Matthew 4:18-20
Walking along the beach of Lake
Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew.
They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their
regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of
fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead
of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their
nets and followed.
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.
Many years ago, I was
shopping in Walmart just before Thanksgiving, and I saw my friend,
Frances Evans. We talked about preparing the Thanksgiving meal and how
much work was involved, and I mentioned making homemade rolls. Frances,
who was one of the best cooks in the county, said, “Don’t do that! Go
to the freezer case and find the Sister Schubert’s® Parker House Style
Rolls. They are so good that you will never make homemade rolls
again!” I knew if Frances said these rolls were good, they were GOOD!
And she was exactly right!
My dear friend Frances is gone now,
but every time I buy Sister Schubert’s rolls®, I think of her. And
while I have made homemade rolls from my Mam-ma Polly’s recipe, these
were good enough that even she commented on how delicious the rolls
tasted!
I share this to say that sometimes, there is nothing
necessarily wrong with what we are doing or how we are doing it…but
Jesus has something so much better in mind for us to accomplish. There
was nothing wrong with Peter and Andrew fishing for a living…but Jesus
wanted them to work for Him…to “fish” for the souls of men and women and
to share the Good News with them as His disciples. And the amazing
part of this story for me is that they dropped their nets and followed
Jesus.
You see, it was one thing for me to mark homemade rolls
off my “to-do” list for Thanksgiving dinner and buy frozen rolls.
France had told me they would be delicious, and I knew that she would
not steer me wrong. I had eaten countless meals that she prepared. I
had years of “history” with her. But these two men really didn’t know
Jesus that well…at least not well enough to drop their very livelihood
and leave their homes and families to follow Him. And yet, they did it!
Peter and Andrew had not grown up with Jesus. They had met
Him…they had been told that He was the Messiah. But they didn’t have
years of “history” with Him. And still they gave Him their complete
faith and hope…they stepped up and out and followed Jesus with complete
confidence that He knew best – that their work for Him would matter.
Here’s
the thing…in some ways, we really don’t know Jesus all that well,
either. We’ve never even met Him in the flesh. All we know is what we
have been told…what we have read in the Bible…what we have seen
demonstrated in the faithful words and actions of others. And yet, we
are called to “come and follow” Him and “fish” for the hearts and souls
of others on His behalf. Honestly, your life may be pretty good
already. Your “old ways” are working fairly well, and there might not
seem to be much need for any changes in how you worship and serve.
But
often, Jesus calls us to make a few adjustments that add up to so much
more…to cast off our “old ways” and take up the His new ones…to step out
of our comfort zone and serve a Messiah that we have never physically
seen. Jesus calls us to live for Him and do all that we can to convince
others to surrender their hearts serve Him as well. These are all
expressions of incredible faith and hope. And this is what Jesus asks
of us.
So I guess my question today is this…”Are you content to
keep ‘fishing’ like you’ve always done it…or are you ready to trust
Jesus and try something new?” Will this be the day/week/year that you
step out of your comfort zone and trust Jesus to show you a new – and
better – way of doing things? Are you ready to drop your nets and
follow Him…completely and faithfully? Don’t you think it’s time you
were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label letting God change how you think. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letting God change how you think. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 25, 2012
Matthew 6:25-34
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?
Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The first time I remember turning to this scripture was almost 40 years ago, when my soon-to-be-husband and I were talking about college. My husband was considering a change of major… and even transferring from the college where he attended (and I was enrolling). He opened the Gideon Bible he had gotten on campus his freshman year and showed me this passage. We agreed that we would not worry about all of the hassles and challenges that changing college campuses – and majors – would bring. If this was God’s plan for us, everything would work out as it should. In the end, we did move to another university, and our coursework progressed in such a manner that we both graduated on the same day… sitting side-by-side.
When we started a new business venture and both quit our “regular” jobs, we again looked to this scripture passage as we considered our budget and how we would pay our bills and stretch our savings while we built the business. God once again met all of our needs… over and above what we had asked for or anticipated.
In the last 25 years, this passage has spoken to me several times… always in a slightly different way. I don’t worry about food and clothing these days, but when other things trouble me, I remind myself that the God who cares about the flowers in the field or the tiniest little bird cares for me, too. These creatures don’t think about how they will make it… they just go about their business, doing whatever their kind is supposed to do. And this is our lesson… to be about the business of doing whatever God has called us to do… to follow His lead and trust Him to work out the details… and to quit worrying.
I’m a pretty seasoned worrier, so this is hard for me… and maybe it’s hard for you, too. But just remind yourself to consider the flowers of the field… the birds up in the air, and how carefully and perfectly God meets their needs. Think over the times in your life when God has already carried you through – and your worrying really didn’t help one bit. Ask Him to give you peace and comfort as He helps you handle whatever is challenging you today… and trust that He will do exactly that.
Don’t worry about tomorrow… give it to God and ask Him to manage it for you. Focus your time and energy on doing things that please and serve Him – and honor His generous blessings upon your life. I guarantee you that God will do a much better job of handling your cares than you or I ever could. Won’t you trust Him to do so?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?
Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The first time I remember turning to this scripture was almost 40 years ago, when my soon-to-be-husband and I were talking about college. My husband was considering a change of major… and even transferring from the college where he attended (and I was enrolling). He opened the Gideon Bible he had gotten on campus his freshman year and showed me this passage. We agreed that we would not worry about all of the hassles and challenges that changing college campuses – and majors – would bring. If this was God’s plan for us, everything would work out as it should. In the end, we did move to another university, and our coursework progressed in such a manner that we both graduated on the same day… sitting side-by-side.
When we started a new business venture and both quit our “regular” jobs, we again looked to this scripture passage as we considered our budget and how we would pay our bills and stretch our savings while we built the business. God once again met all of our needs… over and above what we had asked for or anticipated.
In the last 25 years, this passage has spoken to me several times… always in a slightly different way. I don’t worry about food and clothing these days, but when other things trouble me, I remind myself that the God who cares about the flowers in the field or the tiniest little bird cares for me, too. These creatures don’t think about how they will make it… they just go about their business, doing whatever their kind is supposed to do. And this is our lesson… to be about the business of doing whatever God has called us to do… to follow His lead and trust Him to work out the details… and to quit worrying.
I’m a pretty seasoned worrier, so this is hard for me… and maybe it’s hard for you, too. But just remind yourself to consider the flowers of the field… the birds up in the air, and how carefully and perfectly God meets their needs. Think over the times in your life when God has already carried you through – and your worrying really didn’t help one bit. Ask Him to give you peace and comfort as He helps you handle whatever is challenging you today… and trust that He will do exactly that.
Don’t worry about tomorrow… give it to God and ask Him to manage it for you. Focus your time and energy on doing things that please and serve Him – and honor His generous blessings upon your life. I guarantee you that God will do a much better job of handling your cares than you or I ever could. Won’t you trust Him to do so?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 25, 2012
Daniel 2:14-18; 26-28
When Arioch, chief of the royal guards, was making arrangements for the execution, Daniel wisely took him aside and quietly asked what was going on: “Why this all of a sudden?”
After Arioch filled in the background, Daniel went to the king and asked for a little time so that he could interpret the dream.
Daniel then went home and told his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what was going on. He asked them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy in solving this mystery so that the four of them wouldn’t be killed along with the whole company of Babylonian wise men.
The king asked Daniel (renamed in Babylonian, Belteshazzar), “Are you sure you can do this—tell me the dream I had and interpret it for me?”
Daniel answered the king, “No mere human can solve the king’s mystery, I don’t care who it is—no wise man, enchanter, magician, diviner. But there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and he has solved this one. He is letting King Nebuchadnezzar in on what is going to happen in the days ahead. This is the dream you had when you were lying on your bed, the vision that filled your mind:
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.
I’ve often watched small children at play and observed how they repeat the same thing over and again – like putting the wrong puzzle piece in the wrong space – and hope that this time, it will fit! More than once I have wanted to jump in and show the child how to fix this... knowing that this was entirely the wrong way to help. In the moment that the “light bulb” goes on… or the child turns and asks for help… everything is revealed. The real “mystery” comes from the child’s determination to figure out things on his/her own. Often, each of us is like this “child” as we navigate all sorts of decisions, choices and situations in our own lives.
One sentence from this story in Daniel really resonated with me today… there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and He has solved this one. How often do we try to do things for ourselves? How frequently do we wring our hands and say, “I just don’t get it,” or “I don’t know what to do”? In truth, all we have to do is turn to God and say these very phrases… then allow Him room to work. God is the only one who can fix many of our messes! And just like our situation with the child and the puzzle, God knows that we sometimes have to wallow and fret in our own confusion for a while in order to really learn the lesson!
I don’t know about you, but I’m rather tired of puzzles and games… mysteries and unresolved issues. I’m ready to place these all at the feet of Jesus and say, “This is what you bought and paid for… so why am I trying to fix them? I surrender… I give them all to you, where they belong.” This is when the “light bulb” comes on for us as Christians… when we genuinely and calmly hand our challenges, burdens, worries, and cares – our very lives – to God and let HIM handle things. He has solved countless “mysteries” already… and He is surely able to solve ours now.
This is huge. Don’t miss what could be a major turning point in your life. When you begin to truly function in faith and confidence that God is handling things for you and solving the mysteries of your life, everything changes. Your entire perspective will be different… and maybe your demeanor, as well. Let the joy, peace, and freedom of placing this responsibility with God, where it belongs, encompass you and give you incredible relief. Put the puzzle pieces in the right spots and move forward… and allow God the handle the big stuff!
©2012 Debbie Robus
When Arioch, chief of the royal guards, was making arrangements for the execution, Daniel wisely took him aside and quietly asked what was going on: “Why this all of a sudden?”
After Arioch filled in the background, Daniel went to the king and asked for a little time so that he could interpret the dream.
Daniel then went home and told his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what was going on. He asked them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy in solving this mystery so that the four of them wouldn’t be killed along with the whole company of Babylonian wise men.
The king asked Daniel (renamed in Babylonian, Belteshazzar), “Are you sure you can do this—tell me the dream I had and interpret it for me?”
Daniel answered the king, “No mere human can solve the king’s mystery, I don’t care who it is—no wise man, enchanter, magician, diviner. But there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and he has solved this one. He is letting King Nebuchadnezzar in on what is going to happen in the days ahead. This is the dream you had when you were lying on your bed, the vision that filled your mind:
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.
I’ve often watched small children at play and observed how they repeat the same thing over and again – like putting the wrong puzzle piece in the wrong space – and hope that this time, it will fit! More than once I have wanted to jump in and show the child how to fix this... knowing that this was entirely the wrong way to help. In the moment that the “light bulb” goes on… or the child turns and asks for help… everything is revealed. The real “mystery” comes from the child’s determination to figure out things on his/her own. Often, each of us is like this “child” as we navigate all sorts of decisions, choices and situations in our own lives.
One sentence from this story in Daniel really resonated with me today… there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and He has solved this one. How often do we try to do things for ourselves? How frequently do we wring our hands and say, “I just don’t get it,” or “I don’t know what to do”? In truth, all we have to do is turn to God and say these very phrases… then allow Him room to work. God is the only one who can fix many of our messes! And just like our situation with the child and the puzzle, God knows that we sometimes have to wallow and fret in our own confusion for a while in order to really learn the lesson!
I don’t know about you, but I’m rather tired of puzzles and games… mysteries and unresolved issues. I’m ready to place these all at the feet of Jesus and say, “This is what you bought and paid for… so why am I trying to fix them? I surrender… I give them all to you, where they belong.” This is when the “light bulb” comes on for us as Christians… when we genuinely and calmly hand our challenges, burdens, worries, and cares – our very lives – to God and let HIM handle things. He has solved countless “mysteries” already… and He is surely able to solve ours now.
This is huge. Don’t miss what could be a major turning point in your life. When you begin to truly function in faith and confidence that God is handling things for you and solving the mysteries of your life, everything changes. Your entire perspective will be different… and maybe your demeanor, as well. Let the joy, peace, and freedom of placing this responsibility with God, where it belongs, encompass you and give you incredible relief. Put the puzzle pieces in the right spots and move forward… and allow God the handle the big stuff!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 16, 2012
Genesis 50:16-21
So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?”
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
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.
19th-Century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” And truly, some of our most powerful – and effective – lessons are learned through adversity. The ability to see the positive side of a tough situation is a talent many of us could use!
The cool thing is that God can show each of us how to find the blessings in the “bad stuff”…to say, “That guy actually did me a favor” or “This really worked out pretty well.” I know in my own life that there have been times when I wanted to be so angry with someone over how they treated me – or I wanted to be mad and upset about unplanned circumstances and how they “ruined my day.” But when I stopped and took a hard look at what I gained from the experience, my negative feelings began to fade. I won’t say they always disappeared, but let’s just say they were not so near the surface!
A lot of this is nothing more than a resentment we harbor against someone or something. I can tell you that nobody suffers more from a grudge than the person who holds it. If you really want to live in joy and abundance, let it go. Take a page from Joseph’s book… recognize that what others plan against you for evil, God can use for good. Realize that “life happens.” The key is to stay faithful to God… close to Him in every way – at all times – and to be fully attuned to His will and desires for your life, rather than those of others.
Joseph had it right. We are not God… but we are not to be a doormat for others, either. We are to operate fully in the will of God and trust Him to show us –and others - positive aspects and outcomes for every situation. It may be hard at times. We may feel like we are going to die in the process – or possibly suffer a broken heart or public embarrassment beyond repair. And yes, we may get a little frustrated when things don’t go as we planned. But God will take care of this, too. He will meet our needs at all times - if only we will let Him. GOD will handle any “revenge” necessary. He will bless us even in adversity… and that will make all the difference.
©2012 Debbie Robus
So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?”
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
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.
19th-Century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” And truly, some of our most powerful – and effective – lessons are learned through adversity. The ability to see the positive side of a tough situation is a talent many of us could use!
The cool thing is that God can show each of us how to find the blessings in the “bad stuff”…to say, “That guy actually did me a favor” or “This really worked out pretty well.” I know in my own life that there have been times when I wanted to be so angry with someone over how they treated me – or I wanted to be mad and upset about unplanned circumstances and how they “ruined my day.” But when I stopped and took a hard look at what I gained from the experience, my negative feelings began to fade. I won’t say they always disappeared, but let’s just say they were not so near the surface!
A lot of this is nothing more than a resentment we harbor against someone or something. I can tell you that nobody suffers more from a grudge than the person who holds it. If you really want to live in joy and abundance, let it go. Take a page from Joseph’s book… recognize that what others plan against you for evil, God can use for good. Realize that “life happens.” The key is to stay faithful to God… close to Him in every way – at all times – and to be fully attuned to His will and desires for your life, rather than those of others.
Joseph had it right. We are not God… but we are not to be a doormat for others, either. We are to operate fully in the will of God and trust Him to show us –and others - positive aspects and outcomes for every situation. It may be hard at times. We may feel like we are going to die in the process – or possibly suffer a broken heart or public embarrassment beyond repair. And yes, we may get a little frustrated when things don’t go as we planned. But God will take care of this, too. He will meet our needs at all times - if only we will let Him. GOD will handle any “revenge” necessary. He will bless us even in adversity… and that will make all the difference.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 9, 2012
Psalm 90:10, 12
We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy, but even our best years bring trouble and sorrow. Suddenly our time is up, and we disappear.
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For the first twenty-five-plus years of my adult life, I lived and breathed by a schedule and calendar. In my years as a teacher, I planned everything around the school year and scheduled holidays. When I was not in summer school, I mapped out my summer days – to some degree - trying to get everything I felt I had to get done finished within the first week or two so I could “relax” and enjoy the rest of the break. I would frantically spend the first week or two of June doing all of my heavy house cleaning, any “summer sewing” and getting other “obligations” out of the way.
At the end of the summer break, I would allow a couple of weeks or more to get ready to go back to school… cleaning again, making meals to put in the freezer, and then actually working at school to get my room ready for the new class. I used to plan weekly menus – and stick to them! I have “to-do” lists from those years that would probably stack inches high on my desk. And yes, if you saw my laundry room filled with fabrics and crafts items waiting to become my latest project, you would say I still have “to-do” lists of sorts!
Now that I have the luxury of retirement and don’t have to plan my life around a work schedule, I can enjoy “going with the flow” more. There are many days when I say to myself – or anyone within earshot, “I got so much more done when I was working!” But at the same time, I have to ask myself if I really made every day count in the bargain.
In my notes, I have written that “the value of dying is that it makes us aware of how limited time is. Our days are numbered! Make every day count for God!” I have learned the hard way that a lot of what we think is important – or makes us happy – is more about appearances and pleasing others than satisfying ourselves… much less God.
So here are a few things I have learned along the way...
I suggest that we start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of a new day. Ask God to show you what He has planned for your day… and work your own “to-do” list around His! Our days are numbered, but God can show us how to make every single one count. Are you wisely using all the time that you have?
©2012 Debbie Robus
We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy, but even our best years bring trouble and sorrow. Suddenly our time is up, and we disappear.
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For the first twenty-five-plus years of my adult life, I lived and breathed by a schedule and calendar. In my years as a teacher, I planned everything around the school year and scheduled holidays. When I was not in summer school, I mapped out my summer days – to some degree - trying to get everything I felt I had to get done finished within the first week or two so I could “relax” and enjoy the rest of the break. I would frantically spend the first week or two of June doing all of my heavy house cleaning, any “summer sewing” and getting other “obligations” out of the way.
At the end of the summer break, I would allow a couple of weeks or more to get ready to go back to school… cleaning again, making meals to put in the freezer, and then actually working at school to get my room ready for the new class. I used to plan weekly menus – and stick to them! I have “to-do” lists from those years that would probably stack inches high on my desk. And yes, if you saw my laundry room filled with fabrics and crafts items waiting to become my latest project, you would say I still have “to-do” lists of sorts!
Now that I have the luxury of retirement and don’t have to plan my life around a work schedule, I can enjoy “going with the flow” more. There are many days when I say to myself – or anyone within earshot, “I got so much more done when I was working!” But at the same time, I have to ask myself if I really made every day count in the bargain.
In my notes, I have written that “the value of dying is that it makes us aware of how limited time is. Our days are numbered! Make every day count for God!” I have learned the hard way that a lot of what we think is important – or makes us happy – is more about appearances and pleasing others than satisfying ourselves… much less God.
So here are a few things I have learned along the way...
- It is okay to pick and choose. I have opted to spend time with my grandmother instead of attending the funeral of one of her friends. I have learned to say “No!” rather than stretch myself too thinly. A dear “other-mother” friend of mine told a mutual friend once, “’No!’ can be a holy answer!” My former pastor told me that “’No!” is a complete sentence!”
- Spending time on my own health and fitness benefits everyone… not just me. If I don’t take care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually, I cannot help those who need me… not to mention that God wants me to be the best “me” possible. (see point #1)
- If I get to the end of a busy, productive day and didn’t plan a meal for dinner, there is always peanut butter – or carry-out!
- “To-do” lists are great things… we should have goals. But just because something is on “the list” doesn’t mean the world will crash down around you if it doesn’t get done!
- Relationships are more important than crossing something off the list. A walk in the park with my husband trumps a clean floor any day. Ditto for time spent with our little ones, a phone conversation with a friend or family member, and dropping everything to comfort someone who is in need.
I suggest that we start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of a new day. Ask God to show you what He has planned for your day… and work your own “to-do” list around His! Our days are numbered, but God can show us how to make every single one count. Are you wisely using all the time that you have?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 6, 2012
Ecclesiastes 2:24
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Scripture taken from the The King James Version present on BibleGateway.com, which matches the 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.
This morning I cooked a big breakfast. Then I cleaned the kitchen and even ran the vacuum. The kitchen floor felt a little sticky, so I ran the steam mop. Not wanting to step across the freshly steamed floor (in other words, I was in a hurry!), I jerked the plug from the outlet, and as the cord hung on something, I gave it another tug. I also pulled a Pyrex measuring pitcher off the counter in the bargain and broke it into smithereens on the freshly cleaned floor! Then I had to vacuum and mop again!
I could easily have gotten upset about this… and at one time, I would have had a really good pity party over it. But today, I looked around at my house that I love and thought of how blessed I am. I thanked God for a good vacuum, bright light to see the tiniest slivers of glass, and the fact that I am healthy, well, and have such a rich, full life. Sure, this delayed my plans to spend the afternoon sewing, but so what?! I vowed to be happy in the meantime.
In my prayer journal/sermon notes, I have written the following quotes alongside this verse. I believe they were from Joyce Meyer.
Are you “happy in the meantime?” Are you embracing every part of your life’s journey – the feasts AND the dirt? Do your actions reflect a trust in God? Who – and what – are you trying to change by your own power? Isn’t it time relinquish our self-appointed title of “Holy Ghost, Jr.” and truly recognize the hand of God in every aspect of our lives? Is this the day we will begin to make our souls enjoy good in His labor? Shouldn’t we?
©2012 Debbie Robus
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Scripture taken from the The King James Version present on BibleGateway.com, which matches the 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.
This morning I cooked a big breakfast. Then I cleaned the kitchen and even ran the vacuum. The kitchen floor felt a little sticky, so I ran the steam mop. Not wanting to step across the freshly steamed floor (in other words, I was in a hurry!), I jerked the plug from the outlet, and as the cord hung on something, I gave it another tug. I also pulled a Pyrex measuring pitcher off the counter in the bargain and broke it into smithereens on the freshly cleaned floor! Then I had to vacuum and mop again!
I could easily have gotten upset about this… and at one time, I would have had a really good pity party over it. But today, I looked around at my house that I love and thought of how blessed I am. I thanked God for a good vacuum, bright light to see the tiniest slivers of glass, and the fact that I am healthy, well, and have such a rich, full life. Sure, this delayed my plans to spend the afternoon sewing, but so what?! I vowed to be happy in the meantime.
In my prayer journal/sermon notes, I have written the following quotes alongside this verse. I believe they were from Joyce Meyer.
- “God didn’t put you with the person you are with so you could put them on the Potter’s wheel every day and try to rework them.” In other words, other people are not going to make us happy every minute of the day… but that isn’t their job – and it’s not ours to try to “fix” them!
- “Examine what you’re doing, and if it’s not working… don’t keep doing it!” I think this one explains itself!
- “Show by our actions that we trust God… not just in our words.” This is a tough one for some of us, but a good start is not letting the “broken glasses” of our world ruin our day!
- “Being content doesn’t mean we don’t seek change… it just means we are happy in the meantime. It’s about the journey. Learn to love the dirt! Stop trying to be ‘Holy Ghost, Jr.!”
Are you “happy in the meantime?” Are you embracing every part of your life’s journey – the feasts AND the dirt? Do your actions reflect a trust in God? Who – and what – are you trying to change by your own power? Isn’t it time relinquish our self-appointed title of “Holy Ghost, Jr.” and truly recognize the hand of God in every aspect of our lives? Is this the day we will begin to make our souls enjoy good in His labor? Shouldn’t we?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 10, 2012
Matthew 16:23
Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"
But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."
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.
I don’t know about you, but I probably struggle with offense as much – or more – than anything else the devil throws at me. I am an easy mark, I guess. And maybe you are, too! When we are offended, Satan claps and laughs. I know that offense is one of the most frequently discussed topics in the New Testament. Jesus reminds us over and again not to be offended. But that doesn’t stop the devil from trying to ruffle our feathers… and he has a pretty hefty success rate – at least with me!
Recently I read a devotional that spoke of offense as a self-centered behavior. When we are offended, we think of ourselves. When we begin to focus more on God and less on ourselves, we cannot be offended. The offense means nothing to us. I really want that… don’t you? I want to be so focused on God and serving Him… living a full life in Christ and His teachings… that I have no time or energy for dwelling on offenses.
Does this mean that people will no longer offend me or insult me? Does this mean that Satan will stop trying to use offense to trip me up and make me a little neurotic? Absolutely not! But I can lean on God and ask Him to strengthen my resolve to ignore these ploys. I can ask Him to deepen my focus on Jesus and fill my heart and mind with thoughts of Him… until there is absolutely NO room for thoughts of the offense.
I’m with Peter… I would have been offended at the thought of the Romans abusing Jesus. And you may feel your feelings of offense are justified. You may feel, “I was wronged”… and maybe you were. But dwelling on the offense gets us nowhere. It makes us miserable and really doesn’t hurt the offender in the least. Truly the only offense you should acknowledge is that of Satan… and only long enough to tell him to “beat it!” and to turn to Jesus for strength and courage.
Don’t let the devil win – even if only momentarily. Kick him to the curb… along with all of his attempts to drag you down in offense. When you feel wronged or offended, stop and pray for deliverance. Ask God to strengthen you… to take the offense… to give you confidence and courage. Then move on and get busy doing the work you have been called to as Jesus’ disciple. Hold your head high and say, “I will not let the devil have the last laugh.” Focus on Christ… fill your head and heart with thoughts of Him… and leave no room for any of the devil’s tools. Be able to truly say, “No offense taken… and mean it!”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"
But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."
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.
I don’t know about you, but I probably struggle with offense as much – or more – than anything else the devil throws at me. I am an easy mark, I guess. And maybe you are, too! When we are offended, Satan claps and laughs. I know that offense is one of the most frequently discussed topics in the New Testament. Jesus reminds us over and again not to be offended. But that doesn’t stop the devil from trying to ruffle our feathers… and he has a pretty hefty success rate – at least with me!
Recently I read a devotional that spoke of offense as a self-centered behavior. When we are offended, we think of ourselves. When we begin to focus more on God and less on ourselves, we cannot be offended. The offense means nothing to us. I really want that… don’t you? I want to be so focused on God and serving Him… living a full life in Christ and His teachings… that I have no time or energy for dwelling on offenses.
Does this mean that people will no longer offend me or insult me? Does this mean that Satan will stop trying to use offense to trip me up and make me a little neurotic? Absolutely not! But I can lean on God and ask Him to strengthen my resolve to ignore these ploys. I can ask Him to deepen my focus on Jesus and fill my heart and mind with thoughts of Him… until there is absolutely NO room for thoughts of the offense.
I’m with Peter… I would have been offended at the thought of the Romans abusing Jesus. And you may feel your feelings of offense are justified. You may feel, “I was wronged”… and maybe you were. But dwelling on the offense gets us nowhere. It makes us miserable and really doesn’t hurt the offender in the least. Truly the only offense you should acknowledge is that of Satan… and only long enough to tell him to “beat it!” and to turn to Jesus for strength and courage.
Don’t let the devil win – even if only momentarily. Kick him to the curb… along with all of his attempts to drag you down in offense. When you feel wronged or offended, stop and pray for deliverance. Ask God to strengthen you… to take the offense… to give you confidence and courage. Then move on and get busy doing the work you have been called to as Jesus’ disciple. Hold your head high and say, “I will not let the devil have the last laugh.” Focus on Christ… fill your head and heart with thoughts of Him… and leave no room for any of the devil’s tools. Be able to truly say, “No offense taken… and mean it!”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 1, 2012
May 1 ~ 1 Peter 5:7
God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last night around 11:15, I got a call I have dreaded (but expected) for some time. The nurse at my grandmother’s Assisted Living Facility was calling to tell me that my Mam-ma Polly got out of bed and fell. She was sitting in the floor when her nurse found her, and she said, “I think my hip is broken.” The x-rays in the ER showed that the hip was indeed broken… badly. Several hours later, we got Mam-ma admitted to a room to rest and await the surgeon’s visit today.
The ER doctor was not sure that surgery was even an option for my grandmother, who will be 100 in November. But after discussing all possible outcomes, we agreed that we had to try to repair the hip and hope that she will recover. The doctors have cautioned us that there is as much as a 50% fatality rate within the three years following hip surgery. We know that nothing is certain at this point.
As I entered the hospital this morning, I read a scripture passage that hangs above the cafeteria door… 1 Peter 5:7. Of course, this was exactly what I needed – and I know that God knew this! His promise to handle my worries has enabled me to make the necessary decisions today… and to be at peace with them. I don’t know what lies ahead for my grandmother, but I have put it all at the feet of Jesus, and I know that He will care for us perfectly.
Turning our worries over to God is not always easy – we so want to pick them up and try to handle things on our own. But I can tell you that this is wasted energy and pretty much never works out well. Cast all your cares on God… He cares for you… He can handle anything… and He is willing and waiting to do exactly that!
©2012 Debbie Robus
God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last night around 11:15, I got a call I have dreaded (but expected) for some time. The nurse at my grandmother’s Assisted Living Facility was calling to tell me that my Mam-ma Polly got out of bed and fell. She was sitting in the floor when her nurse found her, and she said, “I think my hip is broken.” The x-rays in the ER showed that the hip was indeed broken… badly. Several hours later, we got Mam-ma admitted to a room to rest and await the surgeon’s visit today.
The ER doctor was not sure that surgery was even an option for my grandmother, who will be 100 in November. But after discussing all possible outcomes, we agreed that we had to try to repair the hip and hope that she will recover. The doctors have cautioned us that there is as much as a 50% fatality rate within the three years following hip surgery. We know that nothing is certain at this point.
As I entered the hospital this morning, I read a scripture passage that hangs above the cafeteria door… 1 Peter 5:7. Of course, this was exactly what I needed – and I know that God knew this! His promise to handle my worries has enabled me to make the necessary decisions today… and to be at peace with them. I don’t know what lies ahead for my grandmother, but I have put it all at the feet of Jesus, and I know that He will care for us perfectly.
Turning our worries over to God is not always easy – we so want to pick them up and try to handle things on our own. But I can tell you that this is wasted energy and pretty much never works out well. Cast all your cares on God… He cares for you… He can handle anything… and He is willing and waiting to do exactly that!
©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 April 17, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
You know me… I was watching a reality TV show… “Celebrity Apprentice”… and one of the “celebrities” was arguing her point before Donald Trump. As a fellow contestant passionately interjected, “Every sentence out of her mouth begins with ‘I’.” She is not a team player in the least. In fact, there are quite a few contestants on this season of “Celebrity Apprentice” who begin their sentences with “I” and want to take control – and credit – for everything their team accomplishes. The strange thing is that these “celebrities” are playing to earn money for charities throughout the world. And they will say, “This is for my charity” or “I’m fighting for my charity.” What they say and how they behave make two entirely different statements.
As Christians, we are “playing for a cause,” too… furthering God’s kingdom. Or at least, we are supposed to be working on God’s behalf. In truth, many “Christians” are doing little more than tooting their own horn… saying to the world, “Look at me! Look at me! I’m so wonderful! I’m so smart and talented! Don’t you love how I sing, speak or play an instrument – or perform on the field or the court (for God, of course!)? Didn’t you like what I had to say? Aren’t you impressed with how hard I work and all the things I’ve bought and how much of my earnings I’ve given away to the needy? Do you see all of the wonderful things I do for so many?”
Some of us act as if people are blessed merely to be in our presence! But nothing could be further from the truth! God doesn’t want “horn tooters.” He would rather use the humble homeless bum than the “Celebrity Apprentice” with an attitude. Where do you fit into this group? Are you one of God’s “nobodies” – and proud of it? Or are you constantly trying to be a “somebody”… to be recognized for your service and devotion and what a “good Christian” you are?
God is calling us to be HIS “nobodies” and humble ourselves before Him. We must recognize that He has made us who and what we are – we did not get here on our own merits. By the blood of Jesus, we are saved… and by God’s grace, we live another day to share the Good News with those in our path. It is by God’s hand that we “nobodies” become “somebodies”… and He alone deserves the recognition. Where does this leave you today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
You know me… I was watching a reality TV show… “Celebrity Apprentice”… and one of the “celebrities” was arguing her point before Donald Trump. As a fellow contestant passionately interjected, “Every sentence out of her mouth begins with ‘I’.” She is not a team player in the least. In fact, there are quite a few contestants on this season of “Celebrity Apprentice” who begin their sentences with “I” and want to take control – and credit – for everything their team accomplishes. The strange thing is that these “celebrities” are playing to earn money for charities throughout the world. And they will say, “This is for my charity” or “I’m fighting for my charity.” What they say and how they behave make two entirely different statements.
As Christians, we are “playing for a cause,” too… furthering God’s kingdom. Or at least, we are supposed to be working on God’s behalf. In truth, many “Christians” are doing little more than tooting their own horn… saying to the world, “Look at me! Look at me! I’m so wonderful! I’m so smart and talented! Don’t you love how I sing, speak or play an instrument – or perform on the field or the court (for God, of course!)? Didn’t you like what I had to say? Aren’t you impressed with how hard I work and all the things I’ve bought and how much of my earnings I’ve given away to the needy? Do you see all of the wonderful things I do for so many?”
Some of us act as if people are blessed merely to be in our presence! But nothing could be further from the truth! God doesn’t want “horn tooters.” He would rather use the humble homeless bum than the “Celebrity Apprentice” with an attitude. Where do you fit into this group? Are you one of God’s “nobodies” – and proud of it? Or are you constantly trying to be a “somebody”… to be recognized for your service and devotion and what a “good Christian” you are?
God is calling us to be HIS “nobodies” and humble ourselves before Him. We must recognize that He has made us who and what we are – we did not get here on our own merits. By the blood of Jesus, we are saved… and by God’s grace, we live another day to share the Good News with those in our path. It is by God’s hand that we “nobodies” become “somebodies”… and He alone deserves the recognition. Where does this leave you today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 11, 2012
Acts 2:1-13
On the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there.
The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem. And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. They were excited and amazed, and said: Don't all these who are speaking come from Galilee? Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages?
Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were bornJews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done.
Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, "What does all this mean?" Others made fun of the Lord's followers and said, "They are drunk.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Suppose someone made a sarcastic or playful comment to you about swimming in a pool with sharks, and you didn’t understand. Your response was, “You have a pool?” That would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it?! But so often, we misinterpret what is said or done – not merely out of our own ignorance, but also because of a lack of proper communication or the inflection of someone else’s humor, sarcasm, or personal opinion. And sometimes, we jump to conclusions and make snap judgments. And we do this a lot when it comes to our faith.
So when I read this passage, I was not so focused on the fact that people were speaking in tongues as I was their reaction… and the rapid conclusion by some that the people were drunk. We are no different. We often judge quickly. We assume that someone is a fanatic because of how they speak about certain issues. We decide that others are either weak in their faith – or a lost cause altogether. We write people off because of how they dress, what they drive, and which political camp they favor. We categorize people according to who they select as friends, their personal lifestyle choices, and their economic status.
We don’t truly get to know other people… and often, we don’t truly get to know God. Why would it be out of the realm of possibilities for God to allow a room full of people from different countries to speak in their own language, while we hear them in English or whatever happens to be our native language? We’re talking about the God of the Universe! He can do anything… right? Why must everything be so cut and dried in our faith? Can’t the God who loves each of us as His own precious child love those who think, speak and act differently? Is our faith so “cookie-cutter” that there is no “wiggle room?” And if this is the case, have we removed God’s ability to work in and through each of us by being so rigid?
My challenge for each of us is to stop limiting God. Let’s stop setting up boundaries and jumping to conclusions about other people and situations, just because we may not clearly understand them. When we open our hearts and minds to the possibilities with God… when we allow Him room to work and an open invitation… amazing things can happen, just as they did at Pentecost.
Where have you made snap judgments lately? Where have you limited God? Isn’t it time you let go and let Him have control? Isn’t today a good day to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
On the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there.
The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem. And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. They were excited and amazed, and said: Don't all these who are speaking come from Galilee? Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages?
Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were bornJews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done.
Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, "What does all this mean?" Others made fun of the Lord's followers and said, "They are drunk.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Suppose someone made a sarcastic or playful comment to you about swimming in a pool with sharks, and you didn’t understand. Your response was, “You have a pool?” That would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it?! But so often, we misinterpret what is said or done – not merely out of our own ignorance, but also because of a lack of proper communication or the inflection of someone else’s humor, sarcasm, or personal opinion. And sometimes, we jump to conclusions and make snap judgments. And we do this a lot when it comes to our faith.
So when I read this passage, I was not so focused on the fact that people were speaking in tongues as I was their reaction… and the rapid conclusion by some that the people were drunk. We are no different. We often judge quickly. We assume that someone is a fanatic because of how they speak about certain issues. We decide that others are either weak in their faith – or a lost cause altogether. We write people off because of how they dress, what they drive, and which political camp they favor. We categorize people according to who they select as friends, their personal lifestyle choices, and their economic status.
We don’t truly get to know other people… and often, we don’t truly get to know God. Why would it be out of the realm of possibilities for God to allow a room full of people from different countries to speak in their own language, while we hear them in English or whatever happens to be our native language? We’re talking about the God of the Universe! He can do anything… right? Why must everything be so cut and dried in our faith? Can’t the God who loves each of us as His own precious child love those who think, speak and act differently? Is our faith so “cookie-cutter” that there is no “wiggle room?” And if this is the case, have we removed God’s ability to work in and through each of us by being so rigid?
My challenge for each of us is to stop limiting God. Let’s stop setting up boundaries and jumping to conclusions about other people and situations, just because we may not clearly understand them. When we open our hearts and minds to the possibilities with God… when we allow Him room to work and an open invitation… amazing things can happen, just as they did at Pentecost.
Where have you made snap judgments lately? Where have you limited God? Isn’t it time you let go and let Him have control? Isn’t today a good day to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 13, 2011
John 17:13-23
Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing so my people can experience my joy completed in them. I gave them your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn't join the world's ways, just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes so they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission.
I'm praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they'll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved me.
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 I told you about watching a television program called “Our America with Lisa Ling,” which documented the experiences of veterans with PTSD who were attending a week-long therapy retreat in New Mexico. I was struck by the words of a Native American “Medicine Man” to one of the veterans… “You did what you were supposed to do. This is not on you.” These words truly struck a chord with me, because so often, we do all God is calling us to do in a specific situation… yet we feel like we need to do more. We become mired in guilt and frustration and fail to recognize that often, we must step away in order for God to finish the job.
Jesus is saying in this passage, “I have done what I came to earth to do. I have nurtured these Disciples and given them the foundation and tools to grow in Your love… now it is time for God to take over. He will equip these believers to witness to others. He will strengthen them and meet their daily needs.” Notice that Jesus continues to pray for these people, but He does not anguish over what is beyond His control… and He does not try to do God’s work for Him.
I don’t know what is happening in your life. I know that it is human nature to give our concerns to God… then pick them up again. We lack faith… our trust in God is often shallow. Today, I feel quite certain you have something that you need to give to God. It may be a friend or family member… it may be a co-worker or classmate. Maybe you are working and studying as hard as you can in a difficult class, and you need to ask God to make the difference and bless your efforts. Maybe you have spread yourself as thinly as you can to help this cause and another… and it’s time to take a breath and let God work and multiply your service. Maybe you have carried a burden of guilt and shame over a situation that you supposedly gave to God a long time ago… but you keep picking it back up and stewing about it over and again.
Today is the day to ask God… “Have I done all I can in this instance? Is it time to let go and trust You to do the rest?” This is the time to stop berating yourself over things you were never supposed to accomplish on your own… to ask God to “take it from here.” In some way/shape/form, you have done all you can do… you have done your part… now it’s time to let God do His. Are you ready to do this?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing so my people can experience my joy completed in them. I gave them your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn't join the world's ways, just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes so they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission.
I'm praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they'll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved me.
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 I told you about watching a television program called “Our America with Lisa Ling,” which documented the experiences of veterans with PTSD who were attending a week-long therapy retreat in New Mexico. I was struck by the words of a Native American “Medicine Man” to one of the veterans… “You did what you were supposed to do. This is not on you.” These words truly struck a chord with me, because so often, we do all God is calling us to do in a specific situation… yet we feel like we need to do more. We become mired in guilt and frustration and fail to recognize that often, we must step away in order for God to finish the job.
Jesus is saying in this passage, “I have done what I came to earth to do. I have nurtured these Disciples and given them the foundation and tools to grow in Your love… now it is time for God to take over. He will equip these believers to witness to others. He will strengthen them and meet their daily needs.” Notice that Jesus continues to pray for these people, but He does not anguish over what is beyond His control… and He does not try to do God’s work for Him.
I don’t know what is happening in your life. I know that it is human nature to give our concerns to God… then pick them up again. We lack faith… our trust in God is often shallow. Today, I feel quite certain you have something that you need to give to God. It may be a friend or family member… it may be a co-worker or classmate. Maybe you are working and studying as hard as you can in a difficult class, and you need to ask God to make the difference and bless your efforts. Maybe you have spread yourself as thinly as you can to help this cause and another… and it’s time to take a breath and let God work and multiply your service. Maybe you have carried a burden of guilt and shame over a situation that you supposedly gave to God a long time ago… but you keep picking it back up and stewing about it over and again.
Today is the day to ask God… “Have I done all I can in this instance? Is it time to let go and trust You to do the rest?” This is the time to stop berating yourself over things you were never supposed to accomplish on your own… to ask God to “take it from here.” In some way/shape/form, you have done all you can do… you have done your part… now it’s time to let God do His. Are you ready to do this?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 17, 2011
John 13:21-30
After Jesus had said these things, he was deeply troubled and told his disciples, "I tell you for certain that one of you will betray me." They were confused about what he meant. And they just stared at each other.
Jesus' favorite disciple was sitting next to him at the meal, and Simon motioned for that disciple to find out which one Jesus meant. So the disciple leaned toward Jesus and asked, "Lord, which one of us are you talking about?" Jesus answered, "I will dip this piece of bread in the sauce and give it to the one I was talking about."
Then Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Right then Satan took control of Judas. Jesus said, "Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do." No one at the meal understood what Jesus meant. But because Judas was in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus had told him to buy something they needed for the festival. Others thought that Jesus had told him to give some money to the poor. Judas took the piece of bread and went out. It was already night.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of my high school classmates lost her mother in 1994 in a tragic shooting. My friend’s parents had divorced when we were young, and her mother later married a man who had become widowed when his wife (and her best friend) died unexpectedly in an “accident.” When my friend’s mother died, her husband insisted that she committed suicide. But things did not add up, and it wasn’t until he tried to kill his next wife that he was finally convicted of murder and sentenced to prison.
For nearly two decades, my friend and her sisters have lived in fear of this man, who threatened to kill them as soon as he was paroled. They have made countless appearances before the prison parole board to beg and plead against his release… the most recent appearance happened just a few months ago. Now in his early eighties, the man had developed cancer and wanted to go home to spend his last days with his family. The parole board denied his appeal, and my friend just received word that this man has died.
My friend says they now can live free of fear and the burdens of worrying about their safety. They can have closure. And as much as they probably wanted to impart some revenge on this man for what he did to their mother, the three sisters sought solace in God instead. They let the judicial system and their Heavenly Father mete out justice. It wasn’t easy for them, but they did the right thing. And this is what Jesus did with Judas. I find his comment to “go quickly and do what you have to do” so interesting… complicated, yet so simple.
Jesus showed us that revenge is not the answer. Betrayal is a tool of the devil, and it will always be with us. Jesus had the power to stop Judas. We do not have such control over those who betray us. But we can choose how we handle things when we are betrayed. We can allow the devil to have control over our emotions and our actions and try to dole out justice ourselves – and make a big mess in the process… or we can put our trust in God and let HIM control the consequences and the outcome.
There’s one more thing… pray for your “enemies.” Jesus did… and so should we. These people are God’s children, too, and He loves them just as He loves us. Ask God to work in their hearts and lives… to help you to forgive them… and to show them grace and mercy - as He does to us each and every day.
It takes a lot of courage and faith to say, “go and do what you have to do”… especially when we know how much the other person’s actions are going to hurt. But revenge is never appropriate… and almost always backfires. Give your fears, your burdens, and your betrayals to God. Allow Him to work things out according to His will... which is always perfect. Share your hurts and disappointments with God and allow Him to heal you. Trust God to provide you with comfort, closure, and complete peace… and thank Him when He does exactly that!
©2011 Debbie Robus
After Jesus had said these things, he was deeply troubled and told his disciples, "I tell you for certain that one of you will betray me." They were confused about what he meant. And they just stared at each other.
Jesus' favorite disciple was sitting next to him at the meal, and Simon motioned for that disciple to find out which one Jesus meant. So the disciple leaned toward Jesus and asked, "Lord, which one of us are you talking about?" Jesus answered, "I will dip this piece of bread in the sauce and give it to the one I was talking about."
Then Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Right then Satan took control of Judas. Jesus said, "Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do." No one at the meal understood what Jesus meant. But because Judas was in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus had told him to buy something they needed for the festival. Others thought that Jesus had told him to give some money to the poor. Judas took the piece of bread and went out. It was already night.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of my high school classmates lost her mother in 1994 in a tragic shooting. My friend’s parents had divorced when we were young, and her mother later married a man who had become widowed when his wife (and her best friend) died unexpectedly in an “accident.” When my friend’s mother died, her husband insisted that she committed suicide. But things did not add up, and it wasn’t until he tried to kill his next wife that he was finally convicted of murder and sentenced to prison.
For nearly two decades, my friend and her sisters have lived in fear of this man, who threatened to kill them as soon as he was paroled. They have made countless appearances before the prison parole board to beg and plead against his release… the most recent appearance happened just a few months ago. Now in his early eighties, the man had developed cancer and wanted to go home to spend his last days with his family. The parole board denied his appeal, and my friend just received word that this man has died.
My friend says they now can live free of fear and the burdens of worrying about their safety. They can have closure. And as much as they probably wanted to impart some revenge on this man for what he did to their mother, the three sisters sought solace in God instead. They let the judicial system and their Heavenly Father mete out justice. It wasn’t easy for them, but they did the right thing. And this is what Jesus did with Judas. I find his comment to “go quickly and do what you have to do” so interesting… complicated, yet so simple.
Jesus showed us that revenge is not the answer. Betrayal is a tool of the devil, and it will always be with us. Jesus had the power to stop Judas. We do not have such control over those who betray us. But we can choose how we handle things when we are betrayed. We can allow the devil to have control over our emotions and our actions and try to dole out justice ourselves – and make a big mess in the process… or we can put our trust in God and let HIM control the consequences and the outcome.
There’s one more thing… pray for your “enemies.” Jesus did… and so should we. These people are God’s children, too, and He loves them just as He loves us. Ask God to work in their hearts and lives… to help you to forgive them… and to show them grace and mercy - as He does to us each and every day.
It takes a lot of courage and faith to say, “go and do what you have to do”… especially when we know how much the other person’s actions are going to hurt. But revenge is never appropriate… and almost always backfires. Give your fears, your burdens, and your betrayals to God. Allow Him to work things out according to His will... which is always perfect. Share your hurts and disappointments with God and allow Him to heal you. Trust God to provide you with comfort, closure, and complete peace… and thank Him when He does exactly that!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 14, 2011
Proverbs 21:1
The LORD controls rulers, just as he determines the course of rivers.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow recently posted a photo on Facebook that featured a portion of Route 4 in Vermont before and after Tropical Storm Irene visited the area. You can see the photo at http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/13/7736973-route-4-in-vermont-after-hurricane-irene. The change in the roadway and nearby river is dramatic, to say the least… and gives illustration to how the LORD determines the course of such pathways!
Do not misunderstand me… I am in no way declaring that God caused Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene and the devastation it wrought… though clearly, He could. But the power of “nature” is God-given. He created the wind, rain, rivers, forests, and all that surrounds us… and He can surely change the course of a river whenever He chooses – and in a matter of minutes or hours! He can also bring about change in leadership in the same way – and just as quickly.
On the reality TV show Project Runway, host Heidi Klum declares, “One day you’re in, and the next, you’re out!” And in the Old Testament, we see this over and again with rulers and kings who are powerful and effective one moment… and the next thing you know, they are dead and gone – or ousted in favor of a new ruler. But we’re not rulers or leaders… so what does this mean for us?
The point is that God is in control… and He can bring about all kinds of shifts and changes in the blink of an eye. He can allow us to come to our knees in order to awaken us to His will for our lives… and He can rescue us in a heartbeat. We need to recognize that God can change the entire course of our life in an instant. Just as the graphic illustration of Vermont’s Route 4 shows us, the change can seem drastic and devastating… but God can bring tremendous growth – and even improvement – from such destruction. When you are in the middle of a crisis and a change in course, it may be hard to see this. But never underestimate God’s power… and His perfection!
I don’t know what course God is changing for you today. I don’t know what path He may be showing you… or what temporary “wash-out in the road” you may be facing. But I do know that the same God who controls rulers and the course of rivers stands ready to help you find the perfect track for your own life. Our job is to be awake and alert… to pay attention to God’s direction… and to trust Him when the “tropical storms” arise. Whose course are you on today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD controls rulers, just as he determines the course of rivers.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow recently posted a photo on Facebook that featured a portion of Route 4 in Vermont before and after Tropical Storm Irene visited the area. You can see the photo at http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/13/7736973-route-4-in-vermont-after-hurricane-irene. The change in the roadway and nearby river is dramatic, to say the least… and gives illustration to how the LORD determines the course of such pathways!
Do not misunderstand me… I am in no way declaring that God caused Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene and the devastation it wrought… though clearly, He could. But the power of “nature” is God-given. He created the wind, rain, rivers, forests, and all that surrounds us… and He can surely change the course of a river whenever He chooses – and in a matter of minutes or hours! He can also bring about change in leadership in the same way – and just as quickly.
On the reality TV show Project Runway, host Heidi Klum declares, “One day you’re in, and the next, you’re out!” And in the Old Testament, we see this over and again with rulers and kings who are powerful and effective one moment… and the next thing you know, they are dead and gone – or ousted in favor of a new ruler. But we’re not rulers or leaders… so what does this mean for us?
The point is that God is in control… and He can bring about all kinds of shifts and changes in the blink of an eye. He can allow us to come to our knees in order to awaken us to His will for our lives… and He can rescue us in a heartbeat. We need to recognize that God can change the entire course of our life in an instant. Just as the graphic illustration of Vermont’s Route 4 shows us, the change can seem drastic and devastating… but God can bring tremendous growth – and even improvement – from such destruction. When you are in the middle of a crisis and a change in course, it may be hard to see this. But never underestimate God’s power… and His perfection!
I don’t know what course God is changing for you today. I don’t know what path He may be showing you… or what temporary “wash-out in the road” you may be facing. But I do know that the same God who controls rulers and the course of rivers stands ready to help you find the perfect track for your own life. Our job is to be awake and alert… to pay attention to God’s direction… and to trust Him when the “tropical storms” arise. Whose course are you on today?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 16, 2011
Proverbs 18:22
Find a good spouse, you find a good life— and even more: the favor 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.
I was looking through some things in our “wedding book,” and I found a set of “recipe cards” that were written for me at a bridal shower. The cards were mostly completed by my friends who attended…all of whom were still in high school! So it was quite funny to read their advice now… 37 years later… and hear what they had to say… their “recipes” for a good marriage. Some told me to be sure to feed my husband well. Others told me to have lots of children and avoid arguments. Still others said, “If you need a place to get away, call me.” My own sister said, “It’s not too late until 7:00 p.m. on August 16th!
The advice was fun – and much of it was humorous and given with love and a laugh. But choosing a mate is not a laughing matter… and by the grace of God, I found a “good spouse.” And yes, I have a good life. I have found the favor of God, also… I see it in the many ways He blesses me every single day. And I am grateful… for His favor and blessings… and for giving me an incredible spouse.
My advice to those who are single and seeking a spouse someday would be to let God choose. Pray for wisdom and discernment… ask God to show you who He has selected to be your life mate. Trust Him to send you the perfect partner. Focus on pleasing God… and you will please your spouse in the bargain. There may still be arguments, and you may never be a gourmet cook. And yes, you may occasionally wish you could run away to a friend’s place and chill out for awhile. But overall, your life will be good… if you let God choose your mate.
If you let God have control and keep Him first, He will grant you favor and bless you in ways you and your spouse can’t begin to imagine. I will be honest… when I got married, I lacked the spiritual maturity to fully understand this. I know I felt God’s presence – and His approval of my choice – but I can’t say I truly asked God to bring me the perfect mate… the man of His choosing. Somehow I think my criteria might have been a little more “human” and selfish in nature. I’m so glad that God “had my back” anyway. I’m truly grateful that God gave me a “good spouse” who loves Him and seeks His will for himself – and for our family.
This advice is equally sound in so many other situations besides choosing a mate. And if you are already married, I pray that you have a “good spouse” who seeks God’s will and listens for His direction. I pray that you have a good life and experience the favor of God daily. I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful husband… and I look forward to sharing in His favor upon us for many years to come.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Find a good spouse, you find a good life— and even more: the favor 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.
I was looking through some things in our “wedding book,” and I found a set of “recipe cards” that were written for me at a bridal shower. The cards were mostly completed by my friends who attended…all of whom were still in high school! So it was quite funny to read their advice now… 37 years later… and hear what they had to say… their “recipes” for a good marriage. Some told me to be sure to feed my husband well. Others told me to have lots of children and avoid arguments. Still others said, “If you need a place to get away, call me.” My own sister said, “It’s not too late until 7:00 p.m. on August 16th!
The advice was fun – and much of it was humorous and given with love and a laugh. But choosing a mate is not a laughing matter… and by the grace of God, I found a “good spouse.” And yes, I have a good life. I have found the favor of God, also… I see it in the many ways He blesses me every single day. And I am grateful… for His favor and blessings… and for giving me an incredible spouse.
My advice to those who are single and seeking a spouse someday would be to let God choose. Pray for wisdom and discernment… ask God to show you who He has selected to be your life mate. Trust Him to send you the perfect partner. Focus on pleasing God… and you will please your spouse in the bargain. There may still be arguments, and you may never be a gourmet cook. And yes, you may occasionally wish you could run away to a friend’s place and chill out for awhile. But overall, your life will be good… if you let God choose your mate.
If you let God have control and keep Him first, He will grant you favor and bless you in ways you and your spouse can’t begin to imagine. I will be honest… when I got married, I lacked the spiritual maturity to fully understand this. I know I felt God’s presence – and His approval of my choice – but I can’t say I truly asked God to bring me the perfect mate… the man of His choosing. Somehow I think my criteria might have been a little more “human” and selfish in nature. I’m so glad that God “had my back” anyway. I’m truly grateful that God gave me a “good spouse” who loves Him and seeks His will for himself – and for our family.
This advice is equally sound in so many other situations besides choosing a mate. And if you are already married, I pray that you have a “good spouse” who seeks God’s will and listens for His direction. I pray that you have a good life and experience the favor of God daily. I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful husband… and I look forward to sharing in His favor upon us for many years to come.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 24, 2011
Judges 15:1-3
Later on—it was during the wheat harvest—Samson visited his bride, bringing a young goat. He said, "Let me see my wife—show me her bedroom."
But her father wouldn't let him in. He said, "I concluded that by now you hated her with a passion, so I gave her to your best man. But her little sister is even more beautiful. Why not take her instead?"
Samson said, "That does it. This time when I wreak havoc on the Philistines, I'm blameless."
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.
Jumping to conclusions… we’ve all done it. Someone doesn’t return a phone call, and we automatically assume they don’t want to speak with us. Or we see two people whispering in the corner of a room, and we decide they must be talking about us. Guests visit our gym or football stadium, and nobody welcomes them… and they conclude that we are unfriendly and unsportsmanlike. Worse yet… people visit our church, and no one greets them or smiles in their direction, and they deem our church as “unfriendly” and unwelcoming. We are all guilty of making assumptions and drawing conclusions.
In Samson’s case, several assumptions were made, including Samson’s conclusion that he was actually married to the Philistine bride who he had wed in a lavish, seven-day bachelor party/wedding of sorts. Let’s just say he got a little sidetracked, and when he went to get her some time later, she had been given to the best man by her father, who assumed Samson didn’t really want to marry her.
I hope you will read these chapters in Judges as we look at the lessons they contain… but suffice it to say that Samson and the Philistines made some assumptions and decisions that led to a whole lot of trouble! And we do that, too! We trust the wrong people… we fail to get all of the facts, or we set ourselves up to be mistreated or disappointed… and we assume the worst!
I don’t know why we rush to conclusions without doing sufficient investigation first to make sure we are on the right track. Maybe we listen to the wrong people and are misinformed. Sometimes we get in a hurry and don’t take time to really think through a situation and get all the facts. Sometimes we are in an “it’s all about me” mode and just naturally assume that others are against us in some manner. And most of the time, we fail to consult God and ask Him to sort out all of this so that we can proceed in a wise, calm, mature manner.
Samson got caught up in riddles, seduction, and the agendas of other people. In his case, it was all God’s orchestration – giving him reason to come up against the Philistines and defeat them. In our cases, I’m afraid the reasons are not so Godly. Jumping to conclusions caused Samson’s father-in-law and bride to lose their lives. Jumping to conclusions caused the Philistines to be conquered – and virtually destroyed – by Samson, under God’s power.
Jumping to conclusions may not get us killed… but it can result in a lot of heartache and frustration that is totally needless. The next time you are tempted to jump to conclusions, stop and ask God to show you what is really happening. Ask Him to give you wisdom and peace about the situation – and to show you how you should react. Stay in contact and conversation with God, so that you can operate in confidence and peace instead of paranoia and misinformation. God will show you how to sift through everything and make the right choices… are you asking the right questions?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Later on—it was during the wheat harvest—Samson visited his bride, bringing a young goat. He said, "Let me see my wife—show me her bedroom."
But her father wouldn't let him in. He said, "I concluded that by now you hated her with a passion, so I gave her to your best man. But her little sister is even more beautiful. Why not take her instead?"
Samson said, "That does it. This time when I wreak havoc on the Philistines, I'm blameless."
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.
Jumping to conclusions… we’ve all done it. Someone doesn’t return a phone call, and we automatically assume they don’t want to speak with us. Or we see two people whispering in the corner of a room, and we decide they must be talking about us. Guests visit our gym or football stadium, and nobody welcomes them… and they conclude that we are unfriendly and unsportsmanlike. Worse yet… people visit our church, and no one greets them or smiles in their direction, and they deem our church as “unfriendly” and unwelcoming. We are all guilty of making assumptions and drawing conclusions.
In Samson’s case, several assumptions were made, including Samson’s conclusion that he was actually married to the Philistine bride who he had wed in a lavish, seven-day bachelor party/wedding of sorts. Let’s just say he got a little sidetracked, and when he went to get her some time later, she had been given to the best man by her father, who assumed Samson didn’t really want to marry her.
I hope you will read these chapters in Judges as we look at the lessons they contain… but suffice it to say that Samson and the Philistines made some assumptions and decisions that led to a whole lot of trouble! And we do that, too! We trust the wrong people… we fail to get all of the facts, or we set ourselves up to be mistreated or disappointed… and we assume the worst!
I don’t know why we rush to conclusions without doing sufficient investigation first to make sure we are on the right track. Maybe we listen to the wrong people and are misinformed. Sometimes we get in a hurry and don’t take time to really think through a situation and get all the facts. Sometimes we are in an “it’s all about me” mode and just naturally assume that others are against us in some manner. And most of the time, we fail to consult God and ask Him to sort out all of this so that we can proceed in a wise, calm, mature manner.
Samson got caught up in riddles, seduction, and the agendas of other people. In his case, it was all God’s orchestration – giving him reason to come up against the Philistines and defeat them. In our cases, I’m afraid the reasons are not so Godly. Jumping to conclusions caused Samson’s father-in-law and bride to lose their lives. Jumping to conclusions caused the Philistines to be conquered – and virtually destroyed – by Samson, under God’s power.
Jumping to conclusions may not get us killed… but it can result in a lot of heartache and frustration that is totally needless. The next time you are tempted to jump to conclusions, stop and ask God to show you what is really happening. Ask Him to give you wisdom and peace about the situation – and to show you how you should react. Stay in contact and conversation with God, so that you can operate in confidence and peace instead of paranoia and misinformation. God will show you how to sift through everything and make the right choices… are you asking the right questions?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 21, 2011
Luke 11:2-4
So he said, "When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We are all familiar with “The Lord’s Prayer.” We all learned to recite it at a very early age, and each of us can probably recite a version of it without even thinking. And this is part of the problem. We can recite the words to this prayer, but we give very little thought to what we are saying.
I believe we can read the same passage of scripture many times and take away something completely different in each instance. For me, one verse in particular stood out recently… “Set the world right.” This is the “Thy will be done on earth and in Heaven” verse… but “Set the world right” really rang home with me.
Whatever is happening in your “world” right now, God can set right. Whatever troubles you have… heartaches… challenges… disappointments… frustrations… struggles… sins… He can handle all of them. God will be there to celebrate your highest highs… and to lift you from your lowest lows. And in the process, He will feed your body and your soul, forgive you when you disappoint, and help you overcome the temptations of the devil.
I’ve prayed this prayer several times in recent days. My 46-year-old cousin, Carla Lou, died on Palm Sunday. She suffered a brain aneurysm while attending a college class reunion in Little Rock. This left us shocked and confused… why was someone so young and in seemingly good health taken from us? Why had we not communicated more in recent years after she moved to Ohio? How do we process the fact that in the blink of an eye, she is just gone forever?
Through all of these questions, and more, I’ve heard this phrase repeated over and over, “God will set the world right.” He knows my heartaches… and yours. He knows what I need at this very moment… and He will deliver exactly that… and He stands ready to do the same for you!
“The Lord’s Prayer” is a great model for our everyday prayers. The points covered in these two verses are a great basis for our conversations with God… starting with praise and ending with an acknowledgment that His Kingdom is forever and ever. But let’s remember to stop and truly think about what we are saying when we recite this prayer – or when we pray at any time. Make your words count… speak from the heart, and truly communicate with God. He’s waiting to hear from us… to set our world right… and to meet every one of our needs. “Our Father, who art in heaven… set my world right…and be glorified.”
©2011 Debbie Robus
So he said, "When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We are all familiar with “The Lord’s Prayer.” We all learned to recite it at a very early age, and each of us can probably recite a version of it without even thinking. And this is part of the problem. We can recite the words to this prayer, but we give very little thought to what we are saying.
I believe we can read the same passage of scripture many times and take away something completely different in each instance. For me, one verse in particular stood out recently… “Set the world right.” This is the “Thy will be done on earth and in Heaven” verse… but “Set the world right” really rang home with me.
Whatever is happening in your “world” right now, God can set right. Whatever troubles you have… heartaches… challenges… disappointments… frustrations… struggles… sins… He can handle all of them. God will be there to celebrate your highest highs… and to lift you from your lowest lows. And in the process, He will feed your body and your soul, forgive you when you disappoint, and help you overcome the temptations of the devil.
I’ve prayed this prayer several times in recent days. My 46-year-old cousin, Carla Lou, died on Palm Sunday. She suffered a brain aneurysm while attending a college class reunion in Little Rock. This left us shocked and confused… why was someone so young and in seemingly good health taken from us? Why had we not communicated more in recent years after she moved to Ohio? How do we process the fact that in the blink of an eye, she is just gone forever?
Through all of these questions, and more, I’ve heard this phrase repeated over and over, “God will set the world right.” He knows my heartaches… and yours. He knows what I need at this very moment… and He will deliver exactly that… and He stands ready to do the same for you!
“The Lord’s Prayer” is a great model for our everyday prayers. The points covered in these two verses are a great basis for our conversations with God… starting with praise and ending with an acknowledgment that His Kingdom is forever and ever. But let’s remember to stop and truly think about what we are saying when we recite this prayer – or when we pray at any time. Make your words count… speak from the heart, and truly communicate with God. He’s waiting to hear from us… to set our world right… and to meet every one of our needs. “Our Father, who art in heaven… set my world right…and be glorified.”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 17, 2011
Psalm 77:2-15
I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal. When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands. I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.
Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will he never smile again? Is his love worn threadbare? Has his salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him."
Once again I'll go over what GOD has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts. O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do— You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
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 someone said something to me that caused me to question myself. The person expressed an opinion about how I had handled a business matter, and all of a sudden, I was filled with doubt. I thought I had done the right thing… in fact, I was sure of it. Yet the comments of one person caused me to second-guess what I already knew.
I shared the conversation with my husband, and he said, “That’s only one person’s opinion.” I reviewed some written guidelines I had been given and found that I had complied with all of them. Yet I was bothered for several hours by this encounter… until I realized that I was wasting time… and Satan was laughing. Then I got mad… and I spent some time in prayer and got over myself!
For the record, I wasn’t mad at the person with whom I spoke… or even the devil for causing me some angst. It was more a case of being mad at myself for allowing this! When I first felt unsettled about the conversation, I should have stopped everything and talked to God about it. And God tried to use my husband to tell me I was wasting time. But I still had to wring my hands for awhile and go over some scenarios in my head for how to fix things.
Here’s the deal… the next time frustration, doubt and second-guessing about anything creeps into your thought process – even something seemingly insignificant or of a highly secular manner – STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING and PRAY! Remind yourself that God never stops working on your behalf. He always has your back. He is the God who makes things happen and pulls people out of the worst kind of trouble. Surely He can manage the doubt and worry the devil wants to give you! Don’t you think God could do a better job than you could of handling such things? Shouldn’t you at least give Him a try and find out for yourself?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal. When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands. I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.
Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will he never smile again? Is his love worn threadbare? Has his salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him."
Once again I'll go over what GOD has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts. O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do— You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
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 someone said something to me that caused me to question myself. The person expressed an opinion about how I had handled a business matter, and all of a sudden, I was filled with doubt. I thought I had done the right thing… in fact, I was sure of it. Yet the comments of one person caused me to second-guess what I already knew.
I shared the conversation with my husband, and he said, “That’s only one person’s opinion.” I reviewed some written guidelines I had been given and found that I had complied with all of them. Yet I was bothered for several hours by this encounter… until I realized that I was wasting time… and Satan was laughing. Then I got mad… and I spent some time in prayer and got over myself!
For the record, I wasn’t mad at the person with whom I spoke… or even the devil for causing me some angst. It was more a case of being mad at myself for allowing this! When I first felt unsettled about the conversation, I should have stopped everything and talked to God about it. And God tried to use my husband to tell me I was wasting time. But I still had to wring my hands for awhile and go over some scenarios in my head for how to fix things.
Here’s the deal… the next time frustration, doubt and second-guessing about anything creeps into your thought process – even something seemingly insignificant or of a highly secular manner – STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING and PRAY! Remind yourself that God never stops working on your behalf. He always has your back. He is the God who makes things happen and pulls people out of the worst kind of trouble. Surely He can manage the doubt and worry the devil wants to give you! Don’t you think God could do a better job than you could of handling such things? Shouldn’t you at least give Him a try and find out for yourself?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 19, 2011
1 Peter 2:11-12
Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you. Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother told us recently about visiting a “ghost-town-turned-tourist-trap” in Arizona, where they observed an interesting exchange between a man and a horse. It seems the man was trying to lead the horse across a roadway – and away from other horses – toward what appeared to be a large trough of water. (Interject “you can lead a horse to water…” joke here!)
The horse apparently did NOT want to go, and he reared up at the man and retreated to the point of origin and took his place with the other horses. The man tried again (remember our definition of insanity?!) and got the same results. Clearly the horse did not want to surrender to the man. This animal could not understand that the man’s intention (purpose) was a good one. His plans were to provide the horse with necessary nurture and care, i.e. water!
Aren’t we just like the horse? God is trying to give us so much, but for whatever reason… fear, selfishness, ego, stubbornness, sin, and more… we rear up, stomp and pitch a fit, dig in our heels and refuse to budge. We retreat to what we know… what is comfortable… even if it’s all wrong for us. We think we know better than God what is right for us… what we need… what will make the most sense in our lives.
In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says “Surrender doesn’t weaken you, it strengthens you.” The Bible gives us tremendous examples of people who surrendered to God when it didn’t make a lick of sense… Noah, Moses, Queen Esther… even Jesus Christ. Surrender to God does not equal an admission of defeat… it reflects maturity in our faith and a true desire to live fully in the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father.
We are like the stubborn horse who foregoes life-sustaining water in favor of a comfortable stance on the sidelines. When we fail to surrender to God, we fail to enjoy a complete relationship with Him – and all that He wants to give us. Where are you standing today? Will you “cross the road” and surrender completely to God and start living in His grace, mercy, love… and abundance? Or are you kicking up your feet and taking a stand… stuck in the same old rut? Are you ready to let God take the reins and lead you to “the good stuff”? Are you ready to surrender completely?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you. Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother told us recently about visiting a “ghost-town-turned-tourist-trap” in Arizona, where they observed an interesting exchange between a man and a horse. It seems the man was trying to lead the horse across a roadway – and away from other horses – toward what appeared to be a large trough of water. (Interject “you can lead a horse to water…” joke here!)
The horse apparently did NOT want to go, and he reared up at the man and retreated to the point of origin and took his place with the other horses. The man tried again (remember our definition of insanity?!) and got the same results. Clearly the horse did not want to surrender to the man. This animal could not understand that the man’s intention (purpose) was a good one. His plans were to provide the horse with necessary nurture and care, i.e. water!
Aren’t we just like the horse? God is trying to give us so much, but for whatever reason… fear, selfishness, ego, stubbornness, sin, and more… we rear up, stomp and pitch a fit, dig in our heels and refuse to budge. We retreat to what we know… what is comfortable… even if it’s all wrong for us. We think we know better than God what is right for us… what we need… what will make the most sense in our lives.
In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says “Surrender doesn’t weaken you, it strengthens you.” The Bible gives us tremendous examples of people who surrendered to God when it didn’t make a lick of sense… Noah, Moses, Queen Esther… even Jesus Christ. Surrender to God does not equal an admission of defeat… it reflects maturity in our faith and a true desire to live fully in the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father.
We are like the stubborn horse who foregoes life-sustaining water in favor of a comfortable stance on the sidelines. When we fail to surrender to God, we fail to enjoy a complete relationship with Him – and all that He wants to give us. Where are you standing today? Will you “cross the road” and surrender completely to God and start living in His grace, mercy, love… and abundance? Or are you kicking up your feet and taking a stand… stuck in the same old rut? Are you ready to let God take the reins and lead you to “the good stuff”? Are you ready to surrender completely?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 5, 2011
Psalm 25:17-18, 21
My awful worries keep growing. Rescue me from sadness. See my troubles and misery and forgive my sins.
I obey you with all my heart, and I trust you, knowing that you will save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If fear is one of the devil’s biggest tools, worry is the vehicle in which he delivers it. We worry about everything – what we will wear, who likes us or doesn’t, how we will make a living and put food on the table, what will happen to us when we grow old, and so much more. And I’m sorry to say that I am right there with everyone else much of the time.
I think what makes me the maddest is understanding how much this thrills Satan. I don’t want to give him even a split second of joy. So why can’t I stop worrying? Why can’t you?
Here’s the deal… as long as we let worry have a place in our lives, we have not “let go and let God” have control. Believe me, I know it’s hard. But I am committed to making a change… to surrendering to God’s control and letting him have my worries and any resulting troubles, misery and sadness. As the Apostle Paul pointed out, this will be a “daily surrender,” but I am ready to do whatever it takes… aren’t you?
Let’s make this the year we trust God to save us and put aside our worries. Let’s obey Him with all our heart and feel the joy and peace that can come from resting in His rescue and forgiveness. I’m more than ready for this journey… are you coming with me?
©2011 Debbie Robus
My awful worries keep growing. Rescue me from sadness. See my troubles and misery and forgive my sins.
I obey you with all my heart, and I trust you, knowing that you will save me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If fear is one of the devil’s biggest tools, worry is the vehicle in which he delivers it. We worry about everything – what we will wear, who likes us or doesn’t, how we will make a living and put food on the table, what will happen to us when we grow old, and so much more. And I’m sorry to say that I am right there with everyone else much of the time.
I think what makes me the maddest is understanding how much this thrills Satan. I don’t want to give him even a split second of joy. So why can’t I stop worrying? Why can’t you?
Here’s the deal… as long as we let worry have a place in our lives, we have not “let go and let God” have control. Believe me, I know it’s hard. But I am committed to making a change… to surrendering to God’s control and letting him have my worries and any resulting troubles, misery and sadness. As the Apostle Paul pointed out, this will be a “daily surrender,” but I am ready to do whatever it takes… aren’t you?
Let’s make this the year we trust God to save us and put aside our worries. Let’s obey Him with all our heart and feel the joy and peace that can come from resting in His rescue and forgiveness. I’m more than ready for this journey… are you coming with me?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)