James 1:16-18
So don’t be misled, dear brothers.
But
whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all
light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. And it was a
happy day for him when he gave us our new lives through the truth of his
Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
The last time Timothy and
Nathan visited for the day, we had a surprise for them…an odd assortment
of Lego® pieces and accessories to add to their collection. There was
an anchor…a “police” car hood, some cool tubes and extensions, and much
more. The boys were thrilled with this surprise…and Greg and I
delighted in THEIR joy and excitement.
More than once, Timothy
has asked Greg and me, “WHY are you so nice to me?” This usually comes
on the heels of getting something he really wants…like a new Lego® set.
But sometimes it is the result of extra attention or praise. There are
also times when things are not quite going their way and one of the
children will say to us…”You NEVER do anything nice for me!” Yes, kids
can be quite fickle!
Thankfully, God is never inconsistent…and He loves
to give us gifts and blessings. I can just imagine the joy He finds in
watching us revel in the wonder of an unexpected gift…everything from a
friendly word or gesture from another person to some kind of “windfall”
that we were not anticipating. My mother called such surprise
blessings “silver boxes.” I would tell her about something wonderful
that happened out of the blue, and she would say, “There’s your ‘silver
box’ for today!”
God loves to give us “silver boxes.” These are
the “Lego® sets” of His universe. “Shadows” do come into our lives from
time to time…and like little children, we often question God about
them. But these are not His doing. God is never fickle...His light never falters. The
“clouds” that occasionally block our awareness of His presence come from
our own sin - and are the devil’s doing. But God is still there…loving
us…blessing us…caring about our every breath!
“Silver boxes” are
all around us. We never know when we will receive one…but God has an
unending stash of them just waiting to be shared. As we grow in our
faith, let’s learn to recognize these more readily…to stomp down any
notions that God would withhold His gifts from us or ever mistreat us in
any way. Let’s understand that God is in the business of giving His
children all that they need…and then some!
When God gives you a
“silver box,” will you recognize that it came from Him? Do you fully
appreciate ALL of God’s good gifts…and have you told Him so lately?
Isn’t this the perfect day to get your “attitude of gratitude” right,
once and for all? What will God give you today? Are you really ready to
for His light to shine?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label joy gratitude for God's gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy gratitude for God's gifts. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 27, 2016
John 3:16-18
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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.
Suppose you really wanted to spend your weekend relaxing and doing as you pleased…but someone you loved desperately needed you to do something with them. So you gave up what YOU wanted in favor of what this person wanted or needed. And then that person acted totally ungrateful. Let’s say you drove this person to a class reunion…spent your time and gas money to get him/her there…and then he/she acted as if you didn’t exist. You were not introduced to anyone…this person didn’t give you as much as the time of day. You pretty well spent the whole event sitting in the corner…or maybe even in your car!
How would you feel? Would you be eager to help this person out again in the future? Even though you might not stop loving this individual – particularly if he/she was a relative…you probably would not feel very generous toward him/her.
Now imagine the sacrifice that God made for us. He gave His ONLY SON to DIE for our sins. He allowed Jesus to suffer unimaginably for each of us…totally out of love and a desire to help us and care for us. And many of us treat Him like that person who drove us to the class reunion. We act as if we don’t know Him…we pretend that He is not important – that we don’t need Him. And in some cases, we act like He doesn’t exist – if we don’t claim as much directly.
It’s no wonder that God doesn’t take too kindly to this kind of treatment! Who among us would accept rejection from others and continue to lavish them with love and attention? Unless you enjoy being a doormat for people, I suspect that there comes a point where you cut your losses in such situations and move on. So why would we expect God to continue to give us a pass?
Let’s be clear…God will pursue us to the bitter end. As long as we draw a breath, He will love us and want us to belong to Him…to accept salvation in Jesus Christ, surrender our sins to Him, and become His disciple. But God will not be mocked – or denied – and wave His hand and say, “It’s okay…there is still a place for you in Heaven. I’ll continue to bless you on this earth and prepare an Eternal mansion for you. Just do your thing and be YOU, and don’t worry about serving me!”
God has given us more than we can ever imagine – for no reason other than that He loves us more than we can ever comprehend. What’s not to love in return? Why would we ever not want to serve Him with all of the gratitude and humility we can muster? How could we willingly and deliberately turn our backs on such a gift? Yet some do. I pray that you are not among them…and if you are, I pray that you will change this – now…today…this minute!
God loves us SO MUCH that He sent Jesus to die for us. How are you responding?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
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.
Suppose you really wanted to spend your weekend relaxing and doing as you pleased…but someone you loved desperately needed you to do something with them. So you gave up what YOU wanted in favor of what this person wanted or needed. And then that person acted totally ungrateful. Let’s say you drove this person to a class reunion…spent your time and gas money to get him/her there…and then he/she acted as if you didn’t exist. You were not introduced to anyone…this person didn’t give you as much as the time of day. You pretty well spent the whole event sitting in the corner…or maybe even in your car!
How would you feel? Would you be eager to help this person out again in the future? Even though you might not stop loving this individual – particularly if he/she was a relative…you probably would not feel very generous toward him/her.
Now imagine the sacrifice that God made for us. He gave His ONLY SON to DIE for our sins. He allowed Jesus to suffer unimaginably for each of us…totally out of love and a desire to help us and care for us. And many of us treat Him like that person who drove us to the class reunion. We act as if we don’t know Him…we pretend that He is not important – that we don’t need Him. And in some cases, we act like He doesn’t exist – if we don’t claim as much directly.
It’s no wonder that God doesn’t take too kindly to this kind of treatment! Who among us would accept rejection from others and continue to lavish them with love and attention? Unless you enjoy being a doormat for people, I suspect that there comes a point where you cut your losses in such situations and move on. So why would we expect God to continue to give us a pass?
Let’s be clear…God will pursue us to the bitter end. As long as we draw a breath, He will love us and want us to belong to Him…to accept salvation in Jesus Christ, surrender our sins to Him, and become His disciple. But God will not be mocked – or denied – and wave His hand and say, “It’s okay…there is still a place for you in Heaven. I’ll continue to bless you on this earth and prepare an Eternal mansion for you. Just do your thing and be YOU, and don’t worry about serving me!”
God has given us more than we can ever imagine – for no reason other than that He loves us more than we can ever comprehend. What’s not to love in return? Why would we ever not want to serve Him with all of the gratitude and humility we can muster? How could we willingly and deliberately turn our backs on such a gift? Yet some do. I pray that you are not among them…and if you are, I pray that you will change this – now…today…this minute!
God loves us SO MUCH that He sent Jesus to die for us. How are you responding?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 3, 2014
Luke 1:39-45
A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know where he got it, but when someone is leaving – our home or some gathering we are attending - Timothy has developed a habit of saying, “Goodbye! Thanks for coming! Have a great day!” At the very least, he makes the person who is leaving feel special – and possibly a little blessed!
The scriptures tell us that Mary hurried to Judea to visit Elizabeth and revel in the news that both women had received. I have to think that Mary’s parents may have sent her to Judea, to reduce talk in the village - and buy a little time to figure out how to deal with the unexpected dilemma of her unwed pregnancy. And isn’t this what we often do when God sends us in a direction that is not what we expected…or when we feel Him calling us to do something we really don’t want to do or think others might criticize? Sometimes it seems easier to run and hide from God than to say, “Thanks for coming!”
This is another reason I love these verses and the faith and courage of these two women – one old and wise…the other young and naïve. Both accepted – and embraced – this news from the angels. They took on the challenge that these pregnancies would surely bring - and recognized God’s blessing in them. Essentially, they said to God…”Thanks for coming!”
So often, God shows up in our lives, and rather than thank Him for coming, either we run and hide…or we question His authenticity. Was that really God? Is this truly a blessing from Him…or is the “other shoe” about to drop? Is this too good to be true? Are there hidden motives and agendas? We ask God to work in our lives…and when He does, we are often dubious or apprehensive! Sometimes, all we really need to do is say, “God, if this is really Your doing…show me. I’m here…I’m listening…and I’m ready to follow Your lead. Oh, and ‘Thanks for coming!’” It’s that simple – and that complicated – all at once!
The next time you feel God’s presence, what will you do? Will you run and hide…or will you embrace Him and follow His lead? Are you truly glad that God appears in your life? Are you ready to say, “Thanks for coming!”…and accept the His blessings and any challenges and assignments He presents? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I don’t know where he got it, but when someone is leaving – our home or some gathering we are attending - Timothy has developed a habit of saying, “Goodbye! Thanks for coming! Have a great day!” At the very least, he makes the person who is leaving feel special – and possibly a little blessed!
The scriptures tell us that Mary hurried to Judea to visit Elizabeth and revel in the news that both women had received. I have to think that Mary’s parents may have sent her to Judea, to reduce talk in the village - and buy a little time to figure out how to deal with the unexpected dilemma of her unwed pregnancy. And isn’t this what we often do when God sends us in a direction that is not what we expected…or when we feel Him calling us to do something we really don’t want to do or think others might criticize? Sometimes it seems easier to run and hide from God than to say, “Thanks for coming!”
This is another reason I love these verses and the faith and courage of these two women – one old and wise…the other young and naïve. Both accepted – and embraced – this news from the angels. They took on the challenge that these pregnancies would surely bring - and recognized God’s blessing in them. Essentially, they said to God…”Thanks for coming!”
So often, God shows up in our lives, and rather than thank Him for coming, either we run and hide…or we question His authenticity. Was that really God? Is this truly a blessing from Him…or is the “other shoe” about to drop? Is this too good to be true? Are there hidden motives and agendas? We ask God to work in our lives…and when He does, we are often dubious or apprehensive! Sometimes, all we really need to do is say, “God, if this is really Your doing…show me. I’m here…I’m listening…and I’m ready to follow Your lead. Oh, and ‘Thanks for coming!’” It’s that simple – and that complicated – all at once!
The next time you feel God’s presence, what will you do? Will you run and hide…or will you embrace Him and follow His lead? Are you truly glad that God appears in your life? Are you ready to say, “Thanks for coming!”…and accept the His blessings and any challenges and assignments He presents? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 30, 2014
Ruth 2:10-11
She thanked him warmly. “How can you be so kind to me?” she asked. “You must know I am only a foreigner.”
“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied, “and I also know about all the love and kindness you have shown your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you left your father and mother in your own land and have come here to live among strangers.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Boaz didn’t really know Ruth. She was little more than a foreigner who had moved into town – and she asked Boaz’s foreman if she could tag along to the wheat fields and pick up the leftovers. Yet something about Ruth intrigued Boaz. He told her to stay close to the other women – and he told the men to stay away from Ruth. And Boaz made sure that she had plenty of wheat to take home at the end of the day.
There are two things happening in this scripture passage that are noteworthy…1) Boaz was moved by the way Ruth sacrificed her own desires and happiness for that of her mother-in-law, Naomi - how she gave up her homeland and her family to move from Moab to Bethlehem; and 2) Boaz extended his gratitude to Ruth for her dedication by treating her kindly and generously.
Here’s how we can apply these things to our own life. First, we can ask God to make us more aware of what is happening in our midst. We can look for opportunities to be kind to others – even when we don’t know them or they are a “foreigner” or different in some way. Additionally, we can make a concerted effort to show our gratitude to those who do things for us and for those we care about – just to let them know that we notice – and appreciate - their efforts. And finally, we can thank God for blessing us – so that we might be a blessing to others.
I believe God placed Ruth and Boaz together. The Bible tells us that their marriage and the birth of a son, Obed, was a blessing not only to them – but also to Naomi and others. We have no clue who God might be putting in our path on any given day – or for what purpose. Don’t miss a chance to bless them…and to show gratitude to God – and to others – in the process. Be thankful for all of the opportunities that God provides for us to be kind and show gratitude – and for the “foreigners” who may deliver them!
©2014 Debbie Robus
She thanked him warmly. “How can you be so kind to me?” she asked. “You must know I am only a foreigner.”
“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied, “and I also know about all the love and kindness you have shown your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you left your father and mother in your own land and have come here to live among strangers.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Boaz didn’t really know Ruth. She was little more than a foreigner who had moved into town – and she asked Boaz’s foreman if she could tag along to the wheat fields and pick up the leftovers. Yet something about Ruth intrigued Boaz. He told her to stay close to the other women – and he told the men to stay away from Ruth. And Boaz made sure that she had plenty of wheat to take home at the end of the day.
There are two things happening in this scripture passage that are noteworthy…1) Boaz was moved by the way Ruth sacrificed her own desires and happiness for that of her mother-in-law, Naomi - how she gave up her homeland and her family to move from Moab to Bethlehem; and 2) Boaz extended his gratitude to Ruth for her dedication by treating her kindly and generously.
Here’s how we can apply these things to our own life. First, we can ask God to make us more aware of what is happening in our midst. We can look for opportunities to be kind to others – even when we don’t know them or they are a “foreigner” or different in some way. Additionally, we can make a concerted effort to show our gratitude to those who do things for us and for those we care about – just to let them know that we notice – and appreciate - their efforts. And finally, we can thank God for blessing us – so that we might be a blessing to others.
I believe God placed Ruth and Boaz together. The Bible tells us that their marriage and the birth of a son, Obed, was a blessing not only to them – but also to Naomi and others. We have no clue who God might be putting in our path on any given day – or for what purpose. Don’t miss a chance to bless them…and to show gratitude to God – and to others – in the process. Be thankful for all of the opportunities that God provides for us to be kind and show gratitude – and for the “foreigners” who may deliver them!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 29, 2014
Romans 8:28
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team beat the LSU Tigers 17-0 to snap a 17-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play. The following Saturday, the team shut out then-8th-ranked Ole Miss, 30-0. I wish I could say the streak continued with a win over the University of Missouri, but this was not to be. However, the basketball team was able to secure a win on the same day against North Texas State that gave the squad their first 5-0 start since 2006-2007.
In both cases, the coaches have been quoted in the media as saying, essentially, that “wins will come – when they are supposed to.” Coach Bret Bielema has said often that his team would win when they earned it. Both coaches are relatively new to the University of Arkansas – and there has been a “learning curve” for all involved. Now, things seem to be starting to “jell”.
I’ve heard a lot of people who have endured hardships or difficult times say that they would not trade them for an easier time. I’ve heard amputees say that the loss of a limb taught them how to appreciate life – and God’s hand in theirs. I’ve known countless people who looked back on troublesome or unpleasant experiences and said, “This is where God helped me”…or “God really worked in this situation”…or even, “This was a huge turning point for me.” And I am among them.
You may be in the fight of your life. You may simply be in a 17-0 losing streak. But wherever you are…whatever is happening…God is with you - working out every detail for His perfect purposes. OUR JOB is to recognize Him…to give Him room to work…and to be grateful for His presence. He will do the rest…I promise. Will it be easy and painless? Probably not…but any day or experience with God is far better than a single minute without Him!
Keep this scripture passage handy. Read it often, and remind yourself of God’s presence in your life – and how He is perfectly orchestrating all of the details. Keep the faith...stay humble and grateful. Allow God to be GOD in your life…and watch what amazing things He brings to bear.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few weeks ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team beat the LSU Tigers 17-0 to snap a 17-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play. The following Saturday, the team shut out then-8th-ranked Ole Miss, 30-0. I wish I could say the streak continued with a win over the University of Missouri, but this was not to be. However, the basketball team was able to secure a win on the same day against North Texas State that gave the squad their first 5-0 start since 2006-2007.
In both cases, the coaches have been quoted in the media as saying, essentially, that “wins will come – when they are supposed to.” Coach Bret Bielema has said often that his team would win when they earned it. Both coaches are relatively new to the University of Arkansas – and there has been a “learning curve” for all involved. Now, things seem to be starting to “jell”.
I’ve heard a lot of people who have endured hardships or difficult times say that they would not trade them for an easier time. I’ve heard amputees say that the loss of a limb taught them how to appreciate life – and God’s hand in theirs. I’ve known countless people who looked back on troublesome or unpleasant experiences and said, “This is where God helped me”…or “God really worked in this situation”…or even, “This was a huge turning point for me.” And I am among them.
You may be in the fight of your life. You may simply be in a 17-0 losing streak. But wherever you are…whatever is happening…God is with you - working out every detail for His perfect purposes. OUR JOB is to recognize Him…to give Him room to work…and to be grateful for His presence. He will do the rest…I promise. Will it be easy and painless? Probably not…but any day or experience with God is far better than a single minute without Him!
Keep this scripture passage handy. Read it often, and remind yourself of God’s presence in your life – and how He is perfectly orchestrating all of the details. Keep the faith...stay humble and grateful. Allow God to be GOD in your life…and watch what amazing things He brings to bear.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 16, 2014
Luke 12:29-34
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When we were children, people would often ask us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My friend Martha would always reply, “I’m going to be an entrepreneur.” None of us really knew what that was at the time – except Martha, maybe! – but it surely sounded impressive. I had no clue then that someday, Greg and I would be “entrepreneurs” and build our own business…or where God would take us in the process!
I can tell you firsthand that it is easy to become preoccupied with the inner workings of your own business…to concentrate on making that next dollar so that you can pay the bills and expand your operations. But relationships with people lie at the very core of pretty much every business you can imagine…customers, employees, suppliers, and auxiliary staff. Our own business relied on daily interaction with all of these groups, and a breakdown in communication at any point could create a ripple effect of major proportions.
One of the things that Greg and I determined from the outcome was that we were not “in this” to become wealthy. Our business was about serving people…specifically, helping people who lived in recreational vehicles (RVs) find opportunities for work as they traveled. It was strange at first to meet people who would say, “You changed our lives”…but as we cultivated our business and its relationships over eighteen years, we realized that this was truly the case for thousands of folks. There were retirees who wondered “What’s next?”…young families who wanted to take their children on the road and give them a “hands-on” education but didn’t know how they could afford it…and every demographic in between.
We also supplied employers of all kinds with a mature, reliable, diverse workforce. We literally spent every day for 18 years putting people together…generally in a positive way. And in doing so, we were never hungry…our bills were always paid…and we always had enough. I don’t tell you this to “toot my own horn”…but to make a point related to this scripture passage. Here goes…
If your goal in life is to make millions and “be rich and famous,” you have not studied Jesus’ words in Luke 12. If you are so preoccupied with your own life and “getting”…getting ahead…getting a new house, car, boat, piece of jewelry, or whatever personal “stuff” you wish to acquire…getting recognition and accolades for your “success”…or whatever you have established as your goal to “get”…you cannot possibly be paying enough attention to God’s giving. If you have made it all about you (even if you say that you haven’t) and are wholly focused on achieving that next rung on the ladder…you are probably missing out on the biggest rewards of all. I would suspect that your mental and physical health are both suffering…and you are probably not where you would like to be in your personal relationship with God – or with others!
This is all fixable…and it can begin today! Look around at those in your midst who are most contented and fulfilled. Notice I didn’t say “successful”, because most people only think in monetary terms when we use this word. Look for people who don’t seem stressed…who seem to always be doing something for someone else…whose every conversation is not about money – how to get it, spend it, or how hard it is to pay the bills. Look for the person who is more concerned with meeting the needs of others than driving the newest car or “movin’ on up to that deluxe apartment in the sky”.
Look for people who are more concerned with serving others in their profession than how much money they are making. There are more than a few people in this world who make life more comfortable for you and me every single day and are grossly underpaid for doing so. Yet they find satisfaction and joy in their work, because they don’t focus solely on money and acquisitions. These people have most likely learned to store their treasure in heaven rather than on this earth. They have learned to bless others in order to be blessed. They understand that “God-provisions” trump earthly possessions and accolades any day of the week. And they are grateful for what He has given and where He is taking them. They know that their future includes the “keys to the Kingdom”…and they are focused on getting there… in God’s style!
We can all enjoy this same “success”. God desperately wants us all to be on this path…to be His “entrepreneur’s”…not the world’s. I am so grateful for God’s stewardship and blessings. I am forever indebted to Him for giving us Jesus...for guiding our steps as we built a business that focuses on helping others. I am thankful that every day, God shows me ways to serve Him by serving others…and I hope I am sufficiently faithful and obedient in my efforts on His behalf.
What about you? Where is your focus? What sort of “entrepreneur” are you…and where are you storing your treasure? Have you recognized God’s tremendous blessings in your life…and are you genuinely grateful. Will this be the day that you begin to shift your attention to the things that are important to Him…and reap His rewards in the bargain? Don’t you think it should be?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When we were children, people would often ask us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My friend Martha would always reply, “I’m going to be an entrepreneur.” None of us really knew what that was at the time – except Martha, maybe! – but it surely sounded impressive. I had no clue then that someday, Greg and I would be “entrepreneurs” and build our own business…or where God would take us in the process!
I can tell you firsthand that it is easy to become preoccupied with the inner workings of your own business…to concentrate on making that next dollar so that you can pay the bills and expand your operations. But relationships with people lie at the very core of pretty much every business you can imagine…customers, employees, suppliers, and auxiliary staff. Our own business relied on daily interaction with all of these groups, and a breakdown in communication at any point could create a ripple effect of major proportions.
One of the things that Greg and I determined from the outcome was that we were not “in this” to become wealthy. Our business was about serving people…specifically, helping people who lived in recreational vehicles (RVs) find opportunities for work as they traveled. It was strange at first to meet people who would say, “You changed our lives”…but as we cultivated our business and its relationships over eighteen years, we realized that this was truly the case for thousands of folks. There were retirees who wondered “What’s next?”…young families who wanted to take their children on the road and give them a “hands-on” education but didn’t know how they could afford it…and every demographic in between.
We also supplied employers of all kinds with a mature, reliable, diverse workforce. We literally spent every day for 18 years putting people together…generally in a positive way. And in doing so, we were never hungry…our bills were always paid…and we always had enough. I don’t tell you this to “toot my own horn”…but to make a point related to this scripture passage. Here goes…
If your goal in life is to make millions and “be rich and famous,” you have not studied Jesus’ words in Luke 12. If you are so preoccupied with your own life and “getting”…getting ahead…getting a new house, car, boat, piece of jewelry, or whatever personal “stuff” you wish to acquire…getting recognition and accolades for your “success”…or whatever you have established as your goal to “get”…you cannot possibly be paying enough attention to God’s giving. If you have made it all about you (even if you say that you haven’t) and are wholly focused on achieving that next rung on the ladder…you are probably missing out on the biggest rewards of all. I would suspect that your mental and physical health are both suffering…and you are probably not where you would like to be in your personal relationship with God – or with others!
This is all fixable…and it can begin today! Look around at those in your midst who are most contented and fulfilled. Notice I didn’t say “successful”, because most people only think in monetary terms when we use this word. Look for people who don’t seem stressed…who seem to always be doing something for someone else…whose every conversation is not about money – how to get it, spend it, or how hard it is to pay the bills. Look for the person who is more concerned with meeting the needs of others than driving the newest car or “movin’ on up to that deluxe apartment in the sky”.
Look for people who are more concerned with serving others in their profession than how much money they are making. There are more than a few people in this world who make life more comfortable for you and me every single day and are grossly underpaid for doing so. Yet they find satisfaction and joy in their work, because they don’t focus solely on money and acquisitions. These people have most likely learned to store their treasure in heaven rather than on this earth. They have learned to bless others in order to be blessed. They understand that “God-provisions” trump earthly possessions and accolades any day of the week. And they are grateful for what He has given and where He is taking them. They know that their future includes the “keys to the Kingdom”…and they are focused on getting there… in God’s style!
We can all enjoy this same “success”. God desperately wants us all to be on this path…to be His “entrepreneur’s”…not the world’s. I am so grateful for God’s stewardship and blessings. I am forever indebted to Him for giving us Jesus...for guiding our steps as we built a business that focuses on helping others. I am thankful that every day, God shows me ways to serve Him by serving others…and I hope I am sufficiently faithful and obedient in my efforts on His behalf.
What about you? Where is your focus? What sort of “entrepreneur” are you…and where are you storing your treasure? Have you recognized God’s tremendous blessings in your life…and are you genuinely grateful. Will this be the day that you begin to shift your attention to the things that are important to Him…and reap His rewards in the bargain? Don’t you think it should be?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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