Mark 7:24-30
Then he left Galilee and went to the
region of Tyre and Sidon, and tried to keep it a secret that he was
there, but couldn’t. For as usual the news of his arrival spread fast.
Right
away a woman came to him whose little girl was possessed by a demon.
She had heard about Jesus and now she came and fell at his feet, and
pled with him to release her child from the demon’s control. (But she
was Syrophoenician—a “despised Gentile”!)
Jesus told her, “First I
should help my own family—the Jews. It isn’t right to take the
children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied, “That’s true, sir, but even the puppies under the table are given some scraps from the children’s plates.”
“Good!” he said. “You have answered well—so well that I have healed your little girl. Go on home, for the demon has left her!”
And when she arrived home, her little girl was lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
At the end of a reality TV
program I watch called “Project Runway,” the host says, “One day you’re
in – the next day you’re out.” Let’s be honest…this is probably how we
sometimes feel about ourselves…and/or how we treat others – and neither
is acceptable.
Jesus demonstrated that there is no need to
apologize for who we are if we genuinely trust that He is our LORD and
Savior. There is no reason to assume that we have to wait in line behind
those who are “more” in some manner to receive OUR salvation – or God’s
blessings. Jesus also tells us not to treat others in this manner. We
are in no way more important than another person – no matter who he/she
is - or what he/she may have done. ALL who believe and demonstrate faith in Jesus – and surrender to Him – are welcome, and qualify for Salvation. ANYONE who believes in Jesus can be saved…and blessed.
I cannot emphasize enough how critical it is that we recognize not only our
value in Jesus’ eyes…and but the fact that none of us is better than
another to Him. “Country Club Christianity” runs somewhat rampant these
days… and it needs to come to a screeching halt. The concept of “us
vs. them” must disappear from our vocabulary – and our thought process.
We need to look at every person we meet as a potential child of God -
not a dog underneath the table waiting for scraps – even when they act
like that’s where they belong.
Aren’t you tired of “Christians”
judging others? I know I am! If you have ever for one minute felt like
you were an “outsider” – for ANY reason, you know how horrible it
feels. I am so grateful that Jesus does not recognize us in this
way…that in His arms, we are ALL are welcome. Jesus is simply waiting
for us to show Him that we accept His offer to sit at the table rather
than glean scraps from the floor. Jesus is waiting for us to
demonstrate to others that they are loved and accepted…that we know that
He wants to share His table with them, as well…and so do we.
In
the world of a reality TV fashion design contest, you may be in one day
and out the next. But this is not the case with Jesus. The question
you must settle is where your level of faith and Christian discipleship
has positioned you – seated at the table, or on the floor underneath it
waiting for scraps. Make this the day that you hear Jesus say, “Sit
with me, and fill your plate.” And make sure that those you encounter
know that they are welcome to join you.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label how God sees us. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how God sees us. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 8, 2016
Ephesians 4:28-30
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I studied the Assertive Discipline method of classroom management. Developed by Lee and Marlene Cantor, this model involves giving students a clear definition of what is expected - and listing the consequences for noncompliance. The focus is on positive reinforcement – rewarding and encouraging good behavior in an effort to prevent missteps. The idea is that children will be so eager to enjoy the benefits of a positive response from the teacher and his/her peers that this will deter any desire to misbehave. I have to say, this method worked for me and my students…and my “discipline problems” in the classroom all but disappeared.
One of the things that Cantor teaches is that we must not operate in the realm of “If I see/hear.” In other words, we must not tell the child, “If I see you do that again, XYZ will happen”…or “If I hear that word one more time…you will have to do ABC.” The child assumes that what you don’t see or hear doesn’t matter! If he/she can get by with something without you noticing…it won’t be held against you. Instead, we are to tell the child, “If you DO THIS again, XYZ will happen.” This tells the child that you will know what he/she did…and it will matter!
I can tell you that we adults foolishly play this game all the time with God. We act as if what we say or do only matters when we get caught or noticed. If we skate by with something, we smugly tell ourselves that it didn’t count…that nobody is the wiser. It’s sort of the “no harm/no foul” concept. But here’s the thing...God ALWAYS knows. He sees and hears everything we say and do. And so much of it breaks His heart.
You may not be a “thief” in the literal sense of the word…but you probably cheat and steal more than you realize. Did you ever slide through a stop sign and hope nobody would notice? Did you ever talk about someone…or share a juicy tidbit of “news” with another person and pray the parties involved would never know who said it? Did you ever express an ugly opinion about a situation or person – or share a dirty joke - and preface it with a caveat that you will deny ever saying such things if repeated? Did you ever do something you knew you shouldn’t and tell your children- or someone else - never to tell anyone about it?
These are all ways that we all practice deceit…consciously or not. And while we may never “get caught” by our friends, family members and acquaintances…God knows. We grieve His heart on a regular basis. But we can make changes and do better…and we must! We can ask God to tap us on the shoulder and give us pause when we open our mouths to say something unkind, off-color, or disrespectful. We can ask Him to give us a nudge when we are tempted to be dishonest...to “fudge” a little here and there or “cut a corner” while no one is looking.
We can ask God to fill every nook and cranny of our heart with the Holy Spirit – our “Inner Compass” that guides us and keeps us on the right path. We can ask God to forgive us and set us upright…and keep us behaving in a positive manner at all times - toward all people. And we can begin today…right now…in this very minute! So let’s get started! Are you ready to go “all in” with God?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I studied the Assertive Discipline method of classroom management. Developed by Lee and Marlene Cantor, this model involves giving students a clear definition of what is expected - and listing the consequences for noncompliance. The focus is on positive reinforcement – rewarding and encouraging good behavior in an effort to prevent missteps. The idea is that children will be so eager to enjoy the benefits of a positive response from the teacher and his/her peers that this will deter any desire to misbehave. I have to say, this method worked for me and my students…and my “discipline problems” in the classroom all but disappeared.
One of the things that Cantor teaches is that we must not operate in the realm of “If I see/hear.” In other words, we must not tell the child, “If I see you do that again, XYZ will happen”…or “If I hear that word one more time…you will have to do ABC.” The child assumes that what you don’t see or hear doesn’t matter! If he/she can get by with something without you noticing…it won’t be held against you. Instead, we are to tell the child, “If you DO THIS again, XYZ will happen.” This tells the child that you will know what he/she did…and it will matter!
I can tell you that we adults foolishly play this game all the time with God. We act as if what we say or do only matters when we get caught or noticed. If we skate by with something, we smugly tell ourselves that it didn’t count…that nobody is the wiser. It’s sort of the “no harm/no foul” concept. But here’s the thing...God ALWAYS knows. He sees and hears everything we say and do. And so much of it breaks His heart.
You may not be a “thief” in the literal sense of the word…but you probably cheat and steal more than you realize. Did you ever slide through a stop sign and hope nobody would notice? Did you ever talk about someone…or share a juicy tidbit of “news” with another person and pray the parties involved would never know who said it? Did you ever express an ugly opinion about a situation or person – or share a dirty joke - and preface it with a caveat that you will deny ever saying such things if repeated? Did you ever do something you knew you shouldn’t and tell your children- or someone else - never to tell anyone about it?
These are all ways that we all practice deceit…consciously or not. And while we may never “get caught” by our friends, family members and acquaintances…God knows. We grieve His heart on a regular basis. But we can make changes and do better…and we must! We can ask God to tap us on the shoulder and give us pause when we open our mouths to say something unkind, off-color, or disrespectful. We can ask Him to give us a nudge when we are tempted to be dishonest...to “fudge” a little here and there or “cut a corner” while no one is looking.
We can ask God to fill every nook and cranny of our heart with the Holy Spirit – our “Inner Compass” that guides us and keeps us on the right path. We can ask God to forgive us and set us upright…and keep us behaving in a positive manner at all times - toward all people. And we can begin today…right now…in this very minute! So let’s get started! Are you ready to go “all in” with God?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 2, 2016
May 2 ~ John 8:23-24
Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You’re at a dead end. If you won’t believe I am who I say I am, you’re at the dead end of sins. You’re missing God in your lives.”
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 picture recently appeared on Facebook of my friends posing with country music singer Carrie Underwood at a concert she performed in a nearby city. As a birthday gift for his wife, this friend apparently arranged for them to meet the singer and take a picture with her. I’ve said before that I am not “starstruck” (although I probably would not pass up an opportunity to make a photo with a celebrity!)…but as I looked at these two people standing with Carrie Underwood, it occurred to me that SHE got the bigger treat!
This man is a wonderful family physician, a Godly father, and just an all-around “good egg.” His wife is the mother to four amazing children. As if that weren’t enough, she is trained as a neonatal nurse, and she serves in her church and community. She is kind and caring…and I am blessed to have known her since she was a little girl.
Here’s the thing...a lot of us are looking for the extraordinary. We operate in what we can see and touch…the “photo with a celebrity” we see on television and hear on the radio. Everywhere we look, he/she is doing what appear to be incredible things…and we get “starstruck.” We don’t see how God is using US to do things that are equally spectacular – if not more so.
We downplay the importance of nurturing our children so that they become polite, well-rounded and Godly individuals. We underestimate how God has worked in our marriages, friendships, and work relationships to create harmony and productivity. We fail to see the critical role we play in furthering God’s kingdom through our Christian witness - and our words and actions. We do not recognize God’s power to create “superstars for Jesus” in each and every one of us. And we miss out on God in our lives.
The lesson for us today is to stop and take a breath…to recognize that God is using us even in the ordinary and “mundane” activities of life to make a difference for His kingdom. Everything we do can be done to the glory of God. I don’t mean to take anything away from Carrie Underwood – or my friends’ exciting birthday celebration. But for my money, any person who recognizes God’s presence and influence in the simplest of everyday life events deserves “celebrity status.” I have to think that THESE are the people with whom God would choose to have a photo made…and I want to be among them! What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You’re at a dead end. If you won’t believe I am who I say I am, you’re at the dead end of sins. You’re missing God in your lives.”
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 picture recently appeared on Facebook of my friends posing with country music singer Carrie Underwood at a concert she performed in a nearby city. As a birthday gift for his wife, this friend apparently arranged for them to meet the singer and take a picture with her. I’ve said before that I am not “starstruck” (although I probably would not pass up an opportunity to make a photo with a celebrity!)…but as I looked at these two people standing with Carrie Underwood, it occurred to me that SHE got the bigger treat!
This man is a wonderful family physician, a Godly father, and just an all-around “good egg.” His wife is the mother to four amazing children. As if that weren’t enough, she is trained as a neonatal nurse, and she serves in her church and community. She is kind and caring…and I am blessed to have known her since she was a little girl.
Here’s the thing...a lot of us are looking for the extraordinary. We operate in what we can see and touch…the “photo with a celebrity” we see on television and hear on the radio. Everywhere we look, he/she is doing what appear to be incredible things…and we get “starstruck.” We don’t see how God is using US to do things that are equally spectacular – if not more so.
We downplay the importance of nurturing our children so that they become polite, well-rounded and Godly individuals. We underestimate how God has worked in our marriages, friendships, and work relationships to create harmony and productivity. We fail to see the critical role we play in furthering God’s kingdom through our Christian witness - and our words and actions. We do not recognize God’s power to create “superstars for Jesus” in each and every one of us. And we miss out on God in our lives.
The lesson for us today is to stop and take a breath…to recognize that God is using us even in the ordinary and “mundane” activities of life to make a difference for His kingdom. Everything we do can be done to the glory of God. I don’t mean to take anything away from Carrie Underwood – or my friends’ exciting birthday celebration. But for my money, any person who recognizes God’s presence and influence in the simplest of everyday life events deserves “celebrity status.” I have to think that THESE are the people with whom God would choose to have a photo made…and I want to be among them! What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 3, 2015
Romans 2:1-4
Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things. We know that God is right to judge everyone who behaves in this way. Do you really think God won’t punish you, when you behave exactly like the people you accuse? You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our world seems to have become the “Land of Small Favors, Privileges and Special Treatment.” The perception for many is that it’s all in who you know! And maybe this is true. We often get and criticize those who practice “The Name-dropping Game”…until we need a favor. And then the scramble is on to find someone who knows someone who can help us!
We have a bad habit of teaching our kids to grow up to be “somebodies”…but not in a good way. We want them to aspire to be like a well-known athlete, actor, supermodel, or performer. We suggest that they may someday be President! What we fail to account for is the humanity of each and every one of us…the fact that we all have faults, problems, challenges. We all make mistakes…and yes, we all judge others.
The irony is that the very celebrities and notables we aspire to emulate are the ones we so readily criticize. Okay, so maybe you never got drunk at a party and drove your car up a telephone pole. But haven’t you made some bad choices that could at least have potentially had dire consequences? Maybe you don’t curse and publicly criticize others…but do you point at people on your TV screen and call them idiots and other names? Maybe you have not leaked information that could jeopardize national security…but haven’t you spread a juicy nugget or two of gossip at one time or another?
Do you think that what you say and do doesn’t matter if no one sees or hears it…or if “no one gets hurt” by it? Do you understand that God knows…and He is hurt when you judge another of His children?
I am going to be profoundly honest with you…this is very hard for me. I am quick to judge others…at least in the privacy of my own home and in my own heart. I am very much a work in progress. But I have experienced the sting of judgment in my own life…toward myself and members of my family and friends… and with regard to my faith and my values. And I am committed to changing how I treat others because of it.
My prayer for today goes like this…
©2015 Debbie Robus
Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things. We know that God is right to judge everyone who behaves in this way. Do you really think God won’t punish you, when you behave exactly like the people you accuse? You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our world seems to have become the “Land of Small Favors, Privileges and Special Treatment.” The perception for many is that it’s all in who you know! And maybe this is true. We often get and criticize those who practice “The Name-dropping Game”…until we need a favor. And then the scramble is on to find someone who knows someone who can help us!
We have a bad habit of teaching our kids to grow up to be “somebodies”…but not in a good way. We want them to aspire to be like a well-known athlete, actor, supermodel, or performer. We suggest that they may someday be President! What we fail to account for is the humanity of each and every one of us…the fact that we all have faults, problems, challenges. We all make mistakes…and yes, we all judge others.
The irony is that the very celebrities and notables we aspire to emulate are the ones we so readily criticize. Okay, so maybe you never got drunk at a party and drove your car up a telephone pole. But haven’t you made some bad choices that could at least have potentially had dire consequences? Maybe you don’t curse and publicly criticize others…but do you point at people on your TV screen and call them idiots and other names? Maybe you have not leaked information that could jeopardize national security…but haven’t you spread a juicy nugget or two of gossip at one time or another?
Do you think that what you say and do doesn’t matter if no one sees or hears it…or if “no one gets hurt” by it? Do you understand that God knows…and He is hurt when you judge another of His children?
I am going to be profoundly honest with you…this is very hard for me. I am quick to judge others…at least in the privacy of my own home and in my own heart. I am very much a work in progress. But I have experienced the sting of judgment in my own life…toward myself and members of my family and friends… and with regard to my faith and my values. And I am committed to changing how I treat others because of it.
My prayer for today goes like this…
God, I don’t know how/why you put up with me. I judge others, and I am critical. I cannot see that what I think, say and do toward others…someone probably thinks, says and does toward me. I know how much this hurts…how wrong it is…yet I have trouble stopping the cycle. Please give me your courage and strength. Help me to be more loving of others…more understanding and compassionate. Give me YOUR wisdom and a heart for ALL of your people. Help me to refrain from expecting special treatment – because of who I know, AND…because I am YOUR child. Help me to recognize that each and every person is special to you and just as “entitled” to your love and care as I am. Forgive me for judgments and critical thoughts, words and actions. Make me more like Jesus every day. I thank you for loving me in spite of these shortcomings…and I give you all the praise and glory. Amen.Are you ready to turn to God and experience more of His goodness? Will you join me in this prayer and make a renewed effort to stop judging others?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 12, 2015
Matthew 9:10-13
Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?”
Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”
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’ll be honest…I’m a cat person. I love, love, love dogs – and pretty much all animals (except snakes!)…but “cats are my ‘people’!” It’s safe to say that I have probably never met a cat I didn’t like! My mom and mother-in-law are dog people. My mother-in-law has not owned a dog in years, but she “dog-sits” for about a half dozen special clients…and she LOVES “her” dogs.
Three dogs have resided with my mother since the late 1980s…first Otis – my sister’s white lab, who totally transformed my mom into a “dog person” for life. Next came Carmen – my brother’s pit bull mix – who was like a “sister” to our family. After Carmen died, Mother acquired Spot…who was her constant companion for 14 years and kept life interesting for all of us…until his mixed-breed body literally wore out this past January.
I loved all three of these dogs like family members. And I really like a lot of other dogs…particularly big dogs. But some of the smaller dog breeds are just not my cup of tea. For one thing – and maybe this is just me – some of them have a smell that I cannot get past. So when one of these little dogs who was visiting Greg’s mother made a bee-line for me and jumped up into my chair to readily sniff me over, I was not exactly thrilled. But I looked into that sweet little face…the big, imploring dark eyes, and the cute little ears that raised and lowered expressively - and I reminded myself…”He is somebody’s everything. This little guy is loved and adored by many…if not by me. He has a heart, and right now, he’s chosen to share it with me.” And I stroked his head and patted his back as he settled in beside me.
The little dog curled up in my lap and sat for several minutes before jumping down to explore other people and things in the room. And as I read the scripture passage for today, I was reminded that we are all God’s children…even the “snakes” that scare us half to death, and the critters of all kinds that “smell.” If we only ever hang out among those who are pleasing to us, we’ve missed the moment – and the mission!
If we “unfriend” everyone on social media who rubs us the wrong way, we’ve missed an opportunity to share Jesus’ love and mercy with them. If we avoid those who are different from us in some way, we have not loved and ministered as we were commanded. Remember...you and I may “smell” to someone else! Consider how you would feel if the tables were turned!
I suggest that we all take a collective breath…and try to see the “other guy” as Jesus does – even the smelly little four-legged variety or the creepy snakes and spiders that slither and crawl beneath our feet. Remember that we are all His creatures…precious to Him and worthy of grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, and inclusion. What you do for the smelliest among us, you essentially do for Jesus.
Now…who do you need to look at in a different light? Will this be the day that you begin to widen your circle as a disciple of Christ? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?”
Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”
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’ll be honest…I’m a cat person. I love, love, love dogs – and pretty much all animals (except snakes!)…but “cats are my ‘people’!” It’s safe to say that I have probably never met a cat I didn’t like! My mom and mother-in-law are dog people. My mother-in-law has not owned a dog in years, but she “dog-sits” for about a half dozen special clients…and she LOVES “her” dogs.
Three dogs have resided with my mother since the late 1980s…first Otis – my sister’s white lab, who totally transformed my mom into a “dog person” for life. Next came Carmen – my brother’s pit bull mix – who was like a “sister” to our family. After Carmen died, Mother acquired Spot…who was her constant companion for 14 years and kept life interesting for all of us…until his mixed-breed body literally wore out this past January.
I loved all three of these dogs like family members. And I really like a lot of other dogs…particularly big dogs. But some of the smaller dog breeds are just not my cup of tea. For one thing – and maybe this is just me – some of them have a smell that I cannot get past. So when one of these little dogs who was visiting Greg’s mother made a bee-line for me and jumped up into my chair to readily sniff me over, I was not exactly thrilled. But I looked into that sweet little face…the big, imploring dark eyes, and the cute little ears that raised and lowered expressively - and I reminded myself…”He is somebody’s everything. This little guy is loved and adored by many…if not by me. He has a heart, and right now, he’s chosen to share it with me.” And I stroked his head and patted his back as he settled in beside me.
The little dog curled up in my lap and sat for several minutes before jumping down to explore other people and things in the room. And as I read the scripture passage for today, I was reminded that we are all God’s children…even the “snakes” that scare us half to death, and the critters of all kinds that “smell.” If we only ever hang out among those who are pleasing to us, we’ve missed the moment – and the mission!
If we “unfriend” everyone on social media who rubs us the wrong way, we’ve missed an opportunity to share Jesus’ love and mercy with them. If we avoid those who are different from us in some way, we have not loved and ministered as we were commanded. Remember...you and I may “smell” to someone else! Consider how you would feel if the tables were turned!
I suggest that we all take a collective breath…and try to see the “other guy” as Jesus does – even the smelly little four-legged variety or the creepy snakes and spiders that slither and crawl beneath our feet. Remember that we are all His creatures…precious to Him and worthy of grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, and inclusion. What you do for the smelliest among us, you essentially do for Jesus.
Now…who do you need to look at in a different light? Will this be the day that you begin to widen your circle as a disciple of Christ? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 8, 2015
Ephesians 2:1-6
It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
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.
The video clip is an old one – I first saw it a few years ago. But a dad is standing in front of the refrigerator, with twin babies seated on the floor next to him. These babies are probably not quite a year old – they are still crawling – and as the dad opens the fridge and gets out a few things, one of the babies waddles over and starts to peer into the cold box filled with food and condiments. The dad moves the baby…and as he turns back to the refrigerator, the other child advances and begins to investigate the ice box’s contents. This goes on for several seconds in a vicious cycle.
Never once does the dad get upset. He doesn’t raise his voice a single decibel. He continues his work of getting things out of the refrigerator – while gently picking up the babies and (temporarily) relocating them. Finally, Dad is able to quickly scoot both babies out of the doorway and close it. He looks at the camera (obviously operated by Mom), and heaves a weary, “Whew!”
This must be exactly how God feels about us each and every day. We are the babies getting into anything and everything…investigating, learning, testing the waters…and God is the patient Dad who gently moves us out of the way and starts all over – all the while going about the business of running the universe. I do hope you will take the less-than-two-minutes to watch this video. The babies try to stand as the dad repositions them. A couple of times, it takes several attempts before he is able to get them to fold their legs and SIT on the floor. Surprisingly, there is no kicking and screaming!
Again, this is us in a nutshell. God tries to show us how to live…the right way to do things, and while He is trying to seat us at His feet (and get His work done!), we are buckling our legs and resisting - if not out-and-out kicking and screaming!
Watch this video and think of God as the patient Father who continues to love you even when you “get into mischief” and behave sinfully. Feel His hands as He removes you over and again from situations that are, at best, not the right fit for you…and recognize His wisdom in doing so. THANK HIM for picking us up and setting us down in Highest Heaven – in company with Jesus! He certainly doesn’t have to do any this…but aren’t you glad He does?
Where will God reposition you today? Will you be ready, willing, and able to take His cue and do what He desires? Will you recognize His infinite wisdom and care for every aspect of your life? Will this be the day that you “move away from the fridge” and give God room to work? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
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.
The video clip is an old one – I first saw it a few years ago. But a dad is standing in front of the refrigerator, with twin babies seated on the floor next to him. These babies are probably not quite a year old – they are still crawling – and as the dad opens the fridge and gets out a few things, one of the babies waddles over and starts to peer into the cold box filled with food and condiments. The dad moves the baby…and as he turns back to the refrigerator, the other child advances and begins to investigate the ice box’s contents. This goes on for several seconds in a vicious cycle.
Never once does the dad get upset. He doesn’t raise his voice a single decibel. He continues his work of getting things out of the refrigerator – while gently picking up the babies and (temporarily) relocating them. Finally, Dad is able to quickly scoot both babies out of the doorway and close it. He looks at the camera (obviously operated by Mom), and heaves a weary, “Whew!”
This must be exactly how God feels about us each and every day. We are the babies getting into anything and everything…investigating, learning, testing the waters…and God is the patient Dad who gently moves us out of the way and starts all over – all the while going about the business of running the universe. I do hope you will take the less-than-two-minutes to watch this video. The babies try to stand as the dad repositions them. A couple of times, it takes several attempts before he is able to get them to fold their legs and SIT on the floor. Surprisingly, there is no kicking and screaming!
Again, this is us in a nutshell. God tries to show us how to live…the right way to do things, and while He is trying to seat us at His feet (and get His work done!), we are buckling our legs and resisting - if not out-and-out kicking and screaming!
Watch this video and think of God as the patient Father who continues to love you even when you “get into mischief” and behave sinfully. Feel His hands as He removes you over and again from situations that are, at best, not the right fit for you…and recognize His wisdom in doing so. THANK HIM for picking us up and setting us down in Highest Heaven – in company with Jesus! He certainly doesn’t have to do any this…but aren’t you glad He does?
Where will God reposition you today? Will you be ready, willing, and able to take His cue and do what He desires? Will you recognize His infinite wisdom and care for every aspect of your life? Will this be the day that you “move away from the fridge” and give God room to work? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 15, 2013
James 1:6-9
But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.
Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad that he thinks so highly of them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Vacation Bible School began at my church last night, and the theme is Athens. We are learning about Paul’s journey to Athens to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. I am leading crafts for grades 1-5. My assistant and I created a “marketplace”… tenting overhead with tables laden with musical instruments, pottery, baskets, fruits and vegetables, and more. We dress in costume appropriate for the era and visit with the children as they create their “marketplace souvenirs”. Last night it was a musical lyre…tonight it will be a clay pot decorated with beads and jewels, then a voting ballot necklace and a memory box on subsequent nights.
The “leader guidelines” tell us to begin the first night as skeptics…to ask the children if they have heard of this guy, Paul… and the “crazy” things he is saying about some guy named Jesus who died and rose again. Supposedly, Paul is telling people that there is only one God… and He is Jesus! As market vendors during a “festival of gods,” we are to ask the children, “How can this be? Aren’t there many gods?” Recognizing that women probably were not supposed to have an opinion, I told one table of 3rd-graders that I overheard my husband and father talking, and they said that there were MANY gods… that this Paul fellow was wrong. One little girl looked up at me and said, “Well, your husband needs to read his Bible!”
As the Vacation Bible School progresses, we will all learn the TRUTH about Paul and Jesus, and by the last night, my character will have become a believer. But for now, I have a feeling at least one 3rd grader does not trust me! In her mind, I have doubts. She has none… and thankfully, I am happy to report that many other children in the group adamantly expressed an assurance that Jesus is REAL and the one true God.
My character is sort of having a rough go of things. Business is slow in the marketplace, and now some guy has shown up in town stirring up trouble. My character has a lot of questions. As I told the children last night, “I hope I get to meet this Paul guy and hear what he has to say.” And maybe you need to hear from someone about Jesus today. Even if you know Him… you may not really know Him. You may not have the full assurance that He is with you and will provide for your every need, regardless of who you are – or where you are in life. You may not understand that God does not see us as we see ourselves… He doesn’t recognize “beauty” as we do… He doesn’t care about your economic status – He just cares what you do with what you have! God doesn’t judge us by the same criteria we value. He stands ready to bless us… to love and nurture us… to meet our every need. Our job is to trust Him to do so… and to recognize His blessings when they come.
Are you even a little like my marketplace vendor? Are you even the least bit skeptical about when and how God answers our prayers and cares for us? Are you as certain as a 3rd-grader of the power and autonomy of Jesus in your life? Isn’t it time you were? On the way home last night, Timothy reported that “Paul is our friend!” Some of us need to hear this today… and to hear that Jesus is the best Friend we will ever have. If little children who have absolutely zero reference point for a relationship with Jesus can believe in Him so readily and trust His word… why can’t we? Isn’t it time to change this?
©2013 Debbie Robus
But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.
Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad that he thinks so highly of them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The “leader guidelines” tell us to begin the first night as skeptics…to ask the children if they have heard of this guy, Paul… and the “crazy” things he is saying about some guy named Jesus who died and rose again. Supposedly, Paul is telling people that there is only one God… and He is Jesus! As market vendors during a “festival of gods,” we are to ask the children, “How can this be? Aren’t there many gods?” Recognizing that women probably were not supposed to have an opinion, I told one table of 3rd-graders that I overheard my husband and father talking, and they said that there were MANY gods… that this Paul fellow was wrong. One little girl looked up at me and said, “Well, your husband needs to read his Bible!”
As the Vacation Bible School progresses, we will all learn the TRUTH about Paul and Jesus, and by the last night, my character will have become a believer. But for now, I have a feeling at least one 3rd grader does not trust me! In her mind, I have doubts. She has none… and thankfully, I am happy to report that many other children in the group adamantly expressed an assurance that Jesus is REAL and the one true God.
My character is sort of having a rough go of things. Business is slow in the marketplace, and now some guy has shown up in town stirring up trouble. My character has a lot of questions. As I told the children last night, “I hope I get to meet this Paul guy and hear what he has to say.” And maybe you need to hear from someone about Jesus today. Even if you know Him… you may not really know Him. You may not have the full assurance that He is with you and will provide for your every need, regardless of who you are – or where you are in life. You may not understand that God does not see us as we see ourselves… He doesn’t recognize “beauty” as we do… He doesn’t care about your economic status – He just cares what you do with what you have! God doesn’t judge us by the same criteria we value. He stands ready to bless us… to love and nurture us… to meet our every need. Our job is to trust Him to do so… and to recognize His blessings when they come.
Are you even a little like my marketplace vendor? Are you even the least bit skeptical about when and how God answers our prayers and cares for us? Are you as certain as a 3rd-grader of the power and autonomy of Jesus in your life? Isn’t it time you were? On the way home last night, Timothy reported that “Paul is our friend!” Some of us need to hear this today… and to hear that Jesus is the best Friend we will ever have. If little children who have absolutely zero reference point for a relationship with Jesus can believe in Him so readily and trust His word… why can’t we? Isn’t it time to change this?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 24, 2013
Galatians 3:28-29
In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.
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.
This morning I worked on some baby bibs for my little nephew, Nathan. I thought about all of the cute clothes I make for my nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. While clothes shouldn’t matter all that much… they do. In our culture, children are judged by other children – and adults – even at an early age. The child who is dirty and always dressed in stained, tattered or worn-out clothing is not valued (or treated as nicely) by some as much as children who look like they just stepped out of Baby Gap or even Old Navy! This morning I also thought of another child of “ours” – Timothy Kodjo Owusu Frim, who lives in Ghana. My husband and I have sponsored “Kodjo” through Compassion International since May 2006.
Kodjo will be 13 in October. We exchange letters somewhere around once a month, and each year, we receive an updated picture of our guy. I wish I could share the pictures with you. Each time, Kodjo is dressed in clothing that is either undersized, oversized… or simply what many would consider a fashion faux pas. I am pretty sure the jeans he was wearing in the last photo we received were designed for girls. Yet he appears grateful to have this clothing… and I figure in his poor fishing village in Ghana, this is the norm rather than the exception. Still, it breaks my heart… and I sometimes wish I could hop a plane to Africa and scoop this little man up and bring him home to live with us!
I know that this would not solve the world’s problems – or even be the right thing for Kodjo, who has a family (albeit a somewhat disjointed one) in Ghana. But here’s what I know…at the end of the day, this tall, very-dark skinned brown-eyed child is just as precious as our little fair-skinned, blue-eyed Timothy and his brother Nathan. This little boy holds the same importance in God’s eyes as our brown-eyed, curly-headed Zola. The drawings from Kodjo that started out as stick figures and progressed over the years to detailed renderings of race cars and people demonstrate a mind that is growing and developing just like the creative brain of my red-headed, freckled-faced cousin Olivia.
When thinking of all of these children, the most important thing to remember is that they are all members of Christ’s family. God doesn’t see them as black, white, male, female, poor, rich, intelligent or intellectually challenged, creative or “less-than-average.” God loves each and every one of them equally. I try to remind each of these children as often as possible how much I love them… and that God loves them even more! I know that most of them are still too young to fully comprehend this… but someday, I pray that this concept will give each of them a tremendous sense of peace.
Take a minute to consider just how important you are to God. Reflect upon the incredible sacrifices He made for you through the blood of His only Son – Jesus Christ. Remind yourself that God planned for you from before the time of Abraham and Moses… He thought about you centuries before you were ever a living, breathing soul. Let it soak in just how much God loves you…how deeply He cares about you and your every need. If this doesn’t give you a sense of peace and calm even in the midst of whatever may be happening in your life today… I can’t imagine what will.
At the end of the day, I cannot truly change how I - or anyone I know and love - will be treated by others, based on appearance, race, gender, ethnicity, social or economic status, and more. But I can take comfort in knowing that God sees none of this. All He sees are His precious creations. All He wants is to be loved by each one of us… and to grant us blessings, salvation and peace in return. He wants us to “put on blinders” when we look at others … to only see members of His family and not the “labels” placed on them by man.
Whenever you feel you are being judged unfairly, remind yourself Whose you are. Thank God for such amazing, unconditional love. Find peace and comfort in knowing that you belong to Him. Look past the “outer coverings” of others and uncover the intrinsic value that God sees within them, as well. Offer His grace and peace to each person you encounter…and allow harmony a chance to prosper in all of us.
©2013 Debbie Robus
In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.
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.
This morning I worked on some baby bibs for my little nephew, Nathan. I thought about all of the cute clothes I make for my nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. While clothes shouldn’t matter all that much… they do. In our culture, children are judged by other children – and adults – even at an early age. The child who is dirty and always dressed in stained, tattered or worn-out clothing is not valued (or treated as nicely) by some as much as children who look like they just stepped out of Baby Gap or even Old Navy! This morning I also thought of another child of “ours” – Timothy Kodjo Owusu Frim, who lives in Ghana. My husband and I have sponsored “Kodjo” through Compassion International since May 2006.
Kodjo will be 13 in October. We exchange letters somewhere around once a month, and each year, we receive an updated picture of our guy. I wish I could share the pictures with you. Each time, Kodjo is dressed in clothing that is either undersized, oversized… or simply what many would consider a fashion faux pas. I am pretty sure the jeans he was wearing in the last photo we received were designed for girls. Yet he appears grateful to have this clothing… and I figure in his poor fishing village in Ghana, this is the norm rather than the exception. Still, it breaks my heart… and I sometimes wish I could hop a plane to Africa and scoop this little man up and bring him home to live with us!
I know that this would not solve the world’s problems – or even be the right thing for Kodjo, who has a family (albeit a somewhat disjointed one) in Ghana. But here’s what I know…at the end of the day, this tall, very-dark skinned brown-eyed child is just as precious as our little fair-skinned, blue-eyed Timothy and his brother Nathan. This little boy holds the same importance in God’s eyes as our brown-eyed, curly-headed Zola. The drawings from Kodjo that started out as stick figures and progressed over the years to detailed renderings of race cars and people demonstrate a mind that is growing and developing just like the creative brain of my red-headed, freckled-faced cousin Olivia.
When thinking of all of these children, the most important thing to remember is that they are all members of Christ’s family. God doesn’t see them as black, white, male, female, poor, rich, intelligent or intellectually challenged, creative or “less-than-average.” God loves each and every one of them equally. I try to remind each of these children as often as possible how much I love them… and that God loves them even more! I know that most of them are still too young to fully comprehend this… but someday, I pray that this concept will give each of them a tremendous sense of peace.
Take a minute to consider just how important you are to God. Reflect upon the incredible sacrifices He made for you through the blood of His only Son – Jesus Christ. Remind yourself that God planned for you from before the time of Abraham and Moses… He thought about you centuries before you were ever a living, breathing soul. Let it soak in just how much God loves you…how deeply He cares about you and your every need. If this doesn’t give you a sense of peace and calm even in the midst of whatever may be happening in your life today… I can’t imagine what will.
At the end of the day, I cannot truly change how I - or anyone I know and love - will be treated by others, based on appearance, race, gender, ethnicity, social or economic status, and more. But I can take comfort in knowing that God sees none of this. All He sees are His precious creations. All He wants is to be loved by each one of us… and to grant us blessings, salvation and peace in return. He wants us to “put on blinders” when we look at others … to only see members of His family and not the “labels” placed on them by man.
Whenever you feel you are being judged unfairly, remind yourself Whose you are. Thank God for such amazing, unconditional love. Find peace and comfort in knowing that you belong to Him. Look past the “outer coverings” of others and uncover the intrinsic value that God sees within them, as well. Offer His grace and peace to each person you encounter…and allow harmony a chance to prosper in all of us.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 30, 2013
May 30 ~ Psalm 40:1
I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
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.
Two years ago, my husband and I attended a James Taylor concert in North Little Rock. Believe it or not, I discovered there are people who don’t know who James Taylor is… so if you are one of these folks, James Taylor is an international icon in the world of pop music. This singer-songwriter’s albums were incredibly popular when my husband and I were dating and attending college… and he still has a world-wide following today. Such notable hits as “Fire and Rain,” “Mexico,” Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Copper Line” have stood the test of time and are still sung and widely recognized today.
What is incredible to me is that we had never attended one of James Taylor’s concerts until two years ago. We were able to obtain second-row seats on the floor with a birds-eye view of Taylor and the band. We sat next to veteran attendees of James Taylor’s concerts who told us, “He will sign autographs during intermission.”
We found this hard to believe, but the couple next to us had their items and a Sharpie® marker ready to go. So we started wondering… “What could we ask him to sign?” We had not brought any album covers… or a magazine like our seat neighbors. We had nothing. Then it hit me… I could have him sign the denim jean jacket I was wearing. I had a waterproof black marker in my purse. I would take off my jacket during intermission and see if James Taylor would sign it.
When the break came, I walked to the front of the stage and stood next to the man who had been sitting next to us. We were standing almost dead-center in front. James Taylor came out and started at one end of the stage, signing all sorts of items as he made his way toward us. But the time was short, and the crowd was huge. I convinced myself long before he made it near us that we would not be successful. Surely James would say, “That’s it, guys! I have a concert to perform,” and he would dismiss us. But he kept signing, and as he neared us, my very tall seat-neighbor grabbed my jacket and put it with his magazine and handed them to the performer.
James Taylor took my marker and my jacket and looked at me with a shrug and a grimace as if to say, “I’m not sure how I’m going to do this.” Then he crooked one knee, knelt, and placed the back yoke of my jacket across his leg…and signed his name. James Taylor had looked at last… and he had “listened”… and now I am the proud owner of a jacket with his signature!
Now I in no way compare James Taylor to God. But how many times have you been “in line” so to speak… trying to get God’s attention… waiting… and waiting… and waiting? And just about the time you were ready to give up… just when you felt like God was simply not noticing you… He answered! What is the take-away from this? Keep praying! Keep asking God… and believing He sees and hears you! I know it seems like He will never answer. I know you feel like things won’t ever change. But that is simply not how God operates!
Will God respond on our time-table… and exactly as we expect? Possibly… but most likely, the schedule will be totally different… and the outcome may be very dissimilar to what we wanted. But I assure you, everything will be perfect. Last Christmas, as I prayed for my grandmother, I begged God to let her go “home” for Christmas… to be in heaven where she longed to see Him and her friends and family members who preceded her. She was tired, sick, and so weary. Christmas came and went… and my grandmother lived. Then a dear friend and tablemate died, and my grandmother sobbed uncontrollably and asked, “Why not me? Why not me?”… and again, I asked, “LORD, why not her?” And then one morning in early March, the nurse called to say, “We cannot wake Mrs. Polly.” A little more than 36 hours later, she was “home.”
Now I see that God afforded all of us a happy Christmas holiday with my grandmother… and with our other family members, including my little nephews and niece who are just beginning to understand what Christmas is about. I see that God chose a time for my grandmother to die when there were not a million other things that I needed to do… a time when I could focus on all of the things that must be attended to when someone dies. I don’t have room in this devotional to share all of the ways God orchestrated things perfectly for that single event. While the death of a dear loved one is significant, it is still one single event in a world of zillions of occurrences that God choreographs every minute of every day!
Had I given up and sat down before James Taylor got to me in the line… or had he truly stopped signing autographs and returned to the second act (as a grumbling crowd persuaded him to do at one point)… the world would not have come to an end. But when we give up on God before He answers, we truly miss out on some incredible blessings. When we fail to yield to His timetable and exercise patience, we may miss some of the subtle brushstrokes in His painting of our lives… and that would truly be a shame.
Keep waiting… and waiting… and waiting. God does see you… He is listening… and He will answer. Make sure you stick around to hear what He has to say!
©2013 Debbie Robus
I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
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.
Two years ago, my husband and I attended a James Taylor concert in North Little Rock. Believe it or not, I discovered there are people who don’t know who James Taylor is… so if you are one of these folks, James Taylor is an international icon in the world of pop music. This singer-songwriter’s albums were incredibly popular when my husband and I were dating and attending college… and he still has a world-wide following today. Such notable hits as “Fire and Rain,” “Mexico,” Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Copper Line” have stood the test of time and are still sung and widely recognized today.
What is incredible to me is that we had never attended one of James Taylor’s concerts until two years ago. We were able to obtain second-row seats on the floor with a birds-eye view of Taylor and the band. We sat next to veteran attendees of James Taylor’s concerts who told us, “He will sign autographs during intermission.”
We found this hard to believe, but the couple next to us had their items and a Sharpie® marker ready to go. So we started wondering… “What could we ask him to sign?” We had not brought any album covers… or a magazine like our seat neighbors. We had nothing. Then it hit me… I could have him sign the denim jean jacket I was wearing. I had a waterproof black marker in my purse. I would take off my jacket during intermission and see if James Taylor would sign it.
When the break came, I walked to the front of the stage and stood next to the man who had been sitting next to us. We were standing almost dead-center in front. James Taylor came out and started at one end of the stage, signing all sorts of items as he made his way toward us. But the time was short, and the crowd was huge. I convinced myself long before he made it near us that we would not be successful. Surely James would say, “That’s it, guys! I have a concert to perform,” and he would dismiss us. But he kept signing, and as he neared us, my very tall seat-neighbor grabbed my jacket and put it with his magazine and handed them to the performer.
James Taylor took my marker and my jacket and looked at me with a shrug and a grimace as if to say, “I’m not sure how I’m going to do this.” Then he crooked one knee, knelt, and placed the back yoke of my jacket across his leg…and signed his name. James Taylor had looked at last… and he had “listened”… and now I am the proud owner of a jacket with his signature!
Now I in no way compare James Taylor to God. But how many times have you been “in line” so to speak… trying to get God’s attention… waiting… and waiting… and waiting? And just about the time you were ready to give up… just when you felt like God was simply not noticing you… He answered! What is the take-away from this? Keep praying! Keep asking God… and believing He sees and hears you! I know it seems like He will never answer. I know you feel like things won’t ever change. But that is simply not how God operates!
Will God respond on our time-table… and exactly as we expect? Possibly… but most likely, the schedule will be totally different… and the outcome may be very dissimilar to what we wanted. But I assure you, everything will be perfect. Last Christmas, as I prayed for my grandmother, I begged God to let her go “home” for Christmas… to be in heaven where she longed to see Him and her friends and family members who preceded her. She was tired, sick, and so weary. Christmas came and went… and my grandmother lived. Then a dear friend and tablemate died, and my grandmother sobbed uncontrollably and asked, “Why not me? Why not me?”… and again, I asked, “LORD, why not her?” And then one morning in early March, the nurse called to say, “We cannot wake Mrs. Polly.” A little more than 36 hours later, she was “home.”
Now I see that God afforded all of us a happy Christmas holiday with my grandmother… and with our other family members, including my little nephews and niece who are just beginning to understand what Christmas is about. I see that God chose a time for my grandmother to die when there were not a million other things that I needed to do… a time when I could focus on all of the things that must be attended to when someone dies. I don’t have room in this devotional to share all of the ways God orchestrated things perfectly for that single event. While the death of a dear loved one is significant, it is still one single event in a world of zillions of occurrences that God choreographs every minute of every day!
Had I given up and sat down before James Taylor got to me in the line… or had he truly stopped signing autographs and returned to the second act (as a grumbling crowd persuaded him to do at one point)… the world would not have come to an end. But when we give up on God before He answers, we truly miss out on some incredible blessings. When we fail to yield to His timetable and exercise patience, we may miss some of the subtle brushstrokes in His painting of our lives… and that would truly be a shame.
Keep waiting… and waiting… and waiting. God does see you… He is listening… and He will answer. Make sure you stick around to hear what He has to say!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 8, 2011
Matthew 23:8-12
But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In recent weeks, two women in their late eighties passed away. One lived in Iowa… the other in Arkansas. Both were mothers, wives, and grandmothers. Both were businesswomen… one of them worked for years alongside her husband in a dry cleaning business. The other was a housekeeper for several clients – and still helped her grand-daughters with ironing and dusting duties in recent months. One died at home. The other died in a skilled care nursing facility.
One woman was surrounded by children and grandchildren who visited often. The other scarcely saw her two children, who both lived on opposite ends of the country. Her only visitors were nieces and an occasional fellow church member.
The lady with the big family was eulogized and remembered at a funeral service attended by a huge contingent of family and friends. There was a visitation, a memorial service, a private burial service for family members… and even a community meal for those who attended the services. The other lady received a private burial attended by three nieces and a nephew, her pastors, and a couple who were her former neighbors and fellow church members.
Both of these ladies were Christians. Both were God’s children, saved by the blood of Jesus. Just because one of them had more attention from family and friends did not mean she was a better person… or more deserving. It did not make her more important in God’s eyes or give her a “better seat at the heavenly banquet table.” We all deserve respect… to be treated with love and dignity - even in our death. But even this doesn’t change our status with God.
I know that today, both of these dear ladies are sitting at God’s table, feasting on all of the riches of heaven. No distinction is made, and it doesn’t matter how big their funeral was or even how many people “saw after” them in their earthly life or what kind of work they did. And this should be the message for us. If you feel in any way insignificant or lowly… if someone has made you feel badly about yourself or treated you in an inferior manner… know that this is not how God sees you! In His eyes, no one is better than you. No celebrity is richer, no politician is smarter, no athlete brings Him more pride. YOU are equal to any other child of God. YOU are entitled to the same salvation, love, grace and mercy. Jesus Christ died for YOU just as equally as He did anyone else on the planet.
If you are putting yourself ahead of anyone else… in any way, shape or form, this is also a message for you to consider. Before you start to look down your nose at anyone else – or elevate your own stature… ESPECIALLY when it comes to service to God and your life as a Christian… read this passage again and think twice about what you are doing and saying.
God’s love for us is HUGE… so vast we cannot comprehend it… and far more inclusive than we often care to realize. Many of us need to take a long, hard look at our lives and how we are living for Christ… and see where we need to humble ourselves before Him. Many of us need to recognize how much He values us… how important we are in His eyes. The balance between self-worth and humility is a delicate one… but maintaining it makes all the difference. Are you in balance today? Do you need to move to one side or the other? Ask God to show you where you need to stand… and get busy making the needed adjustments to put you in perfect balance.
©2011 Debbie Robus
But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In recent weeks, two women in their late eighties passed away. One lived in Iowa… the other in Arkansas. Both were mothers, wives, and grandmothers. Both were businesswomen… one of them worked for years alongside her husband in a dry cleaning business. The other was a housekeeper for several clients – and still helped her grand-daughters with ironing and dusting duties in recent months. One died at home. The other died in a skilled care nursing facility.
One woman was surrounded by children and grandchildren who visited often. The other scarcely saw her two children, who both lived on opposite ends of the country. Her only visitors were nieces and an occasional fellow church member.
The lady with the big family was eulogized and remembered at a funeral service attended by a huge contingent of family and friends. There was a visitation, a memorial service, a private burial service for family members… and even a community meal for those who attended the services. The other lady received a private burial attended by three nieces and a nephew, her pastors, and a couple who were her former neighbors and fellow church members.
Both of these ladies were Christians. Both were God’s children, saved by the blood of Jesus. Just because one of them had more attention from family and friends did not mean she was a better person… or more deserving. It did not make her more important in God’s eyes or give her a “better seat at the heavenly banquet table.” We all deserve respect… to be treated with love and dignity - even in our death. But even this doesn’t change our status with God.
I know that today, both of these dear ladies are sitting at God’s table, feasting on all of the riches of heaven. No distinction is made, and it doesn’t matter how big their funeral was or even how many people “saw after” them in their earthly life or what kind of work they did. And this should be the message for us. If you feel in any way insignificant or lowly… if someone has made you feel badly about yourself or treated you in an inferior manner… know that this is not how God sees you! In His eyes, no one is better than you. No celebrity is richer, no politician is smarter, no athlete brings Him more pride. YOU are equal to any other child of God. YOU are entitled to the same salvation, love, grace and mercy. Jesus Christ died for YOU just as equally as He did anyone else on the planet.
If you are putting yourself ahead of anyone else… in any way, shape or form, this is also a message for you to consider. Before you start to look down your nose at anyone else – or elevate your own stature… ESPECIALLY when it comes to service to God and your life as a Christian… read this passage again and think twice about what you are doing and saying.
God’s love for us is HUGE… so vast we cannot comprehend it… and far more inclusive than we often care to realize. Many of us need to take a long, hard look at our lives and how we are living for Christ… and see where we need to humble ourselves before Him. Many of us need to recognize how much He values us… how important we are in His eyes. The balance between self-worth and humility is a delicate one… but maintaining it makes all the difference. Are you in balance today? Do you need to move to one side or the other? Ask God to show you where you need to stand… and get busy making the needed adjustments to put you in perfect balance.
©2011 Debbie Robus
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