John 16:19-22
Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, "Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.
"When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You'll no longer be so full of questions.
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.
Sometimes I will tell Timothy, “You will see me again in two ‘night-nights’.” He nods as if he understands, but to a 2-year-old, the concept of time means nothing. "In a minute” seems too long for little children. When you say, “Hold on a second,” you might as well have said, “Give me three years.” But when I see Timothy again, he runs to me with open arms as if no time has passed.
For us, a lot of time periods seem long and difficult to endure. It is hard for us to wait a day/week/year for the things we are anticipating… and waiting years for something seems almost impossible – especially if we are talking about seeing loved ones again who have passed away. Think about soldiers who go to war. Imagine how hard it must be for their families to wait for them to return. But once they do, the time seems to dissolve into the joy of being reunited.
This is how Jesus is describing the time with Him to His disciples. Of course, for those of us who have never physically seen Him, this concept is somewhat different. But still, as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, it seems that we often become more eager to physically SEE Him… and the wait becomes challenging. I see this a lot in older people like my grandmother and her friends at the Assisted Living Facility… many who have told me, “I have prayed to die. I’m ready to go home.”
I don’t know what you are waiting on today, but I do know that Jesus is with you, whether you physically see Him with your eyes or not. Maybe you are counting the days until graduation, a big date, the playoffs, or your wedding or a big move. Maybe you are waiting on the birth of a child… or you are either caring for someone with a serious illness – or you are sick and know that your time on earth is coming to a close. Whatever you wait for… whatever you anticipate… Jesus is with you. His Holy Spirit can nurture you and guide you… He is ready to comfort you and fill your heart with strength, courage, and patience.
This is a passage of hope. This message from Jesus should make us confident and joyful… knowing that Jesus is with us now – and that the day we DO see His face will be amazing. All of the time we spent in trials, challenges and waiting will fade quickly away, and we will only know the sheer joy and jubilation of being in His presence. Meanwhile, we have work to do… a purpose to fulfill for His glory in this lifetime. I don’t know what your purpose is, but God will show you if you will just ask… and listen.
I pray that this makes the waiting easier. I pray that today you are encouraged in whatever situation you face. Realize that you are not alone. Take heart in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and let Him fill you with peace and comfort. Ask God to give you patience and peace, as you wait for the day when your joy erases every speck of anticipation and He answers all of your questions.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 2, 2011
Psalm 97:1-6
The LORD is King! Tell the earth to celebrate and all islands to shout. Dark clouds surround him, and his throne is supported by justice and fairness. Fire leaps from his throne, destroying his enemies, and his lightning is so bright that the earth sees it and trembles. Mountains melt away like wax in the presence of the LORD of all the earth. The heavens announce, "The LORD brings justice!" Everyone sees God's glory.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In a couple of days, we will celebrate Independence Day, but for many, the party has already started! We’ll hear the fireworks boom and pop… we will see the flash, and some will explode so brightly overhead that we may even tremble momentarily. But it will all be in good fun – we will have nothing to fear. This is a happy time for many as we celebrate our freedom and the privilege of living in America.
In the scheme of things, every day with God should be like the Fourth of July. We should be so exuberant and joyful that if we don’t literally shoot off fireworks to celebrate, we do so in our hearts! Most of all, we should live in such a way that God is glorified… and others see the difference He makes in our life each and every day.
Do others see the power of God in your life? Do you feel it for yourself? Do you celebrate all He has done – and is doing – for you? Isn’t this a great time to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD is King! Tell the earth to celebrate and all islands to shout. Dark clouds surround him, and his throne is supported by justice and fairness. Fire leaps from his throne, destroying his enemies, and his lightning is so bright that the earth sees it and trembles. Mountains melt away like wax in the presence of the LORD of all the earth. The heavens announce, "The LORD brings justice!" Everyone sees God's glory.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In a couple of days, we will celebrate Independence Day, but for many, the party has already started! We’ll hear the fireworks boom and pop… we will see the flash, and some will explode so brightly overhead that we may even tremble momentarily. But it will all be in good fun – we will have nothing to fear. This is a happy time for many as we celebrate our freedom and the privilege of living in America.
In the scheme of things, every day with God should be like the Fourth of July. We should be so exuberant and joyful that if we don’t literally shoot off fireworks to celebrate, we do so in our hearts! Most of all, we should live in such a way that God is glorified… and others see the difference He makes in our life each and every day.
Do others see the power of God in your life? Do you feel it for yourself? Do you celebrate all He has done – and is doing – for you? Isn’t this a great time to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 19, 2011
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked.
These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it. So always be cheerful!
As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord. But we live by faith, not by what we see. We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord. But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from him, we still try our best to please him. After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a child, there was a series of books that I loved about “The Boxcar Children”… described on Wikipedia.org as “the story of four orphaned children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. They had been staying at a bakery but ran away when they heard the baker's wife say she will take all of them in but Benny, leaving Benny with no option but to go back to the orphanage. They create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest.” I was reminded of these books as I watched an episode of Undercover Boss in which a woman who was clearly filled with joy told her boss, the undercover executive, how she had once been homeless. She had actually lived in a boxcar as a child, and she said her grandmother cared for her and siblings there… boiling water for their baths and other needs and keeping them warm and safe… until she was about 7 years of age.
Life has been hard for this woman. She now works as a part of a cleaning crew for a company that does home restoration after a fire, flood, or wind storm. The particular day this episode was filmed, the woman and her undercover boss were cleaning the smoke damage left from a kitchen fire at the home of an elderly woman. Later, when the boss revealed his true identity to this woman - who admitted to being uneducated and “not talking right” - he told her [paraphrasing]… “Don’t ever change. Always be the kind, loving, joy-filled person you are now.” He recognized that this woman was not who she appeared to be “on the outside.” Her appearance, language, demeanor and circumstances were all just the outward “tent.” The real person was within… and she radiated positive energy and love for her family, her life, other people. And while she didn’t speak it on camera, I suspect she has a deep abiding faith in God, as well.
While living in a boxcar as a child most assuredly affected this woman, she didn’t let it define her. She didn’t let her lack of education, the fact she was about to lose her home to foreclosure, or any other negative influences control her life. She is living now like she is already clothed by her heavenly home.
How are we living? Are we groaning from the heavy burden of our “earthly tents?” Have we let the circumstances of our lives get us down and make us less than we should be for Jesus? Do we lean on these circumstances like a crutch and say, “I would do better if it weren’t for this … or that… or something else.” Do we blame our childhood, our level of education, lack of income, where we live, or other outside factors for how we are serving (or not) in God’s army? What defines us… our “earthly tents” or our Heavenly home?
How we answer matters. If we are living only for Heaven and the day when we get “new clothes,” we’re missing the whole point. God wants us to do all we can in His name while we are alive. He wants us to be cheerful because of what lies ahead… and to share this joy and His Good News with other. For Christians, our life on earth is not the end… but we shouldn’t be just marking time, either. Our “earthly tent” may have some rips and tatters, but people should see joy, hope and faith inside. What do others see inside your “tent”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked.
These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it. So always be cheerful!
As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord. But we live by faith, not by what we see. We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord. But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from him, we still try our best to please him. After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a child, there was a series of books that I loved about “The Boxcar Children”… described on Wikipedia.org as “the story of four orphaned children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. They had been staying at a bakery but ran away when they heard the baker's wife say she will take all of them in but Benny, leaving Benny with no option but to go back to the orphanage. They create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest.” I was reminded of these books as I watched an episode of Undercover Boss in which a woman who was clearly filled with joy told her boss, the undercover executive, how she had once been homeless. She had actually lived in a boxcar as a child, and she said her grandmother cared for her and siblings there… boiling water for their baths and other needs and keeping them warm and safe… until she was about 7 years of age.
Life has been hard for this woman. She now works as a part of a cleaning crew for a company that does home restoration after a fire, flood, or wind storm. The particular day this episode was filmed, the woman and her undercover boss were cleaning the smoke damage left from a kitchen fire at the home of an elderly woman. Later, when the boss revealed his true identity to this woman - who admitted to being uneducated and “not talking right” - he told her [paraphrasing]… “Don’t ever change. Always be the kind, loving, joy-filled person you are now.” He recognized that this woman was not who she appeared to be “on the outside.” Her appearance, language, demeanor and circumstances were all just the outward “tent.” The real person was within… and she radiated positive energy and love for her family, her life, other people. And while she didn’t speak it on camera, I suspect she has a deep abiding faith in God, as well.
While living in a boxcar as a child most assuredly affected this woman, she didn’t let it define her. She didn’t let her lack of education, the fact she was about to lose her home to foreclosure, or any other negative influences control her life. She is living now like she is already clothed by her heavenly home.
How are we living? Are we groaning from the heavy burden of our “earthly tents?” Have we let the circumstances of our lives get us down and make us less than we should be for Jesus? Do we lean on these circumstances like a crutch and say, “I would do better if it weren’t for this … or that… or something else.” Do we blame our childhood, our level of education, lack of income, where we live, or other outside factors for how we are serving (or not) in God’s army? What defines us… our “earthly tents” or our Heavenly home?
How we answer matters. If we are living only for Heaven and the day when we get “new clothes,” we’re missing the whole point. God wants us to do all we can in His name while we are alive. He wants us to be cheerful because of what lies ahead… and to share this joy and His Good News with other. For Christians, our life on earth is not the end… but we shouldn’t be just marking time, either. Our “earthly tent” may have some rips and tatters, but people should see joy, hope and faith inside. What do others see inside your “tent”?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 16, 2011
John 16:22
You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A dear sweet lady who attended my church passed away this week. Ms. Gene was 93 years young. I mentioned her passing to my cousin, who knew her even better than I, and she said, “It’s sad, but she’s missed her husband, Leo, long enough. Every time she spoke it seemed she had something to say about Leo… 'Leo Gray always said…' or some other reference to him." My cousin said, “It's time she was with him again.” And truly, I was not sad that Ms. Gene has gone to heaven as much as I was sad that we will miss this spunky little lady here on earth. I know that Ms. Gene and others who have gone to heaven would not change things and return to this earth for anything. As much as I miss my loved ones who have passed, I wouldn’t begin to ask them to return… and they would not oblige anyway! And nothing I could say or do would change their minds.
Here’s the lesson in today’s passage… and it’s not about heaven, really. Or maybe it is, to some degree. See, I think we should be living in such a way now that we don’t have to get to heaven to know the glory that awaits us there. I know that my thoughts about this earth will change when I am finally at the feet of Jesus. But I think the real change ought to take place NOW! I ought to live on this earth like I’m already at Jesus’ feet.
Oh, sure… heaven will be much more wonderful. Things will be different there. But so much of what God offers us, we put on a shelf and “save” for when we get to heaven. There is so much that we could be enjoying and experiencing now, if we would only open our hearts and minds to the possibilities.
There will be moments of sadness in all of our lives… but they don’t have to last. We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to see Jesus… at least not totally. He is evident everywhere we look. His Holy Spirit can dwell in our hearts and everything we say and do can be permeated by His influence. We can change the way we feel today and experience all the joy He desires for us on this earth. It may not be as good as heaven (and most assuredly, it’s not!), but it can be pretty great if we’ll let Him have control.
This is sort of like the person who saves their good pajamas “in case I have to go to the hospital,” or someone who puts away nicer clothes for a special occasion… and that occasion rarely, if ever, happens. Nice clothes don’t do you any good in the closet or drawers… and saving your joy in Christ for heaven won’t help you in this lifetime. Start living fully – change your heart and mind and let the Holy Spirit fill you from the inside out… and be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel today. Heaven will be better… but with God in control, life on this earth can be pretty good, too!
©2011 Debbie Robus
You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A dear sweet lady who attended my church passed away this week. Ms. Gene was 93 years young. I mentioned her passing to my cousin, who knew her even better than I, and she said, “It’s sad, but she’s missed her husband, Leo, long enough. Every time she spoke it seemed she had something to say about Leo… 'Leo Gray always said…' or some other reference to him." My cousin said, “It's time she was with him again.” And truly, I was not sad that Ms. Gene has gone to heaven as much as I was sad that we will miss this spunky little lady here on earth. I know that Ms. Gene and others who have gone to heaven would not change things and return to this earth for anything. As much as I miss my loved ones who have passed, I wouldn’t begin to ask them to return… and they would not oblige anyway! And nothing I could say or do would change their minds.
Here’s the lesson in today’s passage… and it’s not about heaven, really. Or maybe it is, to some degree. See, I think we should be living in such a way now that we don’t have to get to heaven to know the glory that awaits us there. I know that my thoughts about this earth will change when I am finally at the feet of Jesus. But I think the real change ought to take place NOW! I ought to live on this earth like I’m already at Jesus’ feet.
Oh, sure… heaven will be much more wonderful. Things will be different there. But so much of what God offers us, we put on a shelf and “save” for when we get to heaven. There is so much that we could be enjoying and experiencing now, if we would only open our hearts and minds to the possibilities.
There will be moments of sadness in all of our lives… but they don’t have to last. We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to see Jesus… at least not totally. He is evident everywhere we look. His Holy Spirit can dwell in our hearts and everything we say and do can be permeated by His influence. We can change the way we feel today and experience all the joy He desires for us on this earth. It may not be as good as heaven (and most assuredly, it’s not!), but it can be pretty great if we’ll let Him have control.
This is sort of like the person who saves their good pajamas “in case I have to go to the hospital,” or someone who puts away nicer clothes for a special occasion… and that occasion rarely, if ever, happens. Nice clothes don’t do you any good in the closet or drawers… and saving your joy in Christ for heaven won’t help you in this lifetime. Start living fully – change your heart and mind and let the Holy Spirit fill you from the inside out… and be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel today. Heaven will be better… but with God in control, life on this earth can be pretty good, too!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 27, 2010
Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve been watching episodes of CBS’s Undercover Boss. Inevitably, the “boss” will go undercover and be paired with an employee who has a job that is either incredibly hard, boring, physically or mentally challenging, or a combination of all of these. Yet the employee does the work with a smile, enthusiasm, and a great attitude.
More than once, the “boss” has discovered that this cheerful employee also had a lot to be unhappy or unpleasant about away from the job. As if his/her work wasn’t difficult enough, the employee had to go home to a child or spouse with an illness, a sub-standard living situation or several hungry children, or some other challenge. One 26-year-old motel clerk with a 10-year-old son said her mom kicked her out of the house the day she announced she was pregnant. The “boss” asked, “Where did you live?” She replied, “For quite a while, I lived in my car.”
Similar stories are prevalent on other television shows. And we wonder, “How do these people continue to live such lives of joy, enthusiasm, positive energy, and determination in the midst of these incredible odds?” Could it be that these folks have tapped into the power of Philippians 2:14-16?
Maybe these people have learned, like the Apostle Paul, to be content in whatever circumstances they find themselves. Maybe they have figured out that the worst day with Jesus is better than the best day without Him. Maybe they understand that we are called to serve Jesus Christ… to go into the world and share His message with others… to set the example for truly living in Him.
Every one of us has days when we don’t really want to get up and “do it all over again.” We all have times when there are things we would rather not do… like work, school, housekeeping, yard maintenance, and other chores. There are moments when life is boring at best, or downright drudgery. There are events we don’t want to attend, people we don’t want to be around, and choices we don’t want to have to make.
But in the life of a Christian, grumbling and arguing, complaining and misbehaving are really not part of the deal. If we want to truly make Jesus proud… if we honestly want to bring Him joy and honor His sacrifice… we must shine as lights among the other people in this world, as we hold firmly to His message of salvation and Eternal Life. Living this way isn’t easy, for sure. But the “stakes” are high – and the reward is great. And the more we begin to operate in joy and contentment - “no matter our circumstances”… the more we begin to focus on pleasing and serving Jesus, the easier it gets.
Isn’t it worth a shot? Don’t you want to honor Jesus and make Him proud? Are you willing to try? If Jesus is your “Undercover Boss”… are you working for Him with a smile and a “can-do” attitude?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve been watching episodes of CBS’s Undercover Boss. Inevitably, the “boss” will go undercover and be paired with an employee who has a job that is either incredibly hard, boring, physically or mentally challenging, or a combination of all of these. Yet the employee does the work with a smile, enthusiasm, and a great attitude.
More than once, the “boss” has discovered that this cheerful employee also had a lot to be unhappy or unpleasant about away from the job. As if his/her work wasn’t difficult enough, the employee had to go home to a child or spouse with an illness, a sub-standard living situation or several hungry children, or some other challenge. One 26-year-old motel clerk with a 10-year-old son said her mom kicked her out of the house the day she announced she was pregnant. The “boss” asked, “Where did you live?” She replied, “For quite a while, I lived in my car.”
Similar stories are prevalent on other television shows. And we wonder, “How do these people continue to live such lives of joy, enthusiasm, positive energy, and determination in the midst of these incredible odds?” Could it be that these folks have tapped into the power of Philippians 2:14-16?
Maybe these people have learned, like the Apostle Paul, to be content in whatever circumstances they find themselves. Maybe they have figured out that the worst day with Jesus is better than the best day without Him. Maybe they understand that we are called to serve Jesus Christ… to go into the world and share His message with others… to set the example for truly living in Him.
Every one of us has days when we don’t really want to get up and “do it all over again.” We all have times when there are things we would rather not do… like work, school, housekeeping, yard maintenance, and other chores. There are moments when life is boring at best, or downright drudgery. There are events we don’t want to attend, people we don’t want to be around, and choices we don’t want to have to make.
But in the life of a Christian, grumbling and arguing, complaining and misbehaving are really not part of the deal. If we want to truly make Jesus proud… if we honestly want to bring Him joy and honor His sacrifice… we must shine as lights among the other people in this world, as we hold firmly to His message of salvation and Eternal Life. Living this way isn’t easy, for sure. But the “stakes” are high – and the reward is great. And the more we begin to operate in joy and contentment - “no matter our circumstances”… the more we begin to focus on pleasing and serving Jesus, the easier it gets.
Isn’t it worth a shot? Don’t you want to honor Jesus and make Him proud? Are you willing to try? If Jesus is your “Undercover Boss”… are you working for Him with a smile and a “can-do” attitude?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 24, 2010
2 Timothy 1:13
Now follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
At the end of this devotional, I’ve posted a link to a YouTube video of a Cuban baby dancing on a tabletop. This is really cute. Clearly this baby is following the example of teaching from someone else – he didn’t think this up on his own! Babies learn from others. Early on, we sat Timothy on our laps and read books to him. Now he brings the books to us and wants us to read them to him. He has learned from our model. He hears adults talking, and he mimics their words. He sees the characters on Jack’s Big Music Show and Yo Gabba Gabba! dancing, and he tries to dance, too.
Sadly, if Timothy hears bad language or sees inappropriate behaviors, he may very well imitate those, too. Helping babies and young children develop well is a huge responsibility and requires that those of us who are older always check our behavior and make sure we are demonstrating only positive actions and speech.
In much the same way, we Christians must model the correct teachings of the Bible … the faith and love of Christ Jesus. Others are watching … non-believers, “baby” Christians, and those who may look to us for leadership and a reflection of living in a manner that honors and pleases God. Everybody has a bad day – or a less than stellar moment. But on the whole, we must be continually on our guard, checking our behavior … our thoughts, words and actions … so that what we exhibit and demonstrate lines up with the word of God.
The baby in the video is having fun. The adults in his world have shown him how to “let go” and move to the music, and he is enjoying himself and the attention he is garnering from those around him. Christians can have fun, too. We have this crazy notion that following the teachings of Jesus and His model for living will turn us into boring, miserable, stiff, stuck-up robots who march along in silent compliance to rigid demands and requirements. This is simply not true.
Living for Jesus can be as freeing and fun as a Cuban baby learning to dance! We can learn to dance in the joy and blessings of following Jesus … sharing Him with others. We can model Christ’s teachings, faith and love to others in a way that shows just how fun life in Christ really is!
What are you modeling? Are you showing others how to live in the joy, faith and love of Christ? Are you a “fun” Christian? When others look at you, do they see someone for whom living in Christ is a chore, or do they see the joy of new discoveries, much like a baby who discovers the joy of reading books? Ask God to show you where you may have missed the mark. Ask Him to reveal to you the joy of living for Jesus … and to help you convey this to others. God is calling us to set a good example. How are you doing these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOt0nsZLjds
Now follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
At the end of this devotional, I’ve posted a link to a YouTube video of a Cuban baby dancing on a tabletop. This is really cute. Clearly this baby is following the example of teaching from someone else – he didn’t think this up on his own! Babies learn from others. Early on, we sat Timothy on our laps and read books to him. Now he brings the books to us and wants us to read them to him. He has learned from our model. He hears adults talking, and he mimics their words. He sees the characters on Jack’s Big Music Show and Yo Gabba Gabba! dancing, and he tries to dance, too.
Sadly, if Timothy hears bad language or sees inappropriate behaviors, he may very well imitate those, too. Helping babies and young children develop well is a huge responsibility and requires that those of us who are older always check our behavior and make sure we are demonstrating only positive actions and speech.
In much the same way, we Christians must model the correct teachings of the Bible … the faith and love of Christ Jesus. Others are watching … non-believers, “baby” Christians, and those who may look to us for leadership and a reflection of living in a manner that honors and pleases God. Everybody has a bad day – or a less than stellar moment. But on the whole, we must be continually on our guard, checking our behavior … our thoughts, words and actions … so that what we exhibit and demonstrate lines up with the word of God.
The baby in the video is having fun. The adults in his world have shown him how to “let go” and move to the music, and he is enjoying himself and the attention he is garnering from those around him. Christians can have fun, too. We have this crazy notion that following the teachings of Jesus and His model for living will turn us into boring, miserable, stiff, stuck-up robots who march along in silent compliance to rigid demands and requirements. This is simply not true.
Living for Jesus can be as freeing and fun as a Cuban baby learning to dance! We can learn to dance in the joy and blessings of following Jesus … sharing Him with others. We can model Christ’s teachings, faith and love to others in a way that shows just how fun life in Christ really is!
What are you modeling? Are you showing others how to live in the joy, faith and love of Christ? Are you a “fun” Christian? When others look at you, do they see someone for whom living in Christ is a chore, or do they see the joy of new discoveries, much like a baby who discovers the joy of reading books? Ask God to show you where you may have missed the mark. Ask Him to reveal to you the joy of living for Jesus … and to help you convey this to others. God is calling us to set a good example. How are you doing these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOt0nsZLjds
Daily Devotional for August 2, 2010
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve talked before about how much I love Oxi-clean. This is one amazing cleaning agent. Recently, I purchased two vintage coffee pots at an estate sale. They were really nice coffee pots … still fairly shiny on the outside, but completely darkened with stains on the inside. I sat them in my laundry sink and poured in a hefty scoop of powdered Oxi-clean, and then I filled the pot about half full of very hot water. Soon, all of that dirty black-brown stain came bubbling out of the spout of the pot! After thirty minutes or so, I was able to rinse out the insides of those coffee pots, and they sparkled like new!
I like to think that this is similar to how the Holy Spirit acts in our heart. When we give our heart to Jesus, God sends the Holy Spirit to fill us and clean out all of the dirt and grime on the inside, making us sparkling clean. All of the junk is rinsed away to make room for the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, happiness, and peace. Just like the coffee pots can live to bubble with hot coffee again, we are filled with the warmth of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t think there are very many Christians who totally grasp the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I think we all fail to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, peace, joy, and much more. Or maybe we just like being miserable, fearful, and discouraged from time to time. We all seem to enjoy an occasional pity party.
Because of the Holy Spirit, we really don’t need to have this pity party to begin with, but most certainly, it doesn’t have to last long when it happens. Maybe our heart is somewhat like those old coffee pots … still in need of some scrubbing. Ask God to restore you today. Invite the Holy Spirit to return to your heart, if needed. At the very least, recognize the hope we have because Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to be forever in our hearts – and be thankful for this incredible gift. This is truly a cause for great happiness and peace in all circumstances. The power of the Holy Spirit is more amazing than any cleaning agent. Have you experienced Holy Spirit power today? How clean is your heart?
©2010 Debbie Robus
I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve talked before about how much I love Oxi-clean. This is one amazing cleaning agent. Recently, I purchased two vintage coffee pots at an estate sale. They were really nice coffee pots … still fairly shiny on the outside, but completely darkened with stains on the inside. I sat them in my laundry sink and poured in a hefty scoop of powdered Oxi-clean, and then I filled the pot about half full of very hot water. Soon, all of that dirty black-brown stain came bubbling out of the spout of the pot! After thirty minutes or so, I was able to rinse out the insides of those coffee pots, and they sparkled like new!
I like to think that this is similar to how the Holy Spirit acts in our heart. When we give our heart to Jesus, God sends the Holy Spirit to fill us and clean out all of the dirt and grime on the inside, making us sparkling clean. All of the junk is rinsed away to make room for the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, happiness, and peace. Just like the coffee pots can live to bubble with hot coffee again, we are filled with the warmth of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t think there are very many Christians who totally grasp the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I think we all fail to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, peace, joy, and much more. Or maybe we just like being miserable, fearful, and discouraged from time to time. We all seem to enjoy an occasional pity party.
Because of the Holy Spirit, we really don’t need to have this pity party to begin with, but most certainly, it doesn’t have to last long when it happens. Maybe our heart is somewhat like those old coffee pots … still in need of some scrubbing. Ask God to restore you today. Invite the Holy Spirit to return to your heart, if needed. At the very least, recognize the hope we have because Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to be forever in our hearts – and be thankful for this incredible gift. This is truly a cause for great happiness and peace in all circumstances. The power of the Holy Spirit is more amazing than any cleaning agent. Have you experienced Holy Spirit power today? How clean is your heart?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 13, 2010
Psalm 84:9
You are the shield that protects your people, and I am your chosen one. Won't you smile on me?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know many people who don’t respond positively to a smile. I know it is one of the first gestures we develop. Even tiny babies smile. This has to be instinctive… they do it without prompting. And by the same token, they seem to understand a smile at a very early age. All we have to do is smile at Timothy, and he breaks into a wide grin or a giggle. He will often look toward us to see how we will react, and when we smile, it’s clear that he is very pleased and excited.
Have you ever felt God smile? Have you ever felt so covered in His love, protection and blessings that it seemed as if you were looking toward heaven and literally seeing Him smile back at you? Can you remember what you were doing at that moment? Does this happen often…sometimes…not at all?
God wants to smile on each of us. We are His chosen ones…His prize creations. He pours out blessings, protection, mercy, and grace on us in amazingly abundant quantities. What are we giving in return? Are we acting like His children? Are we behaving as if we were personally chosen by God? We should be feeling God’s smile often. We should be walking around feeling so protected – and blessed – that we almost glow with joy that Someone would love us that much. If our “smile quota” is low, it’s not God’s fault.
So what are we going to do to correct this? Examine your life, and ask God to show you where you can make changes that will be pleasing to Him. Everyone loves a smile… and God’s are the best of all. Be sure you are getting them every day!
©2010 Debbie Robus
You are the shield that protects your people, and I am your chosen one. Won't you smile on me?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know many people who don’t respond positively to a smile. I know it is one of the first gestures we develop. Even tiny babies smile. This has to be instinctive… they do it without prompting. And by the same token, they seem to understand a smile at a very early age. All we have to do is smile at Timothy, and he breaks into a wide grin or a giggle. He will often look toward us to see how we will react, and when we smile, it’s clear that he is very pleased and excited.
Have you ever felt God smile? Have you ever felt so covered in His love, protection and blessings that it seemed as if you were looking toward heaven and literally seeing Him smile back at you? Can you remember what you were doing at that moment? Does this happen often…sometimes…not at all?
God wants to smile on each of us. We are His chosen ones…His prize creations. He pours out blessings, protection, mercy, and grace on us in amazingly abundant quantities. What are we giving in return? Are we acting like His children? Are we behaving as if we were personally chosen by God? We should be feeling God’s smile often. We should be walking around feeling so protected – and blessed – that we almost glow with joy that Someone would love us that much. If our “smile quota” is low, it’s not God’s fault.
So what are we going to do to correct this? Examine your life, and ask God to show you where you can make changes that will be pleasing to Him. Everyone loves a smile… and God’s are the best of all. Be sure you are getting them every day!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 28, 2010
May 28 ~ 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.
As I write this devo, radar indicates that a hefty thunderstorm is headed our way. Even though it is mid-afternoon, our house is very dark… eerily so. We are not accustomed to such darkness in the middle of the day, and it is a little unsettling, because we know that something is not quite right! So I turned on a lamp, and instantly, the darkness didn’t seem so daunting. There was a lot of comfort – and yes, a sense of safety – in turning on a light.
God is our light each and every day. When Satan shows up – and I guarantee you he will – a dark storm cloud hovers, turning even the brightest of rooms into a dungeon-like setting. But we don’t have anything to fear. We don’t have to stay in the darkness. We can call on God to help us with whatever is challenging or upsetting us, and just like flipping on a light switch, the whole situation seems brighter and less scary.
This is great news! The next time you are faced with even the least little trouble… like someone cutting you off in traffic or getting behind a slow-poke in the check-out lane at the store and running late for an appointment, stop and ask God to keep you safe… to shine the light on the darkness of your situation. You may still be late to wherever you are going, but you will feel a sense of calm. You won’t be able to change the fact you were cut off in traffic, but it won’t upset you and influence the rest of your drive so much! Try this for yourself and see how much better things can be. We’ve operated in fear long enough… turn on God’s light and protection and operate in His courage and strength.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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.
As I write this devo, radar indicates that a hefty thunderstorm is headed our way. Even though it is mid-afternoon, our house is very dark… eerily so. We are not accustomed to such darkness in the middle of the day, and it is a little unsettling, because we know that something is not quite right! So I turned on a lamp, and instantly, the darkness didn’t seem so daunting. There was a lot of comfort – and yes, a sense of safety – in turning on a light.
God is our light each and every day. When Satan shows up – and I guarantee you he will – a dark storm cloud hovers, turning even the brightest of rooms into a dungeon-like setting. But we don’t have anything to fear. We don’t have to stay in the darkness. We can call on God to help us with whatever is challenging or upsetting us, and just like flipping on a light switch, the whole situation seems brighter and less scary.
This is great news! The next time you are faced with even the least little trouble… like someone cutting you off in traffic or getting behind a slow-poke in the check-out lane at the store and running late for an appointment, stop and ask God to keep you safe… to shine the light on the darkness of your situation. You may still be late to wherever you are going, but you will feel a sense of calm. You won’t be able to change the fact you were cut off in traffic, but it won’t upset you and influence the rest of your drive so much! Try this for yourself and see how much better things can be. We’ve operated in fear long enough… turn on God’s light and protection and operate in His courage and strength.
©2010 Debbie Robus
May 26 ~ 1 John 4:18
A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Is there a person or a situation you avoid because you fear the drama? Maybe there is a person in your life who is always negative or on the attack. If you say “Good morning,” this person asks “What’s good about it?” Or maybe there is a situation – say a family get-together – that always results in unpleasant feelings, if not an out-and-out fiasco of some sort. When we encounter unpleasant people or events, we start to feel out of sorts just thinking about them. And yes, these experiences do seem somewhat akin to a punishment. You start to wonder, “Why put myself through this?”
The answer lies, in part, in the fact that we cannot skate through life avoiding every person or situation that is frightening, upsetting, or unpleasant. And believe it or not, other people may view us – or situations in which we are involved – in much the same manner! I know this sounds simplistic, but the solution to coping with these experiences depends largely on our own attitude… and how much and how well we love others.
If we operate from a place of love and compassion for others, then their unpleasant comments and behavior are easier to overlook and forgive. If we approach situations with the love of God and a love for all of His children, we can often rise above the chaos of discord and fiery personality dynamics. I’m not saying that these people and situations won’t still get to us, but we won’t be afraid to at least try to get along. It’s the old “take the high road” approach, to some degree.
At the end of the day - when we look back at how we behaved and reacted to others - if we have operated out of love rather than fear, I believe we will realize a better outcome. So the next time someone “unlovely” approaches you, or you must face a situation with potential to be unpleasant, ask God to fill your heart with love. Ask Him to take your fears and give you courage and His peace. Then see if things don’t go better than expected for everyone concerned.
©2010 Debbie Robus
A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Is there a person or a situation you avoid because you fear the drama? Maybe there is a person in your life who is always negative or on the attack. If you say “Good morning,” this person asks “What’s good about it?” Or maybe there is a situation – say a family get-together – that always results in unpleasant feelings, if not an out-and-out fiasco of some sort. When we encounter unpleasant people or events, we start to feel out of sorts just thinking about them. And yes, these experiences do seem somewhat akin to a punishment. You start to wonder, “Why put myself through this?”
The answer lies, in part, in the fact that we cannot skate through life avoiding every person or situation that is frightening, upsetting, or unpleasant. And believe it or not, other people may view us – or situations in which we are involved – in much the same manner! I know this sounds simplistic, but the solution to coping with these experiences depends largely on our own attitude… and how much and how well we love others.
If we operate from a place of love and compassion for others, then their unpleasant comments and behavior are easier to overlook and forgive. If we approach situations with the love of God and a love for all of His children, we can often rise above the chaos of discord and fiery personality dynamics. I’m not saying that these people and situations won’t still get to us, but we won’t be afraid to at least try to get along. It’s the old “take the high road” approach, to some degree.
At the end of the day - when we look back at how we behaved and reacted to others - if we have operated out of love rather than fear, I believe we will realize a better outcome. So the next time someone “unlovely” approaches you, or you must face a situation with potential to be unpleasant, ask God to fill your heart with love. Ask Him to take your fears and give you courage and His peace. Then see if things don’t go better than expected for everyone concerned.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 20, 2010
May 20 ~ Genesis 50:19
But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the spring of 2006, two students at Taylor University, an evangelical college in Indiana, traveled with fellow students and staff members to the school’s Ft. Wayne campus to set up a banquet. That night around 8:00, the group headed back to the main campus on I-69. A truck driver lost control of his semi and crashed into the van, killing five of the nine people instantly. Susie Van Ryn was telephoned in Michigan and told that her daughter, Laura, was badly injured and had been taken to a hospital in Ft. Wayne. Colleen Cerak and her family were notified that their daughter, Whitney, was dead. In weeks to come, the amazing, and bittersweet discovery would be made that, in fact, Whitney was alive and had been mistaken for Laura. Now a once-grieving family was filled with joy, while another was left to mourn the loss of their daughter.
In an interview with Matt Lauer of NBC’s Today show, posted at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23849928/page/11/, Lauer asked Susie Van Ryn about the experience and the tragic loss of her daughter.
Matt Lauer: Do you ever question, Susie, how God could have let this happen?
Susie Van Ryn: Sure. You want to say that. And yet I don't have to look very far to see that it happens all the time. It happens everywhere to anyone. And why should I be any different?
Whitney Cerak, the girl who was mistakenly thought to be dead had this to say…
Whitney Cerak: Well, I would just, like, cry out to God a lot. And just be, like, "Why? Why me?" Because everyone else in the accident -- they were just amazing people. And so I never really understood why I was, in a way, left behind. And I was just talking to my dad about it one day and I was, like, "Dad, I don't get this. Why me?" And he's, like, "Whitney, why not you?"
This is a drastic and dramatic example of a circumstance where it would seem that anyone in this position would question God. WHY would something like this happen? And yet, God brought so many good things out of this set of circumstances. Countless people have been touched by the story of the Van Ryns and the Ceraks. In a recent follow-up interview, Matt Lauer learned that God has used these families in mighty ways since this life-changing event in 2006. And he was visibly moved by their faith and courage. Susie Van Ryn commented that she, too, could ask “Why me?” - but she could also ask, “Why not me?”
There may be circumstances in your life that are causing you to ask, “Why are you allowing this, God?” There may be situations that cause you to ask, “Wasn’t there a better way?” And asking this is not wrong. In the Garden of Gethsemane, even Jesus asked God, “Is there another way to do this?” Asking is one thing… and becoming bitter or failing to accept God’s answer is another. In the end, God does have a perfect plan. So often we can’t see it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. We cannot operate in fear of what God will choose for us. We must boldly, faithfully trust that whatever He takes us to… He will take us through… because this is the truth. Communicate with God… question His choices, if you must… but don’t try to change them on your own. If you will trust God to see you through every trial and scary situation, He will do just that – and so much more.
We don’t get to choose so much of what happens to us in life… but when we stop and look at WHO is in charge of the choices, we really wouldn’t want to, anyway. Whatever you fear… whatever challenges you this day… trust GOD to handle this circumstance for you. It’s time we started believing that our Heavenly Father truly does know best – and acting like it!
©2010 Debbie Robus
But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In the spring of 2006, two students at Taylor University, an evangelical college in Indiana, traveled with fellow students and staff members to the school’s Ft. Wayne campus to set up a banquet. That night around 8:00, the group headed back to the main campus on I-69. A truck driver lost control of his semi and crashed into the van, killing five of the nine people instantly. Susie Van Ryn was telephoned in Michigan and told that her daughter, Laura, was badly injured and had been taken to a hospital in Ft. Wayne. Colleen Cerak and her family were notified that their daughter, Whitney, was dead. In weeks to come, the amazing, and bittersweet discovery would be made that, in fact, Whitney was alive and had been mistaken for Laura. Now a once-grieving family was filled with joy, while another was left to mourn the loss of their daughter.
In an interview with Matt Lauer of NBC’s Today show, posted at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23849928/page/11/, Lauer asked Susie Van Ryn about the experience and the tragic loss of her daughter.
Matt Lauer: Do you ever question, Susie, how God could have let this happen?
Susie Van Ryn: Sure. You want to say that. And yet I don't have to look very far to see that it happens all the time. It happens everywhere to anyone. And why should I be any different?
Whitney Cerak, the girl who was mistakenly thought to be dead had this to say…
Whitney Cerak: Well, I would just, like, cry out to God a lot. And just be, like, "Why? Why me?" Because everyone else in the accident -- they were just amazing people. And so I never really understood why I was, in a way, left behind. And I was just talking to my dad about it one day and I was, like, "Dad, I don't get this. Why me?" And he's, like, "Whitney, why not you?"
This is a drastic and dramatic example of a circumstance where it would seem that anyone in this position would question God. WHY would something like this happen? And yet, God brought so many good things out of this set of circumstances. Countless people have been touched by the story of the Van Ryns and the Ceraks. In a recent follow-up interview, Matt Lauer learned that God has used these families in mighty ways since this life-changing event in 2006. And he was visibly moved by their faith and courage. Susie Van Ryn commented that she, too, could ask “Why me?” - but she could also ask, “Why not me?”
There may be circumstances in your life that are causing you to ask, “Why are you allowing this, God?” There may be situations that cause you to ask, “Wasn’t there a better way?” And asking this is not wrong. In the Garden of Gethsemane, even Jesus asked God, “Is there another way to do this?” Asking is one thing… and becoming bitter or failing to accept God’s answer is another. In the end, God does have a perfect plan. So often we can’t see it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. We cannot operate in fear of what God will choose for us. We must boldly, faithfully trust that whatever He takes us to… He will take us through… because this is the truth. Communicate with God… question His choices, if you must… but don’t try to change them on your own. If you will trust God to see you through every trial and scary situation, He will do just that – and so much more.
We don’t get to choose so much of what happens to us in life… but when we stop and look at WHO is in charge of the choices, we really wouldn’t want to, anyway. Whatever you fear… whatever challenges you this day… trust GOD to handle this circumstance for you. It’s time we started believing that our Heavenly Father truly does know best – and acting like it!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 10, 2010
May 10 ~ Romans 8:12-17
My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God's Spirit are his children. God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
God has a funny sense of humor. I am a person with little to no will power when it comes to certain things… such as chocolate. I could never keep chocolate chips on hand for baking. Once the bag was opened, they seemed to methodically disappear over the course of just a few days. Cookies and candy, especially around Halloween, Christmas and Easter, may have well been wrapped in neon signs that said, “Come and get it!” So I asked God to help me control my love for chocolate, and He did… He allowed me to develop an allergy to it! I KNOW – I told you He had a sense of humor!
I have heard it all… “Life isn’t worth living without chocolate!” “That has to be the worst allergy in the world!” “How on earth do you survive?” Let me tell you something… there is a whole lot more to life than chocolate! I know some of you find that hard to believe, but there is… and there are worse things than an allergy to it! See, in some ways, I was a slave to chocolate. If it was near me, I felt I had to eat some. Now, I can bake brownies and not even lick the pan. I can be offered a box of assorted truffles or a bag of M&Ms and say, “No thank you.” Oh, sure, it smells great, and I would love to partake… until I think about the hives and the swelling, and the ITCHING… and then I’m over it! I could look at this as a huge inconvenience – or a huge blessing. I am choosing the latter.
Sometimes in our Spiritual life, we hold out on total surrender to God and His will for our lives, because we think we will have to sacrifice something we really love. Who wants to live without the “sinful chocolate” that we all seem to have? For some of us it is a partying lifestyle. For others, it’s a lack of involvement with a church family and getting up off our rears and going to church on Sunday. For others, it’s something we don’t even want to talk about… an addiction of some sort, or a habit we cannot break - or even something we cannot seem to shake… like racial bias or an unloving attitude toward someone else or a particular group of people.
What we fail to realize is that if we wait until we have all of our “issues” resolved, we’ll never find our way to God. And that’s not what He expects anyway. God doesn’t want us to try to fix ourselves… that’s His job – and He does what we cannot. Total surrender to God doesn’t make you God’s slave… it frees you to be the person He called you to be! Don’t wait another day. Don’t try to fix a single other thing yourself. Give up your “sinful chocolate” and embrace the freedom life without it can bring. Acknowledge God as your Father and truly become His child – and discover the fullness of His plans for your life, both now and for all Eternity.
©2010 Debbie Robus
My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God's Spirit are his children. God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
God has a funny sense of humor. I am a person with little to no will power when it comes to certain things… such as chocolate. I could never keep chocolate chips on hand for baking. Once the bag was opened, they seemed to methodically disappear over the course of just a few days. Cookies and candy, especially around Halloween, Christmas and Easter, may have well been wrapped in neon signs that said, “Come and get it!” So I asked God to help me control my love for chocolate, and He did… He allowed me to develop an allergy to it! I KNOW – I told you He had a sense of humor!
I have heard it all… “Life isn’t worth living without chocolate!” “That has to be the worst allergy in the world!” “How on earth do you survive?” Let me tell you something… there is a whole lot more to life than chocolate! I know some of you find that hard to believe, but there is… and there are worse things than an allergy to it! See, in some ways, I was a slave to chocolate. If it was near me, I felt I had to eat some. Now, I can bake brownies and not even lick the pan. I can be offered a box of assorted truffles or a bag of M&Ms and say, “No thank you.” Oh, sure, it smells great, and I would love to partake… until I think about the hives and the swelling, and the ITCHING… and then I’m over it! I could look at this as a huge inconvenience – or a huge blessing. I am choosing the latter.
Sometimes in our Spiritual life, we hold out on total surrender to God and His will for our lives, because we think we will have to sacrifice something we really love. Who wants to live without the “sinful chocolate” that we all seem to have? For some of us it is a partying lifestyle. For others, it’s a lack of involvement with a church family and getting up off our rears and going to church on Sunday. For others, it’s something we don’t even want to talk about… an addiction of some sort, or a habit we cannot break - or even something we cannot seem to shake… like racial bias or an unloving attitude toward someone else or a particular group of people.
What we fail to realize is that if we wait until we have all of our “issues” resolved, we’ll never find our way to God. And that’s not what He expects anyway. God doesn’t want us to try to fix ourselves… that’s His job – and He does what we cannot. Total surrender to God doesn’t make you God’s slave… it frees you to be the person He called you to be! Don’t wait another day. Don’t try to fix a single other thing yourself. Give up your “sinful chocolate” and embrace the freedom life without it can bring. Acknowledge God as your Father and truly become His child – and discover the fullness of His plans for your life, both now and for all Eternity.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 13, 2010
April 13 ~ Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
If you love money and wealth, you will never be satisfied with what you have. This doesn't make sense, either. The more you have, the more everyone expects from you. Your money won't do you any good - others will just spend it for you. If you have to work hard for a living, you can rest well at night, even if you don't have much to eat. But if you are rich, you can't even sleep.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of the best new shows on television is CBS’s “Undercover Boss.” Chief Executive Officers of major corporations put on disguises and “go undercover” to see what really is happening in the workplace in their businesses. In every episode, the executives have lived what would be considered “wealthy” lifestyles… big homes, nice cars, fancy suits and more. For one week, they exchange all of this for more “common” clothing, stay in low-budget motels and eat TV dinners, and work alongside the ordinary workers. These CEO’s have done everything from clean port-a-potties and pick up trash to washing streets at a theme park to waiting tables, and cleaning out sewer lines for Roto Rooter.
Without exception, each CEO has encountered people who were doing difficult – and sometimes nasty – jobs… and doing them with a smile and a genuine desire to be the best they possibly could at doing their job. They encountered single parents who could barely make ends meet – and some who were behind on mortgages. They met students who could not afford to go to college and were happily working at a menial job for meager wages. They met fathers who were working long hours and nights and weekends to support their children. They met a lot of “unwealthy” people who were enthusiastically working in their companies – and often at jobs the CEO’s were totally incapable of performing…much less with a smile.
The CEO’s all came away with a realization that their concept of “wealth” was skewed at best. They realized that what makes one happy is not a lot of money or a top-level position. And that’s the point of this scripture passage.
Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying you shouldn’t work hard – or that it is a wrong or sinful to be wealthy. Plenty of wealthy people have used their money to help others, support worthy causes, and further God’s kingdom. But wanting that new pair of Nikes for basketball and having to worry about leaving them in your locker during class may not be worth it. Do you really need a new phone when yours is perfectly good? Will another 1000 square feet of house and a couple of extra acres be worth the extra time and energy required for cleaning and maintenance? Why are you really getting a new car?
The bottom line is that having more “things” and more money may not make you happier – and it certainly won’t make you more of a Christian! Even if you give much of your wealth to charity, you need to be sure that your motives line up with God’s will. Does God want you to spend your time and energy gaining more money and “stuff?” Or does He want you to be happy where you are and spend more time serving Him and learning more about His will for your life?
On “Undercover Boss,” many of these employees whom the CEO’s encountered were given promotions, money to help pay their debts, raises in pay, and more. But this didn’t necessarily make them happier or more productive. They already seemed to have their priorities straight. What about you? Where are your priorities? What are you working to achieve… joy, contentment, and a Christ-centered life? Or are you chasing the wealth at the end of the rainbow? How well are you sleeping at night? What truly makes you rich these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 11, 2010
April 11 ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12-14
I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, because God's gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know people who seem “high on life?” Every day seems like a good day to them, not matter what is happening. They are smiling and positive and upbeat – and they mean it! On the other hand, we all know someone who is so negative and depressing that you almost want to avoid them at all costs. And nothing you say or do seems to help. The whole world has spit on them and ruined their day, and you ain’t gonna change it! The confusing part of all of this is that you know both of these people consider themselves Christians!
What is the difference? You might argue that it’s attitude… and you would be partly right. We all need an “attitude adjustment” from time to time. But more than this, the happy Christian has learned to trust God in all circumstances… to see that He is more than enough and will give them everything necessary to live an abundant, productive life. The unhappy person operates out of fear and lack of faith. This person has yet to tap into the Holy Spirit’s power within… and His ability to work in and through us to accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.
The unhappy person blames others for all of his/her troubles instead of asking GOD to take control and lead the charge! The unhappy person doesn’t get it… doesn’t understand the incredible POWER of God to change any circumstance and make improvements. This may not happen overnight and/or without some hard work and personal sacrifice - and certainly some soul searching – but it can happen. The happy Christian already knows this… and more! His/her life may not be a bed of roses every minute of every day, but he/she knows WHO is in control and has left everything in His capable hands.
So the question of the day is… who are YOU? Are you a happy, faith-filled, trusting Christian who is enjoying the food, drink and work of your day? Or are you an unhappy Christian who has failed to recognize the knock of the Holy Spirit on your heart? Isn’t it time you opened that door? Isn’t it time you recognized God’s power in your life and started really enjoying His gifts? Make today the day you change. Your friends and family may not recognize the “new you,” but I assure you, they’ll come around… God can fix that, too… and so much more!
©2010 Debbie Robus
I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, because God's gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know people who seem “high on life?” Every day seems like a good day to them, not matter what is happening. They are smiling and positive and upbeat – and they mean it! On the other hand, we all know someone who is so negative and depressing that you almost want to avoid them at all costs. And nothing you say or do seems to help. The whole world has spit on them and ruined their day, and you ain’t gonna change it! The confusing part of all of this is that you know both of these people consider themselves Christians!
What is the difference? You might argue that it’s attitude… and you would be partly right. We all need an “attitude adjustment” from time to time. But more than this, the happy Christian has learned to trust God in all circumstances… to see that He is more than enough and will give them everything necessary to live an abundant, productive life. The unhappy person operates out of fear and lack of faith. This person has yet to tap into the Holy Spirit’s power within… and His ability to work in and through us to accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.
The unhappy person blames others for all of his/her troubles instead of asking GOD to take control and lead the charge! The unhappy person doesn’t get it… doesn’t understand the incredible POWER of God to change any circumstance and make improvements. This may not happen overnight and/or without some hard work and personal sacrifice - and certainly some soul searching – but it can happen. The happy Christian already knows this… and more! His/her life may not be a bed of roses every minute of every day, but he/she knows WHO is in control and has left everything in His capable hands.
So the question of the day is… who are YOU? Are you a happy, faith-filled, trusting Christian who is enjoying the food, drink and work of your day? Or are you an unhappy Christian who has failed to recognize the knock of the Holy Spirit on your heart? Isn’t it time you opened that door? Isn’t it time you recognized God’s power in your life and started really enjoying His gifts? Make today the day you change. Your friends and family may not recognize the “new you,” but I assure you, they’ll come around… God can fix that, too… and so much more!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 3, 2010
April 3 ~ Luke 24:2-7
When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus isn't here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, 'The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.' "
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Before you toss this as a duplicate of the previous devotional, stick with me for a few minutes. We’ve all seen movie scenes where someone goes to a cemetery and stands over a tombstone and talks to the person who is buried there… and you may have done this yourself. If we are rational, we realize that the person to whom we are speaking isn’t going to answer – and probably can’t even hear what we are saying. But somehow, we are drawn to the grave. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it may be therapeutic to stop and meditate at a gravesite. But expecting any response – or to find anything other than a mound of dirt and a marker – is unreasonable.
This is what makes the account of the women who visited Jesus’ tomb so remarkable. Jesus truly was NOT there! And the significance of this contrast to the graves of mere human beings is huge. Because the tomb could not hold Jesus… because of what He did for us and God’s power… the grave is not our final resting place. Because of Jesus and the sacrifices – and victories – He experienced on our behalf, the tomb will not hold us either – at least not our souls.
Jesus was raised from physical death. And because of that, we are raised from the death of sin – if we choose to believe in Him and the power of God to work in our lives. We do have a final resting place… but it’s not in a cemetery. We who have become followers of Christ will live in Heaven with God Almighty for all of eternity! This is very good news – not only for this Easter weekend, but forever. The tomb is empty – death is not the end – Hallelujah! Celebrate new life in Christ Jesus today – and always!
©2010 Debbie Robus
When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus isn't here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, 'The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.' "
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Before you toss this as a duplicate of the previous devotional, stick with me for a few minutes. We’ve all seen movie scenes where someone goes to a cemetery and stands over a tombstone and talks to the person who is buried there… and you may have done this yourself. If we are rational, we realize that the person to whom we are speaking isn’t going to answer – and probably can’t even hear what we are saying. But somehow, we are drawn to the grave. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it may be therapeutic to stop and meditate at a gravesite. But expecting any response – or to find anything other than a mound of dirt and a marker – is unreasonable.
This is what makes the account of the women who visited Jesus’ tomb so remarkable. Jesus truly was NOT there! And the significance of this contrast to the graves of mere human beings is huge. Because the tomb could not hold Jesus… because of what He did for us and God’s power… the grave is not our final resting place. Because of Jesus and the sacrifices – and victories – He experienced on our behalf, the tomb will not hold us either – at least not our souls.
Jesus was raised from physical death. And because of that, we are raised from the death of sin – if we choose to believe in Him and the power of God to work in our lives. We do have a final resting place… but it’s not in a cemetery. We who have become followers of Christ will live in Heaven with God Almighty for all of eternity! This is very good news – not only for this Easter weekend, but forever. The tomb is empty – death is not the end – Hallelujah! Celebrate new life in Christ Jesus today – and always!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 6, 2010
February 6 ~ Genesis 17:18-20
Then he asked God, "Why not let Ishmael inherit what you have promised me?" But God answered: No! You and Sarah will have a son. His name will be Isaac, and I will make an everlasting promise to him and his descendants. I have heard what you asked me to do for Ishmael, and so I will also bless him with many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make his family a great nation.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have seen the movie Pay It Forward. The premise is that when someone does
something nice for you, instead of repaying the person who did the good deed, you “pay it forward” and do something nice for another person. Often, this has remarkable results for everyone involved.
Intercessory prayer – praying for someone else – is a lot like “paying it forward.” And when we pray for others from our heart… out of a deep sense of love and concern for that person and not just “lip service,” the blessings multiply. That’s what happened with Abraham. Rather than ask God to do extraordinary things and give him a child with his wife Sarah, Abraham said (paraphrasing here), “Just bless my son Ishmael, and we’ll call it good.” But God saw Abraham’s humility and heart and decided to bless him and his wife, Sarah – AND his son Ishmael.
I’m not saying that every time you pray for someone else, you will get an inheritance or some big prize. But I can tell you from experience that the times I have reached out to someone else, in prayer or in some other gesture, I felt like I got the bigger blessing. God hears our prayers – and he hears the prayers we offer for others. Who have you prayed for lately? Are you “paying it forward?”
©2009 Debbie Robus
Then he asked God, "Why not let Ishmael inherit what you have promised me?" But God answered: No! You and Sarah will have a son. His name will be Isaac, and I will make an everlasting promise to him and his descendants. I have heard what you asked me to do for Ishmael, and so I will also bless him with many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make his family a great nation.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have seen the movie Pay It Forward. The premise is that when someone does
something nice for you, instead of repaying the person who did the good deed, you “pay it forward” and do something nice for another person. Often, this has remarkable results for everyone involved.
Intercessory prayer – praying for someone else – is a lot like “paying it forward.” And when we pray for others from our heart… out of a deep sense of love and concern for that person and not just “lip service,” the blessings multiply. That’s what happened with Abraham. Rather than ask God to do extraordinary things and give him a child with his wife Sarah, Abraham said (paraphrasing here), “Just bless my son Ishmael, and we’ll call it good.” But God saw Abraham’s humility and heart and decided to bless him and his wife, Sarah – AND his son Ishmael.
I’m not saying that every time you pray for someone else, you will get an inheritance or some big prize. But I can tell you from experience that the times I have reached out to someone else, in prayer or in some other gesture, I felt like I got the bigger blessing. God hears our prayers – and he hears the prayers we offer for others. Who have you prayed for lately? Are you “paying it forward?”
©2009 Debbie Robus
January 2010 Devotionals - Week 3
January 21 ~ Ephesians 1:3-10
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One year for my birthday, my husband said, “Pack a bag… we’re going somewhere for the weekend.” He would not tell me where we were going… just that I needed casual clothes, one nice outfit, and a swimsuit. I later learned that he had told ONE person our plans, in case of emergency, but otherwise, he kept our destination a secret… and a surprise. I didn’t know where we were going until we exited the Interstate at a certain point, and then I knew in reason we were headed to Hot Springs. Careful planner that he was, my husband had reserved a room for us in the hotel where we spent our honeymoon some twenty years earlier. Knowing if he did this near our actual anniversary, I might figure out the surprise, he arranged this weekend a month earlier around my birthday. And that did throw me off track for quite some time! He had also carefully planned the weekend and the events we would enjoy while returning to Hot Springs… and we really had a good time there. We even watched a Fourth of July fireworks display from our hotel balcony… although my husband had to admit that was a surprise even to him!
My husband carefully planned this weekend for us because he loves me. He is always thinking up ways to surprise me and make me smile… he blesses me each and every day. But I know that my husband is only human. As much as I love him and as well as he cares for me, God blesses and cares for me in ways I can’t even begin to express. He plans for my daily needs. He knows how He will help me overcome challenges. He numbers my steps and guides my plans… and after all of that, He has more surprises planned.
As amazing as my surprise weekend in Hot Springs was, I’m pretty sure God’s surprises are going to be far more impressive. Like most people, I have questions I want Him to answer – and He will someday. I have mysteries I want Him to unlock – and I know He can. I dream about what Heaven will be like, but I know it will be so much more than I could ever begin to imagine. God has surprises on the horizon… and plans that will astound us… and love for us we cannot begin to measure. We must praise Him every day for this! We must thank Him over and over for sending Jesus… and for the plans yet to be realized… the surprises yet to come for His children. When we serve such a loving and generous God, how can we not be grateful? Anything less than our very best for Him is an insult to One who is so giving and merciful. I am surprised by God every day… and I praise Him for it. Do you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 20 ~ Acts 5:35-39
Then he said to the council: People of Israel, be careful what you do with these men. Not long ago Theudas claimed to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed. All his followers were scattered, and that was the end of that.
Later, when the people of our nation were being counted, Judas from Galilee showed up. A lot of people followed him, but he was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
So I advise you to stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If what they are planning is something of their own doing, it will fail. But if God is behind it, you cannot stop it anyway, unless you want to fight against God.
The council members agreed with what he said...
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you noticed that from time to time, people rise to a place of prominence in the Christian faith – either as an evangelist, a worship leader, or maybe a new sound/face in Christian music – and people jump on the bandwagon and start to support this person’s ministry. We hear a lot about this new “wave” in Christianity… for a season… and then the noise dies down and people seem to drift away or worship elsewhere and in a different fashion. I can think of several movements by “televangelists” that exploded for a while but now seem to be withering on the vine. And when reports start to surface in the news about these people and their wealthy lifestyles and opulence – and the generous “gifts” they receive from their church members and “partners” - you have to wonder whether their true plan was to serve Jesus or to get rich and famous!
But it’s not just televangelists and the money hungry… some are in it to feed their ego… and that’s just as bad. We can probably all think of someone who feels that their thoughts and ideas are bigger and better than ours, and we know how much we dislike this. So why is it that Christians are so ready to fall in line with the teachings and Scripture interpretation of just one person and believe exactly as he/she does about everything from morality to politics? My humble opinion is that we do this because something is lacking in us. We have drifted away from communication with God through prayer and Bible study, and we are seeking someone or something to fill us and restore us.
In this passage, Peter is telling the church – and us – that God gave us a brain! He gave us His word – and the ability to read it for ourselves and discern what He has to say to us. God has ordained countless people to guide us as we grow in our faith. But He also gives us wisdom – and the tools of prayer and Bible study – to figure out who is serving Him as a leader… and who is in it for themselves. And this applies to ALL areas of life, not just our church leaders. If we pay close attention, we will be able to see who is serving in God’s will… and who is not. And if you find yourself hanging with people who have an agenda (or plans) that do not line up with God’s plans and His word… the Bible tells us to run like the wind in the opposite direction.
God has blessed us with faithful, loyal disciples to lead us as we grow and develop in our own Christian faith… and you may even be one of them! But there are a lot of “wannabes” who are planning for their own prosperity and growth… not the Lord’s. With God’s help, we can tell the difference! Ask God to show you how to worship and serve Him effectively… follow Him and those who humbly serve, and He will always bless your plans.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 19 ~ Acts 2:22-28
Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross.
Death could not hold him in its power. What David said are really the words of Jesus, "I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side. Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope. The Lord won't leave me in the grave. I am his holy one, and he won't let my body decay. He has shown me the path to life, and he makes me glad by being near me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You probably have heard of Bill Engvall, the “Blue Collar Comedy” guy who says, “Here’s your sign.” This passage could be labeled the “Here’s Your Sign” passage… because in it we see that God has clearly given us a “sign” – hope for our future, even when “bad things happen to good people.” We will never suffer anything remotely close to what happened to Jesus… but trials and challenges will come our way. And some of them may seem pretty horrific at the time. We may wonder how we will ever survive them.
But clearly, David has given us the road map for survival. He has told us that death could not hold Jesus. He saw His Father near him at all times. And we must do that, too… because He truly IS always with us. God will not leave us in the pits… that is not His plan for us. He may allow us to wallow there a while until we really figure out that He is still in charge and guiding our every step. But He will always be there with us… and He does have a plan for us that is positive and filled with hope – and blessings.
So, “Here’s your sign!” God sent Jesus to walk among men and then die on the cross – but also to rise from the grave – as a sign to us that He will never leave us. Even in our darkest hour, He has a plan in place to restore us. This is great news! This is a plan that should thrill each and every one of us. This is the ultimate “sign.” Are you paying attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 18 ~ Luke 14:25-33
Large crowds were walking along with Jesus, when he turned and said: You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.
You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it? Otherwise, you will start building the tower, but not be able to finish. Then everyone who sees what is happening will laugh at you. They will say, "You started building, but could not finish the job."
What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win? If he thinks he won't be able to defend himself, he will send messengers and ask for peace while the other king is still a long way off. So then, you cannot be my disciple unless you give away everything you own.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The Food Network has this show called “Chopped” in which four chefs compete to create tasty dishes using “mystery ingredients” contained in a black wicker basket. The four chefs are given three to four ingredients and told to create an appetizer. The ingredients are always a little odd and not things you would normally combine for a food dish. But the chefs are given twenty minutes to use other foods and ingredients in the pantry to create their most tasty – and beautiful dish. After the presentation, the judges “chop” one of the chefs whose dish is deemed least tasty and attractive. The other three continue to create an entrée in thirty minutes, then another chef is “chopped,” and the final two chefs face off to create a dessert.
In a recent episode, the “dessert basket” contained ripe plantains (which resemble bananas), bacon, a white wine, and candied ginger. Both chefs worked frenetically for twenty minutes to create their most incredible dessert. One of the chefs decided to bake some sort of little cakes and use the requisite four ingredients to create sauces to top the cake. In the allotted twenty minutes, the cakes didn’t get done. The chef panicked and tried to turn the cake batter out onto a skillet and make pancakes, but even that failed. He ended up serving the judges his sauces without any cake. He admitted… “I did not plan well.” The other chef took what he was given and used it to create dishes considered delicious and beautiful.
Failure to plan well and work with what was provided in this competition cost three of the four chefs a $10,000 prize. Failure to plan or walk with Jesus has more far-reaching effects. This passage is not about literally giving up your relationship with your parents and other family members… or your belongings… to follow Jesus. Think of them as your “Food Network pantry” – resources that might possibly be available – and helpful – to you, but not always present… or necessary. Often all you will have is what is “in the black wicker basket.” Sometimes God will open the door for you to minister in a certain situation in which you may feel you have very little to offer – or with which to work. But HE will fill the gaps. You have to be willing to trust God… and to follow His plans. You have to plan to succeed with Him… and pay attention to all of the details. Otherwise, when the day is done, you will end up with “sauces and no cake.”
What are you creating? How well have you planned? What baggage to you need to unload? Can you work with what is in God’s “basket” and use it to create an atmosphere in which He can work? Our discipleship often falls short, because we either don’t plan well, or we rely too much on external resources and distractions, such as family, friends, and stuff, instead of asking God, “What are your plans, and where do You want me to serve? What do you want me to make of this?” While our walk with Christ is not a competition, we are God’s “chefs” – creating opportunities for others to hear the Good News – showing them His beauty and all that a life in Jesus has to offer. How well are you serving the Lord these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 17 ~ Luke 12:11-12
When you are brought to trial in the Jewish meeting places or before rulers or officials, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say. At that time the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine you are on a beach and you see a young child bobbing in the water, obviously in distress, or possibly drowning. You would jump in and try to save the child, right? Would you stop to think, “Oh, wait! I’m not wearing a swimsuit,” or “I’m wearing my good shoes and my watch isn’t waterproof!” No, you would dash into the water and make every effort to save the child.
So often, we have a chance to speak to someone else about our faith… to offer hope and encouragement… and we clam up and say nothing. It’s as if we stand “frozen on the beach.” Why? Because we often feel we don’t know what to say – that we might say the wrong thing. We feel inadequate to try to tell someone else about God’s love, grace and mercy. Or maybe we feel that the person will ask questions we can’t answer… that they will attack us for our faith and make us feel like we really don’t know what we are talking about!
The truth is, God gives us “beachside opportunities” every day. We may never be literally called upon to rescue a drowning child on a beach, but people are “drowning” to know more about God every day… and we are the rescue squad. He will use us to reach these people and bring them to shore – to Him, so that He can save them. And the best part of all is that God will equip us for this mission! We don’t have to plan what we will say to others… God will give us the words. We don’t have to schedule time to share our faith… we can be spontaneous, knowing that God will give us everything we need, through His Holy Spirit, to say and do exactly what He wishes.
It’s time to “get off the beach and into the water.” It is time to start being bold in your faith, confident that God has planned and prepared for your witness. It is time to trust that the Holy Spirit is alive in you and will guide you through uncertain situations. Look around and see where God is leading you. Don’t stop to worry about how your witness will be received… just do it, and trust God to handle the details.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 16 ~ Matthew 6:25-34
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds? Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them.
God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?" Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having an arm or leg trapped in something and being unable to free yourself. What if the only option was to amputate the arm or leg, and that could possibly cause you to bleed to death? Do you think you would be thinking about what you were going to wear to school or work tomorrow? Would you really care if your friend called you back or you got your tax refund check in the mail? Would it matter if you were having a bad hair day?
We waste a lot of time and energy worrying needlessly. It may seem important that we look nice and have a full stomach, plenty of friends, and money in our pocket. But a lot of us (myself included) wait until our arm or leg is trapped and we can’t get free (so to speak) before we turn to God and ask for His help. We would rather wring our hands and worry about what we have and don’t have instead of trusting that God already knows our needs and how to meet them.
If we would trust God more, if we would focus on serving Him and less on ourselves, then when real worries come our way, we would know where to turn and have hope for a solution from the One who can give it to us. God has wonderful plans for us… and they include meeting our needs according to His will. Are you willing to trust Him to deliver?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 15 ~ Jeremiah 29:11
I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The January 12th earthquake in Haiti has ravaged this Caribbean country. People have lost their homes, their belongings, and their very lives. This event of nature was no respecter of persons… rich, poor, young, and old alike are suffering. And some have tried to claim, in the name of Christianity, that all of this happened to Haiti as punishment from God because the Haitians “made a deal with the devil” decades ago. It does seem that the Haitians have had more than their share of misfortune in recent years, but I don’t believe for a minute that God is punishing them, much less that this entire nation “made a deal with the devil” or any other such nonsense.
There was other sad news this week. Candice, the young Kansas mother of two little girls that I talked about a few days ago, lost her battle with cancer and ran into the arms of Jesus.
So why does God allow bad things to happen? If this scripture in Jeremiah says that God has plans to bless us and give us hope and success, not suffering, why are there so many who suffer? Here’s what I think… God sees the tragedy in Haiti, and He sees millions of opportunities for people to minister in His name. He sees opportunities for orphans to be rescued, and for people to be fed, clothed, housed, and treated medically. He sees countless chances for those who have much to give to those who have nothing. God sees two little girls and a grandmother in Kansas who need everything from comfort and a hug to school lunch money and a ride to Girl Scouts… and He already knows who will step up to meet those needs!
God sees hope where we see none. He sees opportunities to bless where all we can see is tragedy and despair. He sees countless options, and immeasurable blessings. It can start with something as small as a donation to the The Friends of the World Food Program (http://www.wfp.org/), the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/), or Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/) – or some other charitable relief organization. Or, it could be that you are ready to do more… to organize a local food or clothing drive… volunteer at a local service organization like Cleburne County Care, or deliver Meals on Wheels. Maybe you are ready to become a foster parent to a needy child… or even to adopt an orphan from a country such as Haiti. God knows the needs… and He knows how you can fill them. He brings hope in hopeless situations… not destruction. He has plans for us… plans for our own hope and success – and plans for us to help those less fortunate.
I pray that today you will ask God to reveal to you His plans for your own life… how – and where - He wants you to serve others. Ask God to show you where you can offer hope and success to someone else… and find your own in the bargain. It may be that God moves you out of your comfort zone a bit. It may be that His plans are for you to give up some of your time, energy, and/or money in order to do what needs to be done. But I promise, you will never regret it… nor will you miss anything you “sacrifice.” God has plans for His children – plans to give us hope and success beyond anything we could ever imagine… are you ready to get on board?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One year for my birthday, my husband said, “Pack a bag… we’re going somewhere for the weekend.” He would not tell me where we were going… just that I needed casual clothes, one nice outfit, and a swimsuit. I later learned that he had told ONE person our plans, in case of emergency, but otherwise, he kept our destination a secret… and a surprise. I didn’t know where we were going until we exited the Interstate at a certain point, and then I knew in reason we were headed to Hot Springs. Careful planner that he was, my husband had reserved a room for us in the hotel where we spent our honeymoon some twenty years earlier. Knowing if he did this near our actual anniversary, I might figure out the surprise, he arranged this weekend a month earlier around my birthday. And that did throw me off track for quite some time! He had also carefully planned the weekend and the events we would enjoy while returning to Hot Springs… and we really had a good time there. We even watched a Fourth of July fireworks display from our hotel balcony… although my husband had to admit that was a surprise even to him!
My husband carefully planned this weekend for us because he loves me. He is always thinking up ways to surprise me and make me smile… he blesses me each and every day. But I know that my husband is only human. As much as I love him and as well as he cares for me, God blesses and cares for me in ways I can’t even begin to express. He plans for my daily needs. He knows how He will help me overcome challenges. He numbers my steps and guides my plans… and after all of that, He has more surprises planned.
As amazing as my surprise weekend in Hot Springs was, I’m pretty sure God’s surprises are going to be far more impressive. Like most people, I have questions I want Him to answer – and He will someday. I have mysteries I want Him to unlock – and I know He can. I dream about what Heaven will be like, but I know it will be so much more than I could ever begin to imagine. God has surprises on the horizon… and plans that will astound us… and love for us we cannot begin to measure. We must praise Him every day for this! We must thank Him over and over for sending Jesus… and for the plans yet to be realized… the surprises yet to come for His children. When we serve such a loving and generous God, how can we not be grateful? Anything less than our very best for Him is an insult to One who is so giving and merciful. I am surprised by God every day… and I praise Him for it. Do you?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 20 ~ Acts 5:35-39
Then he said to the council: People of Israel, be careful what you do with these men. Not long ago Theudas claimed to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed. All his followers were scattered, and that was the end of that.
Later, when the people of our nation were being counted, Judas from Galilee showed up. A lot of people followed him, but he was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
So I advise you to stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If what they are planning is something of their own doing, it will fail. But if God is behind it, you cannot stop it anyway, unless you want to fight against God.
The council members agreed with what he said...
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you noticed that from time to time, people rise to a place of prominence in the Christian faith – either as an evangelist, a worship leader, or maybe a new sound/face in Christian music – and people jump on the bandwagon and start to support this person’s ministry. We hear a lot about this new “wave” in Christianity… for a season… and then the noise dies down and people seem to drift away or worship elsewhere and in a different fashion. I can think of several movements by “televangelists” that exploded for a while but now seem to be withering on the vine. And when reports start to surface in the news about these people and their wealthy lifestyles and opulence – and the generous “gifts” they receive from their church members and “partners” - you have to wonder whether their true plan was to serve Jesus or to get rich and famous!
But it’s not just televangelists and the money hungry… some are in it to feed their ego… and that’s just as bad. We can probably all think of someone who feels that their thoughts and ideas are bigger and better than ours, and we know how much we dislike this. So why is it that Christians are so ready to fall in line with the teachings and Scripture interpretation of just one person and believe exactly as he/she does about everything from morality to politics? My humble opinion is that we do this because something is lacking in us. We have drifted away from communication with God through prayer and Bible study, and we are seeking someone or something to fill us and restore us.
In this passage, Peter is telling the church – and us – that God gave us a brain! He gave us His word – and the ability to read it for ourselves and discern what He has to say to us. God has ordained countless people to guide us as we grow in our faith. But He also gives us wisdom – and the tools of prayer and Bible study – to figure out who is serving Him as a leader… and who is in it for themselves. And this applies to ALL areas of life, not just our church leaders. If we pay close attention, we will be able to see who is serving in God’s will… and who is not. And if you find yourself hanging with people who have an agenda (or plans) that do not line up with God’s plans and His word… the Bible tells us to run like the wind in the opposite direction.
God has blessed us with faithful, loyal disciples to lead us as we grow and develop in our own Christian faith… and you may even be one of them! But there are a lot of “wannabes” who are planning for their own prosperity and growth… not the Lord’s. With God’s help, we can tell the difference! Ask God to show you how to worship and serve Him effectively… follow Him and those who humbly serve, and He will always bless your plans.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 19 ~ Acts 2:22-28
Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross.
Death could not hold him in its power. What David said are really the words of Jesus, "I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side. Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope. The Lord won't leave me in the grave. I am his holy one, and he won't let my body decay. He has shown me the path to life, and he makes me glad by being near me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You probably have heard of Bill Engvall, the “Blue Collar Comedy” guy who says, “Here’s your sign.” This passage could be labeled the “Here’s Your Sign” passage… because in it we see that God has clearly given us a “sign” – hope for our future, even when “bad things happen to good people.” We will never suffer anything remotely close to what happened to Jesus… but trials and challenges will come our way. And some of them may seem pretty horrific at the time. We may wonder how we will ever survive them.
But clearly, David has given us the road map for survival. He has told us that death could not hold Jesus. He saw His Father near him at all times. And we must do that, too… because He truly IS always with us. God will not leave us in the pits… that is not His plan for us. He may allow us to wallow there a while until we really figure out that He is still in charge and guiding our every step. But He will always be there with us… and He does have a plan for us that is positive and filled with hope – and blessings.
So, “Here’s your sign!” God sent Jesus to walk among men and then die on the cross – but also to rise from the grave – as a sign to us that He will never leave us. Even in our darkest hour, He has a plan in place to restore us. This is great news! This is a plan that should thrill each and every one of us. This is the ultimate “sign.” Are you paying attention?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 18 ~ Luke 14:25-33
Large crowds were walking along with Jesus, when he turned and said: You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.
You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it? Otherwise, you will start building the tower, but not be able to finish. Then everyone who sees what is happening will laugh at you. They will say, "You started building, but could not finish the job."
What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win? If he thinks he won't be able to defend himself, he will send messengers and ask for peace while the other king is still a long way off. So then, you cannot be my disciple unless you give away everything you own.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The Food Network has this show called “Chopped” in which four chefs compete to create tasty dishes using “mystery ingredients” contained in a black wicker basket. The four chefs are given three to four ingredients and told to create an appetizer. The ingredients are always a little odd and not things you would normally combine for a food dish. But the chefs are given twenty minutes to use other foods and ingredients in the pantry to create their most tasty – and beautiful dish. After the presentation, the judges “chop” one of the chefs whose dish is deemed least tasty and attractive. The other three continue to create an entrée in thirty minutes, then another chef is “chopped,” and the final two chefs face off to create a dessert.
In a recent episode, the “dessert basket” contained ripe plantains (which resemble bananas), bacon, a white wine, and candied ginger. Both chefs worked frenetically for twenty minutes to create their most incredible dessert. One of the chefs decided to bake some sort of little cakes and use the requisite four ingredients to create sauces to top the cake. In the allotted twenty minutes, the cakes didn’t get done. The chef panicked and tried to turn the cake batter out onto a skillet and make pancakes, but even that failed. He ended up serving the judges his sauces without any cake. He admitted… “I did not plan well.” The other chef took what he was given and used it to create dishes considered delicious and beautiful.
Failure to plan well and work with what was provided in this competition cost three of the four chefs a $10,000 prize. Failure to plan or walk with Jesus has more far-reaching effects. This passage is not about literally giving up your relationship with your parents and other family members… or your belongings… to follow Jesus. Think of them as your “Food Network pantry” – resources that might possibly be available – and helpful – to you, but not always present… or necessary. Often all you will have is what is “in the black wicker basket.” Sometimes God will open the door for you to minister in a certain situation in which you may feel you have very little to offer – or with which to work. But HE will fill the gaps. You have to be willing to trust God… and to follow His plans. You have to plan to succeed with Him… and pay attention to all of the details. Otherwise, when the day is done, you will end up with “sauces and no cake.”
What are you creating? How well have you planned? What baggage to you need to unload? Can you work with what is in God’s “basket” and use it to create an atmosphere in which He can work? Our discipleship often falls short, because we either don’t plan well, or we rely too much on external resources and distractions, such as family, friends, and stuff, instead of asking God, “What are your plans, and where do You want me to serve? What do you want me to make of this?” While our walk with Christ is not a competition, we are God’s “chefs” – creating opportunities for others to hear the Good News – showing them His beauty and all that a life in Jesus has to offer. How well are you serving the Lord these days?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 17 ~ Luke 12:11-12
When you are brought to trial in the Jewish meeting places or before rulers or officials, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say. At that time the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine you are on a beach and you see a young child bobbing in the water, obviously in distress, or possibly drowning. You would jump in and try to save the child, right? Would you stop to think, “Oh, wait! I’m not wearing a swimsuit,” or “I’m wearing my good shoes and my watch isn’t waterproof!” No, you would dash into the water and make every effort to save the child.
So often, we have a chance to speak to someone else about our faith… to offer hope and encouragement… and we clam up and say nothing. It’s as if we stand “frozen on the beach.” Why? Because we often feel we don’t know what to say – that we might say the wrong thing. We feel inadequate to try to tell someone else about God’s love, grace and mercy. Or maybe we feel that the person will ask questions we can’t answer… that they will attack us for our faith and make us feel like we really don’t know what we are talking about!
The truth is, God gives us “beachside opportunities” every day. We may never be literally called upon to rescue a drowning child on a beach, but people are “drowning” to know more about God every day… and we are the rescue squad. He will use us to reach these people and bring them to shore – to Him, so that He can save them. And the best part of all is that God will equip us for this mission! We don’t have to plan what we will say to others… God will give us the words. We don’t have to schedule time to share our faith… we can be spontaneous, knowing that God will give us everything we need, through His Holy Spirit, to say and do exactly what He wishes.
It’s time to “get off the beach and into the water.” It is time to start being bold in your faith, confident that God has planned and prepared for your witness. It is time to trust that the Holy Spirit is alive in you and will guide you through uncertain situations. Look around and see where God is leading you. Don’t stop to worry about how your witness will be received… just do it, and trust God to handle the details.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 16 ~ Matthew 6:25-34
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds? Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them.
God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?" Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having an arm or leg trapped in something and being unable to free yourself. What if the only option was to amputate the arm or leg, and that could possibly cause you to bleed to death? Do you think you would be thinking about what you were going to wear to school or work tomorrow? Would you really care if your friend called you back or you got your tax refund check in the mail? Would it matter if you were having a bad hair day?
We waste a lot of time and energy worrying needlessly. It may seem important that we look nice and have a full stomach, plenty of friends, and money in our pocket. But a lot of us (myself included) wait until our arm or leg is trapped and we can’t get free (so to speak) before we turn to God and ask for His help. We would rather wring our hands and worry about what we have and don’t have instead of trusting that God already knows our needs and how to meet them.
If we would trust God more, if we would focus on serving Him and less on ourselves, then when real worries come our way, we would know where to turn and have hope for a solution from the One who can give it to us. God has wonderful plans for us… and they include meeting our needs according to His will. Are you willing to trust Him to deliver?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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January 15 ~ Jeremiah 29:11
I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The January 12th earthquake in Haiti has ravaged this Caribbean country. People have lost their homes, their belongings, and their very lives. This event of nature was no respecter of persons… rich, poor, young, and old alike are suffering. And some have tried to claim, in the name of Christianity, that all of this happened to Haiti as punishment from God because the Haitians “made a deal with the devil” decades ago. It does seem that the Haitians have had more than their share of misfortune in recent years, but I don’t believe for a minute that God is punishing them, much less that this entire nation “made a deal with the devil” or any other such nonsense.
There was other sad news this week. Candice, the young Kansas mother of two little girls that I talked about a few days ago, lost her battle with cancer and ran into the arms of Jesus.
So why does God allow bad things to happen? If this scripture in Jeremiah says that God has plans to bless us and give us hope and success, not suffering, why are there so many who suffer? Here’s what I think… God sees the tragedy in Haiti, and He sees millions of opportunities for people to minister in His name. He sees opportunities for orphans to be rescued, and for people to be fed, clothed, housed, and treated medically. He sees countless chances for those who have much to give to those who have nothing. God sees two little girls and a grandmother in Kansas who need everything from comfort and a hug to school lunch money and a ride to Girl Scouts… and He already knows who will step up to meet those needs!
God sees hope where we see none. He sees opportunities to bless where all we can see is tragedy and despair. He sees countless options, and immeasurable blessings. It can start with something as small as a donation to the The Friends of the World Food Program (http://www.wfp.org/), the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/), or Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/) – or some other charitable relief organization. Or, it could be that you are ready to do more… to organize a local food or clothing drive… volunteer at a local service organization like Cleburne County Care, or deliver Meals on Wheels. Maybe you are ready to become a foster parent to a needy child… or even to adopt an orphan from a country such as Haiti. God knows the needs… and He knows how you can fill them. He brings hope in hopeless situations… not destruction. He has plans for us… plans for our own hope and success – and plans for us to help those less fortunate.
I pray that today you will ask God to reveal to you His plans for your own life… how – and where - He wants you to serve others. Ask God to show you where you can offer hope and success to someone else… and find your own in the bargain. It may be that God moves you out of your comfort zone a bit. It may be that His plans are for you to give up some of your time, energy, and/or money in order to do what needs to be done. But I promise, you will never regret it… nor will you miss anything you “sacrifice.” God has plans for His children – plans to give us hope and success beyond anything we could ever imagine… are you ready to get on board?
©2009 Debbie Robus
December 2009 Devotionals - Week 4
December 31 ~ 2 Chronicles 6:30
You know what is in everyone's heart. So from your home in heaven answer their prayers, according to what they do and what is in their hearts.
Colossians 3:1 and 16
You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side.
Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Everywhere we look this week, people are talking about the things that happened in 2009 and looking ahead to 2010. We are making resolutions, remembering births and deaths throughout the year, listing the best/worst of everything from movies to weather events. And some of this activity is fun and harmless – and maybe even healthy. Reflecting is not a bad idea… nor is planning for the future.
But as we think about “the year that was” today and look ahead to a new, fresh start, let’s remember to consider our heart. We should all stop to evaluate how we did “Spiritually” in the last year and see where we need to improve. We should spend some time reflecting on our relationship with God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and noting what we “resolve” to do better as we move forward. Thank God for getting you this far. Ask Him to give you wisdom, courage, strength, and focus to accomplish much more for Him in the coming year. Know that He will look at your heart and see what is there… where your motives are pure and your faith is strong and genuine – and He will answer you according to His perfect will!
Happy New Year – may God bless you! Make this the year that the message of Christ completely fills your life and captures your heart. Make heaven your goal and Christ your guide, and 2010 will be an amazing year!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 30 ~ 1 John 2:28
[ Children of God ] Children, stay one in your hearts with Christ. Then when he returns, we will have confidence and won't have to hide in shame.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I won’t name any names, but I know of more than one instance where siblings were being rambunctious, and something “bad” happened – a prized dish or piece of furniture was broken, or someone was injured. The responsible sibling felt so guilty and ashamed – and fearful of retribution – that he/she packed a bag and ran away – or hid! Somehow in the child’s mind, if he/she could just get away, the parent would have mercy. Perhaps they would feel so bad that the child was that upset - and the infraction would be forgotten, along with any punishment.
Most likely, the parent(s) admonished the child and reminded him/her that this is what happens when we are disobedient and act inappropriately. Punishment may/may not have followed. When we move away from the rules established by our parents, the outcome of our actions is, at best, often uncertain!
Unlike the transgressions of our childhood, moving away from a oneness with Christ has far more serious consequences. I don’t know about you, but I am not willing to risk Jesus’ return and the words… “What happened? What do you have to say for yourself?” I don’t want to have to even consider running away and hiding in shame (as if that would work anyway)! I want to stay close to Jesus… to hold Him near to my heart and to listen to Him at every turn. I want to live in confidence, not fear. Don’t you? Living with Jesus is not child’s play… we can’t toy with His love and grace and expect Him to coddle us like little children. It’s time to grow up… and to enjoy the grown-up benefits of a life in Christ. We will always be His “children” – but that doesn’t mean we can act like a child in our faith. Stay one in your heart with Christ and live confidently as His “child” until you meet Him face-to-face.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 29 ~ 1 John 2:27
But Christ has blessed you with the Holy Spirit. Now the Spirit stays in you, and you don't need any teachers. The Spirit is truthful and teaches you everything. So stay one in your heart with Christ, just as the Spirit has taught you to do.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
The last time I was at the salon getting my hair done, the hairdressers were discussing permanent eyeliner and lip liner. Most women who have had this procedure find it to be a real blessing and time saver. They are always “presentable” and don’t have to spend as much time getting dressed each morning. These permanent “tattoos” never go away!
If you think about it, the Holy Spirit has been sort of “tattoed” on our hearts. He is there forever and never leaves us. We are always prepared and “presentable.” This is the “tattoo” for me! What about you? Have you invited the Holy Spirit to write permanently on your heart? Is He teaching you everything you need to know? If you have not invited the Holy Spirit to live within your heart yet, today is a great day to do so! Ask Him to show you the truth and to teach you every day… to keep you close at hand and one with Christ. Make this one “tattoo” you are certain to get and can’t live without!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 28 ~ 1 John 2:4
But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever heard the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do”? I assure you, it’s not in the Bible! Jesus didn’t tell us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength – and to love others as we love ourselves – with the expectation that we would do something else!
When I taught kindergarten, I had three classroom rules… 1) be kind to others; 2) work and play quietly, and 3) respect the property of others. That pretty well covered everything. Have an argument with your table mate? You probably weren’t being kind to others. Raise your voice? That wasn’t working quietly. Take something that wasn’t yours – or misuse something in the classroom – that was disrespectful to the property. The children knew that there were distinct consequences for breaking these rules… and they also knew that there was no such thing as a gray area. We all knew that when a rule was broken, certain things would happen… first offense - a warning; two offenses - “time out;” three offenses - missed recess; four offenses I placed a call to their parents! It sounds almost too simple, but in several years I only got to the third consequence a few times – and maybe two or three phone calls were made.
There are consequences for Christians, too, and we can’t possibly be so dumb as to think God doesn’t know when we disobey Him. We can’t have it both ways, but somehow, unlike my five-year-olds, we seem a little more eager to test God and see what happens than they were! What does this say about us and our faith? Either we are Christians to the core and have the truth of Jesus Christ in our hearts, or we are lying and don’t really know Him. Which is it with you?
I pray that you will see that the only way to truly be a disciple of Christ is to follow Him with your whole heart. Any claim to be a Christian while acting otherwise is mere lip service. Not only is this disobedience heartbreaking and disrespectful to God, but it might mean you have not sincerely committed your life to Christ… and that could have Eternal consequences. Give yourself wholly to God. Serve Him not only with your voice… but with your whole heart and all of your actions. Live with truth in your heart and make your claims to know Him the whole truth. And while you are at it, be kind to others, work and play quietly, and respect the property of others.
2009 Debbie Robus
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December 27 ~ 1 John 1:8
If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever felt a sore throat coming on, but you said to yourself, “I’m not sick. I’m not sick.” You tried to pretend that you were not getting a cold or the flu, but ultimately, you had to admit that yes – you were SICK! You were fooling yourself… and avoiding the truth! Maybe you had something important or fun you wanted to do and you didn’t want to be sick and miss it… or maybe you just didn’t want to be sick, period! Whatever the reason, you couldn’t admit the truth to yourself or anyone else.
Sin is much more serious than a sore throat or a few days of cold or flu. The “disease” often manifests itself more subtly than these “bugs.” We don’t realize how sins – especially those we deny – are affecting our lives… or the lives of others. And we surely don’t see how these sins affect our heart. If we live with untruth in our heart and fail to acknowledge that we have sinned, very little will go right for us in life. We will be living a lie… and Satan loves that! He will make you think that everything is great… that life is wonderful… that you have no worries. But He will be drawing you farther and farther from the truth – and from God.
Don’t let this happen. Admit that you have sins… confess them to God and ask Him to forgive you. Invite God to fill your heart with His truth and to wash you clean in the blood of Jesus. Live a life that is open and honest… with nothing to hide – to yourself or anyone else. There are medications that can help you with a cold or flu. God – The Great Physician – can cure you of your sins. What are you waiting for… don’t you want to be well?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 26 ~ 1 Peter 3:4
Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Late in the afternoon on December 23rd, cousins called my mother to tell her that her beloved Aunt Zula Turney… the last remaing sibling of Mom’s father… was at the local ER, and she was in bad shape. Aunt Zula had been ill for some time now with congestive heart failure, breathing difficulties, and degenerative disks in her back. The doctors said her spine was like tissue paper. She was in terrible pain. Mom rushed to the ER to see Aunt Zula. Even though she wore an oxygen mask and was struggling to breathe, she tried to talk. She asked about my grandmother. Mom joked that at least her ambulance driver was handsome, and Aunt Zula laughed.
The doctors said nothing could be done… at age 91, Aunt Zula’s body was shutting down. A call was made to Hospice, and a hospital bed was placed in Aunt Zula’s home in Quitman, where she returned. The doctors said she could live hours or days. I think she barely made it home before she left this earth and went to heaven.If this scripture passage describes anyone, it describes my Aunt Zula. She was the mother of four children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. As a fourth grade teacher in Quitman for decades, she was “mother” to hundreds more. Many of Aunt Zula’s grandchildren attended Harding University, so she became “grandmother” to countless students there who filled her home on weekends – some even after her own grandchildren had graduated and moved out into the working world.
Christmas Eve, Mom said, “I don’t recall a time when Aunt Zula ever gave me advice or admonished me… she just lived by example.” One of Aunt Zula’s children contracted polio as a child, and she diligently worked with him on physical therapies so that he would not be crippled for life. She and her husband reared four children with only a pickup truck for transportation for many years. She worked hard to care for her family and earn her college degree, juggling the challenges of both in the forties and fifties without many of the modern conveniences we enjoy today. I almost never heard her complain.
Last year my mom wrote Truly Zula… Daughter of the Ozarks, and while I’m sure Aunt Zula was proud, she also seemed a little embarrassed that anyone would consider her life extraordinary and book-worthy. But I am quite certain that God considered her very special. The gentle beauty and spirit – the quiet peace of this little white-haired dynamo – did not go unnoticed.
My mom says Aunt Zula was her hero. I’m sure others will say the same thing. For me, Aunt Zula was a living example of 1 Peter 3:4, and an inspiration. I can’t say I have always lived quietly and gently as she did, but I can surely try to emulate her more in the coming years. And while we will all miss her, I find it truly fitting that God blessed her with such an incredible Christmas gift… a place at the feet of Jesus for His birthday. I know how important she was to us – and I’m sure she got a special seat at the Lord’s table for Christmas dinner.
We all need to learn to live more quiet and gentle lives – to have beautiful hearts. I know my Aunt Zula did… can I… can you? With God’s help, we can! Let’s start today… let’s develop hearts that will give our lives beauty that will last, even into eternity. Let’s live in way that honors God – a way He considers special. I pray you have an “Aunt Zula” in your life to emulate… and that you will do your best to develop a heart of quiet beauty and peace, as she did.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 25 ~ James 4:8
Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I love how God works! When I drew up the outline for these devotionals months ago, God knew that this passage would be perfect for Jesus’ birthday! Think for a moment about the birth of Christ. Think about how people “drew near” to Him from across the land… shepherds, wise men, angels… even livestock! They knew that there was Someone special in that manger. They understood that this was a holy time, and they were in the presence of the Lord! And I believe they received a touch from Jesus, even then… I know their hearts were touched when they saw Him!
There is a saying… “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?!” God never leaves us… but sometimes we don’t feel His presence very strongly in our lives. And it is always because we have drifted away and closed our heart. We have pocket doors in certain areas of our house. These are doors that slide into the wall when open, instead of swinging in and out like most doors. If you pull pocket doors together, you can get privacy and reduced noise without closing them completely. But if the opening is narrow, you may not be able to physically get in and out through it. We are like that with God. We may not completely shut the door to our heart, but if we pull it shut too much, God can’t get in, and we can’t hear Him or feel His presence!
Today, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, open the doors of your heart as wide as you can! Draw near to God, and feel Him draw near to you. Clean out the impurities of your heart. Toss them out the door and make room for God to fill you. This will be the best Christmas gift you could receive. Make up your mind today to celebrate Christmas every day of the year by letting God work in and through you. The best is yet to be for those who serve Him. May you feel the presence of Jesus in your heart today… and always. Merry Christmas!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 24 ~ James 3:14
But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don't brag or lie to cover up the truth. That kind of wisdom doesn't come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself. Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever watched how a child behaves after he/she gets a new baby sister or brother? Especially if this child was a “one and only” for awhile and got used to garnering all of the attention, the “shock” of having to share can cause trouble. And in true child-like fashion, the older sibling causes all manner of trouble out of jealousy. Whether their lack of attention is real or imagined, the fact that they are no longer “front-and-center” at all times does not set well. So they cause trouble… and sometimes do cruel things to the baby.
In my case, the “older siblings” are our two cats… and the baby is our great-nephew, Timothy. And while neither cat has paid much direct attention to the baby, they have let us know that “Hey, I was first!” They become overly needy when Timothy is around… and they show out to get our attention. The gentle, sensible, kind, friendly cats we normally have are replaced with clingy whiners who get into mischief!
Are we like this? When we feel something or someone encroaching on our territory, do we become needy – or downright cruel? Do we over-compensate with grand gestures to try to convince others we are NOT selfish or jealous? Do we put on phony smiles and “play nice” to make others think we are wonderful and get in their good graces, when secretly, we wish all of the attention was on us?
The Bible tells us we are to be the real deal at all times. Does this mean it’s okay to be selfish and jealous? Absolutely not! Jealousy and selfishness are tools of the devil! When you feel these attitudes creeping into your heart, stomp all over them! Pray and read God’s word, communicate with a Christian friend – do whatever it takes to get rid of these feelings and return to a place of peace and the true wisdom of God. In other words, we must learn “get over ourselves,” and focus on being filled with God’s wisdom… and all of the blessings that result.
Today is a great day for this thought, because at Christmas time, we are often jealous of what others have. We are sometimes frustrated that we didn’t get what we wanted – our tree isn’t big enough, and we don’t have enough lights and inflatables in the yard! The devil loves to destroy the joy and true meaning of this season by filling our hearts with jealousy and selfishness – and painting fake attitudes on us outwardly. He loves to stir up trouble and take the focus off of Jesus! Don’t let him have this pleasure! Make this Christmas a time when you start to shake the dust of the devil from your boots – and sweep him out of your heart for good. Be real and wise in the Lord… be blessed and full of HIS peace… and celebrate Jesus with a sincere heart this Christmas!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 23 ~ Hebrews 10:22
So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
As joyful and jovial as the holiday season is, for many, it’s time of great sadness. There may not be enough money to buy gifts for others and a holiday meal. The days around Christmas may be associated with a sad event. Suicide rates go up. People lose their homes to fires. Others “party too hearty” and die from alcohol-related accidents and drug overdoses. Those who are alone feel even more lonely and isolated as people gather and celebrate – and they are not included.
But for people of faith, no matter our circumstances, every day should be a day to celebrate our God and the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Gifts, holiday food, get-togethers, and more do not define our hearts or our faith – or at least, they shouldn’t! We should have confidence in God in all situations – and all seasons.
When you wear clean clothes, don’t you try hard to keep them looking nice? Aren’t you careful where you sit and how you eat, so nothing gets on the clothing and makes a mark? Just like water washes us clean… just like a winter snow covers the land and seems to make everything fresh and new… the blood of Jesus Christ has washed us clean of sin, evil, and all impurities. It is up to us to keep ourselves that way! Just like our clothing, we must be careful where we go, how we sit, what we “spill” on ourselves.
Let’s live like every day is Christmas… and by that, I mean, let’s celebrate our God and the birth of Jesus. Let’s focus on staying pure in heart, loving toward others, and upbeat and positive. Let’s live in such a way that exudes confidence in our faith that God will see us through every circumstance. Jesus paid the ultimate price to wash us clean our hearts and minds of evil and sin… it’s up to us to keep them that way!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 22 ~ Hebrews 8:10
"But now I tell the people of Israel this is my new agreement: `The time will come when I, the Lord, will write my laws on their minds and hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Recently a friend of mine posted on Facebook that her two-year-old daughter had announced that she had songs in her mouth and needed to sing ‘em! It sounds to me like the Lord has written on her mind and heart! When God touches us in this way, we can’t help but want to sing… if only to ourselves. When God writes on our mind and heart - and we recognize Him - everything about our lives changes.
As we grow, we often make things so much more complicated than they should be. We lose the playful abandon of a two-year-old and the ability to communicate so purely the feelings in our heart. This is a great day for us Christians… every day is a great day for us! God has written His laws on our minds and hearts. He is our GOD, and we are His people. Don’t we have songs in our mouth we need to sing?
©2009 Debbie Robus
You know what is in everyone's heart. So from your home in heaven answer their prayers, according to what they do and what is in their hearts.
Colossians 3:1 and 16
You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side.
Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Everywhere we look this week, people are talking about the things that happened in 2009 and looking ahead to 2010. We are making resolutions, remembering births and deaths throughout the year, listing the best/worst of everything from movies to weather events. And some of this activity is fun and harmless – and maybe even healthy. Reflecting is not a bad idea… nor is planning for the future.
But as we think about “the year that was” today and look ahead to a new, fresh start, let’s remember to consider our heart. We should all stop to evaluate how we did “Spiritually” in the last year and see where we need to improve. We should spend some time reflecting on our relationship with God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and noting what we “resolve” to do better as we move forward. Thank God for getting you this far. Ask Him to give you wisdom, courage, strength, and focus to accomplish much more for Him in the coming year. Know that He will look at your heart and see what is there… where your motives are pure and your faith is strong and genuine – and He will answer you according to His perfect will!
Happy New Year – may God bless you! Make this the year that the message of Christ completely fills your life and captures your heart. Make heaven your goal and Christ your guide, and 2010 will be an amazing year!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 30 ~ 1 John 2:28
[ Children of God ] Children, stay one in your hearts with Christ. Then when he returns, we will have confidence and won't have to hide in shame.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I won’t name any names, but I know of more than one instance where siblings were being rambunctious, and something “bad” happened – a prized dish or piece of furniture was broken, or someone was injured. The responsible sibling felt so guilty and ashamed – and fearful of retribution – that he/she packed a bag and ran away – or hid! Somehow in the child’s mind, if he/she could just get away, the parent would have mercy. Perhaps they would feel so bad that the child was that upset - and the infraction would be forgotten, along with any punishment.
Most likely, the parent(s) admonished the child and reminded him/her that this is what happens when we are disobedient and act inappropriately. Punishment may/may not have followed. When we move away from the rules established by our parents, the outcome of our actions is, at best, often uncertain!
Unlike the transgressions of our childhood, moving away from a oneness with Christ has far more serious consequences. I don’t know about you, but I am not willing to risk Jesus’ return and the words… “What happened? What do you have to say for yourself?” I don’t want to have to even consider running away and hiding in shame (as if that would work anyway)! I want to stay close to Jesus… to hold Him near to my heart and to listen to Him at every turn. I want to live in confidence, not fear. Don’t you? Living with Jesus is not child’s play… we can’t toy with His love and grace and expect Him to coddle us like little children. It’s time to grow up… and to enjoy the grown-up benefits of a life in Christ. We will always be His “children” – but that doesn’t mean we can act like a child in our faith. Stay one in your heart with Christ and live confidently as His “child” until you meet Him face-to-face.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 29 ~ 1 John 2:27
But Christ has blessed you with the Holy Spirit. Now the Spirit stays in you, and you don't need any teachers. The Spirit is truthful and teaches you everything. So stay one in your heart with Christ, just as the Spirit has taught you to do.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
The last time I was at the salon getting my hair done, the hairdressers were discussing permanent eyeliner and lip liner. Most women who have had this procedure find it to be a real blessing and time saver. They are always “presentable” and don’t have to spend as much time getting dressed each morning. These permanent “tattoos” never go away!
If you think about it, the Holy Spirit has been sort of “tattoed” on our hearts. He is there forever and never leaves us. We are always prepared and “presentable.” This is the “tattoo” for me! What about you? Have you invited the Holy Spirit to write permanently on your heart? Is He teaching you everything you need to know? If you have not invited the Holy Spirit to live within your heart yet, today is a great day to do so! Ask Him to show you the truth and to teach you every day… to keep you close at hand and one with Christ. Make this one “tattoo” you are certain to get and can’t live without!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 28 ~ 1 John 2:4
But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever heard the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do”? I assure you, it’s not in the Bible! Jesus didn’t tell us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength – and to love others as we love ourselves – with the expectation that we would do something else!
When I taught kindergarten, I had three classroom rules… 1) be kind to others; 2) work and play quietly, and 3) respect the property of others. That pretty well covered everything. Have an argument with your table mate? You probably weren’t being kind to others. Raise your voice? That wasn’t working quietly. Take something that wasn’t yours – or misuse something in the classroom – that was disrespectful to the property. The children knew that there were distinct consequences for breaking these rules… and they also knew that there was no such thing as a gray area. We all knew that when a rule was broken, certain things would happen… first offense - a warning; two offenses - “time out;” three offenses - missed recess; four offenses I placed a call to their parents! It sounds almost too simple, but in several years I only got to the third consequence a few times – and maybe two or three phone calls were made.
There are consequences for Christians, too, and we can’t possibly be so dumb as to think God doesn’t know when we disobey Him. We can’t have it both ways, but somehow, unlike my five-year-olds, we seem a little more eager to test God and see what happens than they were! What does this say about us and our faith? Either we are Christians to the core and have the truth of Jesus Christ in our hearts, or we are lying and don’t really know Him. Which is it with you?
I pray that you will see that the only way to truly be a disciple of Christ is to follow Him with your whole heart. Any claim to be a Christian while acting otherwise is mere lip service. Not only is this disobedience heartbreaking and disrespectful to God, but it might mean you have not sincerely committed your life to Christ… and that could have Eternal consequences. Give yourself wholly to God. Serve Him not only with your voice… but with your whole heart and all of your actions. Live with truth in your heart and make your claims to know Him the whole truth. And while you are at it, be kind to others, work and play quietly, and respect the property of others.
2009 Debbie Robus
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December 27 ~ 1 John 1:8
If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever felt a sore throat coming on, but you said to yourself, “I’m not sick. I’m not sick.” You tried to pretend that you were not getting a cold or the flu, but ultimately, you had to admit that yes – you were SICK! You were fooling yourself… and avoiding the truth! Maybe you had something important or fun you wanted to do and you didn’t want to be sick and miss it… or maybe you just didn’t want to be sick, period! Whatever the reason, you couldn’t admit the truth to yourself or anyone else.
Sin is much more serious than a sore throat or a few days of cold or flu. The “disease” often manifests itself more subtly than these “bugs.” We don’t realize how sins – especially those we deny – are affecting our lives… or the lives of others. And we surely don’t see how these sins affect our heart. If we live with untruth in our heart and fail to acknowledge that we have sinned, very little will go right for us in life. We will be living a lie… and Satan loves that! He will make you think that everything is great… that life is wonderful… that you have no worries. But He will be drawing you farther and farther from the truth – and from God.
Don’t let this happen. Admit that you have sins… confess them to God and ask Him to forgive you. Invite God to fill your heart with His truth and to wash you clean in the blood of Jesus. Live a life that is open and honest… with nothing to hide – to yourself or anyone else. There are medications that can help you with a cold or flu. God – The Great Physician – can cure you of your sins. What are you waiting for… don’t you want to be well?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 26 ~ 1 Peter 3:4
Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Late in the afternoon on December 23rd, cousins called my mother to tell her that her beloved Aunt Zula Turney… the last remaing sibling of Mom’s father… was at the local ER, and she was in bad shape. Aunt Zula had been ill for some time now with congestive heart failure, breathing difficulties, and degenerative disks in her back. The doctors said her spine was like tissue paper. She was in terrible pain. Mom rushed to the ER to see Aunt Zula. Even though she wore an oxygen mask and was struggling to breathe, she tried to talk. She asked about my grandmother. Mom joked that at least her ambulance driver was handsome, and Aunt Zula laughed.
The doctors said nothing could be done… at age 91, Aunt Zula’s body was shutting down. A call was made to Hospice, and a hospital bed was placed in Aunt Zula’s home in Quitman, where she returned. The doctors said she could live hours or days. I think she barely made it home before she left this earth and went to heaven.If this scripture passage describes anyone, it describes my Aunt Zula. She was the mother of four children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. As a fourth grade teacher in Quitman for decades, she was “mother” to hundreds more. Many of Aunt Zula’s grandchildren attended Harding University, so she became “grandmother” to countless students there who filled her home on weekends – some even after her own grandchildren had graduated and moved out into the working world.
Christmas Eve, Mom said, “I don’t recall a time when Aunt Zula ever gave me advice or admonished me… she just lived by example.” One of Aunt Zula’s children contracted polio as a child, and she diligently worked with him on physical therapies so that he would not be crippled for life. She and her husband reared four children with only a pickup truck for transportation for many years. She worked hard to care for her family and earn her college degree, juggling the challenges of both in the forties and fifties without many of the modern conveniences we enjoy today. I almost never heard her complain.
Last year my mom wrote Truly Zula… Daughter of the Ozarks, and while I’m sure Aunt Zula was proud, she also seemed a little embarrassed that anyone would consider her life extraordinary and book-worthy. But I am quite certain that God considered her very special. The gentle beauty and spirit – the quiet peace of this little white-haired dynamo – did not go unnoticed.
My mom says Aunt Zula was her hero. I’m sure others will say the same thing. For me, Aunt Zula was a living example of 1 Peter 3:4, and an inspiration. I can’t say I have always lived quietly and gently as she did, but I can surely try to emulate her more in the coming years. And while we will all miss her, I find it truly fitting that God blessed her with such an incredible Christmas gift… a place at the feet of Jesus for His birthday. I know how important she was to us – and I’m sure she got a special seat at the Lord’s table for Christmas dinner.
We all need to learn to live more quiet and gentle lives – to have beautiful hearts. I know my Aunt Zula did… can I… can you? With God’s help, we can! Let’s start today… let’s develop hearts that will give our lives beauty that will last, even into eternity. Let’s live in way that honors God – a way He considers special. I pray you have an “Aunt Zula” in your life to emulate… and that you will do your best to develop a heart of quiet beauty and peace, as she did.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 25 ~ James 4:8
Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
I love how God works! When I drew up the outline for these devotionals months ago, God knew that this passage would be perfect for Jesus’ birthday! Think for a moment about the birth of Christ. Think about how people “drew near” to Him from across the land… shepherds, wise men, angels… even livestock! They knew that there was Someone special in that manger. They understood that this was a holy time, and they were in the presence of the Lord! And I believe they received a touch from Jesus, even then… I know their hearts were touched when they saw Him!
There is a saying… “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?!” God never leaves us… but sometimes we don’t feel His presence very strongly in our lives. And it is always because we have drifted away and closed our heart. We have pocket doors in certain areas of our house. These are doors that slide into the wall when open, instead of swinging in and out like most doors. If you pull pocket doors together, you can get privacy and reduced noise without closing them completely. But if the opening is narrow, you may not be able to physically get in and out through it. We are like that with God. We may not completely shut the door to our heart, but if we pull it shut too much, God can’t get in, and we can’t hear Him or feel His presence!
Today, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, open the doors of your heart as wide as you can! Draw near to God, and feel Him draw near to you. Clean out the impurities of your heart. Toss them out the door and make room for God to fill you. This will be the best Christmas gift you could receive. Make up your mind today to celebrate Christmas every day of the year by letting God work in and through you. The best is yet to be for those who serve Him. May you feel the presence of Jesus in your heart today… and always. Merry Christmas!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 24 ~ James 3:14
But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don't brag or lie to cover up the truth. That kind of wisdom doesn't come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself. Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Have you ever watched how a child behaves after he/she gets a new baby sister or brother? Especially if this child was a “one and only” for awhile and got used to garnering all of the attention, the “shock” of having to share can cause trouble. And in true child-like fashion, the older sibling causes all manner of trouble out of jealousy. Whether their lack of attention is real or imagined, the fact that they are no longer “front-and-center” at all times does not set well. So they cause trouble… and sometimes do cruel things to the baby.
In my case, the “older siblings” are our two cats… and the baby is our great-nephew, Timothy. And while neither cat has paid much direct attention to the baby, they have let us know that “Hey, I was first!” They become overly needy when Timothy is around… and they show out to get our attention. The gentle, sensible, kind, friendly cats we normally have are replaced with clingy whiners who get into mischief!
Are we like this? When we feel something or someone encroaching on our territory, do we become needy – or downright cruel? Do we over-compensate with grand gestures to try to convince others we are NOT selfish or jealous? Do we put on phony smiles and “play nice” to make others think we are wonderful and get in their good graces, when secretly, we wish all of the attention was on us?
The Bible tells us we are to be the real deal at all times. Does this mean it’s okay to be selfish and jealous? Absolutely not! Jealousy and selfishness are tools of the devil! When you feel these attitudes creeping into your heart, stomp all over them! Pray and read God’s word, communicate with a Christian friend – do whatever it takes to get rid of these feelings and return to a place of peace and the true wisdom of God. In other words, we must learn “get over ourselves,” and focus on being filled with God’s wisdom… and all of the blessings that result.
Today is a great day for this thought, because at Christmas time, we are often jealous of what others have. We are sometimes frustrated that we didn’t get what we wanted – our tree isn’t big enough, and we don’t have enough lights and inflatables in the yard! The devil loves to destroy the joy and true meaning of this season by filling our hearts with jealousy and selfishness – and painting fake attitudes on us outwardly. He loves to stir up trouble and take the focus off of Jesus! Don’t let him have this pleasure! Make this Christmas a time when you start to shake the dust of the devil from your boots – and sweep him out of your heart for good. Be real and wise in the Lord… be blessed and full of HIS peace… and celebrate Jesus with a sincere heart this Christmas!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 23 ~ Hebrews 10:22
So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
As joyful and jovial as the holiday season is, for many, it’s time of great sadness. There may not be enough money to buy gifts for others and a holiday meal. The days around Christmas may be associated with a sad event. Suicide rates go up. People lose their homes to fires. Others “party too hearty” and die from alcohol-related accidents and drug overdoses. Those who are alone feel even more lonely and isolated as people gather and celebrate – and they are not included.
But for people of faith, no matter our circumstances, every day should be a day to celebrate our God and the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Gifts, holiday food, get-togethers, and more do not define our hearts or our faith – or at least, they shouldn’t! We should have confidence in God in all situations – and all seasons.
When you wear clean clothes, don’t you try hard to keep them looking nice? Aren’t you careful where you sit and how you eat, so nothing gets on the clothing and makes a mark? Just like water washes us clean… just like a winter snow covers the land and seems to make everything fresh and new… the blood of Jesus Christ has washed us clean of sin, evil, and all impurities. It is up to us to keep ourselves that way! Just like our clothing, we must be careful where we go, how we sit, what we “spill” on ourselves.
Let’s live like every day is Christmas… and by that, I mean, let’s celebrate our God and the birth of Jesus. Let’s focus on staying pure in heart, loving toward others, and upbeat and positive. Let’s live in such a way that exudes confidence in our faith that God will see us through every circumstance. Jesus paid the ultimate price to wash us clean our hearts and minds of evil and sin… it’s up to us to keep them that way!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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December 22 ~ Hebrews 8:10
"But now I tell the people of Israel this is my new agreement: `The time will come when I, the Lord, will write my laws on their minds and hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Recently a friend of mine posted on Facebook that her two-year-old daughter had announced that she had songs in her mouth and needed to sing ‘em! It sounds to me like the Lord has written on her mind and heart! When God touches us in this way, we can’t help but want to sing… if only to ourselves. When God writes on our mind and heart - and we recognize Him - everything about our lives changes.
As we grow, we often make things so much more complicated than they should be. We lose the playful abandon of a two-year-old and the ability to communicate so purely the feelings in our heart. This is a great day for us Christians… every day is a great day for us! God has written His laws on our minds and hearts. He is our GOD, and we are His people. Don’t we have songs in our mouth we need to sing?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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