May 25 ~ Matthew 6:30-33
“If God gives such attention to
the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t
you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so
preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who
don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you
know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality,
God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll
find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
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 I have learned anything in
the last several months, it’s that we worry far too much about a lot of
things that really don’t matter. For several months, I feel like I
have just gone through the motions in our home…housekeeping chores have
been neglected…the Christmas tree stayed up until almost the end of
January…we’ve eaten a lot of take-out meals. And it has not mattered.
We have been focused on family and attending to “business” matters that
had to be handled…and the rest could wait.
When Greg and I started Workamper News
in 1987, we carefully budgeted every penny. For the first few years, we documented every dime
we spent, until we were sure that the business was going to succeed
enough to pay all of the bills. If we ended up with a surplus in the
budget at month’s end, we treated ourselves to Sonic® burgers. Those
were some of our happiest years as business owners!
I remember
tough times as a child. My parents were working multiple jobs to pay
the bills and put food on the table for themselves and three children. I
know what it feels like to struggle and worry about how budgets will be
met…and how goals will be accomplished. I’ve stressed over college
courses, business plans, the challenges and heartaches of loved ones,
health concerns, and more. And I have wasted more than my fair share of
time on worry and preoccupation with the outcomes.
This is a
profound scripture passage for almost all of us…because there is
something innate in us as humans that keeps us asking, “What is in it
for me?” and thinking about how we can acquire more…money, time,
possessions, friends - or even physical fitness and attractiveness. And
Jesus is telling us to get a grip – literally – on the love and grace
of God Almighty!
You might be temporarily happier with an extra
couple hundred dollars in your pocket. You could feel better for a
while if you lost a few pounds, put on a new outfit and got your hair
done. You might feel a momentary thrill to drive a shiny new car…move
into a big, fancy, perfectly decorated house…or mingle with the rich and
famous as their equal. But in the end, none of these things lasts – or
matters. What is important is to “steep our lives in God-reality,
God-initiative, and God-provisions”…which are always more than enough.
Are
you still worried about missing out? Or are you trusting God to meet
every one of your needs? Will this be the day that you get your
priorities in line with His and start to truly live in His peace and
abundance? Don’t you want it to be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label giving God our cares worries doubts fears. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giving God our cares worries doubts fears. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 19, 2016
Proverbs 19:23
Showing respect to the Lord
brings true life—
if you do it, you can relax
without fear of danger.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One week ago this morning, the angels came for my mother and ushered her into Heaven. We all knew my mother was battling cancer…a diagnosis she received in late September. None of us wanted to believe that she would have such a short time left with us. On December 19th, we had no clue that one month later, Greg’s brother and sister-in-law would have been involved in a car crash that left the other driver dead and led to multiple surgeries for Greg’s brother – and his subsequent death ten days afterward.
In both instances, I distinctly felt a sense of fear and dread…not that these precious souls would die and leave us. I knew that both of them were headed for Heaven – and a glorious Eternity in the presence of Jesus. What stressed me was what might happen to them in the meantime…here…on earth.
From the day my mother was first diagnosed with cancer, my prayer and profound desire was that she not suffer…that she not become debilitated and emaciated…that she not endure tremendous pain and indignities that often come with this horrendous beast of a disease. I found myself asking God over and again to spare her these things…to protect her at every turn.
When my brother-in-law was scheduled to transfer to a rehab - where he would hopefully strengthen his body and fully recover so that he could go home and resume his daily living – I was concerned for his well-being. How would he manage the rigid routine in his weakened condition? How would he cope with the isolation from family members as he spent most hours of each day in exercise and therapy?
In both cases, I literally called out to God and said, “YOU have to fix this! I cannot! I surrender these situations completely to YOU, because they are far beyond my control – and I know that you love both of these people and want what is best for them.” I had prayed a similar prayer when my dad suffered a paralyzing stroke after surgery that left him in danger of having both feet amputated. In his case, I knew that the only “solution” that made sense to me was for God to call him to heaven…and He did. I don’t know that I truly considered this an “option” with my husband’s brother and my own mother. But that is exactly what happened for them, as well.
My mother used to say that “Healing sometimes comes in death.” And she was right! While this is a hard pill for those of us left on this earth to swallow, there is a comfort in knowing that this “solution” was the perfect one for these three dear souls who truly loved the LORD. They are safe…they are whole…they are HOME…and they haven’t a care or a worry whatsoever. As much as is humanly possible, our challenge is to operate in the same manner. We may not be healthy and whole on this earth, but we can certainly feel safe, fearless, and confident in the care and protection of God Almighty.
I will not lie…our hearts are broken. I miss my brother-in-law and his quick wit. I will miss his laugh. Ever the typical “big brother,” I know that there were times that I exasperated him…but he was always in my corner. And I miss my mother…especially her daily e-mails and our telephone talks. I didn’t see her that often in the last several years. She traveled a lot and maintained a BUSY daily schedule. But she would tell me, “I’m only a phone call away.” Now, that “phone call” is a little beyond the realm of human possibility. I don’t know if/when I will ever adjust to that one!
Still, I find that for large chunks of the day, I am relaxed. Nothing about these situations gives me fear or suggests danger or unrest. For most of the time that my mother was ill and Greg’s brother was injured, I was what I described as “eerily calm.” I knew this was God’s shield, protecting me from a wave of emotions that I could not handle. When my brother-in-law died…and my mother entered the hospital - and then Hospice care - the “dam” broke. Tears poured…often at the most inopportune times. But they have been healing and liberating…and God has comforted me even in those times of profound release.
What have I learned from this? More powerfully than ever, I have learned to “let go and let God.” There is NOTHING that He cannot handle…and He certainly does not need any input from me! He is capable of executing all things. MY JOB is to trust Him to do so…to respect His methods, His timing, and His impeccable attention to every detail. As Mother’s pastor pointed out, we see a picture of how things are…but God’s picture is so much larger and broader – and far more grand.
Whatever is stressing you today…whatever challenges you face…whatever questions, worries, fears and frustrations you have – give them to God. Trust that He has a bigger, better plan…that He can do what you cannot – and with complete perfection. “Let go and let God”…serve Him in all things and respect His sovereignty. Bask in the safety of His love and care and banish fear and dread from your life. God wants us to truly LIVE in Him…and we can’t do this if we are fearful and anxious. How are YOU living these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing respect to the Lord
brings true life—
if you do it, you can relax
without fear of danger.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One week ago this morning, the angels came for my mother and ushered her into Heaven. We all knew my mother was battling cancer…a diagnosis she received in late September. None of us wanted to believe that she would have such a short time left with us. On December 19th, we had no clue that one month later, Greg’s brother and sister-in-law would have been involved in a car crash that left the other driver dead and led to multiple surgeries for Greg’s brother – and his subsequent death ten days afterward.
In both instances, I distinctly felt a sense of fear and dread…not that these precious souls would die and leave us. I knew that both of them were headed for Heaven – and a glorious Eternity in the presence of Jesus. What stressed me was what might happen to them in the meantime…here…on earth.
From the day my mother was first diagnosed with cancer, my prayer and profound desire was that she not suffer…that she not become debilitated and emaciated…that she not endure tremendous pain and indignities that often come with this horrendous beast of a disease. I found myself asking God over and again to spare her these things…to protect her at every turn.
When my brother-in-law was scheduled to transfer to a rehab - where he would hopefully strengthen his body and fully recover so that he could go home and resume his daily living – I was concerned for his well-being. How would he manage the rigid routine in his weakened condition? How would he cope with the isolation from family members as he spent most hours of each day in exercise and therapy?
In both cases, I literally called out to God and said, “YOU have to fix this! I cannot! I surrender these situations completely to YOU, because they are far beyond my control – and I know that you love both of these people and want what is best for them.” I had prayed a similar prayer when my dad suffered a paralyzing stroke after surgery that left him in danger of having both feet amputated. In his case, I knew that the only “solution” that made sense to me was for God to call him to heaven…and He did. I don’t know that I truly considered this an “option” with my husband’s brother and my own mother. But that is exactly what happened for them, as well.
My mother used to say that “Healing sometimes comes in death.” And she was right! While this is a hard pill for those of us left on this earth to swallow, there is a comfort in knowing that this “solution” was the perfect one for these three dear souls who truly loved the LORD. They are safe…they are whole…they are HOME…and they haven’t a care or a worry whatsoever. As much as is humanly possible, our challenge is to operate in the same manner. We may not be healthy and whole on this earth, but we can certainly feel safe, fearless, and confident in the care and protection of God Almighty.
I will not lie…our hearts are broken. I miss my brother-in-law and his quick wit. I will miss his laugh. Ever the typical “big brother,” I know that there were times that I exasperated him…but he was always in my corner. And I miss my mother…especially her daily e-mails and our telephone talks. I didn’t see her that often in the last several years. She traveled a lot and maintained a BUSY daily schedule. But she would tell me, “I’m only a phone call away.” Now, that “phone call” is a little beyond the realm of human possibility. I don’t know if/when I will ever adjust to that one!
Still, I find that for large chunks of the day, I am relaxed. Nothing about these situations gives me fear or suggests danger or unrest. For most of the time that my mother was ill and Greg’s brother was injured, I was what I described as “eerily calm.” I knew this was God’s shield, protecting me from a wave of emotions that I could not handle. When my brother-in-law died…and my mother entered the hospital - and then Hospice care - the “dam” broke. Tears poured…often at the most inopportune times. But they have been healing and liberating…and God has comforted me even in those times of profound release.
What have I learned from this? More powerfully than ever, I have learned to “let go and let God.” There is NOTHING that He cannot handle…and He certainly does not need any input from me! He is capable of executing all things. MY JOB is to trust Him to do so…to respect His methods, His timing, and His impeccable attention to every detail. As Mother’s pastor pointed out, we see a picture of how things are…but God’s picture is so much larger and broader – and far more grand.
Whatever is stressing you today…whatever challenges you face…whatever questions, worries, fears and frustrations you have – give them to God. Trust that He has a bigger, better plan…that He can do what you cannot – and with complete perfection. “Let go and let God”…serve Him in all things and respect His sovereignty. Bask in the safety of His love and care and banish fear and dread from your life. God wants us to truly LIVE in Him…and we can’t do this if we are fearful and anxious. How are YOU living these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 1, 2015
2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1
Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:
“I’ll live in them, move into them;
I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.
So leave the corruption and compromise;
leave it for good,” says God.
“Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.
I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you;
you’ll be sons and daughters to me.”
The Word of the Master, God.
With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship 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
Last night when the 10:00 news came on, the reports started with the murder of a baby, followed by an account of a former swim coach who had molested children...and these were the “lead news stories” for our state! Greg flipped through the channels to something that was not a news program as I said to him, “THIS is why I have just about quit watching the news!” And while you may feel that changing the channel represents me burying my head in the sand and pretending that these things don’t happen, this is not the case.
I am all for being informed. I do pay attention to the news and current events. But I think the ante has been “upped” between news outlets to see who can lead with the most heinous, disgusting and upsetting stories. I know that abuses and tragedies occur every single day…but I don’t need a steady diet of the accounts of their every detail. I know that in my own situation, the devil uses such things to dig at me and say… “See…this world is really, really bad! If your God is so great and mighty, why are these awful things happening?”
I have said before that I don’t know “why bad things happen to good people.” I do not ¬– and will probably never – understand why God allows human tragedies and atrocities. I cannot possibly comprehend His purposes – that is just beyond my finite human grasp. But I refuse to fill my heart and mind with such thoughts and allow fear to run rampant. Instead, I am looking for accounts of ways that God is working in the lives of others. I am more interested in hearing about an aide on my niece’s school bus who takes the children’s stuffed animals home to her “hospital” and repairs their holes and gives them new filling.
I’m more inclined to spend a half hour watching songbirds and squirrels feed outside our window than to sit and listen to reports of robberies, shootings and the latest sex scandal. I am still working on choosing the 30-minute workout over 10 minutes spent devouring a leftover mini cheesecake from Thanksgiving dinner…but I know I am a flawed individual – and a forgiven sinner! I have “unfriended” those who rile me up over divisive political and social issues…and I am working on letting unkind comments and criticisms roll off my back.
The more we focus on God and the beauty of a life in Christ, the easier it becomes to cleanse our hearts and minds of negativity and ugliness. The more we dwell on the love of Jesus – both His love for us and ours for Him – the less time we have to listen to the whispers of Satan. As we learn to operate with confidence and faith in God and His promises, we find that there is less room in our lives for fear and the crippling debilitation it brings to our lives.
As I focus more on God, I am better able to digest and process “the news” of the day. I silently say a prayer for those who have been violated in some manner…for those who find themselves compelled to air their dirty laundry in the media…and for those who operate in hate and fear. And then I ask God to fill me with thoughts of His love and care…to replace any angst with joy and peace…and to remind me that I am His temple – ready to be filled with His goodness.
The words of this passage are ringing in my ears…”let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without.” I’m more than ready to do this…aren’t you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:
“I’ll live in them, move into them;
I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.
So leave the corruption and compromise;
leave it for good,” says God.
“Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.
I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you;
you’ll be sons and daughters to me.”
The Word of the Master, God.
With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship 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
Last night when the 10:00 news came on, the reports started with the murder of a baby, followed by an account of a former swim coach who had molested children...and these were the “lead news stories” for our state! Greg flipped through the channels to something that was not a news program as I said to him, “THIS is why I have just about quit watching the news!” And while you may feel that changing the channel represents me burying my head in the sand and pretending that these things don’t happen, this is not the case.
I am all for being informed. I do pay attention to the news and current events. But I think the ante has been “upped” between news outlets to see who can lead with the most heinous, disgusting and upsetting stories. I know that abuses and tragedies occur every single day…but I don’t need a steady diet of the accounts of their every detail. I know that in my own situation, the devil uses such things to dig at me and say… “See…this world is really, really bad! If your God is so great and mighty, why are these awful things happening?”
I have said before that I don’t know “why bad things happen to good people.” I do not ¬– and will probably never – understand why God allows human tragedies and atrocities. I cannot possibly comprehend His purposes – that is just beyond my finite human grasp. But I refuse to fill my heart and mind with such thoughts and allow fear to run rampant. Instead, I am looking for accounts of ways that God is working in the lives of others. I am more interested in hearing about an aide on my niece’s school bus who takes the children’s stuffed animals home to her “hospital” and repairs their holes and gives them new filling.
I’m more inclined to spend a half hour watching songbirds and squirrels feed outside our window than to sit and listen to reports of robberies, shootings and the latest sex scandal. I am still working on choosing the 30-minute workout over 10 minutes spent devouring a leftover mini cheesecake from Thanksgiving dinner…but I know I am a flawed individual – and a forgiven sinner! I have “unfriended” those who rile me up over divisive political and social issues…and I am working on letting unkind comments and criticisms roll off my back.
The more we focus on God and the beauty of a life in Christ, the easier it becomes to cleanse our hearts and minds of negativity and ugliness. The more we dwell on the love of Jesus – both His love for us and ours for Him – the less time we have to listen to the whispers of Satan. As we learn to operate with confidence and faith in God and His promises, we find that there is less room in our lives for fear and the crippling debilitation it brings to our lives.
As I focus more on God, I am better able to digest and process “the news” of the day. I silently say a prayer for those who have been violated in some manner…for those who find themselves compelled to air their dirty laundry in the media…and for those who operate in hate and fear. And then I ask God to fill me with thoughts of His love and care…to replace any angst with joy and peace…and to remind me that I am His temple – ready to be filled with His goodness.
The words of this passage are ringing in my ears…”let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without.” I’m more than ready to do this…aren’t you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 28, 2015
1 Peter 2:13-17
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugeterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Earlier this week, I listened to a press conference held by our President, Barack Obama, when the French president, François Hollande, visited the United States. President Obama talked about the terroristic acts committed in Paris a few weeks ago…and the upcoming summit of world leaders in this city where they will discuss climate change. My gut instinct was to think, “Oh, NO! They cannot all assemble there at once!” And I admit…I have had this same reaction a few other times when I heard of a public appearance by our President and/or other world leaders - including when President Hollande recently walked the streets of Paris shortly after the heinous acts that were committed there.
But then I heard God say to me, “What do you fear?” And surely, our own President and other leaders have noted that the greatest power these terrorists have is to make us fearful. I began to think about fear…and how we as Christians so often operate in this mode. We talk a good game…we say we trust God and believe in Him…and then we act in a way that demonstrates complete and utter fear and trepidation.
We are afraid of people who are different from us – in any way…color, creed, ethnic background, sexual orientation, socioeconomic level, or even just physical appearance. We fear those who practice other religious beliefs. We get a bad diagnosis, and we wring our hands and worry and stew over what will happen to us.
We are scared to death that someone will make us take down our nativity scene on public property or say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” – and we act like the whole world will end if this happens! This is not a message about the commercialization of our holiday seasons…because I’m right there with you that this has gotten out of hand.
But I have to ask…what are we demonstrating to others – especially those who do not believe in Jesus? When we treat people with disrespect and set ourselves up on pedestals, what are we saying about the love of Jesus for all people? When we claim salvation through Jesus Christ and declare that God can do ALL things…then we run and hide under the covers at the first sign of danger or difficulty, how does that reflect a faith and trust in God to heal, rescue and redeem us?
The words of this passage are so beautiful and true…”Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” If we would only start to walk in these tenets and kick fear to the curb…imagine what might happen. I’m more than willing to find out…are you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugeterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Earlier this week, I listened to a press conference held by our President, Barack Obama, when the French president, François Hollande, visited the United States. President Obama talked about the terroristic acts committed in Paris a few weeks ago…and the upcoming summit of world leaders in this city where they will discuss climate change. My gut instinct was to think, “Oh, NO! They cannot all assemble there at once!” And I admit…I have had this same reaction a few other times when I heard of a public appearance by our President and/or other world leaders - including when President Hollande recently walked the streets of Paris shortly after the heinous acts that were committed there.
But then I heard God say to me, “What do you fear?” And surely, our own President and other leaders have noted that the greatest power these terrorists have is to make us fearful. I began to think about fear…and how we as Christians so often operate in this mode. We talk a good game…we say we trust God and believe in Him…and then we act in a way that demonstrates complete and utter fear and trepidation.
We are afraid of people who are different from us – in any way…color, creed, ethnic background, sexual orientation, socioeconomic level, or even just physical appearance. We fear those who practice other religious beliefs. We get a bad diagnosis, and we wring our hands and worry and stew over what will happen to us.
We are scared to death that someone will make us take down our nativity scene on public property or say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” – and we act like the whole world will end if this happens! This is not a message about the commercialization of our holiday seasons…because I’m right there with you that this has gotten out of hand.
But I have to ask…what are we demonstrating to others – especially those who do not believe in Jesus? When we treat people with disrespect and set ourselves up on pedestals, what are we saying about the love of Jesus for all people? When we claim salvation through Jesus Christ and declare that God can do ALL things…then we run and hide under the covers at the first sign of danger or difficulty, how does that reflect a faith and trust in God to heal, rescue and redeem us?
The words of this passage are so beautiful and true…”Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” If we would only start to walk in these tenets and kick fear to the curb…imagine what might happen. I’m more than willing to find out…are you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)