Daily Devotional for October 18, 2016

Matthew 5:4
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

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.

Sunday, I took the children to our local fish hatchery.  We went inside and looked at glass displays of mounted fish and a salamander.  These displays once held water and live animals…and the children could not understand why this was not the case now.  They speculated aloud that perhaps if water was put back into the tanks, the animals would rejuvenate and come back to life.  I told them this was not the case…that once the animals were dead, that was final.  Timothy quipped, “Yes…once you’re dead…you’re dead.”  When you stop and consider this statement – and all that it encompasses - this is a sobering thought.

Last night, I sat down and wrote out four sympathy cards.  Three of my friends have just lost their mothers…another lost her father.  I cannot count on both hands the friends who have lost a parent this year…and that does not even take into consideration people I know who have lost a spouse, sibling, grandparent, close friend or relative…or pet.  The number probably seems more palpable because of my own losses – and my age.  Still…it is profound.

When I read this passage, I was truly struck by the first line…”You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.”  How can this be?  How can we feel blessed when our loved one has left us forever?  How can it be a blessing to know that death is final…that we might have to live for decades without this person or animal we hold so dear?  When we lose a home to natural disaster…or a job we depended on and truly loved…how can we possibly feel blessed?  When our health is taken from us, and we must struggle and suffer with an injury or illness for days/weeks/years, how can this be a good thing?  And yet, this is exactly what Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:4.

We can be blessed in mourning because of Jesus.  When we are emptied out…stripped bare and completely vulnerable…He wraps His arms around us and whispers, “I am here…you are not alone.”  We turn to Jesus and fall into His amazing embrace…and we rest there.  He shields us from more grief and heartache than we can bear at any given minute…and we learn to rely on Him exponentially – for everything.  So yes, when we lose what is most dear, we can be truly blessed.

I have to remind myself of this often…but I know that Jesus spoke truth.  And I cling to this promise…and to Him. I cannot change the losses in my life, but I can change how I handle them…and what I do with my grief.  I choose to rest in Jesus’ arms and allow Him to comfort and guide me…to console me when I am sad - and encourage me every day.  He will do the same thing for anyone else who surrenders to Him.

What about you?  Are you ready to let Jesus embrace you and bless you – even in as you experience profound loss?  Isn’t it time you were?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 19, 2016

2 Corinthians 5:14b-19
Since we believe that Christ died for all of us, we should also believe that we have died to the old life we used to live. He died for all so that all who live—having received eternal life from him—might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them.

So stop evaluating Christians by what the world thinks about them or by what they seem to be like on the outside. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, merely as a human being like myself. How differently I feel now! When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

As I checked out at the grocery store the other day, I thought I recognized the man in line ahead of me.  I wasn’t sure, so I didn’t speak to him…but he seemed very familiar.  If I was right, I remember him as a very nice, kind, Christian man.  However, the clerk was visibly rattled as he walked away – and she said he had been a total grump and had almost been downright rude to her. I told her that I thought I recognized him…and he was actually a very nice man who must be having a terribly bad day.  She thanked me for being polite and said I “more made up for” his unpleasantness…and I did my best to put her back in a good mood.

The thing is…people are watching…and some have pretty long memories.  A lot of folks will judge us and “peg” us in one way or another based on a single experience – or prior history.  And we do this, too.  We are often astounded to find that the person we could not stand in childhood, high school or our early adult life is now someone we really like – or vice versa. We could all probably note someone who experienced something traumatic or life-changing…and it seemed to be a real turning point in his/her life…and a personality changer, as well.  Surely you have said of someone, “He/she is not even the same person I used to know!”

Can people really change?  Absolutely!  Unfortunately, these changes are not always positive.  But when JESUS transforms someone from the inside out, the results are generally – and astoundingly – good ones. Some people change when they claim salvation in Jesus. For others, the shift often occurs after some life-altering event.  Some are changed following a health scare, the loss of loved ones, or a major blow -  like the loss of a job. Others are changed by the unfair judgment and criticism of others…or personal neglect.  I think of how my mentor, Mrs. Peggy, developed such a tremendous visitation ministry after her own mother-in-law was virtually ignored by her church family when she became ill, and ultimately died. 

The point is this…we don’t have to wait for a life-changing event to become the “new creature in Christ” that He has called us to be.  We can evaluate our lives and make necessary adjustments today.  It doesn’t matter what others think of us…or what we think of other people.  What matters is what Jesus thinks! The U.S. Army used to have a slogan that said…“Be all that you can be.”  Are you all that you can be for Jesus? Even if you surrendered your heart to Him decades ago…did you truly change from the inside out?  You can still do this…and there is no better time than TODAY!

Stop judging others based on past history or outward appearances…and stop living like the “old you!”  Be the new creature that Jesus has created…and look for this in others, as well.  We may still occasionally have a bad day and show that “old side” to someone else.  But with God’s help, we can transform ourselves more and more each day into the Disciple He intended us to be.  Everything old IS new with Jesus.  It’s time we lived this truth each and every day.  How are you doing?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 12, 2014

Psalm 112:4-9
Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Recently, a good friend of ours underwent surgery to remove his kidney.  Pat was diagnosed with a form of Renal Cell Carcinoma…kidney cancer.  Preliminary scans determined that the brain and bones were cancer-free, and the surgery revealed that the lymph nodes are clear as well.  The message we received was “They got it all out.”  This is great news for this 40-something father of three small children…as well as for all of us who love this family.
 
In a message Pat sent me following the surgery, he said, “We both know God has - and will - see us through this.  He was never caught off guard by this.”  His wife Kerri added, “We are feeling the overwhelming love from everyone…and feeling the prayers. God is giving us strength and comfort. We feel His hand in all of this.”  Friends and fellow church members gathered at our church during the surgery to lift Pat in prayer…to ask for wisdom and expertise from the medical team…and to call on God to offer compassion and comfort to Pat’s family and friends.  Clearly, God heard the prayers!
 
The husband of another friend - also a 40-something father to boys ages 6 and 8, and five-month-old twins - is battling Glioblastoma…a deadly (and so far, incurable) form of brain cancer…or as his wife calls it, “The Beast”.  Adam’s cancer seems to be growing faster than chemo can kill it.  And as we pray for Pat, we are also praying for Adam and his family.
 
Two Godly fathers…two very different prognoses.  And some would say, “What did one do that the other did not?  Why is God showing more mercy to one than the other?  Doesn’t He see that both families need these dads?  Doesn’t He understand the long-term impact of these situations?  Why doesn’t God intervene for both of them?  Does he care more for one family than the other?"
 
The simple answer is that God does not play favorites.  Yes, God is fully aware of every single aspect of these situations…and He truly IS showing compassion for all concerned.  As Pat said in his message, “God was never caught off guard by this.”  So while it may seem that this scripture passage is telling us that God rewards our “good deeds” with His love and care…this is not the “whole enchilada”.  Clearly we have an example of two men who have served their LORD well…but the path He designed for each of them is radically different.  The pervading message is that God loves both of them…and He has tremendous love and compassion for their lives and the events that are unfolding.
 
So what do we do with this?  How do we square such distressing ordeals with a loving, compassionate, merciful God?  How do we witness to others about a God who allows human suffering and loss?  The answer is simple… we look to the cross.  We gaze upon the beaten and mutilated body of Jesus Christ, our SAVIOR…and we see that God understands how we feel.  His anguish over Jesus’ suffering was so profound that it caused Him to momentarily look away.  God feels our trepidation…He fully comprehends our questions – and why we ask them.  But He knows so much more than we do about the “big picture”.  We cannot fully see what God sees or know what He knows.  But God is never caught off guard by these events.
 
Surely God calls on us to be faithful in our service to Him…fair in business…generous and kind…benevolent and compassionate to the needy…and fearless in the face of trials and tribulations.  But He doesn’t play favorites.  He does not say, “I will punish this person with a horrific accident or illness”…or “I will take him/her out of this world for such misdeeds or lack of faith.”  He doesn’t arbitrarily decide that one young father should get a good diagnosis while another’s is grim.  We simply do not see God’s big picture…so there is no way to fully understand His purposes.
 
We must cling to the promise that God’s plans are always perfect.  We must trust Him and recognize that He loves us more than we can ever, EVER begin to comprehend…and His mercy and compassion are unending.  And we must love others and show them the face of God, no matter what our circumstances.  I have been so moved by the models of courage and fortitude that both of these young fathers and their families have demonstrated.  I have witnessed God’s love and care through their examples of unwavering faith and hope.  I have observed the outpouring of love, kindness, compassion and mercy from others for these families.  And I have seen God’s handiwork in both situations.
 
None of us knows what tomorrow holds…or if we are promised another day.  If you are young, you may think you have the rest of a very long life to start living for Jesus…plenty of time to be fair, honest, faithful and benevolent.  But truly, you don’t know that.  So don’t waste one minute!  Pick up your Bible and read Psalm 112 in its entirety.  Move over to the New Testament and read about the events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection.  Then spend some time with God and ask Him to strengthen you in your discipleship…to truly enable you to be His face to others…to fortify your ability to be generous, compassionate, and righteous.
 
And pray for Pat and Adam and their families…and others who are facing tremendous tests and challenges.  Ask God to reveal Himself to them in such a way that leaves no doubt that they belong to Him…that He is never caught off guard. Call on God to remind us in ways great and small that He’s got this – and them…and all will be well.  To God be the glory…forever and ever.  Amen!
 
©2014 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 20, 2013

Joel 3:14
Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
    There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Recently, a Facebook friend posted an interesting question.  In part, she said, “What is with the people on Facebook who literally spill their guts about woes, heartbreaks, and how ‘just when u think u can trust someone... Blah blah blah’??  I seriously don't understand what they believe they will be gaining from it?? AND THEN 150 LIKE THE POST?? What do they like?? Do they like that their ‘friend’ is miserable? Do they like that their ‘friend’ is writing this depressing stuff on here?”  She made some valid points.  She also mentioned that she has grown weary of posts from people who are “in a relationship” one day, “it’s complicated” the next, and then suddenly there is someone new – and wonderful – in their life.
 
Now you may be wondering… “What does this have to do with this passage from Joel 3?”  I’m glad you asked! Joel is prophesying about the end of the world… when Christ will return and “thousands upon thousands” will gather in the “Valley of Decision” for judgment.  I believe this is important… but I also believe that this has relevance in terms of today – and somewhat answers my friend’s Facebook question.  Here’s how… we find “safety in numbers”.  People want to know that others relate to them… that we care… that someone else has gone through what they are experiencing.  Even if others judge us, we want to know that we are not alone.
 
Now this doesn’t mean I am excusing – or condoning – the kinds of posts my friend mentioned.  I’m weary of them, too.  But when a friend posts that her brother has been placed on Hospice and dying of cancer, I can respond to her, because I know firsthand what it’s like to have a brother on Hospice who is dying.  When someone says, “I am a terrible mother… my 4-year-old cannot use scissors and the pre-K sent a note that we need to work on this”… I can speak to her as a teacher and a “foster-mother” to little ones that he is just not ready – and she is an excellent mother.
 
When a friend posts that she wants to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head as she tries to juggle the challenges of a job, marriage, parenthood, ownership of a retail business, and the in-home care of her father… as well as caregiving duties for her aging grandmother…I can commiserate, offer to pray for her, and assure her that she is not alone and that others care.
 
See, we are all waiting in the Valley of Decision for something… whether even our own self-judgment.  We have gathered together with decisions to make, challenges to face, worries, concerns, joys and sorrows.  And we eagerly await feedback… just as those on Facebook want others to reassure them that they are not the only person with such-and-such problem or experience.  The bottom line is that you are not unique… your challenges, choices, and their outcomes are shared by countless other people.  This doesn’t lessen the impact… make you less worried, upset, or important.  It just means that you’re not the first person that XYZ has ever happened to… and you won’t be the last.
 
In the Spiritual sense, you are incredibly unique and valuable to God… while at the same time, He feels this way about millions of others.  We will all have to answer to Him for the events and choices of our lives.  So why not choose to live for Him every minute… to trust Him for outcomes in all circumstances and act in a way that honors and pleases Him, no matter what happens?  Why not choose to be one of those in the crowd on Judgment Day who hears, “Well done, my servant.  You weren’t perfect… but you were obedient and faithful… you honored the gift of My Only Son with your conduct.”?  Why not bare your soul to God about many of your issues - instead of to your Facebook friends - and live in such a way that the things you DO choose to post reflect a life of faith-filled discipleship?
 
When the LORD arrives, and you stand among the thousands, it won’t matter how your neighbors chose.  God will judge each of us on our own merits.  This should affect the choices we make now… how we handle today’s challenges and experiences – and how we respond to others in similar situations.  What are your choices?  How are you managing the blessings and resources God has given you?  Are you ready to stand in the Valley of Decision with a clear conscience?  Isn’t it time you were?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 16, 2013

Psalm 119:121-127
I stood up for justice and the right;
    don’t leave me to the mercy of my oppressors.
Take the side of your servant, good God;
    don’t let the godless take advantage of me.
I can’t keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you
    to keep your promise to set everything right.
Let your love dictate how you deal with me;
    teach me from your textbook on life.
I’m your servant—help me understand what that means,
    the inner meaning of your instructions.
It’s time to act, God;
    they’ve made a shambles of your revelation!
Yea-Saying God, I love what you command,
    I love it better than gold and gemstones;
 
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.
 
Thirty-nine years ago today, I married my high school sweetheart.  I remember how hard I worked all summer with my mom and my grandmother to get everything ready for the wedding.  We made pretty much everything… down to the gowns, cake, mints and flowers!  I remember when Greg and I returned from our honeymoon. We still had a couple of weeks before school started at our university, and my family was on vacation in Texas… so we stayed at their house.  When Greg returned to his summer job, I still recall thinking, “Now what?”  The “hoopla” was over… college still lay ahead of me.  But for the moment, reality had set in – and I was more than a little thrown by it all.
 
For many of us, there are lots of “Now what?” moments in life.  When we settle into our college dorm room or new home for the first time, we may have those moments of asking… “Now what do I do?”  When the wedding toasts have all been given and the honeymoon trip has been taken… and you return to the everyday world of work, school, household chores – or whatever your life entails, it is normal to have that moment when you wonder, “What is next?”  When you finish school and enter the workforce, you may wonder, “Where do I go from here?”  As you age, retire, lose family members, peers – or even a spouse, it is natural to ask, “Now what?”
 
In any life-changing event, there is a time of a “natural high”… followed by a “reality check” where we may wonder what will come next.  Even in our Christian faith, we often go through a period of exhilaration… a “mountaintop experience” in which we are filled with joy, confidence, and inspiration to be the most devoted Disciple for Christ.  On the Walk to Emmaus, participants are cautioned on the last day as they return home that the world does not operate as we do… that we will face all sorts of challenges and struggles… and the potential for becoming discouraged or complacent is high.
 
So where does this leave us?  How do we avoid the pitfalls and navigate the “what nows”?  I believe that these verses help us figure out where to begin… “teach me from your textbook on life. I’m your servant—help me understand what that means, the inner meaning of your instructions.”  If we continually seek God in all things… if we listen and learn from His teachings… we can experience peace even in the midst of the most troubling “Now what?” event.  God will show us how to proceed in every circumstance… He will guide us – and number our steps.  And this, my friends, is worth more than the purest gold or a chest full of diamonds and gemstones.
 
Even after 39 years, I don’t know for certain what lies ahead… but I know Who is in charge.  Because of God’s love and care, I can give my “Now whats?” to Him and rest in the assurance – and peace - that He will show me the right answers. Can you say the same?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 14, 2013

May 14 ~ Colossians 3:12-13
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
This was my “quote for the day” today… “A police officer saw a lady driving and knitting at the same time, so after driving next to her for a while, he yelled, ‘Pull over!’  ‘No!’ she called back.  ‘It’s a pair of socks!’”
 
A very good friend of mine called recently to “vent” about her aging mother.  It’s time for “the talk” – the one where my friend tries to convince her mother to stop driving!  After numerous “fender-benders” and a situation that could have been tragic, my friend sees that it’s only a matter of time before something catastrophic happens if she doesn’t intervene.  Thankfully, she is not driving and knitting… but her reflexes and judgment on the road are impaired, all the same.  Still, like many aging seniors, my friend’s mother thinks there is nothing wrong with her driving… and she is quite insulted that anyone would even suggest she lay down the keys!
 
In exasperation, my friend finally told her, “If I find out that you have driven that car out of town for any reason, I am coming over here and get your keys and take them home with me!”  This reminded me of a time when my mother was exasperated with her mother, who would not stop cooking on her electric range and allow her Home Health aide to do the cooking.  One day mother told my grandmother, “If you turn one knob on the cookstove, I’ll remove the heating element and carry it in my purse!”
 
Like my friend, my mother grappled with a lack of patience and the arguments with my grandparents that ensued. And I understand… there were PLENTY of times when I lost patience with my Mam-ma Polly.  Hey, I lose patience with someone on almost a daily basis!  And therein lies the problem.  Paul is reminding us that we ALL have faults.  If we had any inkling of how often we exasperate the LORD… if we knew how frequently and easily He could lose patience with us… we would think twice about how we are treating others.  We so don’t deserve the love, mercy, kindness, gentleness and patience we receive from God on a minute-by-minute basis.  The least we can do is to show our respect and honor for these blessings by treating others in the same manner – and with a mega dose of humility.
 
I’m not saying that we won’t lose patience with people and situations.  We’re human… it will happen.  But we can become more aware of what we are saying… and how we treat others… and lessen the frequency and impact of these events.  We can ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?”  Hopefully this will be the impetus we need to see things in a new light – and to temper our behavior.
 
At the end of the day, my friend still has to do what is in the best interest of all concerned.  As I told her when we spoke, “You may have to make your mom mad my friend in order to keep her safe.  We are praying and asking God to equip her with an extra dose of patience, humility, and lovingkindness as she does what has to be done.  And I’m going to ask Him to soften the heart of my friend’s mother – and give her patience and understanding also, as her daughter sees after her well-being.
 
We are so blessed that God offers us His love, mercy and patience.  Won’t you ask Him to give you a hefty measure of these qualities, as well?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 12, 2013

2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
This morning, we honored the 20+ graduating high school seniors who attend our church.  Graduation takes place later this week. I would suspect that there are a lot of people – students and parents – who feel as though they have been undergoing an 18-year endurance test.  I also expect a lot of them will be looking around the day after graduation and asking, “What now?!”
 
Believe it or not, I was in high school once!  I remember the eagerness to get out of school and move ahead with “bigger and better things.”  I remember the hard work and “patient endurance” of three FULL years (including summers) in college, followed by nights and summer days spent sitting in a graduate school classroom – all in anticipation of college degrees, better pay, and the personal satisfaction and accomplishment of obtaining a Master’s Degree.
 
I remember waiting for nieces and nephews to arrive… counting the days until we moved home to begin a new business venture – and into new houses that we had built.  And I remember not-so-fun “endurance tests”… waiting for my casts to come off after broken bones – or healing to occur after a surgery…waiting and watching as a loved one suffered through his/her last days on this earth… dreading the time when a visit would end and we would have to say “Goodbye” to someone precious and dear.  And in ALL of these instances, I had the perfect example of “patient endurance”… the infallible model of perseverance and fortitude…the comfort and serenity of knowing that Someone much bigger and more powerful than I was in complete control.
 
Whether you are 18 or 88, life is full of events and experiences that test our endurance and cause us to “hurry up and wait.”  Having Jesus by your side can make the difference in whether you worry and fret your way through these situations… or whether you take them in stride with joy and confidence.  As long as you have a “full understanding and expression of the love of God” in your heart, you will have the “patient endurance that comes from Christ.”  This is an equation for joy and success in anyone’s book!
 
As you look ahead to a new week – or even a new chapter in your life – stop and take time to evaluate your relationship with Jesus.  Is He “front and center” in everything you do… every decision you make?  The importance you give Jesus in your life will directly correlate to how you answer the question “What now?”  Is Jesus guiding your answer and giving you patient endurance?  Isn’t it time He did?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 15, 2013

March 15 ~ Job 2:1-5
One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan also showed up. God singled out Satan, saying, “And what have you been up to?” Satan answered God, “Oh, going here and there, checking things out.” Then God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him, is there—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil? He still has a firm grip on his integrity! You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn’t work.”

Satan answered, “A human would do anything to save his life. But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away his health? He’d curse you to your face, that’s what.”

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, one of my five-year-olds fell out in the hallway as our “lunch line” of students snaked its way to the cafeteria one morning.  A severe diabetic, this child’s sugar level plummeted, and she collapsed.  I heard the loud clank of her metal lunchbox, looked back, and saw her limp body… and I knew she was in trouble.  I rushed her to the nearby nurse’s station, and we called an ambulance.  Several suggested we give her something to eat or drink, but I was afraid she would choke. Her mother had said, “If anything happens, call an ambulance.” So that’s what we did.  I rode with the child to medical clinic where her pediatrician practiced… located across town.  There, she was given saltine crackers and a Coke.  The sugar level rose, and thankfully, all was well.  After that, we began checking her urine each day before lunch to make sure her sugar levels were within acceptable range.

After this episode, my then-assistant principal drove to the clinic to retrieve me.  We were both shaken by the incident, and as she drove away from the clinic, she said, “What do you need, besides a good stiff drink?”  We both laughed.  But for many, this… or a cigarette…a pint of rich delicious ice cream… an extravagant shopping spree…a wild, reckless drive in a motorized vehicle of some sort…or some other “balm” would be the answer.  See, when the going gets tough, a lot of us fold up or surrender to temptation.  We find solace in things like food, nicotine, alcohol, drugs, overspending, and irresponsible behaviors.  After all, we deserve to be a little crazy for all of our trouble… right?

When trouble comes… when tragedy strikes… when “bad things happen to good people,” the devil takes great delight in the fact that a lot of us turn from God – or at least turn toward the things that displease Him.  Unlike Job, we turn away from the God who has supplied all of our needs and claim that “we’re entitled to go a little crazy.”  Integrity, schmegrity!  It’s time for us to have a pity party and/or get a little wild!  We’ve had a lot of hardship in our life… we deserve to shirk our responsibilities for a change.  Things have not gone well for us in any way/shape/form… it’s time we spat on the world!  And this is exactly what many of us do.

We blame our illness, our employer, our teachers and coaches – or our parents – our church our past disappointments, or our childhood for all of the things that have happened to us.  And we essentially say to God…”You let these things happen to us, and we’re not going to tolerate it!”  In truth, all we are doing is saying, “I’d rather dance with the devil than trust God to help me through whatever struggles and challenges I’m facing.”  It’s not easy to “keep your cool.” And often, doing the right thing is the hardest choice in the world.  But I believe many of us know what we choices we should make… we just choose poorly.

So my challenge to each of us today is to take courage… to stay faithful… and to kick the devil to the curb.  No matter what comes your way, say, “I’m not budging.  God will see me through.  It may be messy – even ugly at times – but He will never desert me.”  I promise, you cannot say the same for the devil… a stiff drink, that shopping spree, or even a pint of ice cream (although it may stick around a little longer than you’d like!).  The one constant… the only sure thing… is God Almighty.  Stick with Him…choose to keep your integrity and behave in a way that pleases God.  Live with the confidence that He is in charge and will never give you more than you can handle.  Tell the devil to “Bring it!  I’m serving a God who is big enough to help me handle all that you’ve got!”  Then claim this for yourself… take it to heart…and make it so.

Never give up – or in – to the devil.  Stick with God, preserve your integrity, and steer clear of any potential for destruction.

©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 27, 2012

1 Corinthians 10:13
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

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.

My husband and I watched Ken Burn’s documentary, The Dust Bowl, about the tragic situation man created in the Great Plains of America in the 1930s by turning the grasslands into wheat farms. When a drought ensued, huge storm clouds of dust were created as the winds whipped across the Plains. Much of the land in four or five states was buried beneath the soil. Cattle, crops and homes were destroyed and/or buried. Families gave up and moved away… many to California. Still others stayed and toughed it out… some became so despondent that they committed suicide. One woman who was interviewed told of her mother walking away one day and never returning. The woman was just a tiny girl at the time. That was the last time she ever saw her mother.

Burns interviewed a number of survivors who experienced the Dust Bowl as small children. The pervading story they told was one of perseverance… and of faith. One man told of being at church with his sister when a particular storm hit. Others spoke of parents and grandparents who were “religious sorts” or had a strong faith [in God] that sustained them.

What struck me profoundly as I watched this film was that all of the troubles and tribulations we face today are certainly nothing new… financial woes, sick and hungry children and family members, natural disasters, loss of jobs and relationships, homelessness, depression and despondency. I was reminded that God never left the people of the Great Plains… and He will never leave us. Sure, many succumbed to temptations… or lost their lives to such things as dust pneumonia, getting buried in a dust storm – or even suicide. But many hung on and survived. And I have to believe that a good number of them recognized God’s presence by their side.

I don’t know what you are facing today. I don’t know what tempts or troubles you. I have no idea what challenges you face each day… or whether you feel discouraged – or even hopeless. But I am here to tell you that God is still with you. He has not left… and He will not desert you. If you will only call on Him, you can feel Him lifting you out of the dirt and saying, “I’m gonna help you… we’ve got this!” You are not alone… you are not experiencing anything that God has not helped countless others survive already… and He will do the same for you. Have you asked Him to help? Isn’t it time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 19, 2012

Exodus 14:4
The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I say to Timothy, “Calm down!” Part of this is his attempt to manipulate me… to see just how far he can push the envelope. And a big part of it is frustration, because when you are three, there are so many things you want to do… and the results are often less than successful. So there are temper tantrums and arguments, and lots and lots of tears – both real and the dramatic kind!

I have to laugh at how much we Christians are like three-year-olds. We still don’t get it that God is on our side. He fights for us every day… and so many of the “battles” and frustrations we experience are totally unnecessary. If only we would stay calm, we would see that God is in control, working things out for us. If only we would get still and listen for His voice, there would be a lot fewer challenges and frustrations in our lives.

As Timothy grows, I am hoping he will learn to stay calm and work through his challenges… to allow the grownups who surround him to help solve problems and make decisions. And as we grow in our faith in Jesus Christ, may we also learn to stay calm and let Him fight for us. Let us praise Him as our Protector and Shield, whose wisdom is always perfect and sure. Let us give thanks that we are so greatly loved. Stay calm and trust in the LORD, who is always on our side.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 28, 2012

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

How many times have you made plans that somehow were derailed? Just today, I made plans to clean out some boxes in my garage. I decided that this project was going so well that I would also gather some things from my craft room. After all, I am taking unwanted items to the thrift shop later this week… I just as well take as much as I can! Then my husband called to me to help him clean out some boxes in the attic. I got involved in his project, along with my own, and before I knew it, the day that was going to have room for lots of projects was over!

I can’t complain. We have accomplished a lot today. And I have learned to roll with the punches… very seldom do my days go completely as planned. Everyone has twists and turns in their plans, and I learned a long time ago that getting upset when “life happens” will not be very healthy in the long run! But if I stay on course and sort of “reboot” every now and again, what needs to get done is eventually accomplished.

The beautiful thing is that God has plans for each of us… perfect plans. And we can try all we want to derail them… we can insert our own desires and two-cents-worth into the mix…and we can fall apart when things don’t go as we hoped or anticipated. But at the end of the day, if we will pay close attention, God’s plans will be the ones that get us the farthest down the road.

We need to begin each morning by asking, “LORD, what are YOUR plans for me today? Show me how to accomplish what YOU have in store for me… to listen for Your voice and direction.” We need to stay the course as much as possible. But when bumps in the road occur, we need to ask God to help us handle them and get back on track as quickly as possible. If we try to fix things on our own… or we veer away from the designs that God has for us, we can expect problems, disappointments and heartaches.

I am amazed when I stop and recognize that God created a plan precisely for my life… and yours… and the next guy’s, and the next. I see His hand in so many aspects of my days, and I see Him at work for others, too. I have to laugh at how ridiculous we are to think we could do better… or that He doesn’t care about us. And I am truly, deeply humbled by such a generous gift.

I don’t know the plans God has for you… but I know they are amazing. Have you asked Him lately what He has in store for you… and which direction you should take? Isn’t it about time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 19, 2012

John 16:33
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

If you want to give the devil fits, just get comfortable with God! The closer you draw to Him, the more minor irritations and frustrations Satan will throw your way. It’s like he’s saying, “Oh yeah? Well what about THIS one?”! I have to laugh as I picture him, hands on his hips, growling and perturbed because his latest rant or scheme did not put me out of commission. But this has not always been the case… and I will be the first to admit that I still let the devil get to me and rattle my cage far too often!

This is “Thanksgiving Week” in the USA… a time when we are supposed to stop and make an extra effort to count our blessings. I know I have more than my share… and I am so grateful to God for all He does for me every minute of the day. I am incredibly thankful that He has conquered the world and I can live deeply at peace… unshaken and assured, even when momentary difficulties arise. I cannot imagine surviving all the things that come our way in even an “ordinary day” without the power of Jesus behind me.

I am surrounded by people who inspire me with their examples of tremendous faith in the midst of great challenge… a mother whose son is undergoing treatments for cancer wrote that if she could make a chain of daily blessings in their lives, it would stretch around the house, and then some… a young newlywed whose husband is battling a sinister and most-certainly terminal brain cancer, journals of the wonderful hiking trip they had to a local mountainous area and the joy of daily routines like soccer practice for their little boys… the mother of two four-year-olds who spent their first year of life in Arkansas Children’s hospital, lost their third sibling along the way, and wakes up with a new physical “issue” almost every day – yet reports that her son fell and knocked out three front teeth, and she was glad that it was just a “normal little-boy accident/injury” and not something more major! Now that’s faith in action!

I could go on and on… but I think you get the picture. One of my former Sunday school students posted on Facebook that ““For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” You could easily insert the words frustrated, irritated, distressed, or hopeless and have the same result. And the whole point is that, while these are normal human reactions, they serve no purpose in the life of a Christian.

In the words of an old song called “Pick Yourself Up” by Jerome Kern…”pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” Recognize that God has already sent the devil packing, so we have no business letting him back into our neighborhood, so to speak. Kick him to the curb for good. When you start to feel frustrated, irritated, angry, or hopeless, shake Satan from your shoulder and say, “No way! I serve the Most High God, who has conquered the world! I am unshaken and assured that He has my back, and I am at peace!” Then do.it!

Be confident and faithful… a living example for others. Difficulties will come, but they do not define us. Cast ALL of your cares on God, for He truly does care for you in every way.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 7, 2012

Matthew 10:21-23
“When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

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.

Early on Election Day, my friend John posted a graphic on Facebook that said, “No matter who is President, Jesus is King!” John also posted this comment from one of his “good Christian friends,” as he described him… "No matter who wins tomorrow, God still reigns. As Christians, our politics should never be filled with hatred or poisonous division. My prayer is that Wednesday morning, Christians all over this great nation will be in prayer for our President to seek wisdom, and that we will love him in the same way that Christ loves us. May the world know we are Christians by our love. And that by doing so may we reflect the fact that God still reigns.”

I was so struck by the sentence in this scripture passage that says, “There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate!” A lot of “Christians” on both sides of the aisle want to talk about how much they love Jesus while spewing venom and hatred that could corrode heavy metal. I have to ask, “Where is their faith? What part of ‘love one another’ was unclear?”

This is not a commentary on the election… this is about more than politics. We must stop and examine our hearts and determine whether we are truly focused on serving God as the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth… or whether we have shaped our faith in an image of our making – turned it into something that suits our personal agenda. In the course of our lifetime, we will win some and lose some – in political elections, job opportunities, relationships, and more. And we can allow these to define us…or we can choose to focus on pleasing God and seeking His will.

If you choose the former, you will be setting yourself up for a lot of disappointments and heartaches… and opening the door for Satan to move in and fill you with hatred and bitterness. If you choose to trust God – no matter what – life may not always be a bed of roses, but you will be able to handle whatever comes your way.

I’ve talked a lot lately about “turning points,” and I think this is a big one. Making the commitment to humbly serve God in every single aspect of your life… to trust and obey Him in all things… and to believe that His will shall come to pass represents a critical obligation – and a significant leap of faith. But genuinely committing to God – completely – will make the difference. He will sustain you in hard times and give you courage to face those who turn on you.

As Christians, we must serve God and obey His commands with everything we have, which means to love others as He loves us… and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in our midst and to be His hands and feet on this earth. If we keep our own behavior in check… if we are certain that we are obediently honoring God with our service… what others do and say makes no difference. It’s not about us – or them… it’s about Jesus.

Where is your focus? Are you defined by your faith and service… or by your defeats and those who disparage you? Do you trust God to work in and through you… and are you trustworthy? Are you truly operating in God’s will and believing Him for perfect outcomes in all things? Isn’t it time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 24, 2012

James 1:12-15
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.

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.

Do you understand the difference between a test and a temptation? Let’s say you decide to lose twenty pounds by practicing portion control and exercising five days a week. It will be a test of your determination to stick with the routine and develop the habit of eating less and working out regularly. If someone invites you to go out for an all-you-can-eat-buffet dinner or encourages you to skip a workout to do something you consider more fun, these would be thought of as temptations.

In Spiritual terms, how you meet challenges and trials that come along could be considered a test of your faith in God. He allows us to endure certain troubles and hardships to see if we will truly operate in faith and courage… if we will rely on Him to equip us to handle whatever burdens we face. God doesn’t cause these situations, but He can use them to see how fully we trust Him to meet our needs. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our hardships that we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?” We turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling or spending money we don’t have… we drive too fast and take unnecessary risks, spend too much money on things we don’t need, stop studying - or quit school altogether - or we give up on getting fit and healthy, go back to eating whatever we please, and stop exercising.

When we do this, we have succumbed to temptation. And we have no one to blame for the outcome but ourselves. We have given in to evil and the lure of Satan, and we are operating in sin. Understand the difference. It is one thing to say that, “God is testing me,” and quite another to state that “God is trying to trip me up.” The last statement simply is not true.

When we start to understand that God doesn’t operate in temptation, we realize that to succumb to the devil’s wiles and seduction disavows our faith in God. We are denying His ability to strengthen and equip us to meet any and all challenges. In other words, when we give in to temptation, we fail the test.

I don’t ever want to dishonor God. I most certainly don’t want to grieve Him. I’ll be the first to admit that some of His tests are really, really hard! But the rewards are so worth the effort. God’s love, grace and mercy will overcome any and all obstacles to achieving success. So the question for all of us today is this… “Are we operating in faith and stepping up to the plate to accept God’s tests… or have we yielded to the temptations of the devil?”

Tests and temptations are NOT the same thing. Be certain you know the difference… and always make the right choices.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 15, 2012

Romans 12:20-21
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

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.

There is an old adage shared in caregiving circles that suggests (I’m paraphrasing) that those receiving care often “bite the hand that feeds them.” In other words, if you are a caregiver, you probably get a lot of complaints and ingratitude – if not downright personal attacks – from the person for whom you are caring.

Even if you are not a caregiver, you may experience this in your daily living – from a fellow classmate, a co-worker, a family member, neighbor, or fellow church member. It may seem like the more you do for this person, the worse they treat you. And it is human nature for us to want to retaliate… to “give this person a dose of his/her own medicine”… to lash out – or even to turn our back on them and walk away.

I think one of the hardest actions for a Christian to master is treating others kindly – even generously – when they have offered us anything but kindness. Loving the unlovely is incredibly challenging sometimes. Doing this with the right attitude is even more difficult.

See, caregivers have to keep caregiving. You may have to continue to go to class with that irritating classmate – or work with the person who is unkind. You can’t always move away from unpleasant neighbors or distance yourself from a church member who rubs you the wrong way. And you most certainly cannot divorce your family – although many have wanted to do exactly that! So often, we treat these people kindly and with civility – but in our hearts, we are not feeling very charitable. We may even plot “mental revenge!”

God wants us to operate in a spirit of charity and kindness – no matter who or what comes our way. He wants our heart to be as generous and loving as our actions. This is a HUGE challenge… one I do not mean to diminish in the least… and I can assure you that I struggle with it daily! But we must ask God to continue to work in us – to fill us with so much joy and completeness in Him that nothing flaps us.

Ask God to help you work on your heart. Call on Him to give you a spirit of goodness and generosity toward others – from your head to your heart to your toes! The better you become at doing this, the lighter your heart will feel… the more joy and peace you will experience. Another adage says, “Living well is the best revenge.” Revel in demonstrating kindness and love… let God handle the paybacks… and truly live well in the LORD.

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 1, 2012

Philippians 4:6-7
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

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 saying goes… “If you want to make God laugh… tell Him your plans!” At least once a day, my husband and I ask each other, “What’s your plan for today/tomorrow?” Most often, the answer is, “I really don’t have one.” We’ve learned to plan for the unexpected… that each day is different… and most plans need to be fairly “loose!” So when something arises to change our plans, we try very hard to “go with the flow”… to let God guide our days and nights and free us of worries and concerns when things take a left turn!

Life is about the journey, and the most important part of living in Spiritual maturity lies in how we make the journey. If we act like someone who is not a Christian when things go wrong or we don’t get “our way”… when our plans are interrupted… what is the point of trusting God? Who would believe us anyway?

I will be the first to admit that there are times when I panic… or when I get disgruntled and disappointed because I had something planned and it didn’t happen as I had hoped. But I’m also learning that life is what happens when we show up. If we will stay close to God in prayer and ask Him, “What are YOUR plans for me today/tomorrow?”… He will show us amazing things. And when we hit a bump in the road, we should learn to say, “Okay, LORD… this was not what I expected. I’m asking You to handle this, because I cannot.”

Let’s learn to live in the sense of God’s wholeness… to settle down and replace worry with a focus on Jesus. Let’s show others that the life of a mature, Spirit-filled Christian has no room for panic and frustration over plans that changed directions or didn’t materialize. Let’s show the devil that he doesn’t matter… that GOD is bigger than anything he throws at us. Life is a journey… and with God alongside, the trip can be something quite amazing!

©2012 Debbie Robus