Job 5:20-26
“In famine, he’ll keep you from starving,
in war, from being gutted by the sword.
You’ll be protected from vicious gossip
and live fearless through any catastrophe.
You’ll shrug off disaster and famine,
and stroll fearlessly among wild animals.
You’ll be on good terms with rocks and mountains;
wild animals will become your good friends.
You’ll know that your place on earth is safe,
you’ll look over your goods and find nothing amiss.
You’ll see your children grow up,
your family lovely and lissome as orchard grass.
You’ll arrive at your grave ripe with many good years,
like sheaves of golden grain at harvest.
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.
We got in the car after church, and I asked Timothy, “What did you learn today?” He replied, “God keeps His promises.” The children had heard the story of Noah today and how “he kept the animals safe from the water,” as Timothy related. Over and again in the Bible, we read stories of how God kept – and keeps – His promises. And here in Job 5, we read this once more. Beginning in verse 8 of this chapter, we read… “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God…I’d throw myself on the mercy of God. After all, he’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises.” Still, we doubt… we worry… we often live in a state of unsettled confusion.
All around me today, I have been receiving messages reminding me to be thankful and grateful to God. The Bishop’s post on Facebook this morning was a prayer of thanks… our pastor’s message was “Thanksgiving in July”… Timothy’s Bible lesson was on how God keeps His promises… this afternoon my husband and I attended the baptism of several children and adults…and this passage reminded me of all the things that God will do for me. Surely my “lesson” for today is how to operate in gratitude… to find peace in trusting that God will take care of things for me.
So what do you say? Are you thankful today for the countless ways God has blessed you… the awesome manner in which He meets your every need and keeps His promises? Do you trust Him and find peace in the confidence that He is working 24/7 on your behalf? Have you offered a prayer of gratitude to God today for loving you far above and beyond what you deserve? Isn’t this a perfect time to do so?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label giving God our very best. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giving God our very best. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 7, 2012
Luke 12:25-28
“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
For several years, a couple of my closest friends and I exchanged Christmas gifts. As circumstances changed in our lives, children came along, and we got busier, it became harder to get together… especially during the holidays. Before long, picking out gifts for each other was more of a chore than a blessing. The year I took a simple gift to one of these friends and her family… and she reciprocated with a lavish gift certificate to a local specialty store… I said, “No more!” We are not doing this out of love for each other as much as a made-up obligation to reciprocate.
This was the last year we exchanged Christmas gifts. And I can tell you, we both love each other as much as ever. The only thing that has changed is that we stopped worrying about appearances and started caring more about the heart and what makes us friends in the first place. Sure, we’ve exchanged some gifts over the years that we will both treasure. But our friendship is not defined by material objects. I am not her friend because of a Christmas Santa I gave her one Christmas… or the holiday decoration I bought for with her gift certificate. It’s far more important to me to know that I can pick up the phone and call her anytime, and she will be there for me in whatever way I need.
We worry so much about appearances… what will this person think… will we be under-dressed/over-dressed… will they like our gift… did we do enough… did we say the right thing (or the wrong thing)… whether people will think we are a good person – or a bad one! What we need to concentrate on is being the best that God created us to be… in all aspects of our life. We need to be the best disciple… the best friend… the best parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/cousin/sibling… the best student/teacher/coach/mentor - or the best worker…the best community supporter… even the best patient when we are sick! Whatever God puts before us… whatever situation we find ourselves in at the moment… we should focus on being the most stellar example of a Godly creation that we can be.
I don’t know where you find yourself these days. I have no clue what challenges, frustrations, obstacles, joys, hopes and dreams you have. But I know that God wants you to concentrate on being YOU… to serve HIM… and to stand tall like the most beautiful wildflower in the field – because in His eyes, you are!
What sort of “flower” will you be today? Will you worry and fret about what others think and how you appear? Will you be a shabby “flower” in one of God’s fields… or will you be spectacular?
©2012 Debbie Robus
“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
For several years, a couple of my closest friends and I exchanged Christmas gifts. As circumstances changed in our lives, children came along, and we got busier, it became harder to get together… especially during the holidays. Before long, picking out gifts for each other was more of a chore than a blessing. The year I took a simple gift to one of these friends and her family… and she reciprocated with a lavish gift certificate to a local specialty store… I said, “No more!” We are not doing this out of love for each other as much as a made-up obligation to reciprocate.
This was the last year we exchanged Christmas gifts. And I can tell you, we both love each other as much as ever. The only thing that has changed is that we stopped worrying about appearances and started caring more about the heart and what makes us friends in the first place. Sure, we’ve exchanged some gifts over the years that we will both treasure. But our friendship is not defined by material objects. I am not her friend because of a Christmas Santa I gave her one Christmas… or the holiday decoration I bought for with her gift certificate. It’s far more important to me to know that I can pick up the phone and call her anytime, and she will be there for me in whatever way I need.
We worry so much about appearances… what will this person think… will we be under-dressed/over-dressed… will they like our gift… did we do enough… did we say the right thing (or the wrong thing)… whether people will think we are a good person – or a bad one! What we need to concentrate on is being the best that God created us to be… in all aspects of our life. We need to be the best disciple… the best friend… the best parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/cousin/sibling… the best student/teacher/coach/mentor - or the best worker…the best community supporter… even the best patient when we are sick! Whatever God puts before us… whatever situation we find ourselves in at the moment… we should focus on being the most stellar example of a Godly creation that we can be.
I don’t know where you find yourself these days. I have no clue what challenges, frustrations, obstacles, joys, hopes and dreams you have. But I know that God wants you to concentrate on being YOU… to serve HIM… and to stand tall like the most beautiful wildflower in the field – because in His eyes, you are!
What sort of “flower” will you be today? Will you worry and fret about what others think and how you appear? Will you be a shabby “flower” in one of God’s fields… or will you be spectacular?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 13, 2012
Isaiah 45:18-21
God, Creator of the heavens - he is, remember, God. Maker of earth - he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch. He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it. He made it to be lived in.
This God says: "I am God, the one and only. I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath. I never told Jacob, 'Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.' I am God. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right. So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs. They don't seem to know much, do they - those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood, praying for help to a dead stick?
So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence. Put your heads together. Make your case. Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here? Who made sense of things for you? Wasn't I the one? God? It had to be me. I'm the only God there is - The only God who does things right and knows how to help.
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 packed my grandmother’s things last year to move her into an assisted living facility, I found more than one set of nice pajamas in a dresser drawer. They had never been worn. She was saving them “in case I have to go to the hospital.” In truth, the hospital staff prefers that patients wear the “gowns” they provide – for a variety of reasons. So these beautiful pajamas that had never been worn were in my grandmother’s dresser drawer, where time had taken a toll on the elastic in the pants. Before anyone could wear them, these “brand-spanking-new” pajamas would have to be repaired!
I made a point to sort through all of my grandmother’s clothes and only move her best things… and a handful of older items she simply refused to part with… and I told her she should wear her good things every day and not tuck anything in the back of her closet for a “rainy day.” She has not been entirely happy with this and claims that on some days she is “overdressed,” but she is making an effort to dress well.
Don’t we do this with our life as a Christian? Don’t we often tuck our best into a drawer or the back of our closet… to trot out only if and when we have a special occasion? Don’t we go through life pretty much taking God for granted… calling on Him only in a crisis… and “worshipping” other things – at least to some degree – much of the time? We can blame this on busyness, or admit to laziness, or even self-absorption. But the bottom line is that – for whatever reasons - many of us often neglect our relationship with our One True God and fail to fully live as good stewards of His blessings in the world He created.
I count myself among those who need to renew efforts to “wear the good stuff” every day – to truly give God my best in all things, at all times. Any less belies how important He is in my daily living… and WHO God truly is. Who – or what – have you placed ahead of God these days? What old habits and other “old stuff” have you pulled out of the closet? Isn’t it time for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning? Isn’t this a great time to bring God’s best to the forefront… to “wear” the blessings and His call to service for all to see – and to give Him the glory and recognition He deserves?
©2012 Debbie Robus
God, Creator of the heavens - he is, remember, God. Maker of earth - he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch. He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it. He made it to be lived in.
This God says: "I am God, the one and only. I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath. I never told Jacob, 'Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.' I am God. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right. So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs. They don't seem to know much, do they - those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood, praying for help to a dead stick?
So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence. Put your heads together. Make your case. Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here? Who made sense of things for you? Wasn't I the one? God? It had to be me. I'm the only God there is - The only God who does things right and knows how to help.
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 packed my grandmother’s things last year to move her into an assisted living facility, I found more than one set of nice pajamas in a dresser drawer. They had never been worn. She was saving them “in case I have to go to the hospital.” In truth, the hospital staff prefers that patients wear the “gowns” they provide – for a variety of reasons. So these beautiful pajamas that had never been worn were in my grandmother’s dresser drawer, where time had taken a toll on the elastic in the pants. Before anyone could wear them, these “brand-spanking-new” pajamas would have to be repaired!
I made a point to sort through all of my grandmother’s clothes and only move her best things… and a handful of older items she simply refused to part with… and I told her she should wear her good things every day and not tuck anything in the back of her closet for a “rainy day.” She has not been entirely happy with this and claims that on some days she is “overdressed,” but she is making an effort to dress well.
Don’t we do this with our life as a Christian? Don’t we often tuck our best into a drawer or the back of our closet… to trot out only if and when we have a special occasion? Don’t we go through life pretty much taking God for granted… calling on Him only in a crisis… and “worshipping” other things – at least to some degree – much of the time? We can blame this on busyness, or admit to laziness, or even self-absorption. But the bottom line is that – for whatever reasons - many of us often neglect our relationship with our One True God and fail to fully live as good stewards of His blessings in the world He created.
I count myself among those who need to renew efforts to “wear the good stuff” every day – to truly give God my best in all things, at all times. Any less belies how important He is in my daily living… and WHO God truly is. Who – or what – have you placed ahead of God these days? What old habits and other “old stuff” have you pulled out of the closet? Isn’t it time for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning? Isn’t this a great time to bring God’s best to the forefront… to “wear” the blessings and His call to service for all to see – and to give Him the glory and recognition He deserves?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 19, 2012
1 Chronicles 29:10-14, 16-17
Then David blessed the LORD before the whole assembly:
Blessed are you, LORD, God of our ancestor Israel, forever and always. To you, LORD, belong greatness and power, honor, splendor, and majesty, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingship, and you are honored as head of all. You are the source of wealth and honor, and you rule over all. In your hand are strength and might, and it is in your power to magnify and strengthen all.
And now, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name. Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly? Since everything comes from you, we have given you that which comes from your own hand.
LORD, our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build you a temple for your holy name comes from your hand and belongs to you. Since I know, my God, that you examine the mind and take delight in honesty, I have freely given all these things with the highest of motives. And now I’ve been delighted to see your people here offering so willingly to you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I recently watched an interesting documentary film called I Am by director Tom Shadyac. This man’s name might not be familiar to you, but I bet you know his work… Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Patch Adams, to name a few. Shadyac was living “the American Dream” – cars, mansions, a private jet, and more. Then he was involved in a serious biking accident and suffered a head injury that left him with a condition known as “Post-concussion Syndrome,” or “PC.” One of the common symptoms of PC is severe depression, and some sufferers even become suicidal. As Shadyac considered his own death, he says he gained clarity and purpose in his own life. And he began to make some major changes.
Tom Shadyac’s father, Richard, was a board member and CEO of St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, where children with life-threatening illnesses are treated free of charge. Through Richard Shadyac, Tom already had experience in “giving back.” But as a result of his injury and illness, he began to ask the question… ”What's wrong with our world, and what can we do about it?” In the film I Am, Shadyac consults philosophers, scientists, and spiritual leaders throughout the world. He concludes that a basic law of nature is to take only what you need. Clearly, we’ve lost sight of this in today’s world! By showing the connection all life forms have via DNA, argon gas, and much more, Shadyac illustrates how intricately God formed all of His creatures – and how important it is for us to operate from the heart rather than the head!
If you watch I Am expecting Shadyac to attribute all of his discoveries directly to God, you will be disappointed. But the film is still worth a look. It makes you think about how much “stuff” we have – and how important much of it has become to us. Hopefully you will be reminded that everything we have comes from God… and you will question what you are giving Him in return.
We can’t outgive God. We cannot “compete” in any way, shape, or form. And we are not supposed to… God doesn’t want us to serve or give to Him out of any sense of obligation. But He does want us to take all of the gifts, blessings, talents and abilities that He has so graciously showered on us and give back out of the abundance of our heart, with no hidden motives or expectations. In other words, if God has blessed you with intelligence and the means to attend college, you can “repay” Him by studying hard, doing your best, and making the most of whatever degree you earn… then serving others in your work.
If God has blessed you with a good job and the opportunity to make plenty of money, honor Him by helping others… giving to charities, ministering to the needy, and using your “wealth” to support programs and organizations that aide those less fortunate. If God has given you a talent, use it for His glory. Don’t “hide your light under a barrel” or use what He gave you merely to gain recognition and accolades for yourself.
Tom Shadyac sold his mansions, cars, and jet and moved into a much smaller home. He rides a bicycle to work. God gave him the ability to create movies that make us laugh… and now to make us think. As you look around at your life, ask yourself where you have used God’s gifts for your own purposes. What have you given back to Him? How have you taken the talents and abilities God gave you and used them to do things that bring glory and honor to Him? Where does your life need a tune-up… and a downsizing? What are you giving back to God… and how pleased is He with your offerings?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Then David blessed the LORD before the whole assembly:
Blessed are you, LORD, God of our ancestor Israel, forever and always. To you, LORD, belong greatness and power, honor, splendor, and majesty, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingship, and you are honored as head of all. You are the source of wealth and honor, and you rule over all. In your hand are strength and might, and it is in your power to magnify and strengthen all.
And now, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name. Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly? Since everything comes from you, we have given you that which comes from your own hand.
LORD, our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build you a temple for your holy name comes from your hand and belongs to you. Since I know, my God, that you examine the mind and take delight in honesty, I have freely given all these things with the highest of motives. And now I’ve been delighted to see your people here offering so willingly to you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I recently watched an interesting documentary film called I Am by director Tom Shadyac. This man’s name might not be familiar to you, but I bet you know his work… Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Patch Adams, to name a few. Shadyac was living “the American Dream” – cars, mansions, a private jet, and more. Then he was involved in a serious biking accident and suffered a head injury that left him with a condition known as “Post-concussion Syndrome,” or “PC.” One of the common symptoms of PC is severe depression, and some sufferers even become suicidal. As Shadyac considered his own death, he says he gained clarity and purpose in his own life. And he began to make some major changes.
Tom Shadyac’s father, Richard, was a board member and CEO of St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, where children with life-threatening illnesses are treated free of charge. Through Richard Shadyac, Tom already had experience in “giving back.” But as a result of his injury and illness, he began to ask the question… ”What's wrong with our world, and what can we do about it?” In the film I Am, Shadyac consults philosophers, scientists, and spiritual leaders throughout the world. He concludes that a basic law of nature is to take only what you need. Clearly, we’ve lost sight of this in today’s world! By showing the connection all life forms have via DNA, argon gas, and much more, Shadyac illustrates how intricately God formed all of His creatures – and how important it is for us to operate from the heart rather than the head!
If you watch I Am expecting Shadyac to attribute all of his discoveries directly to God, you will be disappointed. But the film is still worth a look. It makes you think about how much “stuff” we have – and how important much of it has become to us. Hopefully you will be reminded that everything we have comes from God… and you will question what you are giving Him in return.
We can’t outgive God. We cannot “compete” in any way, shape, or form. And we are not supposed to… God doesn’t want us to serve or give to Him out of any sense of obligation. But He does want us to take all of the gifts, blessings, talents and abilities that He has so graciously showered on us and give back out of the abundance of our heart, with no hidden motives or expectations. In other words, if God has blessed you with intelligence and the means to attend college, you can “repay” Him by studying hard, doing your best, and making the most of whatever degree you earn… then serving others in your work.
If God has blessed you with a good job and the opportunity to make plenty of money, honor Him by helping others… giving to charities, ministering to the needy, and using your “wealth” to support programs and organizations that aide those less fortunate. If God has given you a talent, use it for His glory. Don’t “hide your light under a barrel” or use what He gave you merely to gain recognition and accolades for yourself.
Tom Shadyac sold his mansions, cars, and jet and moved into a much smaller home. He rides a bicycle to work. God gave him the ability to create movies that make us laugh… and now to make us think. As you look around at your life, ask yourself where you have used God’s gifts for your own purposes. What have you given back to Him? How have you taken the talents and abilities God gave you and used them to do things that bring glory and honor to Him? Where does your life need a tune-up… and a downsizing? What are you giving back to God… and how pleased is He with your offerings?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 15, 2011
Psalm 118:28-29
The LORD is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am. Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Did you have breakfast this morning? Did you wake up with a knot in your stomach because you had not had food to eat for the last few days? Did you have to walk several miles just to get your bowl of morning cereal? By the mere act of reading this devotional, you have indicated how blessed you are. You have some sort of device at your disposal that allows you to communicate with the world… to say whatever you wish to whomever you please.
When was the last time you thanked God for all of the comforts you have in your life? Even if God didn’t give us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ… salvation… the promise of eternal life… the basic (and not-so-basic) conveniences and blessings He lavishes on us daily are more than enough to merit praise.
We take so much for granted. We have our little pity parties and lament how mistreated and misunderstood and neglected we are… how “poor” we are and how we can’t seem to get ahead in this world or we’re being taxed to death – or “they” are out to get us. All the while, we live in such abundance compared to many.
We may not dine on steak and caviar every night, but we have food to eat. We may not live in a palace…but we are safe, warm and dry. We may not drive a Rolls Royce, but we have a means to get where we need to go. And when we do have a need, God always provides. It may not be exactly what we asked for… you may pray for a Mercedes and get a clunker… but God answers with grace and mercy.
We have no problem asking God for what we need… yet we fail to give Him the only thing we can to truly repay Him besides our service and loyalty – our praise. Isn’t it time we started focusing more on giving thanks and showing gratitude? We’ll never be able to “even the score”… and thankfully, God doesn’t care about that. But we can make a dent. Are you ready to try?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am. Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Did you have breakfast this morning? Did you wake up with a knot in your stomach because you had not had food to eat for the last few days? Did you have to walk several miles just to get your bowl of morning cereal? By the mere act of reading this devotional, you have indicated how blessed you are. You have some sort of device at your disposal that allows you to communicate with the world… to say whatever you wish to whomever you please.
When was the last time you thanked God for all of the comforts you have in your life? Even if God didn’t give us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ… salvation… the promise of eternal life… the basic (and not-so-basic) conveniences and blessings He lavishes on us daily are more than enough to merit praise.
We take so much for granted. We have our little pity parties and lament how mistreated and misunderstood and neglected we are… how “poor” we are and how we can’t seem to get ahead in this world or we’re being taxed to death – or “they” are out to get us. All the while, we live in such abundance compared to many.
We may not dine on steak and caviar every night, but we have food to eat. We may not live in a palace…but we are safe, warm and dry. We may not drive a Rolls Royce, but we have a means to get where we need to go. And when we do have a need, God always provides. It may not be exactly what we asked for… you may pray for a Mercedes and get a clunker… but God answers with grace and mercy.
We have no problem asking God for what we need… yet we fail to give Him the only thing we can to truly repay Him besides our service and loyalty – our praise. Isn’t it time we started focusing more on giving thanks and showing gratitude? We’ll never be able to “even the score”… and thankfully, God doesn’t care about that. But we can make a dent. Are you ready to try?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 30, 2011
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army. The LORD had helped him and his troops defeat their enemies, so the king of Syria respected Naaman very much.
Naaman was a brave soldier, but he had leprosy. One day while the Syrian troops were raiding Israel, they captured a girl, and she became a servant of Naaman's wife. Some time later the girl said, "If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy."
When Naaman told the king what the girl had said, the king replied, "Go ahead! I will give you a letter to take to the king of Israel." Naaman left and took along seven hundred fifty pounds of silver, one hundred fifty pounds of gold, and ten new outfits. He also carried the letter to the king of Israel. It said, "I am sending my servant Naaman to you. Would you cure him of his leprosy?"
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in fear and shouted, "That Syrian king believes I can cure this man of leprosy! Does he think I'm God with power over life and death? He must be trying to pick a fight with me."
As soon as Elisha the prophet heard what had happened, he sent the Israelite king this message: "Why are you so afraid? Send the man to me, so that he will know there is a prophet in Israel." Naaman left with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent someone outside to say to him, "Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured."
But Naaman stormed off, grumbling, "Why couldn't he come out and talk to me? I thought for sure he would stand in front of me and pray to the LORD his God, then wave his hand over my skin and cure me. What about the Abana River or the Pharpar River? Those rivers in Damascus are just as good as any river in Israel. I could have washed in them and been cured." His servants went over to him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured."
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. Right away, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few weeks ago, our telephone began to crackle and buzz when we tried to call someone, so we did all of the recommended troubleshooting procedures suggested by our telephone service provider. When these did not work, I contacted the company and filed a request for repairs. I was told that a technician would come out and repair our phone – within a week! Thankfully we had cell phones for backup. For many folks, this “solution” would have left them without phone service of any kind for several days. And just as promised, the phone was repaired – about five days later!
I was using the Postal Service online options to mail a package, and a question arose for which I could not find an online answer. So I engaged in a LiveChat option. Before I could even ask my question, the rep came online and began typing a long, “canned” answer to what she perceived to be my problem. When I was finally given a chance to type, I asked, “May I have time to ask my question now?” Immediately afterward, we were disconnected. Apparently I was supposed to accept her comments and make them work for my situation.
In both of these cases, the agencies with whom I spoke appeared to take the attitude that “this action is as good as any.” Just like Namaan, who tried to cut corners and take shortcuts to heal his leprosy, I felt like they were saying… “Take it or leave it.” It appeared to me that these people were not willing to put in the time and effort to get the best result – to do their very best. And the outcome was less than satisfactory. Apparently they were satisfied to operate in “blemished skin.”
This is what happened to Namaan… he didn’t listen, and he concluded that bathing in any old river was good enough. And this is what we often do… in life, and in our life in Christ. Our best should be the only option. Nothing else is good enough. We should not give half-hearted efforts to our studies, our family, our jobs, our community, or our church… and most certainly to our Heavenly Father!
We’ve come to a point in this society where a lot of people are doing the bare minimum. Getting by and “making do” are good enough. As long as we make it through another day without the sky falling in on us, we figure we have achieved our goal! Nothing could be further from the truth!
It’s time for us to re-prioritize. We must prayerfully consider what God is calling us to do… in everything from our service to Him to the simplest hobby in which we engage. We need to be striving to do our very best at all times… not just when it is convenient or serves our purposes – and we need to always be listening for God’s voice and guidance.
Ask God to show you what He expects of you… then do everything possible to accomplish this to the very best of your abilities. Make your best the only outcome that is acceptable. Live in a way that honors God and your role as His precious child and servant. Never wear the “blemished skin of a leper”, so to speak… but live your best life every day in the “smooth skin” of a precious child of the Most High God.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army. The LORD had helped him and his troops defeat their enemies, so the king of Syria respected Naaman very much.
Naaman was a brave soldier, but he had leprosy. One day while the Syrian troops were raiding Israel, they captured a girl, and she became a servant of Naaman's wife. Some time later the girl said, "If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy."
When Naaman told the king what the girl had said, the king replied, "Go ahead! I will give you a letter to take to the king of Israel." Naaman left and took along seven hundred fifty pounds of silver, one hundred fifty pounds of gold, and ten new outfits. He also carried the letter to the king of Israel. It said, "I am sending my servant Naaman to you. Would you cure him of his leprosy?"
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in fear and shouted, "That Syrian king believes I can cure this man of leprosy! Does he think I'm God with power over life and death? He must be trying to pick a fight with me."
As soon as Elisha the prophet heard what had happened, he sent the Israelite king this message: "Why are you so afraid? Send the man to me, so that he will know there is a prophet in Israel." Naaman left with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent someone outside to say to him, "Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured."
But Naaman stormed off, grumbling, "Why couldn't he come out and talk to me? I thought for sure he would stand in front of me and pray to the LORD his God, then wave his hand over my skin and cure me. What about the Abana River or the Pharpar River? Those rivers in Damascus are just as good as any river in Israel. I could have washed in them and been cured." His servants went over to him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured."
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. Right away, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few weeks ago, our telephone began to crackle and buzz when we tried to call someone, so we did all of the recommended troubleshooting procedures suggested by our telephone service provider. When these did not work, I contacted the company and filed a request for repairs. I was told that a technician would come out and repair our phone – within a week! Thankfully we had cell phones for backup. For many folks, this “solution” would have left them without phone service of any kind for several days. And just as promised, the phone was repaired – about five days later!
I was using the Postal Service online options to mail a package, and a question arose for which I could not find an online answer. So I engaged in a LiveChat option. Before I could even ask my question, the rep came online and began typing a long, “canned” answer to what she perceived to be my problem. When I was finally given a chance to type, I asked, “May I have time to ask my question now?” Immediately afterward, we were disconnected. Apparently I was supposed to accept her comments and make them work for my situation.
In both of these cases, the agencies with whom I spoke appeared to take the attitude that “this action is as good as any.” Just like Namaan, who tried to cut corners and take shortcuts to heal his leprosy, I felt like they were saying… “Take it or leave it.” It appeared to me that these people were not willing to put in the time and effort to get the best result – to do their very best. And the outcome was less than satisfactory. Apparently they were satisfied to operate in “blemished skin.”
This is what happened to Namaan… he didn’t listen, and he concluded that bathing in any old river was good enough. And this is what we often do… in life, and in our life in Christ. Our best should be the only option. Nothing else is good enough. We should not give half-hearted efforts to our studies, our family, our jobs, our community, or our church… and most certainly to our Heavenly Father!
We’ve come to a point in this society where a lot of people are doing the bare minimum. Getting by and “making do” are good enough. As long as we make it through another day without the sky falling in on us, we figure we have achieved our goal! Nothing could be further from the truth!
It’s time for us to re-prioritize. We must prayerfully consider what God is calling us to do… in everything from our service to Him to the simplest hobby in which we engage. We need to be striving to do our very best at all times… not just when it is convenient or serves our purposes – and we need to always be listening for God’s voice and guidance.
Ask God to show you what He expects of you… then do everything possible to accomplish this to the very best of your abilities. Make your best the only outcome that is acceptable. Live in a way that honors God and your role as His precious child and servant. Never wear the “blemished skin of a leper”, so to speak… but live your best life every day in the “smooth skin” of a precious child of the Most High God.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)