Daily Devotional for December 10, 2010

Isaiah 61:1-4God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness"
planted by God to display his glory.
They'll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They'll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new.

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.

Every holiday season, we hear news reports about a house fire during the holidays. Just this past week, a home burned in our county, and area churches rallied to provide for the family – clothing, cleaning supplies, physical labor, and more. On the morning of December 20, 1981, my grandmother was frying sausage on her stove, preparing breakfast for herself and my grandfather before they dressed for church. My grandfather had been outside checking on his cattle. Mam-ma thought she heard sleet on their tin roof, but a glimpse out her kitchen window revealed sunshine.

My grandfather came through the door and told my Mam-ma that their house was on fire. Ironically, she turned off the burner under her sausage, then she began grabbing clothing from dresser drawers, as my grandfather hurried to move their car and truck from the carport and away from the house. A passerby stopped and helped remove items from the house as it burned… a small living room chair, the mantel clock, the family Bible and a few photos, and most of my grandparents’ clothing. They didn’t think to get wallets, eye glasses, the quilt rack in the front bedroom that held probably a half dozen of my grandmother’s hand-made creations, or even the Christmas presents sitting under the tree just inside the front door.

At the end of the day, the home my grandparents had occupied for 47 years was reduced to smoldering cinders. The fire was so hot that even the cast-iron skillets and claw-footed bath tub were reduced to ashes. This fire was determined to be due to some old faulty wiring… not a truly Christmas-related disaster. And I have shared this story before… how the churches and our community rallied to help my grandparents rebuild… how my dad called on his construction contacts to get a new house built as quickly as possible and people “pounded” my grandparents with necessary household staples and more.

I’ve talked about the yard full of petunias that rose the following spring where the old farmhouse once sat… a true “beauty for ashes” trade. But what I have not really talked about directly is the impact that the fire had on my entire family. Whether we realize it or not, that day was a huge turning point for us. It signaled the end of an era… the only home for my grandparents that I, my sister and brother had ever known. The fire resulted in the loss of countless treasures… mere things… and a greater realization of what really mattered, as we counted our blessings that my grandmother and grandfather both escaped safely.

Even though the new house and many of the replacement items were far nicer than what my grandparents had previously owned, it wasn’t the same… ever. And in thinking about this day again… as I do every December 20th… I was struck by how this correlates for us spiritually. See, we all have “fires” in our lives… moments or events or seasons that define us… change us… move us in a new direction. And these are often hard, devastating, gut-wrenching changes that grieve us and truly break our hearts – and sometimes our emotional spirit.

But God stands ready to give us “bouquets of roses for ashes”… to restore us, repair our hearts, rebuild our spirit. Sometimes, He even gives us something better to replace what was taken from us… or at least something equally wonderful. I told you that my grandparents were not ones to question “Why me?” but rather to look ahead and ask “What next?” – and as I look at my now-98-year-old grandmother and think of all of the things she has endured and how she persevered, I see another “lesson.”

God is not in the business of punishing us… or making us suffer to “teach us a lesson.” When we are in pain, He is in pain. When we grieve, He grieves. When our heart breaks, His heart breaks for us. But God can do something about all of this. He truly is the only One who can really fix things… and He wants to do this for us. But we have to trust Him. We have to let Him work. We have to ask Him, “What next?” and mean it. We have to open our eyes and see His beauty in the ashes…and we have to be grateful to Him for doing this for us.

Where is God trying to give you a bouquet of roses for ashes? Where are you blocking His efforts? In what ways do you need to move aside and let Him work? Examine your heart and your life today… find your “fires” and sift through the “ashes.” See what God has in store for you, and give Him room to do His work.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 1, 2010

Romans 12:1
[Christ Brings New Life] Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God.

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

Have you ever watched “Let’s Make a Deal”? Often, the host of the show gives someone a wonderful prize, and then he says something, “I’ll give you what’s behind Door #2, if you’ll give me the new couch I just gave you.” In order to get something potentially greater, the contestant has to be willing to sacrifice what he/she just won. Whether the prize behind Door #2 is actually better is not known until the curtain goes up. Choosing to do this is a 50-50 gamble. And some contestants are not willing to take the chance.

In order to experience new life in Christ, we have to “sacrifice” something … our sinful nature. When you get down to it, that’s not much of a “sacrifice” per se, but for some of us, it can feel like a hard choice or a gamble – especially at first. Some of us enjoy our old, sinful lives, and letting go of the past and the lifestyle and behaviors we are comfortable with can be daunting. What many don’t realize is how incredibly amazing – how pure and pleasing – life in Christ can be. Like the people on “Let’s Make a Deal,” we are nervous about what lies “behind Door #2”.

I won’t lie to you … choosing to follow Jesus is not always easy. You may lose a few “friends” or have to stop going some of the places you used to go and doing the things you used to do. But God will send you new friends. He will give you new activities and interests. If you fill your days and nights with loving, serving and studying Him, He will fill YOU!

What are you waiting for? Stand up and choose “what’s behind the door.” Tell God your fears and apprehensions about accepting His offer of a new life in Christ. Let Him help you work through the growing pains and attain the peace and joy that being in a right relationship with Him brings. We all get discouraged from time to time … and you will, too! But God is waiting to set you back on your feet and give you the desires of your heart. All you have to do is choose His “door”.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 9, 2010

Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

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


No matter what you have experienced, I guarantee you the Apostle Paul endured worse. Yet he boldly acknowledged that Christ gave him strength to face anything. Don’t you believe that God will do the same for you? If you have studied Paul’s life, you know that he was not always so faithful. You know that once, he was an enemy of Jesus… and may have even been present at the crucifixion, known then as Saul.

I know some of you have endured incredible hardships and challenges. I know some of you face tremendous uncertainties, heartaches, and disappointments. But I also know that what God did for Saul/Paul, He will most certainly do for us. And we can all face anything if we put our trust in Jesus Christ.

Regardless of who you are or where you are in life… no matter what you are facing… God’s grace and strength are sufficient for each of us. Step out in faith and ask Him to guide you. Put Christ at the forefront of your thoughts, and focus on Him as you tackle any and all challenges… from the tiniest issue to those that seem insurmountable. See how well He cares for you… how He strengthens you each day. I hope we never have to endure the trials and tribulations that Paul faced. But I know that Christ Jesus will give us the strength to face whatever comes our way. Do you believe this?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 9, 2010

June 9 ~ Psalm 46:2
And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.

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

Have you ever gotten news that absolutely sent you into a tailspin? As soon as you heard it, your mind started racing… “Omigosh… what will happen next? How will this end? Will everyone be okay? What does this mean for me?” It seems that Satan has a tremendous ability to upset our apple cart with very little effort sometimes. All he has to do is plant a seed of doubt or fear in our mind, and we are off to the races!

The next time you get this feeling… the next time something rattles your cage even momentarily, remember Psalm 46:2… “and so, we won’t be afraid. Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.” Let the devil try his hardest to upset us and make us worry, shake, rattle and roll. But let God’s peace and power cover us! Stand up and say, “It will be okay. God will make it so! I am not going to let this concern me for even one minute!”

Psalm 46:10 says, “Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God!’” Stop and rest in that for a while. Then thank Him for being so merciful… for blessing us with His power, grace and mercy. Thank God that you don’t have to operate in fear for even one minute… and kick that ole devil to the curb!

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 5, 2010

June 5 ~ 1 Chronicles 28:20
But you must see that everything is done according to these plans. Be confident, and never be afraid of anything or get discouraged. The LORD my God will help you do everything needed to finish the temple, so it can be used for worshiping him.

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

Last winter, the store where I sold antiques and “treasures” went out of business. I had to box up everything that I had left there to sell and bring it home. I had taken a lot of stuff to that store! My husband is so much more organized than I am, and he helped me by bringing everything home and unboxing it in long rows in one stall of our garage. He said, “You can sort through it there and decide what you want to do.” Let me tell you, it was a daunting task, and when I first looked at it, I was so discouraged.

I set aside two days to sort and box the items, and I asked God to give me strength, and little by little, the items got sorted and organized and “whittled down” to a manageable set. I soon had everything boxed, a car loaded for the new store, and the rest put in a closet for later. When I got to my empty space at the new store, we brought in the boxes, and I started to unpack. At first, it looked like a war zone…things stacked on shelves, tissue paper and bubble wrap everywhere, and I think the store manager was a little afraid it was not going to come together. But I kept working, and soon the booth was finished… and we were all pleased with how nice it looked.

From time to time, our lives resemble a “war zone” of disarray, confusion, and stuff. But we must not be discouraged. Consider that in all of this, God is building something within us. He is still there, helping clear out the clutter… mentally, physically, and spiritually. He is helping you do what you need to do to build His temple within your heart, so that you can worship Him better every single day. So keep plugging along. Keep unpacking, stacking, sorting…and purging the junk! Keep GOD totally in charge – and you will be amazed at how well He orchestrates the journey – and the outcome. We must remind ourselves not to be fearful or discouraged, because we have the Master Designer working in our heart. With Him in charge, there is no way we can fail.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 2, 2010

June 2 ~ Judges 6:10
I am your God, and I told you not to worship Amorite gods, even though you are living in the land of the Amorites. But you refused to listen.

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

We’ve all heard the phrase… “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” And sadly, we do just that much of the time. We are pretty weak creatures, it seems, and when the going gets tough, quite often we just fold up and quit. It’s easier to give in and have a drink and appear to go with the flow at a party than to leave or tell your underage friends that drinking is not cool. When someone posts something offensive on Facebook, it’s easier to ignore it than to send them a private message saying you don’t approve – much less post an actual comment to that effect for everyone to see. Do you realize that by ignoring the offensive comments of your Facebook “friends,” you are in essence condoning them?

This passage is for adults, too. Many of us have found it easier to turn and look the other way in the workplace than to confront things that are happening that shouldn’t be. We’ve perfected the art of the “white lie” to friends, co-workers and spouses about everything from who we are talking with on the telephone to what we purchased at the store to what was said about them behind their back at the last supper club. And gossip has become an art form for many. See, we all have our “Amorite gods” at times!

Just because you’ve always done something – or done things a certain way – doesn’t mean you have to continue. This can be the day when we decide that we are going to live for God, even though we reside “in the land of the Amorites.” We cannot always change our environment – where we live, the people with whom we work, and even our friends and acquaintances – but we can change ourselves… our attitudes, our behaviors, and our reactions. We can live for God wherever we are planted. Who is your God today?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 31, 2010

May 31 ~ Deuteronomy 1:20-21
…and I told you, " We have reached the hill country. It belongs to the Amorites now, but the LORD our God is giving it to us. He is the same God our ancestors worshiped, and he has told us to go in and take this land, so don't hesitate and be afraid."

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

Do you know someone who seems like a hopeless case? No matter how hard you pray for them… no matter how hard you try to help them… nothing seems to work. Their situation never seems to change, much less actually improve. You feel frustrated… maybe even angry or disappointed… and sometimes, you want to give up and walk away. But something (or is it Someone?) won’t let you. Somehow you feel this nagging sense that you need to keep plugging away. You need to keep being a friend and loving this person and doing what you feel GOD is telling you to do… and you trust that HE will handle the outcome.

This is what I got from today’s passage. Sometimes it looks like we are fighting a losing battle – that we have reached “the hill country, and it belongs to someone else.” It appears that things are settled in one direction… yet God says, “Keep going… we can do this together, and I’ll make the difference!”

I urge you today to be bold in your faith. If you are struggling with something or someone over a particular situation, and you simply don’t seem to see any progress, yet you have this pervading sense to continue to witness and be of help, listen to your heart! Be attuned to God’s guidance and instruction, and when HE says move, then you move… but not a minute sooner. If God tells you He is giving you victory, don’t hesitate and be afraid… move forward… keep on “keepin’ on!”… and believe Him for His promises.

©2010 Debbie Robus

May 26 ~ 1 John 4:18
A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.

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

Is there a person or a situation you avoid because you fear the drama? Maybe there is a person in your life who is always negative or on the attack. If you say “Good morning,” this person asks “What’s good about it?” Or maybe there is a situation – say a family get-together – that always results in unpleasant feelings, if not an out-and-out fiasco of some sort. When we encounter unpleasant people or events, we start to feel out of sorts just thinking about them. And yes, these experiences do seem somewhat akin to a punishment. You start to wonder, “Why put myself through this?”

The answer lies, in part, in the fact that we cannot skate through life avoiding every person or situation that is frightening, upsetting, or unpleasant. And believe it or not, other people may view us – or situations in which we are involved – in much the same manner! I know this sounds simplistic, but the solution to coping with these experiences depends largely on our own attitude… and how much and how well we love others.

If we operate from a place of love and compassion for others, then their unpleasant comments and behavior are easier to overlook and forgive. If we approach situations with the love of God and a love for all of His children, we can often rise above the chaos of discord and fiery personality dynamics. I’m not saying that these people and situations won’t still get to us, but we won’t be afraid to at least try to get along. It’s the old “take the high road” approach, to some degree.

At the end of the day - when we look back at how we behaved and reacted to others - if we have operated out of love rather than fear, I believe we will realize a better outcome. So the next time someone “unlovely” approaches you, or you must face a situation with potential to be unpleasant, ask God to fill your heart with love. Ask Him to take your fears and give you courage and His peace. Then see if things don’t go better than expected for everyone concerned.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 20, 2010

May 20 ~ Genesis 50:19
But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided.

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

In the spring of 2006, two students at Taylor University, an evangelical college in Indiana, traveled with fellow students and staff members to the school’s Ft. Wayne campus to set up a banquet. That night around 8:00, the group headed back to the main campus on I-69. A truck driver lost control of his semi and crashed into the van, killing five of the nine people instantly. Susie Van Ryn was telephoned in Michigan and told that her daughter, Laura, was badly injured and had been taken to a hospital in Ft. Wayne. Colleen Cerak and her family were notified that their daughter, Whitney, was dead. In weeks to come, the amazing, and bittersweet discovery would be made that, in fact, Whitney was alive and had been mistaken for Laura. Now a once-grieving family was filled with joy, while another was left to mourn the loss of their daughter.

In an interview with Matt Lauer of NBC’s Today show, posted at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23849928/page/11/, Lauer asked Susie Van Ryn about the experience and the tragic loss of her daughter.

Matt Lauer: Do you ever question, Susie, how God could have let this happen?

Susie Van Ryn: Sure. You want to say that. And yet I don't have to look very far to see that it happens all the time. It happens everywhere to anyone. And why should I be any different?

Whitney Cerak, the girl who was mistakenly thought to be dead had this to say…

Whitney Cerak: Well, I would just, like, cry out to God a lot. And just be, like, "Why? Why me?" Because everyone else in the accident -- they were just amazing people. And so I never really understood why I was, in a way, left behind. And I was just talking to my dad about it one day and I was, like, "Dad, I don't get this. Why me?" And he's, like, "Whitney, why not you?"

This is a drastic and dramatic example of a circumstance where it would seem that anyone in this position would question God. WHY would something like this happen? And yet, God brought so many good things out of this set of circumstances. Countless people have been touched by the story of the Van Ryns and the Ceraks. In a recent follow-up interview, Matt Lauer learned that God has used these families in mighty ways since this life-changing event in 2006. And he was visibly moved by their faith and courage. Susie Van Ryn commented that she, too, could ask “Why me?” - but she could also ask, “Why not me?”

There may be circumstances in your life that are causing you to ask, “Why are you allowing this, God?” There may be situations that cause you to ask, “Wasn’t there a better way?” And asking this is not wrong. In the Garden of Gethsemane, even Jesus asked God, “Is there another way to do this?” Asking is one thing… and becoming bitter or failing to accept God’s answer is another. In the end, God does have a perfect plan. So often we can’t see it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. We cannot operate in fear of what God will choose for us. We must boldly, faithfully trust that whatever He takes us to… He will take us through… because this is the truth. Communicate with God… question His choices, if you must… but don’t try to change them on your own. If you will trust God to see you through every trial and scary situation, He will do just that – and so much more.

We don’t get to choose so much of what happens to us in life… but when we stop and look at WHO is in charge of the choices, we really wouldn’t want to, anyway. Whatever you fear… whatever challenges you this day… trust GOD to handle this circumstance for you. It’s time we started believing that our Heavenly Father truly does know best – and acting like it!

©2010 Debbie Robus

October 2009 Devos - Week 2

October 14 ~ Jeremiah 29:7
Pray for peace in Babylonia and work hard to make it prosperous. The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be.

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

From the time we are little kids, we learn to recite prayers… and in doing so, we learn patterns for our meditations. We pray for Mommy and Daddy, sisters and brothers, Grandmas and Grandpas, and the family pets. As we get older and start to mature, we may personalize our prayers even more… praying for friends and other loved ones and for special needs – both ours and those of others. If we are really advanced (!) we may even pray for our fellow church members, and possibly our church leaders!

I think where we probably fall the shortest is in our prayers for people in other lands that we’ve never even met. We may pray for “our soldiers” in the war and abroad… but do we pray for the people of the homeland where the war is being fought? Do we pray for the hungry and sick in Third World countries? Do we ask God to create opportunities for these people to be witnessed to with the Gospel, food, and a smile? Do we pray for people in inner cities of our own country and the homeless in other communities and our own home town?

Jeremiah is saying in this passage that in essence, as our prayers go for those outside our back yard, so goes the nation, and yes, the world. If we only pray for those we know, we really are not “going into the world” as Jesus commanded. He wants us to care about our family and our friends and neighbors… but we must care about – pray for and minister to – those outside our immediate circle and even beyond our borders. The more we serve and minister in these areas, the more God will bless them – and all of us!

©2009 Debbie Robus

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October 13 ~ Daniel 9:15-19
Our Lord God, with your own mighty arm you rescued us from Egypt and made yourself famous to this very day, but we have sinned terribly. In the past, you treated us with such kindness, that we now beg you to stop being so terribly angry with Jerusalem. After all, it is your chosen city built on your holy mountain, even though it has suffered public disgrace because of our sins and those of our ancestors.

I am your servant, Lord God, and I beg you to answer my prayers and bring honor to yourself by having pity on your temple that lies in ruins. Please show mercy to your chosen city, not because we deserve it, but because of your great kindness. Forgive us! Hurry and do something, not only for your city and your chosen people, but to bring honor to yourself.

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

Someone suggested to me not too long ago, “I don’t know why God doesn’t get fed up and just wipe us all off the earth and start over!” I’m so thankful that God is more patient than we are! But I know that our behavior grieves Him. I know He is sad about the death and destruction of war. I know He is saddened by the suffering of hungry children – and just as much, the lack of action by His children to do something about this. I know God’s heart is broken when we say and do things that are sinful.

More than this, I believe God is greatly grieved when we say unkind things about others – or skew the truth about them – in the name of Christianity. I heard a pastor say recently that we want to preach “politics” rather than the Gospel of Christ. We must be very careful not to do this. Everyone is entitled to a political opinion… and even to a personal opinion about other people. But we must be very careful not to express our thoughts under the umbrella of our faith, as in, “I vote with the Christians” or “That candidate’s party is not God’s chosen party.”

We must be just as careful not to claim that “God gave us that football win,” or “It was God’s will that such-and-such entertainer win an award or contest.” Whether it is God’s will or not, we must be very careful that we do not give others the impression that we are superior because we belong to God… or that God does not care for the “losing” team or contestants. Truly, God loves all of His children and wishes to bless each of them. Whether God chooses their team to win a football game or a particular person to excel and succeed in a certain manner has nothing to do with how much He loves them.

So often, we create problems where none exist… all in the name of our faith. We must be very careful not to do this. We seem to understand on some level how wars start on an international level, but we overlook the backbiting and dissention that goes on even in our own community. We don’t acknowledge or even understand that pitting one denomination against another… or even one athletic team against another… in the name of God is wrong and hurtful. Think carefully about what you say and how you act. If you have acted hurtfully or disrespectfully, ask God to forgive you and set you on the right path. Represent God well… serve Him with all your heart, and guard your thoughts and actions so that you act in a loving manner and don’t stir up trouble.

©2009 Debbie Robus

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October 12 ~ Daniel 9:3-14
Then, to show my sorrow, I went without eating and dressed in sackcloth and sat in ashes. I confessed my sins and earnestly prayed to the LORD my God: Our Lord, you are a great and fearsome God, and you faithfully keep your agreement with those who love and obey you. But we have sinned terribly by rebelling against you and rejecting your laws and teachings. We have ignored the message your servants the prophets spoke to our kings, our leaders, our ancestors, and everyone else.

Everything you do is right, our Lord. But still we suffer public disgrace because we have been unfaithful and have sinned against you. This includes all of us, both far and near--the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and Israel, as well as those you dragged away to foreign lands, and even our kings, our officials, and our ancestors. LORD God, you are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against you and rejected your teachings that came to us from your servants the prophets.

Everyone in Israel has stubbornly refused to obey your laws, and so those curses written by your servant Moses have fallen upon us. You warned us and our leaders that Jerusalem would suffer the worst disaster in human history, and you did exactly as you had threatened. We have not escaped any of the terrible curses written by Moses, and yet we have refused to beg you for mercy and to remind ourselves of how faithful you have always been. And when you finally punished us with this horrible disaster, that was also the right thing to do, because we deserved it so much.

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

Everybody likes to talk about how evil the world is today. But truly, the world is probably no more evil now than it was in Daniel’s day… we just have the Internet and CNN and other media to tell us within the hour what horrible things are happening throughout the world. And wandering away from God is nothing new, either. Sin really has been part of our lives since the Garden of Eden.
Recently, President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. In an e-mail he issued, President Obama stated:

“To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so
many of the transformative figures who'vebeen honored by this prize --
men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world
through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not
just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a
means to give momentum to a set of causes. That is why I've said that
I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all
peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These
challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime.
But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that
they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun
together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored
to continue our vital work in the years to come.”

Recommitting to work together for justice and world peace is a great thing… and we all should be ready to roll up our sleeves and help. But we should not do this just because we are Americans or because President Obama has thrown down the challenge… but because GOD has called us to do this… even from the time of Moses! How and where do we even start? I believe the simplest beginnings are often the most effective. So I am challenging each of us to say and/or do something positive for someone else today. Maybe you can post a positive comment to a friend on Facebook. Maybe you can give someone a ride to or from school/church or to the store. Maybe you can do something nice for an elderly person in your neighborhood or your church family.

Or maybe, you will further peace by keeping quiet when tempted to say something in anger or to make an unkind comment. Perhaps you will resist the urge to act out in a sinful manner. But more importantly, I pray that each of us will consciously choose today to do or say at least one positive thing. Once we get the ball rolling and start making the effort, these acts become easier and more natural to us. It’s a start… and God will see our efforts and bless them!

©2009 Debbie Robus

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October 11 ~ Joel 2:12
The LORD said: It isn't too late. You can still return to me with all your heart. Start crying and mourning! Go without eating.

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

It isn’t too late… these four words are powerful! You don’t have to just imagine that God is waiting for you… it’s a FACT! You drifted away, but He will welcome you back. You got into things you shouldn’t have… bad habits, sinful activities, poor judgment and bad relationships, and tons of wrong choices. In the human world, you may feel like you have blown it – that your situation is beyond repair.

Hear this passage loudly and clearly… “It isn’t too late. You can still return to me [God] with all your heart!” The next sentences say to start crying and mourning, and to go without eating. You don’t have to be nearly so drastic or dramatic. Just humble yourself before God and admit your shortcomings and sins. Ask Him to forgive you. Then feel his amazing, massive arms wrap around you and draw you to His chest in the best hug you’ve ever experienced. Feel His love and forgiveness… the hope of another chance. Hear Him say, “We’ll figure this out together. I’m just glad you are home.” With God, it isn’t too late… this is the best news you will receive – today or any other!

©2009 Debbie Robus

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October 10 ~ Psalms 74
Our God, why have you completely rejected us?
Why are you so angry with the ones you care for?

Remember the people you rescued long ago, the tribe you chose to be your very own. Think of Mount Zion, your home; walk over to the temple left in ruins forever by those who hate us. Your enemies roared like lions in your holy temple, and they have placed their banners there. It looks like a forest chopped to pieces. They used axes and hatchets to smash the carvings. They burned down your temple and badly disgraced it. They said to themselves, "We'll crush them!" Then they burned every one of your meeting places all over the country.

There are no more miracles and no more prophets. Who knows how long it will be like this? Our God, how much longer will our enemies sneer? Won't they ever stop insulting you? Why don't you punish them? Why are you holding back? Our God and King, you have ruled since ancient times; you have won victories everywhere on this earth. By your power you made a path through the sea, and you smashed the heads of sea monsters. You crushed the heads of the monster Leviathan, then fed him to wild creatures in the desert. You opened the ground for streams and springs and dried up mighty rivers. You rule the day and the night, and you put the moon and the sun in place. You made summer and winter and gave them to the earth.

Remember your enemies, LORD! They foolishly sneer and won't respect you. You treat us like pet doves, but they mistreat us. Don't keep forgetting us and letting us be fed to those wild animals. Remember the agreement you made with us. Violent enemies are hiding in every dark corner of the earth. Don't disappoint those in need or make them turn from you, but help the poor and homeless to shout your praises. Do something, God! Defend yourself. Remember how those fools sneer at you all day long. Don't forget the loud shouts of your enemies.

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

This Psalm was written by King David’s Music Director, Asaph. Let’s just say that Asaph was disillusioned. Things had happened in his life to discourage him and drag him down. And haven’t we all been like this at times? Haven’t we all had times when we wanted to say, “Do something, God!”

Some of you have maybe felt that way in school, when students or maybe even teachers or coaches seemed to pick on you and deal you grief. Surely we have all felt this way about war, the natural disasters that have plagued our world in recent years, and world hunger. It’s like Satan is attacking on all sides. We KNOW that God is powerful enough to take him out with a snap of the finger, so to speak, but here he still is! One of my pitfalls is a lack of patience with God for His timing. I want Him to answer my prayers – now! And in looking back over my life, I can see that my times of extreme frustration over what seemed like “unanswered prayers” were anything but that. In retrospect, I can see that God was working, and I am sure he wanted to say, “Just hold on to your pants, Missy… I’m in charge here!” Now, I knew He was in charge, but I just wanted to help Him along a little. And don’t we all do this from time to time?

So here’s my word for you today. It is perfectly okay to let God know you are frustrated (He knows already, but it’s still okay) and to ask Him for help. He wants you to do this… and to be honest about your feelings. But the God who smashed the heads of sea monsters and put the moon and sun in place can surely handle our problems. He can help us resolve conflicts, get a job, sell a house, pass a test, get well, survive disasters and heartaches, and much more. We need to all take a deep breath and learn to “have a little faith” – seriously! Believe me, God is not going to be brought down by His enemies. I’ve read the end of the story – God wins! Hang in there with Him, and you will win, too!

©2009 Debbie Robus

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October 9 ~ 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Suppose I hold back the rain or send locusts to eat the crops or make my people suffer with deadly diseases.

If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again.

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

Now remember, this is Old Testament. Jesus had not yet come to earth and died on the cross for our sins. Life with God was a series of sacrifices and rewards. But… even though God has forgiven the sins of those of us who have asked… even though all who have invited Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to come into their lives are washed clean in the blood of Christ… God still blesses us when we turn to Him and stop sinning.

You may have heard the phrase, “The Lord helps those who help themselves.” That is NOT a scripture in the Bible, but this passage comes pretty close to saying almost the same thing. The Lord does indeed help those who work hard to serve Him and be obedient to His will. And the more we honor Him with our service and obedience, the more He blesses us in return.

Halloween is coming. If you have ever passed out candy, you know there are some little “urchins” who knock on your door and seem rather greedy. Others are sweet and patient and polite. You may have found yourself wanting to reward the sweet, polite spooks and goblins with extra candy… and maybe even to hold back on those little grabbers who tried to stick their hand in the bucket and help themselves! It’s a lot the same way with us and God. Some of us are working hard to do what is right and to please Him, and God wants to heap extra blessings on us… while others are grabby and demanding (“You owe me, God!) and more than a little arrogant, and God seems to say, “I think I’ll hold onto his/her rewards a little while longer.”

I want you to get this… God has heaps and piles of blessings He wants to give each of us. But many of us are anything but deserving of His generosity. And some of us are wondering, “Why isn’t God helping me?” The answer may be as simple as turning around and facing Him, falling to your knees, and asking, “Will you forgive me and show me how I can serve You?” It’s worth a shot, isn’t it? What are YOU waiting for? Turn around today. See how fertile your “land” can become when you humble yourself before God.

©2009 Debbie Robus

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October 8 ~ Judges 21:2-4
After the war with Benjamin, the Israelites went to the place of worship at Bethel and sat there until sunset. They cried loudly and bitterly and prayed, "Our LORD, you are the God of Israel. Why did you let this happen? Now one of our tribes is almost gone."

Early the next morning, the Israelites built an altar and offered sacrifices to please the LORD and to ask his blessing.

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

In order to understand this passage, I had to go back to Judges 19 and start reading… and believe me, it is a sordid tale that I bet many of you never realized was written in the Bible! Think of it this way… imagine Americans in 12 states fighting each other and virtually wiping out all of the people from one state… and – for real - God told you to do this! Would you be able to do it? More than that, would you be able to thank God and praise Him afterward… and continue to do what He called you to do?

Sometimes God calls us to do some very hard things. Most likely He will never call us to fight and kill our neighbors in other states. But still, you will face times in your life that you know that God is showing you a decision or an action you must make, and you really, really, really don’t want to do it. Maybe God shows you that you are in an unhealthy relationship that must end. Maybe God tells you that you need to change jobs… or move to another city. Maybe God tells you that, despite all of your best efforts to care for your parents or grandparents, they need to be in assisted living or a nursing home… or maybe He is saying, “That’s where YOU need to be!” Maybe God is saying, “You need to be serving in another ministry… a different Sunday School class or Bible study… or even a different church!”

When my grandfather had a stroke in August 1984 and was left unresponsive, the neurologist came into a waiting room and spoke to my grandmother and me. He explained that there was no brain activity, and that my grandfather was not going to survive… and he asked permission to turn off the respirator that was breathing for him. My grandmother agreed, knowing that this would be my grandfather’s wish. When my grandfather died a few minutes later, my grandmother, sister and I went in to see his body. My grandmother immediately began to pray aloud and thank God for her life with this man… 53 years of marriage… and for strength to endure this loss. And God has done just that. For the last 25 years, He has seen my grandmother through times of joy AND more terribly “hard times,” like the loss of her only son. We marvel at how she appears to take seemingly unbearable experiences relatively in stride. We are amazed by her faith.

The mark of a true Christian is the ability to do the hard things that God calls us to – or to endure those that God allows – and then to praise Him and continue serving afterward. We often have a very hard time believing that what God takes us to, He will take us through! And we surely have a hard time seeing that what’s on “the other side” might even be better… or that we will be able to praise God for this hard thing. But clearly, this is nothing new. God has been calling His children to do hard things – make difficult choices – for centuries. And He has always rewarded faithfulness.

Whatever “hard things” you face today, if God is leading your choices, He will be with you “on the other side of the fence.” And once you get there, remember to thank Him and give Him praise for walking with you.

©2009 Debbie Robus