John 14:26-27
But when the Father sends the
Comforter instead of me—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he
will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have
told you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart!
And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So
don’t be troubled or afraid.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
We’re headed toward that time of year
when we start to think a lot about gifts…as in “What will I get XYZ for
Christmas?” Retailers are more than ready to offer suggestions about how
we should spend our money – and what would be the best present for
Grandma or Jimmy! Often, we are encouraged to give something
expendable…food, cologne and toiletries, candles and room fragrances, or
coloring/activity books and art supplies that are quickly used, so that
there is a built-in urge to buy more!
I like to give lasting
gifts…a keepsake that someone will treasure for a long time. A couple
of years ago, my cousin Natalie gave me a leather bracelet for my
birthday that says, “only love today.” It’s a reminder that God is with
me…that for this day, He wants me to focus on operating in love. This
is also a subtle reminder that we are only to concern ourselves with one
day at a time. I wear this bracelet almost every day, and it does
indeed remind me that God’s Holy Spirit is with me, guiding me to walk
in love. It also reminds me of my sweet cousin and our special bond.
Another lasting gift is my wedding band. I have worn
it for more than 41 years now, and it reminds me of the promises that
Greg and I have made…and of how much we love each other. When I look at
that gold band, I am comforted by the peace of our enduring love and
commitment to each other. Whether we are together or not, I feel Greg’s
presence and devotion every single moment.
The Holy Spirit is
not something that we wear like a bracelet or a wedding band, but His
presence in our heart is no less profound or impactful. God’s Holy
Spirit is most certainly not an expendable gift, like food or perfume.
His is the gentle voice you hear suggesting that you take this path or
that…reminding you to be still and “let it go”…calming you in the midst
of something that has you in a tizzy or a major panic. His peace is everlasting…not like the momentary relief or exhilaration that we feel after a happy incident.
The
peace of the Holy Spirit is that inner calm that says, “You can do
this! You’ve got this! I’m right here beside you, and everything will
be okay.” The peace of the Holy Spirit allows us to be calm in the face
of adversity…to say, “This is going to be okay” – and mean it! Does
this mean there will never be times of temporary panic…that we will not
be affected by grief, pain and suffering…that we won’t ever experience
troubles? Absolutely not!
But when we “wear” the Holy Spirit in
our hearts and listen for His voice, we always feel God’s presence. We
know that He is working – often behind the scenes – to make a way
where we cannot see one. We understand that God wants us to put one
foot in front of the other and keep walking…and to know that He will
carry us when the steps are too difficult. He wants us to “be still and
know” that He is God…and to experience lasting peace that only He can give.
I
still give baked goods and “temporary” gifts to others…and there is no
such thing as a “bad gift” shared in the spirit of love. But the best
gift we’ll ever receive is Salvation in Jesus Christ… the presence of
His Holy Spirit that follows…and the peace that He brings. Have you
received this gift for yourself? Isn’t it time that you did? Ask Jesus
to forgive your sins…to be the LORD and Savior of your life…and then
invite His Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart. Call on Him by saying,
“Come, Holy Spirit!”…and welcome the peace that He brings forever and
ever.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label letting Jesus comfort us and give us peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letting Jesus comfort us and give us peace. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 26, 2015
John 14:1
Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our three-year-old nephew, Nathan, has a fistful of plastic superheroes that are his almost constant companions at our house. These include Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, a small “bat signal” and a blue Lego man he calls “Blue Man.” He “earned” these for good behavior earlier in the spring/summer, and he carries them around throughout the house as he plays. And he always sleeps with them.
Nathan stays with us on Mondays and Fridays while his parents work. We have a routine of play and activities all morning, followed by an early lunch, a warm bath, story time…and about a 3-hour nap. While Nathan plays in the tub, I gather books to read, lay out his pajamas, and prepare our bed with his favorite blanket, the superheroes, and a couple of stuffed animals he requires before he will settle in and sleep. Today, I could NOT locate Batman.
I searched high and low. The black-clad superhero was last seen in our living room, but I could not locate him. I hoped that Nathan would not notice. Ha! What was I thinking? He went with me to the living room to search, and we turned over the cushions and looked everywhere – no Batman. Nathan began to sob. I got other “Batman” figures…they were not the same. He wanted his “superhero Batman,” as he called it. I assured him that…”Batman is here…and I will find him.” I told him…”Trust me…while you sleep, I will find him and bring him to you.”
Finally, I was able to convince the little guy to settle in for story time and some PBS TV programs…and I returned to the living room to search. WHERE was that crazy little figurine? I retraced every single step, and suddenly, there he lay…totally camouflaged on the cushion of one of my chairs…almost in plain sight, but just obscure enough to be overlooked. I took Batman to Nathan, and he was one happy and relieved little napper!
When I read these words from Jesus in John 14, I thought of Nathan’s reaction when I promised to find his Batman figurine. I kept telling him that…“I promise, I will find him.” And Nathan kept saying, “No, you won’t! I can’t sleep without him!” How many times has Jesus assured us that He is with us…and we have continued to wring our hands and worry – and essentially say, “No, you’re not!”
The time has come for us to understand once and for all that there will be times when we cannot readily see Jesus. He may be right in front of us…like a totally black-clad superhero figurine on a burgundy-printed chair cushion. He may seem to be invisible. But He is THERE! Jesus NEVER leaves us! Sometimes when we are looking for Him, he is right beside us…and we simply do not recognize Him. It’s time for us to stop wringing our hands and “working” our worries…to trust Him to do what He has promised…to believe that Jesus really does have us in the palm of His hand.
Stop worrying…have faith in God through the promises of Jesus Christ. Believe that He has everything under control – in this lifetime and into Eternity. Like a tired 3-year-old, relax and drift sweetly off to sleep. Rest well…and trust that Jesus is handling everything, whether readily visible or behind the scenes…because He truly is.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our three-year-old nephew, Nathan, has a fistful of plastic superheroes that are his almost constant companions at our house. These include Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, a small “bat signal” and a blue Lego man he calls “Blue Man.” He “earned” these for good behavior earlier in the spring/summer, and he carries them around throughout the house as he plays. And he always sleeps with them.
Nathan stays with us on Mondays and Fridays while his parents work. We have a routine of play and activities all morning, followed by an early lunch, a warm bath, story time…and about a 3-hour nap. While Nathan plays in the tub, I gather books to read, lay out his pajamas, and prepare our bed with his favorite blanket, the superheroes, and a couple of stuffed animals he requires before he will settle in and sleep. Today, I could NOT locate Batman.
I searched high and low. The black-clad superhero was last seen in our living room, but I could not locate him. I hoped that Nathan would not notice. Ha! What was I thinking? He went with me to the living room to search, and we turned over the cushions and looked everywhere – no Batman. Nathan began to sob. I got other “Batman” figures…they were not the same. He wanted his “superhero Batman,” as he called it. I assured him that…”Batman is here…and I will find him.” I told him…”Trust me…while you sleep, I will find him and bring him to you.”
Finally, I was able to convince the little guy to settle in for story time and some PBS TV programs…and I returned to the living room to search. WHERE was that crazy little figurine? I retraced every single step, and suddenly, there he lay…totally camouflaged on the cushion of one of my chairs…almost in plain sight, but just obscure enough to be overlooked. I took Batman to Nathan, and he was one happy and relieved little napper!
When I read these words from Jesus in John 14, I thought of Nathan’s reaction when I promised to find his Batman figurine. I kept telling him that…“I promise, I will find him.” And Nathan kept saying, “No, you won’t! I can’t sleep without him!” How many times has Jesus assured us that He is with us…and we have continued to wring our hands and worry – and essentially say, “No, you’re not!”
The time has come for us to understand once and for all that there will be times when we cannot readily see Jesus. He may be right in front of us…like a totally black-clad superhero figurine on a burgundy-printed chair cushion. He may seem to be invisible. But He is THERE! Jesus NEVER leaves us! Sometimes when we are looking for Him, he is right beside us…and we simply do not recognize Him. It’s time for us to stop wringing our hands and “working” our worries…to trust Him to do what He has promised…to believe that Jesus really does have us in the palm of His hand.
Stop worrying…have faith in God through the promises of Jesus Christ. Believe that He has everything under control – in this lifetime and into Eternity. Like a tired 3-year-old, relax and drift sweetly off to sleep. Rest well…and trust that Jesus is handling everything, whether readily visible or behind the scenes…because He truly is.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 5, 2015
Romans 6:6
Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin;
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My name is Debbie, and I am a shoe-a-holic! I have loved pretty shoes all of my life…dating back to the twice-a-year sale my mother would take my sister and me to at Kempner’s Shoe Store in Little Rock, back in the 1960s. Because it was a half price sale – and my Aunt Altha noted that she and I had a big foot that was “the same size as half the world” – the selection in my size was often a little “interesting.” This would explain why I once had a pair of orange leather penny loafers! Since my mother and grandmother made most of our clothes, my outfits were created in colors that coordinated with said shoes!
As I got older, the heels on my shoes got higher, and I began to acquire a few pair that were beautiful to look at – and made my legs look fantastic – but literally were a PAIN to wear. They didn’t feel so bad at first – and honestly, I felt so great in them that I tried to ignore any discomfort. But over time, these “high heels” started to really irritate me. Ours was a love-hate relationship. I began to realize that this kind of shoe was truly uncomfortable and not right for me. But I had purchased them…spent money on them…and they were fun (momentarily)…so I felt obligated to wear them, at least once in a while!
I’ve gotten rid of most of these pain-inflicting “stilettos”…and I have to tell you, it was cathartic to let them go. I’ve traded them for “heel shoes” (as Timothy calls them) with a shorter, more sensible - yet still-attractive - heel height. These days, I am more concerned about comfort and the freedom to concentrate on what really matters than on whether my legs look lean and shapely – and my feet are killing me! I look at the two or three pair of HIGH heels I still possess and remind myself that they represent someone I once was…a person who wasn’t necessarily that bad - but one who was not totally comfortable in her own skin, either.
I hope you see where I am headed. Maybe, like me…it took you a while to realize that there were elements of your life that were not fitting well…that you were not comfortable in your present situation…and that the culprit was the “ill-fitting-shoes” of sin. Maybe your life seemed fun…and maybe some situations were areas that you adapted to, like the “orange-loafers” of your life, and ran with it – even when these things didn’t seem to be quite right.
Hear the GOOD NEWS! Today is the day to “clean your shoe closet”…to get rid of anything that pinches, doesn’t go with any of your clothing, or simply feels wrong. This is the day to nail your sins to the cross with Jesus and rid yourself of them forever. Even if you have been a Christian for a long time, you may still have a few areas where you struggle…a few “pair of shoes” from the past in your closet that remind you of where you once were. Give those areas to Jesus today. Let Him help handle them for you and free you of their burden.
I’ll be honest…I have ONE THING in my wardrobe today that is a light shade of orange. I loved those shoes when I was in 7th or 8th grade, but orange is really not my color. It’s time for us to recognize that we have been limping along in our spiritual lives and “making do” with our sins long enough. Make today the day that you nail them to the cross, once and for all, and walk/run in the freedom and comfort of a life in Christ Jesus. The hands and feet of Jesus work best when they aren’t hurting. How are your “feet” feeling today?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin;
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My name is Debbie, and I am a shoe-a-holic! I have loved pretty shoes all of my life…dating back to the twice-a-year sale my mother would take my sister and me to at Kempner’s Shoe Store in Little Rock, back in the 1960s. Because it was a half price sale – and my Aunt Altha noted that she and I had a big foot that was “the same size as half the world” – the selection in my size was often a little “interesting.” This would explain why I once had a pair of orange leather penny loafers! Since my mother and grandmother made most of our clothes, my outfits were created in colors that coordinated with said shoes!
As I got older, the heels on my shoes got higher, and I began to acquire a few pair that were beautiful to look at – and made my legs look fantastic – but literally were a PAIN to wear. They didn’t feel so bad at first – and honestly, I felt so great in them that I tried to ignore any discomfort. But over time, these “high heels” started to really irritate me. Ours was a love-hate relationship. I began to realize that this kind of shoe was truly uncomfortable and not right for me. But I had purchased them…spent money on them…and they were fun (momentarily)…so I felt obligated to wear them, at least once in a while!
I’ve gotten rid of most of these pain-inflicting “stilettos”…and I have to tell you, it was cathartic to let them go. I’ve traded them for “heel shoes” (as Timothy calls them) with a shorter, more sensible - yet still-attractive - heel height. These days, I am more concerned about comfort and the freedom to concentrate on what really matters than on whether my legs look lean and shapely – and my feet are killing me! I look at the two or three pair of HIGH heels I still possess and remind myself that they represent someone I once was…a person who wasn’t necessarily that bad - but one who was not totally comfortable in her own skin, either.
I hope you see where I am headed. Maybe, like me…it took you a while to realize that there were elements of your life that were not fitting well…that you were not comfortable in your present situation…and that the culprit was the “ill-fitting-shoes” of sin. Maybe your life seemed fun…and maybe some situations were areas that you adapted to, like the “orange-loafers” of your life, and ran with it – even when these things didn’t seem to be quite right.
Hear the GOOD NEWS! Today is the day to “clean your shoe closet”…to get rid of anything that pinches, doesn’t go with any of your clothing, or simply feels wrong. This is the day to nail your sins to the cross with Jesus and rid yourself of them forever. Even if you have been a Christian for a long time, you may still have a few areas where you struggle…a few “pair of shoes” from the past in your closet that remind you of where you once were. Give those areas to Jesus today. Let Him help handle them for you and free you of their burden.
I’ll be honest…I have ONE THING in my wardrobe today that is a light shade of orange. I loved those shoes when I was in 7th or 8th grade, but orange is really not my color. It’s time for us to recognize that we have been limping along in our spiritual lives and “making do” with our sins long enough. Make today the day that you nail them to the cross, once and for all, and walk/run in the freedom and comfort of a life in Christ Jesus. The hands and feet of Jesus work best when they aren’t hurting. How are your “feet” feeling today?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 28, 2013
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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.
Greg and I watched Amour, an award-winning French film about an aging couple who face serious challenges after the wife suffers a stroke that leaves her paralyzed on her right side. The couple – former piano teachers in Paris – both make numerous adjustments to their home and lifestyle to accommodate her affliction. Then she suffers a second stroke that leaves her bedridden and unable to speak. Understandably, she loses hope… and over time, so does her husband. After the movie ended, Greg and I looked at each other, and I said, “I pray that God spares us this kind of ending.”
I know that we don’t get to choose what happens… and I would never dare to tell God how things ought to go. I know that His plans are perfect… that there are reasons and outcomes that I cannot envision. I know that I must trust Him completely… and for the most part, I do a pretty good job of this.
Still, I don’t have enough fingers and toes to name those I know personally who are currently facing situations that seem hopeless. I think of a friend who just had babies she had fostered for most of their little lives removed from her home yesterday in the dark of early morning… whisked away to live with a cousin they had never even met. I think about friends who have a spouse who is seriously ill and the decisions they face daily about the care and well-being of these spouses – and themselves. I think of a friend who will bury her brother in a couple of days… and another who sits at her brother’s bedside as he appears to be losing his battle with cancer. I am reminded of my friend Mich, who lost his battle with a cancerous brain tumor that he didn’t even know he had three months ago. I have prayed today for a high school classmate, whose grand-daughter was born yesterday with Down’s Syndrome and three holes in her little heart.
I know families who struggle from day to day to pay bills and put food on the table… and others who just can’t seem to get it together in their interpersonal relationships. I know some who struggle with addictions… smoking, drinking, drugs and more – and wrestle with kicking their habits. I visited this week with an elderly mother who lives in an assisted living facility. Her daughter is fighting for her life in a hospital in a nearby city, and this mother had not received any word about her condition in two days. Another resident I visited at the same facility was deeply concerned about his friend who is experiencing health problems as he stresses over caring for his wife. I picked up the local paper and read about a man who was arrested for receiving a shipment of illegal drugs at our local post office. His mother lives on my mother-in-law’s street, and my sister and I attended elementary school with him. I thought about how hopeless she – and all of these dear people – must feel.
How do you find joy and peace when you feel so hopeless… and helpless? How do you forge ahead with confidence in the midst of such trials and suffering? There is only one answer… Jesus! Through the power of His Holy Spirit, we can feel calm and peace when life swirls around us like a whirlpool and threatens to suck us down into the depths of despair. Because of Jesus, we can believe that we will laugh again… that we will find happiness, serenity, rest and renewal…that Someone far more competent and powerful than we are is in complete control… and that all will be well. Because of Jesus, we can dare to hope and believe that God’s plan is perfect… and we can rest in this.
Today marks 50 years since the infamous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that is known to many as the “I Have a Dream” address. I also have a dream… that God is working out everything, according to His perfect plan… that I can rest in this hope and find His peace and joy in even the worst of circumstances. What is your dream? Where is your hope? Will this be the day that you rest in the LORD and begin to operate in His peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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.
Greg and I watched Amour, an award-winning French film about an aging couple who face serious challenges after the wife suffers a stroke that leaves her paralyzed on her right side. The couple – former piano teachers in Paris – both make numerous adjustments to their home and lifestyle to accommodate her affliction. Then she suffers a second stroke that leaves her bedridden and unable to speak. Understandably, she loses hope… and over time, so does her husband. After the movie ended, Greg and I looked at each other, and I said, “I pray that God spares us this kind of ending.”
I know that we don’t get to choose what happens… and I would never dare to tell God how things ought to go. I know that His plans are perfect… that there are reasons and outcomes that I cannot envision. I know that I must trust Him completely… and for the most part, I do a pretty good job of this.
Still, I don’t have enough fingers and toes to name those I know personally who are currently facing situations that seem hopeless. I think of a friend who just had babies she had fostered for most of their little lives removed from her home yesterday in the dark of early morning… whisked away to live with a cousin they had never even met. I think about friends who have a spouse who is seriously ill and the decisions they face daily about the care and well-being of these spouses – and themselves. I think of a friend who will bury her brother in a couple of days… and another who sits at her brother’s bedside as he appears to be losing his battle with cancer. I am reminded of my friend Mich, who lost his battle with a cancerous brain tumor that he didn’t even know he had three months ago. I have prayed today for a high school classmate, whose grand-daughter was born yesterday with Down’s Syndrome and three holes in her little heart.
I know families who struggle from day to day to pay bills and put food on the table… and others who just can’t seem to get it together in their interpersonal relationships. I know some who struggle with addictions… smoking, drinking, drugs and more – and wrestle with kicking their habits. I visited this week with an elderly mother who lives in an assisted living facility. Her daughter is fighting for her life in a hospital in a nearby city, and this mother had not received any word about her condition in two days. Another resident I visited at the same facility was deeply concerned about his friend who is experiencing health problems as he stresses over caring for his wife. I picked up the local paper and read about a man who was arrested for receiving a shipment of illegal drugs at our local post office. His mother lives on my mother-in-law’s street, and my sister and I attended elementary school with him. I thought about how hopeless she – and all of these dear people – must feel.
How do you find joy and peace when you feel so hopeless… and helpless? How do you forge ahead with confidence in the midst of such trials and suffering? There is only one answer… Jesus! Through the power of His Holy Spirit, we can feel calm and peace when life swirls around us like a whirlpool and threatens to suck us down into the depths of despair. Because of Jesus, we can believe that we will laugh again… that we will find happiness, serenity, rest and renewal…that Someone far more competent and powerful than we are is in complete control… and that all will be well. Because of Jesus, we can dare to hope and believe that God’s plan is perfect… and we can rest in this.
Today marks 50 years since the infamous speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that is known to many as the “I Have a Dream” address. I also have a dream… that God is working out everything, according to His perfect plan… that I can rest in this hope and find His peace and joy in even the worst of circumstances. What is your dream? Where is your hope? Will this be the day that you rest in the LORD and begin to operate in His peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 4, 2013
Philemon 1:3
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
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.
Suppose someone you loved and trusted came to you with a Rolex watch and said, “I want you to have this.” Wouldn’t you feel confident that the watch was authentic? If one of your parents, grandparents, or another close relative handed you an envelope with a lot of money and said, “This is a gift. Spend it however you please.”… would you believe them? Would you feel free to spend the money on whatever you wanted?
Why can we so readily believe human beings… yet when Jesus tells us, “My peace I leave with you…” we figure there must be a catch? Either Jesus’ peace comes with strings attached… or it isn’t truly real in the first place. We need to understand that neither of these statements is true.
Jesus sacrificed everything for our salvation…to give us complete peace in Him. Because of Jesus, we can find peace even when we are worried about college or an upcoming test. When we face a major change in our life… a move, a new job, marriage – or the end of a relationship, the birth of a baby and the rearing of children, illness, aging, or even death… Jesus offers us His peace as we work our way through every circumstance. When we are saddled with grief, loneliness, uncertainty, fear, conflict, or sadness of any sort… peace in Jesus is only a prayer away.
Along with His peace, Jesus also offers us grace. So as our hearts are breaking, or we are so mad and upset we could spit nails… we can find peace in Him and handle the situation with poise and dignity. When we are scared out of our wits or so nervous we cannot eat or sleep, Jesus can give us peace and grace to calm down, stick out our chin, and face the day with confidence. And the best part is that these gifts don’t cost us a dime. We don’t have to do anything to earn Jesus’ peace and grace… we cannot do anything to earn these gifts, and we can “spend” them any way we desire. Really, the only way to mess this up is to ignore Jesus’ offerings… or refuse to accept them in the first place!
All we have to do to receive the peace and grace of Jesus is to accept it… to trust that these gifts are genuine… that He is authentic… and to fully embrace His amazing gestures of love. God sends us many incredible blessings and gifts through Jesus Christ…but His peace and grace are among two of the greatest. Have you received these for yourself? Are you ready to fully acknowledge His constant presence and strength in your life? Will this be the day you begin to fully operate in Jesus’ peace and grace? Have you fully accepted His gifts?
©2013 Debbie Robus
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
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.
Suppose someone you loved and trusted came to you with a Rolex watch and said, “I want you to have this.” Wouldn’t you feel confident that the watch was authentic? If one of your parents, grandparents, or another close relative handed you an envelope with a lot of money and said, “This is a gift. Spend it however you please.”… would you believe them? Would you feel free to spend the money on whatever you wanted?
Why can we so readily believe human beings… yet when Jesus tells us, “My peace I leave with you…” we figure there must be a catch? Either Jesus’ peace comes with strings attached… or it isn’t truly real in the first place. We need to understand that neither of these statements is true.
Jesus sacrificed everything for our salvation…to give us complete peace in Him. Because of Jesus, we can find peace even when we are worried about college or an upcoming test. When we face a major change in our life… a move, a new job, marriage – or the end of a relationship, the birth of a baby and the rearing of children, illness, aging, or even death… Jesus offers us His peace as we work our way through every circumstance. When we are saddled with grief, loneliness, uncertainty, fear, conflict, or sadness of any sort… peace in Jesus is only a prayer away.
Along with His peace, Jesus also offers us grace. So as our hearts are breaking, or we are so mad and upset we could spit nails… we can find peace in Him and handle the situation with poise and dignity. When we are scared out of our wits or so nervous we cannot eat or sleep, Jesus can give us peace and grace to calm down, stick out our chin, and face the day with confidence. And the best part is that these gifts don’t cost us a dime. We don’t have to do anything to earn Jesus’ peace and grace… we cannot do anything to earn these gifts, and we can “spend” them any way we desire. Really, the only way to mess this up is to ignore Jesus’ offerings… or refuse to accept them in the first place!
All we have to do to receive the peace and grace of Jesus is to accept it… to trust that these gifts are genuine… that He is authentic… and to fully embrace His amazing gestures of love. God sends us many incredible blessings and gifts through Jesus Christ…but His peace and grace are among two of the greatest. Have you received these for yourself? Are you ready to fully acknowledge His constant presence and strength in your life? Will this be the day you begin to fully operate in Jesus’ peace and grace? Have you fully accepted His gifts?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 26, 2013
John 7:38
Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.”
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.
As I write this devotional, a gentle, steady rain is falling. This time last year, we would have given just about anything for a late-July shower. Two months of record-breaking heat and virtually no rainfall had led to a landscape that appeared to be - quite literally - scorched. We were mandated to conserve water, and of course, our entire state was under a “burn ban”. Still, destructive grass and forest fires were prevalent… and devastating to plant, animal and human life. In late August, my husband and I traveled to Texas, and as we drove through an area of south Arkansas that had actually received some life-sustaining rains, the contrast in the landscape and “greenery” was distinctive – and telling.
I read through entries in my prayer journal for the summer of 2012. In mid-June, I asked God to send rain. On July 1st, I wrote, “WE NEED RAIN!” On July 2nd, I thanked God for 1½ inches of precipitation – at least in our yard! By the middle of August, I was once again asking God to send more rain. And late in the month, He delivered once again. But the blistering heat quickly erased the benefits of these infrequent showers. The drought was so serious in our area that people gathered in at least one local church to hold a prayer meeting… to specifically ask for rain!
Quite literally, we depend upon water for our very existence… and our survival. So the image of our salvation in Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him as that of “life-giving water,” is one that we can readily understand. We need His “Living Water” for our souls. We need the “hydration” of the Holy Spirit to give us guidance, wisdom, confidence, courage… and peace. And on a rainy summer afternoon as we remember a not-so-distant time without any precipitation, we find tremendous comfort in every precious drop.
Do you experience the same solace with each drop of Christ’s Living Water? Does His love, grace, wisdom, forgiveness, comfort and encouragement soothe you like a cool drink of H2O? Do you call on the LORD to provide you with “rain” for your heart and soul… or are you lost in a spiritual drought? Have you thanked God for the “rain” He has brought about in your life… and do you appreciate how truly life-giving our salvation through Jesus Christ is? Do you trust Him… for anything and everything? Can you believe that He knows far better than we do what is best in every circumstance? Do you have faith in Him to bring the “rain” that is necessary… and to care for you even in the “arid” slumps?
Is Jesus’ “life-giving water” flowing from deep inside you? Don’t you need Him in your life? Isn’t today a great day to let the Water flow…to quench yourself from the inside out, once and for all? In the words of a familiar praise and worship song, “Let it rain! Let it rain! Open the floodgates of heaven… let it rain!”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.”
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.
As I write this devotional, a gentle, steady rain is falling. This time last year, we would have given just about anything for a late-July shower. Two months of record-breaking heat and virtually no rainfall had led to a landscape that appeared to be - quite literally - scorched. We were mandated to conserve water, and of course, our entire state was under a “burn ban”. Still, destructive grass and forest fires were prevalent… and devastating to plant, animal and human life. In late August, my husband and I traveled to Texas, and as we drove through an area of south Arkansas that had actually received some life-sustaining rains, the contrast in the landscape and “greenery” was distinctive – and telling.
I read through entries in my prayer journal for the summer of 2012. In mid-June, I asked God to send rain. On July 1st, I wrote, “WE NEED RAIN!” On July 2nd, I thanked God for 1½ inches of precipitation – at least in our yard! By the middle of August, I was once again asking God to send more rain. And late in the month, He delivered once again. But the blistering heat quickly erased the benefits of these infrequent showers. The drought was so serious in our area that people gathered in at least one local church to hold a prayer meeting… to specifically ask for rain!
Quite literally, we depend upon water for our very existence… and our survival. So the image of our salvation in Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him as that of “life-giving water,” is one that we can readily understand. We need His “Living Water” for our souls. We need the “hydration” of the Holy Spirit to give us guidance, wisdom, confidence, courage… and peace. And on a rainy summer afternoon as we remember a not-so-distant time without any precipitation, we find tremendous comfort in every precious drop.
Do you experience the same solace with each drop of Christ’s Living Water? Does His love, grace, wisdom, forgiveness, comfort and encouragement soothe you like a cool drink of H2O? Do you call on the LORD to provide you with “rain” for your heart and soul… or are you lost in a spiritual drought? Have you thanked God for the “rain” He has brought about in your life… and do you appreciate how truly life-giving our salvation through Jesus Christ is? Do you trust Him… for anything and everything? Can you believe that He knows far better than we do what is best in every circumstance? Do you have faith in Him to bring the “rain” that is necessary… and to care for you even in the “arid” slumps?
Is Jesus’ “life-giving water” flowing from deep inside you? Don’t you need Him in your life? Isn’t today a great day to let the Water flow…to quench yourself from the inside out, once and for all? In the words of a familiar praise and worship song, “Let it rain! Let it rain! Open the floodgates of heaven… let it rain!”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 24, 2013
John 20:19
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.
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.
Timothy likes to pretend that something is after him… a lion, a hyena, or even a bear. He will cower or hide and say, “We have to get away from the scary animal!” He’s only pretending, but let’s face it… in life, there are a lot of times when we would like to “lock the door” – and lock out the “scary animals!” Maybe it’s concern about a class … or a final exam. Maybe we are starting a new job and we are nervous. Perhaps we are meeting someone for the first time, and we have anxiety. Or maybe a doctor is giving us the results of tests or x-rays… and we are worried.
No matter how daunting life situations become, we must remember that we are never alone. Jesus is standing there with us. He offers us His peace and the promise that He will guide us through any and all circumstances. He will calm our fears… He will give us comfort and courage to face whatever lies before us… no matter how large or small our challenge seems.
We are fortunate that we live in a country where we don’t have to lock our doors in order to worship God. Until a few years ago, most church buildings in America were never locked. You could slip into a sanctuary on any street corner and spend a few quiet minutes communicating with God and feeling His presence in a holy setting. Most of these buildings are no longer open 24/7… because of possible vandalism - not the prospect of persecution. Unlike Jesus’ disciples, we are free to worship God on any street corner… anywhere and anytime we choose. And Jesus is standing there with us.
As Christians, we have acknowledged that we believe in Jesus as our Savior… that we trust Him to cover our sins – and to give us hope and peace in this life and for all eternity. Now it is time for us to act upon what we have declared. Whenever we feel nervous, afraid, worried, concerned, or disturbed in any manner, we need to remember that Jesus is standing right beside us, saying, “Peace be with you.” With Jesus by our side, we can face any challenge with hope and confidence… and complete calm.
Do you feel His presence today? Have you unlocked the door and allowed Jesus to come in? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.
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.
Timothy likes to pretend that something is after him… a lion, a hyena, or even a bear. He will cower or hide and say, “We have to get away from the scary animal!” He’s only pretending, but let’s face it… in life, there are a lot of times when we would like to “lock the door” – and lock out the “scary animals!” Maybe it’s concern about a class … or a final exam. Maybe we are starting a new job and we are nervous. Perhaps we are meeting someone for the first time, and we have anxiety. Or maybe a doctor is giving us the results of tests or x-rays… and we are worried.
No matter how daunting life situations become, we must remember that we are never alone. Jesus is standing there with us. He offers us His peace and the promise that He will guide us through any and all circumstances. He will calm our fears… He will give us comfort and courage to face whatever lies before us… no matter how large or small our challenge seems.
We are fortunate that we live in a country where we don’t have to lock our doors in order to worship God. Until a few years ago, most church buildings in America were never locked. You could slip into a sanctuary on any street corner and spend a few quiet minutes communicating with God and feeling His presence in a holy setting. Most of these buildings are no longer open 24/7… because of possible vandalism - not the prospect of persecution. Unlike Jesus’ disciples, we are free to worship God on any street corner… anywhere and anytime we choose. And Jesus is standing there with us.
As Christians, we have acknowledged that we believe in Jesus as our Savior… that we trust Him to cover our sins – and to give us hope and peace in this life and for all eternity. Now it is time for us to act upon what we have declared. Whenever we feel nervous, afraid, worried, concerned, or disturbed in any manner, we need to remember that Jesus is standing right beside us, saying, “Peace be with you.” With Jesus by our side, we can face any challenge with hope and confidence… and complete calm.
Do you feel His presence today? Have you unlocked the door and allowed Jesus to come in? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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