled messages to others that convey your faith in Jesus and your joy in His salvation? Or do you rant and rave, criticize and gossip, speak unkindly and use unsavory language – and irritate the dickens out of everyone you meet?
The next time you speak, think of the spring and the faucet. Choose your words carefully … choose knowledge and wisdom over nonsense. Choose the bubbling spring over the dripping faucet, and bless others rather than irritate them. You will honor God in the bargain … and that is the biggest blessing of all!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 3, 2010
Proverbs 18:20
Make your words good -- you will be glad you did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several translations of this verse refer to making your words satisfying like a good meal. We all know that sensation – eating our favorite meal … savoring each bite … feeling totally satisfied and full afterward. Now think about eating an unpleasant meal… maybe a food you particularly dislike. I watched chefs on a television cooking competition eat all sorts of strange looking sea creatures … and I winced right along with them at just the thought of having to put those slimy, chewy things in my mouth.
Now that I have grossed you out sufficiently, compare the words you speak to these two very contrasting meals. Kind, loving, positive words fill you and others up like the best, most satisfying meal. Unkind, cruel, improper and indecent words are like the slimy, chewy, disgusting meal that makes you gag. They sit in the heart like a distasteful meal sits on the stomach – heavy, burning, and miserable.
In this context, surely none of us would want to be speaking words that resemble a bad meal, would we?! We want to speak the good things … the love and blessings of Jesus upon our life and others’. We want to say and do things that give people the warm, satisfyingly full sensation of their best meal ever.
How do we do this? A good place to start is by asking God to bless your day and guard your thoughts and words each morning when you rise … to help you to speak only good, positive, kind messages. As we go about our day, we need to pause and think about what we are saying. I will tell you … as I have practiced this lately, I have stopped short of saying several things that I really didn’t need to say. See, the temptation was there … so I still have work to do … but God helped me to realize that I didn’t have to speak what I thought, or He showed me a better way to phrase things. And I know as I listen to Him more and rely on His guidance, I will get better at this and have fewer moments where I “open mouth, insert foot!”
Don’t you want to be known as a person who speaks positively and kindly? Don’t you want to be known as someone who “cooks a good meal” rather than a poor one? I can’t really say it better than Proverbs 18:20, so I will repeat… “Make your words good – you will be glad you did!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Make your words good -- you will be glad you did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several translations of this verse refer to making your words satisfying like a good meal. We all know that sensation – eating our favorite meal … savoring each bite … feeling totally satisfied and full afterward. Now think about eating an unpleasant meal… maybe a food you particularly dislike. I watched chefs on a television cooking competition eat all sorts of strange looking sea creatures … and I winced right along with them at just the thought of having to put those slimy, chewy things in my mouth.
Now that I have grossed you out sufficiently, compare the words you speak to these two very contrasting meals. Kind, loving, positive words fill you and others up like the best, most satisfying meal. Unkind, cruel, improper and indecent words are like the slimy, chewy, disgusting meal that makes you gag. They sit in the heart like a distasteful meal sits on the stomach – heavy, burning, and miserable.
In this context, surely none of us would want to be speaking words that resemble a bad meal, would we?! We want to speak the good things … the love and blessings of Jesus upon our life and others’. We want to say and do things that give people the warm, satisfyingly full sensation of their best meal ever.
How do we do this? A good place to start is by asking God to bless your day and guard your thoughts and words each morning when you rise … to help you to speak only good, positive, kind messages. As we go about our day, we need to pause and think about what we are saying. I will tell you … as I have practiced this lately, I have stopped short of saying several things that I really didn’t need to say. See, the temptation was there … so I still have work to do … but God helped me to realize that I didn’t have to speak what I thought, or He showed me a better way to phrase things. And I know as I listen to Him more and rely on His guidance, I will get better at this and have fewer moments where I “open mouth, insert foot!”
Don’t you want to be known as a person who speaks positively and kindly? Don’t you want to be known as someone who “cooks a good meal” rather than a poor one? I can’t really say it better than Proverbs 18:20, so I will repeat… “Make your words good – you will be glad you did!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 27, 2010
1 Peter 3:10
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.
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.
Do you know someone who seems to enjoy constantly stirring up trouble? This person never seems to have anything kind or positive to say – about anything or anyone. And their “frankness” is often hurtful to those on the receiving end.
We’ve really gotten to a point as a culture where we run fast and loose with our criticism and sarcasm. From late night talk show hosts to the “fashion show” critics to, most certainly, the political analysts and commentators, everything seems to be “fair game.” Even the “judges” on the reality shows like “America’s Got Talent” and the sports commentators have come to feel they have a license to say whatever they think – or to try to be cute and witty – all at someone else’s expense.
We get so caught up in this that we don’t even realize when we start to blur the lines between truth and fiction. It’s much like the elderly people who tell others, “my kids never visit me,” when in fact, the person to whom they are speaking met the senior’s children in the doorway. At least these folks have old age and the onset of dementia for excuses! But we don’t have any excuse. Saying things that are unkind, cutting, sarcastic, and downright untrue at times – or constantly griping, grumbling and being disagreeable – does not please God.
I love the first lines of this passage and feel they bear repeating… “Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Don’t you want to be a blessing? Don’t you want to get a blessing? Then start today to bless – let all of the junk go by the wayside and focus on running after peace, cultivating good, and snubbing evil. You’ll be amazed as you watch your days “fill up with good” … and you will bask in the approving response of our loving God.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.
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.
Do you know someone who seems to enjoy constantly stirring up trouble? This person never seems to have anything kind or positive to say – about anything or anyone. And their “frankness” is often hurtful to those on the receiving end.
We’ve really gotten to a point as a culture where we run fast and loose with our criticism and sarcasm. From late night talk show hosts to the “fashion show” critics to, most certainly, the political analysts and commentators, everything seems to be “fair game.” Even the “judges” on the reality shows like “America’s Got Talent” and the sports commentators have come to feel they have a license to say whatever they think – or to try to be cute and witty – all at someone else’s expense.
We get so caught up in this that we don’t even realize when we start to blur the lines between truth and fiction. It’s much like the elderly people who tell others, “my kids never visit me,” when in fact, the person to whom they are speaking met the senior’s children in the doorway. At least these folks have old age and the onset of dementia for excuses! But we don’t have any excuse. Saying things that are unkind, cutting, sarcastic, and downright untrue at times – or constantly griping, grumbling and being disagreeable – does not please God.
I love the first lines of this passage and feel they bear repeating… “Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Don’t you want to be a blessing? Don’t you want to get a blessing? Then start today to bless – let all of the junk go by the wayside and focus on running after peace, cultivating good, and snubbing evil. You’ll be amazed as you watch your days “fill up with good” … and you will bask in the approving response of our loving God.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 26, 2010
Proverbs 12:14
We are rewarded or punished for what we say and do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read an article recently about a young man in our area who died of a drug overdose, and now his mother wants the friends who were with him to be held accountable – perhaps even legally – for his death. I have to believe that this young man’s friends are suffering greatly already. To think that something you said or did might have led to the death of a friend would be incredibly horrific.
I’ve heard more than one person say, “Oh, I wish I had said such-and-such,” or “I wish I had done this or that, and now it’s too late.” And we all deeply regret certain things we have said and done. So what are we to do? How does God want us to manage such things?
In The Message, this scripture passage says, “Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.” It seems to me that God wants us to strive to choose well-spoken words and well-done work. We know that we will fail in these areas from time to time, and that’s where the blood of Jesus comes into play – covering us when we make mistakes, admit them, and ask for forgiveness and redemption.
But we can all work harder at choosing our words and deeds wisely. We can all look for more opportunities to encourage, bless, support and serve. We can ask God to show us how to handle difficult situations – and how and when to step in and offer a hand or an opinion to someone else. There have been times when I so wanted to stay at home and ignore what was happening – to skip a funeral or visiting someone who was sick or in need. There have been times when I wanted to tell someone just how I felt – or to “set them straight” on a few things. And there have been times when I plunged ahead and realized later, “I should have talked to God about that first!”
Don’t let this be said of you. Talk to God … ask Him to guide your steps and your words. In challenging situations, always consult Him before proceeding … especially when you feel God is telling you to say or do something difficult or outside of your comfort zone. If you feel He is in the lead, it’s the right choice. To follow Him will lead to rewards you can’t even imagine, and to choose to go it alone will most certainly bring consequences. Ask God to lead you in the direction of well-chosen words and deeds. And thank Him for His grace and mercy when you momentarily lose your way.
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.
©2010 Debbie Robus
We are rewarded or punished for what we say and do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I read an article recently about a young man in our area who died of a drug overdose, and now his mother wants the friends who were with him to be held accountable – perhaps even legally – for his death. I have to believe that this young man’s friends are suffering greatly already. To think that something you said or did might have led to the death of a friend would be incredibly horrific.
I’ve heard more than one person say, “Oh, I wish I had said such-and-such,” or “I wish I had done this or that, and now it’s too late.” And we all deeply regret certain things we have said and done. So what are we to do? How does God want us to manage such things?
In The Message, this scripture passage says, “Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.” It seems to me that God wants us to strive to choose well-spoken words and well-done work. We know that we will fail in these areas from time to time, and that’s where the blood of Jesus comes into play – covering us when we make mistakes, admit them, and ask for forgiveness and redemption.
But we can all work harder at choosing our words and deeds wisely. We can all look for more opportunities to encourage, bless, support and serve. We can ask God to show us how to handle difficult situations – and how and when to step in and offer a hand or an opinion to someone else. There have been times when I so wanted to stay at home and ignore what was happening – to skip a funeral or visiting someone who was sick or in need. There have been times when I wanted to tell someone just how I felt – or to “set them straight” on a few things. And there have been times when I plunged ahead and realized later, “I should have talked to God about that first!”
Don’t let this be said of you. Talk to God … ask Him to guide your steps and your words. In challenging situations, always consult Him before proceeding … especially when you feel God is telling you to say or do something difficult or outside of your comfort zone. If you feel He is in the lead, it’s the right choice. To follow Him will lead to rewards you can’t even imagine, and to choose to go it alone will most certainly bring consequences. Ask God to lead you in the direction of well-chosen words and deeds. And thank Him for His grace and mercy when you momentarily lose your way.
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.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 1, 2010
Luke 6:38
If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In most kitchens, flour, sugar, and other “staples” like rice, beans, pasta, and coffee are kept in glass or plastic containers. We bring these products home from the store and empty them out of their paper sack or plastic bag into our canisters and storage compartments. Often, as we pour in these dry ingredients, we shake the container to settle everything and make room for more. And more than once, I have still overfilled my containers to the point that sugar, flour, rice or some other dry ingredient spilled onto the kitchen counter … or maybe onto the floor, if I wasn’t paying close enough attention!
Imagine receiving the blessings of God in this way. Your heart and soul are the “canister,” and God is heaping love, grace, mercy, joy, and more upon you. Sometimes, it pours so fast that you can’t contain it all, and it spills out all around you. Think of the “glow” you sometimes feel from a full and joyful heart as this abundance radiates outward. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? We all would like to operate in overflow, right? We would all like God to pour His blessings into us … shake down … and make room for more.
In 1980, my husband’s grandfather died in Iowa. He was buried on Christmas Eve. This was my first Christmas away from my family, but we were where we needed to be. Christmas Day, my husband’s grandmother greeted us with a cheery “Merry Christmas!” She talked of her blessings and what a wonderful day it was to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
In 1981, my paternal grandparents’ house burned to the ground three days before Christmas. They lost virtually everything. People came from far and wide to help them recover and get re-established. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
In 1986, I had major surgery one week before Thanksgiving. We lived in Russellville then – ninety miles from our families. Friends and neighbors rallied around us and brought food and support. On Thanksgiving Day, our next-door neighbors delivered not one, but TWO Thanksgiving “dinners” – enough food to feed a small army. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
Throughout the “nineties,” we experienced many challenging events, including the loss of both our fathers, grandparents and beloved cousins and friends, precious pets, and my younger brother. Each time, people showed up in untold numbers to do amazing things for us … to share God’s love and comfort and to encourage us and do what we were emotionally and physically unable to accomplish. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
We are no different from anyone else. Everyone has troubles and sadness and times of need. But we took notice early on of the love and kindness shown to us by others … and we learned from it. We learned to look around and give back to others in need. We recognized that we had potential to turn inward, become self-absorbed, and concentrate on our own careers and acquiring the “stuff” of “The American Dream” … missing out on the incredible abundance of God’s blessings in the bargain. I believe that the reason we were so blessed by others during our times of need is because our parents and grandparents had been busy giving to others, and it came back exponentially. Pour in, shake down, make room for more. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
I don’t know where you are today … whether you are on the “giving” end or if you are finding yourself in need of love and care from others. But I do know this … none of us is too young to start giving back to others … pouring in out of the abundance of God’s blessings in our own lives. Even if you are still a high school or college student, a young parent, or someone just starting a career, you have something to offer to others. If you are a senior citizen living in a retirement facility, you have something to offer. Be a prayer warrior if you can’t physically get out and help. Make a phone call … send an e-mail message of love and encouragement. These things matter to God’s kingdom.
I cannot predict what lies ahead for me or my family. I am quite certain that there will be challenges, sadness and times of need. And I know that God will send people to bless us. The biggest lesson I have learned is that giving back to others is its own reward. If I ever operated under the motive of being a blessing in order to receive a blessing, I don’t any more. It’s not about what God will give me in return, but more about what I can give back to God. All the same, He continues to pour in, shake down, and make room for more, even when it seems my heart is full to overflowing.
How full is your “container” today? Have you allowed God to use you to pour out, shake down, and make room for more in others? Is He doing this in your life? I pray you will ask God to help you find at least one way each day to give to others. And may you always operate in the abundance of His overflow.
©2010 Debbie Robus
If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In most kitchens, flour, sugar, and other “staples” like rice, beans, pasta, and coffee are kept in glass or plastic containers. We bring these products home from the store and empty them out of their paper sack or plastic bag into our canisters and storage compartments. Often, as we pour in these dry ingredients, we shake the container to settle everything and make room for more. And more than once, I have still overfilled my containers to the point that sugar, flour, rice or some other dry ingredient spilled onto the kitchen counter … or maybe onto the floor, if I wasn’t paying close enough attention!
Imagine receiving the blessings of God in this way. Your heart and soul are the “canister,” and God is heaping love, grace, mercy, joy, and more upon you. Sometimes, it pours so fast that you can’t contain it all, and it spills out all around you. Think of the “glow” you sometimes feel from a full and joyful heart as this abundance radiates outward. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? We all would like to operate in overflow, right? We would all like God to pour His blessings into us … shake down … and make room for more.
In 1980, my husband’s grandfather died in Iowa. He was buried on Christmas Eve. This was my first Christmas away from my family, but we were where we needed to be. Christmas Day, my husband’s grandmother greeted us with a cheery “Merry Christmas!” She talked of her blessings and what a wonderful day it was to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
In 1981, my paternal grandparents’ house burned to the ground three days before Christmas. They lost virtually everything. People came from far and wide to help them recover and get re-established. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
In 1986, I had major surgery one week before Thanksgiving. We lived in Russellville then – ninety miles from our families. Friends and neighbors rallied around us and brought food and support. On Thanksgiving Day, our next-door neighbors delivered not one, but TWO Thanksgiving “dinners” – enough food to feed a small army. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
Throughout the “nineties,” we experienced many challenging events, including the loss of both our fathers, grandparents and beloved cousins and friends, precious pets, and my younger brother. Each time, people showed up in untold numbers to do amazing things for us … to share God’s love and comfort and to encourage us and do what we were emotionally and physically unable to accomplish. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
We are no different from anyone else. Everyone has troubles and sadness and times of need. But we took notice early on of the love and kindness shown to us by others … and we learned from it. We learned to look around and give back to others in need. We recognized that we had potential to turn inward, become self-absorbed, and concentrate on our own careers and acquiring the “stuff” of “The American Dream” … missing out on the incredible abundance of God’s blessings in the bargain. I believe that the reason we were so blessed by others during our times of need is because our parents and grandparents had been busy giving to others, and it came back exponentially. Pour in, shake down, make room for more. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.
I don’t know where you are today … whether you are on the “giving” end or if you are finding yourself in need of love and care from others. But I do know this … none of us is too young to start giving back to others … pouring in out of the abundance of God’s blessings in our own lives. Even if you are still a high school or college student, a young parent, or someone just starting a career, you have something to offer to others. If you are a senior citizen living in a retirement facility, you have something to offer. Be a prayer warrior if you can’t physically get out and help. Make a phone call … send an e-mail message of love and encouragement. These things matter to God’s kingdom.
I cannot predict what lies ahead for me or my family. I am quite certain that there will be challenges, sadness and times of need. And I know that God will send people to bless us. The biggest lesson I have learned is that giving back to others is its own reward. If I ever operated under the motive of being a blessing in order to receive a blessing, I don’t any more. It’s not about what God will give me in return, but more about what I can give back to God. All the same, He continues to pour in, shake down, and make room for more, even when it seems my heart is full to overflowing.
How full is your “container” today? Have you allowed God to use you to pour out, shake down, and make room for more in others? Is He doing this in your life? I pray you will ask God to help you find at least one way each day to give to others. And may you always operate in the abundance of His overflow.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 15, 2010
2 Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One day a young teacher made a comment in the teacher’s lounge about her baby girl. I don’t know what I said to her, but I tried to commiserate, and she wheeled sharply around and said, “Until you have a baby, you couldn’t possibly understand.” It was a cutting, unkind remark, and others in the room were astounded. And for the record, giving birth does not make a woman a mother – and plenty of “dads” never fathered a child.
But this story does have a point. Often, when we minister to people, they don’t believe we fully understand their situation unless we have similar experience upon which to draw. I believe this is why God allows us to endure troubles and tribulations – with His help and comfort, of course. God has used some of the most devastating and difficult experiences of my life to equip me to minister to others who were going through similar circumstances.
I do not say this to brag. I wish I never had to know the sadness and grief of losing my father-in-law, brother, and my own dad … grandparents, cousins and other family members and friends. I wish we had never had to bury our beloved pets. I wish my fellow teacher had not been strangled to death at the hands of her abusive husband. I wish I had never had surgery or a broken bone. I wish I had never had to attend the funeral of a student or watched a loved one succumb to dementia or Alzheimer’s. And yet, these things pale in comparison to what many of you and others have endured.
But because God carried me through all of these situations, when I speak to someone in need or send a card of encouragement, I can assure them with firsthand knowledge that He is with them. They know that I speak from experience, so my words are not merely lip service or “the right thing to say.” I believe that God’s comfort in my own troubles has enabled me to comfort others without saying or doing something stupid … well, most of the time! My experience has taught me how to genuinely share God’s love and peace with others.
Experience bases come with age, and you may feel that you are young and don’t have anything to contribute to others to offer them comfort. And certainly those who are older than I am have a larger experience base from which to draw. But each of us has a unique, God-given perspective on troubles of one kind or another. When we see someone going through a similar situation, we should reach out to that person and let them know that we understand … and share how God helped us through it.
And the next time you start to ask, “LORD, why is this happening to me?” consider this … maybe God is equipping you for ministry to others. I would like to think that something positive could come out of our troubles, wouldn’t you? Every time I share God’s comfort with someone, I feel a little of the pain and sorrow of my own situations lighten a bit. See, God continues to comfort me as He uses me to minister to others. He wants to do this for you, as well. Who will you comfort today? Look around and see needs that you can help to meet in the name of Jesus. Share your comfort with others, and receive a double blessing.
©2010 Debbie Robus
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One day a young teacher made a comment in the teacher’s lounge about her baby girl. I don’t know what I said to her, but I tried to commiserate, and she wheeled sharply around and said, “Until you have a baby, you couldn’t possibly understand.” It was a cutting, unkind remark, and others in the room were astounded. And for the record, giving birth does not make a woman a mother – and plenty of “dads” never fathered a child.
But this story does have a point. Often, when we minister to people, they don’t believe we fully understand their situation unless we have similar experience upon which to draw. I believe this is why God allows us to endure troubles and tribulations – with His help and comfort, of course. God has used some of the most devastating and difficult experiences of my life to equip me to minister to others who were going through similar circumstances.
I do not say this to brag. I wish I never had to know the sadness and grief of losing my father-in-law, brother, and my own dad … grandparents, cousins and other family members and friends. I wish we had never had to bury our beloved pets. I wish my fellow teacher had not been strangled to death at the hands of her abusive husband. I wish I had never had surgery or a broken bone. I wish I had never had to attend the funeral of a student or watched a loved one succumb to dementia or Alzheimer’s. And yet, these things pale in comparison to what many of you and others have endured.
But because God carried me through all of these situations, when I speak to someone in need or send a card of encouragement, I can assure them with firsthand knowledge that He is with them. They know that I speak from experience, so my words are not merely lip service or “the right thing to say.” I believe that God’s comfort in my own troubles has enabled me to comfort others without saying or doing something stupid … well, most of the time! My experience has taught me how to genuinely share God’s love and peace with others.
Experience bases come with age, and you may feel that you are young and don’t have anything to contribute to others to offer them comfort. And certainly those who are older than I am have a larger experience base from which to draw. But each of us has a unique, God-given perspective on troubles of one kind or another. When we see someone going through a similar situation, we should reach out to that person and let them know that we understand … and share how God helped us through it.
And the next time you start to ask, “LORD, why is this happening to me?” consider this … maybe God is equipping you for ministry to others. I would like to think that something positive could come out of our troubles, wouldn’t you? Every time I share God’s comfort with someone, I feel a little of the pain and sorrow of my own situations lighten a bit. See, God continues to comfort me as He uses me to minister to others. He wants to do this for you, as well. Who will you comfort today? Look around and see needs that you can help to meet in the name of Jesus. Share your comfort with others, and receive a double blessing.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 11, 2010
Matthew 25:21
"Wonderful!" his master replied. "You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a kid, I assumed my paternal grandparents were rich. They grew their own food on their farm – including Black Angus beef. My grandmother made beautiful clothes for herself, my sister and me - and our Barbies! We had a horse to ride, and twenty acres to explore. My grandparents always seemed to live in abundance.
What I could not see as a child was how hard they worked for the things they had. I knew they went to bed right after supper and rose early each morning. I knew my grandmother drove a school bus each day and then worked as a chairside assistant for a local dentist. I knew that each afternoon after she made the return trip in the school bus, she worked in her garden, quilted or sewed, and cooked wonderful meals … often alongside a big vat of dentures she was “setting” for a patient at work! I knew my grandfather got up early each day to feed his cattle … then operated heavy equipment - like road graders and bulldozers - for the county. After work, he came home and tended to his cattle and his crops.
With all of this work, my grandparents still managed to do for others. They were active members of their church. They shared their food with those who were hungry and ministered to sick and needy family members and friends. They always had time for their three grandchildren. And when their home of more than 25 years burned to the ground one December 20th, others came to their side and returned the favor.
Fellow church members who were traveling south for the winter offered their home to my grandparents. A local contractor agreed to put a “rush” on building a new house for them. The church members, family and friends opened their closets, wallets and hearts and “pounded” them with everything from staples for the kitchen to furniture, household items and more. People rallied around my grandmother when my grandfather died in 1984. Since that time, she has lived in the abundance of blessings from friends and family who “see after” her in ways great and small. And at almost 98 years of age, she still returns the blessings by doing for others as much as she can.
Early in their adult lives, God called my grandparents to serve Him … and they answered. God saw how well they did with so little, and He continued to heap blessings upon them. I’m not talking money, cars, lavish homes and opulent wealth. I’m talking about blessings that matter. Because I can tell you with confidence that I’ve been to enough estate sales to know it’s true that “you cannot take it with you!”
What is God asking you to do? Is He starting with something seemingly small? If so, are you stepping up and answering? I promise you, the “assignments” get bigger … but so do the blessings. Living in the abundance of a life spent serving God - in whatever manner He asks – will result in wealth you can’t even imagine … the kind that matters for all eternity. Don’t you want to hear God say, “I’m proud of you … you are a good and faithful servant!”? Don’t you want to share in His happiness? What are you doing today to make that happen?
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Wonderful!" his master replied. "You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!"
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a kid, I assumed my paternal grandparents were rich. They grew their own food on their farm – including Black Angus beef. My grandmother made beautiful clothes for herself, my sister and me - and our Barbies! We had a horse to ride, and twenty acres to explore. My grandparents always seemed to live in abundance.
What I could not see as a child was how hard they worked for the things they had. I knew they went to bed right after supper and rose early each morning. I knew my grandmother drove a school bus each day and then worked as a chairside assistant for a local dentist. I knew that each afternoon after she made the return trip in the school bus, she worked in her garden, quilted or sewed, and cooked wonderful meals … often alongside a big vat of dentures she was “setting” for a patient at work! I knew my grandfather got up early each day to feed his cattle … then operated heavy equipment - like road graders and bulldozers - for the county. After work, he came home and tended to his cattle and his crops.
With all of this work, my grandparents still managed to do for others. They were active members of their church. They shared their food with those who were hungry and ministered to sick and needy family members and friends. They always had time for their three grandchildren. And when their home of more than 25 years burned to the ground one December 20th, others came to their side and returned the favor.
Fellow church members who were traveling south for the winter offered their home to my grandparents. A local contractor agreed to put a “rush” on building a new house for them. The church members, family and friends opened their closets, wallets and hearts and “pounded” them with everything from staples for the kitchen to furniture, household items and more. People rallied around my grandmother when my grandfather died in 1984. Since that time, she has lived in the abundance of blessings from friends and family who “see after” her in ways great and small. And at almost 98 years of age, she still returns the blessings by doing for others as much as she can.
Early in their adult lives, God called my grandparents to serve Him … and they answered. God saw how well they did with so little, and He continued to heap blessings upon them. I’m not talking money, cars, lavish homes and opulent wealth. I’m talking about blessings that matter. Because I can tell you with confidence that I’ve been to enough estate sales to know it’s true that “you cannot take it with you!”
What is God asking you to do? Is He starting with something seemingly small? If so, are you stepping up and answering? I promise you, the “assignments” get bigger … but so do the blessings. Living in the abundance of a life spent serving God - in whatever manner He asks – will result in wealth you can’t even imagine … the kind that matters for all eternity. Don’t you want to hear God say, “I’m proud of you … you are a good and faithful servant!”? Don’t you want to share in His happiness? What are you doing today to make that happen?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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