Daily Devotional for December 31, 2016

1 John 1:8-10
If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.
 
When I was about twelve, I got braces to correct an overbite and a huge gap between my two front teeth. I wore the braces for about two years, and the result was a really nice smile with perfectly aligned teeth. I even had my wisdom teeth removed, because the orthodontist said they might affect my new “alignment” if we allowed them emerge later on.

Despite my efforts to practice good dental health, my perfectly straight row of lower teeth have pushed together a bit over time – probably due to “bruxism” – a condition where I grind my teeth at night. I also started to have a slight gap between two of my upper teeth that was cosmetically bothersome. To compensate for the grinding, the dentist made me a little “retainer” of sorts to wear at night - called a “night guard.”

Many years ago, the dentist made impressions of my teeth to create a model for the night guard. Over time, this device became pretty worn. Last spring, I took in the old models of my teeth and asked the dentist to make me a new device.  For a few weeks, this new night guard fit pretty snugly…but over time, my teeth adjusted. The gap is much smaller now as my teeth have conformed to the fit of this device created from my original impressions.

I could deny that I grind my teeth…but the dentist can prove otherwise.  To say that he is mistaken would be to essentially call him a liar. And while this might offend him…I would be the real loser as my teeth weakened and separated over time. I’m not going to say that my teeth would ever be as badly aligned as they were when I was twelve…but I could surely do some serious damage and negate all of the hard work it took to get a nice, straight smile.

Even worse, I could grind the teeth down so much that they began to crack and break. And besides…my parents really scrimped and scraped to pay for my braces. To fail to do what I need to protect my teeth would be incredibly disrespectful and ungrateful toward them.

The solution is simple. I pop in this little soft plastic night guard each night and sleep with confidence that my teeth are protected – and staying in place.  And honestly, the “solution” with God is pretty simple, too.  All we have to do is acknowledge that we are sinners…then affirm that Jesus died so that our sins are forgiven. Then we must stay in close contact with Him through prayer and Bible study, so that we have the best chance of maintaining alignment with His will for our lives.

Just like my teeth can still shift and change, we are all still capable of sin. To claim we aren’t is the same as saying that God is a liar!  A right relationship with Jesus Christ is our spiritual “night guard.”  When we admit that we are sinners and do all of the “preventative maintenance” necessary to honor Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we will always enjoy His protection and blessings.  To accept Salvation in Jesus Christ - then try to have things our way after the fact - is essentially the same as thumbing our noses at this amazing Gift and indicating that we are plenty capable of keeping ourselves aligned without any help. Honestly, this tells Jesus, “I didn’t really need You in the first place…and any claims You make to the contrary are lies.”

Surely this is not how we want to live.  And there is no time like today to make necessary changes.  Don’t let your spiritual relationship with Jesus weaken or lose its alignment. As you think about the New Year and resolutions to make improvements, put your relationship with Him at the top of the list!  Jesus is already your perfect “Night Guard”…all you have to do is acknowledge that you continually need Him – and enjoy the perfect alignment of His grace, mercy, forgiveness and blessings.  It’s an offer you can’t afford to refuse!  Are you ready to “line up” with Jesus?  Will this be the year that you do?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 4, 2015

Matthew 8:18-20
“Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
 
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.

The director of our church’s Children’s Ministries suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage about a month ago.  On MayoClinic.org, I found this description: “Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the space between your brain and the surrounding membrane (subarachnoid space).”  It has been “touch and go” for much of this month with Donna…and she has endured countless tests and treatments to get everything stabilized.  She’s still not there…but she is far closer than she was a month ago.

Everyone loves Donna…and the children have been concerned about her recovery.  So when we met Sunday night for the first rehearsal of our Christmas Program, the person in charge asked if anyone would like to lead a closing prayer.  A fourth grader named Kael readily volunteered.  He prayed sweetly, asking God to help us learn the music and to be able to give a good performance.  And then he prayed for Mrs. Donna…that God would heal her and bring her back to us.

In that moment, an hour spent with 30+ children and adults singing “Joy to the World” and dancing along with animated camels on the projection screen while singing “We Three Kings” got incredibly holy.  We were gathered to rehearse for the program and learn some new music to celebrate Jesus and glorify God during the Christmas Season…but in that closing prayer, Heaven went into action big time!

Yesterday, while I did my pool workout, I thought about the scripture from Matthew 11 about trading our “yoke” for that of Jesus.  I jogged around the pool and gave my “yoke” to Him.  I would say, “Lord, I give you this worry.  Please take that concern.  I give you this person, and that one, and another.”  By the end of a half-hour workout, my “yoke” was so much lighter.  I felt the presence and comfort of Jesus’ yoke vs. my own.  It was one of the best workouts I’ve had in a while…and certainly a holy time.

My point is this…holy moments and opportunities are all around us.  They don’t just happen during a formal worship service, a Bible study, or other organized assemblies.  When you need Jesus, He is there.  When your heart is burdened for someone or something, you can give that “yoke” to Him, and Heaven will go into action!  When a 9-year-old child pours out his concern for a beloved spiritual leader - and the sentiment is silently echoed by dozens who are standing with him – God hears the pleas.  And He is ready to answer.

So get busy talking to God.  Trade your “yoke” for that of Jesus, and feel the burdens lifted from your shoulders.  Discover the power of compounded prayers as you “activate the heavens” by sharing your burdens and concerns with others…and agree together over them as you talk to God.  Realize that every time you offer to pray for someone – and actually do it…God answers.  And He does the same when someone prays for you!

I can imagine that the decibel level in Heaven must be astounding at any given minute, as millions of people lift their worries and concerns to God…and He hears and answers each and every one.  Are yours among them?  Don’t you think it’s time they were?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 19, 2014

Matthew 7:7-11
"Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

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.

It's almost that time of year again...Halloween! Our little "goblins" are already busy working on their costumes. One wants to be Minnie Mouse...another a Power Ranger...Timothy wants to be a vampire - and Zola says she is going to be a "dhost" or a ladybug! They will ring the doorbell and shout "Trick or treat!" But there will be few tricks, if any...and plenty of candy and other goodies.

I doubt many children fully understand the meaning behind the phrase "Trick or treat!" If a homeowner replied, "Trick!"... they would probably look perplexed. And while a few adults may actually try this, we all know that in the end, the kids get what they were after...candy - and lots of it!

Imagine if we asked God for help, and He gave us something ridiculous instead. What if we beseeched God to heal our bodies, and He presented us with even more diseases...or we asked for help with a struggle at school, work, or church, and instead, He said, "Here's a pet alligator!" This wouldn't make a lick of sense...would it?!

I am so grateful that God does not play "Trick or treat!" I am blessed by the knowledge that anything I ask for with humility and sincerity, God will consider. That doesn't mean I will receive it exactly. But God will take my prayers and requests and consider what is best for me and my situation...and He will answer - and meet all of my needs and more!

This leads me to one more thing...we don't often pray specifically enough. Yes, God already knows that you are having a problem with your girlfriend or that your back is killing you. But He wants you to express this. He doesn't want to hear a broad-spectrum request for "complete peace and healing in all areas". This doesn't mean that God won't answer anyway...but He really, really wants us to be specific, transparent, and fully communicative with Him. And aren't we glad?!

We don't seem to grasp what an honor, blessing and privilege it is to be able to speak directly to God...about anything and everything...and to expect Him to answer! Let's not take this for granted. Let's get busy talking to God and letting Him know what we need and how we feel. Let's trust Him to answer in the best way possible for every situation. With God, there are no tricks. But "treats" abound at every turn. You just have to know how to ask.

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 4, 2014

Psalm 94:12-15
How blessed the man you train, God,
    the woman you instruct in your Word,
Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil,
    while a jail is being built for the wicked.
God will never walk away from his people,
    never desert his precious people.
Rest assured that justice is on its way
    and every good heart put right.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

For more than a decade, I served as my paternal grandmother’s primary caregiver/guardian.  I handled her business affairs, paid her bills, balanced her checkbook, ran her errands, and more.  As my late friend Mich (a gerontologist) often reminded me, there was a whole lot more that went into “caregiving” than paperwork and running errands.  For some of her later years, Greg and I were also the frequent caregivers for my little great-nephew, Timothy.  So we became members of the “Sandwich Generation”…those who balance the care of younger persons and older persons – and try to maintain some semblance of a “normal” life in between.

Today, I am 57 years old…and I feel like I have learned a lot in more than five decades…about life in general – but more importantly, about God’s love and care. There is no “manual” for a lot of what happens to us in life.  We can seek the counsel of others who have “been there, done that”…but there are a lot of times when we have to seemingly “fly by the seat of our pants”. 

I distinctly remember one day when I left my grandmother’s house feeling particularly frustrated, confused and overwhelmed.  I pulled into a parking space at the grocery store and thought, “Who can I call or talk to about this?  Who will understand and be able to help me figure out what to do next?”  I drew a complete blank.  So I sat in the car and asked God to show me what to do.  And the next thought I had was, “What would *I* tell someone else who was going through this same thing?” 

This was my answer.  I asked God to show me how to sort things out…to calm my fears and frustrations and to clearly outline what I would indeed suggest to someone else.  And He did all of this for me.  This was not the last time I would have to have this sort of “conversation”…and I am sure there will be many to follow.

In the last few years, I have learned some incredibly valuable lessons.  If you are a younger person reading this message, maybe I can spare you some time, confusion and frustration by sharing my “life lesson” here.  The words of this scripture passage are incredibly profound.  Think of the water circling a bath tub drain.  It spirals downward – and sometimes even makes a loud sucking noise as the liquid is pulled from the tub and into the tiny pipe.  That is just how we feel sometimes as the “clamor of evil” and the forces of troubles and challenges in our lives pull at us from every side.  Our temptation is to panic…to throw up our hands and just let the noisy current haul us away.  And if we aren’t careful, this is exactly what can happen!

But God stands ready to rescue us.  He provides a “circle of quiet” that can keep us calm, even as our very lives seem to be “spiraling toward the drain”.  He will never desert us…God will never allow us to face more than we can handle with His help.  Notice I did not say that we would only be allowed what we can handle by ourselves.  But with God to walk alongside us, our strength and capacity to manage things we thought were impossible increases exponentially.  And God always has the right answers.

I honestly do not know how people get through life without a relationship with God and His Holy Spirit.  I cannot imagine how lonely and frustrating life must be for those who are totally dependent on their own thoughts and abilities…and those of other mere mortals.  Don’t misunderstand me.  God has sent a lot of wonderful mentors and role models my way…friends to whom I frequently turn for advice and “vent”.  God gave me an amazing, incredible husband who stands ever ready to help me with anything and everything.  I rely on these people greatly.  But they are God-ordained…Heaven sent…and this makes all the difference!

I passed the street on which my grandmother used to live today, and for a fleeting moment, I thought “I should go and visit Mam-ma Polly.”  Then I remembered that Mam-ma lives with Jesus now.  But God still uses her frequently to remind me of past lessons…and to show me which direction to take.  I see His hand in my life every day – in situations large and small.  And as I have grown in my faith and experiences, I have gotten better at recognizing Him! 

My prayer for you today is that you would be in tune with God…that He would be your “go-to-Guy”…and that you would realize it!  I pray that you rest in the LORD even when there is the noisy “clamor of evil” around you…that you trust Him to always be by your side – and to mete out justice according to His will…and that you would always recognize His voice.  You are precious to God…He loves you and wants to give you rest in Him.  Do you know Him well enough to let Him do exactly that?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 1, 2014

Psalm 46:8-10
Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

I cannot begin to tell you how weary I am of political ads…and political and “personal opinion” comments and postings on social media.  Occasionally I will agree with a post, if I feel strongly about it.  I have tried to reserve any disagreement for private messaging and personal interaction with the other party.  I know these sorts of comments and posts have caused me to “unfriend” a few people in order to disassociate with what I consider to be vile rants or opinions.  And I know that some have “unfriended” me because they feel I am too liberal or disagree otherwise with my thoughts.  Or maybe they just don’t like me!

The point is…none of this really important.  Life is not about social media – or the opinions of others, for that matter.  What truly is significant is our relationship with God…what He thinks of us – and what we feel for Him.  The time has come for us to step back…take a deep breath, and “Be still and know”.

“Be still and know”…

• who God really is
• what God expects of us
• what God thinks about situations vs man’s ideas and opinions
• the power of God to “make a way” where none seems possible
• the infinite, amazing, all-encompassing capacity of God to love us, no matter what

“Be still and know” the God who is far more than politics, people, and the propaganda of social media.  Rest in His love and care…relax as He guides your steps…renew in His amazing restorative powers.  Discover – maybe even for the first time – just how important – and comforting - a relationship with God is.  Take a break from the “noise” of the rest of the world to discover the peace, joy, and rest of giving Him your undivided, unending attention.

Step out of the traffic!  Take a long, loving look at God and ask yourself whether you are giving Him your full attention…or listening to outside influences.  “Be still and know” the One who truly matters!

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 6, 2014

John 14:21-24
The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to him.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but his other disciple with that name) said to him, “Sir, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us disciples and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “Because I will only reveal myself to those who love me and obey me. The Father will love them too, and we will come to them and live with them. Anyone who doesn’t obey me doesn’t love me. And remember, I am not making up this answer to your question! It is the answer given by the Father who sent me.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
According to my Facebook page, I have 608 “friends”.  If you are one of them, know that I like you…I really do!  In fact, I even love you with the love of Christ.  But I have a handful of friends whom I love deeply…profoundly…from the depths of my heart. I know them…we share our joys and our heartaches…and we always have each other’s back.  The fondness and devotion I have for these people goes far beyond a casual acquaintance on Facebook…or even a fairly regular interaction.  We have a “connection”!  Aside from my husband, Greg, these are the people I think of first when something happens in my life – good or bad.  More importantly, even the mundane, routine details of life are significant between us. 

Now here’s how this relates to John 14:21-24.  There are a lot of people who love God…I mean really love Him…to a point!  There are even more who know Him and say they love Him…but their idea of “love” between them and God has more to do with God taking care of them while they do as they please and giving them smooth sailing than a genuine exchange.  And then there are those who are “all in”…those who seek God from sun-up to sun-down…those who maintain an almost constant conversation with Him…who love Him, serve Him, and make Him their constant companion.

These are the folks who pray first, then act…who ask, “LORD, what do You want me to do with this?” or “Who do you want me to serve/bless today?”  They are the ones who know without any doubt that God has their back in every situation…and they rest in this!  They wouldn’t think of lying to God, disrespecting Him, or even ignoring Him.  Their relationship with God is like a “treasure” to them…and they treat it accordingly.  And in return, God delights in these believers.

Take a good look at the people around you.  I recently referenced Robin Roberts’ new book, Everybody’s Got Something.  Roberts says that her mother used to tell her this all the time.  But think about the people you know who “have something” happening in their lives, yet they seem to still have joy and peace – and things just seem to work out in their favor.  If you look closely enough, I bet you will find that they have the abiding, obedient “love relationship” with God that is described in these scripture verses.  Because they are so deeply connected to God, He equips them to handle any circumstance…and blesses them abundantly in the process.

Can I tell you something?  God will do this for you, too.  In fact, He wants to do this for you.  God loves you already.  He cares deeply about you.  But He wants your devotion and your obedience…and those who show Him this level of respect and commitment get “the really good stuff”!  Don’t misunderstand me… we cannot buy God’s love, nor our salvation.  There is nothing we can do to “earn our way into heaven”.  But if we want to operate in the fullness of God’s love and blessings, we have to fully surrender to Him and walk in His will every single day. 

It seems to me like a very small price to pay for such abundance.  To think that I gain not only the full revelation of God’s presence in my life…but that I secure Jesus and His Holy Spirit in the bargain…is astounding to me – and something I don’t want to miss!  What about you?  Are you willing to commit to God with complete loyalty and obedience?  Are you truly His “friend”…or are you merely an acquaintance?  Isn’t it time you relinquished your will for His?  Are you ready for Jesus to fully reveal Himself in your life?  Aren’t you ready for “the really good stuff”?  Will this be the day that you begin?

©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 16, 2014

March 16 ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Once in a while, we crave a good steak.  There is a restaurant in our town that specializes in steaks…and I have never been disappointed with a meal there.  The meat is flavorful and tender…and while the “steak dinner” is pricey…the occasional treat is worth it!  I don’t know how they prepare their steaks, but they have it down to a science!  At home, I’ve learned that the secret to cooking tender beef, pork and chicken often lies in slow cooking. A chicken breast cooked quickly in just oil, salt and pepper may be filling…but it can also be dry and rather run-of-the-mill.  The same cut of meat cooked in a slow cooker for several hours with a few seasonings can be melt-in-your-mouth tender and delectable. This goes for beef roasts and pork ribs, too.
 
It might seem like cooking meat for hours would be “cooking the life out of it” - and actually make it tough and hard to eat.  But in truth, the exact opposite is true.  The meat tenderizes and becomes saturated with flavor…and the end result is delicious and savory.
 
Peter uses the heat and purification of gold to demonstrate the trials of a Christian’s life.  I am using a cooking analogy.  Think of the tests and trials of your life like slow-cooking a beef roast.  The meat is still edible if cooked quickly…just as you may feel you were getting along perfectly fine in life without troubles and challenges.  But someday, you will look back at all you endured, and you will see that God was infusing you with “flavor”…character, strength, courage – and faith.  He was “tenderizing” you…making your heart softer to His voice and to the needs and challenges of others. You will discover that God was refining one of His children into a person of incredible integrity, witness, and testimony…someone who could truly demonstrate the love and teachings of Christ to others.
 
We are all tempted to ask, “Why is this happening to me?”  We want to question, “When will it be enough, LORD?”  We wonder whether God has forgotten us.  But the truth is that God knows everything that is happening…and He is right there in the trenches with us.  He will never leave us to stumble around and flail in confusion and despair – even if that is how it seems. He will use the time in which we experience difficulties to develop our Christian “flavor and tenderness” – if only we will let Him.
 
Today during our Burger King® lunch, Zola was trying to eat some ice cream. At almost three years of age, she is very strong-willed and independent.  The ice cream was all over her face, hands, and even on the front of her coat and her sleeve.  I tried to help her, and she wrestled with me for possession of the spoon.  I explained that I was not planning to feed her…I just wanted to clean up the mess and put a reasonable “bite” of ice cream on the spoon for her – then she could do the rest.  In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren says that our pain is often God’s megaphone.  In other words, while we are so intent on having things our way or wallowing in our suffering and frustration, He is saying, “Let me have the spoon for a minute, and I’ll help you out of this mess!”
 
Where is God molding and refining you?  How is He shaping you for ministry…equipping you to share His love and compassion with others?  Where is He trying to direct your efforts, while you effectively “grip the spoon” and try to do things all by yourself?  Are you staying in communication with God – even when you feel like He has deserted you?  Are you listening to His voice – even when things get rough?
 
Are you willing to settle for the mediocrity of a “quick-fired” effort…or are you willing to endure the “slow-cooking” needed to truly tenderize your heart?  Do you trust that God knows what He is doing…and that better days and brighter outcomes are ahead?  Are you operating in faith that joyful days await those whom God tests and refines?  Will you be one of them?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 27, 2013

Hebrews 12:14-17
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
 
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.
 
Regardless of how you feel about the Paula Deen debacle, I think we can all agree that hers is a perfect example of how even a couple of ill-chosen words can have powerful – even permanent – ramifications.  A snide remark, criticism, off-color joke, or disagreement with another may not cost you national endorsements or ruin your business… but these actions can certainly affect your reputation, your personal relationships – and possibly your bond with God.
 
The lesson for all of us is to guard not only what we say… but also our heart.  It’s sort of the “garbage in – garbage out” theory.  Here’s a good example… when I was in junior high, one of my teachers told a joke about a little girl who was talking to her mother about a movie titled “Damn Yankees.”  Her mother said, “You cannot SAY that word!”  The little girl replied, “Oops… I’m sorry… Darn Yankees!”  We laughed, because in the late 1960s, people really couldn’t/didn’t use that word – or many others.  It was considered impolite, improper, and in the eyes of some… sinful.
 
Today, I am hearing not only that word, but also words and distasteful phrases - like the LORD’s name taken in vain - on cable television programs, along with other off-color terms, as if they were regular table conversation.  I’m not talking HBO or Showtime… I’m talking Bravo, E, and other channels that are available on satellite and cable TV packages… programs that run all hours of the night and day that any young child could view with the click of a remote control.  And the saddest part of this is that we have become so accustomed to hearing these words that we don’t even notice… much less change the channel!  This doesn’t even take into account the words and phrases that are spoken on our mainstream channels and/or “bleeped”…even though most of us know what is being said!
 
My point is that hearing these words in such common, public settings makes them too familiar… and opens the door for them to become part of our everyday vernacular.  We see people arguing, screaming, throwing things and getting into brawls on “reality” TV shows and even daytime television, and we grow accustomed to believing that this is how “real” people behave.  We lose our sense of self-control… our ability to regulate our words, deeds – and thoughts.  And we allow these “weeds” to take root in our lives with little to no thought for the consequences.
 
My husband and I have been reading a book about the events that led to the beginning of the Civil War, titled 1861.  In more than one instance, we have learned of the actions of a single person that completely changed the course of events.  The stories of these individuals attest to the power of one person… both positively and negatively.  Creating an atmosphere of calm and harmony begins with each of us.  Finding God’s peace starts at home… in our own hearts.
 
Examine your daily activities and encounters.  Look for areas where you are allowing “weeds” into the “garden” of your life.  Ask God to show you how you are, at the very least, setting yourself up to satisfy short-term appetites (fitting in by telling distasteful jokes… letting others know how you really feel at the expense of their feelings – and your own dignity…peppering your language with colorful expletives…being critical in an effort to appear more intelligent or superior).  Allow God to reveal these “weeds” to you and help you to eradicate them.
 
Make it your primary goal to stay in a right relationship with God… to always check with Him before speaking or acting… to become so attuned to His ways that even when you start to say or do something unkind or inappropriate… you check yourself and change course!   The more this happens, the more you will recognize God working in and through you… and the more you will realize His blessings in your everyday living.  As we have seen with Paula Deen, it’s very hard to take back what has been said or done.  In other words, it only takes a “weed” or two to really mess up the “garden” of your life.  Stay close to God and make sure yours is “weed free” at all times!
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 10, 2013

April 10 ~ Exodus 20:18-20
When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.
 
And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”
 
“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
“Will you talk to So-and-so about this for me?”  Every one of us has uttered a form of this question at one point or another.  Whether we are asking a sibling to talk to a parent for us… or we ask someone to put in a good word for us with a potential employer… or we want a friend to find out if that special someone really likes us…we don’t even realize how often we are asking someone else to intercede on our behalf – in a myriad of circumstances.  Some requests are innocuous, as in “I’ll ask my husband what he thinks would be the best way for you to handle that repair job”… or “I’ll ask Mary who she recommends for washing machine repair.”  Others represent our inability – for whatever reason – to step up and face the person directly, as in “Will you find out if Jim is still mad at me?” or “Will you talk to Sue for me and find out what the plan is, so that I don’t have to talk to her?”
 
In much the same way, many of us are unable – or unwilling – to speak directly to God.  Like the Israelites, we are scared to death of what God might say to us… and we most certainly do not want to face Him in person!  So we ask others to pray for us… we base our limited faith in God on the word of friends, acquaintances, and the occasional televangelist.  We fail to develop a strong, well-rounded relationship with God… and our excuses run the gamut.  “I’m not really that religious… I don’t know the Bible like others do… I prefer to experience God in nature… God doesn’t want to hear from me… I don’t know how to pray and/or talk to God – I wouldn’t know what to say… I’m not good enough for God… God is mad at me”…all of these – and countless more – are the excuses we offer.
 
The truth is that intercessory prayers have their place, but nobody can communicate with God on your behalf like you can.  We will never be worthy… good enough… or “religious/spiritual” enough!  Still, God wants to have a relationship with us.  God is NOT mad at us… He loves us.  Experiencing God in nature and a variety of other ways has its place… but fellowship with other believers, prayer, Bible study and worship all are important, too.
 
The bottom line is that we do not want to have a “second-hand relationship” with God.  We need to communicate with Him directly, humbly, yet boldly.  We need to come before Him with anything and everything… we need to hear from God in person!  You might not always like what He has to say to in return… but remember, God doesn’t like everything we say and do –yet He loves and welcomes us.  All you have to do is start the dialog… simply say, “LORD, I’m here… I need you…and I'm listening...” and He will answer.
 
What are your excuses?  Isn’t it time you stopped having a “second-hand relationship” with God and got to know Him for yourself?  Isn’t it time you heard His word for your life directly from Him instead of a third party?  Don’t you think it’s time to build your own relationship with Him and cut out the middle-man?  What are you waiting for… what is your excuse this time?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 3, 2013

1 Timothy 2:1-4
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Today I visited my grandmother at her Assisted Living Facility, and for the third time in two weeks, her clothing and laundry were in disarray. I have tried to remain calm and be nice, but I’ve firmly let those in charge know that I am not happy about this. I’ve asked myself, “How hard could it be to fold a person’s laundry and put it in the proper drawers? Can’t they hang up her house dresses and blouses…and match her socks in pairs in the sock drawer?” As I drove home, I thought about how a lot of the work in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is not very pleasant. But the Apostle Paul tells us that whatever we are doing, we should do it to the best of our ability. Doesn’t this include a job that involves handling other people’s laundry?

I turned off the highway toward our neighborhood, and I very clearly heard, “You must pray for them.” Now I have to tell you, I’ve prayed for individuals who work at my grandmother’s facility…and most certainly for many of the residents there. I have prayed for the nurse whose mother is in her last months of a battle with cancer and the administrator whose husband died unexpectedly… the family of the young housekeeper killed in a car wreck on her way home from work one evening… and the aide who was widowed last year and is helping to rear two young grandchildren. But I can’t say for certain that I have collectively prayed for all of the staff who care for my grandmother and her neighbors… that I have asked God to meet their needs in their personal lives and as they serve those in their care. Yet today, I distinctly heard, “You must pray for them.” And I will.

A few years ago, we moved into a house very near the hospital. Several times a week, we hear helicopters landing at the emergency room… transports for persons who are seriously ill and need expedient medical attention – or a higher-level care than is offered at our local facility. One night as the helicopter landed, I began to pray… for the person in need of medical attention… for the staff on the ground and the flight crew… for those at the other hospital who were waiting to receive this patient… and for the family and friends who might be frightened and stressed. I asked God to touch each person… to offer strength, comfort and care… to meet all needs of everyone involved, according to His will.

I don’t know why I decided this was important. But since then, I’ve made this a practice. One late December night I prayed as the helicopter landed, and I later learned the person being transported was my cousin, JD. A tree had fallen full force across his face, breaking nearly every bone there. I never know who might be in the helicopter, and it doesn’t matter… I try to always pray whenever I hear the choppers fly overhead. After all, we are called to pray for all people. And if praying for those involved in a medical emergency flight is important… wouldn’t it be just as important to pray for those who care for my grandmother each day?

Moreover, we don’t often think to pray for our municipal workers, our sheriff and his deputies, the judges in our courts, or our lawmakers and governmental leaders… but we should. Much of what happens in our everyday lives is directly affected by these people and their decisions and actions. We don’t take time to pray for our teachers and coaches… or even our pastor. But these folks help to mold lives and shape the future of our children and those in our churches and communities…and world at large. Don’t they deserve our prayers of intercession?

I’m still not happy with how my grandmother’s laundry is being handled… and we won’t always approve of how our leaders manage things… how we’re treated medically… or the decisions of our teachers and coaches. We won’t like every single person we pray for… but still, we must pray for them – all of them. I told my mother the other day that my prayer list is getting mighty long these days… and yours probably is, too. But that’s okay. Break it down throughout the day. Remember one person or group to God in this breath and someone else in the next. You don’t have to have a “sit-down” prayer session where you list each and every person… although this is okay, too. It really doesn’t matter HOW you pray for all people… but it does matter that you do so.

Prayer is powerful. Prayer draws us closer to God. Our prayers humble us and honor God in the process. When we pray, we operate in obedience. When we pray for others, we operate with integrity. Is prayer for all people an integral part of your life these days? Don’t you think it should be?

©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 23, 2012

Ezra 4:4-6
Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Lies… threats… bribery… gossip and rumors…the Bible says all of these things – and more – have gone on since the long before the time of King Cyrus of Persia, who lived from 576 B.C. to 530 B.C. Frustration is nothing new, dear friend!

What HAS changed is JESUS! In the time of King Cyrus, all of these things that discouraged, frightened and frustrated were a distraction at best… causing people to lose focus and wander away from God. In this particular instance, these actions were attempts to stop the building of a temple. But even today, it would be so easy for us to become mired in the problems of the “daily grind” and lose our way… were it not for Jesus.

If you read much of the Old Testament, you will see that people had to jump through some pretty big hoops to stay close to God. They were not able to communicate with Him directly and relied on priests and prophets to intercede on their behalf. They had to burn offerings and sacrifices in order to atone for their sins. You think we have laws now? You should read the Old Testament laws concerning every behavior and action under the sun!

When God sent Jesus, everything changed. Now, not only are we able to communicate directly with Him… Jesus paid for every single one of our sins. No more sacrifices or burnt offerings are needed… no more asking someone else to speak to God on our behalf is required… no more wondering where we stand need happen! Because of Jesus, we have a direct line to God! Today, when we are frustrated, we can tell God how we feel. His Holy Spirit helps us maneuver the challenges that arise in our lives each day and keeps us on track.

There will still be lies, threats, bribery, gossip and rumors… but when these are lodged in our direction, we can talk to God and ask Him to help us handle these things according to His will. And we most certainly do not have to engage in these behaviors ourselves! When we are discouraged, frightened, and distracted, we don’t have to wander away from God and wonder how we will ever manage. All we have to do is humbly ask Him to help us… and He will deliver answers, calm and peace.

People often say that the true celebration of Jesus lies in the Holy Week of Easter, when we remember His crucifixion, death and resurrection… how He took our sins on the cross. But since we are very near the celebration of Christmas, let’s fully revel in Christ’s birth… the fact that God did send Him to rescue us and give us great help - including coping skills for frustration and the devil’s attempts to distract us.

Let’s take time to stop and thank God for offering us such a tremendous sacrifice and opening the door for us to communicate with Him directly. Let’s praise God for loving us so much… for offering us grace, mercy and forgiveness. AND… let’s be sure we accept His great gift! If you have never invited Jesus Christ to be the LORD of your life and fill your heart with His Holy Spirit, I can’t think of a better time to do so!

Don’t waste another minute wandering around in confusion. Embrace the gift of Jesus and let Him help you handle everything. He can… He will. All you have to do is ask.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 23, 2012

Psalm 4:4-5
Complain if you must, but don’t lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for his verdict.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

I’ve been listening to the conversations Timothy has with his toy dinosaurs and jungle animals… and also his bath tub “friends.” You can learn a lot from an imaginative three-year-old! One conversation he had recently involved a “Grandpa” dinosaur and a smaller animal who wanted to come along on an adventure. Grandpa would say, “You can’t come with us…it’s too dangerous. But how can we get across this bridge… got any ideas?”

Timothy worked out his problems in these conversations and arrived at answers. Granted, they were make-believe conversations… and a lot of it was quotes from his videos about “The Land That Time Forgot.” Still, there was a great lesson here. We need to spend some time sharing our frustrations and concerns with God and asking Him… “Got any ideas?” I can assure you, He has plenty of them… and He is more than ready to share His answers with you!

More and more, I find myself in situations where I really need someone to talk to… but the “right person” just doesn’t seem to exist. Either my concerns would be worrisome or hurtful to some… or seem downright ugly and mean to others… or the things that genuinely trouble me sound totally ridiculous and/or as if I am lacking in faith when I say them out loud. So I tell these things to God. NOTHING is too ridiculous, hurtful and mean, or doubtful to share with Him. I can be myself, pour out my heart, and “let it all hang out” before God, and He will not judge me. BUT…He will answer!

God’s verdict will always be right and sound… and if I will just sit still for a while and listen, He will show me exactly what I need to do. A lot of the time we cannot help our feelings… our thoughts and impressions are very real to us. But we don’t need to air them for the world to hear. Instead, all we have to do is pour out our hearts to God and ask, “Got any ideas?” I guarantee you that He does! Who are you talking to these days?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 31, 2012

October 31 ~ Matthew 7:13-14
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention."

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

A few months ago, I decided I wanted to “amp up” my workout routine. So I ordered a DVD I had seen advertised several places, including on the “Dr. Oz” show, which I considered a valid endorsement of this product. I even tried a “test workout” posted on Dr. Oz’s website first to see if I thought I could handle this regimen. The people who were featured seemed to be normal, ordinary folks like me who had transformed their bodies and their health with this workout. I knew it would be hard work… I just didn’t know it would verge on physically impossible for someone my age… and demand almost-super-hero strength from people of any age!

If I kept at it, I might be able to do the entire routine… in oh, maybe five to ten years! But meanwhile, I need something that is going to keep me fit and healthy each and every day – and allow me to still be able to function (and breathe!) afterward. This workout left me gasping for air on a daily basis. I determined that what works best for me is a slower, steadier approach… the routines I have been using for a few years now. While I have to stay focused to keep my interest level high and achieve maximum results, I find that their basic, no-nonsense exercises get the job done. Day in and out, this approach sustains my needs and keeps me on the right path to health and fitness.

In our Spiritual life, we sometimes look for the “quick fix.” We want God to meet our needs… and we want Him to do it NOW… on our timetable, and OUR WAY! Sometimes we decide that the latest “program” will help us get on track. I have shelves filled with books by Max Lucado, Joyce Meyer, TD Jakes, Rick Warren, Beth Moore, Tommy Tenney, and others. I have two CD cases filled with albums by Christian artists. I’ve bought Bible study guides and downloaded charts for reading the entire Bible in one year. And every one of these tools has merit. I have gained a lot of knowledge from Christian authors and their experiences. I wouldn’t trade my CDs and the joy and peace their music brings me for anything. I think study guides are great for Christians who desire to grow in their knowledge of scripture and Bible history. But these do not make me a stronger Christian in and of themselves.

By the same token, some people feel that the phrase… “you reap what you sow,” means that God blesses those who volunteer the most, give the most money to the church, or do the most “good deeds.” But surely we all know by now that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor. While we are called to serve others in His name – and to give back to God and support missions and ministries – this does not put us into a “fast lane” toward becoming “Super-Christians!”

What I need on a daily basis is the “meat and potatoes” of a relationship with God… prayer, digging through the Bible on my own and discovering what God is saying to me, the fellowship and encouragement of other Christians, and time spent exercising my faith through service to others. This is my “daily regimen” – the “workout” that keeps me fit and strong in my life as a Disciple of Christ. It is vigorous and demanding… but the results are steady and long-lasting. I am taxed – and occasionally breathless – but never spent to the point that I get discouraged and quit. My “daily workout” with God is never more than I can handle… and certainly keeps me invigorated and on my toes. God pushes me to my limits sometimes… but never beyond them. I know that He will always supply me with everything I need for whatever He asks.

In recent years, I’ve learned to be content with many things. I know that I won’t be model thin – or 25 again. But I can be fit and healthy. Even though I grow every day in my faith, I have largely learned to “let go and let God” – and this is HUGE! I trust Him more to handle the worries and cares of my day. I am satisfied with His choices over my own. I can always improve, but I feel that I have significantly turned a corner in many areas of life. And one of the things I have learned beyond a shadow of a doubt is that there are no true “quick fixes” in life.

Very few people get rich quick – and stay that way. Even fewer who chart a fast track to weight loss or extreme muscle tone manage to maintain it. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking for a faith that has some staying power. I’m looking for a relationship with God that is everlasting… one that will keep me fit, strong and healthy every single day. I’ll take a “steady diet and exercise routine” to build my relationship with God over a shortcut any day of the week! What about you?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 9, 2012

Isaiah 8:19-22
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?

Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I will admit that I have watched the television show Long Island Medium. I’ve seen shows where the popular medium John Edwards has talked to spirits in the audience... given someone a message from a dear departed relative… or told someone something that they claimed “nobody else could have possibly known!” While I remain skeptical about such things… and this scripture passage suggests that we should not dabble in these practices, I cannot speak for others and how it makes them feel. I know that some people believe in this strongly… and some who have had a “reading” felt it was real – and comforting.

The thing is, we look to all sorts of people and things to make us feel better, when what we really need to do is consult our Bible and spend some time in prayer. With the Internet, you can type virtually any word in the search box for GOOGLE or many other search engines and find scripture to support you. For instance, type “scriptures on worry” and see what results you get. Enter “scriptures on addiction,” or “scriptures on sibling rivalry… debt…or illness” and you will find plenty of passages that address your exact need. Read the Proverbs and Psalms for guidance, wisdom, and comfort. And talk to God. See what He tells you and shows you. I guarantee that His answers will be truer and more comforting than any you can get from a psychic or anyone else who tells you they can help you get rich quick, make you a “better you,” or solve your problems!

We waste a lot of time and energy looking for answers in the wrong places. Isn’t it time to put aside such foolishness and turn to the One who can really help? Today is a great day to turn the corner. Look to God for answers, and start operating in his wisdom and peace!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 8, 2012

Proverbs 15:2
Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

When I was a little girl, we used go to a place west of town called Stacy Springs. Today a house sits where there once was an open pavilion. Groups from area clubs and churches would gather there for picnics. It’s not far above the “Big Dike” area on Greers Ferry Lake. We would hike away from the pavilion a few yards to a natural spring that bubbled from the ground. The clean water seemed to magically gurgle from the ground in a gentle, steady flow.

Years ago, people often depended on springs like this one for a clean water supply. My great-grandmother and her family lived near more than one fresh-water spring. They trusted the cool, clear water to be pure and safe.

I recently watched a “House and Garden” show where a family was renovating their basement, and they discovered dirty, moldy water damage caused by a leaky pipe upstairs. The water had seeped down the wall, through the floor and created a murky mess on the ground level… compromising that surface and rendering it unsafe.

If you stop and think about it, we all know people who are like a freshwater spring. They seem to be a steady source of wisdom… trustworthy and dependable for information and advice that is sound and true. We also know people who are like the leaky pipe or faucet. They always have an opinion – and are glad to share it – but mostly spew hearsay, unkindness, or unsubstantiated viewpoints. It doesn’t necessarily take a rocket scientist to discern which is which… but we do have to stay on our toes.

How do you know what you are seeing and hearing is truthful? How do you figure it all out? What if someone is telling you that his/her way is accurate, because “I am a Christian, and God has told me this”? My simplest answer is, “Ask God for yourself!” Do some digging. Get the facts. See if what this person is saying really lines up with the word of God. Ask God if what is being said makes sense, is loving and kind - and honors His word and His will.

God wants us to always operate in the truth. He gave us a brain… and a direct line of communication to Him. He expects us to use both! Don’t believe everything you see and hear… not even from those who claim to be Christians. Do your own investigating and discover whether what you are ingesting is clean, pure “spring water,” or the rotten murky nonsense from a “leaky faucet.” Learn to tell the difference… God is waiting to show you how!

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 17, 2012

John 15:4-8
Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.

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

My husband planted beautiful pink “knock-out” roses in our front yard. While my grandmother was in the hospital, we clipped several blooms and shared them with her. She loved how they made her room a little more cheerful and fragranced the room. But after a couple of days, they began to wither and fade – even standing in a container of water. Apart from the bush where they grew, they could not sustain life and vitality.

We are like this in our walk with God. We may look and smell pretty good for a day or two, but we can’t last very long on our own. We lack the sustenance that fed us and gave us strength, courage, wisdom, and grace. And sooner or later, we will fall flat on our faces.

If you pull up a rose bush filled with blooms, it might continue to look pretty good for a day or two. But eventually, it would wither and die. The bush would still be a rose bush… but its former luster and purpose would be gone. The same can be said for our Christian faith walk. Separated from God, we are still Christians… but we lose our mission and purpose. We become lethargic and ineffective… and often we make costly mistakes.

Don’t let this be said of you. Stay connected to God. Communicate with Him… study His word… listen for His voice. Fellowship with others who are connected to God, and let Him speak to you through their friendship and counsel.

When it comes to the life of a Christian, independence is highly over-rated! Let God feed you and nurture you… and enable you to produce good fruit. Bloom for Him like a “knock-out” rose. Bask in His grace and sustenance. Boldly live in the confidence of God’s constant care… and never wither and fade.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 8, 2012

John 16:23-24
"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

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.

In February, my husband and I both experienced a bout of the flu. For several days, I was unable to do my normal workout routine. Once I started to feel better, I eased back into my almost-daily regimen. I knew that the longer I went without working out, the harder it would be to get back into a groove. In large part, it was about diligence and determination. And the same can be said of our prayer life. When it comes to prayer, many of us find it very easy to fall into complacency. We get in a hurry and let other things get in the way. So instead of truly communicating with God, we give a quick “lip service” to a laundry list of concerns and desires… and we expect God to do the rest.

There is more to prayer than merely listing our needs for God. And while He already knows our heart – and our wishes – there is a “protocol” for effective prayer. In my notes, I have written… “To get results, pray ‘by the rules’: get the Word, know your covenant, understand your inheritance.” In other words, instead of praying, “Lord, heal me…” we might say, “Lord, I know that ‘by His stripes, I am healed,’ (Isaiah 53:5) so I am asking You to make me well, according to Your will – and in your perfect timing.” When we pray for a friend in need, we might say, “Father, You have promised to give us what we ask in Your name, so I am asking for you to do XYZ for Bill or Sue, in line with your plans for them,” (John 16:23-24) instead of merely saying, “LORD, I pray for Bill/Sue.”

I’m not saying that there won’t be times when quickly lifting a concern or naming someone to God is better than no prayer at all… but we should all begin to treat our prayer time with as much reverence and importance as we give to a daily workout, the nightly news, or following our favorite TV show or sport. If we are going to expect answers to our prayers… if we are truly operating in faith that God will give us our hearts’ desires, according to His will – and the joy overflowing that comes with them… we must treat our prayers with care and respect.

Does this mean we should schedule prayer time with God like we do a workout or watching our favorite TV program or sporting event? Not necessarily… although this will often help us make prayer time more of a habit and part of our daily routine. This is not about when we pray… but more about how we communicate with God. Start working on making your prayers more effective… more specific and based in the Word of God and your faithful expectations for His perfect answers.

Try this… offer a diligent, “by-the-rules” prayer for one or two concerns at a time as you go about your day. I’m betting that when you get ready for bed, you can look back and see that you communicated with God far more often – and effectively – than if you had spent a concentrated hour listing your concerns and praising Him. Look for ways all day long to thank Him… take a few minutes here and there to lift concerns as they come to mind… to recall the promises of God’s word with relation to these concerns… and to believe for His perfect outcome. See if you don’t feel closer to God as a result… and more joyful, as He answers and honors your faithfulness.

Father, I thank You for the blood of Jesus and all that He accomplished for us on the cross. I praise you for promising to give us the desires of our heart when we pray according to Your will… and I ask You to bless those who are reading this message. Strengthen each of them as they spend more time in diligent, deliberate communication with You. I ask that You answer them according to Your perfect plans… and that You shower them with the blessings You have promised – and joy overflowing. Thank You, LORD, for hearing my prayers and honoring Your covenant with me… and all who trust in You. Amen.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 22, 2012

Romans 8:26-28
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God's people. We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose...

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

It’s getting progressively harder for my grandmother to talk. The words she wants to use do not come… nor do her thoughts. Often, when she is trying to tell me something, I do a lot of guessing… or she uses hand gestures that mean something to me, and I know what she is trying to say. When we are with others and she wants to say something, she will often end up waving her hand and saying, “Debbie will tell you.” I’ve come to know her so well that quite frequently I can do a fairly good job of understanding what is in her mind and putting it into words for others.

This is what the Holy Spirit often does for us. He knows our heart… our innermost thoughts… desires… needs… and He can convey them to God when we cannot seem to find the words. We often think of Romans 8:28 as a justification of God’s will, or an explanation of failures… “all things work together for the good”. But actually, this passage refers to all forms of communication with God – all forms of prayer - working together for the good that God desires for us. Whether we are talking to him directly, speaking in tongues, singing praises, or allowing the Holy Spirit to speak for us… all forms of prayerful communication work together to accomplish God’s will.

Just because my grandmother cannot always verbalize what she is thinking or needing doesn’t mean we cannot communicate. For several years following a stroke that claimed her mother’s speech, my dear friend “talked” with her mom via a system of pointing to letters of the alphabet to spell things. Helen Keller was deaf and blind, but she was able to communicate with others via human touch. And we can use a variety of methods to communicate clearly with God every minute of the day. The key is to recognize that there are many ways to speak with God, and even when we can’t seem to find the right words to express our thoughts and feelings, He still hears us.

I sometimes have a hard time understanding what my grandmother is telling me… and often we both get frustrated before I figure out what she is saying – or we both give up and move on to something else. But that never happens with God. He always knows exactly what we are saying… His responses are given in love, timely, and perfect. He never gives up or grows weary… and He weaves everything we communicate to Him together to give us the best possible outcome.

I am glad that God hears me in so many ways. I am glad that when I can’t express myself, the Holy Spirit takes over for me. Doesn’t it give you hope, peace, and comfort to know that all you have to say is, “Here I am, LORD… I need you…” and He does the rest? Do you have the power of the Holy Spirit working in your heart – and on your behalf? Do you have all forms of prayer working together for the good in your life? Isn’t today a good time to begin to utilize them?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 25, 2012

Ephesians 3:8-10
I am the least important of all God's people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured. God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind. Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6-7
All wisdom comes from the LORD, and so do common sense and understanding. God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys him and protects all of those who live as they should.

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

Have you ever looked at “magic eye” books? You know the ones where you squint and stand back a bit, and suddenly a three-dimensional image comes into focus? Or maybe you enjoyed the hidden pictures in Highlights magazine when you were a child. Even as an adult, I have fun helping Timothy find the hidden pictures in this children’s magazine. The point is… the images were there all along. They weren’t truly hidden… we just needed extra “focus” or “understanding” to find them. The same can be said of God’s wisdom.

I have been reviewing notes that I made on various sermons I’ve heard preached over the past decade. On one page, I noted… “God has not hidden wisdom from us… He has hidden wisdom for us. Proverbs are the key to wisdom.” Recently I learned that Rev. Billy Graham has said that he reads a chapter in Proverbs every day, as well as one of the Psalms. He maintains that the Psalms teach him how to get along with God, and the book of Proverbs teaches him how to get along with his “fellow man.”

So what does this mean for us with regard to our Spiritual journey? We need to realize that the wisdom of God is within our grasp… all we have to do is maintain focus. Just as the “magic eye” pictures are used by some to sharpen their vision, we can grow in God’s wisdom through Bible study and prayer. If we listen for God as we study and pray, we can gain new concepts and thoughts… ideas, interpretation, and revelation.

Proverbs 3:13 says…” God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense.” Bible study and prayer will help us obtain both. By reading this devotional, you have begun to engage in Bible study. Hopefully you will be encouraged to dig deeper on your own… to get more of what God wants to give you through His word. Prayer is another vital component, and I hope you are talking with God each and every day. Make today the day you squint, focus and begin to unlock the wisdom that God is holding for you. The keys are in your hand… are you ready to use them?

Thank You, LORD, for your incredible wisdom. Today I pray that You will speak to us through Your word… that we will truly listen for Your voice… and that You will release all that You hold in store for us, according to Your will and what You determine we are able to handle. We praise You, LORD, for Your incredible gifts… Your grace, mercy and love. Amen.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 24, 2012

Acts 4:11-16
While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch. Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.

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

More than once, I’ve heard someone say to another person… “I know you have a direct line to heaven, so please pray for me,” or something to that effect. And I admit, I have said that a few times to someone who I thought was a strong disciple of Christ. The trouble with this concept is that the “direct line” to God is not exclusive to a select few people. God does not give more attention to one person over another. We all have the same “line” to God… the difference is in how we utilize it.

Honestly, most people probably say this to another person as a way of paying them a compliment or acknowledging the blessings of his/her faithfulness. But we really need to be careful what we say… even with the best of intentions. What makes the prayers of certain people seem more effective is a result of their level of faith and trust in God. In truth, their prayers are not heard more often than ours… ahead of ours… or instead of ours! But their trust in God to answer may trump ours any day of the week.

People who go to church every Sunday, sing in the choir, serve in leadership roles in the church, or do mission work do not have their prayers answered - or live a problem-free life - because of their actions. Your heart… and your faith… are what matters. The most powerful, faithful, devoted servant of God may be a little old lady in the nursing home who trusts God to meet her needs and prays daily – and faithfully – for the needs of others. The soldier stationed in a foreign country who trusts God for safety and “daily bread” – in the trenches and for his/her family back at home – may receive more of God’s blessings than the deacon or church leader who is always in “high profile” for his/her latest projects, missions, or acts of service. Some of the people you consider to be “strong Christians” may actually have fairly weak faith behind their public persona.

What makes a Christian strong, confident, able and blessed is a matter of faith, not specific actions or mere talk. We can say all the right things… work in the church and serve in our community… be a “good person” and a friend to everyone we encounter… and still not operate in faith. Until we develop a deep, abiding faith in God… until we trust Him completely and operate from this foundation rather than the expectations and standards of the world… we will never truly experience all that God has for us.

Do not misunderstand me. Service is important… Jesus commanded us to love one another and to serve in His name. Corporate worship is important… we are called to fellowship with others – to come together to praise God and study His word. A positive attitude and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others is mandated by scripture. But all of these are fueled by a genuine faith in our Heavenly Father. Without a true faith in the promises of God, much of what we say and do is merely “lip service” to make us look good and feel better.

We cannot know for certain what is in another person’s heart… and we are not to judge anyway. We must cultivate our own relationship with God based entirely in faith that He will meet our every need, according to His will. We must trust Him to make us strong and well… and to always “take our calls.” People are watching… and they may see what appears to be a faith-filled Christian with a “direct line” to God. But God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are merely “religious” or truly operating in faith and trust. He hears our prayers… and more importantly, the intention behind them. What are your intentions… are you operating in faith, or merely “talking religion?”

©2012 Debbie Robus