John 14:11-14
“Believe me: I am in my Father and my
Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these
works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even
greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the
same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on,
whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing,
I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son.
I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.
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.
Sunday, we took the
children to see “The Jungle Book” at our local theater. As we were
driving home from church, Timothy said, “I’ve been to three movies at
the movie theater…you took me to see ‘Planes’…Granny and Pap-Pa Lee took
us to see ‘Minions’…and now you are taking us to see ‘The Jungle
Book!’”
Over the course of the afternoon, all three children
talked about how their Granny [my mother] – took them to the movie last
year. For the record, Mother thought that experience was something of a
disaster. Nathan was barely three years old, and he wore his 3D
glasses on his head most of the time…the other two wiggled and squirmed
and (in her opinion) didn’t grasp the plot of the movie at all. But in
their minds, it was fantastic. They each one have a fond memory of
going to the movie with their great-grandmother and grandpa.
In
many ways, we are “carrying the torch” for my mother. She wanted the
children to have swim lessons, music lessons, trips to museums and
parks, outings to the movies, and many more experiences and adventures.
And of course, it was VERY important to Mother that the children attend
church and learn about God. Thankfully, these are things that Greg and I
can do for the children. We are blessed with both the time and the
means to provide these opportunities. We trust that God will continue
to grant us good health and stamina to keep up with three active kiddos!
I
know that God will help us accomplish what we prayerfully pursue with
the children. If the things we ask for line up with His will, they will
happen. I cannot even envision what the next several years will
involve as these kids grow and become involved in more activities and
cultivate individual interests. I know that God is going to present us
with a lot of different avenues for serving Him – not only with our own
family, but in the church and community, also. And I trust that
whatever He ordains, we can accomplish. He has promised that it will be
so.
There are a lot of ordinary people doing extraordinary
things…because they are powered by faith in what Jesus promised. They
trust Him to make a way where none seems evident…to equip them for the
tasks that He sets before them…and to enable them to “carry the torch”
for the next generation. This is our calling…our destiny. And we have a
choice…to accept this mission and operate fully in faith…or to do
nothing and deny the power of Jesus to work in and through us.
I
saw a post on Facebook that said, “Whenever you find yourself doubting
how far you can go, consider how far you have come. Remember everything
you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have
overcome.” This didn’t just HAPPEN! God saw us through these
things…and He will equip us for so much more. It’s time to “hitch up
our britches” and get going. I’m in…what about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label doing God's work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doing God's work. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 2, 2013
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.
Pinterest is a wonderful resource for clever ideas, hints, tips, recipes, information and how-to’s of all kinds. There are also plenty of “pins” for shortcuts. One that comes to mind is how to hem a garment with double-faced tape. Don’t know how to sew? Don’t worry! Just use double-faced tape… or “iron-on” tape. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Quick, easy, and neat! Except double-faced tape… and to some degree, iron-on tape… is not permanent. It doesn’t hold up for the long haul in the wash. First thing you know, you’ll be walking down the street, and part of your pant or skirt hem will be dangling… a look that is anything but neat and secure!
The only way to be sure your hem is going to stay in place and serve you well is to use a needle and thread and secure it the old-fashioned way. It takes time, practice – and maybe a little skill – but anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can manage this. Yes, you can learn to “sew on a button” or hem a pair of pants!
For many people, Christian faith is something they wish to trot out for an hour on Sunday – or maybe just at Christmas and Easter. They will tell you that they desire a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus… that they are fairly certain that God is watching over them and meeting their needs. But in truth, their bond with God amounts to little more than a strip of double-faced or iron-on mending tape! Before you know it, that “hem” will fall apart in the “wash” of life, and those who opted to take the “short-cut” to Christian faith and discipleship will be left with a tattered, dirty and daunting remnant of their life in Christ instead of a vibrant, fully-interactive association with Him.
The only way to enjoy a safe, secure, solid – and shared – bond with Jesus Christ is to invest time in your relationship. Truly study God’s word and determine how it applies to your life and your present situations. Talk to Him – and listen to what He has to say in return. Develop an association with fellow believers and share insights, struggles, and blessings with them. Think about Jesus – OFTEN! Put Him at the forefront of everything you say and do. I know it sounds trite, but actually ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Better yet, ask HIM… “LORD… what would you do? What should I do?”
Just as anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can learn to sew on a button – or put in a hem – you and I can develop a vibrant, interactive, and everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ. All we have to do is invest a little time and effort… He will handle the rest. Now that’s something worth “pinning”! Are you willing to devote your total attention to Jesus and do the work to develop an abiding relationship with Him? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“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.
Pinterest is a wonderful resource for clever ideas, hints, tips, recipes, information and how-to’s of all kinds. There are also plenty of “pins” for shortcuts. One that comes to mind is how to hem a garment with double-faced tape. Don’t know how to sew? Don’t worry! Just use double-faced tape… or “iron-on” tape. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Quick, easy, and neat! Except double-faced tape… and to some degree, iron-on tape… is not permanent. It doesn’t hold up for the long haul in the wash. First thing you know, you’ll be walking down the street, and part of your pant or skirt hem will be dangling… a look that is anything but neat and secure!
The only way to be sure your hem is going to stay in place and serve you well is to use a needle and thread and secure it the old-fashioned way. It takes time, practice – and maybe a little skill – but anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can manage this. Yes, you can learn to “sew on a button” or hem a pair of pants!
For many people, Christian faith is something they wish to trot out for an hour on Sunday – or maybe just at Christmas and Easter. They will tell you that they desire a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus… that they are fairly certain that God is watching over them and meeting their needs. But in truth, their bond with God amounts to little more than a strip of double-faced or iron-on mending tape! Before you know it, that “hem” will fall apart in the “wash” of life, and those who opted to take the “short-cut” to Christian faith and discipleship will be left with a tattered, dirty and daunting remnant of their life in Christ instead of a vibrant, fully-interactive association with Him.
The only way to enjoy a safe, secure, solid – and shared – bond with Jesus Christ is to invest time in your relationship. Truly study God’s word and determine how it applies to your life and your present situations. Talk to Him – and listen to what He has to say in return. Develop an association with fellow believers and share insights, struggles, and blessings with them. Think about Jesus – OFTEN! Put Him at the forefront of everything you say and do. I know it sounds trite, but actually ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Better yet, ask HIM… “LORD… what would you do? What should I do?”
Just as anyone of reasonable age and dexterity can learn to sew on a button – or put in a hem – you and I can develop a vibrant, interactive, and everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ. All we have to do is invest a little time and effort… He will handle the rest. Now that’s something worth “pinning”! Are you willing to devote your total attention to Jesus and do the work to develop an abiding relationship with Him? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 25, 2011
Proverbs 20:4
If you are too lazy to plow, don't expect a harvest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other day I caught part of a commercial for yet another fat-burning solution that comes in a little capsule. No exercise is necessary… no dietary changes are needed. All we have to do is take these little capsules, and they will miraculously attach to our belly fat and burn it into oblivion for us! Yippee!!! As my “personal trainer” Jillian Michaels says, this is a message of lethargy and laziness… and it won’t work. She also says that so many people truly do not show up their own lives. In other words, they don’t take responsibility for their actions… or the outcomes. And she is right! We want the harvest, but we don’t want to plow!
We see this in every arena of life. Some students never study and barely get by then wonder why their GPA is so poor and they can’t get into good graduate schools - or potential employers are less than impressed. People apply for job after job and wonder why nobody will hire them... yet they fail to realize they present a lazy, “I-could-care-less” attitude and a sloppy appearance. We all know someone who has been on one diet after another, joined every gym in town and has a cabinet full of workout videos – right next to the treadmill/clothes rack. Every Monday is going to be the first day of a diet… until Monday actually arrives.
We also see this in the lives of many Christians. We make excuses with comments like, “I have nothing to offer. I’m not smart/capable/talented/outgoing… and more. I don’t have time. I don’t want to be a pest.” Sometimes, these are code for “I’m too lazy to get involved.” We often hear God nudging us into service and witness, but we either tune Him out or turn away. Some of us are so out of step with God that we really, truly don’t recognize His voice when He speaks and gives us an assignment!
The time has come for us to show up… to be truly present in our own lives… and as Christians and Disciples of Christ. We need to get up and get going… to clean up our act, polish our appearance, and get in line to accept whatever challenges we are presented… with all of the enthusiasm and energy we can muster. If you are really ready for a harvest, are you ready to plow?
©2011 Debbie Robus
If you are too lazy to plow, don't expect a harvest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other day I caught part of a commercial for yet another fat-burning solution that comes in a little capsule. No exercise is necessary… no dietary changes are needed. All we have to do is take these little capsules, and they will miraculously attach to our belly fat and burn it into oblivion for us! Yippee!!! As my “personal trainer” Jillian Michaels says, this is a message of lethargy and laziness… and it won’t work. She also says that so many people truly do not show up their own lives. In other words, they don’t take responsibility for their actions… or the outcomes. And she is right! We want the harvest, but we don’t want to plow!
We see this in every arena of life. Some students never study and barely get by then wonder why their GPA is so poor and they can’t get into good graduate schools - or potential employers are less than impressed. People apply for job after job and wonder why nobody will hire them... yet they fail to realize they present a lazy, “I-could-care-less” attitude and a sloppy appearance. We all know someone who has been on one diet after another, joined every gym in town and has a cabinet full of workout videos – right next to the treadmill/clothes rack. Every Monday is going to be the first day of a diet… until Monday actually arrives.
We also see this in the lives of many Christians. We make excuses with comments like, “I have nothing to offer. I’m not smart/capable/talented/outgoing… and more. I don’t have time. I don’t want to be a pest.” Sometimes, these are code for “I’m too lazy to get involved.” We often hear God nudging us into service and witness, but we either tune Him out or turn away. Some of us are so out of step with God that we really, truly don’t recognize His voice when He speaks and gives us an assignment!
The time has come for us to show up… to be truly present in our own lives… and as Christians and Disciples of Christ. We need to get up and get going… to clean up our act, polish our appearance, and get in line to accept whatever challenges we are presented… with all of the enthusiasm and energy we can muster. If you are really ready for a harvest, are you ready to plow?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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