James 4:7-10
So let God work his will in you.
Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to
God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your
inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out.
The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on
your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Do you know someone who has
“hit bottom” in a particular area of his/her life? For some, this is a
dramatic, earth-shaking experience…the doctor tells you that you will
die if you don’t stop smoking or drinking – immediately! You find
yourself in an abusive relationship and realize that your very life
might be in danger if you don’t seek help - and quickly! Someone you
love dearly dies, and you are left feeling abandoned and empty – and
wondering which direction to go and what to do next. You lose your job
due to downsizing and/or outsourcing – or you fail that all-important
college entrance exam or final licensing test. You lose a long-awaited
baby…or the doctor tells you that you will never give birth to the child
you long for so desperately.
Any of these experiences can rattle
even the most solid Christian…and those whose faith wavers on a good
day might experience some real challenges. But I know from personal
experience with “hitting bottom” encounters that God can use these to
reconnect with us…to grow our faith and fellowship with Him…and to push
the devil farther away. Because, you see, when we “hit bottom,” this
delights Satan. He would love nothing more than to see us stay there
and wallow…to pull away from God and say, “If He really loved me and
cared about me, God would NEVER allow this to happen!” And God says,
“Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m right here with you…just
take my hand and I will pull you to safety.”
You may be in a
“hitting bottom” situation today…or things may actually be running along
pretty smoothly for the moment. Either way, this is the perfect time
to “draw near to God”, as the scriptures remind us…to reinforce your
fellowship with Him by spending some time in prayer and reflection.
Open your Bible and let God’s word speak to you…sit quietly and listen
for His voice…feel His presence and His profound love and care. Push
the devil to the curb…and leave him there as you move closer to God.
Make
this a day when you get down on your knees and then rise to your feet
with a renewed courage and hope. Say a quiet “Yes” to God today…and feel
Him work His will in you.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label choosing God's love and care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label choosing God's love and care. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 28, 2014
Psalm 107-19-22
Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life,
your bodies feeling the effects of your sin;
You couldn’t stand the sight of food,
so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead.
Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time.
He spoke the word that healed you,
that pulled you back from the brink of death.
So thank God for his marvelous love,
for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;
Offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
tell the world what he’s done—sing it 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.
Because it is almost Halloween and we have company visiting this week, I set a dish of candy on the ottoman that serves as our coffee table…Snickers® bars, and a bag of mixed candy “corn” and “pumpkins”. One of our guests picked up the bag and asked us, “Have you ever made yourself sick on these?” Oh, yes!
If we are honest, we’ve probably all made ourselves a little miserable on too much candy during Halloween, Christmas or Easter. We all know that over-stuffed feeling of eating too much turkey and more than one slice of our favorite dessert on Thanksgiving Day! We might have even felt so miserable that we temporarily thought we’d be better off dead! And let’s be honest…the extra pounds that stick around long after the sweet taste of whatever we thought we couldn’t live without weigh us down in more ways than one!
So it isn’t so much of a stretch to envision our lives in this context…sick from the sin of indulging in things we shouldn’t…everything from offensive language and gossip to indecent activities to mistreatment of others, and yes – gluttony, plus a myriad of transgressions of every kind! And quite often, these leave us sick at heart…weighted down with guilt and shame…if not literally wishing that we were dead. Sometimes, things can seem so bad that there doesn’t appear to be an “out”!
This is where the latter verses of this passage come into play and remind us that “God got us in the nick of time!” We can call on Him any time, day or night, and He will rescue us, heal us, and pull us from the brink of death. When we stay close to God through prayer, Bible study and fellowship with other believers, He will strengthen us against future “bouts of sin sickness”!
I believe we all have “sin sickness” from time to time…certain situations and circumstances where we overdo it and suffer the consequences. Like the Thanksgiving dinner or overindulgence in candy or sweets, we can sometimes correct this with a nap or a “time out”. But there are times, when we need “the big guns”…a rescue or “intervention”. Aren’t we glad that we serve a God who stands ready to “pull us back from the brink of death”? Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can confess our sins, ask God to forgive us, and expect Him to do this?
Are you “gorging yourself” today on some sort of sinful activity? Will you have to get to the point where you have made yourself “deathly sick” before you turn back to God…or are you ready to say, “Enough!” and call on Him for help? The choice is yours. This is no trick! “Treat” yourself to a healthy dose of God’s grace, mercy, love and forgiveness…and share the good news of His miraculous healing with everyone you meet!
Enjoy an extra piece of holiday pie or that Halloween candy (in moderation). But when it comes to the temptations of sin, trust in God to give you an appetite for things of His world instead. Give God the glory for His amazing love and care…and prepare to feel better in every way.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life,
your bodies feeling the effects of your sin;
You couldn’t stand the sight of food,
so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead.
Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time.
He spoke the word that healed you,
that pulled you back from the brink of death.
So thank God for his marvelous love,
for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;
Offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
tell the world what he’s done—sing it 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.
Because it is almost Halloween and we have company visiting this week, I set a dish of candy on the ottoman that serves as our coffee table…Snickers® bars, and a bag of mixed candy “corn” and “pumpkins”. One of our guests picked up the bag and asked us, “Have you ever made yourself sick on these?” Oh, yes!
If we are honest, we’ve probably all made ourselves a little miserable on too much candy during Halloween, Christmas or Easter. We all know that over-stuffed feeling of eating too much turkey and more than one slice of our favorite dessert on Thanksgiving Day! We might have even felt so miserable that we temporarily thought we’d be better off dead! And let’s be honest…the extra pounds that stick around long after the sweet taste of whatever we thought we couldn’t live without weigh us down in more ways than one!
So it isn’t so much of a stretch to envision our lives in this context…sick from the sin of indulging in things we shouldn’t…everything from offensive language and gossip to indecent activities to mistreatment of others, and yes – gluttony, plus a myriad of transgressions of every kind! And quite often, these leave us sick at heart…weighted down with guilt and shame…if not literally wishing that we were dead. Sometimes, things can seem so bad that there doesn’t appear to be an “out”!
This is where the latter verses of this passage come into play and remind us that “God got us in the nick of time!” We can call on Him any time, day or night, and He will rescue us, heal us, and pull us from the brink of death. When we stay close to God through prayer, Bible study and fellowship with other believers, He will strengthen us against future “bouts of sin sickness”!
I believe we all have “sin sickness” from time to time…certain situations and circumstances where we overdo it and suffer the consequences. Like the Thanksgiving dinner or overindulgence in candy or sweets, we can sometimes correct this with a nap or a “time out”. But there are times, when we need “the big guns”…a rescue or “intervention”. Aren’t we glad that we serve a God who stands ready to “pull us back from the brink of death”? Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can confess our sins, ask God to forgive us, and expect Him to do this?
Are you “gorging yourself” today on some sort of sinful activity? Will you have to get to the point where you have made yourself “deathly sick” before you turn back to God…or are you ready to say, “Enough!” and call on Him for help? The choice is yours. This is no trick! “Treat” yourself to a healthy dose of God’s grace, mercy, love and forgiveness…and share the good news of His miraculous healing with everyone you meet!
Enjoy an extra piece of holiday pie or that Halloween candy (in moderation). But when it comes to the temptations of sin, trust in God to give you an appetite for things of His world instead. Give God the glory for His amazing love and care…and prepare to feel better in every way.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 30, 2014
Deuteronomy 33:12
Concerning the tribe of Benjamin, Moses said:
“He is beloved of God
And lives in safety beside him.
God surrounds him with his loving care,
And preserves him from every harm.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
As with certain areas of Arkansas, the “oil boom” is alive and well in North Dakota, where countless people are involved in drilling for oil and natural gas. Because many parts of North Dakota are sparsely populated, makeshift communities, often referred to as “man camps”, have sprung up in recent years. Housing consists of pre-fabricated homes similar to military barracks. People also live in cars, trucks, tents and RVs. So when a rare, but potentially deadly tornado came barreling down the main “escape route” in Watford City on Memorial Day 2014, “residents” had nowhere to go. Many hunkered down in their trailers and “shelters” and rode out the 120-mile-per-hour winds that accompanied this EF-2 tornado.
Fifteen people were injured, including a 15-year-old girl who was visiting relatives and suffered critical wounds that required med-flight to a hospital in Minot. There was so much noise from the rain and hail that accompanied the storm that many were unable to heed any warning sirens that sounded. And even at that, there was pretty much nowhere to go.
In Arkansas, tornadoes occur every year. Many people place a high premium on living where storm shelters are readily available. In recent years, communities have banded together to create facilities, such as reinforced school buildings, that will house and shelter a large number of people in the event of a potentially deadly storm. I will tell you that I rest a little easier knowing that we have a “safe room” in our house where we can retreat from harm when necessary.
One of the residents of Watford City remarked that there…”ain’t no place to take cover.” Isn’t that how it is for some of us in our spiritual life? We live without the benefit of God’s safety and shelter…not because He doesn’t offer - but because we don’t accept it. Now surely there are those in North Dakota who feel they have no choice. They need employment, and the jobs and money are there for those who can do the work. But they are also accepting the accompanying risks. Granted, tornadoes are rare in this part of the country…reports are that there have been just 14 since 1950. But the potential and susceptibility to such peril does exist…as well as other consequences that can come from living in temporary group housing or an otherwise vulnerable structure.
In our spiritual lives, we are offered God’s shelter and protective arms. We are presented with the opportunity to rest and relax in the comfort and safety of His loving care. God is our omnipresent “safe room”. But some of us will choose to venture out on our own and live in a “spiritual trailer” in the middle of nowhere. We will risk the potential for peril in exchange for what we value – what we perceive as important. The din of our prospects for money, fame, fortune, prestige, personal relationships, acceptance, and personal success will drown out any warning signals that might be present. What we fail to recognize in doing this is that God offers us the possibility for all of these things that we desire – and more. He knows what we need…what will truly satisfy. His aspirations for us most likely are not a mirror image of our own…but they are far better in every regard.
As glad as I am to have a concrete “safe room” built into my house…as important as it is to me to always live where such shelter is readily available…it is even more important that I live in the shadow of God’s “safe room”. I don’t want to be away from the security and protection of His loving arms for even one minute. I’m all for being adventurous…but not with my soul and all Eternity…or that of my family and friends!
So what about you? Do you have a “safe room” – both physically, and in terms of your soul? When the storms of life come barreling down and you are directly in their path, you do have a secure place to take cover…if only you will recognize it? Is God providing you with around-the-clock safety and care? Is His “safe room” available to you always – in all ways? Are you fully resting in the protection He offers? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Concerning the tribe of Benjamin, Moses said:
“He is beloved of God
And lives in safety beside him.
God surrounds him with his loving care,
And preserves him from every harm.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
As with certain areas of Arkansas, the “oil boom” is alive and well in North Dakota, where countless people are involved in drilling for oil and natural gas. Because many parts of North Dakota are sparsely populated, makeshift communities, often referred to as “man camps”, have sprung up in recent years. Housing consists of pre-fabricated homes similar to military barracks. People also live in cars, trucks, tents and RVs. So when a rare, but potentially deadly tornado came barreling down the main “escape route” in Watford City on Memorial Day 2014, “residents” had nowhere to go. Many hunkered down in their trailers and “shelters” and rode out the 120-mile-per-hour winds that accompanied this EF-2 tornado.
Fifteen people were injured, including a 15-year-old girl who was visiting relatives and suffered critical wounds that required med-flight to a hospital in Minot. There was so much noise from the rain and hail that accompanied the storm that many were unable to heed any warning sirens that sounded. And even at that, there was pretty much nowhere to go.
In Arkansas, tornadoes occur every year. Many people place a high premium on living where storm shelters are readily available. In recent years, communities have banded together to create facilities, such as reinforced school buildings, that will house and shelter a large number of people in the event of a potentially deadly storm. I will tell you that I rest a little easier knowing that we have a “safe room” in our house where we can retreat from harm when necessary.
One of the residents of Watford City remarked that there…”ain’t no place to take cover.” Isn’t that how it is for some of us in our spiritual life? We live without the benefit of God’s safety and shelter…not because He doesn’t offer - but because we don’t accept it. Now surely there are those in North Dakota who feel they have no choice. They need employment, and the jobs and money are there for those who can do the work. But they are also accepting the accompanying risks. Granted, tornadoes are rare in this part of the country…reports are that there have been just 14 since 1950. But the potential and susceptibility to such peril does exist…as well as other consequences that can come from living in temporary group housing or an otherwise vulnerable structure.
In our spiritual lives, we are offered God’s shelter and protective arms. We are presented with the opportunity to rest and relax in the comfort and safety of His loving care. God is our omnipresent “safe room”. But some of us will choose to venture out on our own and live in a “spiritual trailer” in the middle of nowhere. We will risk the potential for peril in exchange for what we value – what we perceive as important. The din of our prospects for money, fame, fortune, prestige, personal relationships, acceptance, and personal success will drown out any warning signals that might be present. What we fail to recognize in doing this is that God offers us the possibility for all of these things that we desire – and more. He knows what we need…what will truly satisfy. His aspirations for us most likely are not a mirror image of our own…but they are far better in every regard.
As glad as I am to have a concrete “safe room” built into my house…as important as it is to me to always live where such shelter is readily available…it is even more important that I live in the shadow of God’s “safe room”. I don’t want to be away from the security and protection of His loving arms for even one minute. I’m all for being adventurous…but not with my soul and all Eternity…or that of my family and friends!
So what about you? Do you have a “safe room” – both physically, and in terms of your soul? When the storms of life come barreling down and you are directly in their path, you do have a secure place to take cover…if only you will recognize it? Is God providing you with around-the-clock safety and care? Is His “safe room” available to you always – in all ways? Are you fully resting in the protection He offers? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 7, 2014
John 15:5
I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I went and got my outdoor potted plants out of my niece’s basement, where they have spent the winter. It’s warm enough now to set them out on our back porch again. Over the last few months, these plants grew spindly…and some even developed dead wood. So I first set them out on the driveway and gave them all a good pruning before placing them in their spots for the summer.
As I cut away thick, leggy begonia stems, I saved a couple of sprouts to put back into the dirt and hopefully add a little fullness to the pot. But many of the branches went into the trash can. Without soil and water, they will wither and die there. Apart from the vine that sustained them, these stems are pretty much worthless. Now here’s the thing about begonia plants in particular. These cut sprigs can do fairly well for a while apart from the vine. They are hardy (or are they stubborn?)...and I could probably keep them in a vase with just a little water for several days – or even weeks. But to really thrive, they need the vine…and the soil.
If you back up and read the first few verses of John 15, you hear him talk about how God prunes back the branches that are not producing good fruit…much as I pruned back the wiry twigs of these house plants. In just a few short weeks, what was left after the pruning will fill out and flourish – and be better than ever!
This is how it is with us and God. We are like the begonia plant that has a lot of “useless fruit” – or “spindly legs” that take us nowhere. Apart from God, we might manage okay for a while…or at least we will think we are doing okay! But eventually, we will start to realize that we are not reaching our full potential…that things are not going as well as we hoped…or maybe even that our lives are falling apart. We may stubbornly attempt to persevere on our own…but this will never work for long.
We need the Vine. In order to thrive, we need God’s nurture and ever-present care and attention. With God, all things are possible. Without Him…our efforts are no more valuable than the discarded begonia stems I threw in the trash. What we accomplish on our own will never measure up. It won’t satisfy…and more importantly, it won’t please God. We either stay joined to Him, or we waste our time and energy…and God’s.
I’ll be honest…it pained me a little to cut those vines and blossoms from my plants. And it pains God to cut out the “dead wood”, too. But I know what is coming. I have done this before, and I know that the results will soon be beautiful and lush and delightful. And God knows this, too. He is ready to support you and watch you soar. Are you ready to cling to Him and produce “good fruit”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I went and got my outdoor potted plants out of my niece’s basement, where they have spent the winter. It’s warm enough now to set them out on our back porch again. Over the last few months, these plants grew spindly…and some even developed dead wood. So I first set them out on the driveway and gave them all a good pruning before placing them in their spots for the summer.
As I cut away thick, leggy begonia stems, I saved a couple of sprouts to put back into the dirt and hopefully add a little fullness to the pot. But many of the branches went into the trash can. Without soil and water, they will wither and die there. Apart from the vine that sustained them, these stems are pretty much worthless. Now here’s the thing about begonia plants in particular. These cut sprigs can do fairly well for a while apart from the vine. They are hardy (or are they stubborn?)...and I could probably keep them in a vase with just a little water for several days – or even weeks. But to really thrive, they need the vine…and the soil.
If you back up and read the first few verses of John 15, you hear him talk about how God prunes back the branches that are not producing good fruit…much as I pruned back the wiry twigs of these house plants. In just a few short weeks, what was left after the pruning will fill out and flourish – and be better than ever!
This is how it is with us and God. We are like the begonia plant that has a lot of “useless fruit” – or “spindly legs” that take us nowhere. Apart from God, we might manage okay for a while…or at least we will think we are doing okay! But eventually, we will start to realize that we are not reaching our full potential…that things are not going as well as we hoped…or maybe even that our lives are falling apart. We may stubbornly attempt to persevere on our own…but this will never work for long.
We need the Vine. In order to thrive, we need God’s nurture and ever-present care and attention. With God, all things are possible. Without Him…our efforts are no more valuable than the discarded begonia stems I threw in the trash. What we accomplish on our own will never measure up. It won’t satisfy…and more importantly, it won’t please God. We either stay joined to Him, or we waste our time and energy…and God’s.
I’ll be honest…it pained me a little to cut those vines and blossoms from my plants. And it pains God to cut out the “dead wood”, too. But I know what is coming. I have done this before, and I know that the results will soon be beautiful and lush and delightful. And God knows this, too. He is ready to support you and watch you soar. Are you ready to cling to Him and produce “good fruit”?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 16, 2013
Psalm 127:1-2
Without the help of the Lord
it is useless to build a home
or to guard a city.
It is useless to get up early
and stay up late
in order to earn a living.
God takes care of his own,
even while they sleep.
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.
Ever since I was a small child, I’ve had occasional bouts with allergic reactions – particularly hives. We never could determine what triggered them, but in high school, I suffered a serious reaction after taking an antibiotic treatment for a sore throat. The hives and swelling became so severe that I had to be hospitalized for four days. A few years later, the school nurse where I taught rushed me to a medical clinic for a shot of epinephrine when swelling and hives I was experienced required immediate attention. But it would be another twenty years – and several bouts with hives and other symptoms of an allergic reaction – before we determined that my apparent culprits are corn …and possibly chocolate.
Apparently, as my “minor” bouts with hives and other allergic reactions occurred over the years, my body accumulated the affects. So while people sometimes “grow out of” allergies… mine actually escalated to the point that the reactions became more frequent and severe. My physician prescribed three things… an oral antihistamine, a medical alert bracelet that I wear anytime I leave the house, and “epi-pens” that I carry with me in case of a life-threatening reaction. Thankfully, I have not had what I would consider a serious allergic reaction in a very long time… and I have never had to use the epi-pens. I attribute this to diligence about encounters with products containing corn and chocolate. I am also persistent about keeping my medications with me and wearing the alert bracelet.
I am so grateful that my allergy is controllable – and not nearly as severe as those other people experience. I had students who were so severely allergic that even a whiff of their allergen could evoke a reaction. One child with a peanut allergy lay on his living room floor where a sibling had earlier dropped a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the entire side of his face swelled. But by the same token, I would never be so dismissive as to help myself to corn chips or a chocolate bar… or to use products on my skin that I know contain cornstarch. My Mam-ma Polly used to tell me, “If you would just ignore all of that and eat what you want and forget about it, you’d be just fine.” That was simply not a true statement… and to do such a thing would be incredibly reckless!
I wonder how many of us are this reckless about our daily living. We know how important God’s care and protection are… how vital it is that we always carry the Holy Spirit in our heart. Yet far too often, we are careless and irresponsible with God. We step out into life on our own and test the waters. One little sample of “life” can’t hurt… can it? A little lie here… some gossip there… and an occasional bout with cheating might make us uncomfortable and “itchy” for a little while. But the symptoms will subside and we’ll move on… and we think we are no worse for wear. What we fail to realize is how these actions and consequences are accumulating…how the results can one day escalate into an “epic fail” of some sort that leaves us wondering what went wrong and how we got to that point!
We cannot afford to be without God… even for a minute. We cannot chance even a tiny taste of sin and disobedience. We can’t risk “leaving God at home” – not even for a few hours! He must be present and operating in and through us at all times. Even though I feel I am thoroughly protected, I will occasionally encounter something that apparently has a trace of my allergens in it. Thankfully, I have an arsenal of protective measures that I can utilize to attack this and keep me safe. We need God “on the clock” at all times, because the devil is waiting for even the tiniest opportunity to slip in and give us trouble!
I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t think much about my allergies… and staying alert for the culprits has become somewhat second nature. I don’t take them for granted, but I know that I’m doing all I can to stay protected. GOD is our protection against the attacks of the devil and the sins of the world. Through His wisdom, we have the best chance of recognizing potential dangers and pitfalls – and avoiding them in the first place. With His grace, mercy, forgiveness, love and strength, we are redeemed in the instances when we do slip and stumble. We must never take His care for granted…but under His watch, we can live in confidence and peace.
God’s care and protection is readily available… but always optional. We must choose to accept Him… we must invite His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. We must put forth the effort to keep the lines of communication with Him open. I can’t imagine why anyone would elect to “leave home without God”… can you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Without the help of the Lord
it is useless to build a home
or to guard a city.
It is useless to get up early
and stay up late
in order to earn a living.
God takes care of his own,
even while they sleep.
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.
Ever since I was a small child, I’ve had occasional bouts with allergic reactions – particularly hives. We never could determine what triggered them, but in high school, I suffered a serious reaction after taking an antibiotic treatment for a sore throat. The hives and swelling became so severe that I had to be hospitalized for four days. A few years later, the school nurse where I taught rushed me to a medical clinic for a shot of epinephrine when swelling and hives I was experienced required immediate attention. But it would be another twenty years – and several bouts with hives and other symptoms of an allergic reaction – before we determined that my apparent culprits are corn …and possibly chocolate.
Apparently, as my “minor” bouts with hives and other allergic reactions occurred over the years, my body accumulated the affects. So while people sometimes “grow out of” allergies… mine actually escalated to the point that the reactions became more frequent and severe. My physician prescribed three things… an oral antihistamine, a medical alert bracelet that I wear anytime I leave the house, and “epi-pens” that I carry with me in case of a life-threatening reaction. Thankfully, I have not had what I would consider a serious allergic reaction in a very long time… and I have never had to use the epi-pens. I attribute this to diligence about encounters with products containing corn and chocolate. I am also persistent about keeping my medications with me and wearing the alert bracelet.
I am so grateful that my allergy is controllable – and not nearly as severe as those other people experience. I had students who were so severely allergic that even a whiff of their allergen could evoke a reaction. One child with a peanut allergy lay on his living room floor where a sibling had earlier dropped a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the entire side of his face swelled. But by the same token, I would never be so dismissive as to help myself to corn chips or a chocolate bar… or to use products on my skin that I know contain cornstarch. My Mam-ma Polly used to tell me, “If you would just ignore all of that and eat what you want and forget about it, you’d be just fine.” That was simply not a true statement… and to do such a thing would be incredibly reckless!
I wonder how many of us are this reckless about our daily living. We know how important God’s care and protection are… how vital it is that we always carry the Holy Spirit in our heart. Yet far too often, we are careless and irresponsible with God. We step out into life on our own and test the waters. One little sample of “life” can’t hurt… can it? A little lie here… some gossip there… and an occasional bout with cheating might make us uncomfortable and “itchy” for a little while. But the symptoms will subside and we’ll move on… and we think we are no worse for wear. What we fail to realize is how these actions and consequences are accumulating…how the results can one day escalate into an “epic fail” of some sort that leaves us wondering what went wrong and how we got to that point!
We cannot afford to be without God… even for a minute. We cannot chance even a tiny taste of sin and disobedience. We can’t risk “leaving God at home” – not even for a few hours! He must be present and operating in and through us at all times. Even though I feel I am thoroughly protected, I will occasionally encounter something that apparently has a trace of my allergens in it. Thankfully, I have an arsenal of protective measures that I can utilize to attack this and keep me safe. We need God “on the clock” at all times, because the devil is waiting for even the tiniest opportunity to slip in and give us trouble!
I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t think much about my allergies… and staying alert for the culprits has become somewhat second nature. I don’t take them for granted, but I know that I’m doing all I can to stay protected. GOD is our protection against the attacks of the devil and the sins of the world. Through His wisdom, we have the best chance of recognizing potential dangers and pitfalls – and avoiding them in the first place. With His grace, mercy, forgiveness, love and strength, we are redeemed in the instances when we do slip and stumble. We must never take His care for granted…but under His watch, we can live in confidence and peace.
God’s care and protection is readily available… but always optional. We must choose to accept Him… we must invite His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. We must put forth the effort to keep the lines of communication with Him open. I can’t imagine why anyone would elect to “leave home without God”… can you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 14, 2013
Psalm 139:7-12
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same 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.
As we drove to Burger King after church on Sunday, Zola kept trying to tell me something. Over and over she would point toward her feet and say the same thing… but I didn’t have a clue what she wanted. Finally, I asked Timothy, “Do you know what Zola is trying to tell me?” He replied, “Um… yes”… and he interpreted her comments. I repeated Timothy’s statement to Zola and asked if that was correct. She nodded and said, “Yeah!”
This little girl may never choose to talk, as long as she has her older brother around to interpret for her! And honestly, I think she somewhat depends on him… for a lot of things! He pretty well seems to know what she is thinking in any given moment… and you can bet your bottom dollar he knows where she is and what she is doing… if nothing else, on the off chance she might be playing with his toys – or getting a little extra attention! Still, she chooses to follow him around much of the time and mimic his every word and move.
As I read this scripture passage, I also thought about the other end of the spectrum… my grandmother’s last weeks on this earth, in which she often could not form a complete sentence – or even a few words. I had grown so familiar with her that I often was able to interpret her thoughts and gestures… and her nods of agreement would confirm that I had guessed correctly. She depended on me to express her wishes… and to protect her. She chose to have me speak for her on several occasions… even when she was still able to talk. She would wave at a doctor and gesture toward me and say, “You tell him.” Or she would tell the doctors and nurses… “Ask Debbie… she can tell you.” My Mam-ma Polly knew that I always had her back.
I find it nothing short of amazing that God has chosen you and me… that He desires to know every breath we take and how many hairs number our head. I am astounded to think that Jesus collects my tears… each one precious to Him. I cannot comprehend the vastness of knowing that there is nowhere I can go that He is not with me... or that He knows my every thought and desire. And I am blessed and comforted by this knowledge… so much that I choose to serve Him in return. Honestly, it doesn’t add up for me why anyone would opt for a life without Him. Who else loves you that much?! Still, we do have a choice… and God will never desert us… but He will also never impose.
What place have you given Him in your life? Have you tucked God away on the shelf and pretended He isn’t there? Have you even suggested to Him that you are doing just fine without His help? Do you truly understand the depths of God’s love and care for you… how much He wants to give you – now and for all eternity? Won’t you study this Psalm again and give your relationship with God a second look as well? Aren’t you ready to choose the One who chose you all along?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same 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.
As we drove to Burger King after church on Sunday, Zola kept trying to tell me something. Over and over she would point toward her feet and say the same thing… but I didn’t have a clue what she wanted. Finally, I asked Timothy, “Do you know what Zola is trying to tell me?” He replied, “Um… yes”… and he interpreted her comments. I repeated Timothy’s statement to Zola and asked if that was correct. She nodded and said, “Yeah!”
This little girl may never choose to talk, as long as she has her older brother around to interpret for her! And honestly, I think she somewhat depends on him… for a lot of things! He pretty well seems to know what she is thinking in any given moment… and you can bet your bottom dollar he knows where she is and what she is doing… if nothing else, on the off chance she might be playing with his toys – or getting a little extra attention! Still, she chooses to follow him around much of the time and mimic his every word and move.
As I read this scripture passage, I also thought about the other end of the spectrum… my grandmother’s last weeks on this earth, in which she often could not form a complete sentence – or even a few words. I had grown so familiar with her that I often was able to interpret her thoughts and gestures… and her nods of agreement would confirm that I had guessed correctly. She depended on me to express her wishes… and to protect her. She chose to have me speak for her on several occasions… even when she was still able to talk. She would wave at a doctor and gesture toward me and say, “You tell him.” Or she would tell the doctors and nurses… “Ask Debbie… she can tell you.” My Mam-ma Polly knew that I always had her back.
I find it nothing short of amazing that God has chosen you and me… that He desires to know every breath we take and how many hairs number our head. I am astounded to think that Jesus collects my tears… each one precious to Him. I cannot comprehend the vastness of knowing that there is nowhere I can go that He is not with me... or that He knows my every thought and desire. And I am blessed and comforted by this knowledge… so much that I choose to serve Him in return. Honestly, it doesn’t add up for me why anyone would opt for a life without Him. Who else loves you that much?! Still, we do have a choice… and God will never desert us… but He will also never impose.
What place have you given Him in your life? Have you tucked God away on the shelf and pretended He isn’t there? Have you even suggested to Him that you are doing just fine without His help? Do you truly understand the depths of God’s love and care for you… how much He wants to give you – now and for all eternity? Won’t you study this Psalm again and give your relationship with God a second look as well? Aren’t you ready to choose the One who chose you all along?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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