Deuteronomy 31:8
Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor forsake you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I
will apologize now…but you will probably hear a lot in the coming
weeks/months about my mother, who has just begun chemotherapy for
ovarian cancer…and the director of Children’s Ministries at our church -
Donna, who suffered a brain bleed a few days ago and is in critical
condition in the ICU of a Little Rock hospital. Though separated in age
by about 25 years, both women have incredible faith in God and have
been busy telling anyone who will listen that “God’s got this! He is in
complete control…and it will all be okay.”
There are times when
this is really hard to remember…even for the most faith-filled among
us. When your mother is sick and suffering from the poison she has been
given to kill cancer (which also does a number on your entire body –
even the “good” cells) it would be easy to ask, “Where did God go?”
When a young woman who is the heart and soul (not to mention an
“efficiency machine”) for a ministry that serves dozens of children…a
woman who is expecting her first grandbaby in February and serves as a
foster parent (along with her husband) to a toddler…is literally knocked
to her knees with a near-fatal brain hemorrhage…questioning God’s
presence is understandable.
But here’s the thing…I’ve already
seen God in action in both of these women…not only in the way they are
conducting themselves, but also in the lives they are touching in these
circumstances. I’ve read the dozens – if not hundreds – of posts and
comments to them on Facebook…I know that exponentially, there are
probably THOUSANDS of people praying for both of them – and others like
them. If you think about how many prayers are being uttered each day
for others, you have to imagine that the din in Heaven is deafening!
And yet, I believe that God hears each and every petition that is
offered.
So while we all have situations and circumstances at one
time or another that offer us the perfect opportunity to get
discouraged and lose hope, we have every reason not to do so…and it is
found in this amazing verse from Deuteronomy 31…” Don’t be afraid, for
the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor
forsake you.”
Honestly, this is all we need to know. I’m
standing on this promise and claiming it for my mom, my friend, and
others. What about you? Are you worried and afraid? Are you ready to
give that fear and concern to God and trust that He goes before you and
will not fail? Will this be the day that we all “let go and let God?”
Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label god is always with us. Show all posts
Showing posts with label god is always with us. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 7, 2015
2 Timothy 4:1-5
I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.
You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
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.
Several months before my Mam-ma Polly moved to an Assisted Living Facility, I had to tell her that she could no longer make peanut brittle – her “signature dish” – by herself. I allowed that she could possibly make the candy when another adult was there to do the heavy lifting while she supervised. She reluctantly agreed…but I also knew that she continued to stir up a batch of the molten-lava-like substance when I wasn’t around…whether others were present or not.
During this time, I spotted not so much as one peanut or a bottle of corn syrup in her house…yet I could smell the freshly cooked candy as soon as I entered her garage. I heard “through the grapevine” about the box of this delectable treat that was mailed to a friend in Missouri shortly before Christmas. She made little “aside” comments about the candy she had given to her hairdresser and others…and I knew the sweet treats didn’t make themselves!
When I read this passage, one line stuck out to me…”God is looking over your shoulder.” God sees us when we think He is not watching…when we dabble in things we shouldn’t – even if those things are “church things” – like the latest craze in worship music or Bible study/teaching…or even catchy concepts like “prosperity religion” that are considered acceptable by many. God sees us when we judge others – both publicly and privately. He knows what is in our heart about EVERYTHING! This should make us think twice about many of the things we say and do…but sadly, many of us are able to momentarily put Him out of our mind. Just as my grandmother did as she pleased when I was not there to fuss at her…we often pretend that God is not there and go on our merry way.
But here’s another “take” on this sentence…and the one that really resonated with me today. God is looking over your shoulder! So when I am wondering which way to turn…He’s right there to guide me. When I am sick and need a healing touch, God is already providing it. When I enjoy the warm sunshine of a beautiful spring-like day in early February and almost feel giddy, God jumps for joy right alongside me. I don’t have to wonder where God is. He is looking over my shoulder…carrying me when my burdens are too heavy to bear alone… reveling in my victories and sharing my happiness.
As humans, we all have moments when we wish God would look away…that He would not see what we were about to do or hear the words that we were speaking. But aren’t we glad to know that He is always there? In the long run, doesn’t it give you hope, peace and joy to know that God is looking over your shoulder? And doesn’t it strengthen your resolve to please him – always and in all ways? Will this be the day that you renew your commitment to do just that? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.
You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
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.
Several months before my Mam-ma Polly moved to an Assisted Living Facility, I had to tell her that she could no longer make peanut brittle – her “signature dish” – by herself. I allowed that she could possibly make the candy when another adult was there to do the heavy lifting while she supervised. She reluctantly agreed…but I also knew that she continued to stir up a batch of the molten-lava-like substance when I wasn’t around…whether others were present or not.
During this time, I spotted not so much as one peanut or a bottle of corn syrup in her house…yet I could smell the freshly cooked candy as soon as I entered her garage. I heard “through the grapevine” about the box of this delectable treat that was mailed to a friend in Missouri shortly before Christmas. She made little “aside” comments about the candy she had given to her hairdresser and others…and I knew the sweet treats didn’t make themselves!
When I read this passage, one line stuck out to me…”God is looking over your shoulder.” God sees us when we think He is not watching…when we dabble in things we shouldn’t – even if those things are “church things” – like the latest craze in worship music or Bible study/teaching…or even catchy concepts like “prosperity religion” that are considered acceptable by many. God sees us when we judge others – both publicly and privately. He knows what is in our heart about EVERYTHING! This should make us think twice about many of the things we say and do…but sadly, many of us are able to momentarily put Him out of our mind. Just as my grandmother did as she pleased when I was not there to fuss at her…we often pretend that God is not there and go on our merry way.
But here’s another “take” on this sentence…and the one that really resonated with me today. God is looking over your shoulder! So when I am wondering which way to turn…He’s right there to guide me. When I am sick and need a healing touch, God is already providing it. When I enjoy the warm sunshine of a beautiful spring-like day in early February and almost feel giddy, God jumps for joy right alongside me. I don’t have to wonder where God is. He is looking over my shoulder…carrying me when my burdens are too heavy to bear alone… reveling in my victories and sharing my happiness.
As humans, we all have moments when we wish God would look away…that He would not see what we were about to do or hear the words that we were speaking. But aren’t we glad to know that He is always there? In the long run, doesn’t it give you hope, peace and joy to know that God is looking over your shoulder? And doesn’t it strengthen your resolve to please him – always and in all ways? Will this be the day that you renew your commitment to do just that? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 18, 2014
Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it…
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
When I was a little girl, I remember how dark it was at my grandparents’ farm at night. They lived “out in the country”…with a dense woods bordering one side of their little house and across the dirt road…and pasture land on the other two sides. I think I may have been in college when the road in front of their house was paved…and it might have even happened later than that. The highway that lay behind their house was only a few acres away…but because of the thick woods that served as a buffer, it seemed like this road was miles to the north. The nights were not only incredibly dark…it was also very quiet, except for wildlife like whippoorwills, owls, and an occasional cow, dog, or rooster.
By the mid-nineties, Greg and I had owned the farm for several years, and the “farm” description now only referred to its former purpose. The barn and a couple of rusting implements were all that remained to indicate that cattle had once filled the pastures and barn lot…and that crops grew in the terraced fields. One lone pear tree was all that was left of the orchard in which I stood on my horse’s saddle as a young girl and picked apples. The hen house was gone, along with the “smoke house” where we stacked firewood to keep it dry for the winter – and most of the fencing had been removed.
Greg and I built a new house smack in the middle of the pasture, and we had virtually a 360-degree view of “wide open spaces”. We watched sunrises and full moon rises in the back yard and sunsets in the front yard. Even though much of the dense forest had been removed over time, and the roads had been paved (adding to the noise), there were still more stars in the sky on a clear night than anyone could count…and the views of “the heavens” were spectacular. I called it my “Montana Sky”.
We loved the farm and the 15+ years we lived there. But the time came when a move was necessary, so we made the difficult decision to sell and relocate. And we have lived in two other houses since then…each with their own beautiful surroundings. In our present home, we once again have views of the heavens. They are not as “wide-open” as the one we once enjoyed…but the vista is extensive, just the same. I’ll admit…I will always have a special place in my heart for the farm of my childhood…the place where we built our “dream home” and enjoyed many happy years.
But here’s the thing…the memories we created at the farm will always be with us. And whether we can physically see them or not, the “heavens” are forever in place, creating a canopy over us. We are encompassed by God’s craftsmanship and glory. I love the views from our windows. I never tire of it. I enjoy the continual reminder of God’s glory and handiwork. But I know that the heavens will never change or disappear…and God will always be with me, regardless of where I live.
When I grow melancholy for the farm and an earlier time in my life, I think of all of the wonderful days we enjoyed there. We will always have our memories. They have traveled with me in my heart from house to house! And God is always with me, too. There is evidence in every corner of my life – every instance and circumstance. I am so grateful for His continual presence…and the assurance that wherever I go, there He will be, also.
Do you feel the continual presence of God? Do you recognize His artisanship and the canopy of His protection over your own life…and in your surroundings? Is the God of the heavens the LORD of your life? Don’t you think it’s time He is?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it…
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
When I was a little girl, I remember how dark it was at my grandparents’ farm at night. They lived “out in the country”…with a dense woods bordering one side of their little house and across the dirt road…and pasture land on the other two sides. I think I may have been in college when the road in front of their house was paved…and it might have even happened later than that. The highway that lay behind their house was only a few acres away…but because of the thick woods that served as a buffer, it seemed like this road was miles to the north. The nights were not only incredibly dark…it was also very quiet, except for wildlife like whippoorwills, owls, and an occasional cow, dog, or rooster.
By the mid-nineties, Greg and I had owned the farm for several years, and the “farm” description now only referred to its former purpose. The barn and a couple of rusting implements were all that remained to indicate that cattle had once filled the pastures and barn lot…and that crops grew in the terraced fields. One lone pear tree was all that was left of the orchard in which I stood on my horse’s saddle as a young girl and picked apples. The hen house was gone, along with the “smoke house” where we stacked firewood to keep it dry for the winter – and most of the fencing had been removed.
Greg and I built a new house smack in the middle of the pasture, and we had virtually a 360-degree view of “wide open spaces”. We watched sunrises and full moon rises in the back yard and sunsets in the front yard. Even though much of the dense forest had been removed over time, and the roads had been paved (adding to the noise), there were still more stars in the sky on a clear night than anyone could count…and the views of “the heavens” were spectacular. I called it my “Montana Sky”.
We loved the farm and the 15+ years we lived there. But the time came when a move was necessary, so we made the difficult decision to sell and relocate. And we have lived in two other houses since then…each with their own beautiful surroundings. In our present home, we once again have views of the heavens. They are not as “wide-open” as the one we once enjoyed…but the vista is extensive, just the same. I’ll admit…I will always have a special place in my heart for the farm of my childhood…the place where we built our “dream home” and enjoyed many happy years.
But here’s the thing…the memories we created at the farm will always be with us. And whether we can physically see them or not, the “heavens” are forever in place, creating a canopy over us. We are encompassed by God’s craftsmanship and glory. I love the views from our windows. I never tire of it. I enjoy the continual reminder of God’s glory and handiwork. But I know that the heavens will never change or disappear…and God will always be with me, regardless of where I live.
When I grow melancholy for the farm and an earlier time in my life, I think of all of the wonderful days we enjoyed there. We will always have our memories. They have traveled with me in my heart from house to house! And God is always with me, too. There is evidence in every corner of my life – every instance and circumstance. I am so grateful for His continual presence…and the assurance that wherever I go, there He will be, also.
Do you feel the continual presence of God? Do you recognize His artisanship and the canopy of His protection over your own life…and in your surroundings? Is the God of the heavens the LORD of your life? Don’t you think it’s time He is?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 2, 2014
Jeremiah 29:13
You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Through no fault of their own, countless animals found themselves displaced in the April 27th tornados that ravaged central Arkansas. My Facebook wall is littered with photos of pets that have been found…and some who are still lost. I am thrilled every time I read a post about a happy reunion – and there have been many. People are earnestly seeking pets – and their owners – and there are quite a few “success stories”.
A few months ago, we took Timothy and Zola to the park to play after church one Sunday, and Timothy wandered away from the swings and went on an “exploration”. He was walking farther and farther away from us, but I had my eye on him the entire time. At one point, I could hear him yelling, “HELP! HELP! I’m LOST! Somebody save me!”…but of course, he was not lost at all! He would hold his hands to his face and wail, “WHY! Oh, WHY? Why won’t somebody save me?!” So we pretended to “rescue” him, and he came running to our open arms.
Now here’s the thing…we are never lost to God. Whether we have been tossed about in an actual tornado, the “storms of life”, or the pretend melodrama of a 4-year-old, God knows exactly where we are…and He is there with us. He is there in the rescues…but He is also with us when it seems that no help will ever come. If we look for Him, we will find Him. The trouble is that too many of us aren’t truly looking.
It’s a pretty safe bet that God is not going to literally tap you on the shoulder and say, “Hey, I’m right here!” So how DO you find God? Start by making Him a part of your daily routine. Talk to Him – often. Read the scriptures and think about the words in terms of your own life. How do they relate to what is happening at this very moment. How can they guide you and give you insights, hope and encouragement? I am confident that you will find that the scriptures are far more relevant and in tune with your life today than you ever imagined. Associate with fellow believers, and learn to share your thoughts and ideas about God…where He is, and how He shows up in your life in all kinds of circumstances.
The next time you feel “lost”…remember that you really aren’t. God is always with you. If you look for Him in earnest, you will find Him. If you make God a part of the very fabric of your life, you will find that He seems to show up more often! He has been there all along…you just didn’t know where to look. And now you do!
©2014 Debbie Robus
You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Through no fault of their own, countless animals found themselves displaced in the April 27th tornados that ravaged central Arkansas. My Facebook wall is littered with photos of pets that have been found…and some who are still lost. I am thrilled every time I read a post about a happy reunion – and there have been many. People are earnestly seeking pets – and their owners – and there are quite a few “success stories”.
A few months ago, we took Timothy and Zola to the park to play after church one Sunday, and Timothy wandered away from the swings and went on an “exploration”. He was walking farther and farther away from us, but I had my eye on him the entire time. At one point, I could hear him yelling, “HELP! HELP! I’m LOST! Somebody save me!”…but of course, he was not lost at all! He would hold his hands to his face and wail, “WHY! Oh, WHY? Why won’t somebody save me?!” So we pretended to “rescue” him, and he came running to our open arms.
Now here’s the thing…we are never lost to God. Whether we have been tossed about in an actual tornado, the “storms of life”, or the pretend melodrama of a 4-year-old, God knows exactly where we are…and He is there with us. He is there in the rescues…but He is also with us when it seems that no help will ever come. If we look for Him, we will find Him. The trouble is that too many of us aren’t truly looking.
It’s a pretty safe bet that God is not going to literally tap you on the shoulder and say, “Hey, I’m right here!” So how DO you find God? Start by making Him a part of your daily routine. Talk to Him – often. Read the scriptures and think about the words in terms of your own life. How do they relate to what is happening at this very moment. How can they guide you and give you insights, hope and encouragement? I am confident that you will find that the scriptures are far more relevant and in tune with your life today than you ever imagined. Associate with fellow believers, and learn to share your thoughts and ideas about God…where He is, and how He shows up in your life in all kinds of circumstances.
The next time you feel “lost”…remember that you really aren’t. God is always with you. If you look for Him in earnest, you will find Him. If you make God a part of the very fabric of your life, you will find that He seems to show up more often! He has been there all along…you just didn’t know where to look. And now you do!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 1, 2014
Isaiah 55:8-13
This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours.
As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field—all the world around you—will rejoice. Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord’s name very great and be an everlasting sign of God’s power and love.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In the early 1950s, a man and his wife were expecting a baby…their third child. These parents of two boys - ages 9 and 5 - were hoping for a girl this time around. Instead, they were blessed with a dark-haired, brown-eyed boy. God’s plan and theirs were just a tad different! And as the wife of this “third boy”, I am incredibly glad!
See, God already knew that Greg and I would marry. Even though I would not even enter this world for another three years, He was planning the events that would bring us together. He was orchestrating the details of the move from Iowa to Arkansas that would eventually bring Greg’s family to my home town. Believe it or not, we didn’t even really know each other until Greg’s senior year of high school…even though we lived in a very small town with a population of roughly 2500. To think that God brought us together at that time in our lives indicates to me His intention for us!
Stop and think about the people and events that have come together to form your life. Haven’t you ever wondered, “Why did I meet this person?” or “How did this happen?” Why do families move thousands of miles and become part of the fabric of another community and state? Think of the times you have said “I didn’t expect this, but I couldn’t imagine my life any other way now.” When we are young, we picture our lives and the events that will frame them, and “life” almost never turns out that way. We don’t anticipate significant changes – both good and bad. We cannot begin to name all of the people who will enter – and depart from – our lives. We don’t know what successes and triumphs we will experience…or what tragedies and losses will befall us. I often say that when I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming an architect…or a ballerina…and you can see how well this worked for me!
God has perfect plans for us. He knows who our parents will be…where we will live…what will happen to us every single second of every day…and He will be with us every step of the journey. And the most beautiful part is that God is not done when our earthly life ends…He will continue to orchestrate our future and walk with us in heaven, as well. I am so grateful that I am a creation of such a powerful, loving God. And I am learning to trust His plans for my life – in all things. I don’t understand it all…a lot of what happens is more than I can wrap my brain around and digest. But I trust Him. I feel His presence. God is with me, and I know that He is planning my every step. MY JOB is to pay attention - and to follow Him…to trust in His wisdom and power…to listen for His voice …and to be faithful and obedient!
May 1st is a day that I celebrate enthusiastically. I am so glad that God chose Greg to be my companion and mate. I am even more grateful that He has guided my steps most of my own 56+ years. There were moments when I thought I knew more than He and tried to do things my way – with mostly miserable results! But I am growing in my relationship with Him…recognizing His presence alongside me more and more…and trusting His guidance.
What about you? Have you truly found God? Do you understand His presence in your life…and do you trust His leadership and direction? Take some time today to reflect on the events of your life. Recognize God’s loving, caring hand in all of the circumstances that make up your time on this earth…and trust His plans for your future. Make every day a celebration because God is with you - and you know it! Learn to appreciate the signs and miracles of God’s everlasting love…and revel in His continual presence.
God may not always give you the desires of your heart…at least not as you envisioned them…but He will do what is best and perfect! Today, I am celebrating God’s wisdom and incredible love…and the fact that the third Robus baby was NOT a girl! What will you celebrate?
©2014 Debbie Robus
This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours.
As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field—all the world around you—will rejoice. Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord’s name very great and be an everlasting sign of God’s power and love.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In the early 1950s, a man and his wife were expecting a baby…their third child. These parents of two boys - ages 9 and 5 - were hoping for a girl this time around. Instead, they were blessed with a dark-haired, brown-eyed boy. God’s plan and theirs were just a tad different! And as the wife of this “third boy”, I am incredibly glad!
See, God already knew that Greg and I would marry. Even though I would not even enter this world for another three years, He was planning the events that would bring us together. He was orchestrating the details of the move from Iowa to Arkansas that would eventually bring Greg’s family to my home town. Believe it or not, we didn’t even really know each other until Greg’s senior year of high school…even though we lived in a very small town with a population of roughly 2500. To think that God brought us together at that time in our lives indicates to me His intention for us!
Stop and think about the people and events that have come together to form your life. Haven’t you ever wondered, “Why did I meet this person?” or “How did this happen?” Why do families move thousands of miles and become part of the fabric of another community and state? Think of the times you have said “I didn’t expect this, but I couldn’t imagine my life any other way now.” When we are young, we picture our lives and the events that will frame them, and “life” almost never turns out that way. We don’t anticipate significant changes – both good and bad. We cannot begin to name all of the people who will enter – and depart from – our lives. We don’t know what successes and triumphs we will experience…or what tragedies and losses will befall us. I often say that when I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming an architect…or a ballerina…and you can see how well this worked for me!
God has perfect plans for us. He knows who our parents will be…where we will live…what will happen to us every single second of every day…and He will be with us every step of the journey. And the most beautiful part is that God is not done when our earthly life ends…He will continue to orchestrate our future and walk with us in heaven, as well. I am so grateful that I am a creation of such a powerful, loving God. And I am learning to trust His plans for my life – in all things. I don’t understand it all…a lot of what happens is more than I can wrap my brain around and digest. But I trust Him. I feel His presence. God is with me, and I know that He is planning my every step. MY JOB is to pay attention - and to follow Him…to trust in His wisdom and power…to listen for His voice …and to be faithful and obedient!
May 1st is a day that I celebrate enthusiastically. I am so glad that God chose Greg to be my companion and mate. I am even more grateful that He has guided my steps most of my own 56+ years. There were moments when I thought I knew more than He and tried to do things my way – with mostly miserable results! But I am growing in my relationship with Him…recognizing His presence alongside me more and more…and trusting His guidance.
What about you? Have you truly found God? Do you understand His presence in your life…and do you trust His leadership and direction? Take some time today to reflect on the events of your life. Recognize God’s loving, caring hand in all of the circumstances that make up your time on this earth…and trust His plans for your future. Make every day a celebration because God is with you - and you know it! Learn to appreciate the signs and miracles of God’s everlasting love…and revel in His continual presence.
God may not always give you the desires of your heart…at least not as you envisioned them…but He will do what is best and perfect! Today, I am celebrating God’s wisdom and incredible love…and the fact that the third Robus baby was NOT a girl! What will you celebrate?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 17, 2014
Matthew 26:36-48
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”
Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”
Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”
Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.
Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I read this passage today about the disciples falling asleep in the garden, I totally got it. I’m terrible about falling asleep while watching television or a movie…especially after a big meal. Greg says he thinks it is funny…but it’s embarrassing to me that I cannot stay awake. I suppose I see it as a sign of weakness.
But I also understood how Jesus felt. It used to be a running game in my family to guess who would fall asleep the fastest after a big dinner…and I have several pictures of relatives “laid out” in recliners and sleeping on couches as evidence that we are pretty good at this! I understand that feeling of looking around in a group and realizing that virtually everyone else is asleep. It’s not the end of the world…but it IS something of an odd feeling - a sense of loneliness, and sometimes even a perception of insignificance or unimportance to those who could not stay awake in your company!
There were a lot of disappointments for Jesus on “Maundy Thursday”. The word “Maundy” is thought to derive from the Latin word “mandatum”…as in “A new commandment I give to you...” -the “mandate” spoken by Jesus that we are to love one another. Others think it comes from the English word “maund”, which is a derivative of the Latin word “mendicare” or the French word “mendier”...meaning “to beg”. Jesus did plead with His disciples to stay awake. He pled with God to take the cup of torture and crucifixion from Him. And when He realized that the disciples could not even stay awake and pray with Him - knowing how anguished and concerned He was - He must have felt terribly sad and lonely. Worse yet, when Jesus realized that God was not going to remove this suffering - that He would indeed have to endure the cross - He had to have experienced incredible despair.
So as we think about “Maundy Thursday” and Jesus’ journey to the cross, let’s stay awake and alert. Let’s join together in prayer today and ask God to give us the strength and courage we need for whatever He has in store for us. More importantly, let’s ask God to protect us from the devil’s temptations…to give us the fortitude to resist the persuasion to deny Jesus and conform to the world’s ways…to take the easy way out. Let’s thank God for the indescribable sacrifice of Jesus…and for the assurance that He has never left us for even one minute.
Take some time today to consider the significance of the Last Supper, as well. Recognize the significance of Jesus’ words…“This is my body…this is my blood.” When you eat the bread of Holy Communion, think about Jesus’ body – beaten, brutalized and mutilated…for YOU. Remember that this tiny bite of bread signifies your sins…taken from you by Jesus. His flesh was broken and demolished so that we could be whole and complete…perfectly without blemish before God.
The juice or wine in which you dip your bread – or drink from a cup – signifies Jesus’ blood pouring out and literally washing away every one of your sins. By His grace, we will never know that level of suffering…because of His amazing love, we never have to face such indignation. Because of the cross, we don’t ever have to face the darkness of hell.
At times, it may seem like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders…that your body has been bruised and battered – even mutilated…that your friends or loved ones have “fallen asleep”, denied your existence, or literally betrayed you in some manner. You may even feel like God has turned His back on you. When these feelings arise, think of the cross. Think of “the bread and the cup” and what they represent. Remind yourself how much Jesus loves you…how much He sacrificed and took upon Himself – for YOU. Hear His plea to stay awake… to stick by Him. It’s the least we can do for the One who did EVERYTHING for us.
We’re getting closer to "Black Friday"…and these are dark, desperate days. But hang on…Easter is coming! It is important to remember how we get there, for today. But rest assured that this is not the end of the “story” – it’s only the beginning. May you feel Jesus’ presence – and His amazing love on this day…and may you stay awake and alert as our journey takes us even nearer to the cross.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”
Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”
Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”
Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.
Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I read this passage today about the disciples falling asleep in the garden, I totally got it. I’m terrible about falling asleep while watching television or a movie…especially after a big meal. Greg says he thinks it is funny…but it’s embarrassing to me that I cannot stay awake. I suppose I see it as a sign of weakness.
But I also understood how Jesus felt. It used to be a running game in my family to guess who would fall asleep the fastest after a big dinner…and I have several pictures of relatives “laid out” in recliners and sleeping on couches as evidence that we are pretty good at this! I understand that feeling of looking around in a group and realizing that virtually everyone else is asleep. It’s not the end of the world…but it IS something of an odd feeling - a sense of loneliness, and sometimes even a perception of insignificance or unimportance to those who could not stay awake in your company!
There were a lot of disappointments for Jesus on “Maundy Thursday”. The word “Maundy” is thought to derive from the Latin word “mandatum”…as in “A new commandment I give to you...” -the “mandate” spoken by Jesus that we are to love one another. Others think it comes from the English word “maund”, which is a derivative of the Latin word “mendicare” or the French word “mendier”...meaning “to beg”. Jesus did plead with His disciples to stay awake. He pled with God to take the cup of torture and crucifixion from Him. And when He realized that the disciples could not even stay awake and pray with Him - knowing how anguished and concerned He was - He must have felt terribly sad and lonely. Worse yet, when Jesus realized that God was not going to remove this suffering - that He would indeed have to endure the cross - He had to have experienced incredible despair.
So as we think about “Maundy Thursday” and Jesus’ journey to the cross, let’s stay awake and alert. Let’s join together in prayer today and ask God to give us the strength and courage we need for whatever He has in store for us. More importantly, let’s ask God to protect us from the devil’s temptations…to give us the fortitude to resist the persuasion to deny Jesus and conform to the world’s ways…to take the easy way out. Let’s thank God for the indescribable sacrifice of Jesus…and for the assurance that He has never left us for even one minute.
Take some time today to consider the significance of the Last Supper, as well. Recognize the significance of Jesus’ words…“This is my body…this is my blood.” When you eat the bread of Holy Communion, think about Jesus’ body – beaten, brutalized and mutilated…for YOU. Remember that this tiny bite of bread signifies your sins…taken from you by Jesus. His flesh was broken and demolished so that we could be whole and complete…perfectly without blemish before God.
The juice or wine in which you dip your bread – or drink from a cup – signifies Jesus’ blood pouring out and literally washing away every one of your sins. By His grace, we will never know that level of suffering…because of His amazing love, we never have to face such indignation. Because of the cross, we don’t ever have to face the darkness of hell.
At times, it may seem like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders…that your body has been bruised and battered – even mutilated…that your friends or loved ones have “fallen asleep”, denied your existence, or literally betrayed you in some manner. You may even feel like God has turned His back on you. When these feelings arise, think of the cross. Think of “the bread and the cup” and what they represent. Remind yourself how much Jesus loves you…how much He sacrificed and took upon Himself – for YOU. Hear His plea to stay awake… to stick by Him. It’s the least we can do for the One who did EVERYTHING for us.
We’re getting closer to "Black Friday"…and these are dark, desperate days. But hang on…Easter is coming! It is important to remember how we get there, for today. But rest assured that this is not the end of the “story” – it’s only the beginning. May you feel Jesus’ presence – and His amazing love on this day…and may you stay awake and alert as our journey takes us even nearer to the cross.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 8, 2014
Deuteronomy 31:6
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
All over the country, various forms of a “24-hour Cold-water Challenge” are taking place. Here’s how it works…someone is “called out” to plunge in to cold water…like a lake, river, or swimming pool – and this act is recorded on video. This person has 24 hours to complete this challenge…and he/she “calls out” up to three other people who are supposed to then complete the challenge and “call out” others. My Facebook wall has been full of such videos for a couple of weeks now, ever since this event began with some of our high school athletes over Spring Break. Somewhere along the line, our community’s Cold-water Challenge developed a “purpose” – you are supposed to take the plunge to show your love for Jesus.
Some have made a pretty good case for the fact that Jesus knows they love him without jumping into the lake or a pool of icy-cold water. But many have been good sports and accepted the challenge. My little cousin, Owen, was one of these…well, sort of. He donned his “surfboard” swim trunks and matching t-shirt that had surfboard appliques, along with his goggles, and made his video on the shoreline of our local Sandy Beach. I should tell you… Owen is only four. He announced who had “called him out”…and he issued a challenge for two others. And then he stood there. You can hear his mom off-camera saying, “Okay, take off!” And Owen stands and says, “YOU go! Go with me!” Mom and Owen’s sister, Olivia, say, “No! YOU go… be fast!” He replies, “You come with me!” Finally…reluctantly…Owen runs into the water - up to his shins – then he stops, turns and runs back out, declaring, “It’s COLD!!!”
How many times have we been all ready to do what God calls us to do…even “run into the water” for a few feet…and then frozen in fear or retreated? How often has the mere thought of stepping out and taking a chance – even when you know that this is what God wants – caused you to panic and tremble in fear? How often do we fail to remember – or to recognize – that God is always right beside us…that nothing is too big for Him to handle…and that He will never leave us?
With coaxing and encouragement, Owen ran into the water…and retreated. But after his sister dogged him a while, he did finally go back and get in – most of the way. I’m not sure if he ever got his face wet, but he made a valiant effort for a 4-year-old in cold lake water on a 55-degree day. We were all pretty proud of him. Kudos go to his mom and sister for giving him the support that he needed…for showing compassion when he hesitated…and for never leaving his side!
This is what God does for us every day. He stands on the shore and says, “I’m right here…I’m not leaving…now take off! GO! Run into the water and take the plunge! I’ll be right beside you…I’ll have a towel handy and open arms to snuggle you afterward.” And we are called to do this for others, as well.
God wants us to reassure those in our midst that He is with them…and that they have friends “waiting on the shore with a warm towel and a hug”. He wants us to lift each other through burdens, challenges, fears and apprehensions…and to stick with them for the long haul. He calls on us to offer compassion for those who hesitate…and to extend grace, mercy and forgiveness to those who simply cannot muster up the bravery and courage to fully “take the plunge” into the “icy waters” of any given situation.
I don’t know where you are in this picture. You may be the reluctant 4-year-old on the shore… or the mom and sister who lovingly encourage him to “Take off! Go for it!” But God is with you, either way. He will never leave you or abandon you. Take comfort in this message! Know that with God, all things are possible. As long as He is on our side, we truly have nothing to fear. So what are you waiting for? “Go! Take off!” God is with you…it’ll be okay!
©2014 Debbie Robus
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
All over the country, various forms of a “24-hour Cold-water Challenge” are taking place. Here’s how it works…someone is “called out” to plunge in to cold water…like a lake, river, or swimming pool – and this act is recorded on video. This person has 24 hours to complete this challenge…and he/she “calls out” up to three other people who are supposed to then complete the challenge and “call out” others. My Facebook wall has been full of such videos for a couple of weeks now, ever since this event began with some of our high school athletes over Spring Break. Somewhere along the line, our community’s Cold-water Challenge developed a “purpose” – you are supposed to take the plunge to show your love for Jesus.
Some have made a pretty good case for the fact that Jesus knows they love him without jumping into the lake or a pool of icy-cold water. But many have been good sports and accepted the challenge. My little cousin, Owen, was one of these…well, sort of. He donned his “surfboard” swim trunks and matching t-shirt that had surfboard appliques, along with his goggles, and made his video on the shoreline of our local Sandy Beach. I should tell you… Owen is only four. He announced who had “called him out”…and he issued a challenge for two others. And then he stood there. You can hear his mom off-camera saying, “Okay, take off!” And Owen stands and says, “YOU go! Go with me!” Mom and Owen’s sister, Olivia, say, “No! YOU go… be fast!” He replies, “You come with me!” Finally…reluctantly…Owen runs into the water - up to his shins – then he stops, turns and runs back out, declaring, “It’s COLD!!!”
How many times have we been all ready to do what God calls us to do…even “run into the water” for a few feet…and then frozen in fear or retreated? How often has the mere thought of stepping out and taking a chance – even when you know that this is what God wants – caused you to panic and tremble in fear? How often do we fail to remember – or to recognize – that God is always right beside us…that nothing is too big for Him to handle…and that He will never leave us?
With coaxing and encouragement, Owen ran into the water…and retreated. But after his sister dogged him a while, he did finally go back and get in – most of the way. I’m not sure if he ever got his face wet, but he made a valiant effort for a 4-year-old in cold lake water on a 55-degree day. We were all pretty proud of him. Kudos go to his mom and sister for giving him the support that he needed…for showing compassion when he hesitated…and for never leaving his side!
This is what God does for us every day. He stands on the shore and says, “I’m right here…I’m not leaving…now take off! GO! Run into the water and take the plunge! I’ll be right beside you…I’ll have a towel handy and open arms to snuggle you afterward.” And we are called to do this for others, as well.
God wants us to reassure those in our midst that He is with them…and that they have friends “waiting on the shore with a warm towel and a hug”. He wants us to lift each other through burdens, challenges, fears and apprehensions…and to stick with them for the long haul. He calls on us to offer compassion for those who hesitate…and to extend grace, mercy and forgiveness to those who simply cannot muster up the bravery and courage to fully “take the plunge” into the “icy waters” of any given situation.
I don’t know where you are in this picture. You may be the reluctant 4-year-old on the shore… or the mom and sister who lovingly encourage him to “Take off! Go for it!” But God is with you, either way. He will never leave you or abandon you. Take comfort in this message! Know that with God, all things are possible. As long as He is on our side, we truly have nothing to fear. So what are you waiting for? “Go! Take off!” God is with you…it’ll be okay!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 22, 2013
Psalm 73:25-28
You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord God my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning about 30-year-old Nick Vujicic, an Australian man who was born with no arms and no legs. Nick has small “feet” on which he hobbles around, yet he is able to do virtually everything you and I can do with fully functioning limbs. He swims, plays soccer, and even golfs! Life has obviously not been easy for Nick Vujicic, and he will tell you that from ages 8-13, he was angry with God for allowing him to be created this way. He was also bullied continually by his peers at school. In fact, Nick tells in this interview about a day when he was 10 and his father helped him get into the bath tub. Nick asked to be left alone. His father shut the door, and Nick turned himself over face down and “let go” in an effort to drown himself. He could not go through with this, and the thought of hurting his mother, dad and brother in this way made him choose to live.
At age 15, Nick read John 9 and gave his heart to Jesus, and he says on his website, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org, that “I knew I had to make my life right with Him, but I blamed Him for my pain. I read how Jesus said that the blind man was born that way so that the works of God would be revealed through him. I said to God that if He had a plan for that man I certainly believed that He had one for me. I totally surrendered the ‘needing to know the plan’ idea and trusted in Him one day at a time.” Today, Nick is married, the father of a perfectly “normal” little boy… and an international evangelist and motivational speaker whose message in part is that…”My faith in God and my personal relationship has given me the power, strength, humility and grace to ask Him to change me one day at a time. That if my circumstance doesn’t change, then I’d ask Him to change my heart, for all things come together for the good and for those who love Him.” Nick Vujicic offers hope to others by reminding them that they are not alone…and that God will not allow them to go through more than they can handle.
As I read this passage, I’ll be honest… I was immediately struck by the verses that talk of skin that sags and bones that are brittle. For many of you, these things are a long way off in your future… and others among you are right there with me! I thought of the days when I look in the mirror and see another “age spot”… even more white hair… and a little more of me than there was when I was in college! And yet, I also see someone who is refreshed, calm and peaceful, and oh-so-content! How can this be? I give you one word… Jesus! On the days when the devil starts to remind me that I’m not as young as I once was… that I can’t physically do all I used to do in a day… that I walk into a room and forget why I am there, can’t recall familiar names, and lose simple objects like my phone and car keys – or the TV remote…I start humming a happy praise song or thanking God out loud for His ever present help and for meeting all of my needs (and helping me to find the missing object or recollection!).
I find that I don’t care as much about shopping these days… that “things” are not nearly as important as relationships… that I truly do have everything I need. And when I hear about someone like Nick Vujicic, I am doubly humbled to think that God has blessed me so abundantly. What’s the big deal about a head of hair that is quickly turning white and knees that seize up once in a while? In God’s eyes, our bodies and outward appearance do not define us… it’s all about the heart and soul!
I am grateful that I have two arms and legs… that I can walk upright and hug my loved ones… that I am still incredibly sound and healthy in a physical sense. But I am even more grateful for a sound heart and mind. Anyone who knows me well understands that I have become a serious “homebody.” Thanks to technology and modern conveniences, I rarely have to leave the comforts of my house and venture out into the “real world”! Virtually anything and everything I want or need can be delivered to my doorstep, phone or computer screen…even face-to-face conversations with friends and family (although “in-person” interaction with others is still important!). I am even more grateful that I am always “at home” in the LORD… that God is with me… always and everywhere… and that He is truly meeting all my needs.
I know that Nick Vujicic is right… God will not give me more than I can handle with His help… even the loss of limbs, memory, loved ones…or my hair color! And He will do this for you, as well. I am blessed to rest in the peace of God… to reside at home in Him…and to feel his ever present love and care. Where is your home? What matters most to you? What struggles are keeping you from resting in the home of the LORD? Nick Vujicic claims that “attitude is altitude.” Our attitude – our faith, our values, our determination - govern how high we travel… what goals we accomplish, the levels of competence and satisfaction we achieve.
How high are you aiming? Is peace in God and a home with Him at the top of your list of goals and desires? Are you doing everything you can to attain this? Will today be the day you surrender to “needing to know the plan” and trust God to handle things for you? Will this be the day you find your way “home” and rest in God’s peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I’ve made Lord God my home.
God, I’m telling the world what you do!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning about 30-year-old Nick Vujicic, an Australian man who was born with no arms and no legs. Nick has small “feet” on which he hobbles around, yet he is able to do virtually everything you and I can do with fully functioning limbs. He swims, plays soccer, and even golfs! Life has obviously not been easy for Nick Vujicic, and he will tell you that from ages 8-13, he was angry with God for allowing him to be created this way. He was also bullied continually by his peers at school. In fact, Nick tells in this interview about a day when he was 10 and his father helped him get into the bath tub. Nick asked to be left alone. His father shut the door, and Nick turned himself over face down and “let go” in an effort to drown himself. He could not go through with this, and the thought of hurting his mother, dad and brother in this way made him choose to live.
At age 15, Nick read John 9 and gave his heart to Jesus, and he says on his website, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org, that “I knew I had to make my life right with Him, but I blamed Him for my pain. I read how Jesus said that the blind man was born that way so that the works of God would be revealed through him. I said to God that if He had a plan for that man I certainly believed that He had one for me. I totally surrendered the ‘needing to know the plan’ idea and trusted in Him one day at a time.” Today, Nick is married, the father of a perfectly “normal” little boy… and an international evangelist and motivational speaker whose message in part is that…”My faith in God and my personal relationship has given me the power, strength, humility and grace to ask Him to change me one day at a time. That if my circumstance doesn’t change, then I’d ask Him to change my heart, for all things come together for the good and for those who love Him.” Nick Vujicic offers hope to others by reminding them that they are not alone…and that God will not allow them to go through more than they can handle.
As I read this passage, I’ll be honest… I was immediately struck by the verses that talk of skin that sags and bones that are brittle. For many of you, these things are a long way off in your future… and others among you are right there with me! I thought of the days when I look in the mirror and see another “age spot”… even more white hair… and a little more of me than there was when I was in college! And yet, I also see someone who is refreshed, calm and peaceful, and oh-so-content! How can this be? I give you one word… Jesus! On the days when the devil starts to remind me that I’m not as young as I once was… that I can’t physically do all I used to do in a day… that I walk into a room and forget why I am there, can’t recall familiar names, and lose simple objects like my phone and car keys – or the TV remote…I start humming a happy praise song or thanking God out loud for His ever present help and for meeting all of my needs (and helping me to find the missing object or recollection!).
I find that I don’t care as much about shopping these days… that “things” are not nearly as important as relationships… that I truly do have everything I need. And when I hear about someone like Nick Vujicic, I am doubly humbled to think that God has blessed me so abundantly. What’s the big deal about a head of hair that is quickly turning white and knees that seize up once in a while? In God’s eyes, our bodies and outward appearance do not define us… it’s all about the heart and soul!
I am grateful that I have two arms and legs… that I can walk upright and hug my loved ones… that I am still incredibly sound and healthy in a physical sense. But I am even more grateful for a sound heart and mind. Anyone who knows me well understands that I have become a serious “homebody.” Thanks to technology and modern conveniences, I rarely have to leave the comforts of my house and venture out into the “real world”! Virtually anything and everything I want or need can be delivered to my doorstep, phone or computer screen…even face-to-face conversations with friends and family (although “in-person” interaction with others is still important!). I am even more grateful that I am always “at home” in the LORD… that God is with me… always and everywhere… and that He is truly meeting all my needs.
I know that Nick Vujicic is right… God will not give me more than I can handle with His help… even the loss of limbs, memory, loved ones…or my hair color! And He will do this for you, as well. I am blessed to rest in the peace of God… to reside at home in Him…and to feel his ever present love and care. Where is your home? What matters most to you? What struggles are keeping you from resting in the home of the LORD? Nick Vujicic claims that “attitude is altitude.” Our attitude – our faith, our values, our determination - govern how high we travel… what goals we accomplish, the levels of competence and satisfaction we achieve.
How high are you aiming? Is peace in God and a home with Him at the top of your list of goals and desires? Are you doing everything you can to attain this? Will today be the day you surrender to “needing to know the plan” and trust God to handle things for you? Will this be the day you find your way “home” and rest in God’s peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 23, 2013
John 16:31-33
Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I was visiting with a friend who is fostering a very young child. She said, “I have grown so much in the last three months.” She shared a few things with me about her difficulties… and friends shared even more about how the child who had come into this woman’s home had some pretty serious issues. I was told of the incredible progress this child has made since coming into the care of my friend and her husband. Clearly their love and nurture have done wonders for him. And she told me, “We have gotten the bigger blessing.”
I totally understand the concept of “growing from difficulties.” And I bet many of you do, as well. You know what it feels like to bear unbelievable challenges, worries and concerns… to operate totally on faith that God will fix things…because honestly, trust in God is all you have! We know this is all we need… more than enough, in fact! But when your back is to the wall, and the only choice you have is to look up to heaven and say, “LORD, this is bigger than I am. You will have to handle this!”… you may not feel so unshakable and assured – at least initially.
The more I experience, the easier it becomes for me to trust God for an outcome. Honestly, it’s fairly easy to say this today… because for the moment, everything in my life is going along quite smoothly. But I know that the day will come again when there will be challenges… heartaches… disappointments… concerns… and plenty of reasons to feel unsettled and frightened. How will I respond in that moment? I would love to say that I will take heart, totally trust God, and forge ahead… unshakable, assured, and deeply at peace. I pray this will be the case. But I know it’s not always easy for us to do this as mere humans! In fact, you may be feeling unsettled and frightened at this very moment.
I believe God is using this scripture passage to reassure each of us today that He is in control… that we are not abandoned… that He is with us. We know that He has done amazing things in our lives already. We’ve seen Him handle crises and conflicts, struggles and disappointments, challenges that appear to be insurmountable and heartaches that seem impossible to bear. All of the trials yet to come are no different. God never changes. So take heart! Let go and let God. Trust Him in all circumstances… and feel His presence. Grow in the difficulties God enables you to handle… and live deeply in His peace in all circumstances.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I was visiting with a friend who is fostering a very young child. She said, “I have grown so much in the last three months.” She shared a few things with me about her difficulties… and friends shared even more about how the child who had come into this woman’s home had some pretty serious issues. I was told of the incredible progress this child has made since coming into the care of my friend and her husband. Clearly their love and nurture have done wonders for him. And she told me, “We have gotten the bigger blessing.”
I totally understand the concept of “growing from difficulties.” And I bet many of you do, as well. You know what it feels like to bear unbelievable challenges, worries and concerns… to operate totally on faith that God will fix things…because honestly, trust in God is all you have! We know this is all we need… more than enough, in fact! But when your back is to the wall, and the only choice you have is to look up to heaven and say, “LORD, this is bigger than I am. You will have to handle this!”… you may not feel so unshakable and assured – at least initially.
The more I experience, the easier it becomes for me to trust God for an outcome. Honestly, it’s fairly easy to say this today… because for the moment, everything in my life is going along quite smoothly. But I know that the day will come again when there will be challenges… heartaches… disappointments… concerns… and plenty of reasons to feel unsettled and frightened. How will I respond in that moment? I would love to say that I will take heart, totally trust God, and forge ahead… unshakable, assured, and deeply at peace. I pray this will be the case. But I know it’s not always easy for us to do this as mere humans! In fact, you may be feeling unsettled and frightened at this very moment.
I believe God is using this scripture passage to reassure each of us today that He is in control… that we are not abandoned… that He is with us. We know that He has done amazing things in our lives already. We’ve seen Him handle crises and conflicts, struggles and disappointments, challenges that appear to be insurmountable and heartaches that seem impossible to bear. All of the trials yet to come are no different. God never changes. So take heart! Let go and let God. Trust Him in all circumstances… and feel His presence. Grow in the difficulties God enables you to handle… and live deeply in His peace in all circumstances.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 18, 2012
Psalm 34:18
If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I haven’t “had the breath knocked out of me” in years…can’t even remember when it happened last. But I do remember the feeling… that momentary shock and fright – and wonder if “this was IT!” Then the breath returned, and other than maybe being sore from falling so hard, everything returned to normal. Usually, this happens in a group – like playing kickball as a kid – and others rush to your side to make sure you are okay.
When my grandmother fell last Christmas Eve on our driveway and hit her head, I am fairly certain she was momentarily dazed – if not unconscious. We hurried to her, and I held her head off the pavement until the ambulance arrived with EMTs to assist her. The night my dad suffered a massive stroke, I remember my husband going to the car to retrieve his C-pap machine (a device that aides in breathing if you have sleep apnea). When my husband returned from the parking lot, the doors to the waiting room swung open, and there on either side of him were two of my dearest cousins who had come to support us. I know beyond any doubt that they were real-life angels sent by God. And did we ever need them, because my dad did not survive… and our hearts were broken.
Let’s face it… life kicks all of us in the gut at least once or twice. And for a moment, it’s like having the breath knocked out of you. We wonder what to do, maybe even panic a little – and fear the worst. The GOOD NEWS is that God is right there with us, and He will give us everything we need to catch our breath. He will mend our broken hearts… maybe not right away…but in His time. He will show us a way out of whatever dilemma we face. God will never leave us.
If we will just hold on to this thought…if we will simply trust that with God, all things are possible, then the “kicks in the gut” that are bound to happen in life won’t seem fatal. We really have no clue what we can endure with God’s help. I’m not asking to find out… but I am certainly aware that I can deal with whatever comes my way. If God can give Jesus’ mother, Mary, the courage and strength to watch her Son be tortured and crucified on a cross… don’t you think He can help you manage your “gut-checks?” Don’t give up hope. Cry out to God, and call on Him to draw near. You’ll find He was already there all along.
©2012 Debbie Robus
If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I haven’t “had the breath knocked out of me” in years…can’t even remember when it happened last. But I do remember the feeling… that momentary shock and fright – and wonder if “this was IT!” Then the breath returned, and other than maybe being sore from falling so hard, everything returned to normal. Usually, this happens in a group – like playing kickball as a kid – and others rush to your side to make sure you are okay.
When my grandmother fell last Christmas Eve on our driveway and hit her head, I am fairly certain she was momentarily dazed – if not unconscious. We hurried to her, and I held her head off the pavement until the ambulance arrived with EMTs to assist her. The night my dad suffered a massive stroke, I remember my husband going to the car to retrieve his C-pap machine (a device that aides in breathing if you have sleep apnea). When my husband returned from the parking lot, the doors to the waiting room swung open, and there on either side of him were two of my dearest cousins who had come to support us. I know beyond any doubt that they were real-life angels sent by God. And did we ever need them, because my dad did not survive… and our hearts were broken.
Let’s face it… life kicks all of us in the gut at least once or twice. And for a moment, it’s like having the breath knocked out of you. We wonder what to do, maybe even panic a little – and fear the worst. The GOOD NEWS is that God is right there with us, and He will give us everything we need to catch our breath. He will mend our broken hearts… maybe not right away…but in His time. He will show us a way out of whatever dilemma we face. God will never leave us.
If we will just hold on to this thought…if we will simply trust that with God, all things are possible, then the “kicks in the gut” that are bound to happen in life won’t seem fatal. We really have no clue what we can endure with God’s help. I’m not asking to find out… but I am certainly aware that I can deal with whatever comes my way. If God can give Jesus’ mother, Mary, the courage and strength to watch her Son be tortured and crucified on a cross… don’t you think He can help you manage your “gut-checks?” Don’t give up hope. Cry out to God, and call on Him to draw near. You’ll find He was already there all along.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 5, 2012
Deuteronomy 4:29-31
But even there, if you seek God, your God, you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. When troubles come and all these awful things happen to you, in future days you will come back to God, your God, and listen obediently to what he says. God, your God, is above all a compassionate God. In the end he will not abandon you, he won't bring you to ruin, he won't forget the covenant with your ancestors which he swore to them.
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.
In the movie Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, the lead character, Oskar (played by Thomas Horn) searches for the lock that matches a mysterious key he finds after his father (played by Tom Hanks) perishes in the Twin Towers on 9-11. One of the clues Oskar has is a newspaper clipping from his dad that contains the words “never stop looking” circled in red… or so it appears.
I won’t give away the story line, in case you haven’t seen the movie. But suffice it to say that Oskar looks with his whole heart and soul for the lock to this key. In the terrible, awful tragedy of losing his dad in such a horrific manner, Oskar draws strength from the lessons his father taught him… how to examine and investigate mysteries… how to “read” the clues and follow the signs to find what he is seeking… and how his dad is always with him every step of the way – even if he can’t physically see or touch him.
There are a lot of parallels in this movie to our life in Christ. We are often the scared, frail, flawed little boy who seeks answers to life’s questions and mysteries. We are mired in grief and confusion, heartaches and disappointments… and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. And God is with us every step of the way. He is protecting us and leading us in the right direction. He is giving us all kinds of nurture that we cannot even imagine… much less see.
We often have a little pity party and feel downright sorry for ourselves. We imagine that we are all alone in this big wide world, and that God has abandoned us. Nothing could be further from the truth. If we knew all of the things that God protects us from each and every day, we would be astounded. We tend to deal only in what we can tangibly see, hear, and touch. Yet God is always with us… often working in the background… but working all the same on our behalf.
Our job is to seek God - not just in the logical places… but also in the intangible. We must open our eyes and ears to His clues and guidance… and never stop looking for Him. We must trust – and expect – Him to always be with us… and to honor His commitment to protect us with grace, mercy, and abiding love. God has given us the “key” to unlock all that He has in store for us. Our job is to never stop looking. Are you searching for Him with your whole heart? How serious are you about finding Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
But even there, if you seek God, your God, you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. When troubles come and all these awful things happen to you, in future days you will come back to God, your God, and listen obediently to what he says. God, your God, is above all a compassionate God. In the end he will not abandon you, he won't bring you to ruin, he won't forget the covenant with your ancestors which he swore to them.
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.
In the movie Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, the lead character, Oskar (played by Thomas Horn) searches for the lock that matches a mysterious key he finds after his father (played by Tom Hanks) perishes in the Twin Towers on 9-11. One of the clues Oskar has is a newspaper clipping from his dad that contains the words “never stop looking” circled in red… or so it appears.
I won’t give away the story line, in case you haven’t seen the movie. But suffice it to say that Oskar looks with his whole heart and soul for the lock to this key. In the terrible, awful tragedy of losing his dad in such a horrific manner, Oskar draws strength from the lessons his father taught him… how to examine and investigate mysteries… how to “read” the clues and follow the signs to find what he is seeking… and how his dad is always with him every step of the way – even if he can’t physically see or touch him.
There are a lot of parallels in this movie to our life in Christ. We are often the scared, frail, flawed little boy who seeks answers to life’s questions and mysteries. We are mired in grief and confusion, heartaches and disappointments… and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. And God is with us every step of the way. He is protecting us and leading us in the right direction. He is giving us all kinds of nurture that we cannot even imagine… much less see.
We often have a little pity party and feel downright sorry for ourselves. We imagine that we are all alone in this big wide world, and that God has abandoned us. Nothing could be further from the truth. If we knew all of the things that God protects us from each and every day, we would be astounded. We tend to deal only in what we can tangibly see, hear, and touch. Yet God is always with us… often working in the background… but working all the same on our behalf.
Our job is to seek God - not just in the logical places… but also in the intangible. We must open our eyes and ears to His clues and guidance… and never stop looking for Him. We must trust – and expect – Him to always be with us… and to honor His commitment to protect us with grace, mercy, and abiding love. God has given us the “key” to unlock all that He has in store for us. Our job is to never stop looking. Are you searching for Him with your whole heart? How serious are you about finding Him?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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