Psalm 55:22
Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
A lifelong friend of mine
watched her baby girl drive off for school this morning for the first
time as the licensed operator of a motor vehicle. I looked at the clock
yesterday afternoon as a severe thunderstorm accompanied by a flash
flood warning approached our community - and realized that our little
Zola was on the school bus headed for home. My mother will receive her
third chemo treatment tomorrow. The debate rages on about what to do
about world issues, including the threats of terrorism and how to
address the growing refugee crisis in Syria and other Middle Eastern
countries.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Burdens,
worries, and concerns abound for all of us. And if that isn’t enough,
let’s add the chaos and stress that surrounds the joy of the upcoming
holidays! How many are coming for Thanksgiving dinner? What will we
get Uncle Joe for Christmas? How can I be at the Christmas parties of
three children when they are all being held at the same hour…and does
that room mother really think I have time to make 30 Rudolph cupcakes?
Will I survive finals and the end of the semester and be able to enjoy a
happy holiday break? What will happen to all of the orphans, hungry
and homeless who don’t have any hope of a Happy Thanksgiving or a Merry
Christmas – or a stable life beyond the holiday season?
I often tell our children, “You have two choices…A or B. But it’s your
choice!” And I am saying this to all of us today. We have two
choices…1) we can choose to live in worry, fear, dismay and despair, or
2) we can choose to trust God and give Him our burdens – ALL of them –
and allow Him to orchestrate things according to His will. It boils
down to whether we want to demonstrate Christian faith – or not.
I
don’t mean to be harsh…nor do I suggest that we toss caution to the
wind and refrain from utilizing common sense. I am careful to keep my
doors locked. I watch my purse when I shop. I remind the children not
to talk to strangers and to look both ways before crossing the street. I
said a prayer for the safety of ALL who were trying to get home in the
rain storm yesterday, and I pray continually for my mother and others
who are ill, injured, grieving and/or suffering in some manner. I am
planning to enjoy the company around our table on Thanksgiving Day,
whether the house is clean and the meal is perfectly cooked or not! And
I have vowed NOT to stress out over the hectic holiday schedule…and to
focus on Jesus, family, and friends.
I want to be more present in
the love, grace, mercy and protection of God…and less fearful, dubious,
cynical and exclusive. I want to look at others and recognize that God
desires to carry THEIR burdens just as much as mine…and that He can –
and WILL – do this! I want to demonstrate more clearly what God is
capable of in my life and the lives of others…and I want to operate in
confidence that He’s always got my back. And I’m starting
here…now…today! What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label letting God handle our burdens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letting God handle our burdens. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 24, 2014
Exodus 23:25-26
Worship only me, the Lord your God! I will bless you with plenty of food and water and keep you strong. Your women will give birth to healthy children, and everyone will live a long life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother-in-law has been going through old photo albums and journals...many that belonged to her mother and her aunts and uncles. In some of these, there are accounts of the 1918-1919 flu pandemic and its effects. Greg’s family hails from Iowa. I have heard about the 1918 Flu Pandemic most of my life...ancestors of mine succumbed to it in rural Arkansas communities just east of where I live today, including four people in one family alone who died over the course of a couple of days.
I had not realized that this was such a widespread “event”, but information at http://www.flu.gov/pandemic/history/1918/index.html explains that this deadly outbreak covered not only much of the United States – but Europe, as well, since soldiers were traveling back and forth to fight in the war, and they carried the flu with them. I’ve heard my grandparents and other relatives share recollections (a few firsthand!) of how no one dared to even try to go to a home and care for the sick, for fear that they would also become ill with the virus. Burying the dead was a challenge...many people were too sick to even dig the graves for those who had perished.
I share this as a way of way of demonstrating that hardships are nothing new. If you think you or your family has it rough...if you think you have been given “too much to handle”...consider that you probably don’t have a corner on that market! So why do your problems seem bigger than those of others? It may have more to do with where your focus and your worship lie than what is actually happening to you.
In a crazy twist of events that can only be described as a “God thing,” I became friends with Veronica Squef, a young woman who lives in Massapequa, New York – a community on Long Island. Veronica’s husband, Keith Glascoe, was a firefighter who lost his life on 9-11-2001. Veronica and Keith had two boys, Nolan (age 2), and Owen (age 1). She was pregnant with their third child – Keith, Jr. – who was born in April 2002. I have never met Veronica and her boys in person, but we correspond frequently through the mail and via Facebook. I asked her one day...”What is your secret? How have you survived this all?” She replied that her boys were her focus...that every day she reminded herself that “you have three boys who are counting on you”...and this motivated her to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Now I ask you...Who do you think whispers this encouragement to her each day and undergirds her efforts?
Focus is the key. We can focus on God and trust Him to bless us...to feed us...to keep us healthy and strong...to give us the courage and energy to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Or we can wallow in our struggles and sorrows – and we ALL have them – and have a giant pity party. We can pretend that we are the most persecuted person on the planet, wring our hands and cry, “Why ME, Lord?!”...and flounder in the “wilderness” of misery and defeat.
Like so many things in life...this is our choice. But it doesn’t have to be so. Regardless of what we face today, God can help us handle things. We need to stop and fully recognize how incredibly – and abundantly – we are loved and nurtured by God. We need to start focusing on His tremendous gifts and the amazing power of His care and blessings. We need to shift our focus from our own selfishness and pity to the compassionate, merciful sacrifices of Jesus for each of us – and how we can glorify His ransom and shower Him with our praises and service.
Choosing life in Christ...and an emphasis on worshipping God in all things and at all times...will not guarantee that every day will be a bed of roses and all of your problems and challenges will disappear. But this shift in attention and motivation invites God to share the burden... to heal your heart, mind and soul...and to carry you when you cannot walk on your own. Don’t you want this? Isn’t He worth it? Where will you choose to direct your focus? Who do you truly worship?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Worship only me, the Lord your God! I will bless you with plenty of food and water and keep you strong. Your women will give birth to healthy children, and everyone will live a long life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My mother-in-law has been going through old photo albums and journals...many that belonged to her mother and her aunts and uncles. In some of these, there are accounts of the 1918-1919 flu pandemic and its effects. Greg’s family hails from Iowa. I have heard about the 1918 Flu Pandemic most of my life...ancestors of mine succumbed to it in rural Arkansas communities just east of where I live today, including four people in one family alone who died over the course of a couple of days.
I had not realized that this was such a widespread “event”, but information at http://www.flu.gov/pandemic/history/1918/index.html explains that this deadly outbreak covered not only much of the United States – but Europe, as well, since soldiers were traveling back and forth to fight in the war, and they carried the flu with them. I’ve heard my grandparents and other relatives share recollections (a few firsthand!) of how no one dared to even try to go to a home and care for the sick, for fear that they would also become ill with the virus. Burying the dead was a challenge...many people were too sick to even dig the graves for those who had perished.
I share this as a way of way of demonstrating that hardships are nothing new. If you think you or your family has it rough...if you think you have been given “too much to handle”...consider that you probably don’t have a corner on that market! So why do your problems seem bigger than those of others? It may have more to do with where your focus and your worship lie than what is actually happening to you.
In a crazy twist of events that can only be described as a “God thing,” I became friends with Veronica Squef, a young woman who lives in Massapequa, New York – a community on Long Island. Veronica’s husband, Keith Glascoe, was a firefighter who lost his life on 9-11-2001. Veronica and Keith had two boys, Nolan (age 2), and Owen (age 1). She was pregnant with their third child – Keith, Jr. – who was born in April 2002. I have never met Veronica and her boys in person, but we correspond frequently through the mail and via Facebook. I asked her one day...”What is your secret? How have you survived this all?” She replied that her boys were her focus...that every day she reminded herself that “you have three boys who are counting on you”...and this motivated her to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Now I ask you...Who do you think whispers this encouragement to her each day and undergirds her efforts?
Focus is the key. We can focus on God and trust Him to bless us...to feed us...to keep us healthy and strong...to give us the courage and energy to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Or we can wallow in our struggles and sorrows – and we ALL have them – and have a giant pity party. We can pretend that we are the most persecuted person on the planet, wring our hands and cry, “Why ME, Lord?!”...and flounder in the “wilderness” of misery and defeat.
Like so many things in life...this is our choice. But it doesn’t have to be so. Regardless of what we face today, God can help us handle things. We need to stop and fully recognize how incredibly – and abundantly – we are loved and nurtured by God. We need to start focusing on His tremendous gifts and the amazing power of His care and blessings. We need to shift our focus from our own selfishness and pity to the compassionate, merciful sacrifices of Jesus for each of us – and how we can glorify His ransom and shower Him with our praises and service.
Choosing life in Christ...and an emphasis on worshipping God in all things and at all times...will not guarantee that every day will be a bed of roses and all of your problems and challenges will disappear. But this shift in attention and motivation invites God to share the burden... to heal your heart, mind and soul...and to carry you when you cannot walk on your own. Don’t you want this? Isn’t He worth it? Where will you choose to direct your focus? Who do you truly worship?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 4, 2014
Psalm 94:12-15
How blessed the man you train, God,
the woman you instruct in your Word,
Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil,
while a jail is being built for the wicked.
God will never walk away from his people,
never desert his precious people.
Rest assured that justice is on its way
and every good heart put right.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For more than a decade, I served as my paternal grandmother’s primary caregiver/guardian. I handled her business affairs, paid her bills, balanced her checkbook, ran her errands, and more. As my late friend Mich (a gerontologist) often reminded me, there was a whole lot more that went into “caregiving” than paperwork and running errands. For some of her later years, Greg and I were also the frequent caregivers for my little great-nephew, Timothy. So we became members of the “Sandwich Generation”…those who balance the care of younger persons and older persons – and try to maintain some semblance of a “normal” life in between.
Today, I am 57 years old…and I feel like I have learned a lot in more than five decades…about life in general – but more importantly, about God’s love and care. There is no “manual” for a lot of what happens to us in life. We can seek the counsel of others who have “been there, done that”…but there are a lot of times when we have to seemingly “fly by the seat of our pants”.
I distinctly remember one day when I left my grandmother’s house feeling particularly frustrated, confused and overwhelmed. I pulled into a parking space at the grocery store and thought, “Who can I call or talk to about this? Who will understand and be able to help me figure out what to do next?” I drew a complete blank. So I sat in the car and asked God to show me what to do. And the next thought I had was, “What would *I* tell someone else who was going through this same thing?”
This was my answer. I asked God to show me how to sort things out…to calm my fears and frustrations and to clearly outline what I would indeed suggest to someone else. And He did all of this for me. This was not the last time I would have to have this sort of “conversation”…and I am sure there will be many to follow.
In the last few years, I have learned some incredibly valuable lessons. If you are a younger person reading this message, maybe I can spare you some time, confusion and frustration by sharing my “life lesson” here. The words of this scripture passage are incredibly profound. Think of the water circling a bath tub drain. It spirals downward – and sometimes even makes a loud sucking noise as the liquid is pulled from the tub and into the tiny pipe. That is just how we feel sometimes as the “clamor of evil” and the forces of troubles and challenges in our lives pull at us from every side. Our temptation is to panic…to throw up our hands and just let the noisy current haul us away. And if we aren’t careful, this is exactly what can happen!
But God stands ready to rescue us. He provides a “circle of quiet” that can keep us calm, even as our very lives seem to be “spiraling toward the drain”. He will never desert us…God will never allow us to face more than we can handle with His help. Notice I did not say that we would only be allowed what we can handle by ourselves. But with God to walk alongside us, our strength and capacity to manage things we thought were impossible increases exponentially. And God always has the right answers.
I honestly do not know how people get through life without a relationship with God and His Holy Spirit. I cannot imagine how lonely and frustrating life must be for those who are totally dependent on their own thoughts and abilities…and those of other mere mortals. Don’t misunderstand me. God has sent a lot of wonderful mentors and role models my way…friends to whom I frequently turn for advice and “vent”. God gave me an amazing, incredible husband who stands ever ready to help me with anything and everything. I rely on these people greatly. But they are God-ordained…Heaven sent…and this makes all the difference!
I passed the street on which my grandmother used to live today, and for a fleeting moment, I thought “I should go and visit Mam-ma Polly.” Then I remembered that Mam-ma lives with Jesus now. But God still uses her frequently to remind me of past lessons…and to show me which direction to take. I see His hand in my life every day – in situations large and small. And as I have grown in my faith and experiences, I have gotten better at recognizing Him!
My prayer for you today is that you would be in tune with God…that He would be your “go-to-Guy”…and that you would realize it! I pray that you rest in the LORD even when there is the noisy “clamor of evil” around you…that you trust Him to always be by your side – and to mete out justice according to His will…and that you would always recognize His voice. You are precious to God…He loves you and wants to give you rest in Him. Do you know Him well enough to let Him do exactly that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
How blessed the man you train, God,
the woman you instruct in your Word,
Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil,
while a jail is being built for the wicked.
God will never walk away from his people,
never desert his precious people.
Rest assured that justice is on its way
and every good heart put right.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For more than a decade, I served as my paternal grandmother’s primary caregiver/guardian. I handled her business affairs, paid her bills, balanced her checkbook, ran her errands, and more. As my late friend Mich (a gerontologist) often reminded me, there was a whole lot more that went into “caregiving” than paperwork and running errands. For some of her later years, Greg and I were also the frequent caregivers for my little great-nephew, Timothy. So we became members of the “Sandwich Generation”…those who balance the care of younger persons and older persons – and try to maintain some semblance of a “normal” life in between.
Today, I am 57 years old…and I feel like I have learned a lot in more than five decades…about life in general – but more importantly, about God’s love and care. There is no “manual” for a lot of what happens to us in life. We can seek the counsel of others who have “been there, done that”…but there are a lot of times when we have to seemingly “fly by the seat of our pants”.
I distinctly remember one day when I left my grandmother’s house feeling particularly frustrated, confused and overwhelmed. I pulled into a parking space at the grocery store and thought, “Who can I call or talk to about this? Who will understand and be able to help me figure out what to do next?” I drew a complete blank. So I sat in the car and asked God to show me what to do. And the next thought I had was, “What would *I* tell someone else who was going through this same thing?”
This was my answer. I asked God to show me how to sort things out…to calm my fears and frustrations and to clearly outline what I would indeed suggest to someone else. And He did all of this for me. This was not the last time I would have to have this sort of “conversation”…and I am sure there will be many to follow.
In the last few years, I have learned some incredibly valuable lessons. If you are a younger person reading this message, maybe I can spare you some time, confusion and frustration by sharing my “life lesson” here. The words of this scripture passage are incredibly profound. Think of the water circling a bath tub drain. It spirals downward – and sometimes even makes a loud sucking noise as the liquid is pulled from the tub and into the tiny pipe. That is just how we feel sometimes as the “clamor of evil” and the forces of troubles and challenges in our lives pull at us from every side. Our temptation is to panic…to throw up our hands and just let the noisy current haul us away. And if we aren’t careful, this is exactly what can happen!
But God stands ready to rescue us. He provides a “circle of quiet” that can keep us calm, even as our very lives seem to be “spiraling toward the drain”. He will never desert us…God will never allow us to face more than we can handle with His help. Notice I did not say that we would only be allowed what we can handle by ourselves. But with God to walk alongside us, our strength and capacity to manage things we thought were impossible increases exponentially. And God always has the right answers.
I honestly do not know how people get through life without a relationship with God and His Holy Spirit. I cannot imagine how lonely and frustrating life must be for those who are totally dependent on their own thoughts and abilities…and those of other mere mortals. Don’t misunderstand me. God has sent a lot of wonderful mentors and role models my way…friends to whom I frequently turn for advice and “vent”. God gave me an amazing, incredible husband who stands ever ready to help me with anything and everything. I rely on these people greatly. But they are God-ordained…Heaven sent…and this makes all the difference!
I passed the street on which my grandmother used to live today, and for a fleeting moment, I thought “I should go and visit Mam-ma Polly.” Then I remembered that Mam-ma lives with Jesus now. But God still uses her frequently to remind me of past lessons…and to show me which direction to take. I see His hand in my life every day – in situations large and small. And as I have grown in my faith and experiences, I have gotten better at recognizing Him!
My prayer for you today is that you would be in tune with God…that He would be your “go-to-Guy”…and that you would realize it! I pray that you rest in the LORD even when there is the noisy “clamor of evil” around you…that you trust Him to always be by your side – and to mete out justice according to His will…and that you would always recognize His voice. You are precious to God…He loves you and wants to give you rest in Him. Do you know Him well enough to let Him do exactly that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 2, 2014
Psalm 55:12-14, 16-22
My enemies are not the ones who sneer and make fun. I could put up with that or even hide from them. But it was my closest friend, the one I trusted most. We enjoyed being together, and we went with others to your house, our God.
I ask for your help, Lord God, and you will keep me safe. Morning, noon, and night you hear my concerns and my complaints. I am attacked from all sides, but you will rescue me unharmed by the battle. You have always ruled, and you will hear me. You will defeat my enemies because they won’t turn and worship you.
My friend turned against me and broke his promise. His words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil. But hatred filled his heart, and he was ready to attack with a sword.
Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I daresay all of us have been betrayed or hurt by a close friend or family member at one time or another…maybe more than once. And for many of us, it’s a game changer. We often become more guarded...less trusting...and sometimes more cynical after such an experience. Someone I considered “like family” once attempted to humiliate me via social media. She didn’t have all of the facts…and the information she had was distorted, at best. Yet she chose to lash out anyway. She didn’t name me specifically, but you didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out to whom she referred in her rant. And her words hurt…deeply…because they not only represented lies and unkindness (if not downright hatred or disdain)…they belied a deeper betrayal and even more lies from the persons who supplied her with the misinformation in the first place.
I don’t dwell on this…and I have been civil to this person since the incident and tried to be kind to her, because I believe that this is what God would have me do. I spent a lot of time talking to God about the hurt and asked Him to help me forgive all parties involved. See, we can’t rest if we have a spirit of unforgiveness – toward anyone, for anything.
As I read this passage, I was immediately transported to the New Testament. These were not just the words of David…they could easily be Jesus’ words about Judas. I know that Jesus loved Judas dearly…and I know that He held no long-term ill will in His heart for the heinous betrayal that Judas committed. But I also know that Jesus was deeply hurt by this…and I am sure He cried out to God for strength, courage, grace and mercy…and a heart of forgiveness toward His precious friend.
So what can we learn from this?
God does not wish that a single one of us suffer – or perish. He stands ready to offer rest in His promises for all who ask for it. Whether you are seeking forgiveness for another…or for yourself…this is the day to spend some time in pursuit of God’s help. What are you waiting for? God is ready to rescue you and give you rest. Are you ready to let Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
My enemies are not the ones who sneer and make fun. I could put up with that or even hide from them. But it was my closest friend, the one I trusted most. We enjoyed being together, and we went with others to your house, our God.
I ask for your help, Lord God, and you will keep me safe. Morning, noon, and night you hear my concerns and my complaints. I am attacked from all sides, but you will rescue me unharmed by the battle. You have always ruled, and you will hear me. You will defeat my enemies because they won’t turn and worship you.
My friend turned against me and broke his promise. His words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil. But hatred filled his heart, and he was ready to attack with a sword.
Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I daresay all of us have been betrayed or hurt by a close friend or family member at one time or another…maybe more than once. And for many of us, it’s a game changer. We often become more guarded...less trusting...and sometimes more cynical after such an experience. Someone I considered “like family” once attempted to humiliate me via social media. She didn’t have all of the facts…and the information she had was distorted, at best. Yet she chose to lash out anyway. She didn’t name me specifically, but you didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out to whom she referred in her rant. And her words hurt…deeply…because they not only represented lies and unkindness (if not downright hatred or disdain)…they belied a deeper betrayal and even more lies from the persons who supplied her with the misinformation in the first place.
I don’t dwell on this…and I have been civil to this person since the incident and tried to be kind to her, because I believe that this is what God would have me do. I spent a lot of time talking to God about the hurt and asked Him to help me forgive all parties involved. See, we can’t rest if we have a spirit of unforgiveness – toward anyone, for anything.
As I read this passage, I was immediately transported to the New Testament. These were not just the words of David…they could easily be Jesus’ words about Judas. I know that Jesus loved Judas dearly…and I know that He held no long-term ill will in His heart for the heinous betrayal that Judas committed. But I also know that Jesus was deeply hurt by this…and I am sure He cried out to God for strength, courage, grace and mercy…and a heart of forgiveness toward His precious friend.
So what can we learn from this?
- If you have been betrayed or hurt by a dear friend or loved one, you are not alone. Even Jesus experienced this…and He understands completely how you must feel.
- God stands ready to hear your cries…to share your heartaches, worries and disappointments…and to give you rest from them.
- God will “settle the score”…we need do nothing but give our burdens to Him. We can sit back, rest and relax in His blessings …and He will handle the rest.
God does not wish that a single one of us suffer – or perish. He stands ready to offer rest in His promises for all who ask for it. Whether you are seeking forgiveness for another…or for yourself…this is the day to spend some time in pursuit of God’s help. What are you waiting for? God is ready to rescue you and give you rest. Are you ready to let Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 30, 2014
Psalm 42:5-8
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.
When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God’s prayer.
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.
According to a synopsis provided on http://IMDB.com for the 1987 Box Office hit, Moonstruck, “Loretta Castorini (played by Cher), a Brooklyn bookkeeper in her late 30s whose husband died several years earlier in a bus accident, decides it's time to get married again. So she accepts the proposal of a nice, middle-aged fellow named Johnny Cammareri (portrayed by Danny Aiello). Loretta is convinced her first marriage was cursed because she and her husband had gotten married at City Hall; this time, she's determined to do things right, even as she admits to her mother, Rose (Olivia Dukakis), that she's not really in love with Johnny.” Loretta finds herself attracted to Johnny Cammareri’s brother, Ronny (played by Nicholas Cage)."
Ronny Cammareri tells Loretta…”I love you.” Loretta slaps Ronny – twice – and yells, “Snap out of it!” The line has endured for almost 30 years and become a somewhat iconic catch phrase among many! And indeed, as I read this passage from Psalm 42, I couldn’t help but hear “Loretta’s” words…“Snap out of it!”
Do you ever feel blue…even for a few hours – or maybe a day or two? Do you find there are times when your soul is down in the dumps – with or without a good excuse or explanation? Does anyone ever say to you, “Snap out of it!” at such a time?
I have good news for you…regardless of what is happening in your life, God loves you…and He promises to love you all the time! When “chaos calls to chaos” and the “thundering breakers” of the devil’s schemes threaten to crash and crush you, focus on God. Call to Him, just as a drowning person might reach out for a life preserver…because a dramatic rescue is exactly what God offers!
Sometimes all we need is for someone to tell us to “Snap out of it!” But I can tell you from experience that there are times when that tactic does NOT work at all. We often need something deeper, more profound…we need the restful, healing touch of God. And He is always ready, willing, and able to meet us right where we are. God’s deepest desire for us is that we would reach out for Him in all things…in all situations…and in all moods.
Who will help you “Snap out of it!” today? Are you resting in the LORD and trusting Him to save you from the “whitewater rapids” of life? Will you trust His promises to love you all day and sing songs all through the night? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.
When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God’s prayer.
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.
According to a synopsis provided on http://IMDB.com for the 1987 Box Office hit, Moonstruck, “Loretta Castorini (played by Cher), a Brooklyn bookkeeper in her late 30s whose husband died several years earlier in a bus accident, decides it's time to get married again. So she accepts the proposal of a nice, middle-aged fellow named Johnny Cammareri (portrayed by Danny Aiello). Loretta is convinced her first marriage was cursed because she and her husband had gotten married at City Hall; this time, she's determined to do things right, even as she admits to her mother, Rose (Olivia Dukakis), that she's not really in love with Johnny.” Loretta finds herself attracted to Johnny Cammareri’s brother, Ronny (played by Nicholas Cage)."
Ronny Cammareri tells Loretta…”I love you.” Loretta slaps Ronny – twice – and yells, “Snap out of it!” The line has endured for almost 30 years and become a somewhat iconic catch phrase among many! And indeed, as I read this passage from Psalm 42, I couldn’t help but hear “Loretta’s” words…“Snap out of it!”
Do you ever feel blue…even for a few hours – or maybe a day or two? Do you find there are times when your soul is down in the dumps – with or without a good excuse or explanation? Does anyone ever say to you, “Snap out of it!” at such a time?
I have good news for you…regardless of what is happening in your life, God loves you…and He promises to love you all the time! When “chaos calls to chaos” and the “thundering breakers” of the devil’s schemes threaten to crash and crush you, focus on God. Call to Him, just as a drowning person might reach out for a life preserver…because a dramatic rescue is exactly what God offers!
Sometimes all we need is for someone to tell us to “Snap out of it!” But I can tell you from experience that there are times when that tactic does NOT work at all. We often need something deeper, more profound…we need the restful, healing touch of God. And He is always ready, willing, and able to meet us right where we are. God’s deepest desire for us is that we would reach out for Him in all things…in all situations…and in all moods.
Who will help you “Snap out of it!” today? Are you resting in the LORD and trusting Him to save you from the “whitewater rapids” of life? Will you trust His promises to love you all day and sing songs all through the night? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 24, 2014
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
On June 9th, a post was shared on Facebook titled “5 Minutes in a Mom’s Head”*…written by Bunmi Laditan, who describes herself as “a writer and social-media obsessed female human…and author of The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Life.” Laditan lives in rural Quebec, by way of California, with her three children and husband…and she contributes to The Huffington Post, Mommyish, Parenting and other websites.
In her “5 Minutes” piece, Laditan says in part:
The thing to remember is that NOTHING is silly or trivial to God! He cares about whether your car is gassed up and your house is decluttered – if that matters to you! He cares whether you are undergoing chemotherapy for a disease that is ravaging your body just as much as the cough or sniffle that has you laid up for a few days. He is concerned about your lack of sleep – regardless of the cause. God wants to handle any – and ALL of your burdens…and exchange them for His inexplicable peace. He wants to give you a heart and mind that is completely at rest in Him.
I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking maybe I should have this scripture passage tattooed on my forearm, where I would be sure to see it several times a day! I need a constant reminder of God’s desire to fill me with peace…always…in ALL WAYS! And maybe you need this reminder, too! It’s normal…human…to worry and fret and have a heart and mind cluttered with all kinds of thoughts and concerns in today’s busy, hectic world. But it’s also totally unnecessary.
I am so thankful that God wants to give us a rest that defies logic…a peace that cannot be rationalized - but is completely real, just the same. And it all starts with a prayer…and a release of our thoughts and cares into His capable hands (followed by a profuse expression of gratitude for His amazing grace and mercy!). What do you think would happen if each morning, you replaced the first five minutes of “pillow talk” in your head with a conversation with God about your day and your concerns? What if you continued to talk to Him throughout the day about each issue that arose – no matter how great or small? Isn’t it worth a try?
Are you ready to experience God’s “peace that passes understanding”? Are you ready for some real rest and stress relief? Have you spoken to Him about this today? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bunmi-laditan/5-minutes-in-a-moms-head_b_5445948.html
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
On June 9th, a post was shared on Facebook titled “5 Minutes in a Mom’s Head”*…written by Bunmi Laditan, who describes herself as “a writer and social-media obsessed female human…and author of The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Life.” Laditan lives in rural Quebec, by way of California, with her three children and husband…and she contributes to The Huffington Post, Mommyish, Parenting and other websites.
In her “5 Minutes” piece, Laditan says in part:
“What time is it? What day is it? Oh gosh this bed feels so good. Why can't I just stay here all day. That would be the perfect vacation.Sound familiar? Even if you are not a mom, you may be one of “those people” whose mind races…especially when your head hits the pillow. Your thoughts and your heart are anything but quiet! Substitute your worries and concerns for those of this mom, and you totally “get” her! “But I have real problems…not the silly, trivial worries she talks about…things far more important than dust mites on Teddy bears and getting organized!” Yeah…but a lot of us worry about those “silly, trivial” things right along with the big issues…like school, work, bills, health, and relationships, and war and peace!
What are they [the kids] fighting about? ...I should probably wash their stuffed animals. What if they're full of dust mites.
What do I need to do today... return calls, answer emails, return texts from days ago... people probably think I'm so rude. I need to get organized. I need to organize this whole house. This room is a mess. I need to declutter.
OK, if I don't get up now we're going to be late. Oh man, I have to stop for gas. I'm on empty. Why do I always wait until the last minute? Because I was rushing home to make dinner.”
The thing to remember is that NOTHING is silly or trivial to God! He cares about whether your car is gassed up and your house is decluttered – if that matters to you! He cares whether you are undergoing chemotherapy for a disease that is ravaging your body just as much as the cough or sniffle that has you laid up for a few days. He is concerned about your lack of sleep – regardless of the cause. God wants to handle any – and ALL of your burdens…and exchange them for His inexplicable peace. He wants to give you a heart and mind that is completely at rest in Him.
I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking maybe I should have this scripture passage tattooed on my forearm, where I would be sure to see it several times a day! I need a constant reminder of God’s desire to fill me with peace…always…in ALL WAYS! And maybe you need this reminder, too! It’s normal…human…to worry and fret and have a heart and mind cluttered with all kinds of thoughts and concerns in today’s busy, hectic world. But it’s also totally unnecessary.
I am so thankful that God wants to give us a rest that defies logic…a peace that cannot be rationalized - but is completely real, just the same. And it all starts with a prayer…and a release of our thoughts and cares into His capable hands (followed by a profuse expression of gratitude for His amazing grace and mercy!). What do you think would happen if each morning, you replaced the first five minutes of “pillow talk” in your head with a conversation with God about your day and your concerns? What if you continued to talk to Him throughout the day about each issue that arose – no matter how great or small? Isn’t it worth a try?
Are you ready to experience God’s “peace that passes understanding”? Are you ready for some real rest and stress relief? Have you spoken to Him about this today? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bunmi-laditan/5-minutes-in-a-moms-head_b_5445948.html
Daily Devotional for June 22, 2014
Matthew 8:24
Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waves higher than the boat. But Jesus was asleep.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The other day I looked outside the windows at our local Aquatic Center and watched summer storm clouds grow on the horizon. There is a rule at the Aquatic Center that when thunder is heard, everyone must get out until the storm passes and no thunder is heard for 30 minutes. The cloud formations got larger and seemed to work into a “slow boil” that was ripe with the ingredients for a hefty summertime thundershower.
Timothy was taking a swimming lesson. When he finished, we quickly changed clothes and gather our things. Just as we got to our car, big raindrops began to pelt us. By the time we pulled away from the Aquatic Center, there were loud claps of thunder…followed soon after by a torrential rain, lightning, thunder – and even a little hail. The storm lasted about an hour and netted a 1” rainfall – at least in our yard!
I knew that “scattered thunderstorms” were forecast. I was somewhat prepared to have to cut the swimming lesson short and leave early. In fact, when a precursory rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, a couple of us looked at each other and grimaced…and hoped that maybe we were “hearing things”. But we all knew that these clouds were rapidly coursing toward a full-blown, all-out storm…and that’s exactly what we got.
The good news is that it didn’t stick around for very long. Later in the afternoon, the sun was out, and the storms had passed…and we were none the worse for the wear. In fact, our lawns and foliage were in need of some rainfall…so the “storm” brought hidden blessings and benefits.
I can see potential “storm clouds” on the horizon in certain areas of my own life. Let’s get real here…I bet you do, too! My “brewing storm” may not be the same as yours…but I am pretty sure that there is something about your life that is less than perfect – and conditions may be ripe for a hefty, all-out “thunderstorm”. If you are like me, you can somewhat see the handwriting on the wall…the inevitable “storm” that is headed your way. And yes, I’ve prayed about my situation until my knees are raw (figuratively) – as I’m sure you have. Still, the “storm clouds” keep growing and heading right toward me. This may “blow over” and be nothing…or it may be a “terrible storm”. Right now I am not sure how things will go, and this uncertainty heightens my prayer time!
The craziest part of all is that while we can see these “storms” building on the horizon…we can hear the “rumbling thunder” in the distance…God often seems to be sound asleep. We are saying, “Hey, LORD!!! Can’t you stop this? Don’t you see what is happening? Didn’t you notice that everything is about to fall down around me?”…and God is quietly and calmly “napping in the bottom of the boat”. I don’t know about you, but this is a frustrating, almost helpless feeling for me. And yet, as I look backward and review other “storms” in my life, I see how God handled them on my behalf…how He was always at work (even when I thought He had abandoned me)…how He brought blessings even in the “rain”. As our pastor reminded us in this week’s sermon, I have sometimes mistaken God’s silence for abandonment…and forgotten that God will never leave me.
Now I will be the first to tell you that I am probably going to continue to stew and fret over my current “storm”…because I’m human and that’s just how I roll. I’m not the least bit proud of the fact that I do some hand-wringing…but I cannot seem to stop myself nonetheless. However, I am going to do my dead-level best to stay calm, avoid over-reacting, and trust that even as God “naps”, He is aware of – and working on – my situation. Rather than add the needless worry and confusion of wondering where God has gone to my list of anxieties and qualms, I’m going to trust that He is right here with me…making a clear path where I cannot see one.
I’m going to actually believe that God is “patting the bottom of the boat” and saying, “Come on over and lie down beside me. Rest a while. This storm will pass soon enough. I’m in complete control…I’ve got this!” As believers, we’re all “riding in the same boat”, so to speak. My question for you is…where do you plan to sit?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waves higher than the boat. But Jesus was asleep.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The other day I looked outside the windows at our local Aquatic Center and watched summer storm clouds grow on the horizon. There is a rule at the Aquatic Center that when thunder is heard, everyone must get out until the storm passes and no thunder is heard for 30 minutes. The cloud formations got larger and seemed to work into a “slow boil” that was ripe with the ingredients for a hefty summertime thundershower.
Timothy was taking a swimming lesson. When he finished, we quickly changed clothes and gather our things. Just as we got to our car, big raindrops began to pelt us. By the time we pulled away from the Aquatic Center, there were loud claps of thunder…followed soon after by a torrential rain, lightning, thunder – and even a little hail. The storm lasted about an hour and netted a 1” rainfall – at least in our yard!
I knew that “scattered thunderstorms” were forecast. I was somewhat prepared to have to cut the swimming lesson short and leave early. In fact, when a precursory rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, a couple of us looked at each other and grimaced…and hoped that maybe we were “hearing things”. But we all knew that these clouds were rapidly coursing toward a full-blown, all-out storm…and that’s exactly what we got.
The good news is that it didn’t stick around for very long. Later in the afternoon, the sun was out, and the storms had passed…and we were none the worse for the wear. In fact, our lawns and foliage were in need of some rainfall…so the “storm” brought hidden blessings and benefits.
I can see potential “storm clouds” on the horizon in certain areas of my own life. Let’s get real here…I bet you do, too! My “brewing storm” may not be the same as yours…but I am pretty sure that there is something about your life that is less than perfect – and conditions may be ripe for a hefty, all-out “thunderstorm”. If you are like me, you can somewhat see the handwriting on the wall…the inevitable “storm” that is headed your way. And yes, I’ve prayed about my situation until my knees are raw (figuratively) – as I’m sure you have. Still, the “storm clouds” keep growing and heading right toward me. This may “blow over” and be nothing…or it may be a “terrible storm”. Right now I am not sure how things will go, and this uncertainty heightens my prayer time!
The craziest part of all is that while we can see these “storms” building on the horizon…we can hear the “rumbling thunder” in the distance…God often seems to be sound asleep. We are saying, “Hey, LORD!!! Can’t you stop this? Don’t you see what is happening? Didn’t you notice that everything is about to fall down around me?”…and God is quietly and calmly “napping in the bottom of the boat”. I don’t know about you, but this is a frustrating, almost helpless feeling for me. And yet, as I look backward and review other “storms” in my life, I see how God handled them on my behalf…how He was always at work (even when I thought He had abandoned me)…how He brought blessings even in the “rain”. As our pastor reminded us in this week’s sermon, I have sometimes mistaken God’s silence for abandonment…and forgotten that God will never leave me.
Now I will be the first to tell you that I am probably going to continue to stew and fret over my current “storm”…because I’m human and that’s just how I roll. I’m not the least bit proud of the fact that I do some hand-wringing…but I cannot seem to stop myself nonetheless. However, I am going to do my dead-level best to stay calm, avoid over-reacting, and trust that even as God “naps”, He is aware of – and working on – my situation. Rather than add the needless worry and confusion of wondering where God has gone to my list of anxieties and qualms, I’m going to trust that He is right here with me…making a clear path where I cannot see one.
I’m going to actually believe that God is “patting the bottom of the boat” and saying, “Come on over and lie down beside me. Rest a while. This storm will pass soon enough. I’m in complete control…I’ve got this!” As believers, we’re all “riding in the same boat”, so to speak. My question for you is…where do you plan to sit?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 20, 2014
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever tried on clothing or a pair of shoes that didn’t feel quite right…then someone suggested that you try another size, and it felt so much better? The fit was more “you”…in fact, it was perfect! That’s exactly how it is with a life in Christ. Jesus fits each of us perfectly. Notice that He doesn’t claim to give you a burden-free life. Jesus promises us burdens that are lighter and easier to bear – because He does the heavy lifting!
Nobody likes to wear shoes or clothing that doesn’t fit. So why are you putting up with a life that is overly burdensome and uncomfortable? Come to Jesus…let Him do the heavy lifting. Wear His yoke instead of the ill-fitting one you’ve been dealing with…and find rest for your soul in the process.
©2014 Debbie Robus
“Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Have you ever tried on clothing or a pair of shoes that didn’t feel quite right…then someone suggested that you try another size, and it felt so much better? The fit was more “you”…in fact, it was perfect! That’s exactly how it is with a life in Christ. Jesus fits each of us perfectly. Notice that He doesn’t claim to give you a burden-free life. Jesus promises us burdens that are lighter and easier to bear – because He does the heavy lifting!
Nobody likes to wear shoes or clothing that doesn’t fit. So why are you putting up with a life that is overly burdensome and uncomfortable? Come to Jesus…let Him do the heavy lifting. Wear His yoke instead of the ill-fitting one you’ve been dealing with…and find rest for your soul in the process.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 6, 2014
Isaiah 40:28-31
Don’t you know?
Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the eternal God,
Creator of the earth.
He never gets weary or tired;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
The Lord gives strength
to those who are weary.
Even young people get tired,
then stumble and fall.
But those who trust the Lord
will find new strength.
They will be strong like eagles
soaring upward on wings;
they will walk and run
without getting tired.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is something so bittersweet about watching a little child who cannot stay awake. Their actions can range from comical to pitiful as they struggle to keep their eyes open and/or remain upright. I remember one evening when my mom came to visit Timothy, and as she sat on our hearth and held him, his little head began to bob…his eyes began to droop…and soon he was slumped over - sound asleep as he sat on her knee. One night last winter, Zola pulled a little child’s rocking chair (that had been mine when I was little) right in front of the TV and began to “rock her babies” (a couple of stuffed teddy bears). Soon, her head began to droop until she was nearly bent over double…she had completely rocked HERSELF to sleep! Looking at her, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
Now we all know that little children do not sleep for very long, unless they are sick or injured. Soon enough, they spring back to life, fully energized and rejuvenated. And complain as they may, the rest is always good for them. Truthfully, rest is vital for ALL of us…critical to our good health and well-being!
Spiritual rest is essential, too. There will come a time in every person’s life where something will cause him/her to grow weary… to say, “I am not sure I can do this.” This is when God will step in and undergird us with His strength and wisdom…His love and grace. He carries us when we are so weak, tired or burdened that we can no longer “hold our eyes open”. God grants us a season of rest, infuses us with His energy and potency, and stands us upright under HIS power, rather than our own.
I have no doubt that many are weary today…and you may be among them. Teachers (AND students) who are finishing their last day or week of school are exhausted and in need of rest – or at least a change of scenery for a few weeks. I know friends who are burying loved ones and dealing with the aftermath that comes with a death. Still, others are moving and scrambling to buy and sell houses, sort through their “stuff” and get every last box packed securely. Some are looking for a job…and finding the prospects frustrating, at best. Others are struggling with relationship issues, facing a health crisis, or dealing with mountains of bills and financial woes. Many are aging and dealing with all that this stage of life brings.
Regardless of what zaps your strength and energy, God can help you to rest and rejuvenate. He is in the “restoration” business! You owe it to yourself to sit down, put up your feet, and spend a few minutes resting with Him. I promise… it will be the most “therapeutic” activity of your day! Aren’t you ready to soar like an eagle under the power of God? Will this be the day that you begin to rest in Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Don’t you know?
Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the eternal God,
Creator of the earth.
He never gets weary or tired;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
The Lord gives strength
to those who are weary.
Even young people get tired,
then stumble and fall.
But those who trust the Lord
will find new strength.
They will be strong like eagles
soaring upward on wings;
they will walk and run
without getting tired.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There is something so bittersweet about watching a little child who cannot stay awake. Their actions can range from comical to pitiful as they struggle to keep their eyes open and/or remain upright. I remember one evening when my mom came to visit Timothy, and as she sat on our hearth and held him, his little head began to bob…his eyes began to droop…and soon he was slumped over - sound asleep as he sat on her knee. One night last winter, Zola pulled a little child’s rocking chair (that had been mine when I was little) right in front of the TV and began to “rock her babies” (a couple of stuffed teddy bears). Soon, her head began to droop until she was nearly bent over double…she had completely rocked HERSELF to sleep! Looking at her, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
Now we all know that little children do not sleep for very long, unless they are sick or injured. Soon enough, they spring back to life, fully energized and rejuvenated. And complain as they may, the rest is always good for them. Truthfully, rest is vital for ALL of us…critical to our good health and well-being!
Spiritual rest is essential, too. There will come a time in every person’s life where something will cause him/her to grow weary… to say, “I am not sure I can do this.” This is when God will step in and undergird us with His strength and wisdom…His love and grace. He carries us when we are so weak, tired or burdened that we can no longer “hold our eyes open”. God grants us a season of rest, infuses us with His energy and potency, and stands us upright under HIS power, rather than our own.
I have no doubt that many are weary today…and you may be among them. Teachers (AND students) who are finishing their last day or week of school are exhausted and in need of rest – or at least a change of scenery for a few weeks. I know friends who are burying loved ones and dealing with the aftermath that comes with a death. Still, others are moving and scrambling to buy and sell houses, sort through their “stuff” and get every last box packed securely. Some are looking for a job…and finding the prospects frustrating, at best. Others are struggling with relationship issues, facing a health crisis, or dealing with mountains of bills and financial woes. Many are aging and dealing with all that this stage of life brings.
Regardless of what zaps your strength and energy, God can help you to rest and rejuvenate. He is in the “restoration” business! You owe it to yourself to sit down, put up your feet, and spend a few minutes resting with Him. I promise… it will be the most “therapeutic” activity of your day! Aren’t you ready to soar like an eagle under the power of God? Will this be the day that you begin to rest in Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 29, 2014
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
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.
On April 27, 2014, the Center Hill, Arkansas, home of David and Karla Stracener was destroyed by a killer tornado. The couple huddled in a master bedroom closet with Karla’s elderly parents. When the storm passed, rescue workers dug the family from beneath the rubble that had moments earlier been a home built in 1945 by David Stracener’s grandfather. The Straceners stayed with David’s mother in the nearby town of Searcy until recently, when they moved into a temporary camper on the site of their former home.
If the story ended here, we would shake our heads and say, “That’s terrible. What an awful and devastating experience for this family.” But 13 days after the tornado struck, something even more tragic happened to the Straceners. Their son, Ben, had left his job in South Carolina as a fire truck safety feature inspector to return to Arkansas and help his parents in their recovery efforts. He and his girlfriend, Samantha Fowler, met with a pastor to receive pre-marital counseling. After they left this meeting, both Ben and Samantha were killed in a motorcycle accident. The pastor said that the couple were celebrating their future…which seemed full of promise. They were buried in the same grave a few days later.
David and Karla Stracener are in the process of rebuilding their home – and their lives. They note that when you lose everything – your home, your possessions, your vehicles…and most especially, your child – it’s hard to get going again. But they are determined to do this. They know that God is striding ahead of them and paving the way. Like other families who lost loved ones in this horrific storm…and those who have had to go on after the loss of a loved one – whether due to a dreadful accident or a lengthy illness - they can rest in the knowledge that God will never leave them.
Many of us face challenges and “storms”...experiences with the potential for devastation and loss, pain and heartache, or simply a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But we can all take courage in the confidence that we are not tackling these things alone. God is with us…taking the lead and providing strength, courage, wisdom and comfort. He picks up the slack and carries the heavier load when we think we can’t take another step. When we are spent, He allows us to rest in Him.
I pray that you never face the difficulties that have befallen David and Karla Stracener. We will never know why God allowed so much to happen to one family. But we can be assured that He is with them…that He numbers their steps and gives them all that they need to make it through this trial and conquer all that lies before them. Whatever you encounter today, God is right there with you. Do you feel His presence? Are you able to let go and trust Him…to rest in His capable hands and allow Him to do the heavy lifting? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
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.
On April 27, 2014, the Center Hill, Arkansas, home of David and Karla Stracener was destroyed by a killer tornado. The couple huddled in a master bedroom closet with Karla’s elderly parents. When the storm passed, rescue workers dug the family from beneath the rubble that had moments earlier been a home built in 1945 by David Stracener’s grandfather. The Straceners stayed with David’s mother in the nearby town of Searcy until recently, when they moved into a temporary camper on the site of their former home.
If the story ended here, we would shake our heads and say, “That’s terrible. What an awful and devastating experience for this family.” But 13 days after the tornado struck, something even more tragic happened to the Straceners. Their son, Ben, had left his job in South Carolina as a fire truck safety feature inspector to return to Arkansas and help his parents in their recovery efforts. He and his girlfriend, Samantha Fowler, met with a pastor to receive pre-marital counseling. After they left this meeting, both Ben and Samantha were killed in a motorcycle accident. The pastor said that the couple were celebrating their future…which seemed full of promise. They were buried in the same grave a few days later.
David and Karla Stracener are in the process of rebuilding their home – and their lives. They note that when you lose everything – your home, your possessions, your vehicles…and most especially, your child – it’s hard to get going again. But they are determined to do this. They know that God is striding ahead of them and paving the way. Like other families who lost loved ones in this horrific storm…and those who have had to go on after the loss of a loved one – whether due to a dreadful accident or a lengthy illness - they can rest in the knowledge that God will never leave them.
Many of us face challenges and “storms”...experiences with the potential for devastation and loss, pain and heartache, or simply a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But we can all take courage in the confidence that we are not tackling these things alone. God is with us…taking the lead and providing strength, courage, wisdom and comfort. He picks up the slack and carries the heavier load when we think we can’t take another step. When we are spent, He allows us to rest in Him.
I pray that you never face the difficulties that have befallen David and Karla Stracener. We will never know why God allowed so much to happen to one family. But we can be assured that He is with them…that He numbers their steps and gives them all that they need to make it through this trial and conquer all that lies before them. Whatever you encounter today, God is right there with you. Do you feel His presence? Are you able to let go and trust Him…to rest in His capable hands and allow Him to do the heavy lifting? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 27, 2014
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
This is only one example of the fair, just way God does things, for he is using your sufferings to make you ready for his Kingdom, while at the same time he is preparing judgment and punishment for those who are hurting you.
And so I would say to you who are suffering, God will give you rest along with us when the Lord Jesus appears suddenly from heaven in flaming fire with his mighty angels, bringing judgment on those who do not wish to know God and who refuse to accept his plan to save them through our Lord Jesus Christ. They will be punished in everlasting hell, forever separated from the Lord, never to see the glory of his power when he comes to receive praise and admiration because of all he has done for his people, his saints. And you will be among those praising him because you have believed what we told you about him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
"Living well is the best revenge."
"He/she will pay for this!"
"Don’t get mad – get even!"
You’ve no doubt heard these old adages…or maybe even spoken them yourself. We don’t like it when we are mistreated, and the first instinct is to retaliate – to get even…to seek revenge. If we are completely honest, this can become quite tiresome – even exhausting. Just the energy we expend on being hurt and upset over things others have said or done is enough to wear us out and drag down our spirit.
But there is GOOD NEWS! We can take a page from the popular theme song of a recent children’s movie and “Let It Go!” We can give God our burdens and our sufferings and say, “LORD, I know this isn’t right…but only You can change it.” God may very well use our sufferings in some manner to help us grow in our faith – or to further His Kingdom. He may punish the person who has “done us wrong” – or not! But at the end of the day, we can rest well - knowing that whatever needs to be done, God will handle it for us!
I don’t know about you, but this really helps me! I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired…of wasting time and energy on hurts and insults and disappointments of any kind. I’m ready to set aside negative talk and stop paying attention to bad attitudes on social media – and in the world at large. I’m ready to give all of these sufferings and burdens to God and truly REST and refresh in His presence. What about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
This is only one example of the fair, just way God does things, for he is using your sufferings to make you ready for his Kingdom, while at the same time he is preparing judgment and punishment for those who are hurting you.
And so I would say to you who are suffering, God will give you rest along with us when the Lord Jesus appears suddenly from heaven in flaming fire with his mighty angels, bringing judgment on those who do not wish to know God and who refuse to accept his plan to save them through our Lord Jesus Christ. They will be punished in everlasting hell, forever separated from the Lord, never to see the glory of his power when he comes to receive praise and admiration because of all he has done for his people, his saints. And you will be among those praising him because you have believed what we told you about him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
"Living well is the best revenge."
"He/she will pay for this!"
"Don’t get mad – get even!"
You’ve no doubt heard these old adages…or maybe even spoken them yourself. We don’t like it when we are mistreated, and the first instinct is to retaliate – to get even…to seek revenge. If we are completely honest, this can become quite tiresome – even exhausting. Just the energy we expend on being hurt and upset over things others have said or done is enough to wear us out and drag down our spirit.
But there is GOOD NEWS! We can take a page from the popular theme song of a recent children’s movie and “Let It Go!” We can give God our burdens and our sufferings and say, “LORD, I know this isn’t right…but only You can change it.” God may very well use our sufferings in some manner to help us grow in our faith – or to further His Kingdom. He may punish the person who has “done us wrong” – or not! But at the end of the day, we can rest well - knowing that whatever needs to be done, God will handle it for us!
I don’t know about you, but this really helps me! I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired…of wasting time and energy on hurts and insults and disappointments of any kind. I’m ready to set aside negative talk and stop paying attention to bad attitudes on social media – and in the world at large. I’m ready to give all of these sufferings and burdens to God and truly REST and refresh in His presence. What about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 29, 2014
Romans 12:14-21
Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people. Don’t mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone.
Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.”
The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.”
Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my sister, Suzanne, and I were little, we played “Beauty Pageant” a lot. We would dress up in old gowns that belonged to Mom and our “Aunt” Martha, and we would have evening gown and talent competitions. I don’t think we ever included swimsuits…but maybe. For us, it was all about the gowns and the talent. We were both in our first pageant at age five – a local “rite-of-passage” event that virtually every five-year-old girl in the county experienced. We girls had fun…I think a lot of the moms and grandmothers were more cutthroat about the competitive side of things!
The year I entered, I was crowned the winner. Suzanne entered the following year, and she was awarded one of the runners-up. By all rights, I believe she should have won, too. She played “Up a Lazy River” on the ORGAN, for goodness sake - and she was good enough to rival Jo Ann Castle on “The Lawrence Welk Show”! (Okay, I just dated myself big time!) But just before the final evening gown parade, the mother of another contestant accidentally stepped on Suzanne’s gown backstage, and she tore a delicate netting ruffle. Mom and others desperately tried to pin the ruffle back on the gown as the parade of contestants marched out onto the stage…but Suzanne was crying her eyes out when she hit the stage. And the judges selected one of her classmates as “Queen”.
In high school, I participated in “beauty pageants”…mainly because I thought they were fun – although I’ll admit, there was a competitive edge to them. I placed several times, but I never won…and that was okay with me. I would have loved to win, but I was happy with a “runner-up” position. But a fellow contestant – who actually did win once – was NOT a happy camper when she lost. She declared that the contest had been rigged. She spoke to judges afterward and questioned the scoring system. And she invited me to join her in trying to embarrass the winner the following year by outperforming her and “proving” that the girl had no talent.
I’ll be honest. This girl probably shouldn’t have won. The contest was most likely rigged. But had someone else been crowned the queen, I’m not sure it would have been this unhappy runner-up who threw such a fit. And honestly, the “winner” truly needed the win. She needed the ego boost and all of the recognition, celebrations and accolades that came with winning. So I was glad for her to have them.
Too many of us are so busy trying to even the score or “show somebody a thing or two” that we have almost forgotten what the issue was to begin with! We are so mired in our own hurt that we cannot stop to consider the other person. Did the contestant who didn’t truly “deserve” the win know that she was inadequate? Did she feel realize that someone might have finagled the scores in order for her to win…and did this embarrass her? Was she waiting for someone to come forward and say, “You cheated!”? How did she feel toward those who finished behind her and accepted their “loss” graciously? Was she grateful?
Have you ever stopped to think that the “other person” might need to be right more than you? Have you ever considered that the person who hurt you so deeply – who wounded you in ways you can’t even describe – is hurting, too? Maybe he/she feels deep remorse and doesn’t dare come to you for forgiveness because of a fear that you might withhold it…or tear into them! Maybe this person is so deeply ashamed of what transpired that he/she cannot even speak of it now. Or maybe you are letting grudges and perceived transgressions color your daily living and erode your heart…while the rest of the world moves ahead unaware of your pain and dissatisfaction.
My point is that of the Apostle Paul to the Romans. We will never experience anything that Jesus hasn’t encountered…in spades! We will never be mistreated, misunderstood, abused, ridiculed, humiliated, ignored, shamed and unloved as much as Jesus was…by countless people. And yet, He never retaliated. Jesus never looked upon a single one of them with anything but incredible love and compassion. He never sought revenge…and even on the cross, He asked God to forgive those who didn’t fully comprehend what they were doing.
Now what makes us think that we have the right to harbor grudges…to seek revenge…to operate in anything but love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, kindness and compassion? Don’t you get it? We are all WINNERS in Jesus Christ! There are no “runners-up” in His kingdom. And yes, we’ve all had our dress stepped on a few times. But let’s get over ourselves! Let’s set aside our egos…give our deepest hurts and indignations to God…and ask, “LORD, where do I go from here?” I’m betting you already have a pretty good idea how He will answer. But ask Him anyway!
Let God handle the judgment – and the justice. Trust Him to make things right. Love even when it seems like the hardest thing in the world to do. Believe me...I’m right there with you sometimes. There are some really, really unlovable people in this world! But love them anyway…in Jesus’ name. You are a winner with Jesus. He will crown you with His glory. Now that’s a “win” I’m willing to fight for… aren’t you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people. Don’t mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone.
Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.”
The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.”
Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my sister, Suzanne, and I were little, we played “Beauty Pageant” a lot. We would dress up in old gowns that belonged to Mom and our “Aunt” Martha, and we would have evening gown and talent competitions. I don’t think we ever included swimsuits…but maybe. For us, it was all about the gowns and the talent. We were both in our first pageant at age five – a local “rite-of-passage” event that virtually every five-year-old girl in the county experienced. We girls had fun…I think a lot of the moms and grandmothers were more cutthroat about the competitive side of things!
The year I entered, I was crowned the winner. Suzanne entered the following year, and she was awarded one of the runners-up. By all rights, I believe she should have won, too. She played “Up a Lazy River” on the ORGAN, for goodness sake - and she was good enough to rival Jo Ann Castle on “The Lawrence Welk Show”! (Okay, I just dated myself big time!) But just before the final evening gown parade, the mother of another contestant accidentally stepped on Suzanne’s gown backstage, and she tore a delicate netting ruffle. Mom and others desperately tried to pin the ruffle back on the gown as the parade of contestants marched out onto the stage…but Suzanne was crying her eyes out when she hit the stage. And the judges selected one of her classmates as “Queen”.
In high school, I participated in “beauty pageants”…mainly because I thought they were fun – although I’ll admit, there was a competitive edge to them. I placed several times, but I never won…and that was okay with me. I would have loved to win, but I was happy with a “runner-up” position. But a fellow contestant – who actually did win once – was NOT a happy camper when she lost. She declared that the contest had been rigged. She spoke to judges afterward and questioned the scoring system. And she invited me to join her in trying to embarrass the winner the following year by outperforming her and “proving” that the girl had no talent.
I’ll be honest. This girl probably shouldn’t have won. The contest was most likely rigged. But had someone else been crowned the queen, I’m not sure it would have been this unhappy runner-up who threw such a fit. And honestly, the “winner” truly needed the win. She needed the ego boost and all of the recognition, celebrations and accolades that came with winning. So I was glad for her to have them.
Too many of us are so busy trying to even the score or “show somebody a thing or two” that we have almost forgotten what the issue was to begin with! We are so mired in our own hurt that we cannot stop to consider the other person. Did the contestant who didn’t truly “deserve” the win know that she was inadequate? Did she feel realize that someone might have finagled the scores in order for her to win…and did this embarrass her? Was she waiting for someone to come forward and say, “You cheated!”? How did she feel toward those who finished behind her and accepted their “loss” graciously? Was she grateful?
Have you ever stopped to think that the “other person” might need to be right more than you? Have you ever considered that the person who hurt you so deeply – who wounded you in ways you can’t even describe – is hurting, too? Maybe he/she feels deep remorse and doesn’t dare come to you for forgiveness because of a fear that you might withhold it…or tear into them! Maybe this person is so deeply ashamed of what transpired that he/she cannot even speak of it now. Or maybe you are letting grudges and perceived transgressions color your daily living and erode your heart…while the rest of the world moves ahead unaware of your pain and dissatisfaction.
My point is that of the Apostle Paul to the Romans. We will never experience anything that Jesus hasn’t encountered…in spades! We will never be mistreated, misunderstood, abused, ridiculed, humiliated, ignored, shamed and unloved as much as Jesus was…by countless people. And yet, He never retaliated. Jesus never looked upon a single one of them with anything but incredible love and compassion. He never sought revenge…and even on the cross, He asked God to forgive those who didn’t fully comprehend what they were doing.
Now what makes us think that we have the right to harbor grudges…to seek revenge…to operate in anything but love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, kindness and compassion? Don’t you get it? We are all WINNERS in Jesus Christ! There are no “runners-up” in His kingdom. And yes, we’ve all had our dress stepped on a few times. But let’s get over ourselves! Let’s set aside our egos…give our deepest hurts and indignations to God…and ask, “LORD, where do I go from here?” I’m betting you already have a pretty good idea how He will answer. But ask Him anyway!
Let God handle the judgment – and the justice. Trust Him to make things right. Love even when it seems like the hardest thing in the world to do. Believe me...I’m right there with you sometimes. There are some really, really unlovable people in this world! But love them anyway…in Jesus’ name. You are a winner with Jesus. He will crown you with His glory. Now that’s a “win” I’m willing to fight for… aren’t you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 9, 2013
Daniel 3:15-18
I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
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.
It’s been 27 years since I taught public school kindergarten…and probably 30 years since the incident I am about to describe actually happened… but I remember it like it was yesterday. An administrator for our school district was observing a lesson that I taught one morning. Our school district was something of the “guinea pig” for every new program that came down the pike. This time, it was a program on assertive discipline. The woman who visited my classroom was doing “blind observations.” She did not know which teachers had attended the trial classes in assertive discipline… and which had not (and for the record, I was in the latter category!). As I began my lesson, a little boy named Marice began to “show out.” I warned him that a trip to “time out” was eminent. He persisted. I placed him in said “time out,” which consisted of a little nook in a corner of the classroom with a chair for sitting, separated from the rest of the room by a tall file cabinet. Think of it as a “3-sided box.”
I placed Marice in “time out.” He protested… loudly. I continued my lesson. He screamed and yelled, “I hate you! I’m never coming back!” I continued to deliver my lesson and interact with the other students as if nothing was amiss. Marice continued to shout, kick the filing cabinet, and protest… although he never left the corner. At the end of his ten minutes, the timer I had set began to ring, and I told him that he could return to his seat. The administrator later told me (as she shook her head), “I do not know how you did it! I could not have handled that!” I suggested to her that it was a matter of choices. The little boy chose to misbehave, and I gave him a chance to correct his behavior. By choosing to continue his actions, he elected to suffer consequences. I opted to enforce those consequences.
I could have “caved” and let him off the hook. I could have said, “We have a guest here today, and I don’t want to make a scene.” But I knew that this would not be the right option… this would not be productive for any of us in the long term. So I chose to grit my teeth and endure the 10 minutes of “time out” that was somewhat torturous for everyone. In the end, the little boy – and the other students – realized that I meant business. The rules were to be followed, or there would be consequences.
So often in our lives, there are “rules” that must be followed and choices that must be made, or we suffer consequences. In the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there were two sets of rules - God’s, and King Nebuchadnezzar’s. To follow the king’s rules would save them from the fiery furnace. To follow God’s rules could possibly result in burning to death, which is not my idea of a pleasant way to go! I don’t know about you, but I would not have been able to blame these men if that threat had caused them to succumb to the pressure and say, “Okay, we will bow down to your idols.”
Here’s the thing…there are times when it would be so easy to say, “I just can’t do this. It’s too hard. I’m not sure exactly what will happen if I say ‘No!’… but I just can’t take that risk. I don’t think I can handle this.” But here’s the more important part… when we can’t handle a choice that we know God is calling us to make, we must trust Him to step in and do the hard work for us. We have to believe that He will carry us… that God will handle whatever pain and disruption our hard choice creates… that He will be there to rescue us from our “fiery furnace.”
I’m telling you… this is H.A.R.D. for me to digest – and it may be for you, as well. Like the administrator, there are times where I want to throw up my hands and say, “I simply cannot do this!” But I keep hearing God whisper, “Why can’t you? I’m right here with you. If you will listen and stay strong, I will show you that together, we can do this!” Does this mean that certain choices are no longer scary… that there aren’t times when I feel nauseous and anxious and wring my hands over the options I choose? Absolutely not! But my desire to follow God’s lead and serve Him is bigger than my fears… at least so far! What about yours?
©2013 Debbie Robus
I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
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.
It’s been 27 years since I taught public school kindergarten…and probably 30 years since the incident I am about to describe actually happened… but I remember it like it was yesterday. An administrator for our school district was observing a lesson that I taught one morning. Our school district was something of the “guinea pig” for every new program that came down the pike. This time, it was a program on assertive discipline. The woman who visited my classroom was doing “blind observations.” She did not know which teachers had attended the trial classes in assertive discipline… and which had not (and for the record, I was in the latter category!). As I began my lesson, a little boy named Marice began to “show out.” I warned him that a trip to “time out” was eminent. He persisted. I placed him in said “time out,” which consisted of a little nook in a corner of the classroom with a chair for sitting, separated from the rest of the room by a tall file cabinet. Think of it as a “3-sided box.”
I placed Marice in “time out.” He protested… loudly. I continued my lesson. He screamed and yelled, “I hate you! I’m never coming back!” I continued to deliver my lesson and interact with the other students as if nothing was amiss. Marice continued to shout, kick the filing cabinet, and protest… although he never left the corner. At the end of his ten minutes, the timer I had set began to ring, and I told him that he could return to his seat. The administrator later told me (as she shook her head), “I do not know how you did it! I could not have handled that!” I suggested to her that it was a matter of choices. The little boy chose to misbehave, and I gave him a chance to correct his behavior. By choosing to continue his actions, he elected to suffer consequences. I opted to enforce those consequences.
I could have “caved” and let him off the hook. I could have said, “We have a guest here today, and I don’t want to make a scene.” But I knew that this would not be the right option… this would not be productive for any of us in the long term. So I chose to grit my teeth and endure the 10 minutes of “time out” that was somewhat torturous for everyone. In the end, the little boy – and the other students – realized that I meant business. The rules were to be followed, or there would be consequences.
So often in our lives, there are “rules” that must be followed and choices that must be made, or we suffer consequences. In the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there were two sets of rules - God’s, and King Nebuchadnezzar’s. To follow the king’s rules would save them from the fiery furnace. To follow God’s rules could possibly result in burning to death, which is not my idea of a pleasant way to go! I don’t know about you, but I would not have been able to blame these men if that threat had caused them to succumb to the pressure and say, “Okay, we will bow down to your idols.”
Here’s the thing…there are times when it would be so easy to say, “I just can’t do this. It’s too hard. I’m not sure exactly what will happen if I say ‘No!’… but I just can’t take that risk. I don’t think I can handle this.” But here’s the more important part… when we can’t handle a choice that we know God is calling us to make, we must trust Him to step in and do the hard work for us. We have to believe that He will carry us… that God will handle whatever pain and disruption our hard choice creates… that He will be there to rescue us from our “fiery furnace.”
I’m telling you… this is H.A.R.D. for me to digest – and it may be for you, as well. Like the administrator, there are times where I want to throw up my hands and say, “I simply cannot do this!” But I keep hearing God whisper, “Why can’t you? I’m right here with you. If you will listen and stay strong, I will show you that together, we can do this!” Does this mean that certain choices are no longer scary… that there aren’t times when I feel nauseous and anxious and wring my hands over the options I choose? Absolutely not! But my desire to follow God’s lead and serve Him is bigger than my fears… at least so far! What about yours?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 3, 2013
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today was an unseasonably crisp, cool day for July 3rd in Arkansas. We awoke to a low of approximately 55 degrees, with a bright sunny sky overhead. I picked up Timothy about 9:30 and took him to get a haircut. Then we returned to his house and retrieved his mom, his sister Zola, and baby brother Nathan… and off we went to the city park to play. A little while later, my husband joined us there (thankfully)… it pretty well took all three of us to watch all three children!
But the little ones didn’t have a care in the world. Theirs was an atmosphere of exuberant joy… and complete peace. Their thoughts were on which apparatus to play upon next… who would push them in the swing…the children who came and went and interacted with them. They trusted that we would see to their every need. And when the time came to leave just before noon, they trusted that we would feed them and see that they got home safely. When you are four, two and one, you trust the adults in your life to see that everything goes smoothly and that all of your needs are met. You depend upon your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles to ensure that you are fed, kept clean and tidy, and entertained. So far… so good for our three!
Not all children have such a carefree existence. Some already know the pangs of hunger… the discomfort of living in squalor or not having clean clothes to wear - or even a bed in which to sleep. I know this. I understand that some children lose their ability to trust adults – or anyone else – at a very early age. Still, I believe that children as a group are better able to operate in total faith that someone will meet their needs and care for them than most of us.
I don’t know what age we begin to worry and mistrust. I am fairly certain it is different for each of us. But few of us make it to adulthood with perfect peace and a continual notion that someone else has our back at all times… even God. And therein lies the problem. See, the reason even children can operate in such faith, peace and joy is because God places people in their lives to care for their every need. The reason we can continue to operate in faith and peace as we grow and age is because God always has our back – one way or another. If we will keep our focus on this, nothing can rattle us.
Troubles will come…there will be bumps in the road some days – and downright potholes on others. But when we trust God and keep our thoughts fixed on Him… pleasing Him, serving Him, and trusting Him… we can have peace and joy even in the midst of our worst, most difficult day.
We all know that every July 3rd in Arkansas will not be cool and crisp. We all understand that we can’t play in the park with the abandonment of young children every day. But when we trust in God to meet our needs and handle our cares, every day can have the joy and peace that little ones seem to find so readily in even the most mundane – or unpleasant - circumstances. Are you ready to trust God with childlike faith? Are you ready to receive the serenity and calm that He can provide in all situations? Will today be the day you “let go and let God” once and for all? Shouldn’t it be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today was an unseasonably crisp, cool day for July 3rd in Arkansas. We awoke to a low of approximately 55 degrees, with a bright sunny sky overhead. I picked up Timothy about 9:30 and took him to get a haircut. Then we returned to his house and retrieved his mom, his sister Zola, and baby brother Nathan… and off we went to the city park to play. A little while later, my husband joined us there (thankfully)… it pretty well took all three of us to watch all three children!
But the little ones didn’t have a care in the world. Theirs was an atmosphere of exuberant joy… and complete peace. Their thoughts were on which apparatus to play upon next… who would push them in the swing…the children who came and went and interacted with them. They trusted that we would see to their every need. And when the time came to leave just before noon, they trusted that we would feed them and see that they got home safely. When you are four, two and one, you trust the adults in your life to see that everything goes smoothly and that all of your needs are met. You depend upon your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles to ensure that you are fed, kept clean and tidy, and entertained. So far… so good for our three!
Not all children have such a carefree existence. Some already know the pangs of hunger… the discomfort of living in squalor or not having clean clothes to wear - or even a bed in which to sleep. I know this. I understand that some children lose their ability to trust adults – or anyone else – at a very early age. Still, I believe that children as a group are better able to operate in total faith that someone will meet their needs and care for them than most of us.
I don’t know what age we begin to worry and mistrust. I am fairly certain it is different for each of us. But few of us make it to adulthood with perfect peace and a continual notion that someone else has our back at all times… even God. And therein lies the problem. See, the reason even children can operate in such faith, peace and joy is because God places people in their lives to care for their every need. The reason we can continue to operate in faith and peace as we grow and age is because God always has our back – one way or another. If we will keep our focus on this, nothing can rattle us.
Troubles will come…there will be bumps in the road some days – and downright potholes on others. But when we trust God and keep our thoughts fixed on Him… pleasing Him, serving Him, and trusting Him… we can have peace and joy even in the midst of our worst, most difficult day.
We all know that every July 3rd in Arkansas will not be cool and crisp. We all understand that we can’t play in the park with the abandonment of young children every day. But when we trust in God to meet our needs and handle our cares, every day can have the joy and peace that little ones seem to find so readily in even the most mundane – or unpleasant - circumstances. Are you ready to trust God with childlike faith? Are you ready to receive the serenity and calm that He can provide in all situations? Will today be the day you “let go and let God” once and for all? Shouldn’t it be?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 5, 2013
Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The other day, my three-year-old cousin, Owen, had a little meltdown. His mom said, “I think someone needs a nap.” Owen replied, “I don’t need a nap… I’m just tired!” Often, when Timothy is cranky, he will say, “But I did get my nap out!” In truth, this means that he did NOT have a nap… or at least a very good one!
Let us take a little rest… grab a nap for an hour or two… or get a good night’s rest, and most of us are refreshed and re-energized. But sometimes, there are circumstances that prevent us from getting a nap or plenty of rest. There are times when we do grow weary and very tired. Maybe we are studying for finals… or up half the night with a baby who is sick or refuses to sleep…or maybe a medical crisis has us sitting half the night in a hospital Emergency Room. There are times when we seem to be “running on fumes.” And honestly, there seems to be little to no explanation for how we survive without crashing in a heap in the corner of the room and falling into a much-needed sleep.
There are other times when we are mentally or emotionally drained… when stresses (both good and bad) have kept our mind racing or filled us with excitement – anxiety, anticipation, frustration, or even giddiness. Whatever has revved our motor, we can’t seem to settle down and relax… or turn off our thoughts.
In all of these circumstances, there IS a strength and power that we often fail to tap into – much less recognize… the unfailing care and nurture of Almighty God. When we are too tired to put one foot in front of the other, He gives us that little boost to take our next steps. When we think we can’t handle another challenge, God lifts us up and says, “You’re not tackling this by yourself!” When we are so worn out and frustrated that we want to throw up our hands and walk away, God says, “I will carry you for a while.”
How can we give up when we soar on wings as strong as those of eagles… when we operate under the power and strength of such a loving, everlasting God? We may be tired and need a “nap”… or even have a temporary meltdown. But at the end of the day, we need to recognize WHO is carrying us much of the time… filling us with His strength and power to endure whatever comes our way. Isn’t it time you operated in this power? Shouldn’t you embrace the strength of God and call on Him to meet your every need? Wouldn’t this a great time to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The other day, my three-year-old cousin, Owen, had a little meltdown. His mom said, “I think someone needs a nap.” Owen replied, “I don’t need a nap… I’m just tired!” Often, when Timothy is cranky, he will say, “But I did get my nap out!” In truth, this means that he did NOT have a nap… or at least a very good one!
Let us take a little rest… grab a nap for an hour or two… or get a good night’s rest, and most of us are refreshed and re-energized. But sometimes, there are circumstances that prevent us from getting a nap or plenty of rest. There are times when we do grow weary and very tired. Maybe we are studying for finals… or up half the night with a baby who is sick or refuses to sleep…or maybe a medical crisis has us sitting half the night in a hospital Emergency Room. There are times when we seem to be “running on fumes.” And honestly, there seems to be little to no explanation for how we survive without crashing in a heap in the corner of the room and falling into a much-needed sleep.
There are other times when we are mentally or emotionally drained… when stresses (both good and bad) have kept our mind racing or filled us with excitement – anxiety, anticipation, frustration, or even giddiness. Whatever has revved our motor, we can’t seem to settle down and relax… or turn off our thoughts.
In all of these circumstances, there IS a strength and power that we often fail to tap into – much less recognize… the unfailing care and nurture of Almighty God. When we are too tired to put one foot in front of the other, He gives us that little boost to take our next steps. When we think we can’t handle another challenge, God lifts us up and says, “You’re not tackling this by yourself!” When we are so worn out and frustrated that we want to throw up our hands and walk away, God says, “I will carry you for a while.”
How can we give up when we soar on wings as strong as those of eagles… when we operate under the power and strength of such a loving, everlasting God? We may be tired and need a “nap”… or even have a temporary meltdown. But at the end of the day, we need to recognize WHO is carrying us much of the time… filling us with His strength and power to endure whatever comes our way. Isn’t it time you operated in this power? Shouldn’t you embrace the strength of God and call on Him to meet your every need? Wouldn’t this a great time to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 21, 2012
Matthew 11:28-29
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timmy and I watched “Daisy Bothers Minnie,” a Disney video. Minnie Mouse and her cat, Figero, are all set to relax for the evening, when Daisy calls to say she has a problem at her house and cannot take her “therapeutic bath.” Even though Minnie has plans for the evening, Daisy inserts herself into Minnie’s night and comes right on over. Then she imposes over and over, causing all sorts of problems, and totally interrupting Minnie’s “quiet night at home.” To say that Minnie Mouse was frustrated would be a major understatement. Minnie was more than tired from carrying heavy burdens!
From the demands of family members and friends to school and work - to concerns about the world at large, our burdens can get pretty heavy. Some have worries that seem like they would crush Superman, much less us ordinary humans. Around the world, illness, debt, relationship difficulties, homelessness, war, separation, hunger, fear and oppression, and more weigh heavily on the shoulders of millions of people every minute of the day. But even if your own “burdens” pale in comparison to those of someone in a war-torn country or a person who is facing a serious illness or the prospect of homelessness, they are YOUR burdens and have real significance in your life and the lives of those with whom you interact.
The amazingly wonderful thing is that God can handle ALL burdens. The woman in the Sudan who cannot feed herself or her children can cry out to God just like the student in a college classroom who needs help getting through freshman English! The soldier who is stationed halfway around the world in Afghanistan and won’t be home for Thanksgiving can experience rest in the LORD just as much as the elderly shut-in who will spend the holiday in his/her living room, all alone, watching parades and ballgames on TV.
The hostage in a war-torn country who is beaten and imprisoned can feel the same comfort and care from God as the foster child who is separated from his/her biological family and doesn’t know what will happen next. Every single one of us has “burdens” that seem like more than we can handle at one time or another, and God stands ready to take this load from each of us… if only we will ask Him to do so.
These verses in The Message say in part… “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to lay my burdens down at the feet of Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of His grace.
So often, we’re like Minnie Mouse… we reach our limits with friends, family members, work, school, and the worries of our day. We are ready to “have a quiet night” and relax… and something – or someone like Daisy Duck – comes along to ruin our plans. We can become overwhelmed in a hurry. God understands this, and He is saying, “I’ve got this. Let me handle things while you rest.” Aren’t you ready to do this? Isn’t it time we stopped throwing up our hands and screaming in frustration? Won’t you simply pick up the easy, gentle, graceful yoke of God and wear it for a change… and let Him handle the heavy stuff?
©2012 Debbie Robus
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timmy and I watched “Daisy Bothers Minnie,” a Disney video. Minnie Mouse and her cat, Figero, are all set to relax for the evening, when Daisy calls to say she has a problem at her house and cannot take her “therapeutic bath.” Even though Minnie has plans for the evening, Daisy inserts herself into Minnie’s night and comes right on over. Then she imposes over and over, causing all sorts of problems, and totally interrupting Minnie’s “quiet night at home.” To say that Minnie Mouse was frustrated would be a major understatement. Minnie was more than tired from carrying heavy burdens!
From the demands of family members and friends to school and work - to concerns about the world at large, our burdens can get pretty heavy. Some have worries that seem like they would crush Superman, much less us ordinary humans. Around the world, illness, debt, relationship difficulties, homelessness, war, separation, hunger, fear and oppression, and more weigh heavily on the shoulders of millions of people every minute of the day. But even if your own “burdens” pale in comparison to those of someone in a war-torn country or a person who is facing a serious illness or the prospect of homelessness, they are YOUR burdens and have real significance in your life and the lives of those with whom you interact.
The amazingly wonderful thing is that God can handle ALL burdens. The woman in the Sudan who cannot feed herself or her children can cry out to God just like the student in a college classroom who needs help getting through freshman English! The soldier who is stationed halfway around the world in Afghanistan and won’t be home for Thanksgiving can experience rest in the LORD just as much as the elderly shut-in who will spend the holiday in his/her living room, all alone, watching parades and ballgames on TV.
The hostage in a war-torn country who is beaten and imprisoned can feel the same comfort and care from God as the foster child who is separated from his/her biological family and doesn’t know what will happen next. Every single one of us has “burdens” that seem like more than we can handle at one time or another, and God stands ready to take this load from each of us… if only we will ask Him to do so.
These verses in The Message say in part… “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to lay my burdens down at the feet of Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of His grace.
So often, we’re like Minnie Mouse… we reach our limits with friends, family members, work, school, and the worries of our day. We are ready to “have a quiet night” and relax… and something – or someone like Daisy Duck – comes along to ruin our plans. We can become overwhelmed in a hurry. God understands this, and He is saying, “I’ve got this. Let me handle things while you rest.” Aren’t you ready to do this? Isn’t it time we stopped throwing up our hands and screaming in frustration? Won’t you simply pick up the easy, gentle, graceful yoke of God and wear it for a change… and let Him handle the heavy stuff?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 11, 2012
Matthew 11:28-30
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
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.
Last week, my husband and I took Timothy and his little sister, Zola, to the park to play and have a “picnic.” If you want to learn to live freely and lightly, spend a couple of hours sliding down a slide with toddlers. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace by swinging while holding a little child on your lap. Get away from the worries and cares of your day and see even the tiniest stick or pine cone through their eyes. And rest? They know about that, too. After about the 90th trip down the slide, Timmy looked up and said, “Let’s rest a minute!”
At the end of the day, we were all tired… but also renewed. Yes, we all slept well that night… worn out from our physical exertion. But we set any burdens and worries aside and just enjoyed the sunshine and the simplicity of sharing love and joy with two little ones we love beyond description.
Have you ever stopped and considered that in terms of our Christian faith, we are the toddlers, and Jesus is the parent? But unlike the little children, who hopefully have no burdens or worries at such a young age, our lives are riddled with heaviness. We really are tired and worn out… exhausted from work and relationships and trying to juggle all the balls that make up our life. We are even weary of religion and the demands of the church… to conform to a certain set of guidelines and beliefs… to serve here or pay there or deal with all kinds of people who have their own agendas.
At the end of the day, don’t you just want to “rest a minute?” The GOOD NEWS is that you can… anytime, anywhere! You can call out to Jesus, and He will open His arms, scoop you up, and snuggle you to His chest. You can rest and relax…content and free in the safety He offers. And the more you take refuge with Jesus… the more you keep company with Him… the lighter your burdens and worries will become. You will feel more like a kid again… trusting your Heavenly Father to handle the big stuff for you.
Don’t you want this? Don’t you long to feel free and unencumbered… to know that Someone bigger than you is in control… perfectly managing your life so that you are able to focus on whatever God has designed you for? It’s time to leave our cares at the feet of Jesus. Aren’t you ready? Won’t you “slide down the slide” one last time… and rest?
©2012 Debbie Robus
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
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.
Last week, my husband and I took Timothy and his little sister, Zola, to the park to play and have a “picnic.” If you want to learn to live freely and lightly, spend a couple of hours sliding down a slide with toddlers. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace by swinging while holding a little child on your lap. Get away from the worries and cares of your day and see even the tiniest stick or pine cone through their eyes. And rest? They know about that, too. After about the 90th trip down the slide, Timmy looked up and said, “Let’s rest a minute!”
At the end of the day, we were all tired… but also renewed. Yes, we all slept well that night… worn out from our physical exertion. But we set any burdens and worries aside and just enjoyed the sunshine and the simplicity of sharing love and joy with two little ones we love beyond description.
Have you ever stopped and considered that in terms of our Christian faith, we are the toddlers, and Jesus is the parent? But unlike the little children, who hopefully have no burdens or worries at such a young age, our lives are riddled with heaviness. We really are tired and worn out… exhausted from work and relationships and trying to juggle all the balls that make up our life. We are even weary of religion and the demands of the church… to conform to a certain set of guidelines and beliefs… to serve here or pay there or deal with all kinds of people who have their own agendas.
At the end of the day, don’t you just want to “rest a minute?” The GOOD NEWS is that you can… anytime, anywhere! You can call out to Jesus, and He will open His arms, scoop you up, and snuggle you to His chest. You can rest and relax…content and free in the safety He offers. And the more you take refuge with Jesus… the more you keep company with Him… the lighter your burdens and worries will become. You will feel more like a kid again… trusting your Heavenly Father to handle the big stuff for you.
Don’t you want this? Don’t you long to feel free and unencumbered… to know that Someone bigger than you is in control… perfectly managing your life so that you are able to focus on whatever God has designed you for? It’s time to leave our cares at the feet of Jesus. Aren’t you ready? Won’t you “slide down the slide” one last time… and rest?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)