Romans 12:1-2
So here’s what I want you to do, God
helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating,
going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an
offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do
for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into
it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be
changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you,
and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always
dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of
you, develops well-formed maturity in 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.
A few days ago, I flipped on
the television while preparing our lunch, and a daytime soap opera was
just ending. I wasn’t paying close attention, but I caught enough of a
glimpse of the program that I actually checked the channel to make sure I
wasn’t actually on a “cable” channel. I admit, a few decades ago I
watched soap operas every day…but it’s been awhile…and things have
obviously changed! I could not believe what I was seeing in this
“bedroom scene” on a local television station during the early
afternoon!
Along the same lines, I was discussing suitable
television channels for children with the nursery workers at church this
morning, and they pointed out quite a few “cartoon channels” that are
now airing all sorts of programs that are not suitable for little ones.
Certain four-letter words that would NEVER have been uttered in public
even a few years ago are now commonplace on television and movie
screens…across social media…and in the general public.
I say all
of this to illustrate that many of us have indeed become so
well-adjusted to our culture that we fit into it without even thinking.
And the key words here are “fit into it.” Nobody wants to be
considered different. Certainly none of us want others to think of us
as pious. But you don’t have to be condescending or condemning toward
others in order to take a stand for God. You don’t have to make a show
of “going against the grain”, so to speak, in order to please God and
live for Him.
If we focus on living for God…listening for His
voice and acting as He directs, we won’t have to worry about any of
this…it won’t even be on our radar. People who pepper their language
with obscenities and foul words will fade from our “circles”. We’ll
turn the TV off – or change the channel – more often. We will
thoughtfully choose everything from our words to our company to our
clothing and extracurricular activities. And the world will
notice…maybe not that we don’t participate in the things that others
do…so much as they will see that there is something different about us -
but in a good way.
We must tune into God’s word and will for our
lives. We must be more awake and alert – for God’s presence, and for
the everyday things of our culture that we are absorbing and accepting
without truly giving them consideration. Whatever we must do to be able
to operate more clearly and consciously aware in each moment…let’s do
it! Let’s ask God to show us how to live for Him…to grow in His wisdom
and maturity...to care less about fitting in and more about pleasing
Him. We can do this! Are you ready?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label living in God's presence and fullness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living in God's presence and fullness. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 5, 2015
John 17:6-11
“I have told these men all about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me. Actually, they were always yours, and you gave them to me; and they have obeyed you. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the commands you gave me; and they accepted them and know of a certainty that I came down to earth from you, and they believe you sent me.
“My plea is not for the world but for those you have given me because they belong to you. And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you; and you have given them back to me with everything else of yours, and so they are my glory! Now I am leaving the world, and leaving them behind, and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your own care—all those you have given me—so that they will be united just as we are, with none missing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Arkansas was blanketed yesterday with a heavy coating of sleet and snow. Facebook is flooded today with pictures of children sledding, beautiful snow scenes, and reports of how many inches of “the white stuff” accumulated. Several of our friends have posted pictures of kiddos on makeshift sleds and more – pulled through the ice and snow by their dads and friends. This brought back fond memories of my own childhood, when we would sled on the city streets with my dad and my cousins.
There was one particularly long, steep street that was the “go-to” hill. It spanned about three city blocks in length and culminated at Main Street, where bales of hay and saw horses blocked any potential thru traffic. My dad and my cousin Leo would park their pickup trucks on the street one block above Main and load up sledders to haul them back to the top of the run for another exciting trip downhill. We did this over and over until we were frozen like Popsicles®. Then we would go home and warm up before returning. A bonfire was built in the yard of one home near the top, and it seemed like half the town gathered there for a few days/evenings to share in the fun.
My dad and my cousins are all gone now…and I’m pretty sure that the city doesn’t allow sledding on this street these days – much less a bonfire in someone’s front yard!…but the memories remain. What does this have to do with the presence of God and this scripture passage? Like the memories we make as children…the teachings of Jesus remain with us. As these adults stopped what they were doing for a few days of play, Jesus has given us His time and teachings…His love and nurture. And in doing so, He laid a foundation for our faith…provided us with life lessons, hope and promise…and sustained us with faith and confidence as we bring Him to mind in our daily living.
I no longer engage in sledding. Instead, I am enjoying the beauty of this snowy landscape from the warmth and coziness of my home as I look out the windows. But I “feel” the joy and excitement of my childhood. I recall the exuberance of chilly wind in my face, hot cocoa to warm me, and the thrill of that long ride down the hill. I remember the lessons in “sledding technique” and safety. And I treasure the memory of those loving adults who nurtured me and facilitated such precious memories.
In the same manner, I bask in the presence of God. I ponder the earthly life of Jesus and study His teachings…and I try to apply them to my own life. I feel His love and nurture…and I gratefully appreciate His blessings and gifts. I treasure the legacy that He left…the hope and promise that we will be together again in Heaven someday. And I am incredibly comforted to know how much God loves me.
As you go about your day, consider the “memories” and legacy that God has given to you through Jesus Christ. Even if it’s not a snowy day where you are, take some time to sit quietly and reflect on God’s presence – and His promises. Embrace the warmth and coziness of His love and care…and thank Him for what is yet to come!
©2015 Debbie Robus
“I have told these men all about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me. Actually, they were always yours, and you gave them to me; and they have obeyed you. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the commands you gave me; and they accepted them and know of a certainty that I came down to earth from you, and they believe you sent me.
“My plea is not for the world but for those you have given me because they belong to you. And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you; and you have given them back to me with everything else of yours, and so they are my glory! Now I am leaving the world, and leaving them behind, and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your own care—all those you have given me—so that they will be united just as we are, with none missing.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Arkansas was blanketed yesterday with a heavy coating of sleet and snow. Facebook is flooded today with pictures of children sledding, beautiful snow scenes, and reports of how many inches of “the white stuff” accumulated. Several of our friends have posted pictures of kiddos on makeshift sleds and more – pulled through the ice and snow by their dads and friends. This brought back fond memories of my own childhood, when we would sled on the city streets with my dad and my cousins.
There was one particularly long, steep street that was the “go-to” hill. It spanned about three city blocks in length and culminated at Main Street, where bales of hay and saw horses blocked any potential thru traffic. My dad and my cousin Leo would park their pickup trucks on the street one block above Main and load up sledders to haul them back to the top of the run for another exciting trip downhill. We did this over and over until we were frozen like Popsicles®. Then we would go home and warm up before returning. A bonfire was built in the yard of one home near the top, and it seemed like half the town gathered there for a few days/evenings to share in the fun.
My dad and my cousins are all gone now…and I’m pretty sure that the city doesn’t allow sledding on this street these days – much less a bonfire in someone’s front yard!…but the memories remain. What does this have to do with the presence of God and this scripture passage? Like the memories we make as children…the teachings of Jesus remain with us. As these adults stopped what they were doing for a few days of play, Jesus has given us His time and teachings…His love and nurture. And in doing so, He laid a foundation for our faith…provided us with life lessons, hope and promise…and sustained us with faith and confidence as we bring Him to mind in our daily living.
I no longer engage in sledding. Instead, I am enjoying the beauty of this snowy landscape from the warmth and coziness of my home as I look out the windows. But I “feel” the joy and excitement of my childhood. I recall the exuberance of chilly wind in my face, hot cocoa to warm me, and the thrill of that long ride down the hill. I remember the lessons in “sledding technique” and safety. And I treasure the memory of those loving adults who nurtured me and facilitated such precious memories.
In the same manner, I bask in the presence of God. I ponder the earthly life of Jesus and study His teachings…and I try to apply them to my own life. I feel His love and nurture…and I gratefully appreciate His blessings and gifts. I treasure the legacy that He left…the hope and promise that we will be together again in Heaven someday. And I am incredibly comforted to know how much God loves me.
As you go about your day, consider the “memories” and legacy that God has given to you through Jesus Christ. Even if it’s not a snowy day where you are, take some time to sit quietly and reflect on God’s presence – and His promises. Embrace the warmth and coziness of His love and care…and thank Him for what is yet to come!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 23, 2014
Exodus 15:26
That’s the place where God set up rules and procedures; that’s where he started testing them.
God said, “If you listen, listen obediently to how God tells you to live in his presence, obeying his commandments and keeping all his laws, then I won’t strike you with all the diseases that I inflicted on the Egyptians; I am God your healer.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We all know people who go to see a doctor about a particular ailment, then they refuse to accept his/her prescription. Maybe the doctor says, “You have skin cancer or pre-cancerous cells. Stay out of the sun...wear a hat...use a high SPF sunscreen every day!” Or the doctor tells you to stop smoking and/or drinking...drop some pounds or eat less...drink more water...exercise more...or change another lifestyle habit. A specific course of treatment might be recommended...chemotherapy or other medications...radiation...physical therapy...or surgery. And you might walk out of the office and flatly refuse to do any of this.
Sometimes, the doctor cannot heal us if we won’t allow it! This is especially true when it comes to our relationship with God, our Great Healer. I will tell you that I have spent a lot of time talking to God...telling Him my “ailments”, worries, concerns and needs. But I haven’t always paid attention to His “prescription”. I’m betting it is very much the same for you.
Do not misunderstand me...if you are sick right now and cannot seem to improve, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not listening and doing everything you are being told to do...that God is not healing you as a form of punishment. I believe that our definition of “healing” is very different from God’s. In her book Feathers From My Nest*, author/speaker Beth Moore tells about moving from Arkansas to Texas as a teenager. Her parents would not delay their departure for even one hour so that she could get in a car and go down the street with friends for a “farewell lunch”. Upon arriving in Texas, they learned that the teens had been in a serious car accident, and that at one was injured and two were killed – including her best friend in the whole world. Beth Moore relates how she had been so angry with her parents for their decision...had hardly spoken a word to them all the way to their new home. While she still doesn’t fully understand why this tragedy happened, Moore says that she realized that her safety – and possibly her very life – had been spared.
We will not always understand how God heals...and that’s okay. All we have to do is trust that He is indeed our Healer. God will heal some instantly and completely - while others, like the Apostle Paul, will be left with a “thorn in the flesh” that must be tolerated. Some will be given health and restoration on this earth...others will receive their healing in Heaven. God will use physicians, counselors, family and friends, teachers, coaches, and ministers of all kinds to deliver His healing. Relief and restoration won’t always come in the form of a pill or surgery...a splint or a crutch. But never doubt for one minute that God will heal us when we trust Him. And if you want “maximum results” (as the pill bottle sometimes describes), practice obedience, faithfulness, and servitude!
In the human world, the choice to skip medication or treatment is a very personal one...and you might even feel that God is telling you to choose another option – or no treatment whatsoever. But we won’t know for sure that we are hearing from God if we are not truly paying attention and listening for His voice. Two entertainers were bantering back and forth on a television show in a light-hearted debate, and one said to the other, “Oh, just SHUSH IT!” Maybe it’s time for us to “shush it” with God...and let Him do the talking for a while. The ultimate “Doctor” IS in...are you listening to what He has to say?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*Feathers From My Nest...”A Mother’s Reflections” - ©2001 Beth Moore ~ Broadman and Holman - Nashville, Tennessee
That’s the place where God set up rules and procedures; that’s where he started testing them.
God said, “If you listen, listen obediently to how God tells you to live in his presence, obeying his commandments and keeping all his laws, then I won’t strike you with all the diseases that I inflicted on the Egyptians; I am God your healer.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We all know people who go to see a doctor about a particular ailment, then they refuse to accept his/her prescription. Maybe the doctor says, “You have skin cancer or pre-cancerous cells. Stay out of the sun...wear a hat...use a high SPF sunscreen every day!” Or the doctor tells you to stop smoking and/or drinking...drop some pounds or eat less...drink more water...exercise more...or change another lifestyle habit. A specific course of treatment might be recommended...chemotherapy or other medications...radiation...physical therapy...or surgery. And you might walk out of the office and flatly refuse to do any of this.
Sometimes, the doctor cannot heal us if we won’t allow it! This is especially true when it comes to our relationship with God, our Great Healer. I will tell you that I have spent a lot of time talking to God...telling Him my “ailments”, worries, concerns and needs. But I haven’t always paid attention to His “prescription”. I’m betting it is very much the same for you.
Do not misunderstand me...if you are sick right now and cannot seem to improve, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not listening and doing everything you are being told to do...that God is not healing you as a form of punishment. I believe that our definition of “healing” is very different from God’s. In her book Feathers From My Nest*, author/speaker Beth Moore tells about moving from Arkansas to Texas as a teenager. Her parents would not delay their departure for even one hour so that she could get in a car and go down the street with friends for a “farewell lunch”. Upon arriving in Texas, they learned that the teens had been in a serious car accident, and that at one was injured and two were killed – including her best friend in the whole world. Beth Moore relates how she had been so angry with her parents for their decision...had hardly spoken a word to them all the way to their new home. While she still doesn’t fully understand why this tragedy happened, Moore says that she realized that her safety – and possibly her very life – had been spared.
We will not always understand how God heals...and that’s okay. All we have to do is trust that He is indeed our Healer. God will heal some instantly and completely - while others, like the Apostle Paul, will be left with a “thorn in the flesh” that must be tolerated. Some will be given health and restoration on this earth...others will receive their healing in Heaven. God will use physicians, counselors, family and friends, teachers, coaches, and ministers of all kinds to deliver His healing. Relief and restoration won’t always come in the form of a pill or surgery...a splint or a crutch. But never doubt for one minute that God will heal us when we trust Him. And if you want “maximum results” (as the pill bottle sometimes describes), practice obedience, faithfulness, and servitude!
In the human world, the choice to skip medication or treatment is a very personal one...and you might even feel that God is telling you to choose another option – or no treatment whatsoever. But we won’t know for sure that we are hearing from God if we are not truly paying attention and listening for His voice. Two entertainers were bantering back and forth on a television show in a light-hearted debate, and one said to the other, “Oh, just SHUSH IT!” Maybe it’s time for us to “shush it” with God...and let Him do the talking for a while. The ultimate “Doctor” IS in...are you listening to what He has to say?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*Feathers From My Nest...”A Mother’s Reflections” - ©2001 Beth Moore ~ Broadman and Holman - Nashville, Tennessee
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