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
Showing posts with label getting to know Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label getting to know Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 15, 2016
John 10:1-6
I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.
When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away.
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, I accompanied Timothy’s class on a field trip. All of the first grade students at our elementary school rode the bus to our local community college to participate in activities to commemorate Earth Day and to learn about how to better care for our planet.
I arrived at the school early this morning to help Timothy’s teacher get all of the children dressed in color-coordinated t-shirts, so that we could more easily identify our 16 students. Each child brought a sack lunch, and those had to be collected and placed in a cooler for a mid-day picnic. There was a lot to do in a short time frame.
Timothy’s classroom is located on the west end of the school building. The front office is almost literally a city block away. Each visitor to the school must stop at the office and “check in” before entering a classroom. The office personnel then press a button to unlock a door, so that the visitor can gain access to the hallways and find his/her way to the designated classroom.
I have to say, it’s a bit of an inconvenience to have to go through this procedure. It would much easier to park near Timothy’s classroom and enter through doors there. But I am glad that this safety measure is in place. This makes everyone feel secure. There is also resource officer on duty, and all of these safety measures make children and parents feel relatively certain that all persons who are in the building are authorized to be there.
The children were very good today about sticking together and listening to their teacher, me and another student’s mother. They did not respond to others in the crowd…they watched for us and followed our lead. Since there were children from several area schools at this event, we watched our “brood” closely and made sure we kept them together – and safe.
I am so glad that our school goes to great measures protect our children…to give them an environment where they can relax and learn with confidence and faith that they are safe and loved. And this is what Jesus does for us. Because He is our Shepherd and controls the gate, we can be assured that when we follow Him, Jesus will guard us against evil and those who wish to “jump the fence” and get us into trouble.
There are plenty of “thieves, robbers, and strangers” who would love to grab our attention. They lure us with all sorts of temptations…money, power, the promise of wealth, fame, or popularity - and more. They tell us that we can trust them…that what they are saying is the truth. And sadly, some of us believe these lies.
Jesus is calling us to pay attention…to get to know Him so intimately that we always recognize His voice. He wants us to be certain that we are following the Shepherd…and ONLY Him! When we know the voice of Jesus, we are able to drown out the noise of all the “wannabes” and those who would dare to try to steal our hearts from Him. We are safe and secure under His guidance, and we can live with confidence and faith that He will meet our every need.
Where do you stand today? Are you one of Jesus’ sheep? Do you know His voice and listen for it above all others? Is your faith and confidence in Jesus enabling you to resist the lure and temptation of the enemy’s voice and propositions? Isn’t it time you figured this out, once and for all…and “put on the colored t-shirt” that designates you are one of His flock?
Will this be the day that you surrender to Jesus completely and begin to follow only Him? Are you ready to feel secure with the Shepherd?
©2016 Debbie Robus
I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.
When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away.
Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today, I accompanied Timothy’s class on a field trip. All of the first grade students at our elementary school rode the bus to our local community college to participate in activities to commemorate Earth Day and to learn about how to better care for our planet.
I arrived at the school early this morning to help Timothy’s teacher get all of the children dressed in color-coordinated t-shirts, so that we could more easily identify our 16 students. Each child brought a sack lunch, and those had to be collected and placed in a cooler for a mid-day picnic. There was a lot to do in a short time frame.
Timothy’s classroom is located on the west end of the school building. The front office is almost literally a city block away. Each visitor to the school must stop at the office and “check in” before entering a classroom. The office personnel then press a button to unlock a door, so that the visitor can gain access to the hallways and find his/her way to the designated classroom.
I have to say, it’s a bit of an inconvenience to have to go through this procedure. It would much easier to park near Timothy’s classroom and enter through doors there. But I am glad that this safety measure is in place. This makes everyone feel secure. There is also resource officer on duty, and all of these safety measures make children and parents feel relatively certain that all persons who are in the building are authorized to be there.
The children were very good today about sticking together and listening to their teacher, me and another student’s mother. They did not respond to others in the crowd…they watched for us and followed our lead. Since there were children from several area schools at this event, we watched our “brood” closely and made sure we kept them together – and safe.
I am so glad that our school goes to great measures protect our children…to give them an environment where they can relax and learn with confidence and faith that they are safe and loved. And this is what Jesus does for us. Because He is our Shepherd and controls the gate, we can be assured that when we follow Him, Jesus will guard us against evil and those who wish to “jump the fence” and get us into trouble.
There are plenty of “thieves, robbers, and strangers” who would love to grab our attention. They lure us with all sorts of temptations…money, power, the promise of wealth, fame, or popularity - and more. They tell us that we can trust them…that what they are saying is the truth. And sadly, some of us believe these lies.
Jesus is calling us to pay attention…to get to know Him so intimately that we always recognize His voice. He wants us to be certain that we are following the Shepherd…and ONLY Him! When we know the voice of Jesus, we are able to drown out the noise of all the “wannabes” and those who would dare to try to steal our hearts from Him. We are safe and secure under His guidance, and we can live with confidence and faith that He will meet our every need.
Where do you stand today? Are you one of Jesus’ sheep? Do you know His voice and listen for it above all others? Is your faith and confidence in Jesus enabling you to resist the lure and temptation of the enemy’s voice and propositions? Isn’t it time you figured this out, once and for all…and “put on the colored t-shirt” that designates you are one of His flock?
Will this be the day that you surrender to Jesus completely and begin to follow only Him? Are you ready to feel secure with the Shepherd?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 9, 2015
John 17:24-26
Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever had a friendship with someone that started out fairly rocky – until you got to know each other? Maybe you thought this person was aloof, disinterested, or even over-bearing in some way. Maybe you just didn’t “click” for some reason. And maybe you almost didn’t give this person a second chance! But then you spent some time together…you got to really know him/her…and you discovered that you’d made a pretty great friend in the process!
It’s often like this with Jesus…many people simply don’t give Him a chance. They don’t take the time or put in the energy and effort to truly get to know Him – to see what a “great Guy” Jesus is, so to speak!
Perhaps you are one of the people who gave someone a second look and discovered a friend so precious that now you cannot imagine your life without him/her in it on a regular – if not daily - basis. And maybe you have made this same discovery about Jesus Christ. If you haven’t…you should!
Spend some quality time with Jesus. Read the New Testament and hear His words to the disciples…and to us as they have been shared through the ages. Get to know Jesus in a deep and profound way…learn how loyal and loving He is. Find out firsthand just how merciful and gracious Jesus can be…and cultivate an abiding and everlasting relationship with Him. Get to the point where you cannot imagine a single minute without Jesus in your life…and then nurture this bond - and offer a prayer of thanks that you don’t have to ever be without Him!
Too often, we make snap judgments – about other people and situations…and about our relationship with Jesus. In both cases, we risk missing out on some amazing opportunities and friendships. Will this be the day that you take a second look at others – and more importantly - at Jesus? Will this be the day that you truly get to know Jesus and learn what He has to offer? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever had a friendship with someone that started out fairly rocky – until you got to know each other? Maybe you thought this person was aloof, disinterested, or even over-bearing in some way. Maybe you just didn’t “click” for some reason. And maybe you almost didn’t give this person a second chance! But then you spent some time together…you got to really know him/her…and you discovered that you’d made a pretty great friend in the process!
It’s often like this with Jesus…many people simply don’t give Him a chance. They don’t take the time or put in the energy and effort to truly get to know Him – to see what a “great Guy” Jesus is, so to speak!
Perhaps you are one of the people who gave someone a second look and discovered a friend so precious that now you cannot imagine your life without him/her in it on a regular – if not daily - basis. And maybe you have made this same discovery about Jesus Christ. If you haven’t…you should!
Spend some quality time with Jesus. Read the New Testament and hear His words to the disciples…and to us as they have been shared through the ages. Get to know Jesus in a deep and profound way…learn how loyal and loving He is. Find out firsthand just how merciful and gracious Jesus can be…and cultivate an abiding and everlasting relationship with Him. Get to the point where you cannot imagine a single minute without Jesus in your life…and then nurture this bond - and offer a prayer of thanks that you don’t have to ever be without Him!
Too often, we make snap judgments – about other people and situations…and about our relationship with Jesus. In both cases, we risk missing out on some amazing opportunities and friendships. Will this be the day that you take a second look at others – and more importantly - at Jesus? Will this be the day that you truly get to know Jesus and learn what He has to offer? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 30, 2014
Psalms 86:1-7
Please listen, Lord,
and answer my prayer!
I am poor and helpless.
Protect me and save me
because you are my God.
I am your faithful servant,
and I trust you.
Be kind to me!
I pray to you all day.
Make my heart glad!
I serve you,
and my prayer is sincere.
You willingly forgive,
and your love is always there
for those who pray to you.
Please listen, Lord!
Answer my prayer for help.
When I am in trouble, I pray,
knowing you will listen.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The “theme” of our morning worship service today centered on the woman “with the issue of blood” who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was made well. This story comes from Mark 5:25-34, which says,
Is this the Jesus you know? Do you follow the One who can make you well simply because you dared to touch the hem of His robe? Obviously I am not talking about us literally touching Jesus’ robe…clearly we cannot do this. But do we believe so deeply that Jesus cares for us…that He has unending compassion for us…that His deepest desire is to make us “healthy” and “whole” in every way…that we never hesitate to call on Him to do so? Do we operate in the confidence that…”When I am in trouble, I pray, knowing You will listen”?
Consider the courage and faith of this woman. To push through the crowd just for the chance to touch the hem of a robe - believing that this would be sufficient for Jesus to know you needed His help - seems extraordinary. And yet, what Jesus did for her…He stands ready, willing, and able to gladly do for each of us. Do we have as much faith as this woman? Do we truly believe that Jesus cares for us so deeply that simply calling on Him for help – and believing He will deliver it – is enough?
None of us contains the supernatural power of Jesus. We cannot instantly heal someone who touches our clothes and believes. But we can be there for others when they call on us. When others ask for our help, we can give it. When we see people in need, we can operate in compassion, kindness, grace and mercy toward them. Each of us can become a person who others know to be someone with integrity, honor, and reliability. We can be known as someone who shows the love of Jesus for others…someone whose love is always there for others, in His name.
So where does this leave you? Do you have faith in the love and compassion of Jesus that rivals that of the woman in Mark’s Gospel? Do you call on Jesus to meet your every need…and trust Him to do so? Are you known by others as a person who offers kindness, compassion, love, grace and mercy? Can others count on you to share the love of Jesus with them?
How you answer these questions matters greatly! If God is your GOD…and you truly are His faithful servant, you must be filled with faith and confidence in His power and ability to meet your needs. And you must be willing to demonstrate Jesus’ love to others. Have you “touched the hem of Jesus’ garment” lately? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Please listen, Lord,
and answer my prayer!
I am poor and helpless.
Protect me and save me
because you are my God.
I am your faithful servant,
and I trust you.
Be kind to me!
I pray to you all day.
Make my heart glad!
I serve you,
and my prayer is sincere.
You willingly forgive,
and your love is always there
for those who pray to you.
Please listen, Lord!
Answer my prayer for help.
When I am in trouble, I pray,
knowing you will listen.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The “theme” of our morning worship service today centered on the woman “with the issue of blood” who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was made well. This story comes from Mark 5:25-34, which says,
“In the crowd was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had gone to many doctors, and they had not done anything except cause her a lot of pain. She had paid them all the money she had. But instead of getting better, she only got worse.
The woman had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him in the crowd and barely touched his clothes. She had said to herself, ‘If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.’ As soon as she touched them, her bleeding stopped, and she knew she was well.
At that moment Jesus felt power go out from him. He turned to the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’”
Is this the Jesus you know? Do you follow the One who can make you well simply because you dared to touch the hem of His robe? Obviously I am not talking about us literally touching Jesus’ robe…clearly we cannot do this. But do we believe so deeply that Jesus cares for us…that He has unending compassion for us…that His deepest desire is to make us “healthy” and “whole” in every way…that we never hesitate to call on Him to do so? Do we operate in the confidence that…”When I am in trouble, I pray, knowing You will listen”?
Consider the courage and faith of this woman. To push through the crowd just for the chance to touch the hem of a robe - believing that this would be sufficient for Jesus to know you needed His help - seems extraordinary. And yet, what Jesus did for her…He stands ready, willing, and able to gladly do for each of us. Do we have as much faith as this woman? Do we truly believe that Jesus cares for us so deeply that simply calling on Him for help – and believing He will deliver it – is enough?
None of us contains the supernatural power of Jesus. We cannot instantly heal someone who touches our clothes and believes. But we can be there for others when they call on us. When others ask for our help, we can give it. When we see people in need, we can operate in compassion, kindness, grace and mercy toward them. Each of us can become a person who others know to be someone with integrity, honor, and reliability. We can be known as someone who shows the love of Jesus for others…someone whose love is always there for others, in His name.
So where does this leave you? Do you have faith in the love and compassion of Jesus that rivals that of the woman in Mark’s Gospel? Do you call on Jesus to meet your every need…and trust Him to do so? Are you known by others as a person who offers kindness, compassion, love, grace and mercy? Can others count on you to share the love of Jesus with them?
How you answer these questions matters greatly! If God is your GOD…and you truly are His faithful servant, you must be filled with faith and confidence in His power and ability to meet your needs. And you must be willing to demonstrate Jesus’ love to others. Have you “touched the hem of Jesus’ garment” lately? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 4, 2012
Ephesians 3:14-19
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
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.
When I was in my twenties, I was a runner. I competed in 5k races and ran three to six miles nearly every day. I still remember the first time I finished five miles. My brother-in-law, who was running marathons at the time, told me that “If you can run three miles, you can run five.” In other words, I could push myself and do more… and I did. I was my own worst enemy... limiting my potential with fear, complacency, and a lack of focus. I ultimately gave up running for several reasons – including the number it did on my knees! Over the years, I satisfied myself with other exercises… primarily walking. There is nothing wrong with walking for exercise, but it doesn’t do much to build muscle strength – especially in the upper body. By limiting myself, I failed to maintain adequate physical strength, and made myself vulnerable to illness, fatigue, and more.
Not quite 18 months ago, I started a weight-lifting program, combined with workouts to strengthen my “inner core” and cardio training. Today, I feel physically stronger than I have ever felt in my adult life. In the last few years, I have also worked on my “inner strength.” I won’t say I came to this willingly, but God has allowed my faith to be tested in ways I could never have envisioned… and He has strengthened me by His Spirit. I have to tell you… if I had to choose between physical strength and “inner strength,” I would choose the latter every time.
As I grow physically stronger, I’ve learned a lot about my body and what it is capable of sustaining. I’ve discovered that I can do a lot of things I never dreamed possible… that I am often limited only by my own fears and lack of focus. And it’s exactly like that with my “heart,” as well. There are times when I begin to falter… to wonder if I can really do this… to question how I will handle challenges or endure struggles. This is when I need to plant both feet firmly, to reach out and experience the breadth of Christ’s love! I need to fully test the lengths… to plumb the depths and rise to the heights! I need to a full life - full in the fullness of God!
Truly, the dimensions of Christ’s love for me exceed anything I can ever imagine. The limits are all my doing. I need to maintain focus, to keep “working out” with Him each and every day. We all need to realize that exercising our heart muscle includes much more than a 20-minute workout routine with some cardio and a couple of hand weights. We have to strengthen the Spiritual heart muscle as well… through prayer, Bible study, exercising our faith when tests come along, and more.
My question for you today is this… how fit are you - physically AND Spiritually? Have you allowed your faith and strength to be limited by outside influences and your own fears and lack of focus? The devil is so pleased when we become complacent. He will fill us with a million reasons to skip our “workouts.” Do not listen! Never give up! Open the door… invite Jesus into your heart and do all you can to keep Him there! Exercise and build your glorious inner strength first. See how strong God makes you in all areas of life as a result.
©2012 Debbie Robus
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
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.
When I was in my twenties, I was a runner. I competed in 5k races and ran three to six miles nearly every day. I still remember the first time I finished five miles. My brother-in-law, who was running marathons at the time, told me that “If you can run three miles, you can run five.” In other words, I could push myself and do more… and I did. I was my own worst enemy... limiting my potential with fear, complacency, and a lack of focus. I ultimately gave up running for several reasons – including the number it did on my knees! Over the years, I satisfied myself with other exercises… primarily walking. There is nothing wrong with walking for exercise, but it doesn’t do much to build muscle strength – especially in the upper body. By limiting myself, I failed to maintain adequate physical strength, and made myself vulnerable to illness, fatigue, and more.
Not quite 18 months ago, I started a weight-lifting program, combined with workouts to strengthen my “inner core” and cardio training. Today, I feel physically stronger than I have ever felt in my adult life. In the last few years, I have also worked on my “inner strength.” I won’t say I came to this willingly, but God has allowed my faith to be tested in ways I could never have envisioned… and He has strengthened me by His Spirit. I have to tell you… if I had to choose between physical strength and “inner strength,” I would choose the latter every time.
As I grow physically stronger, I’ve learned a lot about my body and what it is capable of sustaining. I’ve discovered that I can do a lot of things I never dreamed possible… that I am often limited only by my own fears and lack of focus. And it’s exactly like that with my “heart,” as well. There are times when I begin to falter… to wonder if I can really do this… to question how I will handle challenges or endure struggles. This is when I need to plant both feet firmly, to reach out and experience the breadth of Christ’s love! I need to fully test the lengths… to plumb the depths and rise to the heights! I need to a full life - full in the fullness of God!
Truly, the dimensions of Christ’s love for me exceed anything I can ever imagine. The limits are all my doing. I need to maintain focus, to keep “working out” with Him each and every day. We all need to realize that exercising our heart muscle includes much more than a 20-minute workout routine with some cardio and a couple of hand weights. We have to strengthen the Spiritual heart muscle as well… through prayer, Bible study, exercising our faith when tests come along, and more.
My question for you today is this… how fit are you - physically AND Spiritually? Have you allowed your faith and strength to be limited by outside influences and your own fears and lack of focus? The devil is so pleased when we become complacent. He will fill us with a million reasons to skip our “workouts.” Do not listen! Never give up! Open the door… invite Jesus into your heart and do all you can to keep Him there! Exercise and build your glorious inner strength first. See how strong God makes you in all areas of life as a result.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 21, 2011
John 14:1-7
Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going." Thomas said, "Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?"
"I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few years ago, a major shift in my life occurred. It seemed like as many – or more – people in my immediate “circle” were in heaven than here on earth. If I stop and list all of the close family members and friends who died within a span of five years or so, I’m overwhelmed… and it may be much the same for you and your circle of loved ones. When I was in my teens or twenties, this would have probably been incredibly devastating for me. In my mid-to-late thirties and forties, the “shock” was easier to absorb.
What shifted, besides my age – and possibly my maturity level? The answer for me is this… I had gotten to know the Father better. All of my life, I heard others quote the first part of this passage. I knew that Jesus returned to heaven to “get my mansion ready.” But this really didn’t comfort me much. That sounded great – when I was ninety! But I was young, full of life… and not ready to die… and I didn’t want to “lose” anyone dear to me, either.
Now I understand so much more about how God’s plans for us are supposed to work. I didn’t get this by lightning strike or a bump on the head… this understanding came to me through prayer, Bible study, meditation on God’s word, and fellowship with other believers… and lots of all of it! When we become Christians, we don’t instantly “get it” – we have to cultivate our relationship with God – and our understanding of His plans for us. And we must continue to work on this every day!
A few years ago I attended the funeral of a man who had died at a fairly young age after a tortuous battle with cancer. The pastor who conducted his funeral said that people talk about those they have “lost”. We say, “I’m sorry for your loss” when we console those who are grieving. The pastor reminded us that we didn’t truly lose these loved ones – if they are Christians, we know exactly where they are… and quite frankly, they are living the high life!
Do not misunderstand me. This doesn’t give you license to console others with trite phrases like, “It’s God’s will,” or “They are in a better place” … or “He/she is better off than we are!” God wants us to comfort others with His love and peace… but to temper it with grace and mercy. Grieving people are hurting. Yes, we do feel a sense of loss… the person we loved and cared about is no longer with us. But somehow, knowing that they have relocated to Jesus’ heavenly home… and a room is being prepared for us there, also… is incredibly meaningful to me these days.
My grandmother will celebrate her 99th birthday on November 5th. She told me recently that she has been asking God to take her home. She is tired and weary, feeling poorly… and ready for her heavenly mansion and the company of Jesus and those she has missed so dearly. Others have told me that they encourage her to “Keep going!”… “Hang in there!”… “Don’t give up!” I have simply told her that I promise to be happy for her when God has her room ready. I know that she knows the Father… and so do I… and this makes all the difference in my perspective.
My question for you is, “How well do YOU know the Father? Do you have His peace and comfort in all situations? Are you fearful of your ‘next home’ – or excited about the move someday?” I am not asking if you have a death wish… I’m asking if you know the “peace that passes all understanding.” Do YOU know Jesus…The Way to your heavenly home? May I introduce you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going." Thomas said, "Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?"
"I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few years ago, a major shift in my life occurred. It seemed like as many – or more – people in my immediate “circle” were in heaven than here on earth. If I stop and list all of the close family members and friends who died within a span of five years or so, I’m overwhelmed… and it may be much the same for you and your circle of loved ones. When I was in my teens or twenties, this would have probably been incredibly devastating for me. In my mid-to-late thirties and forties, the “shock” was easier to absorb.
What shifted, besides my age – and possibly my maturity level? The answer for me is this… I had gotten to know the Father better. All of my life, I heard others quote the first part of this passage. I knew that Jesus returned to heaven to “get my mansion ready.” But this really didn’t comfort me much. That sounded great – when I was ninety! But I was young, full of life… and not ready to die… and I didn’t want to “lose” anyone dear to me, either.
Now I understand so much more about how God’s plans for us are supposed to work. I didn’t get this by lightning strike or a bump on the head… this understanding came to me through prayer, Bible study, meditation on God’s word, and fellowship with other believers… and lots of all of it! When we become Christians, we don’t instantly “get it” – we have to cultivate our relationship with God – and our understanding of His plans for us. And we must continue to work on this every day!
A few years ago I attended the funeral of a man who had died at a fairly young age after a tortuous battle with cancer. The pastor who conducted his funeral said that people talk about those they have “lost”. We say, “I’m sorry for your loss” when we console those who are grieving. The pastor reminded us that we didn’t truly lose these loved ones – if they are Christians, we know exactly where they are… and quite frankly, they are living the high life!
Do not misunderstand me. This doesn’t give you license to console others with trite phrases like, “It’s God’s will,” or “They are in a better place” … or “He/she is better off than we are!” God wants us to comfort others with His love and peace… but to temper it with grace and mercy. Grieving people are hurting. Yes, we do feel a sense of loss… the person we loved and cared about is no longer with us. But somehow, knowing that they have relocated to Jesus’ heavenly home… and a room is being prepared for us there, also… is incredibly meaningful to me these days.
My grandmother will celebrate her 99th birthday on November 5th. She told me recently that she has been asking God to take her home. She is tired and weary, feeling poorly… and ready for her heavenly mansion and the company of Jesus and those she has missed so dearly. Others have told me that they encourage her to “Keep going!”… “Hang in there!”… “Don’t give up!” I have simply told her that I promise to be happy for her when God has her room ready. I know that she knows the Father… and so do I… and this makes all the difference in my perspective.
My question for you is, “How well do YOU know the Father? Do you have His peace and comfort in all situations? Are you fearful of your ‘next home’ – or excited about the move someday?” I am not asking if you have a death wish… I’m asking if you know the “peace that passes all understanding.” Do YOU know Jesus…The Way to your heavenly home? May I introduce you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 8, 2011
John 9:24-33
They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind— and told him, "Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor." He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see."
They said, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" "I've told you over and over and you haven't listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?” With that they jumped all over him. "You might be a disciple of that man, but we're disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from."
The man replied, "This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes! It's well known that God isn't at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever. If this man didn't come from God, he wouldn't be able to do anything."
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.
Jerry Betnar is a friend of mine who recently posted on Facebook … “Putting God first was the hardest thing of all as I struggled to let go....and only now I see that it is not my Dream that I seek, but a story written in the Mind of God....made possible by the Love and Sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ and the Guiding Hand and Light of the Holy Spirit… working together to shape me into what I was always meant to be!”
Do you hear what Jerry is saying? Many of us are waiting for Jesus to descend to earth and literally rub mud in our eyes before we will believe in His gift of salvation… and trust Him to operate in the power of God to effect real, permanent changes in our lives. Everything will never be perfect. We’re never going to escape problems, challenges, frustrations, illness, and more. But by the power of Jesus’ blood, we can handle all of this… and much more.
We so underestimate the power of God. We do not fully comprehend His amazing gift of Jesus Christ… and what He means for us. We pray and ask for help… but we don’t truly expect it to come. We say, “God can change anything”… but we still listen to the devil’s voice whispering, “Are you sure?”
Even when we get “mud in our eye” and see clearly how the hand of God has orchestrated certain events, we still question His continual power in our lives. The least little bump in the road, and we are back to “Square One”…wringing our hands, wondering what to do to fix things, and feeling vulnerable and alone.
I don’t think it is any accident that Jerry posted these comments on Facebook. I believe that God is calling us to stop and take a look at this testimony… and to hop on the bandwagon! Our story has also been written in the mind of God… made possible by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God, through Jesus, is working to shape us into what we were always meant to be. The question is… will we open our ears and our heart… and truly believe?
©2011 Debbie Robus
They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind— and told him, "Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor." He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see."
They said, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" "I've told you over and over and you haven't listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?” With that they jumped all over him. "You might be a disciple of that man, but we're disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from."
The man replied, "This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes! It's well known that God isn't at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever. If this man didn't come from God, he wouldn't be able to do anything."
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.
Jerry Betnar is a friend of mine who recently posted on Facebook … “Putting God first was the hardest thing of all as I struggled to let go....and only now I see that it is not my Dream that I seek, but a story written in the Mind of God....made possible by the Love and Sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ and the Guiding Hand and Light of the Holy Spirit… working together to shape me into what I was always meant to be!”
Do you hear what Jerry is saying? Many of us are waiting for Jesus to descend to earth and literally rub mud in our eyes before we will believe in His gift of salvation… and trust Him to operate in the power of God to effect real, permanent changes in our lives. Everything will never be perfect. We’re never going to escape problems, challenges, frustrations, illness, and more. But by the power of Jesus’ blood, we can handle all of this… and much more.
We so underestimate the power of God. We do not fully comprehend His amazing gift of Jesus Christ… and what He means for us. We pray and ask for help… but we don’t truly expect it to come. We say, “God can change anything”… but we still listen to the devil’s voice whispering, “Are you sure?”
Even when we get “mud in our eye” and see clearly how the hand of God has orchestrated certain events, we still question His continual power in our lives. The least little bump in the road, and we are back to “Square One”…wringing our hands, wondering what to do to fix things, and feeling vulnerable and alone.
I don’t think it is any accident that Jerry posted these comments on Facebook. I believe that God is calling us to stop and take a look at this testimony… and to hop on the bandwagon! Our story has also been written in the mind of God… made possible by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God, through Jesus, is working to shape us into what we were always meant to be. The question is… will we open our ears and our heart… and truly believe?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 30, 2011
John 1:14-18
The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. John spoke about him and shouted, "This is the one I told you would come! He is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born."
Because of all that the Son is, we have been given one blessing after another. The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was visiting with a dear friend recently, and the conversation turned to my uncle… my grandfather’s brother. Late in life, this confirmed bachelor married my friend’s great-aunt. Pretty much all I ever knew of my uncle was a gruff, bitter, unpleasant “old cuss” who muttered and grumbled and wasn’t much fun to be around. My grandmother always said, “The War (meaning WWII) changed him. He wasn’t always like that, and I don’t know what happened ‘over there,’ but when he came back, he was different.”
The funny thing was… my friend said, “I just loved Uncle Noel… he was so kind and sweet… he was great!” My jaw literally dropped. I knew that he doted on his wife (my friend’s aunt) and that we snickered and giggled about this gruff old man who “made goo-goo eyes” over this woman. But still, we never saw the gentle, pleasant, loving man my friend saw… we certainly never saw “sweetness!” And don’t misunderstand… I was glad to hear that he exhibited these qualities toward her and her sister. I’m glad to know he had it in him… even if we didn’t see it!
A lot of what we know about someone is what we are told. Unless we really get to know them for ourselves, all of our impressions and opinions regarding this person are merely hearsay or judgments based on distant observances. And it’s no different with Jesus. The Bible tells us of His greatness… His love and compassion… His mercy. Prophets spoke of Him before His coming… and those who served with Him wrote about their experiences. But until we experience Jesus for ourselves, people can tell us all day long about Him, and we may still have the wrong opinion at best… or totally miss experiencing a genuine, intimate relationship with Him completely. There is a difference between knowing Jesus and truly experiencing Him.
Had my friend not experienced such a loving relationship with my uncle for herself, she might have only known him through my eyes… and my experiences with him. Through Jesus, we get a huge glimpse into what God is truly like. When we experience Jesus, we experience our Heavenly Father. The best is yet to be, when we meet face-to-face in Heaven. But for now, I encourage you to study, pray, fellowship, and communicate with Jesus. Get to know him and experience for yourself His love, grace, mercy and power as He works in your life – here and now.
The “endorsement” of others isn’t a bad thing… our witness to others, based on our own experience with Jesus, is important – and part of being a Disciple of Christ. But nothing beats the real thing – the true personal experience that comes from an intimate relationship with Jesus on a continual basis. Unless we develop this for ourselves – and encourage others to do the same – we’ve not gotten to really know Jesus… and our experience in Him is less than complete. Don’t know Jesus only through the eyes of others… get to know Him for yourself and see how incredible a relationship with Him can truly be.
©2011 Debbie Robus
The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. John spoke about him and shouted, "This is the one I told you would come! He is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born."
Because of all that the Son is, we have been given one blessing after another. The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was visiting with a dear friend recently, and the conversation turned to my uncle… my grandfather’s brother. Late in life, this confirmed bachelor married my friend’s great-aunt. Pretty much all I ever knew of my uncle was a gruff, bitter, unpleasant “old cuss” who muttered and grumbled and wasn’t much fun to be around. My grandmother always said, “The War (meaning WWII) changed him. He wasn’t always like that, and I don’t know what happened ‘over there,’ but when he came back, he was different.”
The funny thing was… my friend said, “I just loved Uncle Noel… he was so kind and sweet… he was great!” My jaw literally dropped. I knew that he doted on his wife (my friend’s aunt) and that we snickered and giggled about this gruff old man who “made goo-goo eyes” over this woman. But still, we never saw the gentle, pleasant, loving man my friend saw… we certainly never saw “sweetness!” And don’t misunderstand… I was glad to hear that he exhibited these qualities toward her and her sister. I’m glad to know he had it in him… even if we didn’t see it!
A lot of what we know about someone is what we are told. Unless we really get to know them for ourselves, all of our impressions and opinions regarding this person are merely hearsay or judgments based on distant observances. And it’s no different with Jesus. The Bible tells us of His greatness… His love and compassion… His mercy. Prophets spoke of Him before His coming… and those who served with Him wrote about their experiences. But until we experience Jesus for ourselves, people can tell us all day long about Him, and we may still have the wrong opinion at best… or totally miss experiencing a genuine, intimate relationship with Him completely. There is a difference between knowing Jesus and truly experiencing Him.
Had my friend not experienced such a loving relationship with my uncle for herself, she might have only known him through my eyes… and my experiences with him. Through Jesus, we get a huge glimpse into what God is truly like. When we experience Jesus, we experience our Heavenly Father. The best is yet to be, when we meet face-to-face in Heaven. But for now, I encourage you to study, pray, fellowship, and communicate with Jesus. Get to know him and experience for yourself His love, grace, mercy and power as He works in your life – here and now.
The “endorsement” of others isn’t a bad thing… our witness to others, based on our own experience with Jesus, is important – and part of being a Disciple of Christ. But nothing beats the real thing – the true personal experience that comes from an intimate relationship with Jesus on a continual basis. Unless we develop this for ourselves – and encourage others to do the same – we’ve not gotten to really know Jesus… and our experience in Him is less than complete. Don’t know Jesus only through the eyes of others… get to know Him for yourself and see how incredible a relationship with Him can truly be.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 26, 2010
Hosea 6:3
Let's do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, the day after Christmas was sort of a “regrouping” day in our house. We put away our Christmas gifts… exchanged our old toothbrushes for the new ones Santa left in our stocking (our grandmother worked for a dentist!), and my dad carried out the crispy-critter Christmas tree. We put away the holiday décor and the card tables and extra chairs that we had used to accommodate family and friends the day before. We put things back in order and, in some ways, renewed ourselves.
As kids, we still had a week or so of vacation time left, but it felt good to start a new chapter, so to speak… to switch gears from the excitement and anticipation of Christmas to focusing on having fun and looking ahead to the New Year. We were certain that another Christmas was only 364 days away… and there many fun times and new adventures that awaited us in the meantime.
On the night of December 25th, someone wrote on Facebook, “The day we wait for all year long has come and gone.” For some, the day after Christmas is something of a letdown. The hoopla is over… the food that looked so inviting a few days ago now doesn’t look so tasty…everyone has gone home or back to work… and we’re left with a mess to clean up, decorations to pack away, and a mountain of trash to carry to the curb.
If this describes you, please read Hosea 6:3 again. The day after Christmas is not a time for letdown. The day after Christmas is when the story really begins. The day of Jesus’ birth is important… but the days after are what really matter. If the story ended with December 25th (or whatever day is really the birthday of our Savior), there wouldn’t be much of a story. But this is not the case.
We need to dig deeply and truly get to know the Lord. We need to study and understand every nuance of our Jesus… His teachings… His sacrifices on our behalf… and His directives for us as servants and disciples. We need to bask in the afterglow of Christmas, confident that Jesus’ love for us – and His return some day – are as certain as the next sunrise – or the next Christmas Day. Yes, Christmas is important… but what happens the day afterward – and in the days that follow – is where we get to truly shine for Jesus.
What will you do today? Will the next few days be a time of “letdown” for you, or will you hitch up your britches and get busy for Jesus? When others look at you, will they see someone who carries the message and spirit of Christmas throughout the year, or are you a “one-month wonder”? Do your best to get to know Jesus… and to serve Him well every day of the year… not just the first twenty-five days of December. Bask in the promise of what lies ahead as you live for Him… and be renewed and refreshed this day!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Let's do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, the day after Christmas was sort of a “regrouping” day in our house. We put away our Christmas gifts… exchanged our old toothbrushes for the new ones Santa left in our stocking (our grandmother worked for a dentist!), and my dad carried out the crispy-critter Christmas tree. We put away the holiday décor and the card tables and extra chairs that we had used to accommodate family and friends the day before. We put things back in order and, in some ways, renewed ourselves.
As kids, we still had a week or so of vacation time left, but it felt good to start a new chapter, so to speak… to switch gears from the excitement and anticipation of Christmas to focusing on having fun and looking ahead to the New Year. We were certain that another Christmas was only 364 days away… and there many fun times and new adventures that awaited us in the meantime.
On the night of December 25th, someone wrote on Facebook, “The day we wait for all year long has come and gone.” For some, the day after Christmas is something of a letdown. The hoopla is over… the food that looked so inviting a few days ago now doesn’t look so tasty…everyone has gone home or back to work… and we’re left with a mess to clean up, decorations to pack away, and a mountain of trash to carry to the curb.
If this describes you, please read Hosea 6:3 again. The day after Christmas is not a time for letdown. The day after Christmas is when the story really begins. The day of Jesus’ birth is important… but the days after are what really matter. If the story ended with December 25th (or whatever day is really the birthday of our Savior), there wouldn’t be much of a story. But this is not the case.
We need to dig deeply and truly get to know the Lord. We need to study and understand every nuance of our Jesus… His teachings… His sacrifices on our behalf… and His directives for us as servants and disciples. We need to bask in the afterglow of Christmas, confident that Jesus’ love for us – and His return some day – are as certain as the next sunrise – or the next Christmas Day. Yes, Christmas is important… but what happens the day afterward – and in the days that follow – is where we get to truly shine for Jesus.
What will you do today? Will the next few days be a time of “letdown” for you, or will you hitch up your britches and get busy for Jesus? When others look at you, will they see someone who carries the message and spirit of Christmas throughout the year, or are you a “one-month wonder”? Do your best to get to know Jesus… and to serve Him well every day of the year… not just the first twenty-five days of December. Bask in the promise of what lies ahead as you live for Him… and be renewed and refreshed this day!
©2010 Debbie Robus
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