John 5:24
“It’s urgent that you listen
carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now
and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge,
has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer
condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the
world of the dead to the world of the living."
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.
Have you ever signed onto a
new website, and you were asked to register, supply a login, and create a
password? Sometimes, you are “in” right away. Other sites respond
with a message that further instructions have been delivered to your
e-mail account, and if you follow the links, you can set up your account
and visit the website.
I know that these are “security
measures.” I understand that this is for our protection. But in a
world where things are often so complicated, isn’t it great to know that
obtaining salvation and forgiveness of our sins – and the guarantee of
Eternal Life in the presence of Jesus – are simple and instantaneous?
Aren’t we glad that when we say, “Lord Jesus, forgive me for my sins and
come into my heart,” the response is not a list of steps we must take
to complete the process? Even better... isn’t it great that this
guarantee is “fully secure?”
What if we gave our hearts to
Jesus and heard, “Okay, now you have to memorize XYZ scriptures, give a
certain amount to this charity or that one, stand on a street corner in
rags and confess your sinfulness, and attend church every time the doors
are open…and THEN you will be assured of a seat at My Heavenly Table.”
How many people would sign on for this?
We want to make our
relationship with Jesus so difficult…and Jesus wants to make it
ever-so-simple. Confess your sins…accept Jesus’ offer of complete
salvation and redemption…and go in peace. Serve Him with a faithful,
glad, and confident heart…because you want to – not because you have
to! It really is that simple to be “in” with God for all Eternity. So
why are we trying to make it so hard?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label full surrender to Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label full surrender to Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 30, 2016
Acts 4:12
Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It has been a long, emotional day. I spent most of it at my mother’s house, sorting through her books and personal belongings. It’s all part of the process…but I have to admit, I’m weary of it – and more than a little ready to be at a point where I can at least take a breather. Right now, our house looks like a bomb went off, because I have boxes and bags of books, photos, and other “treasures” everywhere.
Greg and I spent more than 2 hours this afternoon sorting through two giant containers of photos. You know those 5-gallon tins in which flavored popcorn is sometimes sold? Mother had one of those filled with loose photos! She also had an old hat box filled with more of the same…not to mention envelopes, photo boxes…and probably 2 dozen or more photo albums, which are now on a shelf in one of our closets until we have the energy to peruse them.
We found some real gems…a few of which I will share on Facebook soon to see if others in our community can help me identify the persons photographed…or determine actual locations depicted. We laughed and reminisced, and it was actually fun. My mother was a pack rat, like her dad before her. And I admit, I have inherited many of those same traits. So as I look around my office at just a handful of the books I brought home and think of all I sorted through today, I see a constant and pervading theme…Jesus. I recall the countless booklets, programs and more that my mother saved in a box from Vacation Bible School, Training Union and other church-related events of my childhood and that of my siblings. I think of the notations she made in my “baby book” over the first seven years of my life, and how she made a special effort to mention when I first attended church and other church-related events.
My mother made sure that my siblings and I knew about Jesus. Even in her last days on this earth, she shared Jesus with others and encouraged them to give their hearts to Him. I am pretty sure that I would be a blithering idiot by this point if I didn’t have the peace and comfort of knowing without a doubt that my mother sits at the feet of Jesus for all Eternity, alongside countless other loved ones…and that not only will I join them someday, but so will my family members and those I love and hold dear. And I want even MORE people to join us!
The only way this can happen is for each person to commit his/her heart to Jesus…to recognize that He is the only One with the power to save…and to surrender completely to Him. If we will only ask Jesus to wash us clean of our sins and fill us with His Holy Spirit, He will do this. Don’t do it for a “ticket to Heaven.” Do this because of how much better everything about your earthly life will be if you make this choice.
There will still be heartaches…there will still be diseases, trials and challenges. People you love will still die, and life might not ever be easy. But with Jesus, all things will be more manageable. He will give you hope and courage, strength and perseverance. With Jesus, you can still have joy in the midst of sorrow and struggle. Because of Jesus, we could laugh and enjoy photos of my mother and dad and others who have left us, even though their passing makes us sad. Jesus makes EVERYTHING better! And I want you to know Him, just like I do.
I was blessed to have parents and grandparents who took me to church and taught me about Jesus at an early age. But it’s never too late to discover Jesus and start living for Him. And there is no time like today. Do you know the power and presence of Jesus? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It has been a long, emotional day. I spent most of it at my mother’s house, sorting through her books and personal belongings. It’s all part of the process…but I have to admit, I’m weary of it – and more than a little ready to be at a point where I can at least take a breather. Right now, our house looks like a bomb went off, because I have boxes and bags of books, photos, and other “treasures” everywhere.
Greg and I spent more than 2 hours this afternoon sorting through two giant containers of photos. You know those 5-gallon tins in which flavored popcorn is sometimes sold? Mother had one of those filled with loose photos! She also had an old hat box filled with more of the same…not to mention envelopes, photo boxes…and probably 2 dozen or more photo albums, which are now on a shelf in one of our closets until we have the energy to peruse them.
We found some real gems…a few of which I will share on Facebook soon to see if others in our community can help me identify the persons photographed…or determine actual locations depicted. We laughed and reminisced, and it was actually fun. My mother was a pack rat, like her dad before her. And I admit, I have inherited many of those same traits. So as I look around my office at just a handful of the books I brought home and think of all I sorted through today, I see a constant and pervading theme…Jesus. I recall the countless booklets, programs and more that my mother saved in a box from Vacation Bible School, Training Union and other church-related events of my childhood and that of my siblings. I think of the notations she made in my “baby book” over the first seven years of my life, and how she made a special effort to mention when I first attended church and other church-related events.
My mother made sure that my siblings and I knew about Jesus. Even in her last days on this earth, she shared Jesus with others and encouraged them to give their hearts to Him. I am pretty sure that I would be a blithering idiot by this point if I didn’t have the peace and comfort of knowing without a doubt that my mother sits at the feet of Jesus for all Eternity, alongside countless other loved ones…and that not only will I join them someday, but so will my family members and those I love and hold dear. And I want even MORE people to join us!
The only way this can happen is for each person to commit his/her heart to Jesus…to recognize that He is the only One with the power to save…and to surrender completely to Him. If we will only ask Jesus to wash us clean of our sins and fill us with His Holy Spirit, He will do this. Don’t do it for a “ticket to Heaven.” Do this because of how much better everything about your earthly life will be if you make this choice.
There will still be heartaches…there will still be diseases, trials and challenges. People you love will still die, and life might not ever be easy. But with Jesus, all things will be more manageable. He will give you hope and courage, strength and perseverance. With Jesus, you can still have joy in the midst of sorrow and struggle. Because of Jesus, we could laugh and enjoy photos of my mother and dad and others who have left us, even though their passing makes us sad. Jesus makes EVERYTHING better! And I want you to know Him, just like I do.
I was blessed to have parents and grandparents who took me to church and taught me about Jesus at an early age. But it’s never too late to discover Jesus and start living for Him. And there is no time like today. Do you know the power and presence of Jesus? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 18, 2015
Luke 14:25-33
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.
“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
“Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
“Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.
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 have a friend whose grandfather was told by his Jewish parents that he would no longer be welcome in their home if he chose Jesus…and he made the heartbreaking decision to say “Goodbye” to his family. I know someone whose husband told her, “It’s Him or me.” She chose Jesus…(and for the record, her husband is still with her)!
I know countless people of all ages and “positions” who have had to make hard choices between pleasing someone else or “fitting in”…and following Jesus. I know people who have lost their jobs because they wouldn’t lie or “cook the books” and children who have been ridiculed and labeled “Jesus Freaks” because they chose to honor God with their words and actions rather than go along with the crowd. And when you are a kid going against the grain with your peers or your parents…or a spouse or partner standing up to your significant other and saying, “I choose Jesus over you”…this can be a truly daunting decision. When you have mouths to feed and bills to pay, it’s hard to tell your boss, I will not do this because it dishonors God.
No one ever said being a Christian would be easy. And if everyone failed to tell you this when you gave your heart and sinful nature to Jesus, consider yourself told here and now! There will be days when it seems so much easier to say, “Yeah, whatever!” and move right along in the groove with everyone else. It’s hard to say “No” to your friends, family, and co-workers…especially when they can’t seem to see what all the fuss is about. There are a lot of Christians who are somewhat “half-baked.” They have given their heart to Jesus and asked for their sins to be forgiven…but they refuse to give Him everything. They want to hold certain associations, attitudes and behaviors in reserve. But you cannot be Jesus’ disciple if you aren’t willing to give him every single speck of your life…body, mind and soul.
When it comes to Christian discipleship, good enough is simply not good enough! Where are you still holding out on Jesus today? Where have you failed to fully surrender to Him? Who – or what – are you putting ahead of serving Christ completely? Will this be the day that you totally go “all in” with Him and become His disciple, once and forever? Are you ready to fall to your knees and get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.
“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
“Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
“Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.
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 have a friend whose grandfather was told by his Jewish parents that he would no longer be welcome in their home if he chose Jesus…and he made the heartbreaking decision to say “Goodbye” to his family. I know someone whose husband told her, “It’s Him or me.” She chose Jesus…(and for the record, her husband is still with her)!
I know countless people of all ages and “positions” who have had to make hard choices between pleasing someone else or “fitting in”…and following Jesus. I know people who have lost their jobs because they wouldn’t lie or “cook the books” and children who have been ridiculed and labeled “Jesus Freaks” because they chose to honor God with their words and actions rather than go along with the crowd. And when you are a kid going against the grain with your peers or your parents…or a spouse or partner standing up to your significant other and saying, “I choose Jesus over you”…this can be a truly daunting decision. When you have mouths to feed and bills to pay, it’s hard to tell your boss, I will not do this because it dishonors God.
No one ever said being a Christian would be easy. And if everyone failed to tell you this when you gave your heart and sinful nature to Jesus, consider yourself told here and now! There will be days when it seems so much easier to say, “Yeah, whatever!” and move right along in the groove with everyone else. It’s hard to say “No” to your friends, family, and co-workers…especially when they can’t seem to see what all the fuss is about. There are a lot of Christians who are somewhat “half-baked.” They have given their heart to Jesus and asked for their sins to be forgiven…but they refuse to give Him everything. They want to hold certain associations, attitudes and behaviors in reserve. But you cannot be Jesus’ disciple if you aren’t willing to give him every single speck of your life…body, mind and soul.
When it comes to Christian discipleship, good enough is simply not good enough! Where are you still holding out on Jesus today? Where have you failed to fully surrender to Him? Who – or what – are you putting ahead of serving Christ completely? Will this be the day that you totally go “all in” with Him and become His disciple, once and forever? Are you ready to fall to your knees and get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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