Daily Devotional for August 26, 2016

John 14:15-17    
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

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

Recently, I discovered a website called Power of Positivity (PoP)*, which describes as part of its focus…“the good in the world, how you can expand that good within you, and how that expansion from within can generate more good for others.”  While I don’t necessarily endorse everything shared on this website, the article that caught my attention was titled “9 Things You Should Say to Your Kids Every Day.”  These are:

• I love you
• I like it when you...
• You make me happy.
• I'm proud of you.
• You are special.
• I trust you.
• I believe in you.
• I know you can do this.
• I am grateful for you.

It seems odd to me that we would have to be reminded to tell our children some of these – especially “I love you!” As I read this list, I thought about not only how I speak to the children in my own circle…but also my relationship with our Heavenly Father – and how He speaks these things into me every day through His Holy Spirit.

These simple phrases can be incorporated into our daily “mission” to show others what Jesus has told us.  We can let someone know that we love them and care about them.  We can recognize the qualities and accomplishments of others. We have opportunities to convey to other people that we trust them…believe in them…are confident in their abilities…and that we are grateful for their lives.  By merely stopping to say “Hello” to an acquaintance at school, church, or in the aisle at Walmart, we can acknowledge the joy and pride our association with that person brings – and boost their confidence in the process.

We have grown so comfortable with criticism and ugliness.  We are ready, willing and eager to share a negative post or a condescending remark.  We can’t wait to laugh with others about someone’s mistakes and shortcomings.  We often mumble and grumble our way through the day. Quite frankly, if the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, very few people would ever know it by the way we talk and act!

God calls us to change this…to look for positives and recognize the good things.  He wants us to cultivate our relationship with the Holy Spirit and radiate such hope and faith to others that those who know this Friend for themselves will readily recognize Him in us…and the rest will want to know Him.

It doesn’t take all that much effort to flip the switch from negative to positive.  Start with something as simple as whispering these three words…”Come, Holy Spirit.”  Shift your focus today and start operating in the message and mission of Jesus.  Concentrate on sharing His goodness with others - and offering them at least a glimpse of His glory through your spirit of faith and hope.

If you feel you are not hearing these positive affirmations frequently enough, there may be something that you need to change.  Do others see Jesus in your daily living?  Isn’t it time they did?

©2016 Debbie Robus

* https://www.powerofpositivity.com/

Daily Devotional for July 6, 2016

Matthew 7:21-23    
“Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’”

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.

Think of how many times has someone mentioned a name to you, and you said, “Oh, I know that person…he/she goes to my church!”  Because you attend worship services with this person, many conclusions are immediately drawn. Often, assumptions are made about someone based on whether he/she attends church – or based on which church is attended!  Sadly, we often categorize and/or judge people based on their church affiliation.  This one is surely very spiritual because he goes to ABC church.  That one must be headed down the wrong path, because she practices XYZ religion!

And let’s be honest…on some level, we claim some “street cred” because of our religious and denominational affiliation.  We like to think that people look at us and say, “Oh, he/she is a good Christian. I see them at the church all the time.  They come to my Bible study…and they have a cross or church sign in their yard!”

Let’s get real.  There are some pretty awful people hiding behind crosses, church memberships, and cheap talk about the LORD and how He has blessed their lives.  And when they stand before God, He is very likely to tell them, “You missed the boat.”

Thankfully, there are people who are genuine disciples for Christ.  They walk the walk and talk the talk…and God takes notice.  Generally, these people are not concerned with making themselves seem important or impressing anyone – even God.  They do not attend church to make business connections or improve traffic to their workplace.  They do not associate only with those who share their denomination – or a pew.  They are too busy seeking God’s will and listening for His voice…doing what He has commissioned them to do…and serving Him with humility, modesty and gratitude.

I am not criticizing yard signs, crosses, or other outward expressions of our faith…and I would never suggest that you remove them or stop sharing scripture verses or quotes from fellow Christians with others in venues such as social media or via greeting cards.  But I suggest that we all take a good hard look at our intentions…and how we serve and represent God.  Are our motives pure and sincere – and completely focused on Jesus?  Or do we have even a smidgen of a hidden agenda?

When we stand before God and account for how we represented Him, what will He have to say?  Will we hear, “Well done!”…or will He say, “You don’t impress me one bit!”?  None of us wants to miss the boat on this.  This is the day to start getting it right…to examine our hearts and make sure that we are serving humbly and honorably.  How do you think you are doing?

©2016 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for June 12, 2016

June 12 ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
…then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.

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

I have to wonder if after a horrific event like the mass shooting in Orlando this morning whether God is asking, “What was I thinking?”  Yet again, someone thought he knew better how things ought to be in this world.  So he targeted – and killed - as many gay people as he could.  Apparently he vehemently disapproved of their sexual orientation.  At least we assume that this was his motivation for such a heinous crime.

As I began to gather my thoughts around 2 Chronicles 7:14, I once again felt like God must sometimes want to wipe the earth clean of each and every one of us. And yet, I heard His voice very clearly say…”As horrible as this is…as deeply as it grieves me…it is really nothing new.”  And surely, if you read the Bible or study history…or even pay attention to current events around the world…you know that senseless mistreatment of others – and even slaughter - happens more than we care to recognize.  The numbers may change…these tragic events may not take place in such  a public venue…or happen in the hometown of Disney World®…but people are murdered every day because someone thought he/she knew better than anyone else how things should go.

You can claim religious rights…you can try to excuse bigotry and hatred by hiding behind the name of Jesus.  You can criticize, belittle and mistreat those who do not think or behave like you.  You can declare them wicked, ignorant, or whatever adjective you choose.  But hear this…YOU ARE NOT GOD!  And your attempts to fill His shoes are not appreciated by anyone – especially Him!

Those who love God and have surrendered their hearts to Jesus do not try to control others.  They love them…just as we are loved.  They operate from a place of incredible humility, gratitude, and prayerfulness.  They allow God to have complete control, while they share the Good News of Jesus with others in a loving, gentle and nonjudgmental manner.  And here comes the big one…they forgive those who act otherwise.

So this day, as we mourn those lost in this senseless slaughter, we must pray for the families and friends of the victims.  But we must also pray for the family of the shooter.  We must ask God to have mercy on all of us…and to show us how to be the hands and feet of Jesus – even to those so filled with hatred that they would murder us.  When those who disagree with us show us unkindness, we must “fight back” with love, grace and mercy…and we must keep demonstrating these gifts from God over and again, no matter how others respond.

We must believe that God will heal us.  We must demonstrate that if we truly express to others the love of Christ - and serve Him with an unwavering level of faith and confidence…God will pour out His mercy on us and show us how to move forward.  And we must begin today…in our own back yards…and in the world at large.

You and I have a choice to make about how we react to this horrible event…and the world is watching.  Who will they see in our response?  Will they find people who serve a God who is vengeful and endorses retaliation in the form of discrimination and mistreatment of others…or will they find evidence of a loving God who desires to heal and restore us?  Pray for the people of Orlando – and throughout the world.  But ask God to begin the healing in your own heart.  Until we settle these issues for ourselves, we cannot possibly represent God’s love and care to others.  What is your heart condition today? 

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 6, 2016

1 John 2:28-29
And now, my little children, stay in happy fellowship with the Lord so that when he comes you will be sure that all is well and will not have to be ashamed and shrink back from meeting him. Since we know that God is always good and does only right, we may rightly assume that all those who do right are his children.

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

Generally, there is not a bashful bone in the little bodies of Timothy, Zola, and Nathan.  We have marveled at how they are so cordial and polite to our adult friends…and we have been a bit unnerved by how friendly Zola, particularly, can be toward complete strangers in public!  But there are times when, for whatever reason, these little ones will shrink back and hide behind our legs when someone else approaches.  Of course, once they “warm up,” everything is fine.  But there are occasions when they will briefly cower as if they are embarrassed – or frightened.  Of course, the children don’t do this with us.  They know us…they are familiar and comfortable with us.  But there ARE family members whom they rarely see – and these folks sometimes get the cold shoulder/bashful treatment - at least initially.

Were Jesus to suddenly appear among a group of us, I can totally envision many at least having the urge to cower and shrink back.  After all, it’s Jesus…and we know we are not worthy. We know we have disappointed Him – and sullied His name with our disobedience and sinful ways.  And because some of us don’t really KNOW Jesus as we should, there would be that period when we would hide behind the legs of someone more familiar, like a child does on occasion.

But that’s the whole point of this passage.  There is no reason for us to cower behind anything or anyone in Jesus’ presence.  If we will simply get to know Him as we should and develop an intimate relationship with Him, we will understand why this is unnecessary.  We will learn that Jesus already knows every mistake we have made – or will make.  And He loves us anyway.  And quite honestly, the closer we stay to Jesus, the fewer missteps we will make, because we will be more in tune with His instruction and guidance.

Jesus wants us to be so comfortable and familiar with Him that there is no need to hide – anything.  Jesus wants us to demonstrate to others how joyful this relationship can be…how secure and peaceful life is when we make Him our constant companion…our “Forever Friend” in every sense of the word.  Jesus wants us to understand that nothing is too big for Him to overcome…and to convey this realization to others.  Jesus wants us to boldly step up and out - and greet Him each and every minute of the day.  And He wants us to show others that there is nothing to fear.

I want Jesus to be so present in my life that whenever others look at me, they can almost visualize His image standing next to me, holding my hand.  I want others to see that Jesus is my constant companion…that He never leaves me…that wherever I go, He goes, also.  And in order to do this, I have to develop a deep, abiding, continual relationship with Him that encompasses each and every minute of the day.  I’m working hard to do exactly this…what about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for January 18, 2016

Proverbs 16:6
If we truly love God,
    our sins will be forgiven;
    if we show him respect,
    we will keep away from sin.

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

My mother was fairly lucid until about 36 hours before she died.  In one of our last conversations, she looked my sister and me squarely in the eyes and said, “We are a strange species.”  I later learned from my niece, Jasmine, that Mother peppered this phrase all throughout a journal she kept for her grand-daughter for the last 23 years.  And indeed, we are a strange species.  As I read this passage from Proverbs, I thought of things that have happened even in this last week and reminded myself that our actions do not always line up with our talk…particularly as supposed Christian disciples.

I have said time and again that people are watching. They notice when we demonstrate great faith and hope in Jesus…and when we belie His teachings.  The nicest person in the world can say and do some pretty nasty things in any given moment…or “act a fool” at some point.  This doesn’t make any of us particularly bad people…but depending on who observes these sins (and yes, these are sins, because  they represent disrespect and disobedience toward Jesus and His teachings) we may do tremendous harm to God’s Kingdom – and our effectiveness as His witness.

We cannot judge others. We cannot treat them with disdain…discriminate…criticize unkindly and unconstructively…or humiliate. We have to be on our best behavior and continually check our words and actions. There are people who will get on our last nerve…and God calls us to love them anyway - even those who “are a strange species.”

If we truly love God, we must obey Him.  We have to follow the teachings of Jesus and love others – ALL others.  We have to respect others and treat them fairly, because this demonstrates our respect and reverence for the God we love and worship.  We must stay awake and alert for opportunities to sin - and avoid them at all cost.

Mother was right…we are a strange species…ALL of us – not just the other guy! What we think, say and do matters – to others AND to God.  If we want Him to forgive us, we must do what can be the hard work of following all of His commands and demonstrating resolve, reverence, respect, and a healthy dose of restraint!

Spend some time in prayer today and ask God to show you where there are opportunities to demonstrate respect and reverence…and where you need to operate in reservation and self-discipline.  He will give you the strength and courage you need to do both.  We are a strange species…and people are watching one another.  When they look at you…what – and WHO – do they see?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 28, 2015

Romans 12:17-21   
Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through. Don’t quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible.

Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. Don’t take the law into your own hands. Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be “heaping coals of fire on his head.” In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you. Don’t let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Yesterday, Timothy’s Sunday school lesson was about Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel.  Before he even left the door of his classroom, he was already telling us all about them…and sharing the lesson that he had been given - to stop and consider the consequences before acting or speaking.  As we drove to Burger King, he said, “The other day, I socked my mom in the arm.  I tried to apologize…but it was too late.”(his voice sadly trailed off here!)  Timothy apparently lost his prized stuff animals for the rest of the day as a punishment.  I told him…”It sounds like you learned a good lesson.” He replied, “Yes…I need to think about the consequences before I do things.”

Someone shared an unkind post about our President this morning that I will not repeat here.  However, right after that, this same person shared something that I had just posted… "We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it. -  Madeleine L'Engle". 

I’ve shared this quote before, but I found it ironic that this person could not see the “disconnect” between the ugly thing that was shared and these thoughts.  And I’ll admit…I was tempted to point out the skewed thinking!  Thankfully, I am beginning to take the message of this scripture passage to heart, so I stopped to think about the consequences of my response and checked myself!

Madeleine L’Engle was right…sometimes our words and actions completely discredit our faith in God and our overall Christian witness.  Who in their right mind would want to worship a God that ordained snide criticism, ugly name calling and unloving words and actions?  How can we expect unbelievers – and those who are doubtful – to accept that God loves ALL of us, when we are so unkind and disparaging toward any among us?

I’ll be honest…I have to really work to check my thoughts, words and actions toward many these days.  But I MUST…and so must you!  Timothy was totally blown away that Cain would kill “his only BROTHER!”  He said, “Debbie…that was just not good!”  He went into great detail about how Cain wore a red mark to set him apart…but also to indicate to others not to harm him.  I told Timothy that I needed to get out my Bible and read that part of the story again, and he said…”You should read the WHOLE story!” 

So I did!  And we all should spend more time reading these stories and reminding ourselves that “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)  Likewise, when we do something TO another “brother” or “sister,” we do it TO Jesus.  We must check our thoughts, words, and actions...think about the consequences…and consider how our “Christian witness” lines up with His teachings.

Timothy’s class created a little stoplight doorknob hanger to remind them to “stop, think about the consequences, and then go.”  Consider this message to be your own “sign”…and take to heart the thoughts shared here. Conquer evil by doing good, and let God handle the rest.  Draw people to Christ as much by what you DON’T say and do as what is expressed…and see what amazing things God can do with your efforts.

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 6, 2015

Hebrews 11:6
You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him.

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

Last night, I saw a commercial that featured Ron Reagan…son of President Ronald Reagan, who was speaking for the Freedom From Religion Foundation.  In this 30-second spot, Reagan asks for support for “the nation's largest and most effective association of atheists and agnostics.”  He ends his comments with this…”Ron Reagan…lifelong atheist…not afraid of burning in hell.”

Don’t rush to judge Ron Reagan…or his organization.  If you go to the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s website and poke around, you will see that their primary mission is to protect the separation of church and state. Try to understand why Reagan and other atheists do not believe that God exists.  Could this be in part because of how we Christians behave? Could our words and actions…our judgments and the “causes” we fight for so vehemently…actually belie God’s existence and fuel their thoughts?

Do we demonstrate to others that God not only exists…but that He is the Author and Finisher of our faith?  Does our demeanor suggest that we trust God in all things…or are we often observed wringing our hands and worrying over every situation – even while calling on God to handle things?  Could it be that our model of Christian discipleship and faith is anything but faithful and confident?

I will be honest…a lot of what I see and hear from Christians is not all that faith-filled.  It doesn’t demonstrate a surety that God exists and is who He says He is…that He can do everything the Bible says that He can do. Our words and actions do not affirm that God is autonomous, supreme, omnipotent, all-powerful…and that He loves His children and wants only what is best for them. 

I’m afraid that what others see from many of us is someone who is fearful of everything and everyone – particularly those who are different from us in some way.  I’m concerned that others look at many of us and see someone who falls apart at the first hint of trouble…someone who is quick to judge, narrow-minded, and has an air of superiority and special privilege because of Who we claim to serve.  I truly believe that we might be driving away those who are, at best, “on the fence” about whether God exists…and fully confirming the suspicions of those who have already decided this.

In countless instances, we’ve become so busy making a point that we’re no longer making a difference.  And in doing so, I believe that we have also denied God, in large part.  But we can change this.  We can start to examine our lives…and our behaviors…and we can ask God to show us how and where we need to make adjustments.  We can start to operate more in faith and confidence…and show the world Who our God really is – every single minute of the day.  It’s not up to us to change the minds of others…but when we leave God room to work and give Him the opportunity, He can – and will – show up in ways we never even imagined.

When others look at you, what – and Who – do they see?  Do you really, truly believe in God…and are you depending on Him - for everything?  Is this what others see? Don’t you think it’s time they did?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 10, 2014

John 5:19
Jesus replied, “The Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing, and in the same way."

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

As we approach Mother’s Day, some people are switching their Facebook profile picture to one of their Mom.  In some cases, the resemblance of the woman in the old photo to the child in present day is uncanny.  I have several photos of my niece Jasmine – and especially of Timothy – in which their “smirky” smile is that of my dad.  The crazy thing about this is that my dad died when Jasmine was 9, and Timothy never knew my dad, so he has absolutely no reference for this gesture.  My niece Zola points to things with her middle finger.  I don’t recall this, but my sister says that Daddy did the same thing…and so did Jasmine.

My cousin Olivia is witty and bright…engaging and funny.  She “comes by these traits honestly”…her mom is the same way, as were her Grand-dad and great-grandmother.  But the interesting part is that Olivia was two when both of these dear ones passed.  She really never knew either of them…certainly not enough to talk like them or develop many of their personality traits.  And how does my cousin Owen walk like his Grand-dad, who died three years before he was even born?  There is only one answer to these questions…the “father” lives within us.

Do you see where I am going with this?  We are often so innately connected to our ancestors that we carry much more than their DNA.  We are like them in subtle gestures and faint hints of personality characteristics, mannerism and more.  They are a part of us and who we are.  And our relationship with God contains the opportunities for conveying His “gestures and mannerisms”… and the potential for far greater reflections of His glory, power, love, grace and mercy.

Apart from God, we might be able to sustain kindness and generosity – or to accomplish many things on our own.  But for the really significant stuff, we need His presence.  There have been countless times in my life when I experienced or accomplished something that I knew was far beyond my capabilities or “wheel-house”.  The only way these things happened was under God’s power…His work in and through me. I am not God, and I know it!  But without His hand in my life, I am powerless and utterly incapable in many instances.

Here’s the really cool thing.  The closer we grow to God…the more frequently He shows up, and the more readily recognizable these experiences become as His handiwork.  I find God more often in the makeup of my life - from subtle nuances to the truly large events.  The more I grow in my relationship with Him…the more I acknowledge His power, wisdom, and presence…the more I truly find Him.

I may not have God’s “smirky smile” (although, who knows?!)…and I know that there are many instances where I fail to represent Him well - much less give others a glimpse of Him in my words, thoughts and actions.  But I’m working on this and striving to do better and be better every single day.  What about you?

©2014 Debbie Robus