December 8 ~ Deuteronomy 6:20-25
Someday your children will ask, “Why did the Lord give us these laws and teachings?”
Then you will answer:
We
were slaves of the king of Egypt, but the Lord used his great power and
set us free. We saw him perform miracles and make horrible things
happen to the king, his officials, and everyone else. The Lord rescued
us from Egypt, so he could bring us into this land, as he had promised
our ancestors. That’s why the Lord our God demands that we obey his laws
and worship him with fear and trembling. And if we do, he will protect
us and help us be successful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our
three-year-old Nathan’s favorite question is “Why?” Sometimes, I have a
good answer…and often, I just have to “wing it.” But when our children
– or anyone else – asks me why God gave us rules and commands us to
obey them, I hope I have decent answers! When I am asked by anyone WHY
God covers us in grace and mercy and sent His only Son to suffer and die
for our sins, I need to have a good explanation at the ready!
Let’s
be clear…we are not going to have “all of the answers” – because we
aren’t supposed to. There are so many things about how God operates
that are mysterious and will not be revealed to us until we get to
Heaven. This is where “faith” comes into play! But we need to be so
grounded and confident in our Christian faith and discipleship that we
can explain - and demonstrate by our actions – our service and obedience
in a way that is compelling and believable to others. And telling
someone we love and serve God…“because I don’t want to go to hell” is
not a good answer!
We have some excellent starting points
outlined in this scripture passage from Deuteronomy 6. God performed
miracles and protected His people by making horrible things happen to
the king of Egypt and his cronies. He rescued the people of Israel and
delivered them to the Promised Land. And He has guaranteed protection
and success for all who follow Him. Since this is Old Testament
scripture, it doesn’t even touch on the miracles, love, grace and mercy
of Jesus Christ several centuries later. The Bible as a whole is filled
with examples and justifications for placing our hope and faith in
Jesus Christ and serving our Heavenly Father with full obedience and
trust. Our job is to look for them and commit them to heart!
The
point is that we need not fear questions about our faith. Rather, we
must be ready to answer them. We have to prepare ourselves through the
study of God’s word, prayer and communication with Him – and through
actually putting our Christian faith into action - so that we are ready
to answer that all-important “Why?” from people who are “on the fence.”
Are you fully ready to tackle these questions head-on? Do you
have good, plausible explanations for your Christian faith and
discipleship? Isn’t it time that you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label effective discipleship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label effective discipleship. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 26, 2015
September 26 ~ Psalm 15:1-5
God, who gets invited
to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?
“Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.
“Don’t hurt your friend,
don’t blame your neighbor;
despise the despicable.
“Keep your word even when it costs you,
make an honest living,
never take a bribe.
“You’ll never get blacklisted
if you live like this.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My mother received the devastating news this week that she probably has cancer. She meets with an oncologist in a few days to review the results of a biopsy and confirm a diagnosis, but all indications are that this is very serious. I respectfully ask all of you to pray for my mother…and for us as we support her in what may be a battle of major proportions.
Countless friends and loved ones have reached out to us already with offers of love, prayers, encouragement…and everything else under the sun. We appreciate them all. One person said, “Your mother doesn’t deserve this.” Well, no…she doesn’t. But then, no one deserves the beast that is cancer – or any other disease or malady. And while we know that God will use this experience for His glory, we do wish that things were different.
But here’s the thing. My mother has a permanent place on the “guest list” for dinner with God. She has served Him well for decades. She lives out the “criteria” listed in these verses from Psalm 15. And she has done her very best to instill these same traits in her children and those around her. I’d like to think that she has done a pretty good job on all accounts…but I know that I am still a work in progress!
So as we turn the corner and start the next leg of this earthly journey together, we do so with confidence that our reservations are confirmed…that we are on the “guest list” for perpetual dining with God at His bountiful table. I find this assurance to be amazing…incredible…comforting and exciting.
Many who clamor to nab a seat at a fine dining establishment are just glad to be seated. But in most restaurants, some seats are better than others. There are prime locations that provide ambience and garner impeccable attention from the staff…and there are those near the kitchen door or the restrooms, where the atmosphere is a little less hospitable. I want to maintain a “good seat” at God’s table…next to my mother! This scripture passage tells us in part how to achieve that.
Are you on God’s “guest list?” Are you living for him in a way that garners a “good seat” at the table? Frankly, too many people are content just to be seated in the room somewhere. But we should be serving God in such a way that He is constantly saying, “Come closer! Move on up nearer to Me!” This is our goal as Christian brothers and sisters…or it should be. Read the “criteria” in these verses again, and put them into action in your daily discipleship.
Where is your “seat” at God’s table these days? Are you hanging out in the corner of “Good Enough?” Are you ready to serve Him in all areas of your life and enjoy His offer of “fine dining” each and every day? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
God, who gets invited
to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?
“Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.
“Don’t hurt your friend,
don’t blame your neighbor;
despise the despicable.
“Keep your word even when it costs you,
make an honest living,
never take a bribe.
“You’ll never get blacklisted
if you live like this.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My mother received the devastating news this week that she probably has cancer. She meets with an oncologist in a few days to review the results of a biopsy and confirm a diagnosis, but all indications are that this is very serious. I respectfully ask all of you to pray for my mother…and for us as we support her in what may be a battle of major proportions.
Countless friends and loved ones have reached out to us already with offers of love, prayers, encouragement…and everything else under the sun. We appreciate them all. One person said, “Your mother doesn’t deserve this.” Well, no…she doesn’t. But then, no one deserves the beast that is cancer – or any other disease or malady. And while we know that God will use this experience for His glory, we do wish that things were different.
But here’s the thing. My mother has a permanent place on the “guest list” for dinner with God. She has served Him well for decades. She lives out the “criteria” listed in these verses from Psalm 15. And she has done her very best to instill these same traits in her children and those around her. I’d like to think that she has done a pretty good job on all accounts…but I know that I am still a work in progress!
So as we turn the corner and start the next leg of this earthly journey together, we do so with confidence that our reservations are confirmed…that we are on the “guest list” for perpetual dining with God at His bountiful table. I find this assurance to be amazing…incredible…comforting and exciting.
Many who clamor to nab a seat at a fine dining establishment are just glad to be seated. But in most restaurants, some seats are better than others. There are prime locations that provide ambience and garner impeccable attention from the staff…and there are those near the kitchen door or the restrooms, where the atmosphere is a little less hospitable. I want to maintain a “good seat” at God’s table…next to my mother! This scripture passage tells us in part how to achieve that.
Are you on God’s “guest list?” Are you living for him in a way that garners a “good seat” at the table? Frankly, too many people are content just to be seated in the room somewhere. But we should be serving God in such a way that He is constantly saying, “Come closer! Move on up nearer to Me!” This is our goal as Christian brothers and sisters…or it should be. Read the “criteria” in these verses again, and put them into action in your daily discipleship.
Where is your “seat” at God’s table these days? Are you hanging out in the corner of “Good Enough?” Are you ready to serve Him in all areas of your life and enjoy His offer of “fine dining” each and every day? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 15, 2015
John 15:5
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.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last week, Timothy attended a “Day Camp” at our local Aquatic Center. On the last day, he received a tote bag filled with his arts and crafts, candy, and some toys. One was this squishy deep blue “creature” – similar to a beetle. It felt pretty gross to the touch, and it was all sticky. At first, Timothy was unsure about this toy, but over the span of an hour or so, he grew to like it…until one of its legs came off…and then another. Then Timothy began to pull on the legs – and soon there were six little “blobs of blue goo” and a 3-sectioned “body.” Yesterday, one of the kids pulled off a “body” section…and I’ll be honest - last night, we deemed the pieces of “creature” to be a safety hazard, and the pile of goop went in the trash!
Intact, this “creature” was interesting to look at…and somewhat fun for the kids to hold in their hands. The appendages by themselves were just little blue blobs of goo…icky and worthless. It’s similar to a toy doll or robot that requires batteries to walk and talk. Without the batteries, the toy can still be fun for awhile, if the children use their imagination…but the real “magic” happens when batteries are inserted!
Without seeming irreverent, I offer that Jesus is our “batteries” or “body.” Without His power, we are pretty ineffective. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that we are worthless, because we all know people who occasionally manage to do some fairly productive things with no apparent Spiritual support. But if you “get down to brass tacks,” you will probably see that they were covered in the grace and mercy of Jesus – even if they didn’t acknowledge His presence. If you trim a fruit-laden branch from the vine, the fruit will still be “good” for a little while…but ultimately, it will shrivel and become inedible – and destined for the trash heap!
What we can accomplish on our own – who and what we are – is pretty limited without the power of Jesus. Like the “little blue blobs of goo” that once were the legs of an icky toy creature, we may hold the attention of others and “entertain” or “serve” for a brief moment. But without attachment to the body…without the VINE – we will never be productive and complete for very long.
Where does this leave you? Are you attached to the Body? Is your “branch” firmly attached to the “vine” of Jesus? Don’t end up in the “trash heap” of life. Stay connected to Jesus! Let Him power your life – in every way…and enable you to produce His “good fruits” - today…and always!
©2015 Debbie Robus
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.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last week, Timothy attended a “Day Camp” at our local Aquatic Center. On the last day, he received a tote bag filled with his arts and crafts, candy, and some toys. One was this squishy deep blue “creature” – similar to a beetle. It felt pretty gross to the touch, and it was all sticky. At first, Timothy was unsure about this toy, but over the span of an hour or so, he grew to like it…until one of its legs came off…and then another. Then Timothy began to pull on the legs – and soon there were six little “blobs of blue goo” and a 3-sectioned “body.” Yesterday, one of the kids pulled off a “body” section…and I’ll be honest - last night, we deemed the pieces of “creature” to be a safety hazard, and the pile of goop went in the trash!
Intact, this “creature” was interesting to look at…and somewhat fun for the kids to hold in their hands. The appendages by themselves were just little blue blobs of goo…icky and worthless. It’s similar to a toy doll or robot that requires batteries to walk and talk. Without the batteries, the toy can still be fun for awhile, if the children use their imagination…but the real “magic” happens when batteries are inserted!
Without seeming irreverent, I offer that Jesus is our “batteries” or “body.” Without His power, we are pretty ineffective. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that we are worthless, because we all know people who occasionally manage to do some fairly productive things with no apparent Spiritual support. But if you “get down to brass tacks,” you will probably see that they were covered in the grace and mercy of Jesus – even if they didn’t acknowledge His presence. If you trim a fruit-laden branch from the vine, the fruit will still be “good” for a little while…but ultimately, it will shrivel and become inedible – and destined for the trash heap!
What we can accomplish on our own – who and what we are – is pretty limited without the power of Jesus. Like the “little blue blobs of goo” that once were the legs of an icky toy creature, we may hold the attention of others and “entertain” or “serve” for a brief moment. But without attachment to the body…without the VINE – we will never be productive and complete for very long.
Where does this leave you? Are you attached to the Body? Is your “branch” firmly attached to the “vine” of Jesus? Don’t end up in the “trash heap” of life. Stay connected to Jesus! Let Him power your life – in every way…and enable you to produce His “good fruits” - today…and always!
©2015 Debbie Robus
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