Daily Devotional for October 9, 2016

Psalm 46:10

Our God says, “Calm down,
    and learn that I am God!
    All nations on earth
    will honor me.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
    
There are so many things happening in our world today – especially in our own country – that have a lot of us feeling like the earth has spun off its axis.  And yet, this morning I shared with ten 5-and-6-year-olds the story of Moses and how he made excuses to God.  I encouraged them to learn to listen to God and follow His plans for their lives. I assured them that God DOES have a plan for each of them, and that over time, He will reveal His mission for them through such things as prayer and Bible study…and He will help them implement this plan. They will be tempted to make excuses, just as Moses was – and as we often are - but they should learn to trust God and carry forward with His commands.

It’s hard to convince children that this is true…especially in light of what is going on all around us these days.  But I am confident that God is still in charge…that His plans are still perfect…that all nations WILL honor Him.  So I am not going to make excuses – for others – or to God.   I am going to stay calm…to trust and believe…to “be still and know” that He is GOD.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 4, 2016

Romans 8:5-8
Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored.
 
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 former student who is now the father of a 5-year-old  shared a link to an essay published by Reif Larsen in the May 31, 2016, edition of the New York Times, titled, “In Search of Lost Time.”* The writer talks of his first solo trip after the birth of his son…how he dreamed of going to a movie alone, dining in peace and quiet…even drinking more than one beer without feeling guilty.  He eagerly anticipated a swim in the pool without any worries and concerns for a 12+-month-old mini-version of himself.  He practically drooled over the thought of his great big hotel bed, which he would not have to share with a soul – and the epic sleep he hoped to experience there.

Nothing was as Larsen thought it would be.  The trip started out well. Larsen marveled at how quickly and easily he navigated airport security without a baby and its paraphernalia.  But he found himself noticing every baby in his line of sight.  Larsen listened for his boy at every turn…he could not enjoy his meals – or his drinks – and he said, “…everywhere I went I couldn’t escape this feeling as if I had lost something essential. Keys, wallet, cellphone … hmmm. It was eerie.”  He woke up several times in the night – disoriented and thinking he heard his son’s cry.  And in the end, he declared the trip to be “boring” and exhausting.

Do you see how this relates to the Romans 8:5-8 – and to many aspects of our lives?  We build up so much that we think will be grand and glorious…people…trips… acquisitions of all kinds…the perfect job/house/marriage/children…”fame and fortune”…the ideal level of fitness and attractiveness…and just plain “fun” in everything we do.  And we set out to achieve these things…through any and all means possible.  We try to “do it our way”…and often, this means pushing God to the back burner, at best.  We’re too busy to pray…we don’t have time to study His word…we surely don’t have room in our lives to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus and address the needs of others.  What about OUR needs?

In the end, we often find that the very things we thought were so important either 1) never measure up to our high expectation level; or 2) are actually quite boring and exhausting – the exact opposite of what we thought we wanted.  But GOD always satisfies. Attention to God isn’t always glamorous – or even fun!  But when we focus on God and trust His Spirit to move in and through us, we find that everything in life is oh, so satisfying.  We find a peace and contentment we never knew could exist as we chased the world by the tail.  We can rest and reflect on His goodness…bask in the glow of His glory…and revel in the blessings that come our way each and every day.

Will God give us a rosy, trouble free life?  Probably not – at least not 24/7/365.  But the good will far outweigh the bad…in all things…day in and day out. As we please God, He will show us just how good life with Him can be.  In Philippians 4:12, the Apostle Paul tells us that…”I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”  I pray that this would become our battle cry today…our words to live by.  We can make it through anything in Christ Jesus.  We don’t have to do it on our own – and the grass is NOT greener on the other side.  Many of the things we think will make our lives so much better are pipe dreams, because God has not ordained them. 

Wherever God has “planted” you today…do your best to bloom. But let HIM handle the “gardening!”  Let’s spend some time talking with God and ask where we are supposed to focus…then allow Him to guide our steps and bring out His very best in us!  Are you with me?

©2016 Robus

*http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/05/travel/family-holidays-parenting-fatherhood.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share   

Daily Devotional for January 19, 2016

Proverbs 19:23
Showing respect to the Lord
    brings true life—
    if you do it, you can relax
    without fear of danger.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

One week ago this morning, the angels came for my mother and ushered her into Heaven.  We all knew my mother was battling cancer…a diagnosis she received in late September.  None of us wanted to believe that she would have such a short time left with us. On December 19th, we had no clue that one month later, Greg’s brother and sister-in-law would have been involved in a car crash that left the other driver dead and led to multiple surgeries for Greg’s brother – and his subsequent death ten days afterward.

In both instances, I distinctly felt a sense of fear and dread…not that these precious souls would die and leave us.  I knew that both of them were headed for Heaven – and a glorious Eternity in the presence of Jesus.  What stressed me was what might happen to them in the meantime…here…on earth.

From the day my mother was first diagnosed with cancer, my prayer and profound desire was that she not suffer…that she not become debilitated and emaciated…that she not endure tremendous pain and indignities that often come with this horrendous beast of a disease. I found myself asking God over and again to spare her these things…to protect her at every turn.

When my brother-in-law was scheduled to transfer to a rehab - where he would hopefully strengthen his body and fully recover so that he could go home and resume his daily living – I was concerned for his well-being.  How would he manage the rigid routine in his weakened condition?  How would he cope with the isolation from family members as he spent most hours of each day in exercise and therapy?

In both cases, I literally called out to God and said, “YOU have to fix this!  I cannot!  I surrender these situations completely to YOU, because they are far beyond my control – and I know that you love both of these people and want what is best for them.”  I had prayed a similar prayer when my dad suffered a paralyzing stroke after surgery that left him in danger of having both feet amputated. In his case, I knew that the only “solution” that made sense to me was for God to call him to heaven…and He did.  I don’t know that I truly considered this an “option” with my husband’s brother and my own mother.  But that is exactly what happened for them, as well.

My mother used to say that “Healing sometimes comes in death.” And she was right! While this is a hard pill for those of us left on this earth to swallow, there is a comfort in knowing that this “solution” was the perfect one for these three dear souls who truly loved the LORD. They are safe…they are whole…they are HOME…and they haven’t a care or a worry whatsoever.  As much as is humanly possible, our challenge is to operate in the same manner.  We may not be healthy and whole on this earth, but we can certainly feel safe, fearless, and confident in the care and protection of God Almighty.

I will not lie…our hearts are broken. I miss my brother-in-law and his quick wit.  I will miss his laugh.  Ever the typical “big brother,” I know that there were times that I exasperated him…but he was always in my corner.  And I miss my mother…especially her daily e-mails and our telephone talks.  I didn’t see her that often in the last several years. She traveled a lot and maintained a BUSY daily schedule.  But she would tell me, “I’m only a phone call away.”  Now, that “phone call” is a little beyond the realm of human possibility. I don’t know if/when I will ever adjust to that one!

Still, I find that for large chunks of the day, I am relaxed.  Nothing about these situations gives me fear or suggests danger or unrest.  For most of the time that my mother was ill and Greg’s brother was injured, I was what I described as “eerily calm.”  I knew this was God’s shield, protecting me from a wave of emotions that I could not handle.  When my brother-in-law died…and my mother entered the hospital - and then Hospice care - the “dam” broke.  Tears poured…often at the most inopportune times. But they have been healing and liberating…and God has comforted me even in those times of profound release.

What have I learned from this?  More powerfully than ever, I have learned to “let go and let God.”  There is NOTHING that He cannot handle…and He certainly does not need any input from me!  He is capable of executing all things.  MY JOB is to trust Him to do so…to respect His methods, His timing, and His impeccable attention to every detail.  As Mother’s pastor pointed out, we see a picture of how things are…but God’s picture is so much larger and broader – and far more grand.

Whatever is stressing you today…whatever challenges you face…whatever questions, worries, fears and frustrations you have – give them to God.  Trust that He has a bigger, better plan…that He can do what you cannot – and with complete perfection. “Let go and let God”…serve Him in all things and respect His sovereignty. Bask in the safety of His love and care and banish fear and dread from your life. God wants us to truly LIVE in Him…and we can’t do this if we are fearful and anxious.  How are YOU living these days?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 16, 2015

Mark 11:22-25
Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”

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 in the church nursery, an almost 2-year-old named Stella lost her shoe.  I retrieved the sandal and handed it to her.  She wanted to put it on by herself.  There was an ankle strap with a buckle, and she fussed at me as I took the shoe from her to unfasten the buckle.  When I tried to help her put it on her foot, she would kick and squeal. 

This little red-headed “ginger snap” got so frustrated as she worked to put on her shoe…but she would not accept any help in buckling the strap or getting it on correctly.  She finally just walked around with one shoe on and the other foot bare!  She would rather do that than allow someone to help her…to trust that we grownups knew more than she did about how the shoe should go on her foot and fasten!

Stella will figure it out.  But when it comes to our prayer life and faith in God, a lot of us are still walking around wearing only one shoe!  We still don’t fully understand that we need to pray about everything…and believe that God hears us and answers.  Does this mean that we will all drive Maseratis and be dripping in diamonds and furs…that we will never have to work another day in our lives and God will make every single second hunky-dory forever, just because we asked Him to do so?  Absolutely not!

What this scripture tells us is that God will meet all of our needs…all the time and in every way.  It also tells us that God knows what these needs are…and how best to meet them.  So when we pray and ask God for help and guidance, we can relax and rest in the confidence that He will answer… that whatever He gives us will be perfect.  So if you tell God you need a car to get to school or work or wherever, and He provides you with a clunker that looks horrible but runs fine, you can trust that this is what you need to be driving.

If you ask God to bring you a soulmate, and the person who comes into your life doesn’t exactly look like a model from the pages of Victoria’s Secret or one of the men in GQ Magazine - but he/she loves Jesus and treats you royally – consider that God has chosen the perfect companion for you, based on His plans and not your selfish desires.  When troubles come and you ask God to help you through them…yet the road is rough and rocky…don’t ask “Why me, LORD?” Instead, ask, “What are You showing me?  How do You want me to handle this?  How can I glorify You in my reactions and responses?”

It’s time for us to accept God’s help…to trust His answers…and to let Him show us how to “put on the other shoe” and live fully in His plans and abundance.  This seems like a pretty good day to get started…wouldn’t you agree?

©2015 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 1, 2014

Luke 1:21-25
Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering   what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn’t speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.
 
When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn’t long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!” she 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.
 
Imagine it…this elderly priest and his equally aged wife who never gave birth discover that she is pregnant.  When an angel appears to Zachariah and tells him that Elizabeth is going to have a baby, he basically says, “You’ve got to be kidding!  At OUR ages?”  And for his lack of faith, the angel “strikes him dumb” until the baby is born.  The priest goes into the temple to pray …and comes out unable to speak!
 
Elizabeth apparently took the news a little better.  In fact, she was beyond thrilled with the news that she would finally have a baby.  Two people exhibited two different reactions – both of them understandable.  In the end, God entrusted this couple with a son named John, who would set the stage for the ministries of Jesus.  Zachariah and Elizabeth could not possibly have known what a huge responsibility – and honor – had been given them.  But I like to think that they embraced it to the best of their understanding.
 
The question for us is this…if God sent an angel and gave us news that was far-fetched, hard to swallow, frightening, or just plain crazy, how would we react?  Would we shake our heads, laugh, and say, “God surely showed me!”? Or would we respond like Zachariah and ask, “How can this possibly be?”  Do you see the difference?  One response demonstrates tremendous faith…the other, quite frankly, insults God.  And God let Zachariah know this by removing his ability to speak for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
 
If you go back and study the Gospels and the history of the time when Jesus was born, you will see that the faith and trust of Elizabeth, Zachariah and others was sorely tested – in ways that could potentially cause questions from family and friends – if not downright ridicule or banishment from the community at large.  Yet they stood firm in their confidence that God knew what He was doing…and they went along for the ride.
 
I can’t say what I would have done in their shoes.  I would like to think that I would graciously accept God’s plan and embrace it fully.  But I also know how strong the pressure can be from others to conform and behave in a certain manner.  My prayer is that we would study these amazing role models and learn from them…that we would become more faith-filled and obedient in our own daily walk with God…and that when He “sends an angel” to give us a message, we would listen and act in a way that pleases Him.  God got Zachariah’s attention in a profound way.  What will He have to do to get yours?
 
©2014 Debbie Robus