1 John 5:3
Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn’t hard at all;
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I have some pretty
simple, straightforward “rules” at our house. The children know that
we don’t allow jumping on the furniture…and that they eat and drink at
the dining table or kitchen counter - and not in the other rooms. They
know that when we go somewhere and leave the car, we hold hands and
stick together.
The children understand that we use “inside
voices” when we are in the house – and that they are not to be bossy
toward their siblings – or toward us or other grown-ups! They remember
that there are certain things at our house that are off limits and are
not to be touched. And for the most part, they do very well with these
guidelines. They have their moments, as all children do…but by and
large, they do a really good job of staying within our parameters. And I
honestly think that this makes things easier for them.
The
children know what is expected…and what is accepted. They don’t have to
worry or wonder. In a way, this frees them to enjoy their time with
us. They know that when they operate within these guidelines, everyone
will get along and be happy…and there might even be a “reward” or two
along the way for such good behavior and obedience. When we are pleased
with the children, we love to shower them with “blessings.”
Do
you see my point? So many people want to think of the life of a
Christian as restrictive, when in truth, it can actually be just the
opposite. When we follow God’s commands and serve Him in all things, we
know where we stand at all times. We are freed of the burden of worry -
and wondering whether or not God is happy with us. Like little
children, there are times when we slip up…when we say or do something
that displeases God. But if we make every effort to live within His
parameters and serve Him wholeheartedly, God will bless us with His
abundant gifts of grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, healing,
forgiveness – and amazing surprises and opportunities.
Will
everything always be a bed of roses? Absolutely not? Will some seem to
have more blessings than others? Certainly! Will this assure us a
life free of suffering and difficulties? No way! Nobody ever said
being a Christian disciple would mean life on Easy Street! But I
promise you, when we follow God’s commands and have some semblance of an
understanding about where we stand with Him, everything is just so much
better.
Aren’t you ready to try living in the freedom of following God’s will? Is this the day you’ll get started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label freedom in surrender to God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freedom in surrender to God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 1, 2016
John 6:44
No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me makes them want to come. But if they do come, I will raise them to life on the last day.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I assisted in the nursery during our 11:00 worship service. When I arrived near the end of the second service, there were 16 toddlers in the nursery! By the time parents picked up little ones, we were left with four for the last hour. I’ve spent several Sundays in the nursery, so I am becoming familiar with many of these little ones…and they are getting to know me.
Toddlers are a lot like kittens and puppies…you can’t just pick one up and expect it to instantly like you! Relationships have to be developed…familiarity has to be nurtured. So when I arrived this morning, a few children who know me came with arms outstretched to be picked up for a hug. Some even asked to be rocked. And a couple who thought this might be a good idea decided otherwise when their eyelids began to droop!
Their “reward” was a snuggle and a kiss…a chance to play with the sparkly cross necklace I was wearing…and maybe to hear me sing a little song or two as we rocked in the rocking chair. But again, they had to want to do all of this…or it would not have been pleasant for any of us!
Here’s how this works with Jesus...
God has given us opportunities to get to know Him…through scripture, worship, friendship and communion with believers, and more. He has set the stage for us to discover just how much Jesus loves us – and how much He sacrificed for us. God has shared His Only Son with us in such a way that we might desire to “climb up in His lap and rock for a while.” But it is our choice…and the only way it will work for any of us is if we choose Jesus of our own free will.
The rewards for making this choice are far more numerous than I can outline in this devotional…but they include freedom and forgiveness from our sins…and the promise of Eternal Life in Heaven at the Lord’s Table - as well as the presence of His Holy Spirit to fill our heart and guide us through this earthly life. Like the toddler who crawls down out of the rocking chair when he/she gets sleepy…we often turn away from the caring arms of Jesus – at least temporarily. But for those of us who have freely chosen Him, those arms are always outstretched for another hug, and Jesus delights in “snuggling” with us.
There are several questions we should ask ourselves today. Have we chosen Jesus? Have we gotten to know Him well enough that we trust His outstretched arms and readily run into them? What can we do to improve this relationship? Where have we gotten down and tried to handle things on our own – without His care and assistance? Isn’t it time to trust Jesus’ embrace again…to crawl back into His lap and settle in for the long haul? Will this be the day that we reconnect?
God has made a way for us to get to know His Son, Jesus…to fully embrace all that He offers – and enjoy the blessings and rewards of this communion. Now it is up to us to make the right choice. What have you decided?
©2016 Debbie Robus
No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me makes them want to come. But if they do come, I will raise them to life on the last day.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I assisted in the nursery during our 11:00 worship service. When I arrived near the end of the second service, there were 16 toddlers in the nursery! By the time parents picked up little ones, we were left with four for the last hour. I’ve spent several Sundays in the nursery, so I am becoming familiar with many of these little ones…and they are getting to know me.
Toddlers are a lot like kittens and puppies…you can’t just pick one up and expect it to instantly like you! Relationships have to be developed…familiarity has to be nurtured. So when I arrived this morning, a few children who know me came with arms outstretched to be picked up for a hug. Some even asked to be rocked. And a couple who thought this might be a good idea decided otherwise when their eyelids began to droop!
Their “reward” was a snuggle and a kiss…a chance to play with the sparkly cross necklace I was wearing…and maybe to hear me sing a little song or two as we rocked in the rocking chair. But again, they had to want to do all of this…or it would not have been pleasant for any of us!
Here’s how this works with Jesus...
God has given us opportunities to get to know Him…through scripture, worship, friendship and communion with believers, and more. He has set the stage for us to discover just how much Jesus loves us – and how much He sacrificed for us. God has shared His Only Son with us in such a way that we might desire to “climb up in His lap and rock for a while.” But it is our choice…and the only way it will work for any of us is if we choose Jesus of our own free will.
The rewards for making this choice are far more numerous than I can outline in this devotional…but they include freedom and forgiveness from our sins…and the promise of Eternal Life in Heaven at the Lord’s Table - as well as the presence of His Holy Spirit to fill our heart and guide us through this earthly life. Like the toddler who crawls down out of the rocking chair when he/she gets sleepy…we often turn away from the caring arms of Jesus – at least temporarily. But for those of us who have freely chosen Him, those arms are always outstretched for another hug, and Jesus delights in “snuggling” with us.
There are several questions we should ask ourselves today. Have we chosen Jesus? Have we gotten to know Him well enough that we trust His outstretched arms and readily run into them? What can we do to improve this relationship? Where have we gotten down and tried to handle things on our own – without His care and assistance? Isn’t it time to trust Jesus’ embrace again…to crawl back into His lap and settle in for the long haul? Will this be the day that we reconnect?
God has made a way for us to get to know His Son, Jesus…to fully embrace all that He offers – and enjoy the blessings and rewards of this communion. Now it is up to us to make the right choice. What have you decided?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 5, 2015
Romans 6:6
Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin;
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My name is Debbie, and I am a shoe-a-holic! I have loved pretty shoes all of my life…dating back to the twice-a-year sale my mother would take my sister and me to at Kempner’s Shoe Store in Little Rock, back in the 1960s. Because it was a half price sale – and my Aunt Altha noted that she and I had a big foot that was “the same size as half the world” – the selection in my size was often a little “interesting.” This would explain why I once had a pair of orange leather penny loafers! Since my mother and grandmother made most of our clothes, my outfits were created in colors that coordinated with said shoes!
As I got older, the heels on my shoes got higher, and I began to acquire a few pair that were beautiful to look at – and made my legs look fantastic – but literally were a PAIN to wear. They didn’t feel so bad at first – and honestly, I felt so great in them that I tried to ignore any discomfort. But over time, these “high heels” started to really irritate me. Ours was a love-hate relationship. I began to realize that this kind of shoe was truly uncomfortable and not right for me. But I had purchased them…spent money on them…and they were fun (momentarily)…so I felt obligated to wear them, at least once in a while!
I’ve gotten rid of most of these pain-inflicting “stilettos”…and I have to tell you, it was cathartic to let them go. I’ve traded them for “heel shoes” (as Timothy calls them) with a shorter, more sensible - yet still-attractive - heel height. These days, I am more concerned about comfort and the freedom to concentrate on what really matters than on whether my legs look lean and shapely – and my feet are killing me! I look at the two or three pair of HIGH heels I still possess and remind myself that they represent someone I once was…a person who wasn’t necessarily that bad - but one who was not totally comfortable in her own skin, either.
I hope you see where I am headed. Maybe, like me…it took you a while to realize that there were elements of your life that were not fitting well…that you were not comfortable in your present situation…and that the culprit was the “ill-fitting-shoes” of sin. Maybe your life seemed fun…and maybe some situations were areas that you adapted to, like the “orange-loafers” of your life, and ran with it – even when these things didn’t seem to be quite right.
Hear the GOOD NEWS! Today is the day to “clean your shoe closet”…to get rid of anything that pinches, doesn’t go with any of your clothing, or simply feels wrong. This is the day to nail your sins to the cross with Jesus and rid yourself of them forever. Even if you have been a Christian for a long time, you may still have a few areas where you struggle…a few “pair of shoes” from the past in your closet that remind you of where you once were. Give those areas to Jesus today. Let Him help handle them for you and free you of their burden.
I’ll be honest…I have ONE THING in my wardrobe today that is a light shade of orange. I loved those shoes when I was in 7th or 8th grade, but orange is really not my color. It’s time for us to recognize that we have been limping along in our spiritual lives and “making do” with our sins long enough. Make today the day that you nail them to the cross, once and for all, and walk/run in the freedom and comfort of a life in Christ Jesus. The hands and feet of Jesus work best when they aren’t hurting. How are your “feet” feeling today?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin;
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My name is Debbie, and I am a shoe-a-holic! I have loved pretty shoes all of my life…dating back to the twice-a-year sale my mother would take my sister and me to at Kempner’s Shoe Store in Little Rock, back in the 1960s. Because it was a half price sale – and my Aunt Altha noted that she and I had a big foot that was “the same size as half the world” – the selection in my size was often a little “interesting.” This would explain why I once had a pair of orange leather penny loafers! Since my mother and grandmother made most of our clothes, my outfits were created in colors that coordinated with said shoes!
As I got older, the heels on my shoes got higher, and I began to acquire a few pair that were beautiful to look at – and made my legs look fantastic – but literally were a PAIN to wear. They didn’t feel so bad at first – and honestly, I felt so great in them that I tried to ignore any discomfort. But over time, these “high heels” started to really irritate me. Ours was a love-hate relationship. I began to realize that this kind of shoe was truly uncomfortable and not right for me. But I had purchased them…spent money on them…and they were fun (momentarily)…so I felt obligated to wear them, at least once in a while!
I’ve gotten rid of most of these pain-inflicting “stilettos”…and I have to tell you, it was cathartic to let them go. I’ve traded them for “heel shoes” (as Timothy calls them) with a shorter, more sensible - yet still-attractive - heel height. These days, I am more concerned about comfort and the freedom to concentrate on what really matters than on whether my legs look lean and shapely – and my feet are killing me! I look at the two or three pair of HIGH heels I still possess and remind myself that they represent someone I once was…a person who wasn’t necessarily that bad - but one who was not totally comfortable in her own skin, either.
I hope you see where I am headed. Maybe, like me…it took you a while to realize that there were elements of your life that were not fitting well…that you were not comfortable in your present situation…and that the culprit was the “ill-fitting-shoes” of sin. Maybe your life seemed fun…and maybe some situations were areas that you adapted to, like the “orange-loafers” of your life, and ran with it – even when these things didn’t seem to be quite right.
Hear the GOOD NEWS! Today is the day to “clean your shoe closet”…to get rid of anything that pinches, doesn’t go with any of your clothing, or simply feels wrong. This is the day to nail your sins to the cross with Jesus and rid yourself of them forever. Even if you have been a Christian for a long time, you may still have a few areas where you struggle…a few “pair of shoes” from the past in your closet that remind you of where you once were. Give those areas to Jesus today. Let Him help handle them for you and free you of their burden.
I’ll be honest…I have ONE THING in my wardrobe today that is a light shade of orange. I loved those shoes when I was in 7th or 8th grade, but orange is really not my color. It’s time for us to recognize that we have been limping along in our spiritual lives and “making do” with our sins long enough. Make today the day that you nail them to the cross, once and for all, and walk/run in the freedom and comfort of a life in Christ Jesus. The hands and feet of Jesus work best when they aren’t hurting. How are your “feet” feeling today?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 25, 2014
Deuteronomy 4:29-31
In all of your troubles, you may finally decide that you want to worship only the Lord. And if you turn back to him and obey him completely, he will again be your God. The Lord your God will have mercy—he won’t destroy you or desert you. The Lord will remember his promise, and he will keep the agreement he made with your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our five-year-old nephew, Timothy, plays this little game with me sometimes when we are at the park or out in the yard where he runs and expects me to chase him. He will look back and say, “You can’t catch me!” I often laugh and tease him, “I don’t want to catch you!” I’m fairly certain that he will not go very far…that he will double back pretty quickly and return to me. Timothy will dart from tree to tree in the park, stopping to pick up a leaf or a stick. Or he will amble along singing to himself and just basking in his “freedom”. Once in a while I have to take a few steps toward him and reel him in a bit…but usually I simply stand back and watch…and allow him to find his way back to the playground or driveway. I’m not about to let him get too close to the lake or run into the street…but I have let him wander far enough away that he couldn’t see me momentarily (I can always see him!)…and he gets a little concerned and returns pretty swiftly!
Timothy also seems to worry just a little about getting older. He recently told his barber that his hair was growing fast because…“I’m just getting old.” When we tell him that he is growing up and becoming such a big boy, he will quickly ask, “But I’m still your baby…right?” It is very important to him to be reassured that we will always love him…always be here for him, no matter how old he gets or what happens.
Can I tell you something? You will always be God’s baby! There very well may be a time in your life when you run from God…a time when you decide that you can do a better job of managing your life on your own. You may conclude that you don’t like His “rules”…that Christian discipleship is just not your thing – or that it isn’t working well for you. You might determine that life would be a whole lot more fun if you weren’t constantly worried about God looking over your shoulder. And so you take off and run. You dabble with this “leaf” or that “twig”…and you may actually think you have gotten out of God’s sight!
But you are only fooling yourself. I promise you, for every minute of “fun” you think you are having in the devil’s world, you are missing out on real joy that comes from the freedom of living in God’s will. Yes, I said freedom. Because keeping God at the forefront of your life will provide you with the true liberation to fully live…to enjoy everything He has given you with abandonment. No more looking over your shoulder to see if someone is judging you or poised to check you for your choices and behaviors. No more worrying about whether you are doing the right thing…no more uneasiness that this might not be the best path to take. You know that you know that you know that you are living within God’s plan…that He is guiding each and every step and giving you all you need to enjoy your journey.
Does this mean everything will be easy and a bed of roses? No…but it won’t matter, because you will know that God has your back! Trust me…this makes a world of difference! ABC News anchor Robin Roberts has written a new book titled Everybody’s Got Something…and she is exactly right. But Roberts would be the first to tell you that when God is in charge of your life, you can handle anything with His help!
I know that I have to allow Timothy to try a few things…and to make his own mistakes along the way. And this is what God does with us. But He is always there…willing and waiting to welcome us back into His arms. Don’t keep wandering farther and farther away. Turn back to Him…sooner than later…and start experiencing all that He has to offer you. God has not deserted you. He is waiting for you to turn around and recognize Him…to return to Him – or maybe to call on Him for the first time ever. As the Nike slogan says, “Just do it!” You’re still God’s baby…turn around and come back to Him. Make this the day that you stop running from God…and really start to live!
©2014 Debbie Robus
In all of your troubles, you may finally decide that you want to worship only the Lord. And if you turn back to him and obey him completely, he will again be your God. The Lord your God will have mercy—he won’t destroy you or desert you. The Lord will remember his promise, and he will keep the agreement he made with your ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our five-year-old nephew, Timothy, plays this little game with me sometimes when we are at the park or out in the yard where he runs and expects me to chase him. He will look back and say, “You can’t catch me!” I often laugh and tease him, “I don’t want to catch you!” I’m fairly certain that he will not go very far…that he will double back pretty quickly and return to me. Timothy will dart from tree to tree in the park, stopping to pick up a leaf or a stick. Or he will amble along singing to himself and just basking in his “freedom”. Once in a while I have to take a few steps toward him and reel him in a bit…but usually I simply stand back and watch…and allow him to find his way back to the playground or driveway. I’m not about to let him get too close to the lake or run into the street…but I have let him wander far enough away that he couldn’t see me momentarily (I can always see him!)…and he gets a little concerned and returns pretty swiftly!
Timothy also seems to worry just a little about getting older. He recently told his barber that his hair was growing fast because…“I’m just getting old.” When we tell him that he is growing up and becoming such a big boy, he will quickly ask, “But I’m still your baby…right?” It is very important to him to be reassured that we will always love him…always be here for him, no matter how old he gets or what happens.
Can I tell you something? You will always be God’s baby! There very well may be a time in your life when you run from God…a time when you decide that you can do a better job of managing your life on your own. You may conclude that you don’t like His “rules”…that Christian discipleship is just not your thing – or that it isn’t working well for you. You might determine that life would be a whole lot more fun if you weren’t constantly worried about God looking over your shoulder. And so you take off and run. You dabble with this “leaf” or that “twig”…and you may actually think you have gotten out of God’s sight!
But you are only fooling yourself. I promise you, for every minute of “fun” you think you are having in the devil’s world, you are missing out on real joy that comes from the freedom of living in God’s will. Yes, I said freedom. Because keeping God at the forefront of your life will provide you with the true liberation to fully live…to enjoy everything He has given you with abandonment. No more looking over your shoulder to see if someone is judging you or poised to check you for your choices and behaviors. No more worrying about whether you are doing the right thing…no more uneasiness that this might not be the best path to take. You know that you know that you know that you are living within God’s plan…that He is guiding each and every step and giving you all you need to enjoy your journey.
Does this mean everything will be easy and a bed of roses? No…but it won’t matter, because you will know that God has your back! Trust me…this makes a world of difference! ABC News anchor Robin Roberts has written a new book titled Everybody’s Got Something…and she is exactly right. But Roberts would be the first to tell you that when God is in charge of your life, you can handle anything with His help!
I know that I have to allow Timothy to try a few things…and to make his own mistakes along the way. And this is what God does with us. But He is always there…willing and waiting to welcome us back into His arms. Don’t keep wandering farther and farther away. Turn back to Him…sooner than later…and start experiencing all that He has to offer you. God has not deserted you. He is waiting for you to turn around and recognize Him…to return to Him – or maybe to call on Him for the first time ever. As the Nike slogan says, “Just do it!” You’re still God’s baby…turn around and come back to Him. Make this the day that you stop running from God…and really start to live!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 18, 2012
Matthew 4:18-22
While Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. One was Simon, also known as Peter, and the other was Andrew. They were fishermen, and they were casting their net into the lake. Jesus said to them, “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.” Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him.
Jesus walked on until he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus asked them to come with him too. Right away they left the boat and their father and went with Jesus.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One day a few months before my grandmother moved to the assisted living facility, I drove over to her house, and she wasn’t there. The door was unlocked, her purse was where she kept it, as was her walker… but she was nowhere to be found. After several minutes of frantically searching through her house and around the yard outside, I decided she had gone somewhere with a friend. If she had left for a walk around the block, she would have taken her walker. Sure enough, in a few more minutes a truck pulled up, and my grandmother and two feeble, elderly, and most unwell friends emerged. They had all been to buy some peaches somewhere out in the countryside. I reminded my grandmother that she had agreed not to ride with these people because they were in such poor health, and she said, “… but they wanted me to go with them.”
My grandmother was a “gad-about” in her time. We had a running joke that even on her sickest day, she would get up and go with the first person who stopped by and invited her. It didn’t matter who it was or where they were going, really… or in this case, that her “driver” had no business being behind the wheel of a vehicle. Someone said, “Come with me!” And she did!
If only we were as eager to follow Jesus! If only we were eager and willing to get up on our worst day and do whatever He needed us to do! But we find all sorts of excuses, don’t we? “Not today, LORD. Maybe next week – or next year. I’m not able… I’m not well… I’m not dressed nicely enough… I’m having a bad hair day…I’m busy…I’m not interested.”
When we come to the point where we can drop what we are doing to follow Jesus and serve Him, who we are as a Christian disciple changes dramatically. Total obedience to God is one of the hardest things for Christians to attain. Part of our resistance lies in our human selfishness… and part lies in the devil’s ability to fill us with fear and to convince us that following Jesus will cost us – freedom, friends, ridicule, and more. And he’ll tell you that the last thing you want to do is to “give up” anything in your already great life.
In truth, the devil wants you to stay right where you are… to never go anywhere. He wants you stuck in a rut… focused on yourself, and operating in fear. If you really, truly drop everything and follow Jesus, be prepared for some tough times, because Satan will fight like mad to get you to quit and go home. But also get ready to experience true joy and blessings. When we are fully obedient to God, even when what He asks us to do makes no sense at all, we experience real abundance. I can’t explain it fully – you have to experience this for yourself. But the best description I can offer is that complete surrender to God will bring you a joy and peace you have never known before. Even on your worst day with God, you will feel better than you did sitting at home with the devil.
So get up… get going. When Jesus says, “Come with me,” be ready to roll! Don’t look back… look to Heaven! Don’t ask, “Why, LORD?” Ask, “What next?” Make this the day you turn the corner and truly surrender to Jesus. Operate fully in the will of God, with total abandon… and experience complete joy in the LORD. Are you ready to really follow Jesus? When He calls…will you answer?
©2012 Debbie Robus
While Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. One was Simon, also known as Peter, and the other was Andrew. They were fishermen, and they were casting their net into the lake. Jesus said to them, “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.” Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him.
Jesus walked on until he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus asked them to come with him too. Right away they left the boat and their father and went with Jesus.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One day a few months before my grandmother moved to the assisted living facility, I drove over to her house, and she wasn’t there. The door was unlocked, her purse was where she kept it, as was her walker… but she was nowhere to be found. After several minutes of frantically searching through her house and around the yard outside, I decided she had gone somewhere with a friend. If she had left for a walk around the block, she would have taken her walker. Sure enough, in a few more minutes a truck pulled up, and my grandmother and two feeble, elderly, and most unwell friends emerged. They had all been to buy some peaches somewhere out in the countryside. I reminded my grandmother that she had agreed not to ride with these people because they were in such poor health, and she said, “… but they wanted me to go with them.”
My grandmother was a “gad-about” in her time. We had a running joke that even on her sickest day, she would get up and go with the first person who stopped by and invited her. It didn’t matter who it was or where they were going, really… or in this case, that her “driver” had no business being behind the wheel of a vehicle. Someone said, “Come with me!” And she did!
If only we were as eager to follow Jesus! If only we were eager and willing to get up on our worst day and do whatever He needed us to do! But we find all sorts of excuses, don’t we? “Not today, LORD. Maybe next week – or next year. I’m not able… I’m not well… I’m not dressed nicely enough… I’m having a bad hair day…I’m busy…I’m not interested.”
When we come to the point where we can drop what we are doing to follow Jesus and serve Him, who we are as a Christian disciple changes dramatically. Total obedience to God is one of the hardest things for Christians to attain. Part of our resistance lies in our human selfishness… and part lies in the devil’s ability to fill us with fear and to convince us that following Jesus will cost us – freedom, friends, ridicule, and more. And he’ll tell you that the last thing you want to do is to “give up” anything in your already great life.
In truth, the devil wants you to stay right where you are… to never go anywhere. He wants you stuck in a rut… focused on yourself, and operating in fear. If you really, truly drop everything and follow Jesus, be prepared for some tough times, because Satan will fight like mad to get you to quit and go home. But also get ready to experience true joy and blessings. When we are fully obedient to God, even when what He asks us to do makes no sense at all, we experience real abundance. I can’t explain it fully – you have to experience this for yourself. But the best description I can offer is that complete surrender to God will bring you a joy and peace you have never known before. Even on your worst day with God, you will feel better than you did sitting at home with the devil.
So get up… get going. When Jesus says, “Come with me,” be ready to roll! Don’t look back… look to Heaven! Don’t ask, “Why, LORD?” Ask, “What next?” Make this the day you turn the corner and truly surrender to Jesus. Operate fully in the will of God, with total abandon… and experience complete joy in the LORD. Are you ready to really follow Jesus? When He calls…will you answer?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 5, 2012
Genesis 22:15-18
The Lord’s angel called out from heaven a second time:
You were willing to offer the Lord your only son, and so he makes you this solemn promise, “I will bless you and give you such a large family, that someday your descendants will be more numerous than the stars in the sky or the grains of sand along the beach. They will defeat their enemies and take over the cities where their enemies live. You have obeyed me, and so you and your descendants will be a blessing to all nations on earth.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, I spoke with a friend who is really hurting over circumstances in her life. She shared her feelings of hopelessness… how she cannot seem to visualize any positive outcomes. I encouraged her not to give up… to keep believing. She said, “I know you pray for me… and believe me, I am praying. But I don’t feel like anything is changing.” My question to her was this… “When you pray, do you truly give this to God – or are you still trying to control the outcome?”
Unless we are fully obedient to God - like Abraham was… unless we surrender when we pray and say, “LORD… I can’t fix this… You will have to” – and mean it – we have not fully released the power and blessings of God. We have failed to give Him the room – and the license – to operate absolutely in our lives. God wants to bless us. He wants to shower us with His love, grace, and mercy. But God will not force Himself upon us. And if we are not totally in… we can’t expect Him to be, either.
Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that God will not work in your life and help you with your challenges, worries and concerns. I am in no way suggesting that God delights in watching us suffer or grieve over certain situations. But God doesn’t want lip service. In order to altogether realize His blessings and power, we must be willing to completely surrender our supposed abilities to fix things and let Him have total control. We must be willing to do whatever He says… even when our gut tells us that this is wrong, wrong, wrong!
I seriously doubt that God will ever tell any of us to place our first-born child on an altar and kill him/her. But He very well might tell us to walk away from a toxic relationship, to allow someone to wallow in their self-pity and pain for a while, or to give up a dream we have had for a long time that doesn’t fit into His plans for our lives. God might have another career in mind for you… want you living in another location… or hanging out with a totally different group of friends. He may allow you to hurt and grieve for a season in order to grow and better appreciate the amazing gifts He has in store for you.
When we are mired in deep despair or frustration, I sometimes imagine God sitting back with folded arms, smiling sweetly and saying, “Oh, if only you could see what I’m about to give you!” The key to truly experiencing God is to let go and give Him full control. Stop trying to fix things on your own. If you are going to ask God to help you with your issues, you have to honestly believe that He can – and that He will! Trust me…He knows whether you are filled with faith or skepticism.
I know it’s a corny cliché, but “let go and let GOD!” He’s waiting to pour out amazing favor on your life. Won’t you give Him room to work?
©2012 Debbie Robus
The Lord’s angel called out from heaven a second time:
You were willing to offer the Lord your only son, and so he makes you this solemn promise, “I will bless you and give you such a large family, that someday your descendants will be more numerous than the stars in the sky or the grains of sand along the beach. They will defeat their enemies and take over the cities where their enemies live. You have obeyed me, and so you and your descendants will be a blessing to all nations on earth.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, I spoke with a friend who is really hurting over circumstances in her life. She shared her feelings of hopelessness… how she cannot seem to visualize any positive outcomes. I encouraged her not to give up… to keep believing. She said, “I know you pray for me… and believe me, I am praying. But I don’t feel like anything is changing.” My question to her was this… “When you pray, do you truly give this to God – or are you still trying to control the outcome?”
Unless we are fully obedient to God - like Abraham was… unless we surrender when we pray and say, “LORD… I can’t fix this… You will have to” – and mean it – we have not fully released the power and blessings of God. We have failed to give Him the room – and the license – to operate absolutely in our lives. God wants to bless us. He wants to shower us with His love, grace, and mercy. But God will not force Himself upon us. And if we are not totally in… we can’t expect Him to be, either.
Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that God will not work in your life and help you with your challenges, worries and concerns. I am in no way suggesting that God delights in watching us suffer or grieve over certain situations. But God doesn’t want lip service. In order to altogether realize His blessings and power, we must be willing to completely surrender our supposed abilities to fix things and let Him have total control. We must be willing to do whatever He says… even when our gut tells us that this is wrong, wrong, wrong!
I seriously doubt that God will ever tell any of us to place our first-born child on an altar and kill him/her. But He very well might tell us to walk away from a toxic relationship, to allow someone to wallow in their self-pity and pain for a while, or to give up a dream we have had for a long time that doesn’t fit into His plans for our lives. God might have another career in mind for you… want you living in another location… or hanging out with a totally different group of friends. He may allow you to hurt and grieve for a season in order to grow and better appreciate the amazing gifts He has in store for you.
When we are mired in deep despair or frustration, I sometimes imagine God sitting back with folded arms, smiling sweetly and saying, “Oh, if only you could see what I’m about to give you!” The key to truly experiencing God is to let go and give Him full control. Stop trying to fix things on your own. If you are going to ask God to help you with your issues, you have to honestly believe that He can – and that He will! Trust me…He knows whether you are filled with faith or skepticism.
I know it’s a corny cliché, but “let go and let GOD!” He’s waiting to pour out amazing favor on your life. Won’t you give Him room to work?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 30, 2012
Ephesians 1:19-23
I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. The church is Christ’s body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the last year, my once-talkative grandmother has lost much of her ability to speak. Doctors think this is the result of a stroke she suffered at some point – maybe last summer. At any rate, she has what is called “expressive aphasia,” meaning that some days she can get out a few sentences or big words… but much of the time, she is lucky to manage a “Yes” or “No” - “How are you?” or “I’m fine.” And of course, she can still usually manage her trademark “I tell you what…” but then, she cannot tell you what! To say this is frustrating – for her and those who try to communicate with her – would be a huge understatement.
My grandmother feels as if she is powerless over much of her life. Generally, she cannot tell others what she wants, how she feels, or express her worries and concerns. As I talked with her today, I reminded her that she has told me all of my life, “The LORD will take care of me”… and He has – He is taking care of us this very minute! She has also shown me a tremendous example of courage and faith in situations when it seemed she was completely powerless… her home burning to the ground… the loss of my grandfather – and then the death of my dad, who was her only living child. She has risen to the occasion time and again… and I know it was not under her own power. I know her faith and her strength have sustained her.
So today, as she struggled and wanted to “tell you things,” as she kept saying, I reminded her of God’s power. I told her that even though she cannot talk and tell us things, God knows every word she is thinking and wanting to say. He still hears her voice… and He is still answering. We can never match God’s power… the all-encompassing power He extends to Jesus Christ on our behalf. But we can trust Him to operate in our best interest… to rule over all things with perfection… and to hear our every word – even when we can only think them.
Are you tapped in to the power of Jesus Christ today? Are you operating in faith that He is in complete and perfect control of your life and your surroundings? Do you communicate with Him daily and ask for His guidance and authority over every aspect of your life? Isn’t it time to “let go and let God?” Aren’t you ready to live within the freedom of allowing His power to direct your steps? Stop and spend a few minutes in prayer. Admit to God that you are powerless… but He is mighty. Ask Him to hear you… to guide your path… and to provide you with perfect plans and outcomes. Then rest in His decisions… trust Him completely, and praise Him for wielding perfect power over all beings – today, and always.
©2012 Debbie Robus
I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. The church is Christ’s body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the last year, my once-talkative grandmother has lost much of her ability to speak. Doctors think this is the result of a stroke she suffered at some point – maybe last summer. At any rate, she has what is called “expressive aphasia,” meaning that some days she can get out a few sentences or big words… but much of the time, she is lucky to manage a “Yes” or “No” - “How are you?” or “I’m fine.” And of course, she can still usually manage her trademark “I tell you what…” but then, she cannot tell you what! To say this is frustrating – for her and those who try to communicate with her – would be a huge understatement.
My grandmother feels as if she is powerless over much of her life. Generally, she cannot tell others what she wants, how she feels, or express her worries and concerns. As I talked with her today, I reminded her that she has told me all of my life, “The LORD will take care of me”… and He has – He is taking care of us this very minute! She has also shown me a tremendous example of courage and faith in situations when it seemed she was completely powerless… her home burning to the ground… the loss of my grandfather – and then the death of my dad, who was her only living child. She has risen to the occasion time and again… and I know it was not under her own power. I know her faith and her strength have sustained her.
So today, as she struggled and wanted to “tell you things,” as she kept saying, I reminded her of God’s power. I told her that even though she cannot talk and tell us things, God knows every word she is thinking and wanting to say. He still hears her voice… and He is still answering. We can never match God’s power… the all-encompassing power He extends to Jesus Christ on our behalf. But we can trust Him to operate in our best interest… to rule over all things with perfection… and to hear our every word – even when we can only think them.
Are you tapped in to the power of Jesus Christ today? Are you operating in faith that He is in complete and perfect control of your life and your surroundings? Do you communicate with Him daily and ask for His guidance and authority over every aspect of your life? Isn’t it time to “let go and let God?” Aren’t you ready to live within the freedom of allowing His power to direct your steps? Stop and spend a few minutes in prayer. Admit to God that you are powerless… but He is mighty. Ask Him to hear you… to guide your path… and to provide you with perfect plans and outcomes. Then rest in His decisions… trust Him completely, and praise Him for wielding perfect power over all beings – today, and always.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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