Romans 15:30-33
Will you be my prayer partners? For
the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake and because of your love for me—given to
you by the Holy Spirit—pray much with me for my work. Pray that I will
be protected in Jerusalem from those who are not Christians. Pray also
that the Christians there will be willing to accept the money I am
bringing them. Then I will be able to come to you with a happy heart by
the will of God, and we can refresh each other.
And now may our God, who gives peace, be with you all. Amen.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Sometimes, “life” has a
cumulative effect…and this last few months has been no exception. We’ve
been left to ask “Why?” a million times with the unexpected passing of
several loved ones and friends. And now, a senseless and horrific
shooting in our little community has taken yet another friend, injured
his wife, and traumatized three of his five grandchildren.
There
is no “good” answer for why this happened. We trust that God has a
plan…but still we grieve and mourn – and scripture supports these
emotions. And when we can - as we can - we pray. I will tell you that
there have been countless times – sometimes for days on end – when my
prayers were jumbled at best. But there’s an answer for that in
scripture, too. Romans 8:26 tells us…”And in the same way—by our faith —
the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying.
For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we
should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it
cannot be expressed in words.”
A lot of the time these days, I
truly don’t know what to pray for…I need direction, a renewed purpose,
strength, peace, comfort – and wisdom to offer encouragement and hope to
others. And there doesn’t seem to be an adequate way to express all of
this to God. But here’s the really cool thing…He knows anyway! God
knows what we need, and when we face times like this where our words
seem so inadequate – or simply will not come together in a way that
makes sense – the Holy Spirit advocates for us. And God gets the
message!
So will you be my prayer partner today? Will you join
me in asking God to meet our needs in any and all situations, from the
simplest of days to those when the whole world seems to fall apart?
Will you depend on the Holy Spirit to advocate for you when words won’t
come…and convey your jumbled thoughts to God in a way that they make
sense and express your deepest longings, heartaches and distress?
Will
you trust God to understand your grief and frustration – and to
orchestrate a way to manage all of this? Will you lay it all on the
line and allow God to make some sense of it all? Do you trust Him to do
this? Will you pray for others who are on a similar journey and
recognize that in joining with them in “corporate prayer,” we flood
heaven with a clamor so loud that it must ring in God’s ears?
I
know that God hears the tiniest whisper…but He can’t help but take
notice of the din of our corporate petitions. This day, let’s lay bare
our hearts and souls before God. If words fail you, simply say, “I’m
here, LORD…and I need you.” He will know what to do. Let’s ask God to
meet our needs – and the ones of those around us – according to His
will. And let’s trust that the Holy Spirit will fill in the details. I
am looking for Christian friends and disciples today who join in this
heavenly chorus. Will YOU be my prayer partner?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label calling on the Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calling on the Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 24, 2016
Acts 2:1-4
Seven weeks had gone by since Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost had now arrived. As the believers met together that day, suddenly there was a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on their heads. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in languages they didn’t know, for the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today I’ve been thinking a lot about my mother…probably because I visited one of her lifelong friends earlier, and we reminisced about the fun adventures they shared. I also encountered some dear friends and fellow church members as I shopped at Walmart who spoke of my mother and asked how I was doing. I told them that I am doing well – and for the most part, I believe this. But later, I asked myself, why is this the case? How is it that I have been able to function somewhat normally in the two-plus months since my mother’s fairly sudden death? And the only answer that I can muster is…”I am acting under the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I didn’t feel the “whoosh” of a windstorm, as described in the Book of Acts. In fact, I don’t “feel” anything at all, except a profound calm and confidence. But I do sense that I am operating under the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, because this is the only explanation that makes any sense.
Today is “Maundy Thursday,” the day we Christians take note of Jesus’ “last supper” with His disciples…His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane and His betrayal there by Judas. We ponder Jesus’ arrest, Peter’s denial of any relationship with Him, and the horrific beating and torturous “interrogation” inflicted upon Him by the Roman soldiers. And one has to ask how Jesus endured all of this…knowing every step of the way exactly what would happen to Him.
We see in scripture that Jesus actually asked God if there might be another way – one that did not involve so much suffering and agony. And yet, He obediently surrendered to God’s will and sacrificed His life for the sins of each of us. Jesus trusted that God would provide…that He would make a way for Him to endure all of this. And that’s what we must do with the Holy Spirit. This presence is not something we can physically see – or even tangibly feel. But we know when we are experiencing the Holy Spirit’s power, and we must trust Him to steer us through every circumstance that the day brings.
We sense when the Holy Spirit is equipping us with abilities that we would not otherwise possess…when we have an Inner Strength that we are quite certain is not of our own making…when there is Peace and Comfort that defies logic. The God who appeared to a crowd of believers on the Day of Pentecost and caused them to speak in unknown languages is the same God who can fill us with His Holy Spirit and enable us to accomplish things we never imagined we would be able to handle.
If you do not yet recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life, there is no time like the present. All you have to do is call on Him to fill your heart and mind…then trust that He is with you. I have found that sometimes it helps to actually sit and repeat the phrase, “Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me!” And He does!
Jesus sacrificed so much so that our sins could be forgiven…and so that we could have this special Comforter to guide and protect us each day. Won’t you recognize His presence in your heart and mind today? You may not feel the wind and fire or speak in unknown tongues…but He will be with you, all the same. Aren’t you ready to get to know Him?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Seven weeks had gone by since Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost had now arrived. As the believers met together that day, suddenly there was a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on their heads. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in languages they didn’t know, for the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today I’ve been thinking a lot about my mother…probably because I visited one of her lifelong friends earlier, and we reminisced about the fun adventures they shared. I also encountered some dear friends and fellow church members as I shopped at Walmart who spoke of my mother and asked how I was doing. I told them that I am doing well – and for the most part, I believe this. But later, I asked myself, why is this the case? How is it that I have been able to function somewhat normally in the two-plus months since my mother’s fairly sudden death? And the only answer that I can muster is…”I am acting under the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I didn’t feel the “whoosh” of a windstorm, as described in the Book of Acts. In fact, I don’t “feel” anything at all, except a profound calm and confidence. But I do sense that I am operating under the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, because this is the only explanation that makes any sense.
Today is “Maundy Thursday,” the day we Christians take note of Jesus’ “last supper” with His disciples…His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane and His betrayal there by Judas. We ponder Jesus’ arrest, Peter’s denial of any relationship with Him, and the horrific beating and torturous “interrogation” inflicted upon Him by the Roman soldiers. And one has to ask how Jesus endured all of this…knowing every step of the way exactly what would happen to Him.
We see in scripture that Jesus actually asked God if there might be another way – one that did not involve so much suffering and agony. And yet, He obediently surrendered to God’s will and sacrificed His life for the sins of each of us. Jesus trusted that God would provide…that He would make a way for Him to endure all of this. And that’s what we must do with the Holy Spirit. This presence is not something we can physically see – or even tangibly feel. But we know when we are experiencing the Holy Spirit’s power, and we must trust Him to steer us through every circumstance that the day brings.
We sense when the Holy Spirit is equipping us with abilities that we would not otherwise possess…when we have an Inner Strength that we are quite certain is not of our own making…when there is Peace and Comfort that defies logic. The God who appeared to a crowd of believers on the Day of Pentecost and caused them to speak in unknown languages is the same God who can fill us with His Holy Spirit and enable us to accomplish things we never imagined we would be able to handle.
If you do not yet recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life, there is no time like the present. All you have to do is call on Him to fill your heart and mind…then trust that He is with you. I have found that sometimes it helps to actually sit and repeat the phrase, “Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me!” And He does!
Jesus sacrificed so much so that our sins could be forgiven…and so that we could have this special Comforter to guide and protect us each day. Won’t you recognize His presence in your heart and mind today? You may not feel the wind and fire or speak in unknown tongues…but He will be with you, all the same. Aren’t you ready to get to know Him?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 18, 2016
John 14:15-16
“If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few years ago, my mother gave me a leather-bound copy of a devotional book, Jesus Calling*. Inside the front cover, Mother wrote a note that said in part, “I hope you’ll be reading the same page on the same day.” I have to say, I was not diligent in reading this book each day. I know my mother read hers virtually non-stop…and the pages of her copy are marked and the leather cover is fairly worn to prove it.
Since Mother died a little over a month ago, I’ve been reading Jesus Calling pretty well every day. Even though I didn’t read the same page as her when she was alive on this earth…I am comforted by these words now – as if somehow, she is with me through them. And indeed, the first four words of the passage for today were: “I AM WITH YOU.”
I honestly don’t know if those who have graduated to heaven are still “with us”…but I know that the Holy Spirit is…and He comforts, shields and guides us each and every day. I don’t think it is a stretch to assume that He uses whatever methods and measures work in the moment to accomplish His goals - even a daily devotional book shared by a mother with her daughter.
My mother was always sharing a book or a card or SOMETHING to encourage someone else. Just yesterday as I sorted through drawers, her husband mentioned her “gift drawer”…a place in her office where she kept little “inspirational books” and other items that could be given to someone who needed a lift. In this way, my mother “fed the sheep” as the Holy Spirit led her. And we are all called to do this!
I’m not saying that we all need a “gift drawer” – or that we should start buying books and cards to share with others. But I do believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to each of us, according to God’s plans and will for our lives – and the abilities with which He has entrusted us. OUR JOB is to discover what we are supposed to do…WHO we are supposed to “feed”…and then do this as the Holy Spirit guides us.
As you go about your day, hear the Holy Spirit telling you, “I AM WITH YOU.” Feel His presence. Rest in the comfort and safety of His protection and care…and in the confidence that He will never leave you. Trust the Comforter to also be your constant guide and “activity director.” And when and where He leads, make sure you follow! Are you ready to answer the call and “feed some sheep?” Don’t you think you should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*www.jesuscalling.com
“If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few years ago, my mother gave me a leather-bound copy of a devotional book, Jesus Calling*. Inside the front cover, Mother wrote a note that said in part, “I hope you’ll be reading the same page on the same day.” I have to say, I was not diligent in reading this book each day. I know my mother read hers virtually non-stop…and the pages of her copy are marked and the leather cover is fairly worn to prove it.
Since Mother died a little over a month ago, I’ve been reading Jesus Calling pretty well every day. Even though I didn’t read the same page as her when she was alive on this earth…I am comforted by these words now – as if somehow, she is with me through them. And indeed, the first four words of the passage for today were: “I AM WITH YOU.”
I honestly don’t know if those who have graduated to heaven are still “with us”…but I know that the Holy Spirit is…and He comforts, shields and guides us each and every day. I don’t think it is a stretch to assume that He uses whatever methods and measures work in the moment to accomplish His goals - even a daily devotional book shared by a mother with her daughter.
My mother was always sharing a book or a card or SOMETHING to encourage someone else. Just yesterday as I sorted through drawers, her husband mentioned her “gift drawer”…a place in her office where she kept little “inspirational books” and other items that could be given to someone who needed a lift. In this way, my mother “fed the sheep” as the Holy Spirit led her. And we are all called to do this!
I’m not saying that we all need a “gift drawer” – or that we should start buying books and cards to share with others. But I do believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to each of us, according to God’s plans and will for our lives – and the abilities with which He has entrusted us. OUR JOB is to discover what we are supposed to do…WHO we are supposed to “feed”…and then do this as the Holy Spirit guides us.
As you go about your day, hear the Holy Spirit telling you, “I AM WITH YOU.” Feel His presence. Rest in the comfort and safety of His protection and care…and in the confidence that He will never leave you. Trust the Comforter to also be your constant guide and “activity director.” And when and where He leads, make sure you follow! Are you ready to answer the call and “feed some sheep?” Don’t you think you should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*www.jesuscalling.com
Daily Devotional for October 27, 2015
John 14:26-27
But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
We’re headed toward that time of year when we start to think a lot about gifts…as in “What will I get XYZ for Christmas?” Retailers are more than ready to offer suggestions about how we should spend our money – and what would be the best present for Grandma or Jimmy! Often, we are encouraged to give something expendable…food, cologne and toiletries, candles and room fragrances, or coloring/activity books and art supplies that are quickly used, so that there is a built-in urge to buy more!
I like to give lasting gifts…a keepsake that someone will treasure for a long time. A couple of years ago, my cousin Natalie gave me a leather bracelet for my birthday that says, “only love today.” It’s a reminder that God is with me…that for this day, He wants me to focus on operating in love. This is also a subtle reminder that we are only to concern ourselves with one day at a time. I wear this bracelet almost every day, and it does indeed remind me that God’s Holy Spirit is with me, guiding me to walk in love. It also reminds me of my sweet cousin and our special bond.
Another lasting gift is my wedding band. I have worn it for more than 41 years now, and it reminds me of the promises that Greg and I have made…and of how much we love each other. When I look at that gold band, I am comforted by the peace of our enduring love and commitment to each other. Whether we are together or not, I feel Greg’s presence and devotion every single moment.
The Holy Spirit is not something that we wear like a bracelet or a wedding band, but His presence in our heart is no less profound or impactful. God’s Holy Spirit is most certainly not an expendable gift, like food or perfume. His is the gentle voice you hear suggesting that you take this path or that…reminding you to be still and “let it go”…calming you in the midst of something that has you in a tizzy or a major panic. His peace is everlasting…not like the momentary relief or exhilaration that we feel after a happy incident.
The peace of the Holy Spirit is that inner calm that says, “You can do this! You’ve got this! I’m right here beside you, and everything will be okay.” The peace of the Holy Spirit allows us to be calm in the face of adversity…to say, “This is going to be okay” – and mean it! Does this mean there will never be times of temporary panic…that we will not be affected by grief, pain and suffering…that we won’t ever experience troubles? Absolutely not!
But when we “wear” the Holy Spirit in our hearts and listen for His voice, we always feel God’s presence. We know that He is working – often behind the scenes – to make a way where we cannot see one. We understand that God wants us to put one foot in front of the other and keep walking…and to know that He will carry us when the steps are too difficult. He wants us to “be still and know” that He is God…and to experience lasting peace that only He can give.
I still give baked goods and “temporary” gifts to others…and there is no such thing as a “bad gift” shared in the spirit of love. But the best gift we’ll ever receive is Salvation in Jesus Christ… the presence of His Holy Spirit that follows…and the peace that He brings. Have you received this gift for yourself? Isn’t it time that you did? Ask Jesus to forgive your sins…to be the LORD and Savior of your life…and then invite His Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart. Call on Him by saying, “Come, Holy Spirit!”…and welcome the peace that He brings forever and ever.
©2015 Debbie Robus
But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
We’re headed toward that time of year when we start to think a lot about gifts…as in “What will I get XYZ for Christmas?” Retailers are more than ready to offer suggestions about how we should spend our money – and what would be the best present for Grandma or Jimmy! Often, we are encouraged to give something expendable…food, cologne and toiletries, candles and room fragrances, or coloring/activity books and art supplies that are quickly used, so that there is a built-in urge to buy more!
I like to give lasting gifts…a keepsake that someone will treasure for a long time. A couple of years ago, my cousin Natalie gave me a leather bracelet for my birthday that says, “only love today.” It’s a reminder that God is with me…that for this day, He wants me to focus on operating in love. This is also a subtle reminder that we are only to concern ourselves with one day at a time. I wear this bracelet almost every day, and it does indeed remind me that God’s Holy Spirit is with me, guiding me to walk in love. It also reminds me of my sweet cousin and our special bond.
Another lasting gift is my wedding band. I have worn it for more than 41 years now, and it reminds me of the promises that Greg and I have made…and of how much we love each other. When I look at that gold band, I am comforted by the peace of our enduring love and commitment to each other. Whether we are together or not, I feel Greg’s presence and devotion every single moment.
The Holy Spirit is not something that we wear like a bracelet or a wedding band, but His presence in our heart is no less profound or impactful. God’s Holy Spirit is most certainly not an expendable gift, like food or perfume. His is the gentle voice you hear suggesting that you take this path or that…reminding you to be still and “let it go”…calming you in the midst of something that has you in a tizzy or a major panic. His peace is everlasting…not like the momentary relief or exhilaration that we feel after a happy incident.
The peace of the Holy Spirit is that inner calm that says, “You can do this! You’ve got this! I’m right here beside you, and everything will be okay.” The peace of the Holy Spirit allows us to be calm in the face of adversity…to say, “This is going to be okay” – and mean it! Does this mean there will never be times of temporary panic…that we will not be affected by grief, pain and suffering…that we won’t ever experience troubles? Absolutely not!
But when we “wear” the Holy Spirit in our hearts and listen for His voice, we always feel God’s presence. We know that He is working – often behind the scenes – to make a way where we cannot see one. We understand that God wants us to put one foot in front of the other and keep walking…and to know that He will carry us when the steps are too difficult. He wants us to “be still and know” that He is God…and to experience lasting peace that only He can give.
I still give baked goods and “temporary” gifts to others…and there is no such thing as a “bad gift” shared in the spirit of love. But the best gift we’ll ever receive is Salvation in Jesus Christ… the presence of His Holy Spirit that follows…and the peace that He brings. Have you received this gift for yourself? Isn’t it time that you did? Ask Jesus to forgive your sins…to be the LORD and Savior of your life…and then invite His Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart. Call on Him by saying, “Come, Holy Spirit!”…and welcome the peace that He brings forever and ever.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 3, 2015
John 16:12-15
“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’
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.
One of my biggest regrets from the 9 years that I taught elementary school is that I didn’t take very many photographs. This was pre-digital cameras, and it just was not as simple as picking up a camera or a phone and snapping pictures that were saved on to a memory card. So I have a couple dozen snapshots…and an envelope of the “school pictures” of several of my students.
I found the school pictures this week, and as I looked at them, I thought about many of those little faces and recalled incidents from the time we shared. I also considered what has happened to those children – many of whom are now adults with children of their own. I know these “children” became teachers, an orchestra director, a nursing instructor, a dentist, a sheriff’s deputy…and one student tells me he is working on a Ph.D. in bioinformatics (Google it!)! Several of my students own their own businesses – and even more manage a business for someone else. I am very proud of each one of them and their “success stories”.
But as I think about this time in my life, which encompassed most of my twenties, I regret something else… that I was not as in tune with the Holy Spirit. I did not fully understand the mission and ministry that God gave me with these precious children. Oh, I loved them fiercely – like they were my own. And I showered them with attention and affection. But I see now how I could have embraced them even more fully – how I could have nurtured and encouraged these children and their families…had I truly heard from the Holy Spirit on their behalf.
“Well, that’s just part of growing up,” you might say. Yes…and no. The Holy Spirit is available to us at any age. We don’t have to “grow into” our relationship with Him…but we have to understand Him and recognize His presence. Once I learned that the Holy Spirit (or “Holy Ghost” as I was taught to call Him as a child) is not a nebulous spirit – or truly some scary “ghost” – I was eager to really feel His presence in my heart. Who wouldn’t want such a direct line to God?! Who wouldn’t want a constant companion to guide your thoughts and actions as God directs them?
My message to you this day is that you can have the presence of “The Friend” – or Holy Spirit – in your heart…now…today…this minute! You can recognize that Jesus is with you in this form…speaking God’s word into your heart, mind and soul. You can call on Him to guide you as you make daily decisions and choices. You can learn to recognize when the things you “hear” or “see” are from Him…and when they are not. All it takes is a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to guide your steps…and a commitment to pay attention to His “voice”.
None of us get a “do-over”…but we can start today to do better. And “The Friend” – God’s Holy Spirit – will help us with this. Won’t you invite Him into your heart and see what a difference His presence can make? Will this be the day that you say, “Come, Holy Spirit!” – and get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’
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.
One of my biggest regrets from the 9 years that I taught elementary school is that I didn’t take very many photographs. This was pre-digital cameras, and it just was not as simple as picking up a camera or a phone and snapping pictures that were saved on to a memory card. So I have a couple dozen snapshots…and an envelope of the “school pictures” of several of my students.
I found the school pictures this week, and as I looked at them, I thought about many of those little faces and recalled incidents from the time we shared. I also considered what has happened to those children – many of whom are now adults with children of their own. I know these “children” became teachers, an orchestra director, a nursing instructor, a dentist, a sheriff’s deputy…and one student tells me he is working on a Ph.D. in bioinformatics (Google it!)! Several of my students own their own businesses – and even more manage a business for someone else. I am very proud of each one of them and their “success stories”.
But as I think about this time in my life, which encompassed most of my twenties, I regret something else… that I was not as in tune with the Holy Spirit. I did not fully understand the mission and ministry that God gave me with these precious children. Oh, I loved them fiercely – like they were my own. And I showered them with attention and affection. But I see now how I could have embraced them even more fully – how I could have nurtured and encouraged these children and their families…had I truly heard from the Holy Spirit on their behalf.
“Well, that’s just part of growing up,” you might say. Yes…and no. The Holy Spirit is available to us at any age. We don’t have to “grow into” our relationship with Him…but we have to understand Him and recognize His presence. Once I learned that the Holy Spirit (or “Holy Ghost” as I was taught to call Him as a child) is not a nebulous spirit – or truly some scary “ghost” – I was eager to really feel His presence in my heart. Who wouldn’t want such a direct line to God?! Who wouldn’t want a constant companion to guide your thoughts and actions as God directs them?
My message to you this day is that you can have the presence of “The Friend” – or Holy Spirit – in your heart…now…today…this minute! You can recognize that Jesus is with you in this form…speaking God’s word into your heart, mind and soul. You can call on Him to guide you as you make daily decisions and choices. You can learn to recognize when the things you “hear” or “see” are from Him…and when they are not. All it takes is a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to guide your steps…and a commitment to pay attention to His “voice”.
None of us get a “do-over”…but we can start today to do better. And “The Friend” – God’s Holy Spirit – will help us with this. Won’t you invite Him into your heart and see what a difference His presence can make? Will this be the day that you say, “Come, Holy Spirit!” – and get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 18, 2013
January 18 ~ Romans 5:3-5
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I wish I had a dollar for every time we have watched “Frosty the Snowman” at our house in the last month! I have to say… I had forgotten how “deep” this little story really is until we started watching it with Timothy before Christmas. Now do not misunderstand me… I am not elevating “Frosty” to the status of Jesus in the least. But at the same time, I believe we can use the lessons of this jovial snowman to begin to introduce our children to the strength, love, grace and mercy of God… and maybe learn a few things for ourselves in the bargain.
Hear me out on this…
Santa Claus essentially shuts down the magician… admonishing him to go away and leave Frosty and the children alone… and outlining serious consequences if he does not. He tells the children that Frosty is going away with him to the North Pole, but that they will see him again someday… and it is at least implied that the “spirit of Christmas” will live in their hearts each and every day.
There is so much we do not understand about Jesus… how He could love us enough to come to earth and sacrifice His very life for ours. We often have trouble accepting that God could care about us enough to send His Son to die for our sins… then leave His Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage us each and every day. Just as surely as that evil magician kept popping up in “Frosty the Snowman”… the devil keeps rearing his ugly head and giving us troubles and trials. But God is still with us, persistently offering protection and fortitude… giving us hope and confidence.
Maybe it’s time we became more like little children… readily trusting in a magical snowman who came to life when he donned an old black magician’s hat. Perhaps it’s time to recognize the presence, care and strength of our Heavenly Father in the form of His Holy Spirit… to fully embrace how much He loves us and the amazing care we are offered each and every day. Isn’t it possible that we need to step out in faith and open our hearts and minds to the power of Jesus in our daily living… to renew our resolve to believe in Him and respect His abundant and profound attention to every detail of our lives?
I have to tell you, I have developed a new perspective on “Frosty the Snowman.” Someday soon, we will be able to use this little story to help our toddlers understand how God sent Jesus to earth to guide and protect us… and how He will return someday. We will most certainly instill in them the understanding that Jesus is far more important, powerful and loving than Frosty... how He cares about every single aspect of our lives and stands ready to help us with all of them.
Maybe you and I need to become a little more childlike today in our faith and understanding of the presence and impact of God in our lives. Do you truly grasp how much you are loved by God? Do you really “get it” that Jesus gave up His very life for yours? Are you confident that you will see Him again someday… and that He is available to you every minute of the day in the meantime? Have you tapped into the supernatural power and strength He offers? Wouldn’t this be a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I wish I had a dollar for every time we have watched “Frosty the Snowman” at our house in the last month! I have to say… I had forgotten how “deep” this little story really is until we started watching it with Timothy before Christmas. Now do not misunderstand me… I am not elevating “Frosty” to the status of Jesus in the least. But at the same time, I believe we can use the lessons of this jovial snowman to begin to introduce our children to the strength, love, grace and mercy of God… and maybe learn a few things for ourselves in the bargain.
Hear me out on this…
- When Frosty first comes to life, the children are all eager to follow him.
- There is an “evil magician” who is continually trying to destroy Frosty and hurt those who choose to love the jovial snowman.
- In an effort to stay frozen, Frosty and Hocus Pocus (the rabbit with a hefty fur coat) board a refrigerated train car with the little girl, Karen, in tow… and head for the North Pole. Karen gets very cold, and at his own expense, Frosty departs the train car and starts to seek a way to keep Karen warm. He enlists the forest animals to build a warming fire for her.
- When the evil magician stomps out the fire, Frosty takes Karen to a nearby greenhouse used for growing poinsettias, so that she can get warm. He knows that doing this will cause him great personal harm… but he sacrifices his own life for Karen’s.
- Frosty melts, and Karen is heartbroken. Santa Claus arrives and assures Karen that Frosty will come back to life… and he does.
- Frosty goes to the North Pole to live with Santa Claus. While Karen and the others are sad to see him go, they are reassured that he will be back again someday.
Santa Claus essentially shuts down the magician… admonishing him to go away and leave Frosty and the children alone… and outlining serious consequences if he does not. He tells the children that Frosty is going away with him to the North Pole, but that they will see him again someday… and it is at least implied that the “spirit of Christmas” will live in their hearts each and every day.
There is so much we do not understand about Jesus… how He could love us enough to come to earth and sacrifice His very life for ours. We often have trouble accepting that God could care about us enough to send His Son to die for our sins… then leave His Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage us each and every day. Just as surely as that evil magician kept popping up in “Frosty the Snowman”… the devil keeps rearing his ugly head and giving us troubles and trials. But God is still with us, persistently offering protection and fortitude… giving us hope and confidence.
Maybe it’s time we became more like little children… readily trusting in a magical snowman who came to life when he donned an old black magician’s hat. Perhaps it’s time to recognize the presence, care and strength of our Heavenly Father in the form of His Holy Spirit… to fully embrace how much He loves us and the amazing care we are offered each and every day. Isn’t it possible that we need to step out in faith and open our hearts and minds to the power of Jesus in our daily living… to renew our resolve to believe in Him and respect His abundant and profound attention to every detail of our lives?
I have to tell you, I have developed a new perspective on “Frosty the Snowman.” Someday soon, we will be able to use this little story to help our toddlers understand how God sent Jesus to earth to guide and protect us… and how He will return someday. We will most certainly instill in them the understanding that Jesus is far more important, powerful and loving than Frosty... how He cares about every single aspect of our lives and stands ready to help us with all of them.
Maybe you and I need to become a little more childlike today in our faith and understanding of the presence and impact of God in our lives. Do you truly grasp how much you are loved by God? Do you really “get it” that Jesus gave up His very life for yours? Are you confident that you will see Him again someday… and that He is available to you every minute of the day in the meantime? Have you tapped into the supernatural power and strength He offers? Wouldn’t this be a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 28, 2012
Ephesians 1:11-14
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When my husband and I first started our own business, we stuck to a very strict monthly budget. We had allotted so much for the basics… groceries, utilities, gas for the vehicles, insurance, and other household expenses. We also had allotted a certain amount each month for business expenses…office supplies, postage, telephone bill, and more. Because we had planned carefully and spent frugally early in our careers, we had saved enough money to pay for our home outright. So we didn’t have the monthly expense of a house payment or rent. This was very liberating!
We also had what we called a “nest egg” – money we had set aside from our retirement funds and savings, in case we had an emergency or the business did not develop and go well. We worked very hard… God blessed us… and our business was successful. After a few years, we didn’t have to adhere to the budget nearly as tightly as we did those first years.
Think of your life sort of like a budget. You must be careful with the details… how you conduct yourself, where you spend your time and energy. When you give your heart to Jesus, it’s sort of like when we paid for our house… there is a burden lifted… you no longer have to worry about eternity or forgiveness for your sins. Does this mean you can “blow the budget?” Absolutely not! You still must be careful, monitor all “expenditures” and how you conduct your life. But you have the security of knowing that your future is secure in Jesus Christ… you will spend eternity with Him in heaven someday.
Now think of the Holy Spirit as your “nest egg” – the gift God has given you of a guiding force in your life… someone who you can fall back on in hard times... something of a security blanket. Again, you can’t expect the Holy Spirit to carry you while you coast along and do as you please. But you know He is there… that He is directing your path when you ask for help… that He will watch over you and help you plan a future filled with abundance and blessings.
Budgets and plans are wonderful tools. I’m so glad that God “budgeted and planned” for me… and that the Holy Spirit is helping me each and every day. What an amazing God we serve. To think that He cares that deeply for each of us boggles my mind. But I’m surely glad He does… aren’t you?
How are you budgeting these days… not just in the regular world, but spiritually, as well? Are you a good steward of God’s gifts? Do you take advantage of the presence of His Holy Spirit? Are you living in a way that says, “I’m ready for the next level! I know that God has great things in store for me, and I can’t wait to experience them!”? Today is the perfect time to start to live according to God’s plan… to pay closer attention to how you are using the gifts and blessings He has provided… and to “operate within the budget.” Are you ready to do this?
©2012 Debbie Robus
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When my husband and I first started our own business, we stuck to a very strict monthly budget. We had allotted so much for the basics… groceries, utilities, gas for the vehicles, insurance, and other household expenses. We also had allotted a certain amount each month for business expenses…office supplies, postage, telephone bill, and more. Because we had planned carefully and spent frugally early in our careers, we had saved enough money to pay for our home outright. So we didn’t have the monthly expense of a house payment or rent. This was very liberating!
We also had what we called a “nest egg” – money we had set aside from our retirement funds and savings, in case we had an emergency or the business did not develop and go well. We worked very hard… God blessed us… and our business was successful. After a few years, we didn’t have to adhere to the budget nearly as tightly as we did those first years.
Think of your life sort of like a budget. You must be careful with the details… how you conduct yourself, where you spend your time and energy. When you give your heart to Jesus, it’s sort of like when we paid for our house… there is a burden lifted… you no longer have to worry about eternity or forgiveness for your sins. Does this mean you can “blow the budget?” Absolutely not! You still must be careful, monitor all “expenditures” and how you conduct your life. But you have the security of knowing that your future is secure in Jesus Christ… you will spend eternity with Him in heaven someday.
Now think of the Holy Spirit as your “nest egg” – the gift God has given you of a guiding force in your life… someone who you can fall back on in hard times... something of a security blanket. Again, you can’t expect the Holy Spirit to carry you while you coast along and do as you please. But you know He is there… that He is directing your path when you ask for help… that He will watch over you and help you plan a future filled with abundance and blessings.
Budgets and plans are wonderful tools. I’m so glad that God “budgeted and planned” for me… and that the Holy Spirit is helping me each and every day. What an amazing God we serve. To think that He cares that deeply for each of us boggles my mind. But I’m surely glad He does… aren’t you?
How are you budgeting these days… not just in the regular world, but spiritually, as well? Are you a good steward of God’s gifts? Do you take advantage of the presence of His Holy Spirit? Are you living in a way that says, “I’m ready for the next level! I know that God has great things in store for me, and I can’t wait to experience them!”? Today is the perfect time to start to live according to God’s plan… to pay closer attention to how you are using the gifts and blessings He has provided… and to “operate within the budget.” Are you ready to do this?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 10, 2012
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.
The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The last week or so, I’ve been sewing with fabrics in the same color family – a base of black or grey, with hues of deep teal, fuchsia, white, and celadon green. It may sound awful, but it’s really nice fabric. I’ve sewn stripes, “groovy guitars,” zoo animals, various sized circle outlines, mod daisy-like flowers, and polka dots. Now you are probably really thinking I’m nuts! But trust me, all of these fabrics work together in various combinations – with pleasing results!
And that’s the thing… I can combine stripes and guitars or zoo animals… but not stripes and flowers. Zoo animals and guitars don’t work in the same outfit, but they both work great with the stripes or polka dots… and maybe the circles, depending on how I use them. For instance, I made my great-niece Zola a striped dress with a border of guitars… and I made Timothy shorts in both the guitar and stripes fabrics. I made my cousin a sundress in the mod flowers… and her daughter is getting a blouse that has flowers bordered in polka dots!
Each fabric is very different. On the surface, they don’t appear to have much in common. But when I combine them thoughtfully, the end result is something quite surprising and pleasant… and the recipients are blessed by the outcome. All I have to do is stand back, look at the fabrics, and take time to consider how they might work best together… and the ideas begin to flow!
We all have gifts and abilities that may not seem to work well together. But when the Holy Spirit is involved in combining them and orchestrating things, the end result is always a blessing to others – and to God. And often the outcome is quite surprising and pleasant. You may feel you that have no “Spiritual gift,” but I assure you that this is not the case. Maybe you have not opened your heart to the Holy Spirit’s guidance… and maybe He has held your gift in reserve. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman… He will not force Himself upon us. We must invite Him in… and make Him welcome.
Whatever your “Spiritual gifts” may be, it would be such a shame not to receive them – and to use them for God’s glory. I encourage you to step back and look at the “fabrics” of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how they go together. Invite Him to dwell in your heart, and listen for His voice each and every day. Call upon the Holy Spirit to bless you with your Spiritual gifts… and get busy using them. You will be amazed – and delighted – at the outcomes… and so will those who receive a blessing as a result.
©2012 Debbie Robus
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.
The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The last week or so, I’ve been sewing with fabrics in the same color family – a base of black or grey, with hues of deep teal, fuchsia, white, and celadon green. It may sound awful, but it’s really nice fabric. I’ve sewn stripes, “groovy guitars,” zoo animals, various sized circle outlines, mod daisy-like flowers, and polka dots. Now you are probably really thinking I’m nuts! But trust me, all of these fabrics work together in various combinations – with pleasing results!
And that’s the thing… I can combine stripes and guitars or zoo animals… but not stripes and flowers. Zoo animals and guitars don’t work in the same outfit, but they both work great with the stripes or polka dots… and maybe the circles, depending on how I use them. For instance, I made my great-niece Zola a striped dress with a border of guitars… and I made Timothy shorts in both the guitar and stripes fabrics. I made my cousin a sundress in the mod flowers… and her daughter is getting a blouse that has flowers bordered in polka dots!
Each fabric is very different. On the surface, they don’t appear to have much in common. But when I combine them thoughtfully, the end result is something quite surprising and pleasant… and the recipients are blessed by the outcome. All I have to do is stand back, look at the fabrics, and take time to consider how they might work best together… and the ideas begin to flow!
We all have gifts and abilities that may not seem to work well together. But when the Holy Spirit is involved in combining them and orchestrating things, the end result is always a blessing to others – and to God. And often the outcome is quite surprising and pleasant. You may feel you that have no “Spiritual gift,” but I assure you that this is not the case. Maybe you have not opened your heart to the Holy Spirit’s guidance… and maybe He has held your gift in reserve. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman… He will not force Himself upon us. We must invite Him in… and make Him welcome.
Whatever your “Spiritual gifts” may be, it would be such a shame not to receive them – and to use them for God’s glory. I encourage you to step back and look at the “fabrics” of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how they go together. Invite Him to dwell in your heart, and listen for His voice each and every day. Call upon the Holy Spirit to bless you with your Spiritual gifts… and get busy using them. You will be amazed – and delighted – at the outcomes… and so will those who receive a blessing as a result.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 8, 2012
John 16:4-11
"I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you.
"When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was in about seven, my dad took a job near Dewitt, Arkansas, working on construction of part of the McClellen-Kerr navigation system on the Arkansas River. He would leave in the wee hours of Monday morning and drive to Dewitt, work all week, and drive home on Friday evening. I truly hated this. The closer it grew to bedtime on Sunday night, the sadder I became. I vividly remember crying one night as my dad sat on the side of my bed and tried to explain to me why he had to go back to Dewitt the next morning. “You want a horse to ride and other things, don’t you?” he asked me. “I have to go to work so we can afford to get these things.” Still, I didn’t want him to go, and I begged him to please stay home.
I didn’t care about horses – or anything else – I just wanted my daddy with us. As a seven-year-old second-grader, I could not grasp the concept that my dad could make so much more money as a welder on the lock and dam system’s construction than he could at many of the jobs in our community. I think I understood this a little better when I was in fifth grade, and for six months we moved to an eastern Oklahoma community so that Daddy could once again work on welding tainter gates at the lock and dam there.
While we lived in Oklahoma, my dad made good money. Nearly every weekend, we traveled to a larger city and shopped, ate out, and got new toys… and my sister and I got new clothes for our Barbies. Still, we were not at home… things were not as they had been, and my siblings and I were not happy. My sister, brother and I failed to see any wisdom in my parents’ choice for my dad to work away from home… or to move us to another state for such work. We did not trust that there was anything to be gained by doing this… and we will never know what might have happened had we continued to follow the jobs.
The disciples were told that Jesus was leaving them… and they were understandably upset. After all, He had just returned to them after His crucifixion and resurrection from the tomb. Any talk of Him leaving again had these followers in a state of despair, if not downright panic! I get that! When we invite Jesus into our heart, the last thing we want to consider is that He might turn around and leave us… right? What we don’t fully understand is the hierarchy of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father sent Jesus. Jesus glorifies God. The Holy Spirit gives glory to Jesus, who sent Him. Jesus never truly leaves us… His Holy Spirit is the agent of change within us. You speak to Jesus… the Holy Spirit makes things happen. He operates on the inside of you. The Holy Spirit is the giver of wisdom.” He shows us things that God knows. In order to glorify all that Jesus suffered and sacrificed for us, we must allow Him to send His Holy Spirit to live within our heart and make things happen!
My dad was not gone… he was merely working in another location through the week. But in order to have all of the benefits He wanted to provide for us, he had to work remotely. We could call him on the telephone… we could still talk with him… but he had to go away and do his work so that we could gain the things we needed. And so it is with Jesus. He had to go away to do the work… and he uses the Holy Spirit to provide us with what we need.
As a seven-year-old kid, I didn’t care (or at least I said I didn’t) about things… I just wanted my dad with us. As a 54-year-old Christian, I want Jesus with me – all the way… all the time! But I am mature enough to understand that He cannot physically return to earth and walk around with me. The way to have Jesus with me on this earth is through the Holy Spirit. If I do not make room for the Holy Spirit in my life and let Him work on the inside of me, I will never fully experience all that God set out to give me.
So we must understand that inviting Jesus to be LORD of our life is the first step… but then we must make room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit… and do all that we can to make Him feel welcome. So many Christians miss this important step. They see the Holy Spirit (or as some say, the “Holy Ghost”) as something or someone nebulous and scary. Don’t count yourself among them. See the Holy Spirit as a manifestation of Jesus in you… His vehicle to be continually present with us … to supply us with all of the wisdom, compassion, discernment, and authority He wishes to give us in order to serve Him well. Trust Jesus. Believe in Him and accept that His will and plans are perfect – and meant to bless and keep us.
To truly “let go and let God” means to trust Jesus in all things… and to believe that He will never abandon us. Surrender completely, embrace the Holy Spirit and allow the Him to come and dwell in your heart. This is when the “good stuff” starts to happen… are you ready for it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
"I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you.
"When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was in about seven, my dad took a job near Dewitt, Arkansas, working on construction of part of the McClellen-Kerr navigation system on the Arkansas River. He would leave in the wee hours of Monday morning and drive to Dewitt, work all week, and drive home on Friday evening. I truly hated this. The closer it grew to bedtime on Sunday night, the sadder I became. I vividly remember crying one night as my dad sat on the side of my bed and tried to explain to me why he had to go back to Dewitt the next morning. “You want a horse to ride and other things, don’t you?” he asked me. “I have to go to work so we can afford to get these things.” Still, I didn’t want him to go, and I begged him to please stay home.
I didn’t care about horses – or anything else – I just wanted my daddy with us. As a seven-year-old second-grader, I could not grasp the concept that my dad could make so much more money as a welder on the lock and dam system’s construction than he could at many of the jobs in our community. I think I understood this a little better when I was in fifth grade, and for six months we moved to an eastern Oklahoma community so that Daddy could once again work on welding tainter gates at the lock and dam there.
While we lived in Oklahoma, my dad made good money. Nearly every weekend, we traveled to a larger city and shopped, ate out, and got new toys… and my sister and I got new clothes for our Barbies. Still, we were not at home… things were not as they had been, and my siblings and I were not happy. My sister, brother and I failed to see any wisdom in my parents’ choice for my dad to work away from home… or to move us to another state for such work. We did not trust that there was anything to be gained by doing this… and we will never know what might have happened had we continued to follow the jobs.
The disciples were told that Jesus was leaving them… and they were understandably upset. After all, He had just returned to them after His crucifixion and resurrection from the tomb. Any talk of Him leaving again had these followers in a state of despair, if not downright panic! I get that! When we invite Jesus into our heart, the last thing we want to consider is that He might turn around and leave us… right? What we don’t fully understand is the hierarchy of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father sent Jesus. Jesus glorifies God. The Holy Spirit gives glory to Jesus, who sent Him. Jesus never truly leaves us… His Holy Spirit is the agent of change within us. You speak to Jesus… the Holy Spirit makes things happen. He operates on the inside of you. The Holy Spirit is the giver of wisdom.” He shows us things that God knows. In order to glorify all that Jesus suffered and sacrificed for us, we must allow Him to send His Holy Spirit to live within our heart and make things happen!
My dad was not gone… he was merely working in another location through the week. But in order to have all of the benefits He wanted to provide for us, he had to work remotely. We could call him on the telephone… we could still talk with him… but he had to go away and do his work so that we could gain the things we needed. And so it is with Jesus. He had to go away to do the work… and he uses the Holy Spirit to provide us with what we need.
As a seven-year-old kid, I didn’t care (or at least I said I didn’t) about things… I just wanted my dad with us. As a 54-year-old Christian, I want Jesus with me – all the way… all the time! But I am mature enough to understand that He cannot physically return to earth and walk around with me. The way to have Jesus with me on this earth is through the Holy Spirit. If I do not make room for the Holy Spirit in my life and let Him work on the inside of me, I will never fully experience all that God set out to give me.
So we must understand that inviting Jesus to be LORD of our life is the first step… but then we must make room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit… and do all that we can to make Him feel welcome. So many Christians miss this important step. They see the Holy Spirit (or as some say, the “Holy Ghost”) as something or someone nebulous and scary. Don’t count yourself among them. See the Holy Spirit as a manifestation of Jesus in you… His vehicle to be continually present with us … to supply us with all of the wisdom, compassion, discernment, and authority He wishes to give us in order to serve Him well. Trust Jesus. Believe in Him and accept that His will and plans are perfect – and meant to bless and keep us.
To truly “let go and let God” means to trust Jesus in all things… and to believe that He will never abandon us. Surrender completely, embrace the Holy Spirit and allow the Him to come and dwell in your heart. This is when the “good stuff” starts to happen… are you ready for it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 27, 2012
John 14:18-20
I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.
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 when I was a kindergarten teacher, my husband and I would talk on the phone more than once during the summer months when school was not in session. He would call me on his breaks, just to see how I was doing. This was nearly 30 years ago… before cell phones came along. During school hours, I did not usually get a break that coincided with his, so we were pretty well unable to communicate throughout the day. One day shortly before my summer break ended, we were talking, and my husband said, “When you go back to work, I’m going to miss being able to call you during the day.” Just knowing I was at home… and available… and that he could call me any time of day was important – to both of us.
Sometimes, I think we forget that Jesus is always with us. We may even begin to feel isolated and lonely, when in truth, He is always available. We can call on Jesus any time. This should give us tremendous comfort – and confidence. We never have to feel anxious or fearful… because Jesus goes with us everywhere. We don’t have to worry about our decisions… we can ask Jesus for help and guidance any time. We can face any challenge or obstacle... all we have to do is call on Jesus for wisdom and protection!
When we keep Jesus in our heart, we are never alone. And the best part is that we don’t even need a work break or a telephone to contact Him! We can call on Jesus with all of our questions and concerns… or even simply to say, “Hi!” - or to thank Him for loving us and to tell Him that we love Him, too! The question is… do we? Are you in constant contact with Jesus… or are there hours in the day where you “go it alone”… and treat Him as if you are unavailable? Have you truly given Jesus a place in your heart… and recognized His constant presence there? Isn’t it time to do exactly this… and never be alone again?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.
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 when I was a kindergarten teacher, my husband and I would talk on the phone more than once during the summer months when school was not in session. He would call me on his breaks, just to see how I was doing. This was nearly 30 years ago… before cell phones came along. During school hours, I did not usually get a break that coincided with his, so we were pretty well unable to communicate throughout the day. One day shortly before my summer break ended, we were talking, and my husband said, “When you go back to work, I’m going to miss being able to call you during the day.” Just knowing I was at home… and available… and that he could call me any time of day was important – to both of us.
Sometimes, I think we forget that Jesus is always with us. We may even begin to feel isolated and lonely, when in truth, He is always available. We can call on Jesus any time. This should give us tremendous comfort – and confidence. We never have to feel anxious or fearful… because Jesus goes with us everywhere. We don’t have to worry about our decisions… we can ask Jesus for help and guidance any time. We can face any challenge or obstacle... all we have to do is call on Jesus for wisdom and protection!
When we keep Jesus in our heart, we are never alone. And the best part is that we don’t even need a work break or a telephone to contact Him! We can call on Jesus with all of our questions and concerns… or even simply to say, “Hi!” - or to thank Him for loving us and to tell Him that we love Him, too! The question is… do we? Are you in constant contact with Jesus… or are there hours in the day where you “go it alone”… and treat Him as if you are unavailable? Have you truly given Jesus a place in your heart… and recognized His constant presence there? Isn’t it time to do exactly this… and never be alone again?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 11, 2012
Romans 10:5-10
Moses wrote that anyone who insists on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it's not so easy—every detail of life regulated by fine print! But trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story— no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, no dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. So what exactly was Moses saying?
The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God—"Jesus is my Master"—embracing, body and soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead.
That's it. You're not "doing" anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right between him and me!"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few years ago, I decided I wanted to read the entire Bible in a year. This was a noble goal… and there are dozens of “study guides” and books that will help a person accomplish this. So far, I’ve tried at least three times… and I once did pretty well until almost the end of May! I may still try this again, but for now, I’m learning that I get bogged down in the process and lose focus on the message! So I am letting God lead my study, as in rediscovering notes I made on sermons, and scripture passages that I jotted down… and He is reminding me of old messages – and new insights.
Having said all of this, I did learn from my attempts to study the entire Bible in one year. The study guide I used suggested reading a passage each day from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and one from Proverbs. And the profound lesson I got from this was how the laws and rituals of the Old Testament were virtually all made new by the coming of Jesus in the New Testament. No longer do we have to make living sacrifices to God for our sins… Jesus was the ultimate Living Sacrifice. We don’t need priests and prophets to intercede with God on our behalf… we can speak to Him directly. We don’t have to follow rituals and rites as laid down in the writings and teachings of the old rulers and leaders… all we have to do is open our mouth and our heart… and let Jesus enter and do His work in and through us.
We are told that the tongue holds the power over life and death… and this is incredibly true when we speak up – and out – for Jesus! His Holy Spirit is as close as a whisper… His presence is as near as calling, “Come, LORD Jesus… forgive me... fill me with your Holy Spirit, and make me whole.”
Whenever we have a problem, we don’t have to consult a book of laws. We don’t need to perform a hand or foot washing, sacrifice a newborn lamb, or hide in a closet for a week of purification. We simply need to open our mouth and ask God to help us. Remember the verse in this passage that says, “The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest.” You are never alone… never helpless or hopeless… never forgotten. Your answers are a few well-chosen words away.
Call on God to give you the answers and wisdom you seek today. Ask Jesus to be the LORD of your life and fill you with His Holy Spirit. Carry Him closely in your heart… just a whisper away at all times… and when He answers, thank Him for setting things right.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Moses wrote that anyone who insists on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it's not so easy—every detail of life regulated by fine print! But trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story— no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, no dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. So what exactly was Moses saying?
The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God—"Jesus is my Master"—embracing, body and soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead.
That's it. You're not "doing" anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right between him and me!"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few years ago, I decided I wanted to read the entire Bible in a year. This was a noble goal… and there are dozens of “study guides” and books that will help a person accomplish this. So far, I’ve tried at least three times… and I once did pretty well until almost the end of May! I may still try this again, but for now, I’m learning that I get bogged down in the process and lose focus on the message! So I am letting God lead my study, as in rediscovering notes I made on sermons, and scripture passages that I jotted down… and He is reminding me of old messages – and new insights.
Having said all of this, I did learn from my attempts to study the entire Bible in one year. The study guide I used suggested reading a passage each day from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and one from Proverbs. And the profound lesson I got from this was how the laws and rituals of the Old Testament were virtually all made new by the coming of Jesus in the New Testament. No longer do we have to make living sacrifices to God for our sins… Jesus was the ultimate Living Sacrifice. We don’t need priests and prophets to intercede with God on our behalf… we can speak to Him directly. We don’t have to follow rituals and rites as laid down in the writings and teachings of the old rulers and leaders… all we have to do is open our mouth and our heart… and let Jesus enter and do His work in and through us.
We are told that the tongue holds the power over life and death… and this is incredibly true when we speak up – and out – for Jesus! His Holy Spirit is as close as a whisper… His presence is as near as calling, “Come, LORD Jesus… forgive me... fill me with your Holy Spirit, and make me whole.”
Whenever we have a problem, we don’t have to consult a book of laws. We don’t need to perform a hand or foot washing, sacrifice a newborn lamb, or hide in a closet for a week of purification. We simply need to open our mouth and ask God to help us. Remember the verse in this passage that says, “The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest.” You are never alone… never helpless or hopeless… never forgotten. Your answers are a few well-chosen words away.
Call on God to give you the answers and wisdom you seek today. Ask Jesus to be the LORD of your life and fill you with His Holy Spirit. Carry Him closely in your heart… just a whisper away at all times… and when He answers, thank Him for setting things right.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 18, 2012
Acts 3:1-10
The time of prayer was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple. A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in.
The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money. But they looked straight at him and said, "Look up at us!" The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something. But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking." Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up.
At once the man's feet and ankles became strong, and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God. Everyone saw him walking around and praising God. They knew that he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who seems stuck in a rut… doing the same things over and over again? Maybe you know someone who has changed jobs numerous times… or started more than one job and quit after several weeks. Maybe you know someone who is in and out of one relationship after another, and each time, they declare that “This one is different!” Maybe you know someone who seems perfectly comfortable to move from one fiasco to the next… who thrives on chaos and never seems to get his/her life together. Maybe this person is you!
Can I tell you something? Often, each one of us is the lame beggar at the door. We are comfortable and complacent in our present situation… content to live on the sidelines of life and manage whatever comes our way as best we can. If we “catch a lucky break,” things might improve for a while. But soon we are back to old habits and the familiar struggles and conflicts - and nothing really ever changes. It doesn’t have to be this way!
What Peter and John offered the beggar at the temple is available to all of us. All we have to do is ask. I’m not saying that calling on Jesus to fill us with the Holy Spirit and deliver us will make all of our problems go away immediately. I’m not telling you that all you have to do is give your heart to Jesus, and the right job, the perfect companion, and a clean bill of health will magically be yours. But when you ask, Jesus will equip you with the tools and skills you need to better your situation. The Holy Spirit will guide you as you pull your life together and make improvements. The healing power of Jesus can help you to manage your daily living and any physical, mental, and emotional challenges you encounter.
In many instances, the choice is completely ours. We can continue to live like the beggar at the temple gates, or we can call on Jesus to live and breathe in us and help us navigate the challenges of daily living. At once, it is this simple - and this complicated - because we will still have to do much of the work to improve our situation. Jesus will show us how… and give us everything we need to get the job done.
Where are you today? Have you invited Jesus to work in your life? Or are you content to lie by the wayside and beg for scraps and a handout? What are you believing Jesus for today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
The time of prayer was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple. A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in.
The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money. But they looked straight at him and said, "Look up at us!" The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something. But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking." Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up.
At once the man's feet and ankles became strong, and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God. Everyone saw him walking around and praising God. They knew that he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who seems stuck in a rut… doing the same things over and over again? Maybe you know someone who has changed jobs numerous times… or started more than one job and quit after several weeks. Maybe you know someone who is in and out of one relationship after another, and each time, they declare that “This one is different!” Maybe you know someone who seems perfectly comfortable to move from one fiasco to the next… who thrives on chaos and never seems to get his/her life together. Maybe this person is you!
Can I tell you something? Often, each one of us is the lame beggar at the door. We are comfortable and complacent in our present situation… content to live on the sidelines of life and manage whatever comes our way as best we can. If we “catch a lucky break,” things might improve for a while. But soon we are back to old habits and the familiar struggles and conflicts - and nothing really ever changes. It doesn’t have to be this way!
What Peter and John offered the beggar at the temple is available to all of us. All we have to do is ask. I’m not saying that calling on Jesus to fill us with the Holy Spirit and deliver us will make all of our problems go away immediately. I’m not telling you that all you have to do is give your heart to Jesus, and the right job, the perfect companion, and a clean bill of health will magically be yours. But when you ask, Jesus will equip you with the tools and skills you need to better your situation. The Holy Spirit will guide you as you pull your life together and make improvements. The healing power of Jesus can help you to manage your daily living and any physical, mental, and emotional challenges you encounter.
In many instances, the choice is completely ours. We can continue to live like the beggar at the temple gates, or we can call on Jesus to live and breathe in us and help us navigate the challenges of daily living. At once, it is this simple - and this complicated - because we will still have to do much of the work to improve our situation. Jesus will show us how… and give us everything we need to get the job done.
Where are you today? Have you invited Jesus to work in your life? Or are you content to lie by the wayside and beg for scraps and a handout? What are you believing Jesus for today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 25, 2011
Luke 24:45-49
He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently I was interviewed by a life coach who authors a website called Mom in the Balance. Her focus is on helping busy moms balance the care of their own younger families with that of an older friend or loved one. There is a name for this group of people… the Sandwich Generation… and I have a blog about my own experiences with this, which is why I was interviewed.
The interviewer asked me if I had a support group to help me through rough patches. I named several people who had been particularly supportive… my husband, my mom, a close friend, and a former pastor. But I also noted that one day recently, I was feeling especially in need of support after a disagreement with my grandmother over a safety issue. None of my “support group” were readily available, and temporarily, I felt very alone.
I pulled into a parking space at Wal-Mart, on the verge of tears, and asked myself, “Okay, Debbie… if someone came to you for advice about this, what would you tell them?” In that moment, I realized I had just heard from my “Inner Power”… my “Forever Friend”… the Holy Spirit, who Jesus sent to equip us with power from on High!
I sat in the car and asked God to help me sort through my feelings and figure out a way to cope with my situation… and He did! I continued my prayer by thanking Him, and I walked into the store with a lighter heart and a smile on my face. I knew that I was not alone… that the Holy Spirit was always with me – fully equipping me to meet any challenge head-on, with full confidence and the backing of His power.
There will be many times in life when we face problems, challenges, quandaries over things we don’t know how to handle. We will have “gut-checks” that leave us breathless and crying… and times of loneliness and sadness when we really need a friend. The GOOD NEWS is that we always have the best Friend in the universe at our disposal… and He is a heartbeat away. Mortal friends and support networks are wonderful… God-sent and sanctified… but nothing compares with the power and companionship of our Forever Friend – the Holy Spirit.
I encourage you today to find a moment to get quiet and call out to your Forever Friend… to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you in new and powerful ways… to thank Him for never deserting you… and to recognize His continual presence alongside you. He is always on the clock – always available – never “on another call” or “taking a break.” You can call Him night or day, 24/7. Is your line of communication open? Is the Holy Spirit #1 on your Support Team? Shouldn’t He be?
©2011 Debbie Robus
He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently I was interviewed by a life coach who authors a website called Mom in the Balance. Her focus is on helping busy moms balance the care of their own younger families with that of an older friend or loved one. There is a name for this group of people… the Sandwich Generation… and I have a blog about my own experiences with this, which is why I was interviewed.
The interviewer asked me if I had a support group to help me through rough patches. I named several people who had been particularly supportive… my husband, my mom, a close friend, and a former pastor. But I also noted that one day recently, I was feeling especially in need of support after a disagreement with my grandmother over a safety issue. None of my “support group” were readily available, and temporarily, I felt very alone.
I pulled into a parking space at Wal-Mart, on the verge of tears, and asked myself, “Okay, Debbie… if someone came to you for advice about this, what would you tell them?” In that moment, I realized I had just heard from my “Inner Power”… my “Forever Friend”… the Holy Spirit, who Jesus sent to equip us with power from on High!
I sat in the car and asked God to help me sort through my feelings and figure out a way to cope with my situation… and He did! I continued my prayer by thanking Him, and I walked into the store with a lighter heart and a smile on my face. I knew that I was not alone… that the Holy Spirit was always with me – fully equipping me to meet any challenge head-on, with full confidence and the backing of His power.
There will be many times in life when we face problems, challenges, quandaries over things we don’t know how to handle. We will have “gut-checks” that leave us breathless and crying… and times of loneliness and sadness when we really need a friend. The GOOD NEWS is that we always have the best Friend in the universe at our disposal… and He is a heartbeat away. Mortal friends and support networks are wonderful… God-sent and sanctified… but nothing compares with the power and companionship of our Forever Friend – the Holy Spirit.
I encourage you today to find a moment to get quiet and call out to your Forever Friend… to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you in new and powerful ways… to thank Him for never deserting you… and to recognize His continual presence alongside you. He is always on the clock – always available – never “on another call” or “taking a break.” You can call Him night or day, 24/7. Is your line of communication open? Is the Holy Spirit #1 on your Support Team? Shouldn’t He be?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Luke 12:11-12
"When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don't worry about defending yourselves—what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently I dropped my sister off for work, and as I sat in the parking lot, a woman I’ve known since high school approached my car. She said, “I don’t know if I ever told you, but the card you sent me when my dad died meant more to me than just about any card I received. You said all the right things.” I thanked her for sharing that with me. I cannot begin to tell you what I said in that card, but I’m glad to know it was what she needed to hear at the time.
Years ago, I wrote a book called What to Say and Do… When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. I wrote this book after experiencing the death of several family members and friends and hearing people say over and over, “I just didn’t know what to say.” Often, their solution was to say and do nothing… and the silence was in some ways more hurtful than if they had said the wrong thing.
My own experiences caused me to pay closer attention to making sure I did not fall into this pattern myself. I began to make more of an effort to send cards and notes to people... cards expressing sympathy, get-well wishes, and even cards of encouragement and thanks. But more importantly, I started really praying about what I said before I wrote the note. And just like the woman who thanked me for the card when her dad passed away, others have told me, “Your words meant so much.”
The truth is… they were not my words. I always ask God to tell me the right things to say in cards. I wish I were better at making sure I ask God to tell me the right things to say before I speak, but I’m afraid my mouth often still engages before my brain does. And once words are spoken, they can be very hard to retract!
Do not miss this… the Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes. He is always ready… his words are always perfect. But we have to ask Him for help. We have to stop and say, “LORD… guide my words. Let me say what you want me to say… the things that will be pleasing to you and helpful to this person. Give me the right answers… the kind words… the best solutions to offer in this situation.” And He will do just that!
I’ve come to understand that the fear of saying the wrong thing is just another tool of the devil. This is just one more way he wants to squelch us and keep us from truly living for Jesus and serving as His disciple. And I am not willing to let him have that kind of satisfaction… are you? Ask God for help in choosing your words… then don’t be afraid to step out and speak up in His name. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.
©2011 Debbie Robus
"When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don't worry about defending yourselves—what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently I dropped my sister off for work, and as I sat in the parking lot, a woman I’ve known since high school approached my car. She said, “I don’t know if I ever told you, but the card you sent me when my dad died meant more to me than just about any card I received. You said all the right things.” I thanked her for sharing that with me. I cannot begin to tell you what I said in that card, but I’m glad to know it was what she needed to hear at the time.
Years ago, I wrote a book called What to Say and Do… When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do. I wrote this book after experiencing the death of several family members and friends and hearing people say over and over, “I just didn’t know what to say.” Often, their solution was to say and do nothing… and the silence was in some ways more hurtful than if they had said the wrong thing.
My own experiences caused me to pay closer attention to making sure I did not fall into this pattern myself. I began to make more of an effort to send cards and notes to people... cards expressing sympathy, get-well wishes, and even cards of encouragement and thanks. But more importantly, I started really praying about what I said before I wrote the note. And just like the woman who thanked me for the card when her dad passed away, others have told me, “Your words meant so much.”
The truth is… they were not my words. I always ask God to tell me the right things to say in cards. I wish I were better at making sure I ask God to tell me the right things to say before I speak, but I’m afraid my mouth often still engages before my brain does. And once words are spoken, they can be very hard to retract!
Do not miss this… the Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes. He is always ready… his words are always perfect. But we have to ask Him for help. We have to stop and say, “LORD… guide my words. Let me say what you want me to say… the things that will be pleasing to you and helpful to this person. Give me the right answers… the kind words… the best solutions to offer in this situation.” And He will do just that!
I’ve come to understand that the fear of saying the wrong thing is just another tool of the devil. This is just one more way he wants to squelch us and keep us from truly living for Jesus and serving as His disciple. And I am not willing to let him have that kind of satisfaction… are you? Ask God for help in choosing your words… then don’t be afraid to step out and speak up in His name. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 29, 2011
James 5:13-15
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, it seems that I have encountered several situations that seemed somewhat hopeless… and the people involved in them felt incredibly helpless. “I don’t know what to do,” I’ve heard them say… and honestly, I’ve not had a concrete solution for them. I’ve seen e-mail requests that say, “The doctors say the only thing left to do is pray.” The truth is… in all of these situations, this should be the FIRST thing we do!
When all else fails, we turn to prayer… but the fact is that we should pray in the beginning. Even before the first sign of trouble, we should pray. And when there doesn’t seem to be any logical explanation for a person’s misbehaving, we should keep praying for them. When all efforts to “mend fences” and get along fail, we should keep praying. When doctors say, “We’re doing all we can,” we should keep asking God for His healing.
When we get good news, “Thank You, God” should be more than just a trite phrase we utter… we should sincerely stop and thank our Heavenly Father for His grace and mercy toward us and our situation. When we pray about any situation, we must trust that God will deliver the perfect outcome… and accept that it may not be the one we want or expect. But it will be the right one! God does not make mistakes!
Verse 15 says that “Believing prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet.” Believe this for yourself and your situations. Trust God to do the heavy lifting… all YOU have to do is lift your hands and ask Him for help… and offer Him praise for His answers.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, it seems that I have encountered several situations that seemed somewhat hopeless… and the people involved in them felt incredibly helpless. “I don’t know what to do,” I’ve heard them say… and honestly, I’ve not had a concrete solution for them. I’ve seen e-mail requests that say, “The doctors say the only thing left to do is pray.” The truth is… in all of these situations, this should be the FIRST thing we do!
When all else fails, we turn to prayer… but the fact is that we should pray in the beginning. Even before the first sign of trouble, we should pray. And when there doesn’t seem to be any logical explanation for a person’s misbehaving, we should keep praying for them. When all efforts to “mend fences” and get along fail, we should keep praying. When doctors say, “We’re doing all we can,” we should keep asking God for His healing.
When we get good news, “Thank You, God” should be more than just a trite phrase we utter… we should sincerely stop and thank our Heavenly Father for His grace and mercy toward us and our situation. When we pray about any situation, we must trust that God will deliver the perfect outcome… and accept that it may not be the one we want or expect. But it will be the right one! God does not make mistakes!
Verse 15 says that “Believing prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet.” Believe this for yourself and your situations. Trust God to do the heavy lifting… all YOU have to do is lift your hands and ask Him for help… and offer Him praise for His answers.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 21, 2011
Ephesians 4:20-24
But that isn't what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about him and learned about him. You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Change is hard… even when we know it is good for us. We know that exercising and eating right will help us live a healthier life – and give us a slimmer, more toned physique. But knowing this and actually doing the work are two different things. Often, overeating and lack of exercise become habits, and any habit can be hard to break. But equally as often, once we get in the groove and change the habit, we wonder what took us so long to make the change. Haven’t you ever known a smoker who said, “I’ll never smoke again!” – or someone who lost a lot of weight and maybe took up running or some other form of exercise and said, “I can’t believe I was ever like that!”?
The same can be said of our Christian faith. There are a lot of factors that keep us from being all we can be and changing into a new person… fear, laziness, procrastination, and more. And if we are honest, we will admit that all of these boil down to listening to the devil. HE plants these doubts, fears and excuses in our mind.
If we can just call upon the Holy Spirit and ask Him to fill us… to change our heart and mind… to help us to be more like God… He will do so. And over time, with careful attention, dedication, and determination, we will begin to lose the old habits that hold us back and keep us in the dark. We will become more sure of our “new self,” and we’ll be saying, “What was I thinking?!” We will struggle to recognize the old person and find it easier and easier to leave him/her in the dust.
We were created for so much more. We were created by God to be like Him… to please Him and be truly holy. And God sent His Holy Spirit to change our way of thinking and help us become this new person. Have you recognized the Holy Spirit in your life? Have you acknowledged Him and called on Him for help to become the new you? Isn’t it about time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
But that isn't what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about him and learned about him. You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Change is hard… even when we know it is good for us. We know that exercising and eating right will help us live a healthier life – and give us a slimmer, more toned physique. But knowing this and actually doing the work are two different things. Often, overeating and lack of exercise become habits, and any habit can be hard to break. But equally as often, once we get in the groove and change the habit, we wonder what took us so long to make the change. Haven’t you ever known a smoker who said, “I’ll never smoke again!” – or someone who lost a lot of weight and maybe took up running or some other form of exercise and said, “I can’t believe I was ever like that!”?
The same can be said of our Christian faith. There are a lot of factors that keep us from being all we can be and changing into a new person… fear, laziness, procrastination, and more. And if we are honest, we will admit that all of these boil down to listening to the devil. HE plants these doubts, fears and excuses in our mind.
If we can just call upon the Holy Spirit and ask Him to fill us… to change our heart and mind… to help us to be more like God… He will do so. And over time, with careful attention, dedication, and determination, we will begin to lose the old habits that hold us back and keep us in the dark. We will become more sure of our “new self,” and we’ll be saying, “What was I thinking?!” We will struggle to recognize the old person and find it easier and easier to leave him/her in the dust.
We were created for so much more. We were created by God to be like Him… to please Him and be truly holy. And God sent His Holy Spirit to change our way of thinking and help us become this new person. Have you recognized the Holy Spirit in your life? Have you acknowledged Him and called on Him for help to become the new you? Isn’t it about time you did?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 10, 2011
Jeremiah 13:23
Can you ever change and do what's right? Can people change the color of their skin, or can a leopard remove its spots? If so, then maybe you can change and learn to do right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A decade ago, I was a sun worshipper. My skin is incredibly pale, and I thought a tan made me look better… younger, healthier, and more fit. In the winter, I would skip the tanning bed and give my skin a rest, and I did not like how it looked… pasty, freckled, and almost ghostly! But over time, I realized that I was not really changing my skin… I was just making it age faster. No matter how much time I spend in a tanning bed – or how much I am able to darken my skin – when I stop the process, my skin will once again be pasty white (albeit with more freckles and “sun/age spots” as a result).
In other words, I didn’t really change my skin color, any more than bleaching my hair changes the fact that my “natural color” is a salt-and-pepper combo of dishwater blonde and snowy white. Once I stop spending time in the tanning bed or out in the sun – or going to a hairdresser and having my hair color adjusted – the original color returns. The change is only on the surface.
Sadly, there are some people who seem to treat their relationship with God like tanning or coloring their hair. The results are short-term, and fairly shallow. Once the “new” wears off, old habits and behaviors resurface. The “change” was not from deep within the heart. Maybe these people thought the change was real… maybe they convinced themselves that they had given their heart to God and were committed to following Him and serving as Christ’s disciple. And maybe nobody explained to them that salvation is not the end – it’s the beginning!
Accepting Jesus is the first step… inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart is vital… but Jesus’ words were, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” He also told us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The rewards of a life in Christ are great… but so is the responsibility. And often, our commitment to God involves incredible, profound, permanent change. I’ll be the first to tell you that this is difficult… and there may be periods when we slip and fall and seem to lose our way for a time. But the key is to get back to God as quickly as possible, to admit your shortcomings and earnestly work to correct them.
Maybe we can’t change our ethnicity or the real color of our hair (at least not once and for all), but with work and dedication… faith and trust in God… we can change our heart to line up more closely with His. Are you willing to do what it takes to make the changes that matter? Is today the day you begin?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Can you ever change and do what's right? Can people change the color of their skin, or can a leopard remove its spots? If so, then maybe you can change and learn to do right.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A decade ago, I was a sun worshipper. My skin is incredibly pale, and I thought a tan made me look better… younger, healthier, and more fit. In the winter, I would skip the tanning bed and give my skin a rest, and I did not like how it looked… pasty, freckled, and almost ghostly! But over time, I realized that I was not really changing my skin… I was just making it age faster. No matter how much time I spend in a tanning bed – or how much I am able to darken my skin – when I stop the process, my skin will once again be pasty white (albeit with more freckles and “sun/age spots” as a result).
In other words, I didn’t really change my skin color, any more than bleaching my hair changes the fact that my “natural color” is a salt-and-pepper combo of dishwater blonde and snowy white. Once I stop spending time in the tanning bed or out in the sun – or going to a hairdresser and having my hair color adjusted – the original color returns. The change is only on the surface.
Sadly, there are some people who seem to treat their relationship with God like tanning or coloring their hair. The results are short-term, and fairly shallow. Once the “new” wears off, old habits and behaviors resurface. The “change” was not from deep within the heart. Maybe these people thought the change was real… maybe they convinced themselves that they had given their heart to God and were committed to following Him and serving as Christ’s disciple. And maybe nobody explained to them that salvation is not the end – it’s the beginning!
Accepting Jesus is the first step… inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart is vital… but Jesus’ words were, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” He also told us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The rewards of a life in Christ are great… but so is the responsibility. And often, our commitment to God involves incredible, profound, permanent change. I’ll be the first to tell you that this is difficult… and there may be periods when we slip and fall and seem to lose our way for a time. But the key is to get back to God as quickly as possible, to admit your shortcomings and earnestly work to correct them.
Maybe we can’t change our ethnicity or the real color of our hair (at least not once and for all), but with work and dedication… faith and trust in God… we can change our heart to line up more closely with His. Are you willing to do what it takes to make the changes that matter? Is today the day you begin?
©2010 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 October 31, 2010
Job 8:11-13
Papyrus reeds grow healthy only in a swamp, and if the water dries up, they die sooner than grass. Such is the hopeless future of all who turn from God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever picked a flower or a leaf out in the yard, brought it inside, and forgotten about it for a few hours? Most likely when you found it again, it had withered, shriveled, and begun to dry up and die. Had you put the flower or leaf in water right away, it might still be beautiful and healthy … filled out and flourishing. And maybe, if you were fortunate, you could revive the withered flower or leaf by giving it a big dose of sustenance in the form of water – and possibly other plant nutrients.
It’s amazing how quickly we begin to wither, fade and falter when we step away from God’s Living Waters. When we turn our backs on Him and decide we know more about how to run our lives than He does, we start having problems very quickly. And pretty soon, we are like the flower and leaf – or the papyrus reeds in a swamp that has gone dry… we are weak and dried up - done in, hopeless and helpless.
The good news for us is that we can rejuvenate and restore ourselves by returning to right relationship with God. He stands ready to revive us with His Living Water… to give us His sustenance and nutrients in the form of His Holy Word. Communication with God through prayer, Bible study, and spending time with His disciples will soon have us nourished, healthy, and standing tall and sturdy in the winds of life.
Where are you these days? Are you withering like a flower or leaf left on the kitchen counter? Or are you thriving and healthy, enjoying the joys of a life that is filled with the light of our Heavenly Father? Are you serving the One who gives us daily sustenance that feeds our body and our soul? Or have you stepped out of the Water? The choice is ours… and the solution is an easy one. Where are you standing today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Papyrus reeds grow healthy only in a swamp, and if the water dries up, they die sooner than grass. Such is the hopeless future of all who turn from God.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever picked a flower or a leaf out in the yard, brought it inside, and forgotten about it for a few hours? Most likely when you found it again, it had withered, shriveled, and begun to dry up and die. Had you put the flower or leaf in water right away, it might still be beautiful and healthy … filled out and flourishing. And maybe, if you were fortunate, you could revive the withered flower or leaf by giving it a big dose of sustenance in the form of water – and possibly other plant nutrients.
It’s amazing how quickly we begin to wither, fade and falter when we step away from God’s Living Waters. When we turn our backs on Him and decide we know more about how to run our lives than He does, we start having problems very quickly. And pretty soon, we are like the flower and leaf – or the papyrus reeds in a swamp that has gone dry… we are weak and dried up - done in, hopeless and helpless.
The good news for us is that we can rejuvenate and restore ourselves by returning to right relationship with God. He stands ready to revive us with His Living Water… to give us His sustenance and nutrients in the form of His Holy Word. Communication with God through prayer, Bible study, and spending time with His disciples will soon have us nourished, healthy, and standing tall and sturdy in the winds of life.
Where are you these days? Are you withering like a flower or leaf left on the kitchen counter? Or are you thriving and healthy, enjoying the joys of a life that is filled with the light of our Heavenly Father? Are you serving the One who gives us daily sustenance that feeds our body and our soul? Or have you stepped out of the Water? The choice is ours… and the solution is an easy one. Where are you standing today?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 16, 2010
Proverbs 15:28
Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched an episode of The View recently where one of the guests was a television commentator who has written a new book. I won’t name him here, because I don’t feel he deserves further recognition. I will preface my comments by saying that I understand that controversial talk show guests sell books and boost ratings. But this man made such vile statements about certain people in relation to the events of 9.11 that two of the hosts of The View – Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg – stood and left the studio in protest. While they may have used language and behavior that was less than stellar themselves, their visible protest to the wicked statements of this man were the only recourse they felt possible at the moment.
Aside from the fact that what the man said was wrong – and he did somewhat apologize and rephrase his remarks – the basic intent of his statements was evil. This man didn’t necessarily think about what he was saying … at least I hope he didn’t. He didn’t give his answer to the interviewers’ questions any thought … he just spouted off an opinion and comments he thought would be popular among the viewers – or generate controversy. His comments were designed to sell books and promote his own agenda.
Do you know people who do this? Do you know people who make outlandish statements, and when called on them, defend them with comments like, “Well, it’s true,” (whether they know it is or not) or “That’s what I heard!” It’s sort of like the crazy things that are printed on those tabloids sold in the supermarket check-out aisles. You know those claims are ridiculous. You know that those words are designed to sell the rags on which they are printed. You know that the claims are hurtful, absurd, and downright evil. But people still buy these publications – and buy into the lies they contain.
We’re seeing a lot of this in e-mails about the state of our country, politics and politicians, and personal lifestyle choices. We’re hearing a lot of this on those “comedy” shows on cable television. Sadly, we’ve elevated some of those “comedians” to the status of “expert analyst” and begun to actually listen to their opinions. And worse yet, we’re learning from them in many cases – and beginning to speak without thinking, just as they do.
It’s time for us to “get a grip” – on the hand of Jesus. It’s time for us to firmly root ourselves in the word of God and time spent in His presence … to ask for wisdom, discernment, patience and a protective cover over our mouths as we speak. We need to ask God to protect us from the wicked speech and evil thinking of others as Satan attempts to permeate our mind and our heart with it. We should be busy every day asking God to fill us with His love, grace, mercy, kindness, and peace … and to control our every thought and word accordingly.
Quite frankly, more of us need to stand and walk out of the room (albeit quietly and without profanity) when we are confronted with the evil speech of others. At best, we should become confident in the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lovingly let the person speaking know that we do not agree. I have had to say to others, “I do not agree with you on this,” or “We will have to agree to disagree on this subject and talk about something else.” We do not have to tolerate evil or wicked speech in our presence, but we cannot descend to the level of such talk in an effort to confront it.
Ask God to guide your thoughts and your speech. Ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to fill your heart, guide and protect you as you go about your day. And pray for those who speak evil without thinking. Ask God to change their hearts and minds, to fill them with His presence and goodness … and to give each of us loving, positive thoughts and words to share with others.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched an episode of The View recently where one of the guests was a television commentator who has written a new book. I won’t name him here, because I don’t feel he deserves further recognition. I will preface my comments by saying that I understand that controversial talk show guests sell books and boost ratings. But this man made such vile statements about certain people in relation to the events of 9.11 that two of the hosts of The View – Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg – stood and left the studio in protest. While they may have used language and behavior that was less than stellar themselves, their visible protest to the wicked statements of this man were the only recourse they felt possible at the moment.
Aside from the fact that what the man said was wrong – and he did somewhat apologize and rephrase his remarks – the basic intent of his statements was evil. This man didn’t necessarily think about what he was saying … at least I hope he didn’t. He didn’t give his answer to the interviewers’ questions any thought … he just spouted off an opinion and comments he thought would be popular among the viewers – or generate controversy. His comments were designed to sell books and promote his own agenda.
Do you know people who do this? Do you know people who make outlandish statements, and when called on them, defend them with comments like, “Well, it’s true,” (whether they know it is or not) or “That’s what I heard!” It’s sort of like the crazy things that are printed on those tabloids sold in the supermarket check-out aisles. You know those claims are ridiculous. You know that those words are designed to sell the rags on which they are printed. You know that the claims are hurtful, absurd, and downright evil. But people still buy these publications – and buy into the lies they contain.
We’re seeing a lot of this in e-mails about the state of our country, politics and politicians, and personal lifestyle choices. We’re hearing a lot of this on those “comedy” shows on cable television. Sadly, we’ve elevated some of those “comedians” to the status of “expert analyst” and begun to actually listen to their opinions. And worse yet, we’re learning from them in many cases – and beginning to speak without thinking, just as they do.
It’s time for us to “get a grip” – on the hand of Jesus. It’s time for us to firmly root ourselves in the word of God and time spent in His presence … to ask for wisdom, discernment, patience and a protective cover over our mouths as we speak. We need to ask God to protect us from the wicked speech and evil thinking of others as Satan attempts to permeate our mind and our heart with it. We should be busy every day asking God to fill us with His love, grace, mercy, kindness, and peace … and to control our every thought and word accordingly.
Quite frankly, more of us need to stand and walk out of the room (albeit quietly and without profanity) when we are confronted with the evil speech of others. At best, we should become confident in the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lovingly let the person speaking know that we do not agree. I have had to say to others, “I do not agree with you on this,” or “We will have to agree to disagree on this subject and talk about something else.” We do not have to tolerate evil or wicked speech in our presence, but we cannot descend to the level of such talk in an effort to confront it.
Ask God to guide your thoughts and your speech. Ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to fill your heart, guide and protect you as you go about your day. And pray for those who speak evil without thinking. Ask God to change their hearts and minds, to fill them with His presence and goodness … and to give each of us loving, positive thoughts and words to share with others.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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