Daily Devotional for February 7, 2012

Isaiah 42:1-4
"Take a good look at my servant. I'm backing him to the hilt. He's the one I chose, and I couldn't be more pleased with him.  I've bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He'll set everything right among the nations. He won't call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right. He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped until he's finished his work—to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching."

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.

Those of you who know me well know that I am currently fascinated with repurposing objects and giving them a new life. I have turned the sleeves of shirts and dresses into leggings and pants for toddler girls. I’ve learned how to make vests and other garments from old t-shirts, and tired sweaters have become caps and mittens for babies. Vintage linens… doilies, tablecloths and bed sheets… have become dresses, jackets, collars, and bibs for babies and little ones. An old skirt became part of a bathrobe for my cousin Owen for Christmas, and I have a chenille bedspread that is begging to become several more robes!

And it’s not just fabric. A friend asked me for a piece of gum at the ballgame recently, and I opened my purse and whipped out a little plastic container that had once held Gerber baby food… now it houses my stash of gum! I melt leftover candle wax and pour it over wicks I bought at Hobby Lobby to make new candles and keep from wasting that last third of the jar of scented wax. An old box that held disposable coffee cups and lids was covered with paper and now holds my sewing patterns.

If I can figure out another use for something, I do not throw it away, no matter how small and insignificant it seems. That’s why I have a handy stash of fabric scraps and lace trims that are perfect for patching stains and holes… I almost always have a button when I need to replace one that is missing… and the rich chicken broth that I used to make soup last week came from boiling the leftover bones of our rotisserie chicken!

Have you ever considered that WE have been repurposed by God? Through the blood of Jesus, we are given a new life. In the scheme of things, we are each so seemingly insignificant and small… yet God sent His only Son to die for us and set things right! I like to imagine that God’s “craft room” is full of broken hearts and beaten-down spirits… sinners and downtrodden souls that He is repurposing into something wonderful for His glory!

We have very much become a “throw-away society.” Yes, I use disposable coffee cups on occasion – but only if I want to take coffee with me somewhere that it would not be convenient to rinse out a mug and stash it. And if I buy a cup of coffee at McDonald’s, I often bring the container home to wash and reuse a few times until the plastic lid disintegrates. The point is that God sees the potential in us. Recently I used a tiny piece of lace trim to cover a stain that threatened to ruin the leg of a pair of little girls’ leggings. That tiny scrap of trim turned something unlovely into something quite beautiful. In the same manner, God can use the tiniest “scrap” of a person to create something wonderful for His desires!

What is our “take-away” from this today? I believe there are two lessons:

1. God won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt… he won't disregard the small and insignificant, and
2. God won’t quit… and neither should we.

Let’s look beyond our flaws and imperfections… and those of others. Let’s look at every situation with an eye toward how God can use us and others for a new purpose. Where is He at work in your life to patch the stains, to use something seemingly insignificant and small to create something wonderful and huge for His Kingdom? How have you limited God with your “throw-away” attitude… and how can you start to change? You may never carry your gum in a Gerber container or repurpose your clothing, but you can open your heart and mind to the possibilities for a “Spiritual repurposing” in God… and allow Him to make something truly beautiful and glorious. What will God create with you?

©2012 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 17, 2011

Psalm 145:5-9

I will keep thinking about your marvelous glory and your mighty miracles. Everyone will talk about your fearsome deeds, and I will tell all nations how great you are. They will celebrate and sing about your matchless mercy and your power to save. You are merciful, LORD! You are kind and patient and always loving. You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation.

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

For the last few days, a cedar tree outside our window has been filled with bluebirds and pine warblers. The tree is loaded with tiny blue berries, and the bluebirds especially love them. So all of these little songbirds have had a feast!

Below the tree on a shepherd’s hook hangs a bird feeder that we keep filled this time of year with black sunflower seeds. The birds enjoy these seeds, but the bluebirds seem to prefer the cedar berries. I sat at the window for a long time one morning… mesmerized by these beautiful creatures. The males are much more brilliant in color than the females, but both have their own sweet beauty.

As I watched these little songbirds feed on the berries, I thought about how caring and loving God is… that He could care enough to provide blue berries on a gnarly, shaggy-barked tree to feed tiny creatures that wear coats in a rainbow of blues, oranges, greys and browns. He knit together each bird in perfection… just the right number of feathers in just the right arrangement to create their colorful, distinctive markings. Even if we never put out a single sunflower seed in winter, God would not let these little birds starve.

The God who takes care of these tiny birds is the same God who loves and cares for us. Surely He meets all of our needs and loves us just as much. This is a good time to stop and thank Him for being so merciful, powerful, gracious, and kind. It took a flock of tiny bluebirds on a dreary winter day to remind me just how special we are to God. And now I’m reminding you!

Take a few minutes today to look around and marvel at God’s glory and mighty miracles. Give Him a prayer of thanks and praise for being so meticulous and thorough. Tell God how much you appreciate He meets your needs so well… and remind someone else how much He cares for them. I just did!

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 14, 2011

Psalm 144:3-4, 15
I wonder why you care, God — why do you bother with us at all? All we are is a puff of air; we're like shadows in a campfire.

How blessed the people who have all this! How blessed the people who have God for God!

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.

We are experiencing periods of heavy fog this week. When this happens, Greers Ferry Dam completely disappears from view out our back window. The dense fog keeps us from seeing even the bright lights that line the sides of the dam’s roadway and guide drivers safely from one end to the other. A visitor would never know that a big concrete dam was holding back the water on the river below our house. And the fog can rise very quickly on the river. Often the dam is visible one minute and gone the next.

We like to think about living a long life… and how important each and every minute, day, and year of our lives is in the scheme of things. But truly, we are here one day and gone the next. If you don’t believe me, just think about the past year and what has happened. I remarked to my husband a few days ago that I had to remove the names of several dear friends and loved ones from my Christmas card list, because they have gone to heaven since this time last year. Our lives are very much like a vaporous fog.

So why does God bother with us? He is, after all, GOD! In the time continuum and scheme of things, how can one of us be that important? And yet we are! Each one of us matters greatly to God. Our life, however lengthy or brief, matters. What happens to us – our hopes, dreams, needs, desires, the way we conduct ourselves and how we serve Him – all has significance. And we truly are blessed to have such a God.

Sadly, we take God for granted so much of the time. Amazingly, we fail to honor the One who has done such great things for someone as small as we are in the overall picture. But we can change this… and we can start today. Begin by thanking God in your prayer time for all He does in your life. Then start to live in a way that shows Him you mean what you said. Seek out ways to serve Him… to show kindness and love to others… and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ – in word and deed. Act like you are as important as God thinks you are… and praise Him for choosing us… and for being such a great and mighty God to each of His “vaporous puffs”!

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 14, 2011

Psalm 118:21-24
I praise the LORD for answering my prayers and saving me. The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone. The LORD has done this, and it is amazing to us. This day belongs to the LORD! Let's celebrate and be glad today.

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

This morning when I woke up, I saw sunlight streaming across a hickory tree in our back yard. Its leaves are turning a brilliant yellow in the cool air of fall. This is not the greatest tree in the world… it “forked” somewhere above our second story, and a recent strong wind blew the dead section out, leaving an even more off-balance looking tree standing on the bluff.

Still, dozens of squirrels feed on hickory nuts from this tree… evidence of their buffet covers the ground around the trunk. The tree still delights us with its brilliance in the fall – and shade in spring/summer. Flying squirrels still live in a hole in the side, and woodpeckers of several varieties enjoy feasting on bugs in the bark… and our suet cakes in the winter!

Others would probably declare this tree unimportant and in need of cutting. And someday, we very well may lose this tree… either to a strong wind, or we may decide it should not stand so close to our house in its weakened condition. But for now, the tree still has value to us – and to the little creatures that live on our bluff. It is still very much an “important stone” in our yard. And God showed me the beauty of this tree in the morning sunlight.

Later in the morning, we took a 30-mile drive to Searcy to shop, and I marveled at the beauty God is giving us with his “paintbrush,” in the form of brilliant red sumac, yellow goldenrod, lavender wildflowers, brilliant leaves in a variety of hues, and a bright blue sky with wispy white clouds to accent it all. I thought of how He cares as much about a tiny patch of goldenrod as He does for you and me… and how no stone is unimportant to Him. And I was humbled… and grateful.

When we feel discouraged… unsettled, disappointed, insignificant, misunderstood, disrespected, or even worthless… we must remember that we are still vitally important to God. We mean so much to Him that He sent His Son to save us… to ensure that we have a way to Him – and that He will always be there for us. And for this, we should be incredibly grateful and thankful.

Today, I am humbled by God’s love and care… and incredibly appreciative. I am taking extra time to stop and tell Him how much I love Him, and I encourage you to do the same. Let’s celebrate and be glad for all God does for us… and let’s be sure He knows how grateful we are!

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 26, 2011

Luke 12:6-10
What's the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.

"Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God's angels. But if you pretend you don't know me, do you think I'll defend you before God's angels?

"If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked. But if you're knowingly attacking God himself, taking aim at the Holy Spirit, that won't be overlooked.

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.

Take a look at yourself in the mirror. Imagine it… God knows exactly how many hairs are on your head… and mine… and his… and hers… and theirs. Incredible, isn’t it?! “So what?” you may say… “Why would God even care about my hair?” Because God cares about everything about you! You are the apple of His eye. He knows every single detail of your life… and He loves you anyway!

So often – and for a number of reasons – people start to feel like nobody cares. Nobody is paying attention…nobody notices. I’m talking about more than self-pity… I’m talking about a feeling that we are incredibly insignificant in the scheme of things. If we died tomorrow, would it matter? The truth is that God created each of us for a purpose… and if we are not around to fulfill that purpose, it matters greatly!

God is always ready to meet you where you are… to stand with you – and to stand up for you! If someone tries to tell you that you don’t matter… or if the devil tries to plant those thoughts in your head, do not listen! Stand up, square your shoulders and say, “I’m worth more than a million canaries!” Because honestly, if God cares about every feather of a tiny canary, He surely cares about each of us even more.

There’s one other thing… because God is so loving, gracious, and merciful, and always willing to stand up for us… we must be willing to do the same. If we turn our back on God and try to make a go of things on our own terms, we can’t expect Him to bail us out of the mess we make! God is not Burger King… we can’t have it our way… and we can’t pick and choose when to serve Him and when we want to try something different! We really don’t want to do that anyway… because we’ve all seen how badly things go when we try to do them without God in control.

So thank God today for valuing you so highly – for caring about every intricate detail of your life. Ask Him to show you how to serve Him better… and take a stab at caring about the details of HIS life in return. Stand proudly knowing you are so important to Almighty God… and always remember who has your back!

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 4, 2011

Psalm 22:15, 24
My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt.

The LORD doesn't hate or despise the helpless in all of their troubles. When I cried out, he listened and did not turn away.

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

When I moved all of my “treasures” from one antique store to another recently, I dropped a little decorative plate. It splintered into about 5 pieces. This was not an expensive plate – I probably paid at most a couple of dollars for it at a garage sale or auction. But it was beautiful… a robin’s-egg blue scalloped edge tipped in gold, delicate pink roses and raised white dots called a “moriage” technique. It would have been a perfect accent for a shelf or display cabinet… or a nice little dish to set out with a few candies for guests.

I carefully gathered up the shards and put them in a container and brought them home. I could have dumped this plate into the trash, but instead, I got out my bottle of glue and began to reassemble the piece. I still don’t know if it will hold together – or if so, for how long – but it’s worth a shot. Once glued, this plate still has potential. It can be tucked in behind something else so that the broken parts are not readily visible. It still has purpose… beauty… value.

To God, we are the broken plates. While HE did not drop us or cause us to break, in our sin and our “humanity” we did just that. But we still have value… worth… beauty… purpose. God knows this. He stands ready to glue the pieces back together. We may not be the same. Like the plate, there may be rough edges and little cracks where a splinter or two were not recovered. But God will fill in the rough spots. He will make us whole, useful, and able to serve once again.

The key to being restored and repurposed is to acknowledge God. It may seem like He deserts us from time to time… leaves us on the scrap heap in a zillion broken shards. But this is not the case. He is waiting for us to reach up to Him and believe that He can fix us… that He can heal the broken parts and restore us to serve another day. Have you called on God lately? Are you piled up on the scrap heap, wallowing in self-pity? Or are you standing ready to be reglued… repaired… repurposed… and given another chance? The choice is yours…what will you do?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for October 29, 2010

Jeremiah 2:19
Your own sins will punish you, because it was a bitter mistake for you to reject me without fear of punishment. I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken.

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

On TV’s “The Biggest Loser,” contestants sometimes make crazy choices. This is a game, so a contestant may weigh the pros and cons of choosing to participate in a “challenge” where the participants have to eat a lot of calorie-laden sweets to have a chance at “immunity.” Or… a contestant may deliberately attempt to keep from losing weight in an effort to “throw” the results of the weigh-in at the end of each show. In all cases, the trainers inevitably come back to these contestants with one question… “Was it worth it?”

Very seldom do these choices work out well. One contestant had a “extra weight” card that he could use any week he chose. This card would allow him to add pounds to his weight-loss total for the week, and it increased exponentially with each passing week. He opted not to use the card at a weigh-in, and his weight loss was not all that great. He could have used another 3-pound loss to stay in the game. As it was, he lost… and his fellow contestants voted him off and sent him home.

I know that “The Biggest Loser” is just a game… and these people are hoping to win up to $250,000 at the end of the season. But they are also risking their lives, in a sense, because these are morbidly obese people with serious health issues. Losing this weight could also mean the difference between life and death for them.

“But I’m not overweight,” you may be saying… “and I’m certainly not morbidly obese… what does this have to do with me?” We are no different from the contestants on “The Biggest Loser” when it comes to life decisions. We gamble every day with all sorts of choices that affect our relationship with God… choices that could have Eternal consequences.

Just like thinking we will eat cupcakes today and worry about the weight tomorrow, we decide we will “live for today,” and worry about our salvation later. We choose to “sow wild oats” and, in our mind, enjoy our life on our own terms, with little to no regard for the long-term effect on our lives, the lives of those around us… and our Eternal life.

The question of “The Biggest Loser” trainers applies to this situation, as well… “Was it worth it?” What are we thinking to turn our back on God for even one second? None of us are promised tomorrow… a second chance. Like the contestant on the show who gambled with his “bonus card” and lost, we risk losing something far more important… our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Let’s take a look at our lives today and see where we are “living outside the box” and excluding God in the process. Let’s ask God to show us where we need to make changes and better choices - and re-align ourselves with His plan. Let’s make sure we are “winners” where it really matters – not for $250,000 or the title of “The Biggest Loser” – but in the race to the cross, where we find the ultimate Prize… life everlasting with our Heavenly Father.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 14, 2010

Acts 26:16
“Now stand up. I have appeared to you, because I have chosen you to be my servant. You are to tell others what you have learned about me and what I will show you later."

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

If you saw my house, you might not believe this, but I’m something of a stickler for neatness and cleanliness. And when it comes to Timothy, some would probably say I’m obsessive. If I know he is coming to visit, I vacuum the floors, disinfect his toys, change the linens in his crib, and make sure everything is in order. I consider it a great honor that my niece trusts us to care for her child, and I want to be sure I do everything necessary to ensure he is safe, loved, and nurtured when he is with us.

We all give attention to what is important to us. For some, it may be a prized vehicle. Maybe you wash your car several times a week and make sure it stays in tip-top running condition. Others may have a special collection… a sport they devote time and attention to… or even a gadget, such as an iPhone, laptop, or home theater. Whatever we value, we give care and attention.

Do we give this much care and attention to our relationship with God? Shouldn’t we? If God loves us so much that He chose us to be His servants, doesn’t this indicate how important we are to Him? Doesn’t this merit the care, attention, and nurturing of our relationship with Him? While you may feel you take pretty good care of your relationship with God, I assure you, none of us does enough. Ask Him to show you where you could step it up a level… then get busy doing so. We’ve been chosen to be Christ’s servants… it’s time to stand up and act like it!


©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 12, 2010

Psalm 4:3
The LORD has chosen everyone who is faithful to be his very own, and he answers my prayers.

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

• “Congratulations! You have been chosen to serve on the outreach team at your church! This team is responsible for delivering support and nurture to all church members, as well as prospective members. Only those who have exhibited unwavering faith in God and a ‘glowing aura’ of the Holy Spirit were selected for this honor. In exchange for your service, God will give you special favor. You can ask Him anything, and He will push your requests to the top of the list.”

Okay, surely you see I’m being silly here. But I wanted to make a point, of course.

Often we are selected for certain committees, posts, organizations, and more... and given promises of great rewards. But there are catches. In order to receive these “rewards,” we must act a certain way or deliver a certain level of effort and energy. With God, there are no “catches” … there is nothing we can do to earn His love and the right to ask Him for anything in prayer. He does ask us to be faithful to Him… and in return, He answers our prayers, according to His will. But working extra hard or trying to be an “Uber Christian” doesn’t elevate our status in His eyes.

Bottom line: Being a child of God is the ultimate honor and privilege. We can take anything to God in prayer, and He will hear us. He deserves our faithfulness.

This is really a no-brainer! Are you giving Him your best these days?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for July 1, 2010

Colossians 1:21-23
You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent.

But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I myself have become a servant of this message.

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

Recently my mom floated the Buffalo River with her husband’s family, and at one “swimming hole,” people were climbing massive bluffs and jumping back into the river. Swimmers below were encouraging those jumping to “conquer your fears,” and telling them, “You can do it!” And Mom said most did just that – even those whose faces indicated they were scared silly! However, she said one or two climbed back down and accepted defeat… and in this instance, that was just fine.

In our spiritual life, “backing off” and “climbing down” are not okay. Defeat is not an option. The cost of our salvation was far too high. The price Jesus Christ paid to stand in the gap for us with God was just too costly for us to back down and stop fighting. We must keep trusting – keep believing – and keep holding on to the promises of God for us and others. And more than this, we must never give up on one another. We must become, as the Apostle Paul, “a servant of this message.” We must vigilantly remind others how precious they are to God. We must pray for them, encourage them, and never, never, EVER give up.

We can do it! We must “conquer our fears” – with the Lord’s help – and trust Him to honor His promises… to us and to others. We must stay deeply rooted and firm in our faith and be servants of God’s message to everyone around us. I say again… defeat is not an option when it comes to Jesus and our faith. How deeply are you rooted these days?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 25, 2010

June 25 ~ Romans 8:15
God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.

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

Think about television fathers of the fifties and sixties (or for some of you, from today’s reruns on TV Land). Consider Andy Griffith, or Fred McMurray’s character on “My Three Sons,” or even Ward Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver.” These men were “large and in charge” and commanded respect. But when their sons misbehaved or made a mistake, they had nothing to fear. Sure, there were consequences, and sometimes the dads were disappointed or upset. But these fathers lovingly showed their sons their mistakes and how to correct them… and how to avoid repeating them in the future. The sons respected their fathers. Oh, sure, Beaver acted like he was afraid of his dad at times, but he wasn’t really… and he never felt like his slave.

In my mind, God is the same kind of Father as Andy Griffith – only super-sized and far more powerful. God takes things in stride… enjoys my successes, cries when I’m sad, and is disappointed and upset with me when I disobey Him or make wrong choices. But He is not a “slave-owner,” and He is not waiting to beat me into submission… or keep score of every time I’ve failed Him. At the day’s end, I am still His child, and He loves me. He wants me to have the very best He can provide – and to be all that I can be. Like most fathers, He wants me to live up to my full potential as His child – and to get all I can out of life on this earth… and my life in Him. If we are honest, we all want to please our parents. We want to feel that they are proud of us, and that we lived up to their expectations. And God is no exception to this.

If you view God as anything besides loving, just, fair, and taking your best interests to heart, you’ve misunderstood Him. If you think of God as a fierce judge who is waiting with a list of your infractions and a whip and chain to beat you into submission and correction, you are dead wrong. God loves us. He may correct us from time to time or allow us to suffer consequences of our actions, but He does not want us to serve Him out of fear. If you have any feelings toward God other than love and a healthy respect and reverence, I encourage you to spend some time reading His word and getting to really know him. Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a keyword search for “God’s love,” or “love of God” or other phrases about our Father and His love. See for yourself how deeply He cares. Discover Him in a new way, and serve Him joyfully as His child… and not a slave. God wants us to serve Him willingly and out of a deep joy and love. He’s worthy of that, and more. Find out why… and get busy being His child.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 14, 2010

June 14 ~ Isaiah 35:4
Don't tremble with fear! Didn't I tell you long ago? Didn't you hear me? I alone am God -- no one else is a mighty rock.

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

Have you ever considered how many landmarks include a rock? Early settlers docked near La Petite Rocher (later called La Petite Roche) – a “Little Rock” outcropping that became a noted landmark on maps and the point where ferries crossed the Arkansas River, as well as our state capital. When we talk about Sugar Loaf, we are usually referring to the “mountain” behind ASU-Heber Springs that is topped by a rock outcropping. However, there is a Sugar Loaf in Greers Ferry Lake near Fairfield Bay, and my parents and grandparents knew another rock outcropping as “Little Sugar Loaf” before the lake was formed. Today, when the lake level is low, the very top of “Little Sugar Loaf” is visible, just beyond a row of houses on Lakeshore Drive.

There are countless rock formations around the world that are readily recognizable by name. And the point is, when we think of a rock formation, we think of something solid and steady – something immovable and everlasting. When we think of God as our rock, we think of Him in the same way. He is solid, steady, immovable, everlasting. We don’t give a second thought to climbing to the top of Sugar Loaf… we expect the rock formation to hold us. We can depend on the rock that is our God to hold us without fail, as well.

Early settlers used rock formations and caves as shelter from the elements. God is our shelter. He is strong and protective and will keep us from harm. When someone says “Mt. Rushmore,” or “Little Rock,” or even “Sugar Loaf,” we know what they mean. There may be more than one formation with the same name, but in general, we think of the landmark that is within our scope of experience. The good news is that there is no mistaking who we mean when we talk of God as our rock, because there is no other. He is the one and only Rock on which we can place all of our fears, our worries, our insecurities – and our sins – and He will take them all and give us protection and comfort. He is infallible, immovable, strong and able. When God is truly our rock, we have nothing to fear. The key is to recognize Him and acknowledge His strength and power over our lives. Which “rocks” do you recognize? Do you trust in The One who matters most?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 13, 2010

June 13 ~ Isaiah 43:5
Don't be afraid! I am with you. From both east and west I will bring you together.

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

In case you have been under a rock for the last few days, this has not been the happiest week for Arkansans at large. A massive flash flood swept away campers in southwest Arkansas, killing dozens and leaving others injured and incredibly frightened. Many lost not only family members and friends, but also pets, belongings, and more. Some literally lost the clothing off their backs from the force of the water. The devastation and destruction is truly incredible.

In northeastern Arkansas, Lillian Wilson, an 80-year-old woman known locally as “Miss Lill,” was beaten to death in the sanctuary of her church with a 2-foot brass cross from the Holy Communion table. She had returned on Sunday afternoon to leave a bucket to finish out a “disaster kit” filled with cleaning supplies that, ironically, would aid in the cleanup of places just like the Albert Pike Campground area in southwestern Arkansas.

As we watched these stories unfold in the media, we couldn’t help but ask, “Why, God? Why did a two-year-old toddler have to die before her mother’s eyes? Why was a faithful Christian servant murdered in her church sanctuary… and by the very symbol of Your protection?” As I read over this scripture passage, God very clearly reminded me that He was with the people at Albert Pike Campground… and He was with Miss Lill. God is always with us, even in the most horrific circumstances. I know… you are thinking this doesn’t make sense… why doesn’t He rescue us? I believe He does… just not in the ways we envision.

I believe that there is so much about God we cannot ever understand… His power and how He really operates. If we did, we wouldn’t need Him. I believe that even in the most terrifying situations, such as being swept away by flood waters or being beaten with a brass cross, God is there, saying, “Hold My hand… I’m right here with you. You’ll see… I will make this okay.” And just as God orchestrates everything perfectly, we will see His power at work in these two tragedies. He will use the lady who made disaster relief buckets and the people who needed them to change lives. Satan may have meant these two events for evil… his plan was surely to cause us to say, “What kind of God would allow this?” But God is saying… “Don’t turn away from me in fear… turn TO me and realize that I was there all along… and I am still with you.”

This is a hard lesson. We humans want someone to blame… and more often than not we blame God instead of the real culprit – Satan. We see the negative more than the positive, and we lose our way – and our faith. Let’s renew our faith and trust in God. Let’s recognize today that He is still in control… and He is still right beside us. Let’s acknowledge that God can take the most horrific events and bring blessings out of them… and let’s take comfort in realizing how powerful He is. This is an amazing thing… we serve an awesome God. Don’t be afraid. God is bringing east, west, north and south together… and He is always… ALWAYS with us.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for June 5, 2010

June 5 ~ 1 Chronicles 28:20
But you must see that everything is done according to these plans. Be confident, and never be afraid of anything or get discouraged. The LORD my God will help you do everything needed to finish the temple, so it can be used for worshiping him.

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

Last winter, the store where I sold antiques and “treasures” went out of business. I had to box up everything that I had left there to sell and bring it home. I had taken a lot of stuff to that store! My husband is so much more organized than I am, and he helped me by bringing everything home and unboxing it in long rows in one stall of our garage. He said, “You can sort through it there and decide what you want to do.” Let me tell you, it was a daunting task, and when I first looked at it, I was so discouraged.

I set aside two days to sort and box the items, and I asked God to give me strength, and little by little, the items got sorted and organized and “whittled down” to a manageable set. I soon had everything boxed, a car loaded for the new store, and the rest put in a closet for later. When I got to my empty space at the new store, we brought in the boxes, and I started to unpack. At first, it looked like a war zone…things stacked on shelves, tissue paper and bubble wrap everywhere, and I think the store manager was a little afraid it was not going to come together. But I kept working, and soon the booth was finished… and we were all pleased with how nice it looked.

From time to time, our lives resemble a “war zone” of disarray, confusion, and stuff. But we must not be discouraged. Consider that in all of this, God is building something within us. He is still there, helping clear out the clutter… mentally, physically, and spiritually. He is helping you do what you need to do to build His temple within your heart, so that you can worship Him better every single day. So keep plugging along. Keep unpacking, stacking, sorting…and purging the junk! Keep GOD totally in charge – and you will be amazed at how well He orchestrates the journey – and the outcome. We must remind ourselves not to be fearful or discouraged, because we have the Master Designer working in our heart. With Him in charge, there is no way we can fail.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 27, 2010

May 27 ~ Judges 6:22-23
Gideon realized that he had seen one of the LORD's angels. "Oh!" he moaned. "Now I'm going to die." "Calm down!" the LORD told Gideon. "There's nothing to be afraid of. You're not going to die."

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

In Old Testament times, some people believed you would die if you saw an angel face-to-face. So when Gideon saw the angel, this is what he assumed. Have you ever heard someone say, “Something bad is going to happen – things are just going too well for me lately.” In other words, “I’ve seen God’s angel, so now I will die!” There are several problems with this statement. For one thing, this person is assuming there is a quota on how many things can go well in their life. The other is that we cannot truly experience God and His blessings – it’s sort of like the silly line from the movie “Top Gun” where Tom Cruise says, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” Do we really believe that God has limits on how much – or how often – He will bless us, and if we exceed the limit, some sort of punishment must ensue?

I know… when we say this out loud it seems a little absurd, doesn’t it? But isn’t this exactly how so many of us live? The doctor says there is something suspicious on an x-ray or scan, and we immediately assume we are dying of some lethal disease. Instead of saying, “I’m blessed inside and out, and God will help me through any and all illnesses and injuries,” we wring our hands and decide we are going to die! When we get an e-mail from the boss asking to see us in his/her office, we immediately decide we have done something wrong. I hear countless students say, “I failed that test, I just know it!” Yet, when the tests are returned… the student has an A! We seem to be wired to be pessimistic and always expect the worst… to live in fear of retribution and trouble.

We need to turn this around. We need to find the positive in every situation. We need to realize that GOD has removed fear from our lives – all we must do is trust Him to handle these things for us… to speak His power over our fears and to believe for positive outcomes. I promise you, I am as guilty of all of this as anyone. But I am determined to do better – to honor God by recognizing His influence in my life… and His power to create blessings and good circumstances. Are you ready to do the same?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 16, 2010

May 16 ~ Isaiah 41:13
I am the LORD your God. I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid. I am here to help you.

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

My sister and I are only eleven months apart in age. When we were toddlers, my grandmother had cribs in her bedroom for each of us, and she positioned my sister’s next to her bed. The only way Grandmother could get my sister to sleep at night was to hold her hand until she fell asleep. For some reason, there is something very comforting about someone holding our hand, particularly when we are in a stressful or uncomfortable situation. I have found myself standing over Timothy’s crib and holding his hand to encourage him to fall asleep… and it often is all that is needed.

Now we see a scriptural reference to hand holding. If it makes you feel better to have your grandma, your great-aunt, a significant other, or just a good friend hold your hand, imagine how great it will feel to hold GOD’s hand! He is already on the job, doing just that… all we have to do is recognize Him. So the next time you need a hand to hold, remember GOD is there to help you, and He is holding your hand all the way. Don’t you feel better already?!

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 14, 2010

May 14 ~ Isaiah 35:4
"Cheer up! Don't be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you."

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

I can’t believe I am admitting this, but I am watching a lot of NickJr television these days, and Timothy’s all-time favorite show is “The Wonder Pets.” On this show, a guinea pig, turtle and duckling (a.k.a. “Linny, Tuck, and Ming-Ming, too!”) who live in a nursery school, come to the rescue of baby animals in danger. Part of their song is “We’re not too big and we’re not too tough, but when we work together, we’ve got the right stuff!”

For the Wonder Pets, teamwork is the key. They have to work together and solve problems as a trio, unlike the “hero” of my childhood, Mighty Mouse, whose motto was “Here I come to save the day!” And thankfully, we don’t rely on any of these “heroes” in our real life… because we have the Ultimate Superhero on our side… GOD! He can solve any problem. He can defeat any enemy. He can take on all giants and “super-powers” and rescue us from all harm. But… like the baby animals in the episodes of “Wonder Pets,” we have to do our part by calling on God for help. See, each story starts with the “ring-ring” of the pencil can, signifying “There’s an animal in trouble somewhere,” and “This is serious!”

I know this is a silly analogy, but in truth, God can answer our calls any hour of the night or day, and He will stand in front of us against any and all enemies. Are you doing your part? Are you calling on God and trusting Him? Are you operating in confidence… or do you let fear get the best of you much of the time? Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. God has come to save the day… HE will rescue us from all that Satan can throw our way.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 12, 2010

May 12 ~ Psalm 27:1
You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.

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

When I was a little girl, my grandparents’ farm was considered “out in the country.” It sat alongside a dirt road, surrounded by thick woods on three sides. At night, it was incredibly dark and quiet there. There were no LED lights at night to illuminate the bedroom, and the only noise was the steady ticking of my grandparents’ mantel clock, which also chimed each hour and half hour. My sister and I snuggled in our bed beneath soft, warm quilts. We were not afraid of the dark, but once we got in bed, we rarely moved again until morning!

Now, most of us have all kinds of lights to brighten our homes. Someone commented recently that, even in the dark of night, we are not in the dark. Our televisions and digital clocks glow. Our smoke and radon detectors blink and flash. We illuminate our sidewalks and flower beds with landscaping lights. Street lights and “night watchmen” glow in even the most remote subdivisions and fields. And that light has become familiar to us, so that when we are truly thrust into the dark, we are uncomfortable… if not downright fearful.

In our spiritual life, God is our light. He is the bright illumination of a “night watchman” that glows in a field or the tiny blinking of a carbon monoxide detector that monitors our home – and He is protecting us from the darkness of Satan and sin at every turn. We don’t have to fear anything. God shines the light brightly on every aspect of our life and shows us where the mine fields of sin are located. He spotlights them and gives us His wisdom and care to overcome all odds. Just as we do not have to fear the dark of night, we do not have to fear the darkness of sin, either. Jesus overcame this darkness on the cross and His love, grace and mercy forever shine brightly over us.

How awesome is it to know we have this constant protection! How great it feels to know that Someone always has our back – and is lighting our way. Have no fear… God is lighting your way. Trust His protection and have confidence in His power to keep you safe.

©2010 Debbie Robus

May 8 ~ Psalm 91:9-13
The LORD Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones. You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes.

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

GPS is an amazing tool. Friends of ours were involved in a head-on collision a few weeks ago. Thankfully, their injuries were not life-threatening and they are both recovering well. But surely, God’s angels were with them… and the OnStar system in their car alerted authorities that emergency services were needed. A few months ago, I heard a news report about some people who veered off course and became stranded in a snowstorm. Family members used GPS to track them and provide rescue.

As amazing as GPS is, it doesn’t hold a candle to the power of God to keep His eye on us and provide rescue and protection when needed. God always knows where we are – and what we need. He has legions of angels that surround each one of us and attend to our every concern. So the question I have for you is… “Why are we so slow to turn to God for help?” I mean really turn to Him… because every single one of us has cried out for His help when things fell apart.

I’m talking about turning to God and trusting Him before disaster strikes! If we would only do this… if we would make Him the “front line of defense” in our lives and trust His power to shield us from whatever Satan has ready to volley in our direction, we would be able to face any and every crisis with calm and confidence. We would be as cool as cucumbers, and nothing would rattle us. Notice I did not say that troubles wouldn’t come… because they will… but if we were resting in God, we wouldn’t let these troubles faze us – much less defeat us. With God, all things are possible, because of his protection and power. Without Him, we are just flapping in the breeze like the branches of a tree on a stormy day… totally vulnerable and prone to destruction. Don’t let this describe your life. Run to God for safety. Rest in the confidence that His angels are protecting you… and don’t let the devil get you down with his antics.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 6, 2010

May 6 ~ Psalm 91:1-2
Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you."

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

Have you ever seen a nature show on television where a storm was brewing, and a mother bird lifted her wings and gathered the babies underneath them. There the little baby birds rested in the shelter and safety of their mother, who was the most formidable being in their universe. It sometimes helps us grasp a concept if we can create a related visual image. Several years ago, I began to create a mental image of Jesus as He sits in heaven. He is wearing the softest, silkiest flowing robe – creamy white – and it smells like fresh air and clean laundry. His arms are extended, and He is welcoming me to fall into His arms. In my imagery, I do just that…drinking in the clean fragrance and feeling strong arms engulfed in silky soft fabric wrap around me. I am home… I am safe… I am in the presence of the most formidable Being in the universe.

We’ve all stood out in bright sunlight and felt its warmth – or in some cases, heat that quickly became uncomfortable, or even unbearable! We’ve all experienced the relief of stepping into the shade of a tree or building and escaping the heat and glare of the sunlight. God is like the shade of the tree or the building… ready to shield us from the glare and heat of sin and strife. His arms are like those of the mother bird…ready to shelter us from the “storms” of life. His love and power are like the strong, welcoming arms of Jesus, shrouded in a fragrant silky robe… ready to engulf us and provide us with a place of safety and comfort.

How do you envision God? Do you see Him as your protector… your fortress… your safe haven? Do you trust Him to provide you with all of these things – and more? Who gives you shelter in times of trouble? Who is providing your shadow these days?

©2010 Debbie Robus