Titus 1:1-2
From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
I encourage God’s own people to have more faith and to understand the truth about religion. Then they will have the hope of eternal life that God promised long ago. And God never tells a lie!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Yesterday when I picked Timothy up, he said (as he often does), “I waited and waited for you to come, and I was worried that you weren’t coming!” I reminded him that his Uncle Greg and I will always come to get him when we say we will… that when we make a promise to him, we will not break it. He can trust us to keep our word. And for the record, I don’t think his mother even told him that we were coming after him until right before I arrived! But he always tells us that he waited and worried that we might not come. And I have to tell you…even if that is a manipulative ploy on the part of a 4-year-old boy… it tugs at my heart to think that he might actually fear that we won’t keep a promise.
As I read this passage and thought about Timothy’s comments, it struck me that God must feel much the same way. He has promised so much to us… and He would never lie to His children. So when we question and doubt… worry and wonder… it has to bother Him. And it also robs us of our hope, faith, confidence and peace.
So how can we combat this? Paul is very clear in his letter to Titus. He challenges us to understand God’s truths… which means to study His word, to spend time in communication with Him through prayer and meditation (listening for God’s voice), and to observe the words and actions of faith-filled Christian disciples in our midst. The old adage that “knowledge is power” has never been more profound than in this instance.
I reminded Timothy again yesterday that he never has to worry that we won’t come for him as promised… or that we will fail to keep any other promises we make to him. The timing may not be to his liking… and the circumstances may not line up perfectly with his expectations, but we will always respond. And God will also respond… to each of us who hopes, trusts, and believes in Him. As Timothy grows older, he will understand more about trust and who keeps their word and makes good on promises… including God. And as we study and understand more about God and the teachings of Jesus, the more our faith and hope will increase.
Are you studying and learning about God? Are you making efforts to increase your knowledge… and to grow your faith and hope in Him? Isn’t it time you did exactly this? As we move toward the New Year and make resolutions about everything under the sun, wouldn’t this be the perfect time to resolve to get to know God better? Will this be the year that you begin to really believe His promises for your life? Shouldn’t it be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label learning from God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning from God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 11, 2013
Proverbs 4:5-9
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In the last few weeks, I have learned several new things. While they may not appear to be significant to many…for me, they are somewhat life-changing (okay, let’s say “life-improving”). I bought a gizmo that helps me make crisp cut-outs and embellishments for greeting cards and more, and I have already used it to create several things. I was introduced to a serger… a sewing machine of sorts that creates neat, finished edges to seams – and does many other utilitarian and decorative edgings. The serger has already enabled me to make garments quicker, more easily… and to use certain specialty stitches to help out a friend with a time consuming, and difficult project. The belt on my vacuum cleaner motor wore out and became loose. I did some online research and learned that I could fix this myself… and I did!
Through research for these devotionals and a lot of Bible study, scripture comparisons, and reviews of dozens of Bible commentaries, I have not only learned more about how to study the Bible in-depth, but my understanding of scripture – and my Christian faith – have increased tremendously over the last decade.
I was recently visiting with Dot, the mother of my childhood friend, Martha, and she was telling me about the Bible study she participates in each week - and other Bible studies she has enjoyed through the years. Dot is also taking a class at our church called “Alpha”, which introduces one to the basics of Christianity. She is continually learning about God and her Christian faith on a weekly – if not daily – basis. Did I mention that this woman is 88 years young? She has taught Sunday School classes, Bible studies…and she was even my Girl Scout leader. Still, she is eager to gain wisdom about many things.
The point is that we are never too old to learn… especially when it comes to God and increasing our faith. More importantly, we are commanded to do this! I have known far too many Christians who invited Jesus to live in their heart… then stopped at this point. Becoming a Christian is not the end… it’s the beginning! Sadly, too many Christians – and churches – stop at winning others to Jesus. They fail to nurture these new believers and encourage them to increase in wisdom and judgment. We all need to do better in this area!
Just as many students decide that graduation from high school, college…or obtaining an advanced degree is enough…we are often guilty of deciding that choosing Jesus is sufficient. In truth, each one of us can always learn something knew… and God is calling us to learn all we can from Him. The choice is ours… we can stay stationary and grow stale – in life and in our faith – or we can embrace God’s wisdom and the opportunities that exist all around us to expand our mind and heart. Incredible blessings result from these experiences… even if it’s the satisfaction of knowing you fixed your vacuum cleaner or created a pretty greeting card!
More importantly, the blessings that await us when we further our knowledge of God’s love for us - and how He is working in our lives - are immeasurable… and make life for the Christian so much more abundant. Why not get busy seeking wisdom today? You have so little to lose… and so very much to gain!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In the last few weeks, I have learned several new things. While they may not appear to be significant to many…for me, they are somewhat life-changing (okay, let’s say “life-improving”). I bought a gizmo that helps me make crisp cut-outs and embellishments for greeting cards and more, and I have already used it to create several things. I was introduced to a serger… a sewing machine of sorts that creates neat, finished edges to seams – and does many other utilitarian and decorative edgings. The serger has already enabled me to make garments quicker, more easily… and to use certain specialty stitches to help out a friend with a time consuming, and difficult project. The belt on my vacuum cleaner motor wore out and became loose. I did some online research and learned that I could fix this myself… and I did!
Through research for these devotionals and a lot of Bible study, scripture comparisons, and reviews of dozens of Bible commentaries, I have not only learned more about how to study the Bible in-depth, but my understanding of scripture – and my Christian faith – have increased tremendously over the last decade.
I was recently visiting with Dot, the mother of my childhood friend, Martha, and she was telling me about the Bible study she participates in each week - and other Bible studies she has enjoyed through the years. Dot is also taking a class at our church called “Alpha”, which introduces one to the basics of Christianity. She is continually learning about God and her Christian faith on a weekly – if not daily – basis. Did I mention that this woman is 88 years young? She has taught Sunday School classes, Bible studies…and she was even my Girl Scout leader. Still, she is eager to gain wisdom about many things.
The point is that we are never too old to learn… especially when it comes to God and increasing our faith. More importantly, we are commanded to do this! I have known far too many Christians who invited Jesus to live in their heart… then stopped at this point. Becoming a Christian is not the end… it’s the beginning! Sadly, too many Christians – and churches – stop at winning others to Jesus. They fail to nurture these new believers and encourage them to increase in wisdom and judgment. We all need to do better in this area!
Just as many students decide that graduation from high school, college…or obtaining an advanced degree is enough…we are often guilty of deciding that choosing Jesus is sufficient. In truth, each one of us can always learn something knew… and God is calling us to learn all we can from Him. The choice is ours… we can stay stationary and grow stale – in life and in our faith – or we can embrace God’s wisdom and the opportunities that exist all around us to expand our mind and heart. Incredible blessings result from these experiences… even if it’s the satisfaction of knowing you fixed your vacuum cleaner or created a pretty greeting card!
More importantly, the blessings that await us when we further our knowledge of God’s love for us - and how He is working in our lives - are immeasurable… and make life for the Christian so much more abundant. Why not get busy seeking wisdom today? You have so little to lose… and so very much to gain!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 19, 2013
Psalm 34:11-14
Come, my children, listen as I teach you
to respect the Lord.
Do you want to live
and enjoy a long life?
Then don’t say cruel things
and don’t tell lies.
Do good instead of evil
and try to live at peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In our neck of the woods, today is “Back-To-School Day”. Facebook is flooded with photos of kiddos posing in fresh new outfits with their backpacks… ready to start another year of studies. Some hold signs declaring their grade level. Others look less than thrilled to be photographed. Mommas and daddies are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions… glad to see the kids shoot out the door and back to a routine – but also sad to see how quickly they grow.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I remember the teary-eyed mothers who could hardly bear to say “Goodbye” at the door – as if their child was going off to war or something. I remember children who clung to their parent’s leg and didn’t want them to leave – as if school was a big ole scary place… and I was the Wicked Witch of the West! Somehow, it all worked out after that first morning or two. I totally “get” the jumble of feelings that parents experience when they drop off their most precious cargo and place them in the hands of virtual strangers for 7+ hours a day. We have all been so excited about our own little Timothy starting to pre-K. But at the same time, it signals a major shift in the timeline of life. It seems like once children start to school – even a pre-K – the years really begin to fly.
School is a wonderful experience for most children. School is important… the place where we hope that learning will occur in a structured, organized continuum… a setting where social skills will be honed and we learn to get along with others and find our place in society. And as I read this passage from Psalm 34 today, I thought, “This would be a great starting point for learning!” If only we could start our school year by teaching these verses! In a round-about way, I believe this will happen in many classrooms. I started my first day each year with a lesson about the “ground rules”.
I reviewed three “rules” with my students… 1) Be kind to others; 2) Work and play quietly; and 3) Respect other people’s property. This encompassed pretty much every situation that might arise. Say something cruel or tell a lie? Remember to be kind to others. Raise your voice or yell and scream? Don’t forget to work and play quietly. Take a toy, crayon or book that doesn’t belong to you – or someone else was using? Gotta respect other people’s property!
The same verses – and rules – have application for us…even long after we have finished our school careers. If we will heed the words of this passage from Psalm 34, we will have a much better shot at living in God’s peace. If we will “be kind to others, work and play quietly, and respect other people’s property” – if we will strive to do good instead of evil… God will bless us and give us a good life in Him.
I’ve said before that as a former teacher, this time of year was more my “New Year” than January 1st. So why don’t we make this a time that we resolve to pay attention to these verses in Psalm 34… to listen to the LORD, to tell the truth and be kind… and to live in a way that pleases Him and frustrates the devil. In the words of the old John Lennon song… let’s “give peace a chance” to grow in our hearts - and enjoy a long, full life in the LORD. Happy “Back-to-School Day”… may yours be blessed and filled with peace!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Come, my children, listen as I teach you
to respect the Lord.
Do you want to live
and enjoy a long life?
Then don’t say cruel things
and don’t tell lies.
Do good instead of evil
and try to live at peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In our neck of the woods, today is “Back-To-School Day”. Facebook is flooded with photos of kiddos posing in fresh new outfits with their backpacks… ready to start another year of studies. Some hold signs declaring their grade level. Others look less than thrilled to be photographed. Mommas and daddies are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions… glad to see the kids shoot out the door and back to a routine – but also sad to see how quickly they grow.
When I was teaching kindergarten, I remember the teary-eyed mothers who could hardly bear to say “Goodbye” at the door – as if their child was going off to war or something. I remember children who clung to their parent’s leg and didn’t want them to leave – as if school was a big ole scary place… and I was the Wicked Witch of the West! Somehow, it all worked out after that first morning or two. I totally “get” the jumble of feelings that parents experience when they drop off their most precious cargo and place them in the hands of virtual strangers for 7+ hours a day. We have all been so excited about our own little Timothy starting to pre-K. But at the same time, it signals a major shift in the timeline of life. It seems like once children start to school – even a pre-K – the years really begin to fly.
School is a wonderful experience for most children. School is important… the place where we hope that learning will occur in a structured, organized continuum… a setting where social skills will be honed and we learn to get along with others and find our place in society. And as I read this passage from Psalm 34 today, I thought, “This would be a great starting point for learning!” If only we could start our school year by teaching these verses! In a round-about way, I believe this will happen in many classrooms. I started my first day each year with a lesson about the “ground rules”.
I reviewed three “rules” with my students… 1) Be kind to others; 2) Work and play quietly; and 3) Respect other people’s property. This encompassed pretty much every situation that might arise. Say something cruel or tell a lie? Remember to be kind to others. Raise your voice or yell and scream? Don’t forget to work and play quietly. Take a toy, crayon or book that doesn’t belong to you – or someone else was using? Gotta respect other people’s property!
The same verses – and rules – have application for us…even long after we have finished our school careers. If we will heed the words of this passage from Psalm 34, we will have a much better shot at living in God’s peace. If we will “be kind to others, work and play quietly, and respect other people’s property” – if we will strive to do good instead of evil… God will bless us and give us a good life in Him.
I’ve said before that as a former teacher, this time of year was more my “New Year” than January 1st. So why don’t we make this a time that we resolve to pay attention to these verses in Psalm 34… to listen to the LORD, to tell the truth and be kind… and to live in a way that pleases Him and frustrates the devil. In the words of the old John Lennon song… let’s “give peace a chance” to grow in our hearts - and enjoy a long, full life in the LORD. Happy “Back-to-School Day”… may yours be blessed and filled with peace!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 13, 2013
Proverbs 3:13-18
God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense.
Wisdom is worth more than silver; it makes you much richer than gold. Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you want compares with her.
In her right hand Wisdom holds a long life, and in her left hand are wealth and honor. Wisdom makes life pleasant and leads us safely along. Wisdom is a life-giving tree, the source of happiness for all who hold on to her.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Tonight, our little four-year-old Timothy will attend an open house for pre-K. His mom and dad will go with him, and they will all meet his teachers and the school’s directors… and Timothy’s classmates. While a part of me is quite sad to think that this signals the beginning of a whole new chapter in our little guy’s life… I am also incredibly excited. As a former kindergarten teacher, I know what this will mean for him… how much he will grow and learn…how enriched his life will be by this experience.
About two years ago, Timothy attended a daycare for a few months. The daycare owner had a really strong instructional curriculum that she taught to even the toddlers… there was a whole lot more going on each day than just playtime. And in a few short weeks, Timothy went from being a baby who could barely say a handful of words to a little boy who spoke complete sentences – about panda bears and other animals… colors and shapes… numbers and so much more. He began to develop social skills and to learn about structure and organized activities. I had a glimpse then of how much this wisdom was going to expand his already-bright mind… and I know for certain that we’re about to be amazed once again.
Some of you may be about to embark on another school year – if not as a student, as a teacher, coach, or school staff member. I hope you will think about wisdom… whether you are the one who imparts it, or the recipient of knowledge from another. We are all capable of learning new things every day. So even if you are not involved in formal education of some sort, God has things to share with you. As our focus shifts from absorbing knowledge in a classroom setting to actually functioning in the real everyday world, we learn about wisdom of another kind - God’s wisdom. And oh, how we need this!
God’s wisdom can make the difference between saying the right thing… and starting World War Three. His wisdom can keep us from making mistakes both great and small… from getting into trouble – or hurting someone’s feelings. God gives us common sense, so that we don’t make foolish choices. He shows us how to share the love of Jesus Christ with others… to win their hearts for Him… and how to nurture other believers in our path. God’s wisdom and common sense help us deal with crises and heartaches… times of great loneliness and sadness… and the “mountaintop experiences” that bring us tremendous joy. The “school of God” is far different from a pre-K or other formal educational setting. In order to learn from Him, we basically need three things… prayer and communion with Him, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. Through these avenues, God can grant us life-giving wisdom that will fill us with confidence, safety, joy, and peace.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this is a good time to declare “back to school” for all of us… regardless of our age or station in life! As a teacher, this time of year signaled a New Year to me even more, perhaps, than January 1st. So why don’t we resolve to start a new year of learning… a time of growth and increased knowledge in the LORD! Let’s agree to increase our Spiritual wisdom and common sense… to spend a little time in “study” with God… and to mature our faith in the coming months. Like the little four-year-old boy who is going off to pre-K, I have a feeling we will see amazing results in a short time. I’m willing to give it a shot… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense.
Wisdom is worth more than silver; it makes you much richer than gold. Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you want compares with her.
In her right hand Wisdom holds a long life, and in her left hand are wealth and honor. Wisdom makes life pleasant and leads us safely along. Wisdom is a life-giving tree, the source of happiness for all who hold on to her.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Tonight, our little four-year-old Timothy will attend an open house for pre-K. His mom and dad will go with him, and they will all meet his teachers and the school’s directors… and Timothy’s classmates. While a part of me is quite sad to think that this signals the beginning of a whole new chapter in our little guy’s life… I am also incredibly excited. As a former kindergarten teacher, I know what this will mean for him… how much he will grow and learn…how enriched his life will be by this experience.
About two years ago, Timothy attended a daycare for a few months. The daycare owner had a really strong instructional curriculum that she taught to even the toddlers… there was a whole lot more going on each day than just playtime. And in a few short weeks, Timothy went from being a baby who could barely say a handful of words to a little boy who spoke complete sentences – about panda bears and other animals… colors and shapes… numbers and so much more. He began to develop social skills and to learn about structure and organized activities. I had a glimpse then of how much this wisdom was going to expand his already-bright mind… and I know for certain that we’re about to be amazed once again.
Some of you may be about to embark on another school year – if not as a student, as a teacher, coach, or school staff member. I hope you will think about wisdom… whether you are the one who imparts it, or the recipient of knowledge from another. We are all capable of learning new things every day. So even if you are not involved in formal education of some sort, God has things to share with you. As our focus shifts from absorbing knowledge in a classroom setting to actually functioning in the real everyday world, we learn about wisdom of another kind - God’s wisdom. And oh, how we need this!
God’s wisdom can make the difference between saying the right thing… and starting World War Three. His wisdom can keep us from making mistakes both great and small… from getting into trouble – or hurting someone’s feelings. God gives us common sense, so that we don’t make foolish choices. He shows us how to share the love of Jesus Christ with others… to win their hearts for Him… and how to nurture other believers in our path. God’s wisdom and common sense help us deal with crises and heartaches… times of great loneliness and sadness… and the “mountaintop experiences” that bring us tremendous joy. The “school of God” is far different from a pre-K or other formal educational setting. In order to learn from Him, we basically need three things… prayer and communion with Him, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. Through these avenues, God can grant us life-giving wisdom that will fill us with confidence, safety, joy, and peace.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this is a good time to declare “back to school” for all of us… regardless of our age or station in life! As a teacher, this time of year signaled a New Year to me even more, perhaps, than January 1st. So why don’t we resolve to start a new year of learning… a time of growth and increased knowledge in the LORD! Let’s agree to increase our Spiritual wisdom and common sense… to spend a little time in “study” with God… and to mature our faith in the coming months. Like the little four-year-old boy who is going off to pre-K, I have a feeling we will see amazing results in a short time. I’m willing to give it a shot… are you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 6, 2013
Philippians 4:9
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today, my nine-year-old cousin Olivia spent the day with us. Olivia’s mom is a kindergarten teacher who has already returned to work for the new school year. So I invited Olivia to come have a “sewing/craft” day with me. When I picked her up at 9:00 a.m., she told me that what she really wanted to do today was cook! I asked, “What would you like to cook?” She decided we should bake cupcakes. So bake cupcakes we did… and Olivia carefully watched every step in the process. I put flour into the sifter… she sifted. I mixed buttermilk and cocoa powder, and she stirred. She scooped the batter into the cupcake papers. We both checked them for doneness as they baked! I told her I was not any good at frosting cakes, and she said, “Don’t worry… I’m great at it…I’ll teach you!” And she truly did show me a few tricks!
We also sewed… I helped her make a little felt purse for her American Girl doll, and she helped me cut out some fabric flowers to enhance a dress that we made for her. Things move quickly with a nine-year-old, so you try a lot of different projects in one day! We even drew a flower and worked with pastels, and I showed Olivia how to blend the colors and smooth them… something she learned to do quickly and really enjoyed. And she taught me how to be a “shark” when playing Monopoly!
I know that at least a few of the things we did today will stick with Olivia. We looked at several of my cooking utensils, and I told her some had come from her great-great-grandmother (my great-aunt). We talked a lot about cooking, and I told her about the women in my life who taught me to cook… especially my grandmother and her great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She also told me, “I won’t taste the cupcake batter, because it has raw eggs in it.” She is listening and watching… and putting into practice what she learns and receives from the “teachers” in her own life.
It gets better…Olivia’s mother shared with me that last night at bedtime Olivia prayed for me and for our time together. Now that is the perfect example of putting into practice what one has learned! When we reach a point in our faith where we deem it important to pray about something as seemingly trivial as a “play-date” with a friend or relative, we have successfully put into practice what we have learned and received from God and faithful parents and “teachers”. And for such attentiveness and obedience, God gives us His abiding peace.
I often say that we could learn a lot from our children… and Olivia is a great example of this. Before her tenth birthday, she has learned to pay attention to the “lessons” that surround her… and she is busy putting her knowledge into action. Sadly, at some point many of us seem to “catalog” our lessons rather than incorporate them… especially when it comes to Christian discipleship and how we share Jesus with others. You don’t have to look very far to see that often this directly correlates to a spirit of discontentment, fear, disappointment and chaos in our lives.
Wouldn’t you rather operate in God’s peace? Don’t you see that God has given us perfect instruction and models for this through His Holy Word and the discipleship of many in our midst? Are you paying attention and learning from these examples? Are you practicing what you receive and putting this information into action in your daily living? Do you know that it’s never too late to learn something new? Won’t you make this the day you start acting like a true Disciple? Are you ready to experience the peace of God?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today, my nine-year-old cousin Olivia spent the day with us. Olivia’s mom is a kindergarten teacher who has already returned to work for the new school year. So I invited Olivia to come have a “sewing/craft” day with me. When I picked her up at 9:00 a.m., she told me that what she really wanted to do today was cook! I asked, “What would you like to cook?” She decided we should bake cupcakes. So bake cupcakes we did… and Olivia carefully watched every step in the process. I put flour into the sifter… she sifted. I mixed buttermilk and cocoa powder, and she stirred. She scooped the batter into the cupcake papers. We both checked them for doneness as they baked! I told her I was not any good at frosting cakes, and she said, “Don’t worry… I’m great at it…I’ll teach you!” And she truly did show me a few tricks!
We also sewed… I helped her make a little felt purse for her American Girl doll, and she helped me cut out some fabric flowers to enhance a dress that we made for her. Things move quickly with a nine-year-old, so you try a lot of different projects in one day! We even drew a flower and worked with pastels, and I showed Olivia how to blend the colors and smooth them… something she learned to do quickly and really enjoyed. And she taught me how to be a “shark” when playing Monopoly!
I know that at least a few of the things we did today will stick with Olivia. We looked at several of my cooking utensils, and I told her some had come from her great-great-grandmother (my great-aunt). We talked a lot about cooking, and I told her about the women in my life who taught me to cook… especially my grandmother and her great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She also told me, “I won’t taste the cupcake batter, because it has raw eggs in it.” She is listening and watching… and putting into practice what she learns and receives from the “teachers” in her own life.
It gets better…Olivia’s mother shared with me that last night at bedtime Olivia prayed for me and for our time together. Now that is the perfect example of putting into practice what one has learned! When we reach a point in our faith where we deem it important to pray about something as seemingly trivial as a “play-date” with a friend or relative, we have successfully put into practice what we have learned and received from God and faithful parents and “teachers”. And for such attentiveness and obedience, God gives us His abiding peace.
I often say that we could learn a lot from our children… and Olivia is a great example of this. Before her tenth birthday, she has learned to pay attention to the “lessons” that surround her… and she is busy putting her knowledge into action. Sadly, at some point many of us seem to “catalog” our lessons rather than incorporate them… especially when it comes to Christian discipleship and how we share Jesus with others. You don’t have to look very far to see that often this directly correlates to a spirit of discontentment, fear, disappointment and chaos in our lives.
Wouldn’t you rather operate in God’s peace? Don’t you see that God has given us perfect instruction and models for this through His Holy Word and the discipleship of many in our midst? Are you paying attention and learning from these examples? Are you practicing what you receive and putting this information into action in your daily living? Do you know that it’s never too late to learn something new? Won’t you make this the day you start acting like a true Disciple? Are you ready to experience the peace of God?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 30, 2012
Galatians 4:1-3
Let me show you the implications of this. As long as the heir is a minor, he has no advantage over the slave. Though legally he owns the entire inheritance, he is subject to tutors and administrators until whatever date the father has set for emancipation. That is the way it is with us: When we were minors, we were just like slaves ordered around by simple instructions (the tutors and administrators of this world), with no say in the conduct of our own lives.
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.
Like many people, I have family heirlooms that I plan to pass on to my nieces and nephews someday. However, many times, the heirs are too young to fully appreciate the inheritance – or to properly care for the items. For example nobody would give a three-year-old boy his Grandpa’s gun or expect a 12-year-old girl to be trusted with an expensive piece of diamond jewelry. Young children have neither the maturity nor the capacity for housing Grandma’s china or a piece of furniture that has been handed down for generations. So the benefactor often holds onto these things – or places them in a “trust” - until the heirs mature.
What does this have to do with our Christian faith? God has so much that He wants to give us. We are truly the “heirs to His kingdom.” But most of us are not spiritually mature enough to handle this gift… at least not all of it. So we must be tutored and guided until we reach a level of Christian maturity. As we get to certain points in our “faith walk,” God grants us more gifts and blessings.
My grandparents and other relatives taught me about many of the heirlooms that I treasure today… who made them, how they were used, and more. I am trying to do the same for my nieces and nephews… teaching them to appreciate these pieces and why they are significant. I am not saving everything to be dispensed when I die. As they grow and mature enough to care for these heirlooms, I am sharing some of them. I get a kick out of watching these “children” enjoy my gifts. And it’s the same with God. He loves to see us reach a level of maturity that enables us to enjoy and fully appreciate His gifts and blessings.
Some of us want to resist God’s teaching. We think we already know far more than we truly do. Don’t be like this. Get over yourself, and accept God’s instruction and guidance. The sooner you grow and mature in your faith, the sooner you can receive more of the blessings of your inheritance. Listen to God… learn from Him… and get ready to be rewarded with His good gifts!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Let me show you the implications of this. As long as the heir is a minor, he has no advantage over the slave. Though legally he owns the entire inheritance, he is subject to tutors and administrators until whatever date the father has set for emancipation. That is the way it is with us: When we were minors, we were just like slaves ordered around by simple instructions (the tutors and administrators of this world), with no say in the conduct of our own lives.
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.
Like many people, I have family heirlooms that I plan to pass on to my nieces and nephews someday. However, many times, the heirs are too young to fully appreciate the inheritance – or to properly care for the items. For example nobody would give a three-year-old boy his Grandpa’s gun or expect a 12-year-old girl to be trusted with an expensive piece of diamond jewelry. Young children have neither the maturity nor the capacity for housing Grandma’s china or a piece of furniture that has been handed down for generations. So the benefactor often holds onto these things – or places them in a “trust” - until the heirs mature.
What does this have to do with our Christian faith? God has so much that He wants to give us. We are truly the “heirs to His kingdom.” But most of us are not spiritually mature enough to handle this gift… at least not all of it. So we must be tutored and guided until we reach a level of Christian maturity. As we get to certain points in our “faith walk,” God grants us more gifts and blessings.
My grandparents and other relatives taught me about many of the heirlooms that I treasure today… who made them, how they were used, and more. I am trying to do the same for my nieces and nephews… teaching them to appreciate these pieces and why they are significant. I am not saving everything to be dispensed when I die. As they grow and mature enough to care for these heirlooms, I am sharing some of them. I get a kick out of watching these “children” enjoy my gifts. And it’s the same with God. He loves to see us reach a level of maturity that enables us to enjoy and fully appreciate His gifts and blessings.
Some of us want to resist God’s teaching. We think we already know far more than we truly do. Don’t be like this. Get over yourself, and accept God’s instruction and guidance. The sooner you grow and mature in your faith, the sooner you can receive more of the blessings of your inheritance. Listen to God… learn from Him… and get ready to be rewarded with His good gifts!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 29, 2012
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That’s why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.
Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn’t that how ordinary people behave?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, our church “confirmed” several sixth graders. They vowed to love Jesus and serve Him… and the church. We (the church members) vowed to love and nurture these children, meet their needs, and serve alongside them. The “confirmands” have been spending time together for several weeks as a group – learning about God, the church, and what it means to be a Disciple of Christ. I daresay that some of these children may know more about this now than many adults! But one thing I can say for sure is that no matter how much these children know – or think they know – about God, there is so much more to learn!
More than a few of us are stuck in a rut as Christians. We’ve been content with the “Spiritual milk” of knowing the basics about Jesus and how He died on the cross for our sins. We’ve acknowledged that we want to be Christians… that yes, we love Jesus and want His forgiveness… we want to go to heaven someday. But we have not taken any further steps to affirm our faith. We’ve not given up old habits and interests and sought the will of God for our lives. We have not asked, “What do I do now? How do I serve and share this GOOD NEWS with others? Where – and how – do You want me to serve You, LORD?” Honestly, I think some of us are afraid of His answers!
In order to build our faith and grow in our knowledge of the LORD… and service to Him… we will have to grow up. We will have to stop acting like everyone else and be who God has called us to be. We will have to be willing to stop being coddled like babies and instead, be treated like mature Christians - which is a huge commitment! If God gave us everything all at once as new Christians, we couldn’t handle it. Spiritual growth and maturity is a slow process for most of us. But the results are so worth the effort.
Are you ready to park your old ways and pick up the new ones that God has laid before you? Are you hungry for His word and will… and eager to learn more each day about how God operates? Are you ready to grow in your faith and experience more of God’s blessings? Will you graduate from “milk” to “solid food”? Are you content to be “ordinary,” or are you ready to take your faith to the next level?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That’s why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.
Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn’t that how ordinary people behave?
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, our church “confirmed” several sixth graders. They vowed to love Jesus and serve Him… and the church. We (the church members) vowed to love and nurture these children, meet their needs, and serve alongside them. The “confirmands” have been spending time together for several weeks as a group – learning about God, the church, and what it means to be a Disciple of Christ. I daresay that some of these children may know more about this now than many adults! But one thing I can say for sure is that no matter how much these children know – or think they know – about God, there is so much more to learn!
More than a few of us are stuck in a rut as Christians. We’ve been content with the “Spiritual milk” of knowing the basics about Jesus and how He died on the cross for our sins. We’ve acknowledged that we want to be Christians… that yes, we love Jesus and want His forgiveness… we want to go to heaven someday. But we have not taken any further steps to affirm our faith. We’ve not given up old habits and interests and sought the will of God for our lives. We have not asked, “What do I do now? How do I serve and share this GOOD NEWS with others? Where – and how – do You want me to serve You, LORD?” Honestly, I think some of us are afraid of His answers!
In order to build our faith and grow in our knowledge of the LORD… and service to Him… we will have to grow up. We will have to stop acting like everyone else and be who God has called us to be. We will have to be willing to stop being coddled like babies and instead, be treated like mature Christians - which is a huge commitment! If God gave us everything all at once as new Christians, we couldn’t handle it. Spiritual growth and maturity is a slow process for most of us. But the results are so worth the effort.
Are you ready to park your old ways and pick up the new ones that God has laid before you? Are you hungry for His word and will… and eager to learn more each day about how God operates? Are you ready to grow in your faith and experience more of God’s blessings? Will you graduate from “milk” to “solid food”? Are you content to be “ordinary,” or are you ready to take your faith to the next level?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 20, 2012
1 Corinthians 4:14-17
I am not writing to embarrass you. I want to help you, just as parents help their own dear children. Ten thousand people may teach you about Christ, but I am your only father. You became my children when I told you about Christ Jesus, and I want you to be like me. That's why I sent Timothy to you. I love him like a son, and he is a faithful servant of the Lord. Timothy will tell you what I do to follow Christ and how it agrees with what I always teach about Christ in every church.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend shared a story via Facebook recently about a young violinist who played in a metro station in Washington, DC, one cold January morning. In 45 minutes, the young man played six pieces by Bach. People passed by without as much as a look. A few tossed money into his case. Some even paused briefly before they hurried on. One three-year-old boy stopped and listened to the musician, but his mother tugged and pushed and insisted he move ahead. Other children and parents were observed engaging in much the same interaction.
The Washington Post had planted this musician in the metro as an experiment. His name was Joshua Bell, and he was one of the most talented musicians in the world. One of the pieces he performed was considered to be the most complicated musical work ever written – and he played it on a violin worth $3.5 million! Two nights earlier, he had sold out a concert hall in Boston, where seats went for as much as $100 each. This morning he garnered $32 in “tips”.
The story claimed that the Post put Bell here as part of… “a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were… in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: 1) Do we perceive beauty? 2) Do we stop to appreciate it? and 3) Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?”
The article concluded by asking (paraphrased)… “If we don’t pause in a crowded place to listen to one of the best musicians in the world play one of the most complicated, beautiful pieces of music ever written, what else might we be missing?” As I read this passage from Paul to the Corinthians, I asked myself how many people and situations God has sent to teach us about Jesus, and we were too busy or disinterested… lost in our own little worlds to recognize and appreciate them? Just as God used Paul to send Timothy to minister to the people of Corinth, He sends ministers to us each day. But do we recognize them?
There are thousands of “teachable moments” from God… but we miss too many of them. We overlook far too many opportunities to hear from God – to experience His glory and beauty in nature, music, the laugh of a child or even the touch of an adoring pet who paws at us, and more. We hurry onward and often do nothing more than toss a dollar bill into a collection plate – or give a sideward glance or lip service to who and what surrounds us - as we race to get to our next big event… failing to see God standing right before us creating a magnificent opus to begin our day!
Who has God sent your way to teach you and bless you? Where is He offering you “teachable moments” – and blessings to brighten your journey? Are you truly alert and appreciative? Do you recognize His presence with childlike innocence and intrigue… or are you far too busy? Can I tell you something? There is nothing more important that we have to do today than hear from God! Stop! Look! Listen! Hear God’s “music” and recognize those He sends to perform it for you. Pay attention to your Heavenly Father… and truly learn all you can from Him. Let this be the day you begin to slow down and recognize His presence… and to appreciate more deeply just how blessed we are by His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
I am not writing to embarrass you. I want to help you, just as parents help their own dear children. Ten thousand people may teach you about Christ, but I am your only father. You became my children when I told you about Christ Jesus, and I want you to be like me. That's why I sent Timothy to you. I love him like a son, and he is a faithful servant of the Lord. Timothy will tell you what I do to follow Christ and how it agrees with what I always teach about Christ in every church.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend shared a story via Facebook recently about a young violinist who played in a metro station in Washington, DC, one cold January morning. In 45 minutes, the young man played six pieces by Bach. People passed by without as much as a look. A few tossed money into his case. Some even paused briefly before they hurried on. One three-year-old boy stopped and listened to the musician, but his mother tugged and pushed and insisted he move ahead. Other children and parents were observed engaging in much the same interaction.
The Washington Post had planted this musician in the metro as an experiment. His name was Joshua Bell, and he was one of the most talented musicians in the world. One of the pieces he performed was considered to be the most complicated musical work ever written – and he played it on a violin worth $3.5 million! Two nights earlier, he had sold out a concert hall in Boston, where seats went for as much as $100 each. This morning he garnered $32 in “tips”.
The story claimed that the Post put Bell here as part of… “a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were… in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: 1) Do we perceive beauty? 2) Do we stop to appreciate it? and 3) Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?”
The article concluded by asking (paraphrased)… “If we don’t pause in a crowded place to listen to one of the best musicians in the world play one of the most complicated, beautiful pieces of music ever written, what else might we be missing?” As I read this passage from Paul to the Corinthians, I asked myself how many people and situations God has sent to teach us about Jesus, and we were too busy or disinterested… lost in our own little worlds to recognize and appreciate them? Just as God used Paul to send Timothy to minister to the people of Corinth, He sends ministers to us each day. But do we recognize them?
There are thousands of “teachable moments” from God… but we miss too many of them. We overlook far too many opportunities to hear from God – to experience His glory and beauty in nature, music, the laugh of a child or even the touch of an adoring pet who paws at us, and more. We hurry onward and often do nothing more than toss a dollar bill into a collection plate – or give a sideward glance or lip service to who and what surrounds us - as we race to get to our next big event… failing to see God standing right before us creating a magnificent opus to begin our day!
Who has God sent your way to teach you and bless you? Where is He offering you “teachable moments” – and blessings to brighten your journey? Are you truly alert and appreciative? Do you recognize His presence with childlike innocence and intrigue… or are you far too busy? Can I tell you something? There is nothing more important that we have to do today than hear from God! Stop! Look! Listen! Hear God’s “music” and recognize those He sends to perform it for you. Pay attention to your Heavenly Father… and truly learn all you can from Him. Let this be the day you begin to slow down and recognize His presence… and to appreciate more deeply just how blessed we are by His love and care.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 18, 2011
Psalm 130:5-6
With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for you! I trust your promises. I wait for you more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn. Yes, I wait more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Waiting… we aren’t very good at it, are we?! When I was a little girl, the hardest day of the year for me to wait was Christmas morning. I had trouble going to sleep on Christmas Eve when we got home from my grandparents’ farm. I would wake up every hour, if not more often, and check to see if it was time for everyone else to get up. I would sometimes go into the living room and check under the tree… and my mother would send me back to bed! Sometimes I got my sister up and made her play Monopoly or some other game with me in the closet until daylight dawned! It wasn’t just that I couldn’t wait to open my presents… I always got a kick out of watching others open what I had for them under the tree, as well! I thought they should be as eager as I was!
I find it funny that there are so many things we have a hard time waiting on… but waiting on God isn’t always at the top of that list! It should be… and the more I grow in my faith, the more I find myself placing Him there. I am waiting for the day when I see Him face to face… when I snuggle in His lap and have all of the answers and none of the cares! I am waiting for the time when He gives me a “Heavenly assignment” and equips me with everything I need to accomplish it perfectly. Meanwhile, I am waiting… maybe not quite with the anticipation of a child waiting for Christmas morning – yet! …but waiting all the same.
Who are you waiting for? Are you living in eager anticipation of meeting God face to face? Does this excite you? Or are you frightened by the prospect? Do you live in eager anticipation of this day… or some sense of dread and trepidation? I encourage you to talk to God about this. Get to know Him better and learn more about His promises, so that all fears and worries disappear as you grow in your knowledge of Him. Work on your relationship until you can honestly and eagerly say, “With all my heart, I am waiting on the LORD!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for you! I trust your promises. I wait for you more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn. Yes, I wait more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Waiting… we aren’t very good at it, are we?! When I was a little girl, the hardest day of the year for me to wait was Christmas morning. I had trouble going to sleep on Christmas Eve when we got home from my grandparents’ farm. I would wake up every hour, if not more often, and check to see if it was time for everyone else to get up. I would sometimes go into the living room and check under the tree… and my mother would send me back to bed! Sometimes I got my sister up and made her play Monopoly or some other game with me in the closet until daylight dawned! It wasn’t just that I couldn’t wait to open my presents… I always got a kick out of watching others open what I had for them under the tree, as well! I thought they should be as eager as I was!
I find it funny that there are so many things we have a hard time waiting on… but waiting on God isn’t always at the top of that list! It should be… and the more I grow in my faith, the more I find myself placing Him there. I am waiting for the day when I see Him face to face… when I snuggle in His lap and have all of the answers and none of the cares! I am waiting for the time when He gives me a “Heavenly assignment” and equips me with everything I need to accomplish it perfectly. Meanwhile, I am waiting… maybe not quite with the anticipation of a child waiting for Christmas morning – yet! …but waiting all the same.
Who are you waiting for? Are you living in eager anticipation of meeting God face to face? Does this excite you? Or are you frightened by the prospect? Do you live in eager anticipation of this day… or some sense of dread and trepidation? I encourage you to talk to God about this. Get to know Him better and learn more about His promises, so that all fears and worries disappear as you grow in your knowledge of Him. Work on your relationship until you can honestly and eagerly say, “With all my heart, I am waiting on the LORD!”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 24, 2011
Psalm 119:32
I am eager to learn all that you want me to do; help me to understand more and more.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little nephew, Timothy, spent the weekend with us, and he was sick with an upset stomach. He did not understand what was happening, and as he threw up, he would whimper and say, “DebDeb?” I tried to assure him that everything was okay… but I’m not sure he was convinced! Afterward, he asked for milk, and I could not explain why this was not a good beverage choice. I gave him a sippy cup with 7-Up instead, and he seemed satisfied. But the next morning, he awoke and asked for pizza! If you want a good lesson in “understanding,” try reasoning with a two-year-old. I managed to distract him… but the following morning, when he was feeling better and asked for ice cream, I had no good argument!
A lot of times, we are frightened, and we call out to God. We don’t understand what is happening to us, but He assures us that everything will be okay, and we trust this! I will admit, I trust Him more now than I did a few years ago… or even last week. It’s a learning process… and for some of us, the going is pretty slow!
As Timothy learns more words and phrases… as he grows in experience and using his imagination to understand things he cannot physically see and touch… he understands more and more… and he trusts us to tell him the truth and give him good instruction. And he is eager to learn.
Wouldn’t it be great if we had the hunger and eagerness of a toddler for the things of God?! What if we approached God with the attitude that anything was possible… even ice cream at 6:30 a.m.! What if we allowed Him to show us what we could and could not do… and why… and trusted His choices and rules! Why aren’t we hungrier for the things of God? Isn’t it time we looked at this passage and made it our prayer for the day… a sincere desire to learn all that God wants us to do… and a request for help to do exactly that?
What are you waiting for? What is keeping you from becoming all that you can be in your walk with God? Are you growing daily in His knowledge and wisdom… eager to learn more about Him and His plan for your life? Isn’t it time you began?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I am eager to learn all that you want me to do; help me to understand more and more.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little nephew, Timothy, spent the weekend with us, and he was sick with an upset stomach. He did not understand what was happening, and as he threw up, he would whimper and say, “DebDeb?” I tried to assure him that everything was okay… but I’m not sure he was convinced! Afterward, he asked for milk, and I could not explain why this was not a good beverage choice. I gave him a sippy cup with 7-Up instead, and he seemed satisfied. But the next morning, he awoke and asked for pizza! If you want a good lesson in “understanding,” try reasoning with a two-year-old. I managed to distract him… but the following morning, when he was feeling better and asked for ice cream, I had no good argument!
A lot of times, we are frightened, and we call out to God. We don’t understand what is happening to us, but He assures us that everything will be okay, and we trust this! I will admit, I trust Him more now than I did a few years ago… or even last week. It’s a learning process… and for some of us, the going is pretty slow!
As Timothy learns more words and phrases… as he grows in experience and using his imagination to understand things he cannot physically see and touch… he understands more and more… and he trusts us to tell him the truth and give him good instruction. And he is eager to learn.
Wouldn’t it be great if we had the hunger and eagerness of a toddler for the things of God?! What if we approached God with the attitude that anything was possible… even ice cream at 6:30 a.m.! What if we allowed Him to show us what we could and could not do… and why… and trusted His choices and rules! Why aren’t we hungrier for the things of God? Isn’t it time we looked at this passage and made it our prayer for the day… a sincere desire to learn all that God wants us to do… and a request for help to do exactly that?
What are you waiting for? What is keeping you from becoming all that you can be in your walk with God? Are you growing daily in His knowledge and wisdom… eager to learn more about Him and His plan for your life? Isn’t it time you began?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 7, 2011
John 9:1-11
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?" "No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered. "But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world."
After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes. Then he said, "Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool." The man went and washed in Siloam, which means "One Who Is Sent." When he had washed off the mud, he could see.
The man's neighbors and the people who had seen him begging wondered if he really could be the same man. Some of them said he was the same beggar, while others said he only looked like him. But he told them, "I am that man."
"Then how can you see?" they asked. He answered, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having a baby… anticipating the birth… preparing, planning, and counting the days… and then the doctors tell you, “Your child is blind.” Surely you would ask, “What happened?” and wonder if perhaps you (the parents) did something wrong. Even if you knew you did everything perfectly and followed doctors’ orders to the letter during the pregnancy, you might ask, “Is this God’s way of punishing me for something I’ve done?” Clearly, Jesus mandates to all parents here in this passage that this is not God’s intention. In fact, He explains that such things are opportunities for us to witness God’s miracles in action.
This was the case for my friend, MawMac, who recently died. A tragic set of circumstances at birth caused her precious daughter, Mary, to have cerebral palsy. Born nearly 60 years ago, Mary could easily have been tucked away at home or in an institution, as people did with children who suffered such maladies “back then.” But Mary’s parents treated her as normally as possible… and I don’t have time or space to tell you all of the miracles that countless people witnessed through her affliction and how her family handled them.
In much the same manner, we all have challenges and issues that we would love to blame on our childhood, our parents, or even God’s punishment. But we cannot. Remember… God does not make mistakes. Each challenge, blemish, unfortunate circumstance, or deformity is a chance for us to see God’s miraculous power at work. God can use these situations to teach us faith, grace, mercy… to show us His healing power… and to teach us patience and perseverance. God can show us how to grow in our love for Him… and how to have courage when things seem to go awry at every turn.
Every circumstance is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him… to share His miraculous love and power. What is He teaching you today? What challenges are you facing? Are you allowing Him to help you see them as stumbling blocks… or miracles in the making?
©2011 Debbie Robus
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?" "No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered. "But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world."
After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes. Then he said, "Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool." The man went and washed in Siloam, which means "One Who Is Sent." When he had washed off the mud, he could see.
The man's neighbors and the people who had seen him begging wondered if he really could be the same man. Some of them said he was the same beggar, while others said he only looked like him. But he told them, "I am that man."
"Then how can you see?" they asked. He answered, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Imagine having a baby… anticipating the birth… preparing, planning, and counting the days… and then the doctors tell you, “Your child is blind.” Surely you would ask, “What happened?” and wonder if perhaps you (the parents) did something wrong. Even if you knew you did everything perfectly and followed doctors’ orders to the letter during the pregnancy, you might ask, “Is this God’s way of punishing me for something I’ve done?” Clearly, Jesus mandates to all parents here in this passage that this is not God’s intention. In fact, He explains that such things are opportunities for us to witness God’s miracles in action.
This was the case for my friend, MawMac, who recently died. A tragic set of circumstances at birth caused her precious daughter, Mary, to have cerebral palsy. Born nearly 60 years ago, Mary could easily have been tucked away at home or in an institution, as people did with children who suffered such maladies “back then.” But Mary’s parents treated her as normally as possible… and I don’t have time or space to tell you all of the miracles that countless people witnessed through her affliction and how her family handled them.
In much the same manner, we all have challenges and issues that we would love to blame on our childhood, our parents, or even God’s punishment. But we cannot. Remember… God does not make mistakes. Each challenge, blemish, unfortunate circumstance, or deformity is a chance for us to see God’s miraculous power at work. God can use these situations to teach us faith, grace, mercy… to show us His healing power… and to teach us patience and perseverance. God can show us how to grow in our love for Him… and how to have courage when things seem to go awry at every turn.
Every circumstance is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him… to share His miraculous love and power. What is He teaching you today? What challenges are you facing? Are you allowing Him to help you see them as stumbling blocks… or miracles in the making?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 10, 2011
Luke 9:23-27
Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, we attended a benefit performance to raise funds for Autism Speaks. Did you know that a child is diagnosed with autism somewhere in the world every 20 minutes? At the performance, several family members spoke about living with someone who has autism. One mother told of moving her family from Florida to Little Rock so that her son could attend a certain school and receive necessary help. A little boy talked about his brother’s obsession with air fresheners… Febreze, Glade, Air Wick… and how sick he is of smelling a few of the “signature scents.” A dad talked about the wonders of hearing his son tell him “I love you.”
All in all, these families embraced their children – and the struggles that they encounter on a daily basis. I’m sure it’s not all a bed of roses for any of them, but you wouldn’t have known it on this day, as the families danced together on stage with a professional modern dance company in the grand finale.
In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren says our question is not to be “Why me?” but rather “What do you want me to learn?” Truly, God is always teaching us… even in the most difficult moments of our lives. Moments of suffering and sorrow can often be some of the biggest opportunities for us to grow in faith and our trust in God and His promises. These can also be our times to shine for Jesus… as we share His love for each of us with others.
I have no doubt that the families that include an autistic child would like to have a few minutes with God to sit down and tell Him a thing or two. But the fact is, God already knows how difficult the challenges are for these children and the families to whom they belong. And I have no doubt that their struggles and challenges are lessened if/when they really learn to move over and let God “drive the car.”
We have such a hard time with this concept. WE want to be in the driver’s seat… but that is simply not where we Christians belong. We can never get things right like God can… we can never know what is truly best for our situation like He does… and we are foolish to think otherwise. We have to let God lead… we have to accept – even embrace – whatever He allows in our lives… understanding that we have a lot left to learn, no matter what age we may be.
So who is driving your “car” these days? Are you stuck in the “Why me?” mode… wondering “When is it my turn?” to be “footloose and fancy free?” Or have you surrendered your heart and life completely to Jesus, trusting that He has much for you to learn… and He will be with you every step of the way? The choice is really pretty simple… so why not go ahead and hand over the keys?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, we attended a benefit performance to raise funds for Autism Speaks. Did you know that a child is diagnosed with autism somewhere in the world every 20 minutes? At the performance, several family members spoke about living with someone who has autism. One mother told of moving her family from Florida to Little Rock so that her son could attend a certain school and receive necessary help. A little boy talked about his brother’s obsession with air fresheners… Febreze, Glade, Air Wick… and how sick he is of smelling a few of the “signature scents.” A dad talked about the wonders of hearing his son tell him “I love you.”
All in all, these families embraced their children – and the struggles that they encounter on a daily basis. I’m sure it’s not all a bed of roses for any of them, but you wouldn’t have known it on this day, as the families danced together on stage with a professional modern dance company in the grand finale.
In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren says our question is not to be “Why me?” but rather “What do you want me to learn?” Truly, God is always teaching us… even in the most difficult moments of our lives. Moments of suffering and sorrow can often be some of the biggest opportunities for us to grow in faith and our trust in God and His promises. These can also be our times to shine for Jesus… as we share His love for each of us with others.
I have no doubt that the families that include an autistic child would like to have a few minutes with God to sit down and tell Him a thing or two. But the fact is, God already knows how difficult the challenges are for these children and the families to whom they belong. And I have no doubt that their struggles and challenges are lessened if/when they really learn to move over and let God “drive the car.”
We have such a hard time with this concept. WE want to be in the driver’s seat… but that is simply not where we Christians belong. We can never get things right like God can… we can never know what is truly best for our situation like He does… and we are foolish to think otherwise. We have to let God lead… we have to accept – even embrace – whatever He allows in our lives… understanding that we have a lot left to learn, no matter what age we may be.
So who is driving your “car” these days? Are you stuck in the “Why me?” mode… wondering “When is it my turn?” to be “footloose and fancy free?” Or have you surrendered your heart and life completely to Jesus, trusting that He has much for you to learn… and He will be with you every step of the way? The choice is really pretty simple… so why not go ahead and hand over the keys?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 13, 2011
Matthew 18:3
Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy has been staying with us lately, and I always marvel at how curious he is… and how we can almost see his thought processes. There are three decorative “nested” metal tins stacked on the floor beside our staircase. Each lid is painted with a picture of angels. Timothy loves them… mostly because the empty tins make a great noise when he bangs them together or on something else. But he also loves to try to stack the tins… although usually his efforts result in much clanging as the stack falls to the floor.
But lately, he has figured out if he will put the largest tin on bottom, then the smallest one next, and then the middle-sized one on top, they stay in place and he can pick the stack up and move it from one place to another. It’s really rewarding to see him develop – even in such a small way. His thought processes have progressed to a stage where he can reason out this little dilemma and come up with a viable solution.
Imagine how we must seem to God. Think of our faith in the context of a baby who grows and progresses in development. In the “toddler” stage, we begin to figure out how to use the gifts God has given us to handle difficult situations… to call on Him to give us wisdom and discernment to navigate challenges and problems. As we grow and mature, we learn even more about how God operates within us… how the Holy Spirit moves to guide us through every minute of the day. This must give Him such delight to see us grow and discover how He works.
None of us “knows it all” the day we become a Christian. None of us ever has all of the wisdom and potential that God wishes for us… we are all forever works in progress. We all began as babies… and we are hopefully growing and developing in our walk with Christ and our abilities to serve Him well. Just like children, some of us will progress more quickly than others… while some of us will be “slow learners.”
The key to this passage is our understanding that we must approach God with the innocence of a child… the wonder and awe at even the simplest things, like three nested tin cans! We must not come with a “know-it-all attitude” that we don’t need guidance… or that our salvation makes us better than anyone else. We must come to Jesus with humility, a hunger for knowledge, and the childlike enthusiasm for all He wishes to share with us.
For some of us, this means we need to make a change. Maybe we tried to “skip ahead” and be more than we were capable of too soon. Perhaps we need to humble ourselves and say, “Lord, I don’t know nearly as much as I thought I did… but I’m willing to listen and learn.” Maybe we need to rekindle our excitement and enthusiasm… our wonder and awe… for the amazing life we have in Christ. Maybe we need to reacquaint ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Whatever we need to do… the time for change is now. The day to start is this one. Are you ready to become like a kid again?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy has been staying with us lately, and I always marvel at how curious he is… and how we can almost see his thought processes. There are three decorative “nested” metal tins stacked on the floor beside our staircase. Each lid is painted with a picture of angels. Timothy loves them… mostly because the empty tins make a great noise when he bangs them together or on something else. But he also loves to try to stack the tins… although usually his efforts result in much clanging as the stack falls to the floor.
But lately, he has figured out if he will put the largest tin on bottom, then the smallest one next, and then the middle-sized one on top, they stay in place and he can pick the stack up and move it from one place to another. It’s really rewarding to see him develop – even in such a small way. His thought processes have progressed to a stage where he can reason out this little dilemma and come up with a viable solution.
Imagine how we must seem to God. Think of our faith in the context of a baby who grows and progresses in development. In the “toddler” stage, we begin to figure out how to use the gifts God has given us to handle difficult situations… to call on Him to give us wisdom and discernment to navigate challenges and problems. As we grow and mature, we learn even more about how God operates within us… how the Holy Spirit moves to guide us through every minute of the day. This must give Him such delight to see us grow and discover how He works.
None of us “knows it all” the day we become a Christian. None of us ever has all of the wisdom and potential that God wishes for us… we are all forever works in progress. We all began as babies… and we are hopefully growing and developing in our walk with Christ and our abilities to serve Him well. Just like children, some of us will progress more quickly than others… while some of us will be “slow learners.”
The key to this passage is our understanding that we must approach God with the innocence of a child… the wonder and awe at even the simplest things, like three nested tin cans! We must not come with a “know-it-all attitude” that we don’t need guidance… or that our salvation makes us better than anyone else. We must come to Jesus with humility, a hunger for knowledge, and the childlike enthusiasm for all He wishes to share with us.
For some of us, this means we need to make a change. Maybe we tried to “skip ahead” and be more than we were capable of too soon. Perhaps we need to humble ourselves and say, “Lord, I don’t know nearly as much as I thought I did… but I’m willing to listen and learn.” Maybe we need to rekindle our excitement and enthusiasm… our wonder and awe… for the amazing life we have in Christ. Maybe we need to reacquaint ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Whatever we need to do… the time for change is now. The day to start is this one. Are you ready to become like a kid again?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 13, 2010
Psalm 27:11
Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve been in a fast-moving carnival ride that shuffled me and my passenger from one scary spot to another as things jumped up and popped out, yelled and screamed, and scared the bejeepers out of us! We knew that around every turn, new scary stuff would be waiting, but we still screamed and felt our hearts pound… and we laughed (nervously) because we understood it was all in good fun and the scary ride would end in a short while.
Sadly, the devil and his army of enemies are waiting around the corner on many streets and paths… just hoping we will make a wrong turn or a poor choice, and end up in front of them. And unlike the harmless spooks of the carnival ride, these guys mean business! They plan to capture their prey through any means necessary… fear, enticement, lies, deceit, shame, guilt, glitz and glamour… whatever it takes. Once you get in the car with Satan, his ride can take you places you’ll wish you’d never gone.
The key is to listen to God… to follow His instruction… to stay on His path. God offers us a perfect road map… with a straight shot to victory, blessings, peace, and joy. There may be bumps along the way, and short detours, but God will always be there with us to handle them. No spooks, screams, scary monsters, or heart-stopping fears await us… we can be assured that God will never use such tactics. And if you encounter them, you may need to re-evaluate whose road map you are following!
Carnival rides are fun… a cheap thrill and a harmless scare. But Satan’s “carnival rides” are serious business. You do not want to hop aboard! Ask God to help you stay in His will… following His road maps… and listening for His voice. Don’t give the devil and his henchmen any chance to make a play for your attention. Stay on course, in the light of Christ… safe, secure, and out of harm’s way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve been in a fast-moving carnival ride that shuffled me and my passenger from one scary spot to another as things jumped up and popped out, yelled and screamed, and scared the bejeepers out of us! We knew that around every turn, new scary stuff would be waiting, but we still screamed and felt our hearts pound… and we laughed (nervously) because we understood it was all in good fun and the scary ride would end in a short while.
Sadly, the devil and his army of enemies are waiting around the corner on many streets and paths… just hoping we will make a wrong turn or a poor choice, and end up in front of them. And unlike the harmless spooks of the carnival ride, these guys mean business! They plan to capture their prey through any means necessary… fear, enticement, lies, deceit, shame, guilt, glitz and glamour… whatever it takes. Once you get in the car with Satan, his ride can take you places you’ll wish you’d never gone.
The key is to listen to God… to follow His instruction… to stay on His path. God offers us a perfect road map… with a straight shot to victory, blessings, peace, and joy. There may be bumps along the way, and short detours, but God will always be there with us to handle them. No spooks, screams, scary monsters, or heart-stopping fears await us… we can be assured that God will never use such tactics. And if you encounter them, you may need to re-evaluate whose road map you are following!
Carnival rides are fun… a cheap thrill and a harmless scare. But Satan’s “carnival rides” are serious business. You do not want to hop aboard! Ask God to help you stay in His will… following His road maps… and listening for His voice. Don’t give the devil and his henchmen any chance to make a play for your attention. Stay on course, in the light of Christ… safe, secure, and out of harm’s way.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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