1 Kings 4:26-34
Solomon owned forty thousand
chariot horses and employed twelve thousand charioteers. Each month the
tax officials provided food for King Solomon and his court, also the
barley and straw for the royal horses in the stables.
God gave
Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and a mind with broad interests.
In fact, his wisdom excelled that of any of the wise men of the East,
including those in Egypt. He was wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite and
Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and he was famous among all
the surrounding nations. He was the author of 3,000 proverbs and wrote
1,005 songs. He was a great naturalist, with interest in animals, birds,
snakes, fish, and trees—from the great cedars of Lebanon down to the
tiny hyssop which grows in cracks in the wall. And kings from many lands
sent their ambassadors to him for his advice.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Unless you live under a
rock, you’ve undoubtedly heard more than one person talk about how great
he/she is lately. The “news” has been filled with such
proclamations…from a rapper who thinks he can “bring beautiful ideas to
the world” if he can acquire $53 million and change from donors…to
politicians who claim that God has blessed and ordained them to save our
country…to countless pastors who are asking their congregants – and the
world at large – to make “offerings” to enable them to purchase jets,
homes, jewelry and other material luxuries that will “further the
Kingdom of God” in some way.
I know…I don’t get it either! But
here’s the thing. Look at all that King Solomon possessed. He was
wealthy and prestigious. He was brilliant…well-rounded…and he
apparently had common sense and understanding! Yes, Solomon was human –
and if you study his life through the scriptures, you will see that he
got a little too big for his britches and had to be taken down a notch
or two at times. But God ordained Solomon and used him in spite of his
occasional arrogance and foolishness.
If you have time, read the
first few chapters of Ecclesiastes. King Solomon writes about all of
the “virtues” and “things” that God gave him, such as wisdom,
prosperity, work to do (and slaves to do it!), and more. And he
concludes that these are all meaningless. In particular, start reading
in Ecclesiastes 9, as Solomon begins to summarize what he has
determined.
In Ecclesiastes 11:4-6, Solomon writes “If you wait
for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. God’s ways
are as mysterious as the pathway of the wind and as the manner in which a
human spirit is infused into the little body of a baby while it is yet
in its mother’s womb. Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which
will grow—perhaps it all will.” And that is the point for today. God
may not give us the wealth and wisdom of King Solomon, but He has
planted seed in us that will grow according to His will – if we will
allow it and do the work that God has ordained. We may never be
celebrities on any scale. But God uses ordinary people to do
extraordinary things!
We don’t have to wait until we are out of
school…married and/or settled in a relationship. We don’t have to have
been a Christian for so many days/weeks/months/years…be debt free or
have a decent amount of money to pay our bills with a little left over.
We must start here…now…with what we have at this moment…and trust that
God will make the difference. Because He WILL!
We may never be
in the “King Solomon” category…but that doesn’t matter to God. He made
us who we are and can use us to do great things in His name, regardless
of our “status.” Are you ready to start “sowing seed” and let God work
in and through you? Isn’t it time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label how God uses us. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how God uses us. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 10, 2015
2 Corinthians 9:8-11
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugeterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever had a morning when you woke up, and your first thought was, “How many hours is it until I can crawl back into this bed and sleep?” There are days when we are so mentally and physical spent that even several hours of “sleep” are not enough. The first inclination is that this day will be wasted…we will be lazy and/or worthless. But even on your most weary day, God is working behind the scenes…and He can use you to bless others.
How is this possible? What does it cost you to pray? Can you utter a petition for His love and care for another person? Then you have been a blessing. Can you send an e-mail of encouragement to someone? BOOM! You have blessed and served in God’s name? Can you take care of yourself and rest, so that the next day, you have the energy and capacity to do more for yourself, others – and God’s Kingdom? Then you have your “mission” for this day!
We underestimate the ways that God can use us…and we most certainly misjudge the ways that God works in our lives behind the scenes – and uses that for His glory. The tiniest “seed” sown into us can blossom into something huge for the Kingdom of Heaven. Our church’s Director of Children’s Ministries was rushed to a major hospital yesterday with a brain bleed. Even from her hospital bed, we can see God’s hand at work in and through her, as countless friends and loved ones have rallied to exchange reports, share corporate and individual prayers for her – and pray for the dozens of unknown medical personnel who are involved in her care. Imagine the ripple effect of these actions…the “seeds” that have been scattered in all directions as a result of this terrible event. And the work - and God’s blessings and glory - continue by the minute!
So don’t sell yourself short. Recognize how powerful God’s work is in each of our lives. Realize that even in the midst of something as serious as a brain bleed, God can use you! On your worst day when you want to roll over and pull the covers back over your head, you can still utter a prayer of healing, comfort and care for another – and God can do incredible things with that simple utterance!
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways…we just have to be open and receptive to His efforts. Are you ready for anything…willing to be generous in any way that you can…and open to the work of God in and through your life? Will this be the day that you begin to truly produce great praise for God?
Ask God to soften your heart – to open your eyes and ears to the ways that He wants to use you, regardless of your circumstances or condition. Remind yourself that with God, all things are possible…and prepare to “scatter some seeds” and blessings in His name - every single day.
©2015 Debbie Robus
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugeterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever had a morning when you woke up, and your first thought was, “How many hours is it until I can crawl back into this bed and sleep?” There are days when we are so mentally and physical spent that even several hours of “sleep” are not enough. The first inclination is that this day will be wasted…we will be lazy and/or worthless. But even on your most weary day, God is working behind the scenes…and He can use you to bless others.
How is this possible? What does it cost you to pray? Can you utter a petition for His love and care for another person? Then you have been a blessing. Can you send an e-mail of encouragement to someone? BOOM! You have blessed and served in God’s name? Can you take care of yourself and rest, so that the next day, you have the energy and capacity to do more for yourself, others – and God’s Kingdom? Then you have your “mission” for this day!
We underestimate the ways that God can use us…and we most certainly misjudge the ways that God works in our lives behind the scenes – and uses that for His glory. The tiniest “seed” sown into us can blossom into something huge for the Kingdom of Heaven. Our church’s Director of Children’s Ministries was rushed to a major hospital yesterday with a brain bleed. Even from her hospital bed, we can see God’s hand at work in and through her, as countless friends and loved ones have rallied to exchange reports, share corporate and individual prayers for her – and pray for the dozens of unknown medical personnel who are involved in her care. Imagine the ripple effect of these actions…the “seeds” that have been scattered in all directions as a result of this terrible event. And the work - and God’s blessings and glory - continue by the minute!
So don’t sell yourself short. Recognize how powerful God’s work is in each of our lives. Realize that even in the midst of something as serious as a brain bleed, God can use you! On your worst day when you want to roll over and pull the covers back over your head, you can still utter a prayer of healing, comfort and care for another – and God can do incredible things with that simple utterance!
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways…we just have to be open and receptive to His efforts. Are you ready for anything…willing to be generous in any way that you can…and open to the work of God in and through your life? Will this be the day that you begin to truly produce great praise for God?
Ask God to soften your heart – to open your eyes and ears to the ways that He wants to use you, regardless of your circumstances or condition. Remind yourself that with God, all things are possible…and prepare to “scatter some seeds” and blessings in His name - every single day.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 11, 2015
Matthew 7:12
“Do for others what you want them to do for you. This is the teaching of the laws of Moses in a nutshell."
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Social media is blowing up today with posts about 9/11/2001. Almost everyone has a “9/11 story”…if only to say, “I remember where I was when it happened.” And we do remember all of the horrific, devastating, life-altering events of that day - and the days/weeks that followed. May God grant His peace and comfort to all who were directly or indirectly affected by that tragedy…and in one way or another, this includes all of us.
Having said this, I wonder just how much we do remember about 9/11…because in that moment, many of us came together in extraordinary ways. We dropped the judgments and the pretenses, and we became friends helping friends, neighbors supporting neighbors…Christian brothers and sisters loving others. And I have to ask…what has happened to us in the last fourteen years?
The backbiting and judgment, hatred and fear seem to be at all-time highs. Because of our access to “instant media,” we not only know more about this…we are able to perpetuate it. “Did you hear what XYZ said or ABC did?” we ask almost giddily. We cannot wait to revel in the latest come-uppance of someone who played “high and mighty” in some way - and we are more than a little eager to knock him/her down a peg. We set ourselves apart from the masses and pretend that we have no problems – or shortcomings and downright failures…that we are just a smidge better than the next guy.
Or…we look at others, throw up our hands, and say, “Not my problem!” The current refugee crisis in Syria…and the hungry and homeless (both the 2-legged and four-legged varities) in our own community immediately come to mind. What happened to the spirit of camaraderie that followed 9/11? What happened to working together rather than picking each other apart? How have we lost our way so badly?
In her book, For the Love*, author Jen Hatmaker says, “We are not good gods over one another; we are better humans beside each other.” Matthew 7:12 is known by many as “The Golden Rule”…and indeed, its words encompass a hallmark by which we are all called to live. It’s time we got started…and I can’t think of a better day than this one.
©2015 Debbie Robus
*For The Love - ©2015 Thomas Nelson Books for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
“Do for others what you want them to do for you. This is the teaching of the laws of Moses in a nutshell."
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Social media is blowing up today with posts about 9/11/2001. Almost everyone has a “9/11 story”…if only to say, “I remember where I was when it happened.” And we do remember all of the horrific, devastating, life-altering events of that day - and the days/weeks that followed. May God grant His peace and comfort to all who were directly or indirectly affected by that tragedy…and in one way or another, this includes all of us.
Having said this, I wonder just how much we do remember about 9/11…because in that moment, many of us came together in extraordinary ways. We dropped the judgments and the pretenses, and we became friends helping friends, neighbors supporting neighbors…Christian brothers and sisters loving others. And I have to ask…what has happened to us in the last fourteen years?
The backbiting and judgment, hatred and fear seem to be at all-time highs. Because of our access to “instant media,” we not only know more about this…we are able to perpetuate it. “Did you hear what XYZ said or ABC did?” we ask almost giddily. We cannot wait to revel in the latest come-uppance of someone who played “high and mighty” in some way - and we are more than a little eager to knock him/her down a peg. We set ourselves apart from the masses and pretend that we have no problems – or shortcomings and downright failures…that we are just a smidge better than the next guy.
Or…we look at others, throw up our hands, and say, “Not my problem!” The current refugee crisis in Syria…and the hungry and homeless (both the 2-legged and four-legged varities) in our own community immediately come to mind. What happened to the spirit of camaraderie that followed 9/11? What happened to working together rather than picking each other apart? How have we lost our way so badly?
In her book, For the Love*, author Jen Hatmaker says, “We are not good gods over one another; we are better humans beside each other.” Matthew 7:12 is known by many as “The Golden Rule”…and indeed, its words encompass a hallmark by which we are all called to live. It’s time we got started…and I can’t think of a better day than this one.
©2015 Debbie Robus
*For The Love - ©2015 Thomas Nelson Books for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
Daily Devotional for June 21, 2015
Luke 22:41-44
He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.
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 as we got ready to go to church, I listened to the live broadcast of worship services at “Mother Emmanuel” A.M.E. church in Charleston, South Carolina. Just four nights ago, 9 members were massacred there by a 21-year-old man who claimed to hate black people and told them, You’ve got to go.” Today, members of the congregation – and Charleston at large – gathered to worship God…to remember those who were killed… and to offer hope and encouragement to one another – and to the world.
During the service, the altar was opened for prayer, and as several knelt there, the crowd sang the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” It is hard for many to fathom how we can sing these words in days following such a heinous act. How can we sing that God doesn’t change – and neither does His compassion and care - when nine people who were gathered to study God’s word and pray were gunned down, even as they worshipped Him?
How can we declare that everything we have ever needed has been provided by God…that His mercies never fail…when the very people who welcomed a stranger into their midst were betrayed and assassinated? The better question is…”How can we not?”
We need look no further than Jesus’ actions in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He cried out to God to relieve Him of the suffering that was to come – to “take the cup” of impending brutality, torture, and agonizing death…but only if it be God’s will. And many will ask, “How can we serve a God who would allow such atrocities…even to His only Son?” Again, the answer is found in another question…”How can we not?”
The full answer lies in the greatness and magnitude of God’s love and commitment to us. This began with Noah and God’s promise to never wipe out His people again. God made covenants with us to always have our back…to always offer us love, mercy, second chances, and forgiveness. And the only way to really make this work was to sacrifice His only Son – Jesus – on the cross. And somehow, whether we realize it or not…the only way God could make His perfect plans work was to call these nine church members to Heaven at the hands of a deranged gunman. We may never see the “end result” of this event…we may never fully understand what God intended by allowing this horrific crime to occur…but we must accept it and trust that God is in the details.
Be assured that God will not waste these lives – or the way in which they ended. This is evidenced already in the media coverage and the public reaction to these deaths. Additionally, scripture tells us that an angel appeared to comfort Jesus in His grief and anguish. Surely God sent angels to surround those nine on Wednesday night – and He is surrounding many with angels of comfort and compassion even today as they grieve, mourn and sort through the roller-coaster emotions of this aftermath.
I pray that God never calls you or me to face a deranged killer. But I know that He will test each of us throughout our lifetimes. How will we fare? Will we have the strength, courage – and faith – to say, “Your will, not mine”? Will we call out for mercy with the intent to fully accept whatever decision God makes? Will we still be able to claim the blessings of God…even when our world seems to be crumbling around us?
Do we fully understand God’s faithfulness over us…how He is holding up His end of the covenant bargain? Or do we question His presence, particularly when tragedies like this one arise? Are we fully committed to God’s will…no matter how difficult it may seem? Can we sing “Great is Thy faithfulness” with confidence in all circumstances…and a heart for serving Him in all things? Could THIS be what God intended in Charleston last Wednesday? Will this be the day that we begin to make it so?
©2015 Debbie Robus
He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.
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 as we got ready to go to church, I listened to the live broadcast of worship services at “Mother Emmanuel” A.M.E. church in Charleston, South Carolina. Just four nights ago, 9 members were massacred there by a 21-year-old man who claimed to hate black people and told them, You’ve got to go.” Today, members of the congregation – and Charleston at large – gathered to worship God…to remember those who were killed… and to offer hope and encouragement to one another – and to the world.
During the service, the altar was opened for prayer, and as several knelt there, the crowd sang the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” It is hard for many to fathom how we can sing these words in days following such a heinous act. How can we sing that God doesn’t change – and neither does His compassion and care - when nine people who were gathered to study God’s word and pray were gunned down, even as they worshipped Him?
How can we declare that everything we have ever needed has been provided by God…that His mercies never fail…when the very people who welcomed a stranger into their midst were betrayed and assassinated? The better question is…”How can we not?”
We need look no further than Jesus’ actions in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He cried out to God to relieve Him of the suffering that was to come – to “take the cup” of impending brutality, torture, and agonizing death…but only if it be God’s will. And many will ask, “How can we serve a God who would allow such atrocities…even to His only Son?” Again, the answer is found in another question…”How can we not?”
The full answer lies in the greatness and magnitude of God’s love and commitment to us. This began with Noah and God’s promise to never wipe out His people again. God made covenants with us to always have our back…to always offer us love, mercy, second chances, and forgiveness. And the only way to really make this work was to sacrifice His only Son – Jesus – on the cross. And somehow, whether we realize it or not…the only way God could make His perfect plans work was to call these nine church members to Heaven at the hands of a deranged gunman. We may never see the “end result” of this event…we may never fully understand what God intended by allowing this horrific crime to occur…but we must accept it and trust that God is in the details.
Be assured that God will not waste these lives – or the way in which they ended. This is evidenced already in the media coverage and the public reaction to these deaths. Additionally, scripture tells us that an angel appeared to comfort Jesus in His grief and anguish. Surely God sent angels to surround those nine on Wednesday night – and He is surrounding many with angels of comfort and compassion even today as they grieve, mourn and sort through the roller-coaster emotions of this aftermath.
I pray that God never calls you or me to face a deranged killer. But I know that He will test each of us throughout our lifetimes. How will we fare? Will we have the strength, courage – and faith – to say, “Your will, not mine”? Will we call out for mercy with the intent to fully accept whatever decision God makes? Will we still be able to claim the blessings of God…even when our world seems to be crumbling around us?
Do we fully understand God’s faithfulness over us…how He is holding up His end of the covenant bargain? Or do we question His presence, particularly when tragedies like this one arise? Are we fully committed to God’s will…no matter how difficult it may seem? Can we sing “Great is Thy faithfulness” with confidence in all circumstances…and a heart for serving Him in all things? Could THIS be what God intended in Charleston last Wednesday? Will this be the day that we begin to make it so?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 6, 2012
James 2:24-26
You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe. For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way.
Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Early in the summer, a spotted toad appeared on our back porch. He took up residence in a decorative bird house we keep on a glass-topped coffee table sitting there. One night, I discovered him pressed belly-side down against one of our picture windows, catching bugs that collected there in the light from one of our table lamps. I did a little research and learned that “Frodo,” as I named him, is a Great Plains Toad. Most likely, he moved into the bird house because his normal habitat… moist, damp earth… was not available in this summer’s drought.
I so hoped that Frodo would hang around for Timothy’s visit in August… and he did. We enjoyed watching Frodo – and his new cohort we dubbed “Little Frodo” – as they moved in and out of the bird house. We laughed as we watched “Big Frodo” attach to our picture window at night and catch bugs. Frodo grew accustomed to us, and I even put out water for him in a little dish on the table. I know he enjoyed it, because we would find it splashed across the table the next day.
After Timothy went home, we were a little lonesome. Remnants of a hurricane threatened to move things around on our back porch, so we did some rearranging before the storm hit. My husband gently moved the bird house to the porch floor underneath the coffee table and surrounded it with bricks. Frodo played on the bricks and around the bird house… and then he disappeared. For several days, the toads were gone. I know it’s silly, but I was truly sad and missed them. I had grown fond of looking for them peering from the bird house opening each morning. I missed seeing the toad on the window at night. And I was a little worried… what had happened to Frodo during the storm’s wind and rain?
My answer came four days later when I happened to pass the window, and there was Frodo… perched inside the bird house with his head hanging out. He was back! He probably took refuge in one of our many potted plants on the porch. But I was so glad to see him. And I felt God saying, “I take care of my creatures… ALL of them.”
I know this is a little bit of a weird analogy, but I have faithfully taken care of this little toad and his buddy most of the summer. And yes, he is just a toad… but God has used him to teach me a couple of lessons about faith. We are all “toads” of one sort of another, but God uses us to accomplish many things… if only we will let him. Just as he used the prostitute Rahab, God uses any who willingly serves Him – in spite of our brokenness!
I’m glad that Frodo has returned. He serves as a reminder to me that God is in control… that if He can meet the needs of a tiny Great Plains Toad, He surely cares about my needs. I am encouraged to stay faithful… to be strong and confident… and to look for ways to serve God when He calls upon me. What about you… does your faith need a little boost today? Are you serving faithfully and confidently? Does your witness show others that God cares for all of His “toads?” Shouldn’t it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe. For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way.
Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Early in the summer, a spotted toad appeared on our back porch. He took up residence in a decorative bird house we keep on a glass-topped coffee table sitting there. One night, I discovered him pressed belly-side down against one of our picture windows, catching bugs that collected there in the light from one of our table lamps. I did a little research and learned that “Frodo,” as I named him, is a Great Plains Toad. Most likely, he moved into the bird house because his normal habitat… moist, damp earth… was not available in this summer’s drought.
I so hoped that Frodo would hang around for Timothy’s visit in August… and he did. We enjoyed watching Frodo – and his new cohort we dubbed “Little Frodo” – as they moved in and out of the bird house. We laughed as we watched “Big Frodo” attach to our picture window at night and catch bugs. Frodo grew accustomed to us, and I even put out water for him in a little dish on the table. I know he enjoyed it, because we would find it splashed across the table the next day.
After Timothy went home, we were a little lonesome. Remnants of a hurricane threatened to move things around on our back porch, so we did some rearranging before the storm hit. My husband gently moved the bird house to the porch floor underneath the coffee table and surrounded it with bricks. Frodo played on the bricks and around the bird house… and then he disappeared. For several days, the toads were gone. I know it’s silly, but I was truly sad and missed them. I had grown fond of looking for them peering from the bird house opening each morning. I missed seeing the toad on the window at night. And I was a little worried… what had happened to Frodo during the storm’s wind and rain?
My answer came four days later when I happened to pass the window, and there was Frodo… perched inside the bird house with his head hanging out. He was back! He probably took refuge in one of our many potted plants on the porch. But I was so glad to see him. And I felt God saying, “I take care of my creatures… ALL of them.”
I know this is a little bit of a weird analogy, but I have faithfully taken care of this little toad and his buddy most of the summer. And yes, he is just a toad… but God has used him to teach me a couple of lessons about faith. We are all “toads” of one sort of another, but God uses us to accomplish many things… if only we will let him. Just as he used the prostitute Rahab, God uses any who willingly serves Him – in spite of our brokenness!
I’m glad that Frodo has returned. He serves as a reminder to me that God is in control… that if He can meet the needs of a tiny Great Plains Toad, He surely cares about my needs. I am encouraged to stay faithful… to be strong and confident… and to look for ways to serve God when He calls upon me. What about you… does your faith need a little boost today? Are you serving faithfully and confidently? Does your witness show others that God cares for all of His “toads?” Shouldn’t it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 10, 2011
Luke 2:13-22
When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
But the Jews were upset. They asked, "What credentials can you present to justify this?" Jesus answered, "Tear down this Temple and in three days I'll put it back together."
They were indignant: "It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you're going to rebuild it in three days?" But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple. Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.
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 lot can happen in three days. Babies can be born, people can die and be buried, natural disasters can wipe out entire communities, high school and college careers can be completed, couples can marry and start new lives together… and a lot more. It’s the building – and rebuilding – that can take much longer… creating a lifetime of memories with a new addition, moving forward with life after the loss of a loved one, restoring a community and starting over with businesses and homes, beginning that “next chapter” of life... or getting “life” back on track.
The impact of three days in the life of Jesus had worldwide ramifications for generations to come and into Eternity. His crucifixion, death and resurrection changed everything… forever! And while our restorations and rebuilds often take more than three days, simply by nature of the fact that we are mere human beings. If we are living for Jesus, this time has importance, as well. Our actions and choices may not appear to affect the world at large – or future generations. But truly, everything we do in Jesus’ name has potential for great impact. And even the “little things” matter more than we like to think.
You’ve heard me say many times that “People are watching.” If we think of our lives… our bodies and our minds… as temples of God, then everything we say and do has tremendous value – and impact on others. We can be a positive, Godly influence… or we can, in essence, totally ruin everything with our witness and our conduct. If we think of our Christian faith and our church body as the Temple of God… what we say and do as church members, in worship, and on behalf of the church itself has an incredible power – either positively or negatively. We may think that we are insignificant… or that what we are saying and doing doesn’t really matter that much. But it does!
Three days in the life of Jesus changed the world for all of us. What does this mean for you? What do three days in your life do – for you, for others… and for Jesus?
©2011 Debbie Robus
When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
But the Jews were upset. They asked, "What credentials can you present to justify this?" Jesus answered, "Tear down this Temple and in three days I'll put it back together."
They were indignant: "It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you're going to rebuild it in three days?" But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple. Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.
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 lot can happen in three days. Babies can be born, people can die and be buried, natural disasters can wipe out entire communities, high school and college careers can be completed, couples can marry and start new lives together… and a lot more. It’s the building – and rebuilding – that can take much longer… creating a lifetime of memories with a new addition, moving forward with life after the loss of a loved one, restoring a community and starting over with businesses and homes, beginning that “next chapter” of life... or getting “life” back on track.
The impact of three days in the life of Jesus had worldwide ramifications for generations to come and into Eternity. His crucifixion, death and resurrection changed everything… forever! And while our restorations and rebuilds often take more than three days, simply by nature of the fact that we are mere human beings. If we are living for Jesus, this time has importance, as well. Our actions and choices may not appear to affect the world at large – or future generations. But truly, everything we do in Jesus’ name has potential for great impact. And even the “little things” matter more than we like to think.
You’ve heard me say many times that “People are watching.” If we think of our lives… our bodies and our minds… as temples of God, then everything we say and do has tremendous value – and impact on others. We can be a positive, Godly influence… or we can, in essence, totally ruin everything with our witness and our conduct. If we think of our Christian faith and our church body as the Temple of God… what we say and do as church members, in worship, and on behalf of the church itself has an incredible power – either positively or negatively. We may think that we are insignificant… or that what we are saying and doing doesn’t really matter that much. But it does!
Three days in the life of Jesus changed the world for all of us. What does this mean for you? What do three days in your life do – for you, for others… and for Jesus?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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