Matthew 16:2-4
He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
When you think about it, we’ve come a long, long way in weather technology! Yes, you can still look at a red sky in the early morning and anticipate foul weather later in the day. But aren’t you glad we have such detailed radar now and the ability to pinpoint storms… especially since we live in “Tornado Alley”?
The sad thing is that a lot of us have not come very far in our ability to predict “the signs of the times.” In other words, we can recognize a “hook echo” on the local television station’s sophisticated radar screen, but we fail regularly at recognizing the presence of God… His hand in the events of our lives… how He has knit things together perfectly… and where He is leading us.
Many of us waste a lot of time in life asking God to “show me a sign,” when He has already given us all of the information we need. We grow frustrated, because we just can’t see how things are going to work out… when all we really need to do is calm down, relax, and trust God for the outcome.
So the next time you are tempted to say, “LORD, I need a sign,” stop and take a deep breath. It’s very possible He has already provided you with all of the signals you need. Listen for His voice. Look around at the events of your life and how things are working together. See where God is leading you. Calm down, relax, and rest in the LORD. This may not be a high-tech, newfangled idea, but it works! The signs and wonders of God are already around us… have you taken time to find them?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label frustration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frustration. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 17, 2012
Philippians 1:6
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
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.
I’m reading Pastor Joel Osteen’s book, Become a Better You, and the passage I read this morning dealt with how we think of ourselves… our personal criticisms. He pointed out that (hopefully) we would never consider telling someone else, “You’re dumb… you’re fat… you are ugly… you’re worthless and a major disappointment…you don’t matter…” or making other unkind statements. Yet many of us look in the mirror every day and say these very same things – or a derivation of them – to ourselves. Osteen points out that, as Christians, this is just plain “stinkin’ thinkin’!"
God sees every fault and flaw we have… but He sees the “good work begun in us”… He sees our potential. God is not mad at us or disappointed by our failures when He knows that we are continually trying to do better. Is this a license to sin? That was the question posed to Osteen, who answered by saying that we can all sin any time we please. The difference is that those of us who are striving to serve God to the best of our ability should not have any desire to sin. The temptations are still there… the frustrations and opportunities for misbehaving still exist… but our desires and focus have changed. And as long as we center our lives on God and keep “pressing toward the mark” of serving Him in all things, we will be able to manage our temptations and beat back the lure of sin.
So the next time you start to get down on yourself… or someone else… ask a very simple question… “Am I doing my best and pressing toward the mark? Is this person I am so upset with or critical of trying to the best of his/her ability?” When someone is giving his/her best effort, God is please and blesses that effort. And if God is satisfied with the work being done, we surely have no room to complain!
You may not be where you want to be – or even where you ought to be this day. But if you are focused on God and giving Him your very best, the “good work” continues… and a “better you” is in production! This is a reason to praise God and give Him thanks! Has God begun a good work in your life today? Have you taken time to be grateful?
©2012 Debbie Robus
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
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.
I’m reading Pastor Joel Osteen’s book, Become a Better You, and the passage I read this morning dealt with how we think of ourselves… our personal criticisms. He pointed out that (hopefully) we would never consider telling someone else, “You’re dumb… you’re fat… you are ugly… you’re worthless and a major disappointment…you don’t matter…” or making other unkind statements. Yet many of us look in the mirror every day and say these very same things – or a derivation of them – to ourselves. Osteen points out that, as Christians, this is just plain “stinkin’ thinkin’!"
God sees every fault and flaw we have… but He sees the “good work begun in us”… He sees our potential. God is not mad at us or disappointed by our failures when He knows that we are continually trying to do better. Is this a license to sin? That was the question posed to Osteen, who answered by saying that we can all sin any time we please. The difference is that those of us who are striving to serve God to the best of our ability should not have any desire to sin. The temptations are still there… the frustrations and opportunities for misbehaving still exist… but our desires and focus have changed. And as long as we center our lives on God and keep “pressing toward the mark” of serving Him in all things, we will be able to manage our temptations and beat back the lure of sin.
So the next time you start to get down on yourself… or someone else… ask a very simple question… “Am I doing my best and pressing toward the mark? Is this person I am so upset with or critical of trying to the best of his/her ability?” When someone is giving his/her best effort, God is please and blesses that effort. And if God is satisfied with the work being done, we surely have no room to complain!
You may not be where you want to be – or even where you ought to be this day. But if you are focused on God and giving Him your very best, the “good work” continues… and a “better you” is in production! This is a reason to praise God and give Him thanks! Has God begun a good work in your life today? Have you taken time to be grateful?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 26, 2012
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other night, Timothy did not want to go to bed. I knew he was exhausted. It was late, and his day had been full. But he also had not visited our house in a few weeks, and he was having so much fun playing with toys that sleeping was the last thing on his mind. I assured him that we would play all day the following day – after we rested – but he would have none of that! We sat on the edge of the bed and he tearfully cried, “We can’t do this! There has to be a better way!”
My heart broke for this little guy, as I hugged him and wiped away his tears. I know… I know… he was being dramatic and working me. But at the same time, I know that he is only three years old, and these are confusing times for children his age. They want to exert their independence, yet they often lack the skills and abilities to express themselves properly. And let’s be honest, sometimes things in life just make us want to have a good cry.
Soon enough, three-year-old children discover real problems… pain, suffering and truly hard life lessons – even death. As we grow, we may have a friend, family member, or spouse who comes to our rescue and wipes away our tears and reassures us. But often, we may find ourselves wandering in a wasteland of sorts… carrying burdens and frustrations on our own without anyone to physically offer us comfort and encouragement.
The GOOD NEWS is that God is always with us… ready to shoulder our burdens and soothe us when we cry. We can take anything to God… He is always ready to hear our deepest hurts and to comfort us. And we have the hope and promise of a day when there will be NO MORE tears, sickness, hurt, confusion, frustration, suffering or pain. That is glorious news to me!
This is what keeps me going on days when I would really like to throw up my hands and say, “I’m done!” And don’t tell me you don’t have those days… because we all do! But God understands… and He is right there to lift us and help us put one foot in front of the other. All we have to do is say, “LORD, I can’t do this… there has to be a better way. Please help me.”
Don’t you want to call on God? Don’t you want to feel His gentle hand on your face, wiping away your tears…His strong arms wrapping around you and holding you close? Aren’t you encouraged by this promise of heaven and no more pain, sorrow and tears? Isn’t today the perfect time to start depending on God to handle whatever challenges you… and to trust His promises for your future?
©2012 Debbie Robus
He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The other night, Timothy did not want to go to bed. I knew he was exhausted. It was late, and his day had been full. But he also had not visited our house in a few weeks, and he was having so much fun playing with toys that sleeping was the last thing on his mind. I assured him that we would play all day the following day – after we rested – but he would have none of that! We sat on the edge of the bed and he tearfully cried, “We can’t do this! There has to be a better way!”
My heart broke for this little guy, as I hugged him and wiped away his tears. I know… I know… he was being dramatic and working me. But at the same time, I know that he is only three years old, and these are confusing times for children his age. They want to exert their independence, yet they often lack the skills and abilities to express themselves properly. And let’s be honest, sometimes things in life just make us want to have a good cry.
Soon enough, three-year-old children discover real problems… pain, suffering and truly hard life lessons – even death. As we grow, we may have a friend, family member, or spouse who comes to our rescue and wipes away our tears and reassures us. But often, we may find ourselves wandering in a wasteland of sorts… carrying burdens and frustrations on our own without anyone to physically offer us comfort and encouragement.
The GOOD NEWS is that God is always with us… ready to shoulder our burdens and soothe us when we cry. We can take anything to God… He is always ready to hear our deepest hurts and to comfort us. And we have the hope and promise of a day when there will be NO MORE tears, sickness, hurt, confusion, frustration, suffering or pain. That is glorious news to me!
This is what keeps me going on days when I would really like to throw up my hands and say, “I’m done!” And don’t tell me you don’t have those days… because we all do! But God understands… and He is right there to lift us and help us put one foot in front of the other. All we have to do is say, “LORD, I can’t do this… there has to be a better way. Please help me.”
Don’t you want to call on God? Don’t you want to feel His gentle hand on your face, wiping away your tears…His strong arms wrapping around you and holding you close? Aren’t you encouraged by this promise of heaven and no more pain, sorrow and tears? Isn’t today the perfect time to start depending on God to handle whatever challenges you… and to trust His promises for your future?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 24, 2012
Proverbs 3:5-12
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all 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.
I know I use our nephew Timothy as an analogy a lot, but God shows me so much through this little three-year-old. For most of his first three years, it was just us and Timothy. He stayed with us a lot… even after his mom and dad and little sister, Zola, moved to Texas. Then baby brother Nathan joined the family in August. Now the family has moved back to Arkansas, and we see all of them nearly every day. And for the first time, Timmy has to share his grandparents, great-grandparents… and his Uncle Greg and Aunt Debbie. Nearly every time we are together, he asks me, “Are you still my baby?”… and by this he means, is he still MY baby. I assure him that yes, he will ALWAYS be our baby.
Trust is a difficult thing when you are three. And figuring everything out is hard. So there is a lot of “water testing,” more than a few temper tantrums, and even some loving correction – which leads to lots and lots of tears. Timothy is still learning that the adults in his life mean business… and for the moment, know best…and that our gentle correction and “rules” are put in place out of a deep and abiding love.
We are all so much like the three-year-old child. We think we know what is best for our lives…we test the waters to see how much God will let us get by with… and then we pout when He reins us in. We need to recognize that God has our very best interests at heart… we need to trust Him from the bottom of our hearts.
I know! I know… sometimes we want to do it ourselves… our way! We get frustrated and impatient… or we don’t like the direction in which we feel God leading us, and we say, “I’ll take it from here!” What generally results is a huge hot mess! Read this passage again. Don’t you want your bones to vibrate with life? Don’t you want your body to glow with good health? Isn’t it time you ran to God rather than away from Him? Wouldn’t today be a perfect time to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all 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.
I know I use our nephew Timothy as an analogy a lot, but God shows me so much through this little three-year-old. For most of his first three years, it was just us and Timothy. He stayed with us a lot… even after his mom and dad and little sister, Zola, moved to Texas. Then baby brother Nathan joined the family in August. Now the family has moved back to Arkansas, and we see all of them nearly every day. And for the first time, Timmy has to share his grandparents, great-grandparents… and his Uncle Greg and Aunt Debbie. Nearly every time we are together, he asks me, “Are you still my baby?”… and by this he means, is he still MY baby. I assure him that yes, he will ALWAYS be our baby.
Trust is a difficult thing when you are three. And figuring everything out is hard. So there is a lot of “water testing,” more than a few temper tantrums, and even some loving correction – which leads to lots and lots of tears. Timothy is still learning that the adults in his life mean business… and for the moment, know best…and that our gentle correction and “rules” are put in place out of a deep and abiding love.
We are all so much like the three-year-old child. We think we know what is best for our lives…we test the waters to see how much God will let us get by with… and then we pout when He reins us in. We need to recognize that God has our very best interests at heart… we need to trust Him from the bottom of our hearts.
I know! I know… sometimes we want to do it ourselves… our way! We get frustrated and impatient… or we don’t like the direction in which we feel God leading us, and we say, “I’ll take it from here!” What generally results is a huge hot mess! Read this passage again. Don’t you want your bones to vibrate with life? Don’t you want your body to glow with good health? Isn’t it time you ran to God rather than away from Him? Wouldn’t today be a perfect time to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 19, 2012
John 16:33
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.
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.
If you want to give the devil fits, just get comfortable with God! The closer you draw to Him, the more minor irritations and frustrations Satan will throw your way. It’s like he’s saying, “Oh yeah? Well what about THIS one?”! I have to laugh as I picture him, hands on his hips, growling and perturbed because his latest rant or scheme did not put me out of commission. But this has not always been the case… and I will be the first to admit that I still let the devil get to me and rattle my cage far too often!
This is “Thanksgiving Week” in the USA… a time when we are supposed to stop and make an extra effort to count our blessings. I know I have more than my share… and I am so grateful to God for all He does for me every minute of the day. I am incredibly thankful that He has conquered the world and I can live deeply at peace… unshaken and assured, even when momentary difficulties arise. I cannot imagine surviving all the things that come our way in even an “ordinary day” without the power of Jesus behind me.
I am surrounded by people who inspire me with their examples of tremendous faith in the midst of great challenge… a mother whose son is undergoing treatments for cancer wrote that if she could make a chain of daily blessings in their lives, it would stretch around the house, and then some… a young newlywed whose husband is battling a sinister and most-certainly terminal brain cancer, journals of the wonderful hiking trip they had to a local mountainous area and the joy of daily routines like soccer practice for their little boys… the mother of two four-year-olds who spent their first year of life in Arkansas Children’s hospital, lost their third sibling along the way, and wakes up with a new physical “issue” almost every day – yet reports that her son fell and knocked out three front teeth, and she was glad that it was just a “normal little-boy accident/injury” and not something more major! Now that’s faith in action!
I could go on and on… but I think you get the picture. One of my former Sunday school students posted on Facebook that ““For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” You could easily insert the words frustrated, irritated, distressed, or hopeless and have the same result. And the whole point is that, while these are normal human reactions, they serve no purpose in the life of a Christian.
In the words of an old song called “Pick Yourself Up” by Jerome Kern…”pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” Recognize that God has already sent the devil packing, so we have no business letting him back into our neighborhood, so to speak. Kick him to the curb for good. When you start to feel frustrated, irritated, angry, or hopeless, shake Satan from your shoulder and say, “No way! I serve the Most High God, who has conquered the world! I am unshaken and assured that He has my back, and I am at peace!” Then do.it!
Be confident and faithful… a living example for others. Difficulties will come, but they do not define us. Cast ALL of your cares on God, for He truly does care for you in every way.
©2012 Debbie Robus
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.
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.
If you want to give the devil fits, just get comfortable with God! The closer you draw to Him, the more minor irritations and frustrations Satan will throw your way. It’s like he’s saying, “Oh yeah? Well what about THIS one?”! I have to laugh as I picture him, hands on his hips, growling and perturbed because his latest rant or scheme did not put me out of commission. But this has not always been the case… and I will be the first to admit that I still let the devil get to me and rattle my cage far too often!
This is “Thanksgiving Week” in the USA… a time when we are supposed to stop and make an extra effort to count our blessings. I know I have more than my share… and I am so grateful to God for all He does for me every minute of the day. I am incredibly thankful that He has conquered the world and I can live deeply at peace… unshaken and assured, even when momentary difficulties arise. I cannot imagine surviving all the things that come our way in even an “ordinary day” without the power of Jesus behind me.
I am surrounded by people who inspire me with their examples of tremendous faith in the midst of great challenge… a mother whose son is undergoing treatments for cancer wrote that if she could make a chain of daily blessings in their lives, it would stretch around the house, and then some… a young newlywed whose husband is battling a sinister and most-certainly terminal brain cancer, journals of the wonderful hiking trip they had to a local mountainous area and the joy of daily routines like soccer practice for their little boys… the mother of two four-year-olds who spent their first year of life in Arkansas Children’s hospital, lost their third sibling along the way, and wakes up with a new physical “issue” almost every day – yet reports that her son fell and knocked out three front teeth, and she was glad that it was just a “normal little-boy accident/injury” and not something more major! Now that’s faith in action!
I could go on and on… but I think you get the picture. One of my former Sunday school students posted on Facebook that ““For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” You could easily insert the words frustrated, irritated, distressed, or hopeless and have the same result. And the whole point is that, while these are normal human reactions, they serve no purpose in the life of a Christian.
In the words of an old song called “Pick Yourself Up” by Jerome Kern…”pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” Recognize that God has already sent the devil packing, so we have no business letting him back into our neighborhood, so to speak. Kick him to the curb for good. When you start to feel frustrated, irritated, angry, or hopeless, shake Satan from your shoulder and say, “No way! I serve the Most High God, who has conquered the world! I am unshaken and assured that He has my back, and I am at peace!” Then do.it!
Be confident and faithful… a living example for others. Difficulties will come, but they do not define us. Cast ALL of your cares on God, for He truly does care for you in every way.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 17, 2012
Isaiah 41:9-10
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
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.
Timothy has been learning how to deal with frustration. Sometimes he will stack up his blocks in a “tower” that is not structurally sound. He puts little blocks near the bottom and bigger, heavier ones near the top. When this configuration collapses and falls to the floor, Timmy also falls apart. So we have been trying to teach him to remain calm, to recognize that all is not lost… we are here to help him, and we will show him how to build a better, more sound configuration.
I have to tell you, I am often not far behind my three-year-old nephew in the “Frustration Department!” We all have challenges and “towers” in life that are not structurally sound. And when they crash and burn… so do we, much of the time. I really need this passage to remind me that there is no need for panic or fear. God is with me, holding me steady and keeping a firm grip on me. If I will calm down and trust Him, God will give me strength and show me how to build a firmer foundation and find better solutions to whatever challenges I face. And He will do the same for you!
We all have frustrations. But we also have a “cure for what ails us” – a Heavenly Father who is right beside us. God picked us… He has not dropped us and will never fail to meet our needs or answer our calls. All we have to do is take the first step… to move closer and ask Him to help.
When a wobbly structure falls, we’ve tried to teach Timmy to say, “Oops!” and start over… to realize that all is not lost. It’s much the same with God and the “wobbly structures” in our own lives. We need to learn to say, “Uh-oh, God… I’m in trouble here… can you help?”... then trust Him to do exactly that. Where can you apply this to your own life? What “towers” have crashed and need fixing? Are you ready to call out to God and feel His grip tighten? Isn’t it time to say “Oops?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
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.
Timothy has been learning how to deal with frustration. Sometimes he will stack up his blocks in a “tower” that is not structurally sound. He puts little blocks near the bottom and bigger, heavier ones near the top. When this configuration collapses and falls to the floor, Timmy also falls apart. So we have been trying to teach him to remain calm, to recognize that all is not lost… we are here to help him, and we will show him how to build a better, more sound configuration.
I have to tell you, I am often not far behind my three-year-old nephew in the “Frustration Department!” We all have challenges and “towers” in life that are not structurally sound. And when they crash and burn… so do we, much of the time. I really need this passage to remind me that there is no need for panic or fear. God is with me, holding me steady and keeping a firm grip on me. If I will calm down and trust Him, God will give me strength and show me how to build a firmer foundation and find better solutions to whatever challenges I face. And He will do the same for you!
We all have frustrations. But we also have a “cure for what ails us” – a Heavenly Father who is right beside us. God picked us… He has not dropped us and will never fail to meet our needs or answer our calls. All we have to do is take the first step… to move closer and ask Him to help.
When a wobbly structure falls, we’ve tried to teach Timmy to say, “Oops!” and start over… to realize that all is not lost. It’s much the same with God and the “wobbly structures” in our own lives. We need to learn to say, “Uh-oh, God… I’m in trouble here… can you help?”... then trust Him to do exactly that. Where can you apply this to your own life? What “towers” have crashed and need fixing? Are you ready to call out to God and feel His grip tighten? Isn’t it time to say “Oops?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 8, 2011
1 Samuel 17:39-47
David strapped on a sword and tried to walk around, but he was not used to wearing those things.
"I can't move with all this stuff on," David said. "I'm just not used to it."
David took off the armor and picked up his shepherd's stick. He went out to a stream and picked up five smooth rocks and put them in his leather bag. Then with his sling in his hand, he went straight toward Goliath.
Goliath came toward David, walking behind the soldier who was carrying his shield. When Goliath saw that David was just a healthy, good-looking boy, he made fun of him. "Do you think I'm a dog?" Goliath asked. "Is that why you've come after me with a stick?" He cursed David in the name of the Philistine gods and shouted, "Come on! When I'm finished with you, I'll feed you to the birds and wild animals!"
David answered: You've come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I've come out to fight you in the name of the LORD All-Powerful. He is the God of Israel's army, and you have insulted him too!
Today the LORD will help me defeat you. I'll knock you down and cut off your head, and I'll feed the bodies of the other Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a real God. Everybody here will see that the LORD doesn't need swords or spears to save his people. The LORD always wins his battles, and he will help us defeat you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few nights ago, my husband and I watched the movie Secretariat. If you haven’t seen it yet, put it on your list to rent soon. As we watched, I told my husband, “There seems to be a lot of sadness (and struggle) in this story.” He laughed and said, “You remember how it ends, don’t you?” I did, but still, the writers/directors had done a great job of maintaining the suspense and interest… and weaving stories of interpersonal relationships in along the way.
We know how the “story” ends with God, too. We know that He always wins his battles… and yes, most of us know – if only deep down – that God will help us defeat our enemies. But we tend to waste a lot of time trying to change the story… even when that makes no sense. At best, we try to fight our own battles, handle things our way and on our own timetable… and in essence, we walk through life burdened with all of the armor that weighed David down and would have impeded his ability to fight.
It’s time we took off the heavy armor… the defense mechanisms, the defeatist attitudes, the worry, frustration and fear that the devil tries to heap on us… and let God fight our battles. He may fight for us – or He may work through us to accomplish His purposes. Either way, we know how this ends… God wins! And if we trust him to fight our battles, so do we.
©2011 Debbie Robus
David strapped on a sword and tried to walk around, but he was not used to wearing those things.
"I can't move with all this stuff on," David said. "I'm just not used to it."
David took off the armor and picked up his shepherd's stick. He went out to a stream and picked up five smooth rocks and put them in his leather bag. Then with his sling in his hand, he went straight toward Goliath.
Goliath came toward David, walking behind the soldier who was carrying his shield. When Goliath saw that David was just a healthy, good-looking boy, he made fun of him. "Do you think I'm a dog?" Goliath asked. "Is that why you've come after me with a stick?" He cursed David in the name of the Philistine gods and shouted, "Come on! When I'm finished with you, I'll feed you to the birds and wild animals!"
David answered: You've come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I've come out to fight you in the name of the LORD All-Powerful. He is the God of Israel's army, and you have insulted him too!
Today the LORD will help me defeat you. I'll knock you down and cut off your head, and I'll feed the bodies of the other Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a real God. Everybody here will see that the LORD doesn't need swords or spears to save his people. The LORD always wins his battles, and he will help us defeat you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few nights ago, my husband and I watched the movie Secretariat. If you haven’t seen it yet, put it on your list to rent soon. As we watched, I told my husband, “There seems to be a lot of sadness (and struggle) in this story.” He laughed and said, “You remember how it ends, don’t you?” I did, but still, the writers/directors had done a great job of maintaining the suspense and interest… and weaving stories of interpersonal relationships in along the way.
We know how the “story” ends with God, too. We know that He always wins his battles… and yes, most of us know – if only deep down – that God will help us defeat our enemies. But we tend to waste a lot of time trying to change the story… even when that makes no sense. At best, we try to fight our own battles, handle things our way and on our own timetable… and in essence, we walk through life burdened with all of the armor that weighed David down and would have impeded his ability to fight.
It’s time we took off the heavy armor… the defense mechanisms, the defeatist attitudes, the worry, frustration and fear that the devil tries to heap on us… and let God fight our battles. He may fight for us – or He may work through us to accomplish His purposes. Either way, we know how this ends… God wins! And if we trust him to fight our battles, so do we.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 29, 2010
1 John 2:9
If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The more I grow in my faith, the more easily I am convicted when I fall short. So when I checked out at Wal-Mart recently, I swiped my credit card and put it away in my wallet. The young cashier was distracted, marking the coupons I had just used before putting them into the cash drawer. She looked up and said, “The machine did not read your card. Please swipe it again.” I got the card out of my wallet and swiped it again while the cashier went back to marking the coupons.
Again, she looked up… and this time she punched several buttons and said, “Oh, it didn’t read the card. Please swipe it again.” Before I could stop myself, I sighed heavily, feeling somewhat frustrated, and pulled out my card and swiped it for the third time. It worked… she punched some buttons on her side of the register, and the transaction was completed. And I was embarrassed. I have a feeling my frustration had shown, and that was not a Christian attitude. I tried to smile, and I thanked her generously as I left, and she muttered, “You have a wonderful day”… and I didn’t feel I deserved her politeness at that point.
You may be thinking, “Get over yourself. This is a small thing.” But really, it’s not. When it comes to being a Christian, we truly can’t “have it both ways.” We can’t claim the name of Jesus on Sunday, while we are at church, and then curse the NFL coach who infuriates us that afternoon. We can’t say we love the Lord while we are calling others names.
We cannot profess to be disciples of Christ, and then walk around angry and mad at the world – or the people in it. We can’t talk about our faith in one breath and treat others rudely or disrespectfully in the next. We can’t sigh heavily in frustration at a clerk who is doing her job, because we are frustrated at a machine that doesn’t cooperate! If we really and truly have invited Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to live in and through us, we have to operate differently. Otherwise, we are still in the dark. We may think we have received the Holy Spirit and are living for Jesus, but we’re actually just going through the motions.
I think what bothered me more about the Wal-Mart thing was that I questioned after I left whether that girl knew I was a disciple of Christ. Did she see the Light of Christ in my behavior and demeanor? Did she hear His love, grace and mercy in the tone of my voice and the things I said to her? Or did she see someone who was operating in the dark?
What do others see when they are in your presence? Is the light of Christ evident? Do you reflect His teachings in your thoughts, words and actions? Or do you operate in the dark? The choice is ours… and it’s sometimes a tough one! But it does get easier, with practice and prayer. If you are struggling to operate in the light of Christ and exhibit His teachings, even in challenging or frustrating situations, ask God to help you. He will… and you will feel so much better.
I can’t change what happened at Wal-Mart, but I’ve asked God to forgive me… and to temper the cashier’s impression of me. I will learn and grow from this… with God’s help. And next time, I pray the Light of Christ will shine through, rather than darkness… and leave no question as to Whom I follow! Is your “Light” on these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The more I grow in my faith, the more easily I am convicted when I fall short. So when I checked out at Wal-Mart recently, I swiped my credit card and put it away in my wallet. The young cashier was distracted, marking the coupons I had just used before putting them into the cash drawer. She looked up and said, “The machine did not read your card. Please swipe it again.” I got the card out of my wallet and swiped it again while the cashier went back to marking the coupons.
Again, she looked up… and this time she punched several buttons and said, “Oh, it didn’t read the card. Please swipe it again.” Before I could stop myself, I sighed heavily, feeling somewhat frustrated, and pulled out my card and swiped it for the third time. It worked… she punched some buttons on her side of the register, and the transaction was completed. And I was embarrassed. I have a feeling my frustration had shown, and that was not a Christian attitude. I tried to smile, and I thanked her generously as I left, and she muttered, “You have a wonderful day”… and I didn’t feel I deserved her politeness at that point.
You may be thinking, “Get over yourself. This is a small thing.” But really, it’s not. When it comes to being a Christian, we truly can’t “have it both ways.” We can’t claim the name of Jesus on Sunday, while we are at church, and then curse the NFL coach who infuriates us that afternoon. We can’t say we love the Lord while we are calling others names.
We cannot profess to be disciples of Christ, and then walk around angry and mad at the world – or the people in it. We can’t talk about our faith in one breath and treat others rudely or disrespectfully in the next. We can’t sigh heavily in frustration at a clerk who is doing her job, because we are frustrated at a machine that doesn’t cooperate! If we really and truly have invited Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to live in and through us, we have to operate differently. Otherwise, we are still in the dark. We may think we have received the Holy Spirit and are living for Jesus, but we’re actually just going through the motions.
I think what bothered me more about the Wal-Mart thing was that I questioned after I left whether that girl knew I was a disciple of Christ. Did she see the Light of Christ in my behavior and demeanor? Did she hear His love, grace and mercy in the tone of my voice and the things I said to her? Or did she see someone who was operating in the dark?
What do others see when they are in your presence? Is the light of Christ evident? Do you reflect His teachings in your thoughts, words and actions? Or do you operate in the dark? The choice is ours… and it’s sometimes a tough one! But it does get easier, with practice and prayer. If you are struggling to operate in the light of Christ and exhibit His teachings, even in challenging or frustrating situations, ask God to help you. He will… and you will feel so much better.
I can’t change what happened at Wal-Mart, but I’ve asked God to forgive me… and to temper the cashier’s impression of me. I will learn and grow from this… with God’s help. And next time, I pray the Light of Christ will shine through, rather than darkness… and leave no question as to Whom I follow! Is your “Light” on these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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