Romans 15:13
I pray that God, who gives hope, will
bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And
may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was reading some Beth Moore devotionals today, and she talked about living successfully versus living victoriously.
Moore pointed out that many people manage to skate through life
relatively unscathed…to be what most consider “successful”. They appear
to have a great life…do well in business, live comfortably, and have
and do all of the things we associate with “success”. Often, these
folks have managed somehow to avoid very much conflict or struggle in
their lives. But just because these people have glided along pretty
smoothly does not mean that they have lived victoriously.
What’s
the difference? A victorious person is one who has grabbed hold of the
promises of God and held them tightly, even when “the chips were down”.
This person trusts that God is in control, no matter what. He/she
believes God when He says in His word that we are important to
Him…precious treasures for whom He wants only the best. Regardless of
what is happening in the lives of people who live victoriously, they are
filled with complete happiness and peace through Jesus Christ.
Does
this mean that victorious people are never sad…that they never have
bills to pay – or get into debt…lose a job…get sick…grieve…or have
struggles or tragedies in their lives? Absolutely not! But because
they are filled with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit,
victorious people know that they can handle whatever comes their way.
God understands grief and suffering. He knows that when we are sick or
injured, we are not necessarily at our best. He knows that people lose
jobs and struggle to pay bills. He feels our pain when relationships
sour and people frustrate or dishearten us. But He also offers us the
hope of a better day…and those who trust Him to deliver this are never
disappointed.
Not all successful people are victorious…but
those who are filled with hope in Jesus are both! Where are you in
this picture? Where would you like to be? Anyone who puts his/her hope
and trust in the LORD…and truly internalizes the power of the Holy
Spirit to accomplish all things in and through them…will enjoy the
complete happiness, peace and rest of a victorious life. And this is
the ultimate example of success…don’t you agree?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label hope in God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope in God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 31, 2013
Titus 3:7
Jesus treated us much better than we deserve.
He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, a friend of mine posted this on Facebook:
Satan cannot stand it when we give our heart to God. He absolutely despises even the thought that we belong to God and are protected and reinvigorated by His love and care. So he uses all of his cohorts to TRY to snuff out our light…just as my friend said. But the all-important filled-with-hope-and-and-comfort GOOD NEWS is that Satan can never win when we belong to God!
As we close out this year, I am sure that there have been moments of joy and peace in your life in the last twelve months. But I am also fairly certain that many have experienced a time when you felt like the devil was coming after you. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am resolving to put on God’s full armor this year… to remind myself often of His presence - and His unending love and care. When Satan sends his cohorts to try to snuff out my light, I’ll stomp my foot and tell him to “Get lost!” As the old hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”… and I know that He is covering me in both.
I pray that you will end this year – and enter the next – with hope… the hope of always being acceptable to God through Jesus… the hope of God’s victory after victory – and his unending presence in your life… and the ultimate hope of Eternal Life with Him in heaven someday. Resolve to make 2014 a year of HOPE…refreshed with God’s love and armed against Satan and every one of his cohorts. God bless and keep you… Happy New Year!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Jesus treated us much better than we deserve.
He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, a friend of mine posted this on Facebook:
Ok, so here's the deal…Satan REALLY hates me. He's a thief, a liar, and the lowest of low. He'll use any of his cohorts; anxiety, imperfection, depression, oppression, regret, fear, doubt, loss, pain, apathy, indifference ...to SNUFF out my light. Be on the lookout… because if you've said “YES!” to God, you better believe he'll come for you too!Clearly, she is dealing with some serious challenges… as are all of us at one time or another. So these two verses… one from the New Testament and one from the Old Testament, both bring us a message of hope. Jesus treats us much better than we deserve and makes us acceptable to God. We have hope of Eternal Life because of Jesus. AND…God wins victory after victory and is always with us! God actually sings because of us and refreshes us with His love.
Satan cannot stand it when we give our heart to God. He absolutely despises even the thought that we belong to God and are protected and reinvigorated by His love and care. So he uses all of his cohorts to TRY to snuff out our light…just as my friend said. But the all-important filled-with-hope-and-and-comfort GOOD NEWS is that Satan can never win when we belong to God!
As we close out this year, I am sure that there have been moments of joy and peace in your life in the last twelve months. But I am also fairly certain that many have experienced a time when you felt like the devil was coming after you. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am resolving to put on God’s full armor this year… to remind myself often of His presence - and His unending love and care. When Satan sends his cohorts to try to snuff out my light, I’ll stomp my foot and tell him to “Get lost!” As the old hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”… and I know that He is covering me in both.
I pray that you will end this year – and enter the next – with hope… the hope of always being acceptable to God through Jesus… the hope of God’s victory after victory – and his unending presence in your life… and the ultimate hope of Eternal Life with Him in heaven someday. Resolve to make 2014 a year of HOPE…refreshed with God’s love and armed against Satan and every one of his cohorts. God bless and keep you… Happy New Year!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 28, 2013
Romans 8:22-25
We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.
The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free. And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s that time of year again… the time when we start to mark important dates in a new calendar and plan for the coming year. It is probably pretty safe to surmise that every one of us has anticipated some date in our future… a graduation… a wedding… the birth of a child…a move… even a special “date” or event, like prom…moving into a new house… starting a new job…or even the arrival of Christmas Day. And if we are brutally honest, at least once we’ve gotten to said date and asked ourselves, “Now what?”! This reminds me of a book by Dawn Brown titled, Been There, Done That… Now What?...which could be the mantra for a lot of us! The excitement and anticipation of “getting there” often culminates with something of a letdown of sorts.
Once that event for which we yearned has come and gone… where is our hope? Since we are human, we generally move on to “the next big thing”…we pack up the Christmas decorations and plan our New Year’s celebration. We graduate from high school and plan our move to college… or graduate from college and start looking for a job. We marry and start planning our lives together - or creating a new family. We move into a new house and busy ourselves with all of the projects and chores that come with it… or we work hard at a new job and seek ways to “move up the ladder”.
In the realm of our Spiritual faith…what are we doing? Where is our focus? We place our hope in God to see us through all sorts of experiences, ”growth spurts” and challenges. But our ultimate hope is to see Jesus face-to-face… to dwell in His presence forever and ever… to “have all the answers”. And truthfully, God could do all of that for us today…here… now… without any of us having to die. He could come back to earth in the form of Jesus, explain all of the mysteries of the universe to us… and make everything completely “perfect”.
So why doesn’t God do this? Doesn’t He love us? The answer lies in one single sentence from this passage…” if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping.” If we had all of the answers and God gave us everything now, we would have no reason to continue to trust in Him… to rely on Him… to work patiently to reach the ultimate goal of His eternal presence. I know that we think it would be fantastic if everything were all complete today… if we knew the answers to everything and all of God’s promises for our life were fulfilled with the snap of a finger. But the truth is that we would be standing around saying, “Been there, done that… now what?”… and it is very likely that we would not fully appreciate what God has in store for us.
I once lamented to a friend about how my brother and others suffered in the days/weeks prior to their death. I questioned why this had to happen…what was the purpose in their anguish and pain? My friend reminded me that this time frame was but a “blip on the screen” compared to Eternity… that their glory in heaven was made all the sweeter for the struggles they endured in this lifetime. Their perseverance and patience was rewarded… and so ours will be! Hope is a good thing… it keeps us faithful and eager… hungry for the things of God. In His timing, all will be revealed… and when it is, the “next big thing” - eternity with Him in heaven - will be all the sweeter.
So as you fill in the boxes on your new calendar, do so with hope. We can’t know everything the coming weeks and months will hold, but we know that God will be involved every step of the way. I am asking Him to allow me to patiently wait on Him and the experiences and blessings yet to come… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.
The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free. And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s that time of year again… the time when we start to mark important dates in a new calendar and plan for the coming year. It is probably pretty safe to surmise that every one of us has anticipated some date in our future… a graduation… a wedding… the birth of a child…a move… even a special “date” or event, like prom…moving into a new house… starting a new job…or even the arrival of Christmas Day. And if we are brutally honest, at least once we’ve gotten to said date and asked ourselves, “Now what?”! This reminds me of a book by Dawn Brown titled, Been There, Done That… Now What?...which could be the mantra for a lot of us! The excitement and anticipation of “getting there” often culminates with something of a letdown of sorts.
Once that event for which we yearned has come and gone… where is our hope? Since we are human, we generally move on to “the next big thing”…we pack up the Christmas decorations and plan our New Year’s celebration. We graduate from high school and plan our move to college… or graduate from college and start looking for a job. We marry and start planning our lives together - or creating a new family. We move into a new house and busy ourselves with all of the projects and chores that come with it… or we work hard at a new job and seek ways to “move up the ladder”.
In the realm of our Spiritual faith…what are we doing? Where is our focus? We place our hope in God to see us through all sorts of experiences, ”growth spurts” and challenges. But our ultimate hope is to see Jesus face-to-face… to dwell in His presence forever and ever… to “have all the answers”. And truthfully, God could do all of that for us today…here… now… without any of us having to die. He could come back to earth in the form of Jesus, explain all of the mysteries of the universe to us… and make everything completely “perfect”.
So why doesn’t God do this? Doesn’t He love us? The answer lies in one single sentence from this passage…” if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping.” If we had all of the answers and God gave us everything now, we would have no reason to continue to trust in Him… to rely on Him… to work patiently to reach the ultimate goal of His eternal presence. I know that we think it would be fantastic if everything were all complete today… if we knew the answers to everything and all of God’s promises for our life were fulfilled with the snap of a finger. But the truth is that we would be standing around saying, “Been there, done that… now what?”… and it is very likely that we would not fully appreciate what God has in store for us.
I once lamented to a friend about how my brother and others suffered in the days/weeks prior to their death. I questioned why this had to happen…what was the purpose in their anguish and pain? My friend reminded me that this time frame was but a “blip on the screen” compared to Eternity… that their glory in heaven was made all the sweeter for the struggles they endured in this lifetime. Their perseverance and patience was rewarded… and so ours will be! Hope is a good thing… it keeps us faithful and eager… hungry for the things of God. In His timing, all will be revealed… and when it is, the “next big thing” - eternity with Him in heaven - will be all the sweeter.
So as you fill in the boxes on your new calendar, do so with hope. We can’t know everything the coming weeks and months will hold, but we know that God will be involved every step of the way. I am asking Him to allow me to patiently wait on Him and the experiences and blessings yet to come… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 27, 2013
Romans 5:2-5
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
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.
A friend of mine lost her brother to cancer a few months ago, and she commented on Facebook that “I did not send Christmas cards this year.” Between repeated trips to another state to spend precious time with her brother before he passed and the challenges of caring for her own family (and conducting the children’s program at our church, to boot), she simply did not have the time and energy for sending out seasonal greetings. I don’t know about you, but I fully understand this. Sometimes “life” is such a challenge that we absolutely must prioritize and delegate our strength to the things that really matter. And sending cards during the holidays may be something that we push to the bottom of the list.
Does this mean that we aren’t celebrating Christmas? Have we lost our faith and confidence in the promises and blessings this season represents? Absolutely not! To the contrary, the trials and problems of life often show us that we are tougher than we realize. In turn, our strength and integrity are refined, so that we are more sensitive to the things of this season that really matter… sharing God’s love and care with other people… recognizing His role as the central focus of the holiday… and reminding ourselves of what is truly important.
This may mean scheduling a family dinner at a restaurant rather than slaving over a stove for several days to create the perfect meal – or conversely, making special recipes and carrying on the traditions that have created family memories for decades – and foregoing some other activity in order to find the time to do this. It may mean recognizing that Christmas was not “ruined” because UPS or FedEx did not deliver our packages on time. Or it may mean not giving gifts at all… or seriously curtailing the gift-giving… in order to focus on the true spirit of the holiday – and those who have real, tangible physical needs.
In strengthening our character, we truly do develop a deeper sense of hope. Our focus is narrowed and concentrated on Jesus, who gives us the strength and uses His Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us through times of trial and difficulty. We are better able to reach out to others who are hurting or questioning… those who might be in the early stages of “trial and tribulation”. We can say with confidence that God loves all of us… that He is fully engaged in each and every situation for those who call on Him… and that better days are ahead.
I honestly cannot remember a recent Christmas season where I have been so acutely aware of people who were hurting or in great need of God’s comfort and care. I also cannot remember a Christmas in the last few years in which I have felt more hopeful. I wish there were some way to magically convey this hope to each of you… to fill you with a true assurance that God is at work in your life… strengthening you…building character… and offering you hope. All I can tell you is that He has done this for me – over and again. I know that I am not unique… that what God has done for me, He will surely do for anyone who asks in Jesus’ name.
So even though the actual holiday was two days ago… what are you asking for this Christmas? Will this be the year that you fully recognize God’s strength and power in your life and begin to depend upon the confident hope of salvation through Jesus Christ? Don’t you think it should be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
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.
A friend of mine lost her brother to cancer a few months ago, and she commented on Facebook that “I did not send Christmas cards this year.” Between repeated trips to another state to spend precious time with her brother before he passed and the challenges of caring for her own family (and conducting the children’s program at our church, to boot), she simply did not have the time and energy for sending out seasonal greetings. I don’t know about you, but I fully understand this. Sometimes “life” is such a challenge that we absolutely must prioritize and delegate our strength to the things that really matter. And sending cards during the holidays may be something that we push to the bottom of the list.
Does this mean that we aren’t celebrating Christmas? Have we lost our faith and confidence in the promises and blessings this season represents? Absolutely not! To the contrary, the trials and problems of life often show us that we are tougher than we realize. In turn, our strength and integrity are refined, so that we are more sensitive to the things of this season that really matter… sharing God’s love and care with other people… recognizing His role as the central focus of the holiday… and reminding ourselves of what is truly important.
This may mean scheduling a family dinner at a restaurant rather than slaving over a stove for several days to create the perfect meal – or conversely, making special recipes and carrying on the traditions that have created family memories for decades – and foregoing some other activity in order to find the time to do this. It may mean recognizing that Christmas was not “ruined” because UPS or FedEx did not deliver our packages on time. Or it may mean not giving gifts at all… or seriously curtailing the gift-giving… in order to focus on the true spirit of the holiday – and those who have real, tangible physical needs.
In strengthening our character, we truly do develop a deeper sense of hope. Our focus is narrowed and concentrated on Jesus, who gives us the strength and uses His Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us through times of trial and difficulty. We are better able to reach out to others who are hurting or questioning… those who might be in the early stages of “trial and tribulation”. We can say with confidence that God loves all of us… that He is fully engaged in each and every situation for those who call on Him… and that better days are ahead.
I honestly cannot remember a recent Christmas season where I have been so acutely aware of people who were hurting or in great need of God’s comfort and care. I also cannot remember a Christmas in the last few years in which I have felt more hopeful. I wish there were some way to magically convey this hope to each of you… to fill you with a true assurance that God is at work in your life… strengthening you…building character… and offering you hope. All I can tell you is that He has done this for me – over and again. I know that I am not unique… that what God has done for me, He will surely do for anyone who asks in Jesus’ name.
So even though the actual holiday was two days ago… what are you asking for this Christmas? Will this be the year that you fully recognize God’s strength and power in your life and begin to depend upon the confident hope of salvation through Jesus Christ? Don’t you think it should be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 25, 2013
Romans 12:11-13
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
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’ve been in the kitchen all morning, cooking for our family Christmas celebration this evening. There will be twelve us around the table, so I have two beef roasts baking in crock pots, a salad chilling in the refrigerator, two pies cooling on the counter… and seasoned green beans (with bacon and a few other family secret ingredients) simmering in my Mam-ma Polly’s cast iron “Dutch oven” atop the stove. There are other side dishes and several traditions that will be honored with this meal… but the green beans dish is certainly one of them.
When I smelled something unpleasant this morning, I realized that the flame under the Dutch oven had gone out… and propane gas was seeping into the air around the stove. It was a putrid smell that I quickly dispersed by relighting the flame and turning on an exhaust fan. Thankfully, I was nearby and discovered this quickly... and I am watching carefully to make sure that I do not turn the dial too low for that burner in the future!
Our hope and faith in God is a lot like the burner on my gas range. If we are not careful, we can reduce the control button on our faith and focus to a point where the fuel of God’s great love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and blessings just leaks out and is squandered in our lives. And the results can really stink! More importantly, if left unchecked, this can create a potentially dangerous situation. We risk becoming cynical, hopeless, and ineffective as a Christian disciple.
God doesn’t want us to waste one drop of His love and care. He didn’t send Jesus to earth to live and die for us so that we could fritter away His gifts into thin air. God’s present of Jesus Christ is far too precious to leave unattended and un-nurtured. The last thing any of us should ever want is for our Discipleship to smell to the high heavens!
So today, on Jesus’ birthday, let’s redouble our efforts to keep the flame of His love burning in our hearts and minds. Amidst the food and the festivities, let’s remember how important it is to always be alert servants… cheerfully expectant. Let’s take time to pray… to help others… and to seek creative ways to be a light for Christ Jesus. May it always be said of us that we kept the faith…remained hopeful… and that our efforts to serve in Jesus’ name were like a pleasant aroma. God bless and keep you this day… and always. And have a very Merry Christmas!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
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’ve been in the kitchen all morning, cooking for our family Christmas celebration this evening. There will be twelve us around the table, so I have two beef roasts baking in crock pots, a salad chilling in the refrigerator, two pies cooling on the counter… and seasoned green beans (with bacon and a few other family secret ingredients) simmering in my Mam-ma Polly’s cast iron “Dutch oven” atop the stove. There are other side dishes and several traditions that will be honored with this meal… but the green beans dish is certainly one of them.
When I smelled something unpleasant this morning, I realized that the flame under the Dutch oven had gone out… and propane gas was seeping into the air around the stove. It was a putrid smell that I quickly dispersed by relighting the flame and turning on an exhaust fan. Thankfully, I was nearby and discovered this quickly... and I am watching carefully to make sure that I do not turn the dial too low for that burner in the future!
Our hope and faith in God is a lot like the burner on my gas range. If we are not careful, we can reduce the control button on our faith and focus to a point where the fuel of God’s great love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and blessings just leaks out and is squandered in our lives. And the results can really stink! More importantly, if left unchecked, this can create a potentially dangerous situation. We risk becoming cynical, hopeless, and ineffective as a Christian disciple.
God doesn’t want us to waste one drop of His love and care. He didn’t send Jesus to earth to live and die for us so that we could fritter away His gifts into thin air. God’s present of Jesus Christ is far too precious to leave unattended and un-nurtured. The last thing any of us should ever want is for our Discipleship to smell to the high heavens!
So today, on Jesus’ birthday, let’s redouble our efforts to keep the flame of His love burning in our hearts and minds. Amidst the food and the festivities, let’s remember how important it is to always be alert servants… cheerfully expectant. Let’s take time to pray… to help others… and to seek creative ways to be a light for Christ Jesus. May it always be said of us that we kept the faith…remained hopeful… and that our efforts to serve in Jesus’ name were like a pleasant aroma. God bless and keep you this day… and always. And have a very Merry Christmas!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 24, 2013
Psalm 71:12-16
Come closer, God!
Please hurry and help.
Embarrass and destroy
all who want me dead;
disgrace and confuse
all who want to hurt me.
I will never give up hope.
All day long I will tell
the wonderful things you do
to save your people.
But you have done much more
than I could possibly know.
I will praise you, Lord God,
for your mighty deeds
and your power to save.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a child, a family who attended our church had three daughters. The youngest was afflicted with cerebral palsy. In the late 1950s and the 1960s, many children who had a “birth defect” were either kept at home behind closed doors… or placed in an institution where a professional staff cared for them. But not Mary. Her parents and sisters treated her as normally as any other person. She did attend a school in a nearby community for a while, but her mother brought her home on weekends. Eventually, she had live-in care to help the family meet her needs… and she was a frequent attendee at church and community events.
Mary was confined to a wheelchair. Her atrophied arms and legs did not work right. She communicated with her eyes and facial gestures. As a child, I often heard adults criticizing this family for treating Mary so normally. They scoffed at the notion that Mary could communicate. When the family claimed that Mary played a mean game of bridge, people secretly rolled their eyes and laughed… and I’m sure there were plenty who were bold enough to actually voice their opinions to this family.
Mary’s mother, Geraldine (whom I called MawMac), shared my birthday…and over the years, we exchanged birthday cake, cards and phone calls. I considered MawMac my mentor and hero until her dying day. For all of her 94 years, she fought through illnesses and injuries… criticisms, personal hardships and heartaches… so that she could care for Mary. When the day came that MawMac was too old to physically care for Mary at home - even with the assistance of other caregivers - she reluctantly agreed to allow Mary to move to a skilled-care facility in a community some 40 miles away. Until she had to give up driving because of her age and health (somewhere in her late 80s!), MawMac made the trip to visit Mary at least once a week. Her end-of-life goal was to live longer than Mary. She said, "The only person I want to outlive is Mary. I'm her mother, and I must be here to be sure she is always cared for."
MawMac was one of the Godliest women I ever knew. If the church doors were open… she was there. She gave great advice! Her faith and hope were an inspiration to many. Eventually, she moved to an Assisted Living facility and became very ill. One August day, her daughters visited Mary (who was just recovering from an illness of her own). They told Mary how sick MawMac was…how hard it was for her to move and breathe. And that night, Mary went to sleep… and woke up in heaven. Less than 24 hours later, MawMac followed her. These two ladies lived and breathed their hope in Jesus… they “walked” their faith in God to see them through anything and everything. They looked past criticisms and ridicule - and what was probably outright hatred and disgust from some… and saw the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. And this is where they placed their focus.
I wonder if you and I can say the same thing in our own lives? Surely there are times when we are snubbed… hurt… insulted… demeaned. Maybe you are ridiculed for your faith…or judged unfairly because you choose to conduct yourself in a particular way. If you are steadfast in your faith and your love for Jesus, there will always be those who groan and roll their eyes behind your back. I’ve noticed these are also some of the same people who are front and center to ask for help and prayers when the chips are down! The conclusion I have drawn is that consistent, enduring hope and faith in God rubs off on others… and pays dividends!
And so we come to Christmas Eve and narrow our focus to that night over 2000 years ago when God sent a baby to earth to live and breathe among us as human flesh. Let’s remind ourselves that He has done much more than we could possibly know. Jesus has given us hope where ours was lost… He quiets the offenses and attacks of those who judge and belittle us (if only behind our backs)… and He will never leave us or cease in His efforts on our behalf! This is truly GOOD NEWS… and God is surely worthy of our praise… and our unending hope!
One of MawMac’s daughters shared these thoughts with me, and I would like to pass them on to you…
While MawMac may very well have said that you can tell Santa Claus is up there… I’d be willing to bet she also reminded her children that GOD is up there, too. MawMac’s hope was in God, who makes everything possible. And so is mine! So tonight, go outside and look up in the sky and “feel the night.” Revel in God’s presence…receive His gift of Jesus… and embrace all of the hope that comes with it. I dare you to "give it a whirl"! Merry Christmas Eve… and may God bless and keep you!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Come closer, God!
Please hurry and help.
Embarrass and destroy
all who want me dead;
disgrace and confuse
all who want to hurt me.
I will never give up hope.
All day long I will tell
the wonderful things you do
to save your people.
But you have done much more
than I could possibly know.
I will praise you, Lord God,
for your mighty deeds
and your power to save.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a child, a family who attended our church had three daughters. The youngest was afflicted with cerebral palsy. In the late 1950s and the 1960s, many children who had a “birth defect” were either kept at home behind closed doors… or placed in an institution where a professional staff cared for them. But not Mary. Her parents and sisters treated her as normally as any other person. She did attend a school in a nearby community for a while, but her mother brought her home on weekends. Eventually, she had live-in care to help the family meet her needs… and she was a frequent attendee at church and community events.
Mary was confined to a wheelchair. Her atrophied arms and legs did not work right. She communicated with her eyes and facial gestures. As a child, I often heard adults criticizing this family for treating Mary so normally. They scoffed at the notion that Mary could communicate. When the family claimed that Mary played a mean game of bridge, people secretly rolled their eyes and laughed… and I’m sure there were plenty who were bold enough to actually voice their opinions to this family.
Mary’s mother, Geraldine (whom I called MawMac), shared my birthday…and over the years, we exchanged birthday cake, cards and phone calls. I considered MawMac my mentor and hero until her dying day. For all of her 94 years, she fought through illnesses and injuries… criticisms, personal hardships and heartaches… so that she could care for Mary. When the day came that MawMac was too old to physically care for Mary at home - even with the assistance of other caregivers - she reluctantly agreed to allow Mary to move to a skilled-care facility in a community some 40 miles away. Until she had to give up driving because of her age and health (somewhere in her late 80s!), MawMac made the trip to visit Mary at least once a week. Her end-of-life goal was to live longer than Mary. She said, "The only person I want to outlive is Mary. I'm her mother, and I must be here to be sure she is always cared for."
MawMac was one of the Godliest women I ever knew. If the church doors were open… she was there. She gave great advice! Her faith and hope were an inspiration to many. Eventually, she moved to an Assisted Living facility and became very ill. One August day, her daughters visited Mary (who was just recovering from an illness of her own). They told Mary how sick MawMac was…how hard it was for her to move and breathe. And that night, Mary went to sleep… and woke up in heaven. Less than 24 hours later, MawMac followed her. These two ladies lived and breathed their hope in Jesus… they “walked” their faith in God to see them through anything and everything. They looked past criticisms and ridicule - and what was probably outright hatred and disgust from some… and saw the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. And this is where they placed their focus.
I wonder if you and I can say the same thing in our own lives? Surely there are times when we are snubbed… hurt… insulted… demeaned. Maybe you are ridiculed for your faith…or judged unfairly because you choose to conduct yourself in a particular way. If you are steadfast in your faith and your love for Jesus, there will always be those who groan and roll their eyes behind your back. I’ve noticed these are also some of the same people who are front and center to ask for help and prayers when the chips are down! The conclusion I have drawn is that consistent, enduring hope and faith in God rubs off on others… and pays dividends!
And so we come to Christmas Eve and narrow our focus to that night over 2000 years ago when God sent a baby to earth to live and breathe among us as human flesh. Let’s remind ourselves that He has done much more than we could possibly know. Jesus has given us hope where ours was lost… He quiets the offenses and attacks of those who judge and belittle us (if only behind our backs)… and He will never leave us or cease in His efforts on our behalf! This is truly GOOD NEWS… and God is surely worthy of our praise… and our unending hope!
One of MawMac’s daughters shared these thoughts with me, and I would like to pass them on to you…
“Something my mother used to do every Christmas Eve was take us outside before bedtime. She'd say, ‘Now, look up in the sky and just feel the night. You can tell Santa Claus is up there.’ She said this in her most dramatic voice and it really impressed us. She continued until we were grown. I did the same with my children. I also continued after they were grown up. I suspect that this Christmas Eve, I will be out there looking up at the sky, feeling the night and Santa. The faith and excitement of all those millions of children makes it real and palpable. Give it a whirl!”
While MawMac may very well have said that you can tell Santa Claus is up there… I’d be willing to bet she also reminded her children that GOD is up there, too. MawMac’s hope was in God, who makes everything possible. And so is mine! So tonight, go outside and look up in the sky and “feel the night.” Revel in God’s presence…receive His gift of Jesus… and embrace all of the hope that comes with it. I dare you to "give it a whirl"! Merry Christmas Eve… and may God bless and keep you!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 23, 2013
Psalm 52
Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
All day long you plot destruction.
Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
you’re an expert at telling lies.
You love evil more than good
and lies more than truth.
You love to destroy others with your words,
you liar!
But God will strike you down once and for all.
He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,
“Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people.
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.
You know the song, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. We’ve all sung it a zillion times. Remember the line where it says, “He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice”? We’ve all known people who were plenty “naughty”… and still seemed to manage to be on Santa’s “nice” list!
At some point, you have probably said of someone else… “If I did what he/she has done, I would be in jail… the poor house…big trouble…” (you fill in the blank). We all know people who seem to “get by with murder”. Maybe you know someone who never pays his/her bills, yet they always seem to get by somehow – and have nice things (like clothes, cars and homes) in the bargain. Or maybe you know someone who is dishonest…who makes promises and doesn’t keep them… someone who is unreliable or downright disruptive… yet people flock to this person and want him/her to be in their circle of friends and influences.
Perhaps you have worked very hard at school, at a job, for your team, or for a group in your church… and someone else who flies under the radar seems to take all of the glory and accolades. Or maybe you know those who waltz into a situation, toss around money and big talk, and make a big (and phony) splash to garner attention and credit, while the real workers were overshadowed on the sidelines. MAYBE…someone has lied about you – or to you – and somehow, he/she has managed to bully you and/or others into believing that you were actually the one who was “in the wrong” in a particular situation. It’s all enough to make you throw up your hands and claim that “Nice guys really DO finish LAST!”
But David is reminding all of us in this Psalm that no one gets by with anything! God is watching… and He is not amused by those who think they are above reproach. Like an olive tree (which is prized for its hard wood and durability - as well as its beauty), we are to remain strong and steady in our faith and our actions. We are to place our hope in God’s unfailing love… and trust His directives for our lives. We are to “keep on keepin’ on”… even when it seems like we are spinning our wheels.
Ultimately, God will take action. Those who have “misbehaved” will be reprimanded… there will be consequences for their actions. Those who have used wealth and influence to get ahead will have to answer for their actions… and those who have remained relentless and faithful in their trust and service will be rewarded.
I know it’s frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch people cut corners and appear to skate by in life. But I also know that God will reward those who remain loyal and serve Him well. Don’t be distracted by the ones who play fast and loose with God’s gifts. Focus on Jesus and His teachings. Keep doing what you know is right… and never lose hope that God is noticing. GOD knows who is really naughty and nice…and His “list” is the only one that truly matters! The most important question is…in which column will He place your name?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
All day long you plot destruction.
Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
you’re an expert at telling lies.
You love evil more than good
and lies more than truth.
You love to destroy others with your words,
you liar!
But God will strike you down once and for all.
He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,
“Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people.
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.
You know the song, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. We’ve all sung it a zillion times. Remember the line where it says, “He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice”? We’ve all known people who were plenty “naughty”… and still seemed to manage to be on Santa’s “nice” list!
At some point, you have probably said of someone else… “If I did what he/she has done, I would be in jail… the poor house…big trouble…” (you fill in the blank). We all know people who seem to “get by with murder”. Maybe you know someone who never pays his/her bills, yet they always seem to get by somehow – and have nice things (like clothes, cars and homes) in the bargain. Or maybe you know someone who is dishonest…who makes promises and doesn’t keep them… someone who is unreliable or downright disruptive… yet people flock to this person and want him/her to be in their circle of friends and influences.
Perhaps you have worked very hard at school, at a job, for your team, or for a group in your church… and someone else who flies under the radar seems to take all of the glory and accolades. Or maybe you know those who waltz into a situation, toss around money and big talk, and make a big (and phony) splash to garner attention and credit, while the real workers were overshadowed on the sidelines. MAYBE…someone has lied about you – or to you – and somehow, he/she has managed to bully you and/or others into believing that you were actually the one who was “in the wrong” in a particular situation. It’s all enough to make you throw up your hands and claim that “Nice guys really DO finish LAST!”
But David is reminding all of us in this Psalm that no one gets by with anything! God is watching… and He is not amused by those who think they are above reproach. Like an olive tree (which is prized for its hard wood and durability - as well as its beauty), we are to remain strong and steady in our faith and our actions. We are to place our hope in God’s unfailing love… and trust His directives for our lives. We are to “keep on keepin’ on”… even when it seems like we are spinning our wheels.
Ultimately, God will take action. Those who have “misbehaved” will be reprimanded… there will be consequences for their actions. Those who have used wealth and influence to get ahead will have to answer for their actions… and those who have remained relentless and faithful in their trust and service will be rewarded.
I know it’s frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch people cut corners and appear to skate by in life. But I also know that God will reward those who remain loyal and serve Him well. Don’t be distracted by the ones who play fast and loose with God’s gifts. Focus on Jesus and His teachings. Keep doing what you know is right… and never lose hope that God is noticing. GOD knows who is really naughty and nice…and His “list” is the only one that truly matters! The most important question is…in which column will He place your name?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 22, 2013
Psalm 43:5
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
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.
A failing grade…a lost job…spending the holidays away from family and friends…grieving the loss of a loved one…no money to pay bills – much less buy Christmas gifts…illness or injury…a broken relationship…a house or other property that won’t sell…aging and all of the nuances that accompany this phase of life…disappointment of any kind…all of these are reasons to feel discouraged. Any of it is enough to make your heart sad… and God understands this!
God also offers us hope… and redemption. He will lift us out of our discouragement and sadness. I cannot tell you exactly how… when… or where. But I know that He will. He’s done it for me… countless times… and I know that He will do it again. And He will do this for YOU, as well!
“But I still have all of these problems and sadness!” you may be saying. I’m sure you do! I didn’t say that God would instantly fix everything for you and make life hunky-dory! But I will tell you this… someday you will look back and reflect on this time. If you have remained hopeful, sought God’s help - and trusted Him to deliver on His promises - you will look at this time and say, “Ohhhh… so that’s what He was showing me. That’s why it took XYZ amount of time...God was working things out all along!” Again, I cannot tell you how it will happen… or how quickly… but God will answer you - every time!
Today… as you experience life in whatever form it is presenting itself to you…feel God’s presence. Put your hope in Him and believe that He is meeting your needs. Praise Him for being with you in all circumstances… call Him your Savior and God and operate in full confidence that He will bring you joy and peace… today, and always.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
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.
A failing grade…a lost job…spending the holidays away from family and friends…grieving the loss of a loved one…no money to pay bills – much less buy Christmas gifts…illness or injury…a broken relationship…a house or other property that won’t sell…aging and all of the nuances that accompany this phase of life…disappointment of any kind…all of these are reasons to feel discouraged. Any of it is enough to make your heart sad… and God understands this!
God also offers us hope… and redemption. He will lift us out of our discouragement and sadness. I cannot tell you exactly how… when… or where. But I know that He will. He’s done it for me… countless times… and I know that He will do it again. And He will do this for YOU, as well!
“But I still have all of these problems and sadness!” you may be saying. I’m sure you do! I didn’t say that God would instantly fix everything for you and make life hunky-dory! But I will tell you this… someday you will look back and reflect on this time. If you have remained hopeful, sought God’s help - and trusted Him to deliver on His promises - you will look at this time and say, “Ohhhh… so that’s what He was showing me. That’s why it took XYZ amount of time...God was working things out all along!” Again, I cannot tell you how it will happen… or how quickly… but God will answer you - every time!
Today… as you experience life in whatever form it is presenting itself to you…feel God’s presence. Put your hope in Him and believe that He is meeting your needs. Praise Him for being with you in all circumstances… call Him your Savior and God and operate in full confidence that He will bring you joy and peace… today, and always.
©2013 Debbie Robus
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