John 21:1-14
Jesus later appeared to his disciples along the shore of Lake Tiberias. Simon Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the brothers James and John, were there, together with two other disciples. Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing!" The others said, "We will go with you." They went out in their boat. But they didn't catch a thing that night.
Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize who he was. Jesus shouted, "Friends, have you caught anything?" "No!" they answered.
So he told them, "Let your net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish." They did, and the net was so full of fish that they could not drag it up into the boat.
Jesus' favorite disciple told Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon heard that it was the Lord, he put on the clothes that he had taken off while he was working. Then he jumped into the water. The boat was only about a hundred yards from shore. So the other disciples stayed in the boat and dragged in the net full of fish.
When the disciples got out of the boat, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. Jesus told his disciples, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." Simon Peter got back into the boat and dragged the net to shore. In it were one hundred fifty-three large fish, but still the net did not rip.
Jesus said, "Come and eat!" But none of the disciples dared ask who he was. They knew he was the Lord. Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave some of it to his disciples. He did the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from death.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This is the time of year when we reflect on a lot of things… the events of the past year…what we accomplished – and what we wish we had gotten done…and what we hope to do in the coming twelve months. It is also a time when many of us wonder why we spent hours and days decorating… and wish it was all packed neatly away already. As I psyched myself out to get things back in “pre-holiday order,” I thought about why I decorated in the first place. And then I read this scripture passage.
There is a lot of “meat” in this passage - and a dozen or more lessons we can learn from it. But today, the part that struck me was the image of Jesus tending the fire on the beach. He had prepared a warm retreat… a haven of rest. He had laid the groundwork for a hearty meal. Surely the Disciples found great comfort in this. They were thrilled to see Jesus again, but they were also glad to have full nets of fish after a busted early attempt. They must have been exhausted – and hungry – and seeing Jesus with a fire of hot coals ready to cook their dinner must have totally rejuvenated them.
As I thought about this, I remembered the looks on the faces of Timothy and my little cousins, Olivia and Owen, as they walked around our house and looked at all of the decorations and twinkling lights. I thought of three little girls who helped me decorate for the holidays for a couple of years and are now teenagers who still talk about the “magic” and fun of coming to our house at Christmas time. I recalled the words of my mother’s sister, who found a festive, warm haven on Christmas Eve in the middle of the chaos that surrounded our afternoon as my grandmother fell and was injured. And I remembered how comforted I was to return home from hospital visits, shopping trips and more to find “candles” lighting the windows and sit among the reminders of this special season – and to reflect on God’s love for me. I found solace in the hot tea and cookies made from a recipe my family has enjoyed each Christmas since I was a child… reminded of the continual thread of love that binds us together.
More importantly, I was reminded that we always have a haven of rest in Jesus. He is always “waiting on the beach, tending a fire to warm us.” He always has a meal ready to feed us – body and soul. And He wants us to extend that same love and hospitality to others in His name. I’m not saying that Jesus wants us to turn into Clark Griswold and cover our homes in tacky, overdone holiday décor. But I do believe He wants us to live in a way that says, “You are welcome here… in my home, in my heart, and in my life. I am extending to you the same love that Jesus shows to me each and every day.”
I have no doubt that I will get busy and get things packed away soon… and that I will once again drag them out for the next Christmas. In the meantime, I will make every effort to extend the warmth and love of Jesus in everything I say and do… from smiling at the cashier to sending a get-well card or inviting friends and family over to share a meal to waving a flag on July 4th! I will do all I can to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those I encounter… and I will thank Him for the opportunity to share the blessings He has given to me with others.
How will you “decorate” in 2012? How inviting will your “home” be to others? Will they see the love of Jesus when they look at you, or have you packed away your “decorations” so deeply that they are almost non-existent? It’s time to re-examine our relationship with Christ and see where we need to polish a few things. As we close one year and begin another, let’s ask Him to show us where we need to beef up our efforts… and let’s get the fire started. People will be showing up in our lives every single day… needing to be nurtured, fed, encouraged and blessed. Will we be ready to serve them on Jesus’ behalf?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 3, 2011
Psalm 125:2
Just as Jerusalem is protected by mountains on every side, the LORD protects his people by holding them in his arms now and forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Everybody loves a hug. From the time we are babies, we are snuggled in the arms of others (hopefully). We learn from our earliest days that a hug can be a safe, comforting respite from the cares of the world. At some point in our lives, we have all probably said (or at least thought), “I could really use a hug!”
One of my favorite images is snuggling in the arms of Jesus. When I need a little “boost” in my day, I imagine sinking into the soft, silky folds of Jesus’ robe as His arms engulf me. I rest in His lap, snuggled against His chest, hearing the steady beat of His heart and the rhythmic in-and-out of his breathing. I am immediately comforted. I feel safe, protected, and greatly loved.
Lately, I’ve been picturing others there, too. It comforts me to envision my family and friends safely wrapped in Jesus’ arms. Each of us can have this “hug” from Jesus at any time. His arms are wide and strong… His lap can hold all of us! We will each receive personal attention… He is able to make all of us feel like we are His special, chosen children – because we are!
Whatever you need from Jesus today, He is waiting to provide. If you just need to sit in His lap for a while and rest against His heart, He has his arms open to receive you. Start to see yourself – and others – there. Feel the safety and security of snuggling with your Heavenly Father. Leave your cares and burdens with Him and go about the rest of your day restored and lightened.
Could you really use a hug right now? Why not ask Jesus to give you one.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Just as Jerusalem is protected by mountains on every side, the LORD protects his people by holding them in his arms now and forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Everybody loves a hug. From the time we are babies, we are snuggled in the arms of others (hopefully). We learn from our earliest days that a hug can be a safe, comforting respite from the cares of the world. At some point in our lives, we have all probably said (or at least thought), “I could really use a hug!”
One of my favorite images is snuggling in the arms of Jesus. When I need a little “boost” in my day, I imagine sinking into the soft, silky folds of Jesus’ robe as His arms engulf me. I rest in His lap, snuggled against His chest, hearing the steady beat of His heart and the rhythmic in-and-out of his breathing. I am immediately comforted. I feel safe, protected, and greatly loved.
Lately, I’ve been picturing others there, too. It comforts me to envision my family and friends safely wrapped in Jesus’ arms. Each of us can have this “hug” from Jesus at any time. His arms are wide and strong… His lap can hold all of us! We will each receive personal attention… He is able to make all of us feel like we are His special, chosen children – because we are!
Whatever you need from Jesus today, He is waiting to provide. If you just need to sit in His lap for a while and rest against His heart, He has his arms open to receive you. Start to see yourself – and others – there. Feel the safety and security of snuggling with your Heavenly Father. Leave your cares and burdens with Him and go about the rest of your day restored and lightened.
Could you really use a hug right now? Why not ask Jesus to give you one.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 2, 2011
Psalm 123
Our LORD and our God, I turn my eyes to you, on your throne in heaven. Servants look to their master, but we will look to you, until you have mercy on us. Please have mercy, LORD! We have been insulted more than we can stand, and we can't take more abuse from those proud, conceited people.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When was the last time you were insulted? I bet it wasn’t that long ago! It seems like the whole world deals in insults these days. It may have been something as seemingly small as a “dig” from a “friend” on Facebook about your political leanings. Or your “friend” may have hacked into your account and posted a dumb (and insulting) status about you… like “Mike plays with dolls” or “Susan is my favorite daughter. I love her the most.”
Or you may have been insulted on a larger scale… embarrassed by a coworker or boss in front of your peers, or by a spouse in front of friends and family. Someone may have been critical of your weight or appearance – or how you dress – someone may have tried to put you down and make you feel dumb. The media insults us several times a day. We’re not smart enough to make good decisions, so the advertisers want to make them for us. The reason you can’t sleep at night is because you don’t take XYZ pill. And if you will only eat a carton or two of ABC yogurt each day, you’ll be fit and trim and never have to diet again. What were we thinking?!
Still others want us to feel inferior because of our faith… or how we worship. Maybe you are ridiculed or made to feel badly by those who attend another church or belong to another denomination… or a different political party. Perhaps others are assuming all sorts of things about you without checking their facts… then making accusations and judgments that really sting, based on these inaccuracies. At the end of the day, we all have times when we are fed up and frustrated by the insults of others… and we are ready for mercy. Sadly, we may be the ones hurling some of those insults… and for that, we need mercy, also.
Thankfully, we serve a God who can rescue us. He stands ready to comfort us when we are hurting… and to correct us and guide our steps when we need that, as well! All we have to do is turn to God… look up and ask for His help… and trust Him to deliver. We must be open – and honest – and hear what God has to say (and listen with an obedient heart). But God will never leave us to fend for ourselves.
When was the last time you turned to God? Are you wallowing in self-pity from the insults of this world… or are you trusting Him to make things better - to shower you with grace, mercy, and unconditional love? Have you asked God to guide your steps and help you avoid insults toward others? Have you asked Him to rescue you from the slings and arrows that may come your way? We can stop the abuse… both the getting and the giving. Turn your eyes toward the heavens and say, “Lord, help me!” He can… and He will. Are you looking upward?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Our LORD and our God, I turn my eyes to you, on your throne in heaven. Servants look to their master, but we will look to you, until you have mercy on us. Please have mercy, LORD! We have been insulted more than we can stand, and we can't take more abuse from those proud, conceited people.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When was the last time you were insulted? I bet it wasn’t that long ago! It seems like the whole world deals in insults these days. It may have been something as seemingly small as a “dig” from a “friend” on Facebook about your political leanings. Or your “friend” may have hacked into your account and posted a dumb (and insulting) status about you… like “Mike plays with dolls” or “Susan is my favorite daughter. I love her the most.”
Or you may have been insulted on a larger scale… embarrassed by a coworker or boss in front of your peers, or by a spouse in front of friends and family. Someone may have been critical of your weight or appearance – or how you dress – someone may have tried to put you down and make you feel dumb. The media insults us several times a day. We’re not smart enough to make good decisions, so the advertisers want to make them for us. The reason you can’t sleep at night is because you don’t take XYZ pill. And if you will only eat a carton or two of ABC yogurt each day, you’ll be fit and trim and never have to diet again. What were we thinking?!
Still others want us to feel inferior because of our faith… or how we worship. Maybe you are ridiculed or made to feel badly by those who attend another church or belong to another denomination… or a different political party. Perhaps others are assuming all sorts of things about you without checking their facts… then making accusations and judgments that really sting, based on these inaccuracies. At the end of the day, we all have times when we are fed up and frustrated by the insults of others… and we are ready for mercy. Sadly, we may be the ones hurling some of those insults… and for that, we need mercy, also.
Thankfully, we serve a God who can rescue us. He stands ready to comfort us when we are hurting… and to correct us and guide our steps when we need that, as well! All we have to do is turn to God… look up and ask for His help… and trust Him to deliver. We must be open – and honest – and hear what God has to say (and listen with an obedient heart). But God will never leave us to fend for ourselves.
When was the last time you turned to God? Are you wallowing in self-pity from the insults of this world… or are you trusting Him to make things better - to shower you with grace, mercy, and unconditional love? Have you asked God to guide your steps and help you avoid insults toward others? Have you asked Him to rescue you from the slings and arrows that may come your way? We can stop the abuse… both the getting and the giving. Turn your eyes toward the heavens and say, “Lord, help me!” He can… and He will. Are you looking upward?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 11, 2011
Psalm 91:1-4
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, say this: "GOD, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you—under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.
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.
My mother recently wrote a blog post about her memories of tornadoes in Arkansas. Much of my early childhood was spent in a storm cellar. This was in the days before “Five-live Dopplar,” satellite imagery, and more. Our “menfolk” would stand on the porch and “watch the clouds”… and as Mother pointed out, more than once they literally dove into the cellar for cover as a storm approached.
However, most nights we children would sit in the cellar with all of the women from the neighborhood and listen as they talked about the day’s events. When one of us needed a bathroom break, a man would be summoned from the porch. We were wrapped in a quilt and carried into the house, then returned to the cellar. I can still remember the snug safety of that quilt “cocoon” – wrapped tightly and held in the arms of my dad, my then-high-school-aged cousin Jim, or someone else I trusted to protect me.
As an adult, when I read this passage, I am reminded of the snug safety of those summer-time quilts and the arms of a loved one wrapped around me. I am reminded of how safe I felt in the shadow of pine trees that lined a creek bed across the road from my paternal grandparents’ farmhouse… how I took refuge there often on the soft mossy bank and listened to the soothing “whisper” of the wind in the pines. And I am comforted to think that God’s protection of me is much the same… loving, strong – yet as gentle and soothing as the whisper of that wind – safe and protective. He truly does fend off all harm.
What about you? Are you trusting God today? I will admit that sometimes fear and insecurity sneak in, and I am momentarily caught off-guard. The devil loves to try to steal my peace and try to fill me with lies and worries. But I’m not having it… and neither should you. We “dwell in the shelter of the Most High” and “rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Let that soak in… truly think about how powerful this is! God is our refuge and fortress… we trust Him (or we should!)… and in His arms – no matter what comes our way - we are perfectly safe. Do you feel His presence and comfort? Are you snug and comfortable in the “quilt” of His love and protection? Won’t you allow Him to handle your cares and worries… and rest in His peace?
©2011 Debbie Robus
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, say this: "GOD, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you—under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.
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.
My mother recently wrote a blog post about her memories of tornadoes in Arkansas. Much of my early childhood was spent in a storm cellar. This was in the days before “Five-live Dopplar,” satellite imagery, and more. Our “menfolk” would stand on the porch and “watch the clouds”… and as Mother pointed out, more than once they literally dove into the cellar for cover as a storm approached.
However, most nights we children would sit in the cellar with all of the women from the neighborhood and listen as they talked about the day’s events. When one of us needed a bathroom break, a man would be summoned from the porch. We were wrapped in a quilt and carried into the house, then returned to the cellar. I can still remember the snug safety of that quilt “cocoon” – wrapped tightly and held in the arms of my dad, my then-high-school-aged cousin Jim, or someone else I trusted to protect me.
As an adult, when I read this passage, I am reminded of the snug safety of those summer-time quilts and the arms of a loved one wrapped around me. I am reminded of how safe I felt in the shadow of pine trees that lined a creek bed across the road from my paternal grandparents’ farmhouse… how I took refuge there often on the soft mossy bank and listened to the soothing “whisper” of the wind in the pines. And I am comforted to think that God’s protection of me is much the same… loving, strong – yet as gentle and soothing as the whisper of that wind – safe and protective. He truly does fend off all harm.
What about you? Are you trusting God today? I will admit that sometimes fear and insecurity sneak in, and I am momentarily caught off-guard. The devil loves to try to steal my peace and try to fill me with lies and worries. But I’m not having it… and neither should you. We “dwell in the shelter of the Most High” and “rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Let that soak in… truly think about how powerful this is! God is our refuge and fortress… we trust Him (or we should!)… and in His arms – no matter what comes our way - we are perfectly safe. Do you feel His presence and comfort? Are you snug and comfortable in the “quilt” of His love and protection? Won’t you allow Him to handle your cares and worries… and rest in His peace?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 27, 2011
Luke 21:8-15
Jesus replied: Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, "I am Christ!" and "Now is the time!" But don't follow them. When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.
Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors. But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I will be the first to admit that these last few weeks of deadly tornadoes have really taken a toll on my spirit. From just down the road at Vilonia, Arkansas, to further southeast in Tuscaloosa, the devastation seemed unfathomable. Harrowing stories of loss, destruction – and survival – left me with a lump in my throat. When Joplin, Missouri, was hit, I found myself sitting on the couch watching the coverage and listening to the stories in tears. By the time we watched live coverage of a tornado that ripped through a community north of Oklahoma City, I was truly disturbed. I saw families with children and pets literally climb from underneath the rubble that had - minutes earlier - been their homes and wave a “we’re okay” signal to the helicopter crew.
I asked God, “Why?” It’s a normal, fair question… one God doesn’t mind us asking. I’ve come to truly believe that God does not cause these disasters. But at the same time, He allows them to happen. And I can see how those who straddle the fence over their faith in God’s promises could be asking, “What kind of God would allow such devastation?” I get it… and so does God!
As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve just had another “prediction” that the world would end. Of course, it did not. No one knows the hour… remember? “Why is all of this happening, God? Can You give us at least some hint of your motives and purposes in all of this?” At least a portion of the answer came to me in these verses in Luke. Notice that Jesus warns us first against “doomsday deceivers” who want to predict when He will return. But then, look at verse 11, which says, in part… All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.” If you have watched the news reports lately, you have certainly seen plenty of frightening things in our skies.
So what have I taken away from all of this? Look at the last verse of this passage again… “I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you…” I have asked myself, “What if that were our community? What if that were my son/daughter who was missing? What if my mother’s Facebook page had a post that simply read “Gone”? What if my husband and I and our pets dug out of our safe room and found that everything we owned was gone… the trees sanded bare around rubble that was once our home? What if we didn’t get the warning in time and awoke in a hospital… or heaven? What if we… and most of our community… had to completely start over and rebuild from scratch?”
Without fail, the answer I have received – almost instantly – has been… “It would be okay.” I don’t mean it would be great or that I would not be devastated… but I would have peace, because God will always be with me. None of my enemies – including tornadoes – are able to oppose me. With every news report, I read and hear stories of great faith… saving grace… an outpouring of love and compassion from one person to another. I see the hand of God at work, knitting together communities of people from all corners of the country – and even the world – to offer prayers, support, and physical manpower to help with the rescue and recovery.
As the pastor of one Joplin church said, “This is just the building – the real church is the people themselves.” We are more than our “stuff,” and in these weeks of true human loss and tragedy, each of us has been given a chance to model true Christian behavior. We can donate to the Red Cross and other organizations. We can contribute bottled water and toiletries to drives at our local churches to be delivered and dispensed to the victims of these devastating storms. And we can pray for everyone involved – from the victims to the survivors to the rescue workers who rush to the scene to give physical assistance.
I marvel at how people rebuild and recover from such devastating disasters… but they do. And I know that this can’t happen under human power alone. God surely uses these situations to build His Kingdom and strengthen the faith of His children. This might not be the way we would do it, but that’s why we are not God!
Today, take some time to stop and pray for those who are involved in these natural disasters… tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, and more. Ask God to use this situation for His glory… to bring about a great strengthening of resolve and faith in His promises to help us defeat all enemies – even “Mother Nature’s” wrath. Ask God to strengthen your own faith… to give you courage and confidence that you can handle anything that is hurled your way – with His help. Pray for those who are directly involved in these tragedies… that they might have comfort, courage, and peace for their journey. And always…always... thank God for never deserting us… even in the vortex of a tornado.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus replied: Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, "I am Christ!" and "Now is the time!" But don't follow them. When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.
Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors. But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I will be the first to admit that these last few weeks of deadly tornadoes have really taken a toll on my spirit. From just down the road at Vilonia, Arkansas, to further southeast in Tuscaloosa, the devastation seemed unfathomable. Harrowing stories of loss, destruction – and survival – left me with a lump in my throat. When Joplin, Missouri, was hit, I found myself sitting on the couch watching the coverage and listening to the stories in tears. By the time we watched live coverage of a tornado that ripped through a community north of Oklahoma City, I was truly disturbed. I saw families with children and pets literally climb from underneath the rubble that had - minutes earlier - been their homes and wave a “we’re okay” signal to the helicopter crew.
I asked God, “Why?” It’s a normal, fair question… one God doesn’t mind us asking. I’ve come to truly believe that God does not cause these disasters. But at the same time, He allows them to happen. And I can see how those who straddle the fence over their faith in God’s promises could be asking, “What kind of God would allow such devastation?” I get it… and so does God!
As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve just had another “prediction” that the world would end. Of course, it did not. No one knows the hour… remember? “Why is all of this happening, God? Can You give us at least some hint of your motives and purposes in all of this?” At least a portion of the answer came to me in these verses in Luke. Notice that Jesus warns us first against “doomsday deceivers” who want to predict when He will return. But then, look at verse 11, which says, in part… All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.” If you have watched the news reports lately, you have certainly seen plenty of frightening things in our skies.
So what have I taken away from all of this? Look at the last verse of this passage again… “I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you…” I have asked myself, “What if that were our community? What if that were my son/daughter who was missing? What if my mother’s Facebook page had a post that simply read “Gone”? What if my husband and I and our pets dug out of our safe room and found that everything we owned was gone… the trees sanded bare around rubble that was once our home? What if we didn’t get the warning in time and awoke in a hospital… or heaven? What if we… and most of our community… had to completely start over and rebuild from scratch?”
Without fail, the answer I have received – almost instantly – has been… “It would be okay.” I don’t mean it would be great or that I would not be devastated… but I would have peace, because God will always be with me. None of my enemies – including tornadoes – are able to oppose me. With every news report, I read and hear stories of great faith… saving grace… an outpouring of love and compassion from one person to another. I see the hand of God at work, knitting together communities of people from all corners of the country – and even the world – to offer prayers, support, and physical manpower to help with the rescue and recovery.
As the pastor of one Joplin church said, “This is just the building – the real church is the people themselves.” We are more than our “stuff,” and in these weeks of true human loss and tragedy, each of us has been given a chance to model true Christian behavior. We can donate to the Red Cross and other organizations. We can contribute bottled water and toiletries to drives at our local churches to be delivered and dispensed to the victims of these devastating storms. And we can pray for everyone involved – from the victims to the survivors to the rescue workers who rush to the scene to give physical assistance.
I marvel at how people rebuild and recover from such devastating disasters… but they do. And I know that this can’t happen under human power alone. God surely uses these situations to build His Kingdom and strengthen the faith of His children. This might not be the way we would do it, but that’s why we are not God!
Today, take some time to stop and pray for those who are involved in these natural disasters… tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, and more. Ask God to use this situation for His glory… to bring about a great strengthening of resolve and faith in His promises to help us defeat all enemies – even “Mother Nature’s” wrath. Ask God to strengthen your own faith… to give you courage and confidence that you can handle anything that is hurled your way – with His help. Pray for those who are directly involved in these tragedies… that they might have comfort, courage, and peace for their journey. And always…always... thank God for never deserting us… even in the vortex of a tornado.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 15, 2011
Matthew 11:29-30
Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. For some, I’m sure this is a great relief. Not everyone enjoys Valentine’s Day. Movies have been made about it… there are “I Hate Valentine’s” parties, and more. I’ll admit, Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday… and not because I have no one with whom to share it.
As a teenager, I remember the contrast of how it felt to have a special someone to give you a Valentine’s gift – and how it felt when others got them and you didn’t have anyone. When my grandfather died… and again when my father-in-law passed… I felt badly on Valentine’s Day for my grandmother and mother-in-law. My grandfather was not one to send cards, candy and such, but he had his way of showing love for his Valentine. My father-in-law was the card and candy type of guy, and I am sure my mother-in-law received both on many Valentine’s Days.
The year before my dad died, he was very sick and unable to shop for anything for my mom. But he wanted to remember his Valentine. He asked me to “get something for Momma” for Valentine’s Day. I don’t remember everything I got her, but I do remember a book I found that contained copies of love letters that famous people had written throughout history. My mother is a writer and a lover of old books and history. This was perfect for her. I showed it to my dad, and he approved. It’s probably not something he would have chosen if he had done the shopping, but the whole idea was more about the gesture than the gift itself at this point.
You may be thinking, “This devo is really sad,” and in some ways, it is. But I’m telling you all of this to make a point. Not everyone has a “significant other” or even a grandma or great-aunt or uncle or friend to share a Valentine gift with them. But we all have Someone who loves us more than we can imagine, and HE can comfort us even on our saddest, loneliest day. Jesus was the Ultimate Valentine. He died on the cross for us long before we were ever even born… and He loves us more than anyone else ever can or will.
When we are lonely… when we have nobody on Valentine’s Day, the day after, or any other day… we still have Jesus, and nobody else truly matters. Jesus is more than enough. His yoke – what He asks of us – is easy compared to everything else. He will carry our burdens, sorrows and sadness. He will give us peace and joy in return. There may be a bump in the road once in awhile… and Valentine’s Day may still be a groaner for some… but with Jesus, everybody gets a Valentine… the very best One of all.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. For some, I’m sure this is a great relief. Not everyone enjoys Valentine’s Day. Movies have been made about it… there are “I Hate Valentine’s” parties, and more. I’ll admit, Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday… and not because I have no one with whom to share it.
As a teenager, I remember the contrast of how it felt to have a special someone to give you a Valentine’s gift – and how it felt when others got them and you didn’t have anyone. When my grandfather died… and again when my father-in-law passed… I felt badly on Valentine’s Day for my grandmother and mother-in-law. My grandfather was not one to send cards, candy and such, but he had his way of showing love for his Valentine. My father-in-law was the card and candy type of guy, and I am sure my mother-in-law received both on many Valentine’s Days.
The year before my dad died, he was very sick and unable to shop for anything for my mom. But he wanted to remember his Valentine. He asked me to “get something for Momma” for Valentine’s Day. I don’t remember everything I got her, but I do remember a book I found that contained copies of love letters that famous people had written throughout history. My mother is a writer and a lover of old books and history. This was perfect for her. I showed it to my dad, and he approved. It’s probably not something he would have chosen if he had done the shopping, but the whole idea was more about the gesture than the gift itself at this point.
You may be thinking, “This devo is really sad,” and in some ways, it is. But I’m telling you all of this to make a point. Not everyone has a “significant other” or even a grandma or great-aunt or uncle or friend to share a Valentine gift with them. But we all have Someone who loves us more than we can imagine, and HE can comfort us even on our saddest, loneliest day. Jesus was the Ultimate Valentine. He died on the cross for us long before we were ever even born… and He loves us more than anyone else ever can or will.
When we are lonely… when we have nobody on Valentine’s Day, the day after, or any other day… we still have Jesus, and nobody else truly matters. Jesus is more than enough. His yoke – what He asks of us – is easy compared to everything else. He will carry our burdens, sorrows and sadness. He will give us peace and joy in return. There may be a bump in the road once in awhile… and Valentine’s Day may still be a groaner for some… but with Jesus, everybody gets a Valentine… the very best One of all.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 2, 2011
Psalm16:5-9
You, LORD, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright. I praise you, LORD, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m always amazed by people who can simply “let life happen.” I would not necessarily categorize myself as a “control freak,” but I like to have a plan. Like most people, my plans do not always go as I had hoped, and I have to adjust. Some days I handle this better than others, but in recent months, I have learned to rely more on God and less on myself. And while my plans may still not go as I hope all the time, I am coping with the outcome better… much of the time. Hey, I’m still a work in progress!
Do you ever wake up in the night thinking about something… maybe what you have to do the next day, or an upcoming test or other class project, or something at work or a family issue? Does your mind start to race as you plan your strategy or review the test material? Do you toss and turn and repeatedly review the steps or thoughts like a tape loop? Do you ever ask God to help you with this?
Our fears… darkest nights… “tape loops” running through our heads… worries, frustrations and over-analyzing situations… all of these are tools of the devil. And all of these are easily handled by God. When we give over our plans to Him, things may not go exactly as we hoped, but all will be well. When we trust God to protect us and give Him our fears, our life is pleasant and bright, and our heart is filled with joy and rest. We can sleep like babies, knowing that God is “on the clock” and taking care of things for us.
This is hard to do sometimes… I get that. But the more we practice, the easier it becomes. In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told to cast all of our cares upon the Lord, because He cares for us… and nothing could be more accurate or more comforting. God does His most powerful work in us when we surrender and walk in faith… when we truly cast our cares upon Him.
Who is carrying your burdens today? Are you trying to shoulder your cares alone – or worse yet, with the constant “encouragement” of the devil? Isn’t it time we celebrated God’s great love for us, gave Him our cares… and rested?
©2011 Debbie Robus
You, LORD, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright. I praise you, LORD, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m always amazed by people who can simply “let life happen.” I would not necessarily categorize myself as a “control freak,” but I like to have a plan. Like most people, my plans do not always go as I had hoped, and I have to adjust. Some days I handle this better than others, but in recent months, I have learned to rely more on God and less on myself. And while my plans may still not go as I hope all the time, I am coping with the outcome better… much of the time. Hey, I’m still a work in progress!
Do you ever wake up in the night thinking about something… maybe what you have to do the next day, or an upcoming test or other class project, or something at work or a family issue? Does your mind start to race as you plan your strategy or review the test material? Do you toss and turn and repeatedly review the steps or thoughts like a tape loop? Do you ever ask God to help you with this?
Our fears… darkest nights… “tape loops” running through our heads… worries, frustrations and over-analyzing situations… all of these are tools of the devil. And all of these are easily handled by God. When we give over our plans to Him, things may not go exactly as we hoped, but all will be well. When we trust God to protect us and give Him our fears, our life is pleasant and bright, and our heart is filled with joy and rest. We can sleep like babies, knowing that God is “on the clock” and taking care of things for us.
This is hard to do sometimes… I get that. But the more we practice, the easier it becomes. In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told to cast all of our cares upon the Lord, because He cares for us… and nothing could be more accurate or more comforting. God does His most powerful work in us when we surrender and walk in faith… when we truly cast our cares upon Him.
Who is carrying your burdens today? Are you trying to shoulder your cares alone – or worse yet, with the constant “encouragement” of the devil? Isn’t it time we celebrated God’s great love for us, gave Him our cares… and rested?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 3, 2010
Proverbs 18:20
Make your words good -- you will be glad you did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several translations of this verse refer to making your words satisfying like a good meal. We all know that sensation – eating our favorite meal … savoring each bite … feeling totally satisfied and full afterward. Now think about eating an unpleasant meal… maybe a food you particularly dislike. I watched chefs on a television cooking competition eat all sorts of strange looking sea creatures … and I winced right along with them at just the thought of having to put those slimy, chewy things in my mouth.
Now that I have grossed you out sufficiently, compare the words you speak to these two very contrasting meals. Kind, loving, positive words fill you and others up like the best, most satisfying meal. Unkind, cruel, improper and indecent words are like the slimy, chewy, disgusting meal that makes you gag. They sit in the heart like a distasteful meal sits on the stomach – heavy, burning, and miserable.
In this context, surely none of us would want to be speaking words that resemble a bad meal, would we?! We want to speak the good things … the love and blessings of Jesus upon our life and others’. We want to say and do things that give people the warm, satisfyingly full sensation of their best meal ever.
How do we do this? A good place to start is by asking God to bless your day and guard your thoughts and words each morning when you rise … to help you to speak only good, positive, kind messages. As we go about our day, we need to pause and think about what we are saying. I will tell you … as I have practiced this lately, I have stopped short of saying several things that I really didn’t need to say. See, the temptation was there … so I still have work to do … but God helped me to realize that I didn’t have to speak what I thought, or He showed me a better way to phrase things. And I know as I listen to Him more and rely on His guidance, I will get better at this and have fewer moments where I “open mouth, insert foot!”
Don’t you want to be known as a person who speaks positively and kindly? Don’t you want to be known as someone who “cooks a good meal” rather than a poor one? I can’t really say it better than Proverbs 18:20, so I will repeat… “Make your words good – you will be glad you did!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Make your words good -- you will be glad you did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several translations of this verse refer to making your words satisfying like a good meal. We all know that sensation – eating our favorite meal … savoring each bite … feeling totally satisfied and full afterward. Now think about eating an unpleasant meal… maybe a food you particularly dislike. I watched chefs on a television cooking competition eat all sorts of strange looking sea creatures … and I winced right along with them at just the thought of having to put those slimy, chewy things in my mouth.
Now that I have grossed you out sufficiently, compare the words you speak to these two very contrasting meals. Kind, loving, positive words fill you and others up like the best, most satisfying meal. Unkind, cruel, improper and indecent words are like the slimy, chewy, disgusting meal that makes you gag. They sit in the heart like a distasteful meal sits on the stomach – heavy, burning, and miserable.
In this context, surely none of us would want to be speaking words that resemble a bad meal, would we?! We want to speak the good things … the love and blessings of Jesus upon our life and others’. We want to say and do things that give people the warm, satisfyingly full sensation of their best meal ever.
How do we do this? A good place to start is by asking God to bless your day and guard your thoughts and words each morning when you rise … to help you to speak only good, positive, kind messages. As we go about our day, we need to pause and think about what we are saying. I will tell you … as I have practiced this lately, I have stopped short of saying several things that I really didn’t need to say. See, the temptation was there … so I still have work to do … but God helped me to realize that I didn’t have to speak what I thought, or He showed me a better way to phrase things. And I know as I listen to Him more and rely on His guidance, I will get better at this and have fewer moments where I “open mouth, insert foot!”
Don’t you want to be known as a person who speaks positively and kindly? Don’t you want to be known as someone who “cooks a good meal” rather than a poor one? I can’t really say it better than Proverbs 18:20, so I will repeat… “Make your words good – you will be glad you did!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 10, 2010
2 Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, my mother wrote a book based on a journal she had kept about caring for her aging parents. It’s called When Heads and Hearts Collide, and I think it can best be summed up by her recollection of the day my grandmother stomped her foot at Mom and said, “I don’t want you to be my mother!” Believe me, my mom didn’t want that, either. You might be wondering, if the years spent caring for my grandparents were so difficult – and at times, painful – why write about it? The answer lies in 2 Corinthians 1:4.
I honestly cannot recall ever sharing my mom’s book with a single person who didn’t say, “I could have written that. This book helped me so much.” My mother used a troubling time in her life and shared her experiences so that others will find comfort when they are faced with the same or a similar situation. From time to time, I try to do this with these devotionals, by offering personal experiences and relating how God helped me through them, in case you ever experience something similar.
No matter who you are or what age you are, there is probably some “troubling time” through which God has comforted you. And others can use your experience to understand that God really will comfort them during their troubling times. I think one of the best examples of this for me has been in writing sympathy cards. I have been able to use the sadness and sorrow of losing loved ones – particularly my father and brother – to comfort others. They know from the words I write in their card that I truly do understand their grief. And when I tell them how God comforted me during these losses, they know I am sincere.
When I tell someone who has broken their ankle that God will give them the strength and courage to do the therapy and rehab … and patience to sit on their rear end for nearly three months while things heal, they know I speak from firsthand experience. When I tell someone I know how scary it is to sell your house and downsize … or to quit a good, steady job to start your own business … and God gave us the courage to do these things … they are given hope for their own situation. If you have experienced God’s comfort when you didn’t make the team, you lost the championship, you wrecked your car, or your personal relationship or friendship with someone ended, you can convey this to others who need to hear it.
The key is to recognize the ways God has comforted you in times of trouble … and to notice those around you who need to hear about them and be encouraged. You don’t have to give every single detail … you don’t have to “air your dirty laundry” to the world … but there are people who need to hear firsthand accounts of how God has comforted someone in a situation similar to theirs – and you just may be that person! Where will you testify to God’s comfort today? Who needs to know you care enough to share your own experience and be the vehicle for God to work? How will you serve … who will God bless and comfort because of you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several years ago, my mother wrote a book based on a journal she had kept about caring for her aging parents. It’s called When Heads and Hearts Collide, and I think it can best be summed up by her recollection of the day my grandmother stomped her foot at Mom and said, “I don’t want you to be my mother!” Believe me, my mom didn’t want that, either. You might be wondering, if the years spent caring for my grandparents were so difficult – and at times, painful – why write about it? The answer lies in 2 Corinthians 1:4.
I honestly cannot recall ever sharing my mom’s book with a single person who didn’t say, “I could have written that. This book helped me so much.” My mother used a troubling time in her life and shared her experiences so that others will find comfort when they are faced with the same or a similar situation. From time to time, I try to do this with these devotionals, by offering personal experiences and relating how God helped me through them, in case you ever experience something similar.
No matter who you are or what age you are, there is probably some “troubling time” through which God has comforted you. And others can use your experience to understand that God really will comfort them during their troubling times. I think one of the best examples of this for me has been in writing sympathy cards. I have been able to use the sadness and sorrow of losing loved ones – particularly my father and brother – to comfort others. They know from the words I write in their card that I truly do understand their grief. And when I tell them how God comforted me during these losses, they know I am sincere.
When I tell someone who has broken their ankle that God will give them the strength and courage to do the therapy and rehab … and patience to sit on their rear end for nearly three months while things heal, they know I speak from firsthand experience. When I tell someone I know how scary it is to sell your house and downsize … or to quit a good, steady job to start your own business … and God gave us the courage to do these things … they are given hope for their own situation. If you have experienced God’s comfort when you didn’t make the team, you lost the championship, you wrecked your car, or your personal relationship or friendship with someone ended, you can convey this to others who need to hear it.
The key is to recognize the ways God has comforted you in times of trouble … and to notice those around you who need to hear about them and be encouraged. You don’t have to give every single detail … you don’t have to “air your dirty laundry” to the world … but there are people who need to hear firsthand accounts of how God has comforted someone in a situation similar to theirs – and you just may be that person! Where will you testify to God’s comfort today? Who needs to know you care enough to share your own experience and be the vehicle for God to work? How will you serve … who will God bless and comfort because of you?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 15, 2010
2 Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One day a young teacher made a comment in the teacher’s lounge about her baby girl. I don’t know what I said to her, but I tried to commiserate, and she wheeled sharply around and said, “Until you have a baby, you couldn’t possibly understand.” It was a cutting, unkind remark, and others in the room were astounded. And for the record, giving birth does not make a woman a mother – and plenty of “dads” never fathered a child.
But this story does have a point. Often, when we minister to people, they don’t believe we fully understand their situation unless we have similar experience upon which to draw. I believe this is why God allows us to endure troubles and tribulations – with His help and comfort, of course. God has used some of the most devastating and difficult experiences of my life to equip me to minister to others who were going through similar circumstances.
I do not say this to brag. I wish I never had to know the sadness and grief of losing my father-in-law, brother, and my own dad … grandparents, cousins and other family members and friends. I wish we had never had to bury our beloved pets. I wish my fellow teacher had not been strangled to death at the hands of her abusive husband. I wish I had never had surgery or a broken bone. I wish I had never had to attend the funeral of a student or watched a loved one succumb to dementia or Alzheimer’s. And yet, these things pale in comparison to what many of you and others have endured.
But because God carried me through all of these situations, when I speak to someone in need or send a card of encouragement, I can assure them with firsthand knowledge that He is with them. They know that I speak from experience, so my words are not merely lip service or “the right thing to say.” I believe that God’s comfort in my own troubles has enabled me to comfort others without saying or doing something stupid … well, most of the time! My experience has taught me how to genuinely share God’s love and peace with others.
Experience bases come with age, and you may feel that you are young and don’t have anything to contribute to others to offer them comfort. And certainly those who are older than I am have a larger experience base from which to draw. But each of us has a unique, God-given perspective on troubles of one kind or another. When we see someone going through a similar situation, we should reach out to that person and let them know that we understand … and share how God helped us through it.
And the next time you start to ask, “LORD, why is this happening to me?” consider this … maybe God is equipping you for ministry to others. I would like to think that something positive could come out of our troubles, wouldn’t you? Every time I share God’s comfort with someone, I feel a little of the pain and sorrow of my own situations lighten a bit. See, God continues to comfort me as He uses me to minister to others. He wants to do this for you, as well. Who will you comfort today? Look around and see needs that you can help to meet in the name of Jesus. Share your comfort with others, and receive a double blessing.
©2010 Debbie Robus
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One day a young teacher made a comment in the teacher’s lounge about her baby girl. I don’t know what I said to her, but I tried to commiserate, and she wheeled sharply around and said, “Until you have a baby, you couldn’t possibly understand.” It was a cutting, unkind remark, and others in the room were astounded. And for the record, giving birth does not make a woman a mother – and plenty of “dads” never fathered a child.
But this story does have a point. Often, when we minister to people, they don’t believe we fully understand their situation unless we have similar experience upon which to draw. I believe this is why God allows us to endure troubles and tribulations – with His help and comfort, of course. God has used some of the most devastating and difficult experiences of my life to equip me to minister to others who were going through similar circumstances.
I do not say this to brag. I wish I never had to know the sadness and grief of losing my father-in-law, brother, and my own dad … grandparents, cousins and other family members and friends. I wish we had never had to bury our beloved pets. I wish my fellow teacher had not been strangled to death at the hands of her abusive husband. I wish I had never had surgery or a broken bone. I wish I had never had to attend the funeral of a student or watched a loved one succumb to dementia or Alzheimer’s. And yet, these things pale in comparison to what many of you and others have endured.
But because God carried me through all of these situations, when I speak to someone in need or send a card of encouragement, I can assure them with firsthand knowledge that He is with them. They know that I speak from experience, so my words are not merely lip service or “the right thing to say.” I believe that God’s comfort in my own troubles has enabled me to comfort others without saying or doing something stupid … well, most of the time! My experience has taught me how to genuinely share God’s love and peace with others.
Experience bases come with age, and you may feel that you are young and don’t have anything to contribute to others to offer them comfort. And certainly those who are older than I am have a larger experience base from which to draw. But each of us has a unique, God-given perspective on troubles of one kind or another. When we see someone going through a similar situation, we should reach out to that person and let them know that we understand … and share how God helped us through it.
And the next time you start to ask, “LORD, why is this happening to me?” consider this … maybe God is equipping you for ministry to others. I would like to think that something positive could come out of our troubles, wouldn’t you? Every time I share God’s comfort with someone, I feel a little of the pain and sorrow of my own situations lighten a bit. See, God continues to comfort me as He uses me to minister to others. He wants to do this for you, as well. Who will you comfort today? Look around and see needs that you can help to meet in the name of Jesus. Share your comfort with others, and receive a double blessing.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 2, 2010
Psalm 27:7-10; 14
Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, so don’t hide from me. I am your servant, and you have helped me. Don’t turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don’t reject or desert me. Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.
Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little nephew Timothy has started covering his eyes with his hands and then pulling them away – a version of “Where’s Timmy?” that we started with blankets and cloth diapers several months ago. When he removes his little fists, he just laughs and growls and is quite proud of himself. This is partly because of the fun of the game itself… and partly because he is certain we will still be sitting right there with him when he moves his hands. We are not hiding from him, and we would never desert him. Even at almost fourteen months, this baby has learned a lot about trust… and the peace it brings.
When it comes to our faith in God, we could take a page from the book of a small child. We aggravate, frustrate, and anger God all day long… yet we still expect Him to be right there when we call on Him. And because of His grace and mercy, that’s exactly where we find God… waiting for us, ready to help and never deserting us.
Knowing how much God loves us… and how faithful He is to us… why do we doubt? Why do we test His limits and question His motives – and His timing? Don’t we get it? Don’t we know by now that God will take care of us even when it seems like everyone else has left the building? Our hearts do indeed tell us to pray, because this is the right thing to do. But there is more… we have to believe! We have to trust that God will hear our prayers – and answer. How brave and strong are you today? How much peace is in your heart? Are you trusting the Lord to take care of you? Shouldn’t you be?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, so don’t hide from me. I am your servant, and you have helped me. Don’t turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don’t reject or desert me. Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.
Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little nephew Timothy has started covering his eyes with his hands and then pulling them away – a version of “Where’s Timmy?” that we started with blankets and cloth diapers several months ago. When he removes his little fists, he just laughs and growls and is quite proud of himself. This is partly because of the fun of the game itself… and partly because he is certain we will still be sitting right there with him when he moves his hands. We are not hiding from him, and we would never desert him. Even at almost fourteen months, this baby has learned a lot about trust… and the peace it brings.
When it comes to our faith in God, we could take a page from the book of a small child. We aggravate, frustrate, and anger God all day long… yet we still expect Him to be right there when we call on Him. And because of His grace and mercy, that’s exactly where we find God… waiting for us, ready to help and never deserting us.
Knowing how much God loves us… and how faithful He is to us… why do we doubt? Why do we test His limits and question His motives – and His timing? Don’t we get it? Don’t we know by now that God will take care of us even when it seems like everyone else has left the building? Our hearts do indeed tell us to pray, because this is the right thing to do. But there is more… we have to believe! We have to trust that God will hear our prayers – and answer. How brave and strong are you today? How much peace is in your heart? Are you trusting the Lord to take care of you? Shouldn’t you be?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 29, 2010
June 29 ~ 1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If someone were robbing you, and they said, “Give me all your money,” would you keep a little in your back pocket? Probably not! You would give this complete stranger everything you could think of – and quickly – hoping the robber wasn’t going to harm you! So why is it that we withhold some of our worries and cares from God, when we know that He is going to take care of us? Why do we doubt God so readily, which is exactly what we do when we withhold our concerns and burdens from Him?
I could go into my ideas on why we do this… but they really don’t matter. What matters is that we need to STOP! We need to give all our cares to God… from the small, seemingly silly ones all the way to the gigantic ones that seem insurmountable.
The lyrics to “Cast All Your Cares,” a song by Christian artist Gary Oliver, say, “When troubles come… all you have to do is call Him. When sickness comes… call Him… for He cares for you, and He knows what you’re going through. Why don’t you cast all your cares upon the Lord.” If you want to listen to the song, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxABJT59Vhk and hear this song in its entirety. Then make an effort to cast all your cares upon the Lord. God even wants those you feel would be small and ridiculous to anyone else. Those you feel there is no way they can be resolved… God wants them, too! Let’s give our cares to God and expect Him to handle them, according to His will. I believe we will be amazed, astounded, and totally blown away by His grace and mercy – and how well He truly does care for us in every way! What have you got to lose? Cast all your cares upon the Lord today, and watch what happens!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If someone were robbing you, and they said, “Give me all your money,” would you keep a little in your back pocket? Probably not! You would give this complete stranger everything you could think of – and quickly – hoping the robber wasn’t going to harm you! So why is it that we withhold some of our worries and cares from God, when we know that He is going to take care of us? Why do we doubt God so readily, which is exactly what we do when we withhold our concerns and burdens from Him?
I could go into my ideas on why we do this… but they really don’t matter. What matters is that we need to STOP! We need to give all our cares to God… from the small, seemingly silly ones all the way to the gigantic ones that seem insurmountable.
The lyrics to “Cast All Your Cares,” a song by Christian artist Gary Oliver, say, “When troubles come… all you have to do is call Him. When sickness comes… call Him… for He cares for you, and He knows what you’re going through. Why don’t you cast all your cares upon the Lord.” If you want to listen to the song, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxABJT59Vhk and hear this song in its entirety. Then make an effort to cast all your cares upon the Lord. God even wants those you feel would be small and ridiculous to anyone else. Those you feel there is no way they can be resolved… God wants them, too! Let’s give our cares to God and expect Him to handle them, according to His will. I believe we will be amazed, astounded, and totally blown away by His grace and mercy – and how well He truly does care for us in every way! What have you got to lose? Cast all your cares upon the Lord today, and watch what happens!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 25, 2010
June 25 ~ Romans 8:15
God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about television fathers of the fifties and sixties (or for some of you, from today’s reruns on TV Land). Consider Andy Griffith, or Fred McMurray’s character on “My Three Sons,” or even Ward Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver.” These men were “large and in charge” and commanded respect. But when their sons misbehaved or made a mistake, they had nothing to fear. Sure, there were consequences, and sometimes the dads were disappointed or upset. But these fathers lovingly showed their sons their mistakes and how to correct them… and how to avoid repeating them in the future. The sons respected their fathers. Oh, sure, Beaver acted like he was afraid of his dad at times, but he wasn’t really… and he never felt like his slave.
In my mind, God is the same kind of Father as Andy Griffith – only super-sized and far more powerful. God takes things in stride… enjoys my successes, cries when I’m sad, and is disappointed and upset with me when I disobey Him or make wrong choices. But He is not a “slave-owner,” and He is not waiting to beat me into submission… or keep score of every time I’ve failed Him. At the day’s end, I am still His child, and He loves me. He wants me to have the very best He can provide – and to be all that I can be. Like most fathers, He wants me to live up to my full potential as His child – and to get all I can out of life on this earth… and my life in Him. If we are honest, we all want to please our parents. We want to feel that they are proud of us, and that we lived up to their expectations. And God is no exception to this.
If you view God as anything besides loving, just, fair, and taking your best interests to heart, you’ve misunderstood Him. If you think of God as a fierce judge who is waiting with a list of your infractions and a whip and chain to beat you into submission and correction, you are dead wrong. God loves us. He may correct us from time to time or allow us to suffer consequences of our actions, but He does not want us to serve Him out of fear. If you have any feelings toward God other than love and a healthy respect and reverence, I encourage you to spend some time reading His word and getting to really know him. Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a keyword search for “God’s love,” or “love of God” or other phrases about our Father and His love. See for yourself how deeply He cares. Discover Him in a new way, and serve Him joyfully as His child… and not a slave. God wants us to serve Him willingly and out of a deep joy and love. He’s worthy of that, and more. Find out why… and get busy being His child.
©2010 Debbie Robus
God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Think about television fathers of the fifties and sixties (or for some of you, from today’s reruns on TV Land). Consider Andy Griffith, or Fred McMurray’s character on “My Three Sons,” or even Ward Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver.” These men were “large and in charge” and commanded respect. But when their sons misbehaved or made a mistake, they had nothing to fear. Sure, there were consequences, and sometimes the dads were disappointed or upset. But these fathers lovingly showed their sons their mistakes and how to correct them… and how to avoid repeating them in the future. The sons respected their fathers. Oh, sure, Beaver acted like he was afraid of his dad at times, but he wasn’t really… and he never felt like his slave.
In my mind, God is the same kind of Father as Andy Griffith – only super-sized and far more powerful. God takes things in stride… enjoys my successes, cries when I’m sad, and is disappointed and upset with me when I disobey Him or make wrong choices. But He is not a “slave-owner,” and He is not waiting to beat me into submission… or keep score of every time I’ve failed Him. At the day’s end, I am still His child, and He loves me. He wants me to have the very best He can provide – and to be all that I can be. Like most fathers, He wants me to live up to my full potential as His child – and to get all I can out of life on this earth… and my life in Him. If we are honest, we all want to please our parents. We want to feel that they are proud of us, and that we lived up to their expectations. And God is no exception to this.
If you view God as anything besides loving, just, fair, and taking your best interests to heart, you’ve misunderstood Him. If you think of God as a fierce judge who is waiting with a list of your infractions and a whip and chain to beat you into submission and correction, you are dead wrong. God loves us. He may correct us from time to time or allow us to suffer consequences of our actions, but He does not want us to serve Him out of fear. If you have any feelings toward God other than love and a healthy respect and reverence, I encourage you to spend some time reading His word and getting to really know him. Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a keyword search for “God’s love,” or “love of God” or other phrases about our Father and His love. See for yourself how deeply He cares. Discover Him in a new way, and serve Him joyfully as His child… and not a slave. God wants us to serve Him willingly and out of a deep joy and love. He’s worthy of that, and more. Find out why… and get busy being His child.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 20, 2010
June 20 ~ Haggai 2:5
...just as I promised your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt. Don't worry. My Spirit is right here with you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you remember a time in your life when you felt like you were out of options? Maybe you were failing a class, and you knew there was nothing you could do to bring your grade up in time. Maybe you were losing a loved one – even a pet – and you were told, “I’m sorry – we’ve done all we can do.” Maybe your relationship with a friend, spouse, or significant other was failing, and you realized there was no way to restore it. Or maybe you lost your job and had no prospects for another one – and no money to pay bills or even buy food. If you cannot come up with a single time when your options were exhausted – or severely limited, you are a rare gem! If you are like most people, there has been at least one time in your life where you felt quite desperate.
I thank God that my “desperate” times have been few and far between. I’ve never missed a meal or been unable to pay bills. I never failed a class. But I remember distinctly the finality of death and a terminal diagnosis for loved ones. I know the overwhelming wash of desperation when the doctors are working frantically to revive a friend or family member and cannot. I understand completely the powerless feeling of watching someone you care about slide from your grip – and the “what-do-I-do-now?” feeling that follows.
But I also know the calming peace of getting a call to come immediately to the hospital…and feeling God’s presence – hearing Him say, “It will be okay… I’m right here with you.” I know the comfort and confidence of wondering what we will do if our house doesn’t sell and feeling God say, “I’m on it… don’t worry.” I am trusting God continually to handle things for me that are too big for me to handle – and believing that He will. I know that the same God who brought a nation out of bondage in Egypt will rescue me and those I love. I pray that you will know this, too.
Know that God is with you – every minute of every day. Call on Him to help you. Just say, “Lord, this is bigger than I am… but nothing is too big for You. Handle this for me, according to Your will. I’m trusting in Your power and expecting that You will orchestrate everything perfectly. I am thanking you now for showing up in my life each and every day.” Once you have given your problems, fears, and desperate situations to God… pay attention. Don’t go off half-cocked and assume all will be well. Listen for His voice – look for His guidance. Do your part to make things better… as He directs you. With God, all things really are possible… even when things seem “desperate.”
©2010 Debbie Robus
...just as I promised your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt. Don't worry. My Spirit is right here with you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you remember a time in your life when you felt like you were out of options? Maybe you were failing a class, and you knew there was nothing you could do to bring your grade up in time. Maybe you were losing a loved one – even a pet – and you were told, “I’m sorry – we’ve done all we can do.” Maybe your relationship with a friend, spouse, or significant other was failing, and you realized there was no way to restore it. Or maybe you lost your job and had no prospects for another one – and no money to pay bills or even buy food. If you cannot come up with a single time when your options were exhausted – or severely limited, you are a rare gem! If you are like most people, there has been at least one time in your life where you felt quite desperate.
I thank God that my “desperate” times have been few and far between. I’ve never missed a meal or been unable to pay bills. I never failed a class. But I remember distinctly the finality of death and a terminal diagnosis for loved ones. I know the overwhelming wash of desperation when the doctors are working frantically to revive a friend or family member and cannot. I understand completely the powerless feeling of watching someone you care about slide from your grip – and the “what-do-I-do-now?” feeling that follows.
But I also know the calming peace of getting a call to come immediately to the hospital…and feeling God’s presence – hearing Him say, “It will be okay… I’m right here with you.” I know the comfort and confidence of wondering what we will do if our house doesn’t sell and feeling God say, “I’m on it… don’t worry.” I am trusting God continually to handle things for me that are too big for me to handle – and believing that He will. I know that the same God who brought a nation out of bondage in Egypt will rescue me and those I love. I pray that you will know this, too.
Know that God is with you – every minute of every day. Call on Him to help you. Just say, “Lord, this is bigger than I am… but nothing is too big for You. Handle this for me, according to Your will. I’m trusting in Your power and expecting that You will orchestrate everything perfectly. I am thanking you now for showing up in my life each and every day.” Once you have given your problems, fears, and desperate situations to God… pay attention. Don’t go off half-cocked and assume all will be well. Listen for His voice – look for His guidance. Do your part to make things better… as He directs you. With God, all things really are possible… even when things seem “desperate.”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 19, 2010
June 19 ~ Joel 2:20-21
...The LORD works wonders and does great things. So tell the soil to celebrate and wild animals to stop being afraid. Grasslands are green again; fruit trees and fig trees are loaded with fruit. Grapevines are covered with grapes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When 9-11, Hurricane Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti occurred, we all wondered how in the world recovery would ever be possible. Where does one even begin to clean up a mess such as these? But in each case, we have seen – and are seeing still – the order created from chaos. We’ve seen the rubble removed, and new growth emerge. I am reminded of my grandparents’ house fire in 1982, where the fire raged hot enough to reduce even a cast-iron claw-footed bath tub to ashes. When spring and summer came, beautiful petunias bloomed where the house foundation had been bulldozed away… a testament to rebirth and a new day.
In this passage, God is telling us that destruction and devastation will come, but so will a new day… a reason for the soil to celebrate. Vegetation returns to burning mountainsides and forests. Droughts are replaced by thirst-quenching rains – and flooding waters recede. Even the present-day oil spill crisis will resolve in time and beaches will be clean again. And our own lives have an ebb and flow – even if it seems like yours is filled with one challenge or disaster after another. For me, it seemed liked the 1990s were filled with nothing but the loss of loved ones. Every time we turned around, we were planning the funeral of a family member and/or dear friend. You may be suffering with a debilitating illness or injury – or caring for someone who is seriously (or terminally) ill. You may have lost your job or your home. You may have lost loved ones. Or you may have just started a new job, moved into a new home, or had a new baby. All of these are stressors… and our lives are filled with “ups and downs” and challenges at every turn. But the good news is that God is right there with us. He never moves… and whatever is taken from you – whatever you suffer – God will make right at some point. “WHEN?” you may be asking. You may feel that you’ve had enough already. Trust God’s timing. I can’t tell you when or how He will work in your life, but He surely will.
I can’t stress enough – even to myself – that we simply must stop operating in fear and recognize God’s presence in our lives. We have to turn to Him for strength and protection, and leave hand-wringing and debilitating worry behind. The LORD works wonders and does great things. It’s high time we recognize Him and give Him command and control.
©2010 Debbie Robus
...The LORD works wonders and does great things. So tell the soil to celebrate and wild animals to stop being afraid. Grasslands are green again; fruit trees and fig trees are loaded with fruit. Grapevines are covered with grapes.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When 9-11, Hurricane Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti occurred, we all wondered how in the world recovery would ever be possible. Where does one even begin to clean up a mess such as these? But in each case, we have seen – and are seeing still – the order created from chaos. We’ve seen the rubble removed, and new growth emerge. I am reminded of my grandparents’ house fire in 1982, where the fire raged hot enough to reduce even a cast-iron claw-footed bath tub to ashes. When spring and summer came, beautiful petunias bloomed where the house foundation had been bulldozed away… a testament to rebirth and a new day.
In this passage, God is telling us that destruction and devastation will come, but so will a new day… a reason for the soil to celebrate. Vegetation returns to burning mountainsides and forests. Droughts are replaced by thirst-quenching rains – and flooding waters recede. Even the present-day oil spill crisis will resolve in time and beaches will be clean again. And our own lives have an ebb and flow – even if it seems like yours is filled with one challenge or disaster after another. For me, it seemed liked the 1990s were filled with nothing but the loss of loved ones. Every time we turned around, we were planning the funeral of a family member and/or dear friend. You may be suffering with a debilitating illness or injury – or caring for someone who is seriously (or terminally) ill. You may have lost your job or your home. You may have lost loved ones. Or you may have just started a new job, moved into a new home, or had a new baby. All of these are stressors… and our lives are filled with “ups and downs” and challenges at every turn. But the good news is that God is right there with us. He never moves… and whatever is taken from you – whatever you suffer – God will make right at some point. “WHEN?” you may be asking. You may feel that you’ve had enough already. Trust God’s timing. I can’t tell you when or how He will work in your life, but He surely will.
I can’t stress enough – even to myself – that we simply must stop operating in fear and recognize God’s presence in our lives. We have to turn to Him for strength and protection, and leave hand-wringing and debilitating worry behind. The LORD works wonders and does great things. It’s high time we recognize Him and give Him command and control.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 17, 2010
June 17 ~ Isaiah 54:14
You will be built on fairness with no fears of injustice; every one of your worries will be taken far from you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A young cousin of mine recently received a nasty telephone message on the family’s answering machine. It turned out to be a jealous little girl who posed as my cousin’s friend and said some really ugly things to her. But it had all of the makings of a potential bullying situation. In talking with my cousin’s mother, we both shared how a bully had hurt us as young girls and teenagers, and the mother said, “It all came back to me in a flood.”
Clearly, from what I know of this woman, she has risen above any torment and torture that her childhood bully tried to inflict. If the bully meant to tear her apart for life, she failed miserably. And the girl who bullied me didn’t ruin my life, either. I wish I could say the same for some young teens whose stories have been in the news lately. For them, the only rescue they felt viable was suicide.
Especially when we are young, we are so vulnerable. Satan has an easy task of making life hard for us… and bullies are really difficult to ignore. We pray for God to take the burden away, but sometimes, in certain circumstances, we can’t escape our worries and injustice. Maybe those children didn’t have an attentive mother like my cousin’s, who jumped right on this situation and got to the bottom of it. Maybe these young people felt they should be able to handle this on their own and didn’t tell anyone – especially an adult. Or maybe they didn’t live in a home where everyone practiced faith in God to deliver them from all forms of weaponry, even the attacks of a bully.
My point is that Satan starts early. He has been trying to tear each of us away from God since the day we were born, and he will stop at nothing to achieve this. But we serve a God who is far more powerful… far more faithful… loving and kind, yet strong and mighty. And if we will stay focused on Him… hang on and hang in there – He will help us overcome all obstacles. He will send attentive mothers and fathers and empathetic teachers and counselors. He will give us wisdom and courage to fight the enemies of Satan, and every one of our worries will be taken far from us!
I’ll be the first to tell you that I come from a long line of worry warts. I learned from some of the best… and I got pretty good at it. And I’ll admit, I still worry about things that I cannot control from time to time. But I am learning to “let go and let God” – and I see evidence every day of how much better He handles these worries than I ever could. I see proof that He has had a protective hand on me for all of my years… and I know He is not letting go. Who has you in his hands – Satan, the biggest bully of all time - or the Great Protector, God Almighty? Who is doing your worrying these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
You will be built on fairness with no fears of injustice; every one of your worries will be taken far from you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A young cousin of mine recently received a nasty telephone message on the family’s answering machine. It turned out to be a jealous little girl who posed as my cousin’s friend and said some really ugly things to her. But it had all of the makings of a potential bullying situation. In talking with my cousin’s mother, we both shared how a bully had hurt us as young girls and teenagers, and the mother said, “It all came back to me in a flood.”
Clearly, from what I know of this woman, she has risen above any torment and torture that her childhood bully tried to inflict. If the bully meant to tear her apart for life, she failed miserably. And the girl who bullied me didn’t ruin my life, either. I wish I could say the same for some young teens whose stories have been in the news lately. For them, the only rescue they felt viable was suicide.
Especially when we are young, we are so vulnerable. Satan has an easy task of making life hard for us… and bullies are really difficult to ignore. We pray for God to take the burden away, but sometimes, in certain circumstances, we can’t escape our worries and injustice. Maybe those children didn’t have an attentive mother like my cousin’s, who jumped right on this situation and got to the bottom of it. Maybe these young people felt they should be able to handle this on their own and didn’t tell anyone – especially an adult. Or maybe they didn’t live in a home where everyone practiced faith in God to deliver them from all forms of weaponry, even the attacks of a bully.
My point is that Satan starts early. He has been trying to tear each of us away from God since the day we were born, and he will stop at nothing to achieve this. But we serve a God who is far more powerful… far more faithful… loving and kind, yet strong and mighty. And if we will stay focused on Him… hang on and hang in there – He will help us overcome all obstacles. He will send attentive mothers and fathers and empathetic teachers and counselors. He will give us wisdom and courage to fight the enemies of Satan, and every one of our worries will be taken far from us!
I’ll be the first to tell you that I come from a long line of worry warts. I learned from some of the best… and I got pretty good at it. And I’ll admit, I still worry about things that I cannot control from time to time. But I am learning to “let go and let God” – and I see evidence every day of how much better He handles these worries than I ever could. I see proof that He has had a protective hand on me for all of my years… and I know He is not letting go. Who has you in his hands – Satan, the biggest bully of all time - or the Great Protector, God Almighty? Who is doing your worrying these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 14, 2010
June 14 ~ Isaiah 35:4
Don't tremble with fear! Didn't I tell you long ago? Didn't you hear me? I alone am God -- no one else is a mighty rock.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever considered how many landmarks include a rock? Early settlers docked near La Petite Rocher (later called La Petite Roche) – a “Little Rock” outcropping that became a noted landmark on maps and the point where ferries crossed the Arkansas River, as well as our state capital. When we talk about Sugar Loaf, we are usually referring to the “mountain” behind ASU-Heber Springs that is topped by a rock outcropping. However, there is a Sugar Loaf in Greers Ferry Lake near Fairfield Bay, and my parents and grandparents knew another rock outcropping as “Little Sugar Loaf” before the lake was formed. Today, when the lake level is low, the very top of “Little Sugar Loaf” is visible, just beyond a row of houses on Lakeshore Drive.
There are countless rock formations around the world that are readily recognizable by name. And the point is, when we think of a rock formation, we think of something solid and steady – something immovable and everlasting. When we think of God as our rock, we think of Him in the same way. He is solid, steady, immovable, everlasting. We don’t give a second thought to climbing to the top of Sugar Loaf… we expect the rock formation to hold us. We can depend on the rock that is our God to hold us without fail, as well.
Early settlers used rock formations and caves as shelter from the elements. God is our shelter. He is strong and protective and will keep us from harm. When someone says “Mt. Rushmore,” or “Little Rock,” or even “Sugar Loaf,” we know what they mean. There may be more than one formation with the same name, but in general, we think of the landmark that is within our scope of experience. The good news is that there is no mistaking who we mean when we talk of God as our rock, because there is no other. He is the one and only Rock on which we can place all of our fears, our worries, our insecurities – and our sins – and He will take them all and give us protection and comfort. He is infallible, immovable, strong and able. When God is truly our rock, we have nothing to fear. The key is to recognize Him and acknowledge His strength and power over our lives. Which “rocks” do you recognize? Do you trust in The One who matters most?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Don't tremble with fear! Didn't I tell you long ago? Didn't you hear me? I alone am God -- no one else is a mighty rock.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever considered how many landmarks include a rock? Early settlers docked near La Petite Rocher (later called La Petite Roche) – a “Little Rock” outcropping that became a noted landmark on maps and the point where ferries crossed the Arkansas River, as well as our state capital. When we talk about Sugar Loaf, we are usually referring to the “mountain” behind ASU-Heber Springs that is topped by a rock outcropping. However, there is a Sugar Loaf in Greers Ferry Lake near Fairfield Bay, and my parents and grandparents knew another rock outcropping as “Little Sugar Loaf” before the lake was formed. Today, when the lake level is low, the very top of “Little Sugar Loaf” is visible, just beyond a row of houses on Lakeshore Drive.
There are countless rock formations around the world that are readily recognizable by name. And the point is, when we think of a rock formation, we think of something solid and steady – something immovable and everlasting. When we think of God as our rock, we think of Him in the same way. He is solid, steady, immovable, everlasting. We don’t give a second thought to climbing to the top of Sugar Loaf… we expect the rock formation to hold us. We can depend on the rock that is our God to hold us without fail, as well.
Early settlers used rock formations and caves as shelter from the elements. God is our shelter. He is strong and protective and will keep us from harm. When someone says “Mt. Rushmore,” or “Little Rock,” or even “Sugar Loaf,” we know what they mean. There may be more than one formation with the same name, but in general, we think of the landmark that is within our scope of experience. The good news is that there is no mistaking who we mean when we talk of God as our rock, because there is no other. He is the one and only Rock on which we can place all of our fears, our worries, our insecurities – and our sins – and He will take them all and give us protection and comfort. He is infallible, immovable, strong and able. When God is truly our rock, we have nothing to fear. The key is to recognize Him and acknowledge His strength and power over our lives. Which “rocks” do you recognize? Do you trust in The One who matters most?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 12, 2010
June 12 ~ Isaiah 43:1
Descendants of Jacob, I, the LORD, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don't be afraid. I have rescued you. I have called you by name; now you belong to me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When we first got our cats, they were just weeks old… tiny babies, really. We brought them home and looked at “the girls” and decided on names. We thought about Lucy and Ethel – and our calico even had patches of reddish fur. But in the end, she was Mabel, and the “tuxedo” cat became our Lucy. We would call them by their names, and they would totally ignore us. They did not recognize these sounds. Their names were as unfamiliar to them as were their new owners. But we kept working at it. We would stroke their fur and call their name. We would play with them, toss something to them, and call their name again.
Today, our “babies” are eleven years old. And they know their names. We call them by name, and they answer. There is no confusion. We rescued them from the pound and gave them a name, and they are precious to us. They belong to us… they captured our hearts, and we would do just about anything for them.
It’s the same way with Jesus… but times a zillion or more. He rescued us. He gave us a name… and we belong to Him. We are precious to Him… and each of us is uniquely special in His eyes. We may share the same name as dozens of other people (and if you think your name is unique, search for it on Google or Facebook!), but when Jesus thinks of your name, He thinks only of YOU! And He’s got your back – always – forever! Now how can we be afraid with a love and protection like Jesus?! He created us and formed us – He calls us by name, and we belong to Him. He died for us, so that we never have to fear Satan and his evil again. If the One who did all of this for us has rescued us, what could we possibly have to fear?
It’s time for us to hear Him call us… and to answer. It is time to trust and believe in His power. I know it’s hard… Satan will NOT give up and go away. But we have to keep working on kicking him to the curb and trusting God to handle things for us. I’m working on this in my own life…how are you doing?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Descendants of Jacob, I, the LORD, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don't be afraid. I have rescued you. I have called you by name; now you belong to me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When we first got our cats, they were just weeks old… tiny babies, really. We brought them home and looked at “the girls” and decided on names. We thought about Lucy and Ethel – and our calico even had patches of reddish fur. But in the end, she was Mabel, and the “tuxedo” cat became our Lucy. We would call them by their names, and they would totally ignore us. They did not recognize these sounds. Their names were as unfamiliar to them as were their new owners. But we kept working at it. We would stroke their fur and call their name. We would play with them, toss something to them, and call their name again.
Today, our “babies” are eleven years old. And they know their names. We call them by name, and they answer. There is no confusion. We rescued them from the pound and gave them a name, and they are precious to us. They belong to us… they captured our hearts, and we would do just about anything for them.
It’s the same way with Jesus… but times a zillion or more. He rescued us. He gave us a name… and we belong to Him. We are precious to Him… and each of us is uniquely special in His eyes. We may share the same name as dozens of other people (and if you think your name is unique, search for it on Google or Facebook!), but when Jesus thinks of your name, He thinks only of YOU! And He’s got your back – always – forever! Now how can we be afraid with a love and protection like Jesus?! He created us and formed us – He calls us by name, and we belong to Him. He died for us, so that we never have to fear Satan and his evil again. If the One who did all of this for us has rescued us, what could we possibly have to fear?
It’s time for us to hear Him call us… and to answer. It is time to trust and believe in His power. I know it’s hard… Satan will NOT give up and go away. But we have to keep working on kicking him to the curb and trusting God to handle things for us. I’m working on this in my own life…how are you doing?
©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
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 3, 2010
June 3 ~ 2 Kings 6:16
"Don't be afraid," Elisha answered. "There are more troops on our side than on theirs."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Nobody likes to feel outnumbered. The good news is, in our Christian life, it may seem that way, but in truth, we have more “troops” on our side than we even realize! Truly, no weapon formed against us will prosper, if we are living within God’s will.
I will be honest… I didn’t really understand this when I was a teenager and young adult. And I now see just how generous God’s grace was over me during those years. I still remember being laughed at because I didn’t smoke cigarettes and wouldn’t try marijuana or other drugs. I still recall the sting of not being included in trips to the lake or other outings because I wasn’t allowed to wear a bikini bathing suit or the crop tops and low-rise jeans my girlfriends were wearing. I’ve heard the names… “prude,” “goody two-shoes,” and more. And I admit…at the time, these things really hurt. They made me feel like I was an outsider… like I was outnumbered, and everyone else was having more fun and laughing at me. And honestly, Satan delighted in this… and he could have so easily won me over, had God’s grace not covered me.
See, I didn’t realize it then, but for every temptation Satan hurled at me, God stood back, arms folded, watching His angels surround me and give me the resolve and courage I needed to muddle through each situation. It wasn’t easy, and I don’t have a spotless record! But now I see so clearly that I was I just didn’t realize Who had my back… I was never outnumbered! And neither are you!
God has a army of angels surrounding each of us, ready to fight off Satan’s attackers. We can call on them any hour of the night or day. All we have to do is say, “Lord, I need you. I’m upset, and I’m about to say something that I know I will regret later.” Or, “Lord, everyone else is doing this… I really, really want to fit in… can you help me?” Or, “Father, I don’t think I can fight this disease and the ailments of aging any more. Can you please give me strength and peace?”
When I sleepily rock our nephew Timothy in the middle of the night, and he will not settle down, I have prayed for God to give him rest and relaxation. I’ve envisioned him surrounded by angels who lovingly soothe him and calm him as he returns to sleep in his crib. I have felt the presence of angels in a hospital room as my dad lay dying, and I have acknowledged that they were far more powerful than the demons of his illness and suffering. I have been tempted to lash out in anger and frustration at someone when I felt they were mistreating me, and I’ve asked God to surround me with legions of angels to protect me – and my intended target. And always… ALWAYS… God answers when I call on Him. AND… He will do the very same thing for you. Nothing is too big or too small for God… and we do not have to operate one second more in fear.
Are you calling on God and His army of angels to calm your fears and give you courage – and encouragement? Do you recognize the enemy and confront him headlong by calling on The Great Commander? Isn’t it time we stopped giving in, compromising and declaring defeat unnecessarily? We need recognize that we are never outnumbered as Christians. Help is only a prayer away. I wish I had used them more often when I was younger, but I am making up for lost time now! God is truly my ultimate “lifeline” – is He yours?
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Don't be afraid," Elisha answered. "There are more troops on our side than on theirs."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Nobody likes to feel outnumbered. The good news is, in our Christian life, it may seem that way, but in truth, we have more “troops” on our side than we even realize! Truly, no weapon formed against us will prosper, if we are living within God’s will.
I will be honest… I didn’t really understand this when I was a teenager and young adult. And I now see just how generous God’s grace was over me during those years. I still remember being laughed at because I didn’t smoke cigarettes and wouldn’t try marijuana or other drugs. I still recall the sting of not being included in trips to the lake or other outings because I wasn’t allowed to wear a bikini bathing suit or the crop tops and low-rise jeans my girlfriends were wearing. I’ve heard the names… “prude,” “goody two-shoes,” and more. And I admit…at the time, these things really hurt. They made me feel like I was an outsider… like I was outnumbered, and everyone else was having more fun and laughing at me. And honestly, Satan delighted in this… and he could have so easily won me over, had God’s grace not covered me.
See, I didn’t realize it then, but for every temptation Satan hurled at me, God stood back, arms folded, watching His angels surround me and give me the resolve and courage I needed to muddle through each situation. It wasn’t easy, and I don’t have a spotless record! But now I see so clearly that I was I just didn’t realize Who had my back… I was never outnumbered! And neither are you!
God has a army of angels surrounding each of us, ready to fight off Satan’s attackers. We can call on them any hour of the night or day. All we have to do is say, “Lord, I need you. I’m upset, and I’m about to say something that I know I will regret later.” Or, “Lord, everyone else is doing this… I really, really want to fit in… can you help me?” Or, “Father, I don’t think I can fight this disease and the ailments of aging any more. Can you please give me strength and peace?”
When I sleepily rock our nephew Timothy in the middle of the night, and he will not settle down, I have prayed for God to give him rest and relaxation. I’ve envisioned him surrounded by angels who lovingly soothe him and calm him as he returns to sleep in his crib. I have felt the presence of angels in a hospital room as my dad lay dying, and I have acknowledged that they were far more powerful than the demons of his illness and suffering. I have been tempted to lash out in anger and frustration at someone when I felt they were mistreating me, and I’ve asked God to surround me with legions of angels to protect me – and my intended target. And always… ALWAYS… God answers when I call on Him. AND… He will do the very same thing for you. Nothing is too big or too small for God… and we do not have to operate one second more in fear.
Are you calling on God and His army of angels to calm your fears and give you courage – and encouragement? Do you recognize the enemy and confront him headlong by calling on The Great Commander? Isn’t it time we stopped giving in, compromising and declaring defeat unnecessarily? We need recognize that we are never outnumbered as Christians. Help is only a prayer away. I wish I had used them more often when I was younger, but I am making up for lost time now! God is truly my ultimate “lifeline” – is He yours?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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