Daily Devotional for November 25, 2016

Psalm 95:1-7    
Sing joyful songs to the Lord!
    Praise the mighty rock
    where we are safe.
Come to worship him
with thankful hearts
    and songs of praise.
The Lord is the greatest God,
    king over all other gods.
He holds the deepest part
    of the earth in his hands,
    and the mountain peaks
    belong to him.
The ocean is the Lord’s
    because he made it,
    and with his own hands
    he formed the dry land.
Bow down and worship
    the Lord our Creator!
The Lord is our God,
    and we are his people,
    the sheep he takes care of
    in his own pasture.

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

I saw a meme on Facebook today with a photo background that featured the silhouettes of three men hanging from crosses. The caption read, “Only one Black Friday offers eternal savings.” Greg and I spent a lazy “Black Friday” mostly relaxing and watching football. We visited some family members, ate leftovers and commented about what a good Thanksgiving Day we had with everyone. We didn’t fight the crowds to shop.  We didn’t start putting up Christmas decorations. We just rested and counted our blessings.

The view out our back windows is a panorama of somewhat dulled color, due to the fall drought…but there are some bursts of yellow and red here and there. Every few trees it seems like God dipped his paintbrush in some brilliant yellow or orange paint and said, “Let me show you what I can do!”  A maple tree in our front yard is filled with bright yellow leaves – and about three clusters that are an incredibly deep hue of red!  God did this…just because He can!  He is full of surprises!

As we take a moment between “holiday seasons” to catch our breath and regroup, let’s spend some time remembering WHO is really in charge.  Who made the mountains and gave us beautiful fall color?  Who is responsible for our abundance and the freedoms that we enjoy?  Who formed us and granted us family, friends, and blessings on every side?  Who takes care of His people in His own pasture like none other?

The answer to all of these questions is God Almighty – the Lord our Creator!  And we should at least pause for a few minutes to worship Him…to sing His praises and give thanks for the safety and protection of His love and care.  We should acknowledge our abundance in the very fact that we are His. And we should be grateful that we belong to the King of all gods…which makes us heirs to His Kingdom for all eternity!

Before you get caught up in the hoopla of the coming holiday season, take a few more minutes to be deliberately grateful for God and all that He has given us.  Bow down and worship the Lord our Creator!  On THIS “Black Friday,” thank Him for the Black Friday that gave us eternal savings…and for His gift of the One who made this all possible.

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 22, 2013

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
 
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 his book, A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life, author John Kralik describes how his life was tumbling in a free-fall of despair and destitution.  He was losing clients in his law practice – and those he had were not paying their bills.  His relationships were falling apart.  He had unhealthy habits – and poor physical health as a result.  While walking one evening, Kralik was struck by the thought, “What if I focused on the things in my life for which I am thankful… and grateful?  What if I concentrated on the things I have instead of what I lack?”
 
To say this was a “game changer” for Kralik would be putting it mildly.  He began to find at least one person per day to thank.  Some days, it was easy…a friend did something nice for him, and he wrote a little note of thanks.  Other days, finding something – or someone – to whom he could express gratitude was a little harder.  He began to really stretch… to thank clients for their business- even when they had not paid their bill.  He began to leave notes with the barrista at the coffee house and the cashiers at stores where he shopped.  He thanked old college professors for that extra little bit of encouragement offered to him… and his doctor for suggesting he stop smoking and drop a few pounds!  After several weeks of writing thank-you notes, Kralik vowed to continue this for an entire year.  He actually wrote notes of gratitude every day for the next two years or better!
 
John Kralik discovered something amazing.  His life turned around in countless ways.  His health and physical well-being improved… his relationships with family, friends, and business associates got better… he got back on his feet financially.  But more importantly, Kralik found a peace like he had never experienced.
 
I am not saying that we should start writing a thank-you note to someone every day…although I believe such a project could be life-changing.  I am suggesting that we look at Colossians 3:15-17 and integrate some of Paul’s admonitions into our daily living.  We could all cultivate a little more thankfulness.  We could give the message of Jesus Christ more room in our lives… we could do a better job of loving Christ with our whole heart and loving others as He loves us.  We could concentrate more on being grateful for God’s gifts and less on complaining about what we lack or what troubles or irritates us.
 
I know more than one person who keeps a “gratitude journal.”  Each day, they write down at least one thing for which they are grateful.  I have noticed that these people seem to be a little more positive and cheerful than most folks.  For many of us, practicing gratitude and a positive outlook are habits that we have let lapse.  The exercise of writing down things for which we are thankful could help us get back on track.  If you want to take it a step further and send someone a note every day to express thanks or gratitude… go for it!
 
I happen to like hand-written notes.  They show an added effort to take pen to paper, find a stamp, and deliver (or mail) the message.  But you don’t have to hand-write a note for this to work. I know one person who messages one “friend” per day on Facebook to tell him/her why she is glad this person is in her life.  Wouldn’t you like to get an e-mail message or a text from someone who says, “I’m grateful for you.  Thank you for XYZ”?
 
The point is that by making a concerted effort to be more thankful or grateful… to share the message of Christ in our daily living and “sing your heart out for God” - your own heart changes.  You lose the garbage and the baggage…and gain peace and joy.  You live more fully in Jesus.  Isn’t that what we’re after?
 
What are you waiting for?  Think about who should receive your first message of gratitude and/or thanks.  Start with Jesus!  Keep a list of the people you thank… and look at it from time to time to see just how blessed you truly are.  And thank YOU for reading these daily devotionals and sharing your love of Christ with me in this manner.  I pray that you are truly blessed by His word and the insights I offer… and I am grateful for you and your friendship.  Now go thank somebody in Jesus’ name… and bless their socks off (and yours) in the bargain!
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 16, 2012

Genesis 50:16-21
So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?”

When Joseph received their message, he wept.

Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."

Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

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.

19th-Century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” And truly, some of our most powerful – and effective – lessons are learned through adversity. The ability to see the positive side of a tough situation is a talent many of us could use!

The cool thing is that God can show each of us how to find the blessings in the “bad stuff”…to say, “That guy actually did me a favor” or “This really worked out pretty well.” I know in my own life that there have been times when I wanted to be so angry with someone over how they treated me – or I wanted to be mad and upset about unplanned circumstances and how they “ruined my day.” But when I stopped and took a hard look at what I gained from the experience, my negative feelings began to fade. I won’t say they always disappeared, but let’s just say they were not so near the surface!

A lot of this is nothing more than a resentment we harbor against someone or something. I can tell you that nobody suffers more from a grudge than the person who holds it. If you really want to live in joy and abundance, let it go. Take a page from Joseph’s book… recognize that what others plan against you for evil, God can use for good. Realize that “life happens.” The key is to stay faithful to God… close to Him in every way – at all times – and to be fully attuned to His will and desires for your life, rather than those of others.

Joseph had it right. We are not God… but we are not to be a doormat for others, either. We are to operate fully in the will of God and trust Him to show us –and others - positive aspects and outcomes for every situation. It may be hard at times. We may feel like we are going to die in the process – or possibly suffer a broken heart or public embarrassment beyond repair. And yes, we may get a little frustrated when things don’t go as we planned. But God will take care of this, too. He will meet our needs at all times - if only we will let Him. GOD will handle any “revenge” necessary. He will bless us even in adversity… and that will make all the difference.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 21, 2012

Proverbs 23:1-3
When you are invited to eat with a king, use your best manners. Don't go and stuff yourself! That would be just the same as cutting your throat. Don't be greedy for all of that fancy food! It may not be so tasty.

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

When I was in high school, my parents scraped together enough money to buy me a used car. My parents both worked, and my mom also commuted nearly every day to UCA to attend classes toward her degree in education, so their vehicles were always in use. We needed a way for me to get myself and my sister and brother to school and back – and anywhere else we needed to go. So my dad found a little pale green Dodge Lancer that he thought would fill the bill.

I can’t recall the exact year of my Lancer, but it was probably between 1962 and 1965… and it was in sad shape. We talked about how to fix it up… a new coat of paint would surely help wonders. So I began dreaming of the paint color… a nice blue, or maybe even white. I went to band camp for two weeks, and when I returned, my dad had painted the car… the same ugly pale green as the original color. I was crushed. His reasoning was that it was cheaper to repaint the same color than to choose a new one. So for the next year or so until I married and went off to college, I was stuck with what we dubbed, “The Green Weenie.”

That awful car got us back and forth to school. It carried me over the roads and back to UCA the summer I married, so that I could get a jump start on college. It had a “three on the tree” (for you youngsters, that means it had a manual transmission, and I shifted three forward gears with a gear stick on the steering column), and some days it didn’t want to start. But it got good gas mileage and served as fairly reliable transportation.

Today, I could probably buy virtually any car I want (within reason)… yet my vehicle of choice is now ten years old and has very few miles. Every time I think about buying a nice, new, shiny vehicle, I think of those who would give anything just to have a “Green Weenie,” and I can’t bring myself to do it. I have good, safe, reliable transportation. I’ve owned a sports car – and rarely drove it. Just as it is with lots of thing, the “new” wore off. Getting the car I’d dreamed of owning was almost as exciting as actually owning it.

What does this mean for us as Christians? So often, we are struck by the flash and sizzle of “things.” It’s like going to an all-you-can-eat-buffet and being so enamored of the beautiful array of food that we pile our plate completely full before we get past the salad options. We went into the restaurant needing to feed our body and satisfy our hunger, but we ended up stuffing ourselves miserable. A “Green Weenie” soup and sandwich would have fully nourished us, but we thought we had to have more.

And so it is with God. Often we overlook the wonderful – and more than ample – gift He has given us in salvation through Jesus and our daily blessings and abundance. We want more. We want “stuff” – and lots of it! We want big houses, high-paying jobs, fame and fortune and a chance to “run with the big dogs.” We even want to grow our churches to a membership of thousands… and we don’t have a clue how to handle such wealth. We come away full and miserable… confused and frustrated.

Today, I challenge you to settle in and sit for a while. Consider what you have… the richness in which you already live. Ask yourself, “Are my basic needs met? Do I have more than enough? What am I doing with the excess? How am I serving God out of my abundance? Will more of anything really satisfy me or make life better – for me and others?” Humbly ask God to show you where you already have enough… and how to use what is left over for His glory. If He blesses you with a “buffet” in any area of your life… ask Him to help you handle the riches according to His will. Know when to say “When!”… and how to manage whatever God gives you.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 13, 2012

Psalm 148:11-13
Every king and every ruler, all nations on earth, every man and every woman, young people and old, come praise the LORD! All creation, come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth.

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

This morning, I visited my grandmother at the assisted living facility where she resides. She was in the Activities Room, creating a picture frame from Popsicle® sticks and all sorts of crafts items. Seated with her was a much younger woman who also resides at the facility. She was framing photos of her children. I had never realized that this woman was a mother. As we talked about her children and her husband, I learned that she is also a college graduate. She explained rather matter-of-factly to me how a series of events led to her move into this facility a few years ago. Suffice it to say, I was incredibly humbled by our conversation.

I had hurried to the facility today to check on my grandmother. For the second time this week, a dear friend of hers who also resided there had passed away. I had a zillion other things I wanted to do with my morning, but I felt I needed to spend this time with my grandmother. After I sat in the Activities Room for 30 minutes, I realized that I really had nothing more important to do… except maybe take a few extra minutes to praise God for the life I have. I was once again reminded that my life can change in a heartbeat… and many experience such dramatic changes every single day.

There are other “young” people at the assisted living facility who landed there because of various illnesses and “life events.” And for the most part, they are positive and upbeat, even though they have lots of reasons to feel otherwise. Oh, they will tell you they wish they could live a “normal” life, but by and large, they are making the best of their situation. They find their own set of reasons to praise the LORD, even in their less than perfect circumstances.

I commented to my grandmother that we never know what tomorrow will bring. You or I could be living at such a facility next week. And we would still have plenty of reasons to praise the LORD. But… would we? Do we stop and thank Him now for what we DO have? Are we truly grateful for where we are today… whether it’s stuck inside a classroom listening to a boring lecture, working at a job we don’t particularly like, doing laundry and changing diapers, or aimlessly surfing the channels looking for something to fill a boring evening? Do we find the joy and blessings in every circumstance of our life, or do we gripe and complain and throw ourselves a pity party?

Every single one of us has something to praise the LORD about today. It may be the fact that we are in an assisted living facility with arts and crafts projects and the “freedom” to come and go as we please, rather than confined to a bed in a nursing home. It may be that we are glad to have children and a spouse to care for … meals to cook, houses to clean, diapers to change and laundry to wash. We may be thankful for the old ugly clunker that gets us where we need to go, even though we would love to drive a shiny new sports car. Or we may be grateful to still live alone in our own home, even though our age and infirmities are telling us that soon we will need extra help. Whatever your station… wherever you are in your life… there is SOMETHING today for which you can give God praise. The question is… have you?

©2012 Debbie Robus