Daily Devotional for December 29, 2016

1 Corinthians 1:2-9
To: The Christians in Corinth, invited by God to be his people and made acceptable to him by Christ Jesus. And to: All Christians everywhere—whoever calls upon the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and theirs.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you all of his blessings, and great peace of heart and mind.

I can never stop thanking God for all the wonderful gifts he has given you, now that you are Christ’s: he has enriched your whole life. He has helped you speak out for him and has given you a full understanding of the truth; what I told you Christ could do for you has happened! Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And he guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when he returns. God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, even Christ our Lord.

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 months, our 4-year-old nephew, Nathan, has been talking about a toy he wanted for Christmas…a Batbot. This remote-controlled toy transforms from a robot into an “armored” tank.  Nathan never wavered.  This was what he wanted…and he was certain that it was waiting for him under the Christmas tree.  Every box that even remotely looked like it could be the right size, he would say, “That’s probably a Batbot!”  Christmas Eve, as his mother helped him open a box of assorted colors of Play-doh®, he asked her, “Is that my Batbot?”

Nathan DID get the Batbot on Christmas morning…and I am sure he has spent countless happy hours playing with it since then.  Now, can you imagine if his parents told him that he had to give it back to them?  I cannot even think about what would happen if they told him that he had to take his prized toy back to the store. He would be devastated…and his entire vision of Christmas and the hope and excitement that surround this season would probably be destroyed.  Thankfully, I don’t know anyone who rescinds their child’s Christmas gifts…or any other gifts for that matter.

I cannot imagine living with the idea that Jesus could revoke my salvation at any moment…that my “friendship” with Him teetered so precariously and could vanish in a heartbeat. One of the great joys of Christian faith is living with the childlike hope and confidence that Jesus truly will deliver the grace, blessings, gifts and power that He promised…and we get to keep them forever!

While I don’t have to consciously think about this night and day, I also cannot grow complacent or take Jesus’ gifts for granted.  If you stop and think about it, we tell our children that they have to…“be good, or Santa won’t come and bring you what you asked for.”  Jesus does NOT operate like Santa Claus...efforts on our part to “be good” do not have a direct correlation to His gift of Salvation and Eternal Life.

But we should want to do everything we can to honor Jesus’ gifts and blessings - precisely because we cannot earn them. We are offered Salvation and all of the benefits of a life in Christ – forever and ever – in spite of our ugly, egotistical, sinful selves.  Jesus knows that we are undeserving…but He loves us and generously lavishes these gifts upon us anyway.  There is no “naughty or nice list”…at least not in the way we envision with Santa Claus.  And aren’t we glad?!

I thank God every day for Jesus…for the grace, blessings, gifts, and power that are mine because HE is my Redeemer. I thank God that many people I know and love share in these same blessings and gifts…though NONE of us deserves them or can ever “earn” them. Because I know that Salvation and the abundance of a life in Christ are available to any and all who will accept His invitation, I am doing all I can to lead as many people into this relationship as I possibly can…and I hope you are with me!

If you have not accepted Jesus’ invitation, please do so today.  If you are living in His abundance and blessings already, what are you doing to show your gratitude and respect – and give others a reason to accept this invitation for themselves?  Will this be the day that you begin to answer this question?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 10, 2016

1 Peter 5:4
Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.

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

There is a little cartoon that has circulated on the Internet that says, “My dentist told me I needed a crown…and I was like, ‘I know – right?!’”  It makes me laugh every time I see it.  I don’t know a little girl beyond the age of 3 who doesn’t covet a crown at some point.  Crowns are sold in the toy aisles, awarded at “beauty” pageants and other contests.  From the time we are able to recognize them, crowns are promoted as something to which we should aspire.

Boys aren’t left out either…it may not be a “crown” per se…but a trophy, sword, badge or medal…some tangible (and usually shiny) reward symbolizes success and accomplishment…and we have been conditioned to covet them.  Clearly, this is not totally a bad thing – 1 Peter 5:4 illustrates that crowns are “Biblical!”  The rub comes in what KIND of crown we seek…and this makes all the difference!

When I was a little girl, I won a pageant and received a “crown” that was made of cardboard covered in glitter.  I thought it was fantastic…but I was 5!  Later, when I was a majorette in the high school band, my uniform included a glittery rhinestone tiara purchased at the jewelry store.  It made me feel festive and special to wear that sparkling adornment.  And when I was finished with high school, the crown passed to the girl who replaced me. A friend posted a Facebook photo of her child wearing a store-bought toy crown that had been improved with extra flourishes and baubles…supposedly to enhance its glory.

Here’s the thing…all of these “crowns”, medallions, badges, trophies, and ribbons are wonderful in this earthly context.  They signify accomplishments and rewards – and there is nothing wrong with that.  But the crown we will receive when Christ returns will totally outshine any and all of these.  The “gifts and prizes” that await us in Heaven will make all others pale by comparison!

Those of us who have surrendered our hearts to Jesus are heirs to His throne!  The crown that God has waiting for us is not made of cardboard…it will not need any enhancements…it will never tarnish – and it is not temporary. Our job in the meantime is to behave in a manner worthy of such a crown…to demonstrate Jesus’ love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others…and to encourage as many people as we can to get in on this “inheritance” for themselves. 

The only One I want to hear tell me, “You need a crown” is Jesus Himself.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 13, 2011

Psalm 49:7-9
You cannot buy back your life or pay off God! It costs far too much to buy back your life. You can never pay God enough to stay alive forever and safe from death.

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

More than one person has tried to make something – or someone – go away by writing a big check. More than one parent has told a child, “If you will do this… be good… make good grades (or whatever the parent wants done at the moment), I will buy you a new toy… give you money… make your favorite dinner… get you new sneakers (or whatever will impress the child). Human nature frequently operates in the realm of “name your price.”

When it comes to our Heavenly Father, money does not “talk.” We didn’t do anything to earn our salvation in Christ Jesus – and we never can. It was a gift… given to us freely out of love we can never possibly fathom.

So when we try to bargain with God… “Lord, do this for me, and I promise, I will do such-and-such” or “Lord, I will give all I can to an orphanage or a mission if You will bless me in a specific manner” or “Lord, just let me have this one night to do whatever I please, and then I will follow You forever”… God just shakes His head (and possibly rolls His eyes) at our inability to understand how He operates.

We cannot pay off God… we can’t bargain with Him for what we want – at least not with any real hope of getting it! We can’t tell God what to do – or how to do it. And we can never pay God back for all He has given to us and done for us. And the best part is… He doesn’t want our payment. He just wants our love… our faith… our trust… and our service in His name – all freely given to Him. God doesn’t want us to love Him or serve Him out of obligation – any feeling we might have to do this to get to Heaven. He wants us to want Him as much as He wants us. Sounds like a no-brainer to me! It’s definitely the deal of a lifetime… and one I want in on forever – don’t you?

What are you waiting for? Isn’t it time to drop the pretenses and get real with God? Isn’t it time to lay your cards on the table and say, “Here I am, Lord… warts and all. I’m ready to love You and serve You… no matter what… will You have me?” My guess is that His arms are already open.

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 24, 2011

Psalm 31:12
I am completely forgotten like someone dead. I am merely a broken dish. I hear the crowds whisper, "Everyone is afraid!" They are plotting and scheming to murder me. But I trust you, LORD, and I claim you as my God. My life is in your hands. Save me from enemies who hunt me down. Smile on me, your servant. Have pity and rescue me.

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

I was folding laundry, and I piled a stack of underwear on top of a stack of t-shirts, and the underwear fell over onto the floor. All of it had to be refolded. Now, at one point in my life, I would probably have groaned and grumbled and uttered some things I can’t repeat here. But this time, I picked up the clothing, laughed, and refolded it.

You’re probably wondering what folding underwear has to do with God, so I’ll tell you! As I refolded these pieces of clothing, I thought about how we are a lot like them. God washes us clean in the blood of Jesus. He folds us neatly and prepares us for another day. Then we fall… we lose our balance… we get distracted or overloaded and top heavy… and we tumble. And God, being God, picks us up, dusts us off and refolds us. He has pity on us and rescues us… even in our “brokenness”… and He restores us.

I would like to think that God looks at us and laughs…at least sometimes. More often, I think he is saddened by our falls and shortcomings. But He still loves us, just the same. I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful to serve a God who loves me like this. The devil would be glad to leave us on the floor in a heap to be trampled by anything and everyone. I am so glad to know that if – and when – I fall, God will rescue me and fold me back in place so that I am ready for another day in His service.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we serve a God who can smile on us even in our broken state? Have you put your life in His hands and trusted Him to save you? When was the last time you thanked God for taking such good care of you? Isn’t it time you did?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 20, 2011

Psalm 34:1-11
I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.

If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.

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

On the 2011 Grammy Awards show, several well-known singers honored Aretha Franklin by singing some of her hits, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In a pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, Bill O’Reilly repeatedly asked the President a question, then began to talk over him. On a recent episode of ABC’s The View, hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were both talking about a topic, and Hasselbeck rudely said, “I’m talking” in an attempt to quiet Behar and grab the floor. I had a frustrating experience with someone who began talking as soon as she saw me or heard my voice on the phone, and she would not stop long enough for me to ask a question or answer hers.

In the interviews and my own experience, there was a clear lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T – respect! My 7th-grade science class teacher, Coach Isaac Witt, said repeatedly, “When your mouth is open, your ears are closed.” He was right! And as often as we disrespect one another, it pales in comparison to how much we disrespect our Heavenly Father. This Psalm outlines how important it is to honor (respect) God. The results are astounding… we will never starve or go hungry… He saves us from our fears and protects us from all of our troubles… we shine like the sun and never need to be ashamed… we are His special people and will never miss out on anything good.

Stop and think about your relationship with God. If you are really honest, I am willing to bet that you will find you “talk over” Him all the time. He starts to guide you, give you wisdom and good advice, and you effectively plug your fingers into your ears and start singing, “La-la-la-la-la!” I’m not saying we do this intentionally, but let’s get real… we all do it.

We need to offer God our utmost R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He does so much for us… His rewards are immeasurable. But more importantly, He deserves our honor and respect for loving and blessing us, undeserving as we all are. Take some time to listen to God. Find out what He is trying to say to you… give Him a chance to take the floor, and never ever tell Him, “I’m talking!” Praise Him with all your heart… and be forever glad for His love and blessings.

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 5, 2010

Psalm 101:5
Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced, and no one who is conceited will be my friend.

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

Believe it or not, there are people who thrive on gossip and fill their days with it. Do you know someone of whom it is said, “If you want to know what’s going on, just ask So-and-So.” I don’t mean local history or what events are coming up at school or in your community … I mean the down-and-dirty personal details of the lives of others. And people like this live in every community. Have you ever had someone sit with you for a visit, and you felt like the whole time you were talking, they were merely trying to pump you for information about certain situations and people? It’s frustrating, isn’t it?! I surely hope you are not one of these people!

Equally upsetting are those who “put on airs,” as my grandmothers used to say. These are people who look sideways at those who are not “like them” in some way – dress, apparent economic or social status, race, creed, color, and more. I have to admit, I’ve been somewhat convicted lately that I fall into this category for laughing at those “people of Wal-Mart” e-mails I get. “But those are hilarious!” you may be saying… and you’d be right. But I have realized that I am laughing at someone else’s expense. And while they very well may deserve it for dressing in underwear and fur boots or overexposing themselves inappropriately and choosing t-shirts that have indecent slogans, these are still children of our Most High God. He loves them as much as He loves you and me, regardless of their ridiculous choices. By laughing at them, even in private, we are setting ourselves apart – being conceited – and that does not make us a friend of God.

Let’s be honest. Gossip can be fun! We can get big belly laughs from the antics of others, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling “high and mighty.” But all it takes is one dose of being on the wrong end of gossip to know how hurtful this is – and how bad it feels. All it takes is one slip-up and feeling like someone thinks they are better than you to know that this is wrong, un-Godly behavior. And as this passage points out, some day, God will deal with those who gossip and are conceited … and I have a feeling that will be a very embarrassing day for many.

I don’t want to stand before God in heaven some day and have to admit that I gossiped and considered myself to be better than others. I don’t want to hear Him ask me why I thought this was a good idea … or to express disappointment in my behavior choices. More than this, I don’t want to dishonor Him now by choosing behaviors that displease Him. And hopefully, neither do you!

Let’s make a concerted effort to avoid gossip – and let’s operate in a spirit of humility. On any given day, we could bear the brunt of gossip and conceit from others … and we know that would feel awful. Let’s work to make sure that none of this comes from us. Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus at every turn and share His Good News, love, grace and mercy with everyone we encounter.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 8, 2010

Acts 8:18-24
Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit.

Peter said to him, “You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God’s gift! You don’t have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn’t right. Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you. I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways.

Simon said, “Please pray to the Lord, so that what you said won’t happen to me.”

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

The first thought I had when I read this scripture passage was of the old Beatles song, “Can’t Buy Me Love.” There are probably very few of us who don’t think about money at some point in the day … from whether we have enough to pay bills, to how much more we need to save to buy something new, to how we will survive in retirement and more. But for some, money (or something in lieu of money) has become the answer to everything.

The truth of the matter is that God cannot be bought! I’m not saying we shouldn’t fund missions and think about money. I’m not saying that the system of exchanging payment for services rendered and items purchased doesn’t work. But when it comes to God, the only “payment” He will accept is raw faith. And really, this is great news, because it means that everyone is equal with God. Nobody can plunk down money and gain favor. We can’t give money to the church, family and friends, and never give any of our time and energy. Your possessions and wealth don’t make you better than your friends, classmates or co-workers, and God does not play favorites based on income level.

God wants our time, talents, service and faithfulness … and yes, our money. But only in that order, and only if the money is given to further His kingdom, not to buy His approval. The Holy Spirit is free to any and all who wish to receive Him. The woman in Luke 8:43-48 had it right. Sick for over twelve years, she saw Jesus in a crowd of people and barely touched the hem of his clothes, and instantly she was healed. Jesus said in the last part of verse 46, “Someone touched me, and I felt the power going out from me.” The woman didn’t give Jesus as much as one penny, yet she received His power and healing because of her faith. The disciples laid down their jobs, walked away from their homes and families and all of their belongings, and followed Jesus. And when He died and ascended into heaven, He gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to continue ministering and witnessing.

The question becomes, what are we doing to receive the Holy Spirit? Are we like Simon, wanting to throw some money or another form of payment toward God and buy our relationship with Him? Or are we humbly believing in His power and offering our service in whatever manner He desires? Are we pulling out our wallets for a payoff, or are we touching the hem of His clothes and serving faithfully? The difference is huge, and the consequences are eternal. How big is your faith and commitment today? Is your heart right before God?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 13, 2010

Psalm 84:9
You are the shield that protects your people, and I am your chosen one. Won't you smile on me?

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

I don’t know many people who don’t respond positively to a smile. I know it is one of the first gestures we develop. Even tiny babies smile. This has to be instinctive… they do it without prompting. And by the same token, they seem to understand a smile at a very early age. All we have to do is smile at Timothy, and he breaks into a wide grin or a giggle. He will often look toward us to see how we will react, and when we smile, it’s clear that he is very pleased and excited.

Have you ever felt God smile? Have you ever felt so covered in His love, protection and blessings that it seemed as if you were looking toward heaven and literally seeing Him smile back at you? Can you remember what you were doing at that moment? Does this happen often…sometimes…not at all?

God wants to smile on each of us. We are His chosen ones…His prize creations. He pours out blessings, protection, mercy, and grace on us in amazingly abundant quantities. What are we giving in return? Are we acting like His children? Are we behaving as if we were personally chosen by God? We should be feeling God’s smile often. We should be walking around feeling so protected – and blessed – that we almost glow with joy that Someone would love us that much. If our “smile quota” is low, it’s not God’s fault.

So what are we going to do to correct this? Examine your life, and ask God to show you where you can make changes that will be pleasing to Him. Everyone loves a smile… and God’s are the best of all. Be sure you are getting them every day!

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 12, 2010

Psalm 4:3
The LORD has chosen everyone who is faithful to be his very own, and he answers my prayers.

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

• “Congratulations! You have been chosen to serve on the outreach team at your church! This team is responsible for delivering support and nurture to all church members, as well as prospective members. Only those who have exhibited unwavering faith in God and a ‘glowing aura’ of the Holy Spirit were selected for this honor. In exchange for your service, God will give you special favor. You can ask Him anything, and He will push your requests to the top of the list.”

Okay, surely you see I’m being silly here. But I wanted to make a point, of course.

Often we are selected for certain committees, posts, organizations, and more... and given promises of great rewards. But there are catches. In order to receive these “rewards,” we must act a certain way or deliver a certain level of effort and energy. With God, there are no “catches” … there is nothing we can do to earn His love and the right to ask Him for anything in prayer. He does ask us to be faithful to Him… and in return, He answers our prayers, according to His will. But working extra hard or trying to be an “Uber Christian” doesn’t elevate our status in His eyes.

Bottom line: Being a child of God is the ultimate honor and privilege. We can take anything to God in prayer, and He will hear us. He deserves our faithfulness.

This is really a no-brainer! Are you giving Him your best these days?

©2010 Debbie Robus