Romans 3:19-20
We know that everything in the Law
was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these
things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the
whole world is guilty. God doesn’t accept people simply because they
obey the Law. No, indeed! All the Law does is to point out our sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today,
we were driving home from a swim at the community Aquatic Center, and a
car in front of us stopped at a red light. When the intersection was
clear, the driver sped through it while the light was still red. The
children saw this, and Timothy immediately said, “Aunt Debbie! You need
to call 911!”
I agreed with him that this was a bad thing for
the driver to do…he had disobeyed the law. But I didn’t call 911 – even
when Nathan chimed in and said, “Yeah, Aunt Debbie…you need to do what
Timmy said and call 911!” I told the children that perhaps this driver
was having a bad day – or he didn’t realize that the light had not
turned green. There could be a lot of reasons that he broke the law…but
in this case, it was not our place to report it to the police. I guess
you could say…we gave him a pass!
Every one of us does things we
shouldn’t. We all break the law from time to time – if only when we
drive a mile or two over the speed limit. I am not condoning this! But
as this scripture points out – all the law does is point out that we
are not perfect – that we all sin! Our human nature often tells us that
we can concoct some semblance of a reasonable excuse for what we did.
And sometimes, we react without thinking – and say and do things that we
truly should not. There is no excuse for our behaviors…but we often
offer…“these things happen.”
Aren’t you glad that God does not
judge us for every single law we break – or even every sin we commit?
Yes, it is wrong to break the law. Yes, these actions hurt God and can
weaken our relationship with God – from OUR vantage point. But God
never turns His back on us. He never stops loving us…and if we commit
our hearts to Jesus and make every effort to love and serve Him – God
never stops forgiving us.
This is such good news…because on any
given day, we’re all stinkers…capable of lying, cheating, stealing –
and yes, running a red light! Aren’t you glad to know that God is in
your corner…that the laws we are called to obey are not what truly
define our relationship with Him…or our eternal destiny?! Stop today
and thank God for loving you…for His forgiveness of your sins and His
willingness to set you upright after you disobey, disappoint, or
disconnect in some manner with poor choices and selfish behaviors.
Ask
Him to strengthen your relationship…to help you keep your focus on the
teachings of Jesus and your commitment to be a faithful servant and
disciple. We shouldn’t presume that God will give us a pass – anytime on
anything. But aren’t we glad that when we fall short, He restores us?
Have you thanked Him today for His amazing grace and mercy? Don’t you
think you should?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label good stewards of Gods blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good stewards of Gods blessings. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 26, 2014
Ephesians 1:3-6
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
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.
Greg’s nephew, John, and his wife, Leslie, are expecting their second child soon. They planned for this child, just as they planned for their 3½-year-old daughter, Kelsey. They have spent weeks attending pre-natal checkups and “Big Sister” classes and getting the new baby’s room ready. They already know that this baby will be a girl, and they will call her Ellie. They have Ellie on their mind…she is already the focus of their love, and they cannot wait to welcome her into their family.
John and Leslie will adore their children…and like most people, I am sure they have wondered how they will ever love another child as much as their first. But when Ellie is placed in their arms for the first time, they will understand the capacity to love more than one child with your whole heart.
Now, picture yourself as God’s child. Imagine that you are one of millions of God’s children! How could He ever focus on you? How could God love you with His whole heart…and have the capacity to love others the same way? Yet, He does exactly that! God loves you with reckless abandon…full throttle…all in…lavishly…unconditionally…and thoughtfully. He planned for your birth and has a design for your every breath! You matter to God…more than you can ever realize – and more than you will ever matter to any human being! Does God play favorites? Absolutely…YOU are His favorite…I am His favorite…we are ALL God’s favorites! He gave the ultimate sacrifice…Jesus Christ…who died on the cross for each of us!
I know how much our great-niece, Kelsey, loves her mom and dad. I am certain that Ellie will love them, too. She will be delighted to belong to such a blessed family…and they will bless her in return. I pray that she will enjoy a long and joyful relationship with her parents and Kelsey (and with any future siblings who may be born), and that they will always be a close-knit family filled with love and devotion for one another.
God wants this sort of relationship with each of us. He longs for us to be close to Him…to seek His companionship…and to keep Him squarely planted in our hearts at all times. He is available 24/7/365…just for this purpose. All we have to do is turn and recognize Him. Just think of it…the God who planned for you, longed for your arrival, and designed every heartbeat of your existence wants to be an integral part of your life – on this earth and for all Eternity! Don’t you want to be part of His?
©2014 Debbie Robus
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
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.
Greg’s nephew, John, and his wife, Leslie, are expecting their second child soon. They planned for this child, just as they planned for their 3½-year-old daughter, Kelsey. They have spent weeks attending pre-natal checkups and “Big Sister” classes and getting the new baby’s room ready. They already know that this baby will be a girl, and they will call her Ellie. They have Ellie on their mind…she is already the focus of their love, and they cannot wait to welcome her into their family.
John and Leslie will adore their children…and like most people, I am sure they have wondered how they will ever love another child as much as their first. But when Ellie is placed in their arms for the first time, they will understand the capacity to love more than one child with your whole heart.
Now, picture yourself as God’s child. Imagine that you are one of millions of God’s children! How could He ever focus on you? How could God love you with His whole heart…and have the capacity to love others the same way? Yet, He does exactly that! God loves you with reckless abandon…full throttle…all in…lavishly…unconditionally…and thoughtfully. He planned for your birth and has a design for your every breath! You matter to God…more than you can ever realize – and more than you will ever matter to any human being! Does God play favorites? Absolutely…YOU are His favorite…I am His favorite…we are ALL God’s favorites! He gave the ultimate sacrifice…Jesus Christ…who died on the cross for each of us!
I know how much our great-niece, Kelsey, loves her mom and dad. I am certain that Ellie will love them, too. She will be delighted to belong to such a blessed family…and they will bless her in return. I pray that she will enjoy a long and joyful relationship with her parents and Kelsey (and with any future siblings who may be born), and that they will always be a close-knit family filled with love and devotion for one another.
God wants this sort of relationship with each of us. He longs for us to be close to Him…to seek His companionship…and to keep Him squarely planted in our hearts at all times. He is available 24/7/365…just for this purpose. All we have to do is turn and recognize Him. Just think of it…the God who planned for you, longed for your arrival, and designed every heartbeat of your existence wants to be an integral part of your life – on this earth and for all Eternity! Don’t you want to be part of His?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 10, 2013
Genesis 1:26-28
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
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.
A friend told me about the experience he and his wife shared when they went to a local animal shelter to adopt two cats. The shelter staff members came to their house to “interview” them and make sure that their house was a suitable domain for the cats… and that they would be good “parents”. The shelter representatives were impressed with what they discovered and readily agreed to the adoption. They realized that these people had a healthy respect for the responsibility of caring for these two kitties… and that they took this role as good pet owners very seriously.
Have you ever considered that God has entrusted you with the care of many things…property, your environment, family members, perhaps even children of your own, maybe a pet or two (or three or four?!)… and so much more. Hopefully, He has granted you salvation through Jesus Christ and is trusting that you will serve faithfully as a Disciple of Christ who loves and cares for others in His name. Honestly, all of these responsibilities are incredibly serious… and handling them respectfully and with utmost care is vital!
As you go about your day, think of all that God has handed over to you. Ask yourself, “Am I a good steward of His gifts? Is my treatment and respect toward these people and things in line with what God expects of me? Am I honoring my commitments to Him by taking charge, prospering, reproducing and filling the earth with good things that please Him? Am I serving Jesus Christ and honoring Him with my discipleship?”
Pay close attention and look for areas where you may be slacking off – even a little… situations and relationships where you might be shirking your responsibilities and/or acting even a little irresponsibly. Ask God to equip you to do better… to give you the wisdom, strength, courage and desire to “step it up a notch” and honor Him by giving your very best. Remind yourself often of the words from James 1:17, where we read… “Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.”
Treat everything that God has entrusted to you with utmost respect and care. Honor His very best gifts to you by giving Him your very best in return.
©2013 Debbie Robus
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
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.
A friend told me about the experience he and his wife shared when they went to a local animal shelter to adopt two cats. The shelter staff members came to their house to “interview” them and make sure that their house was a suitable domain for the cats… and that they would be good “parents”. The shelter representatives were impressed with what they discovered and readily agreed to the adoption. They realized that these people had a healthy respect for the responsibility of caring for these two kitties… and that they took this role as good pet owners very seriously.
Have you ever considered that God has entrusted you with the care of many things…property, your environment, family members, perhaps even children of your own, maybe a pet or two (or three or four?!)… and so much more. Hopefully, He has granted you salvation through Jesus Christ and is trusting that you will serve faithfully as a Disciple of Christ who loves and cares for others in His name. Honestly, all of these responsibilities are incredibly serious… and handling them respectfully and with utmost care is vital!
As you go about your day, think of all that God has handed over to you. Ask yourself, “Am I a good steward of His gifts? Is my treatment and respect toward these people and things in line with what God expects of me? Am I honoring my commitments to Him by taking charge, prospering, reproducing and filling the earth with good things that please Him? Am I serving Jesus Christ and honoring Him with my discipleship?”
Pay close attention and look for areas where you may be slacking off – even a little… situations and relationships where you might be shirking your responsibilities and/or acting even a little irresponsibly. Ask God to equip you to do better… to give you the wisdom, strength, courage and desire to “step it up a notch” and honor Him by giving your very best. Remind yourself often of the words from James 1:17, where we read… “Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.”
Treat everything that God has entrusted to you with utmost respect and care. Honor His very best gifts to you by giving Him your very best in return.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 4, 2013
May 4 ~ Romans 11:17-22
But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
“Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.
Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
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.
This scripture passage makes a great analogy with the root plant (God) and the cuttings that were removed (non-believers) so that new cuttings (believers in Jesus) could be grafted onto the plant. But let’s take this one step further…suppose you got a job because your boss let someone go who was not performing well. You were added to the team, and everything was great for a while… and then you began to miss work, slack off, and give shoddy results. Pretty soon, it was “Hasta la vista, baby… don’t let the door hit you on your way out!” - and you were unemployed.
When you asked your employer why you were being let go, he/she explained that it was not about your past… your family… your appearance… or even your off-hours activities… it was because of your performance on the job - and your attitude. Try as you might to come up with excuses, your employer was adamant. You were not a good fit… and you had to go. In other words, your “graft” was not “taking” on the root plant. You might have told your family and friends how much your fellow workers liked you… how you loved your job and your bosses were impressed. But in truth, you were only as good as your work…and you were receiving low marks for attitude and performance.
Do you see that it’s much that way for us as Christians? Far too many of us have decided that once we’re in - we’re in! So we can now go and do as we please. Yes, Jesus died on the cross for our sins… and I believe that any of us who have truly invited Him to live in our hearts are guaranteed a place in His presence for all Eternity. But our Salvation came with a price – Jesus’ very body and blood. He freely gave Himself for us. But when we commit our hearts to Him, we are expected to also give our mind, body, soul… energy and enthusiasm…devotion and demeanor, in return. And this is where so many of us miss the mark.
Becoming a Christian is somewhat like enrolling in college. Once you are accepted, you have an obligation to fulfill certain duties and expectations. You can skip class and neglect your studies… and for a while, the college will keep taking your money and allow you to stay on campus. But there will come a point where you either have to step up to the plate and complete the work… or you will be sent packing! You can still say you attended XYZ University… you can still claim to have been a student there…but you are no longer headed toward graduation and a degree… you will not reap the full rewards. And so it is with our faith. We can “play Christian” for a while, but someday – maybe even on Judgment Day – we have to answer for how we conducted our lives. We will be asked how well we served… how devoted we were to Jesus… and whether we modeled His teachings for others. And this will not be a time for excuses!
I realize that every Christian is at a different point in his/her journey. I am so overwhelmed by what God has done for me that I cannot help but serve Him. I no longer operate out of a sense of fear of retribution if I fail to do this… I truly want and need to serve Him with every fiber of my being! And I do not mean to frighten or threaten anyone with this message for today. God is loving, kind and fair… but He is also jealous and expectant… and unwavering in all things. He will not accept excuses… God will not tolerate shoddy work!
So where does this leave you? Are you a Christian who has been “grafted onto the root” and hopes to coast along there on good looks, the kindness of others, and the mercy of Almighty God? Or are you firmly attached… doing all you can to nurture and give back to the Root Plant… making every effort to bloom and grow? The choice is totally ours… how will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
“Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.
Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
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.
This scripture passage makes a great analogy with the root plant (God) and the cuttings that were removed (non-believers) so that new cuttings (believers in Jesus) could be grafted onto the plant. But let’s take this one step further…suppose you got a job because your boss let someone go who was not performing well. You were added to the team, and everything was great for a while… and then you began to miss work, slack off, and give shoddy results. Pretty soon, it was “Hasta la vista, baby… don’t let the door hit you on your way out!” - and you were unemployed.
When you asked your employer why you were being let go, he/she explained that it was not about your past… your family… your appearance… or even your off-hours activities… it was because of your performance on the job - and your attitude. Try as you might to come up with excuses, your employer was adamant. You were not a good fit… and you had to go. In other words, your “graft” was not “taking” on the root plant. You might have told your family and friends how much your fellow workers liked you… how you loved your job and your bosses were impressed. But in truth, you were only as good as your work…and you were receiving low marks for attitude and performance.
Do you see that it’s much that way for us as Christians? Far too many of us have decided that once we’re in - we’re in! So we can now go and do as we please. Yes, Jesus died on the cross for our sins… and I believe that any of us who have truly invited Him to live in our hearts are guaranteed a place in His presence for all Eternity. But our Salvation came with a price – Jesus’ very body and blood. He freely gave Himself for us. But when we commit our hearts to Him, we are expected to also give our mind, body, soul… energy and enthusiasm…devotion and demeanor, in return. And this is where so many of us miss the mark.
Becoming a Christian is somewhat like enrolling in college. Once you are accepted, you have an obligation to fulfill certain duties and expectations. You can skip class and neglect your studies… and for a while, the college will keep taking your money and allow you to stay on campus. But there will come a point where you either have to step up to the plate and complete the work… or you will be sent packing! You can still say you attended XYZ University… you can still claim to have been a student there…but you are no longer headed toward graduation and a degree… you will not reap the full rewards. And so it is with our faith. We can “play Christian” for a while, but someday – maybe even on Judgment Day – we have to answer for how we conducted our lives. We will be asked how well we served… how devoted we were to Jesus… and whether we modeled His teachings for others. And this will not be a time for excuses!
I realize that every Christian is at a different point in his/her journey. I am so overwhelmed by what God has done for me that I cannot help but serve Him. I no longer operate out of a sense of fear of retribution if I fail to do this… I truly want and need to serve Him with every fiber of my being! And I do not mean to frighten or threaten anyone with this message for today. God is loving, kind and fair… but He is also jealous and expectant… and unwavering in all things. He will not accept excuses… God will not tolerate shoddy work!
So where does this leave you? Are you a Christian who has been “grafted onto the root” and hopes to coast along there on good looks, the kindness of others, and the mercy of Almighty God? Or are you firmly attached… doing all you can to nurture and give back to the Root Plant… making every effort to bloom and grow? The choice is totally ours… how will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 12, 2012
Luke 10:17-20
When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!” Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. But don’t be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, an actor or entertainer has stood before a crowd to accept an award and thanked numerous people… only to realize later they forgot to thank their spouse, family, parents, or someone else who was vital to their success. The excuse is always that they got caught up in the excitement of the moment. But the fact remains they failed to give credit where it was due.
As Christians, we do this a lot. We get so caught up in the “power trip” that we forget to credit the Power Source! We overcome a temptation or an addiction and we revel in our success. We praise God for His deliverance from difficult situations, trials and tribulations… and we should. But how often do we simply say, “LORD, thank You for saving me. Thank You for writing my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Thank You for preparing a place in Your kingdom for me for all Eternity!”?
I am as happy as anyone that the devil has no authority over me. He is a wannabe God, and he cannot hurt me. The devil is the last person I will fear or respect. And Satan is most certainly not the object of my focus! Offense is the devil’s number one tool… and distraction… and I am working diligently to remove all evidence of this menace from my life. At the same time, I am renewing my determination to totally live in Christ… to wake up every day grateful for what He has done for me… to recognize His beauty and blessings that surround me. Call it focusing on the positive more than the negative, if you will.
We have no trouble running to God when there is trouble or we are in need. But how often do we run to Him “just because?” Isn’t it time we focused more on what God does for us each and every day? Let’s acknowledge God’s power over the devil and his agents. But let’s leave the bragging and bravado behind in favor of a focus on genuine praise and appreciation for all that He has given us. Let’s concentrate on less on our victory over Satan and more on the promise of Heaven… and all that is yet to come!
©2012 Debbie Robus
When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!” Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. But don’t be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
More than once, an actor or entertainer has stood before a crowd to accept an award and thanked numerous people… only to realize later they forgot to thank their spouse, family, parents, or someone else who was vital to their success. The excuse is always that they got caught up in the excitement of the moment. But the fact remains they failed to give credit where it was due.
As Christians, we do this a lot. We get so caught up in the “power trip” that we forget to credit the Power Source! We overcome a temptation or an addiction and we revel in our success. We praise God for His deliverance from difficult situations, trials and tribulations… and we should. But how often do we simply say, “LORD, thank You for saving me. Thank You for writing my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Thank You for preparing a place in Your kingdom for me for all Eternity!”?
I am as happy as anyone that the devil has no authority over me. He is a wannabe God, and he cannot hurt me. The devil is the last person I will fear or respect. And Satan is most certainly not the object of my focus! Offense is the devil’s number one tool… and distraction… and I am working diligently to remove all evidence of this menace from my life. At the same time, I am renewing my determination to totally live in Christ… to wake up every day grateful for what He has done for me… to recognize His beauty and blessings that surround me. Call it focusing on the positive more than the negative, if you will.
We have no trouble running to God when there is trouble or we are in need. But how often do we run to Him “just because?” Isn’t it time we focused more on what God does for us each and every day? Let’s acknowledge God’s power over the devil and his agents. But let’s leave the bragging and bravado behind in favor of a focus on genuine praise and appreciation for all that He has given us. Let’s concentrate on less on our victory over Satan and more on the promise of Heaven… and all that is yet to come!
©2012 Debbie Robus
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