1 John 5:3
Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn’t hard at all;
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Greg and I have some pretty
simple, straightforward “rules” at our house. The children know that
we don’t allow jumping on the furniture…and that they eat and drink at
the dining table or kitchen counter - and not in the other rooms. They
know that when we go somewhere and leave the car, we hold hands and
stick together.
The children understand that we use “inside
voices” when we are in the house – and that they are not to be bossy
toward their siblings – or toward us or other grown-ups! They remember
that there are certain things at our house that are off limits and are
not to be touched. And for the most part, they do very well with these
guidelines. They have their moments, as all children do…but by and
large, they do a really good job of staying within our parameters. And I
honestly think that this makes things easier for them.
The
children know what is expected…and what is accepted. They don’t have to
worry or wonder. In a way, this frees them to enjoy their time with
us. They know that when they operate within these guidelines, everyone
will get along and be happy…and there might even be a “reward” or two
along the way for such good behavior and obedience. When we are pleased
with the children, we love to shower them with “blessings.”
Do
you see my point? So many people want to think of the life of a
Christian as restrictive, when in truth, it can actually be just the
opposite. When we follow God’s commands and serve Him in all things, we
know where we stand at all times. We are freed of the burden of worry -
and wondering whether or not God is happy with us. Like little
children, there are times when we slip up…when we say or do something
that displeases God. But if we make every effort to live within His
parameters and serve Him wholeheartedly, God will bless us with His
abundant gifts of grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, healing,
forgiveness – and amazing surprises and opportunities.
Will
everything always be a bed of roses? Absolutely not? Will some seem to
have more blessings than others? Certainly! Will this assure us a
life free of suffering and difficulties? No way! Nobody ever said
being a Christian disciple would mean life on Easy Street! But I
promise you, when we follow God’s commands and have some semblance of an
understanding about where we stand with Him, everything is just so much
better.
Aren’t you ready to try living in the freedom of following God’s will? Is this the day you’ll get started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label living in Gods fullness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living in Gods fullness. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 20, 2014
Deuteronomy 7:12-15
And this is what will happen: When you, on your part, will obey these directives, keeping and following them, God, on his part, will keep the covenant of loyal love that he made with your ancestors:
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.
Okay. Trivia time! Who remembers dialing 0 for Operator? If you were born any time after 1980, this could possibly be a foreign concept for you...and for sure if you were born after 1990! The button still existed on phones at that time, but the function had changed. When I was growing up, you could dial 0 and speak to an operator and get all sorts of assistance...the Operator would locate a phone number for you, help you make “collect calls”, summon emergency personnel, and more. When my parents were growing up, the Operator actually connected calls from one home to another. You would dial 0 and tell a real person on the other end of the line that you wanted to talk to “So-and-So”, and she would ring them for you. Think “Sarah” on the Andy Griffith show!
A few decades ago, we really needed the Operator to help us. Today, technology has virtually obliterated the need for any human intermediary when contacting others. We telephone, text, e-mail, Skype or Face-time, and more...all at the push of a button. In the days of Moses, people had to “jump through hoops” to please God – and to assure that He would love them, bless them, heal them, and increase them. They had to “do their part”, as Moses directs in this passage. When they made mistakes, they had to offer sacrifices to atone for them.
When Jesus died on the cross, He changed everything. The very act of asking Him to forgive us...to wash us clean and fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit...is the equivalent of pushing a button to connect a call to God – for the rest of our lives. Does this mean that we no longer have to “do our part”...that we can live as we please and guarantee that God will keep us healthy, prosperous, and safe? Absolutely not! But stop and think about this...there is no need to live in continual fear and stress – to obsess over whether or not every single breath you take is potentially bringing you to the brink of disaster and condemnation!
By the blood of Jesus Christ, we can be healed...forever and ever! We can bask in the glory of Moses’ promises for his people...God will love us. He will bless us. He will increase us! For me, this changes the motivation to serve God from that of fear and obligation to an expression of my devotion and gratitude. Because of Jesus and the cleansing healing He offers each of us, we should want to serve Him and live in a way that pleases Him and honors His commitment to us. And one of the coolest things is that we no longer need an “Operator” to “connect our calls” to God. We can “dial Him up” directly any time we want or need!
Change can be good. There are times when it would be handy to dial 0 and ask for a telephone number or an instant connection...but now we have such a wealth of methods for reaching others in a heartbeat that it wouldn’t really be worth it to return to “the good ole days”. As for our relationship with God, I wouldn’t trade Jesus and what He has given me for anything...surely not for the antiquated rituals and expectations of Moses’ time!
Take a little time today and think about Jesus. Consider how easy He has made it for you to live in health, wealth and hope. I can hear you now, and I get it! Yes, we may have challenges – and even heartaches...our definition of these blessings – particularly health, wealth and prosperity – may not match what God intends for us. His timing may not be the same as ours. But when we trust God, we always have hope and a future...and when we give our hearts to Jesus and commit our lives to Him, we have a “direct line” to His love and care. Are you fully “connected”...or are you still trying to “dial 0 for Operator”? Isn’t it time you accepted Jesus’ direct connection? Is today the day?
©2014 Debbie Robus
And this is what will happen: When you, on your part, will obey these directives, keeping and following them, God, on his part, will keep the covenant of loyal love that he made with your ancestors:
- He will love you,
he will bless you,
he will increase 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.
Okay. Trivia time! Who remembers dialing 0 for Operator? If you were born any time after 1980, this could possibly be a foreign concept for you...and for sure if you were born after 1990! The button still existed on phones at that time, but the function had changed. When I was growing up, you could dial 0 and speak to an operator and get all sorts of assistance...the Operator would locate a phone number for you, help you make “collect calls”, summon emergency personnel, and more. When my parents were growing up, the Operator actually connected calls from one home to another. You would dial 0 and tell a real person on the other end of the line that you wanted to talk to “So-and-So”, and she would ring them for you. Think “Sarah” on the Andy Griffith show!
A few decades ago, we really needed the Operator to help us. Today, technology has virtually obliterated the need for any human intermediary when contacting others. We telephone, text, e-mail, Skype or Face-time, and more...all at the push of a button. In the days of Moses, people had to “jump through hoops” to please God – and to assure that He would love them, bless them, heal them, and increase them. They had to “do their part”, as Moses directs in this passage. When they made mistakes, they had to offer sacrifices to atone for them.
When Jesus died on the cross, He changed everything. The very act of asking Him to forgive us...to wash us clean and fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit...is the equivalent of pushing a button to connect a call to God – for the rest of our lives. Does this mean that we no longer have to “do our part”...that we can live as we please and guarantee that God will keep us healthy, prosperous, and safe? Absolutely not! But stop and think about this...there is no need to live in continual fear and stress – to obsess over whether or not every single breath you take is potentially bringing you to the brink of disaster and condemnation!
By the blood of Jesus Christ, we can be healed...forever and ever! We can bask in the glory of Moses’ promises for his people...God will love us. He will bless us. He will increase us! For me, this changes the motivation to serve God from that of fear and obligation to an expression of my devotion and gratitude. Because of Jesus and the cleansing healing He offers each of us, we should want to serve Him and live in a way that pleases Him and honors His commitment to us. And one of the coolest things is that we no longer need an “Operator” to “connect our calls” to God. We can “dial Him up” directly any time we want or need!
Change can be good. There are times when it would be handy to dial 0 and ask for a telephone number or an instant connection...but now we have such a wealth of methods for reaching others in a heartbeat that it wouldn’t really be worth it to return to “the good ole days”. As for our relationship with God, I wouldn’t trade Jesus and what He has given me for anything...surely not for the antiquated rituals and expectations of Moses’ time!
Take a little time today and think about Jesus. Consider how easy He has made it for you to live in health, wealth and hope. I can hear you now, and I get it! Yes, we may have challenges – and even heartaches...our definition of these blessings – particularly health, wealth and prosperity – may not match what God intends for us. His timing may not be the same as ours. But when we trust God, we always have hope and a future...and when we give our hearts to Jesus and commit our lives to Him, we have a “direct line” to His love and care. Are you fully “connected”...or are you still trying to “dial 0 for Operator”? Isn’t it time you accepted Jesus’ direct connection? Is today the day?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 13, 2012
Mark 10:29
Jesus said, "Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They'll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first."
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.
Each one of us will face daunting decisions in our lives… hard choices that alter the course of our journey forever. Some that stand out for me… leaving high school after my junior year for college and marriage; quitting my job as an elementary school teacher to begin a new business with my husband – and moving back to our home town in the bargain;, and leaving my grandparents’ farm and the “dream home” we built there to move back into town to better “grow” our business. Each time, I knew in my heart the decision was right… but nagging doubts and questions abounded. Many would call this “the devil’s advocate” – and indeed, the devil did have fun messing with my mind!
Each decision was a good one… a time of growth and blessings that I know God orchestrated and sanctioned. Each time I could have buckled and listened to the misgivings and reservations voiced by others (and running through my own head). But I prayerfully considered all options and followed what I felt God was showing me. As “doors and windows” opened, I stepped through them… and my fears were dissolved as blessings multiplied.
Having said this, there were areas I still held “in reserve” for a number of years… things I didn’t fully surrender to God, for one reason or another. The biggest decision we can ever make in life is to allow God complete control over every aspect of our lives. You would think that this is automatic when one gives his/her heart to Jesus, but actually, these can be separate decisions.
I am sure that there are those who invite Jesus into their heart and surrender completely to His will from that day forward – in every single thing. But there are others among us who have an “everything but” salvation experience. “I have given my heart to Jesus and will serve Him to the best of my ability. But when my parents don’t think I should give to a charity that God has spoken to me about, I have to listen. When my boyfriend/girlfriend wants me to go to the beach for spring break instead of going on a mission trip with the church youth group, I will probably go to the beach.”
“When I’m encouraged to cover for my boss at work about something, and everyone else is in on it, I have to go along, so I don’t lose my job. When I’m with a group of people who are making bigoted, off-color references to a particular group of people, I have to snicker and agree… or else they won’t like me. When my child asks me to help him/her get out of some trouble – or to make excuses for his/her behavior – I have to do it… he/she is my kid!”
We have a ready-made Guide for making all decisions… no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. It’s not our conscience or our little “inner voice”… it’s the all-knowing, all-powerful voice of God. If we will stop and say, “LORD, no matter what you decide, I will follow. Please show me how YOU want me to handle this.” A lot of His answers won’t be popular… much less easy. But when we come to a point in our faith where we can say, “no matter what” to God and mean it, everything starts to come into focus.
When you can say to God, “If I lose everything – family, friends, job, home, freedom, EVERYTHING – but still have YOU, it won’t matter”… you have arrived as His disciple. When you can truly surrender to God in all matters – and mean it – you will be astounded at how He shows up in your life. Don’t hold back. Don’t reserve any areas for doing what YOU want to do. Give EVERYTHING to God and watch what happens in return!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Jesus said, "Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They'll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first."
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.
Each one of us will face daunting decisions in our lives… hard choices that alter the course of our journey forever. Some that stand out for me… leaving high school after my junior year for college and marriage; quitting my job as an elementary school teacher to begin a new business with my husband – and moving back to our home town in the bargain;, and leaving my grandparents’ farm and the “dream home” we built there to move back into town to better “grow” our business. Each time, I knew in my heart the decision was right… but nagging doubts and questions abounded. Many would call this “the devil’s advocate” – and indeed, the devil did have fun messing with my mind!
Each decision was a good one… a time of growth and blessings that I know God orchestrated and sanctioned. Each time I could have buckled and listened to the misgivings and reservations voiced by others (and running through my own head). But I prayerfully considered all options and followed what I felt God was showing me. As “doors and windows” opened, I stepped through them… and my fears were dissolved as blessings multiplied.
Having said this, there were areas I still held “in reserve” for a number of years… things I didn’t fully surrender to God, for one reason or another. The biggest decision we can ever make in life is to allow God complete control over every aspect of our lives. You would think that this is automatic when one gives his/her heart to Jesus, but actually, these can be separate decisions.
I am sure that there are those who invite Jesus into their heart and surrender completely to His will from that day forward – in every single thing. But there are others among us who have an “everything but” salvation experience. “I have given my heart to Jesus and will serve Him to the best of my ability. But when my parents don’t think I should give to a charity that God has spoken to me about, I have to listen. When my boyfriend/girlfriend wants me to go to the beach for spring break instead of going on a mission trip with the church youth group, I will probably go to the beach.”
“When I’m encouraged to cover for my boss at work about something, and everyone else is in on it, I have to go along, so I don’t lose my job. When I’m with a group of people who are making bigoted, off-color references to a particular group of people, I have to snicker and agree… or else they won’t like me. When my child asks me to help him/her get out of some trouble – or to make excuses for his/her behavior – I have to do it… he/she is my kid!”
We have a ready-made Guide for making all decisions… no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. It’s not our conscience or our little “inner voice”… it’s the all-knowing, all-powerful voice of God. If we will stop and say, “LORD, no matter what you decide, I will follow. Please show me how YOU want me to handle this.” A lot of His answers won’t be popular… much less easy. But when we come to a point in our faith where we can say, “no matter what” to God and mean it, everything starts to come into focus.
When you can say to God, “If I lose everything – family, friends, job, home, freedom, EVERYTHING – but still have YOU, it won’t matter”… you have arrived as His disciple. When you can truly surrender to God in all matters – and mean it – you will be astounded at how He shows up in your life. Don’t hold back. Don’t reserve any areas for doing what YOU want to do. Give EVERYTHING to God and watch what happens in return!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 28, 2012
2 Corinthians 5:1
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last July, my friend Mary McCurry, passed away. Mary lived 60 years in a crippled body… the victim of cerebral palsy since birth. She was smart, sharp-witted, and a strong Christian who could not communicate verbally as you and I do. Mary spoke mostly with her eyes and facial expressions, and those closest to her had little trouble understanding her. Some of those who did not truly get to know Mary were critical - and even cruel. They did not believe she was intelligent, nor did they “get” how devoted she was to family, friends – and to Jesus.
When Mary left this earth, the crippled “tent” of a body that she inhabited here was exchanged for a beautifully whole and complete one in heaven. I am convinced that she and her dear mother (who died less than 36 hours later) are having continual, animated conversations… and all of heaven is smiling. Mary’s “tent” is now a beautiful “home.”
We all live in an earthly “tent” of sorts. Some of us have “pup tents” like those we created as kids out of an old blanket that we draped over a chair or other furniture. We are trapped in a body that is mangled, crippled or disfigured… or weighted down with the physical, mental and emotional challenges of our daily lives. Others have a multi-roomed, fancy rig… complete with zippered windows and doorways, and maybe even divided rooms! For them, life at least appears to be a breeze… and truly, they are blessed beyond measure – even here in this life. But when we get to heaven, we will all have homes… mansions… perfect and complete – beautiful in every way.
Sixty years in a crippled “tent” seems like a terribly long time. And it can be… if we allow Satan to control our attitude and our thinking. If we choose to live as Mary did… with the attitude that this earthly “tent” is merely a temporary inconvenience at best – and for most of us, really not all that bad! – we truly glorify who we are in Christ and testify to His promise of better days ahead!
I don’t know what sort of “tent” you live in today. Maybe you are due for an “earthly upgrade” – a change in your thinking and faith to remind you that God has bigger and better things in store for you, even on this earth. Surely we could all use at least a little bit of an attitude adjustment. Isn’t it time we all focused more on our heavenly home and less on the earthly “tent?” When we shift our thinking and begin to live for Jesus and the promise of heaven, we are better equipped to serve Him here and now… in whatever dwelling He provides. Our life becomes more of a statement about our heart-felt relationship to Jesus, and less about the visible exterior. When others look at you, who – and what – do they see? Are you known by your heart… or your “tent?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last July, my friend Mary McCurry, passed away. Mary lived 60 years in a crippled body… the victim of cerebral palsy since birth. She was smart, sharp-witted, and a strong Christian who could not communicate verbally as you and I do. Mary spoke mostly with her eyes and facial expressions, and those closest to her had little trouble understanding her. Some of those who did not truly get to know Mary were critical - and even cruel. They did not believe she was intelligent, nor did they “get” how devoted she was to family, friends – and to Jesus.
When Mary left this earth, the crippled “tent” of a body that she inhabited here was exchanged for a beautifully whole and complete one in heaven. I am convinced that she and her dear mother (who died less than 36 hours later) are having continual, animated conversations… and all of heaven is smiling. Mary’s “tent” is now a beautiful “home.”
We all live in an earthly “tent” of sorts. Some of us have “pup tents” like those we created as kids out of an old blanket that we draped over a chair or other furniture. We are trapped in a body that is mangled, crippled or disfigured… or weighted down with the physical, mental and emotional challenges of our daily lives. Others have a multi-roomed, fancy rig… complete with zippered windows and doorways, and maybe even divided rooms! For them, life at least appears to be a breeze… and truly, they are blessed beyond measure – even here in this life. But when we get to heaven, we will all have homes… mansions… perfect and complete – beautiful in every way.
Sixty years in a crippled “tent” seems like a terribly long time. And it can be… if we allow Satan to control our attitude and our thinking. If we choose to live as Mary did… with the attitude that this earthly “tent” is merely a temporary inconvenience at best – and for most of us, really not all that bad! – we truly glorify who we are in Christ and testify to His promise of better days ahead!
I don’t know what sort of “tent” you live in today. Maybe you are due for an “earthly upgrade” – a change in your thinking and faith to remind you that God has bigger and better things in store for you, even on this earth. Surely we could all use at least a little bit of an attitude adjustment. Isn’t it time we all focused more on our heavenly home and less on the earthly “tent?” When we shift our thinking and begin to live for Jesus and the promise of heaven, we are better equipped to serve Him here and now… in whatever dwelling He provides. Our life becomes more of a statement about our heart-felt relationship to Jesus, and less about the visible exterior. When others look at you, who – and what – do they see? Are you known by your heart… or your “tent?”
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 25, 2012
Hebrews 11:11-16
Even when Sarah was too old to have children, she had faith that God would do what he had promised, and she had a son. Her husband Abraham was almost dead, but he became the ancestor of many people. In fact, there are as many of them as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the beach.
Every one of those people died. But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth. When people talk this way, it is clear that they are looking for a place to call their own. If they had been talking about the land where they had once lived, they could have gone back at any time. But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That's why God wasn't ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last week, my little cousins Olivia and Owen visited us. Owen wanted to play the piano, but he wanted company. “Come with me,” he said. When he played in the floor with toys, my husband sat on the fireplace hearth and watched. Owen looked up and said, “Play with me.” What he meant was, “get down here in the floor!” Like so many of us, Owen wanted someone with him. He wasn’t afraid of being alone necessarily; however, he felt more comfortable knowing someone else was along for the ride.
A few weeks ago, my cousin C.D. became gravely ill. He realized that he was dying, and he said so. Those closest to C.D. assured him that he was not dying… but they were in denial. C.D. knew the truth. The first time I visited him in the hospital, he told me, “I’m not going to be here much longer.” I asked, “Are you okay with that?” “Yes,” he replied. “Then so am I,” was my answer. And I meant it. Over the next two weeks, we had several conversations about heaven…who was waiting there for him…how it seemed like it was taking so long for God to get C.D.’s “mansion” ready… and how ready he was to get there.
My cousin was always the king of quips and great stories, and his quick with stayed with him until a day or so before he actually died. I would say, “I’ll see you again,” and he would answer, “If I’m still here!” He told me to give my grandmother a message… “I’m saving a place for you!” and I told him to save one for me, as well! We talked about how his wife, daughter and parents would be waiting for him with a big home-cooked meal… and how he would go to rodeos and watch bull riding with my dad (they have rodeos in heaven, don’t they?!). Only one time did he cry and indicate momentary sadness as he whispered, “Come with me.” I assured him that I still had work to do here… but the angels would gently carry him to heaven, and everything would be okay. And it happened just like that.
C.D. was 88 years old. He was ready to go to heaven… yet for a brief moment, he expressed a desire for company on his journey. I don’t believe he feared death, but it is human nature to have a little trepidation about death or any unfamiliar situation. Lest you think death is only for older people, consider Trayton Nabours, the 6-year-old boy in Russellville, Arkansas, who was killed in a car accident while being driven to school by his grandmother. Trayton is celebrating his seventh birthday today with Jesus. Remember 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, shot and killed in Sanford, Florida, last month while walking to the home of a relative. We don’t like to think about death… but its certainty for all of us at some point is undeniable… and the uncertainty of our “time” is equally real.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose a child of any age. We hope and dream so much for their future. And so does God! Even my 88-year-old cousin had hopes and dreams that were unfulfilled… trips in a new van and motorhome he had recently purchased… time spent with relatives and friends, and more. God wants us to dream big and work toward goals.
How do we resolve our inner conflict when lives are halted and dreams and potential seem to be unfulfilled? Look to this passage in Hebrews. Abraham dreamed of having many children… and he did. But he only lived to see a few of them. Still, God numbered Abraham’s ancestors more than stars in the sky or grains of sand on the beach! Even when we strive to line up our dreams and goals with God’s will, He may orchestrate them in a way we didn’t expect. This means we can find blessings and meaning in the sudden death of a six-year-old boy. We can turn the tragedy of a senseless shooting of a teenager into changes in thinking and legislation that will impact lives for decades to come. We can celebrate the life of an octogenarian who lived and died with dignity and demonstrated faith and confidence that a better home awaited him.
Our attitude toward death represents a pivotal point in our Christian faith. When we begin to explore and embrace the promises of heaven more than the disappointment of life’s earthly end, our relationship with God takes on a new meaning. No longer are we fearful or lonely… nor do we cling to the things of this earth. We recognize that God has grand plans for us, and it’s up to Him to decide whether they are realized in our earthly lifetime or after we get to heaven. When we begin to trust Him for the outcomes…and to look forward to whatever God has in store for us… we no longer need someone to come with us. We recognize the power and presence of God at all times… in all things.
When the Holy Spirit is truly in your heart… when you faithfully trust God for all things in your life, you are never alone. What do you believe God for this day? What hopes and dreams has He planted in your heart? Do you trust Him to deliver on His promises… in His own time? Have you made that faith-filled shift from earthly thinking to heavenly dreams? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Even when Sarah was too old to have children, she had faith that God would do what he had promised, and she had a son. Her husband Abraham was almost dead, but he became the ancestor of many people. In fact, there are as many of them as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the beach.
Every one of those people died. But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth. When people talk this way, it is clear that they are looking for a place to call their own. If they had been talking about the land where they had once lived, they could have gone back at any time. But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That's why God wasn't ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last week, my little cousins Olivia and Owen visited us. Owen wanted to play the piano, but he wanted company. “Come with me,” he said. When he played in the floor with toys, my husband sat on the fireplace hearth and watched. Owen looked up and said, “Play with me.” What he meant was, “get down here in the floor!” Like so many of us, Owen wanted someone with him. He wasn’t afraid of being alone necessarily; however, he felt more comfortable knowing someone else was along for the ride.
A few weeks ago, my cousin C.D. became gravely ill. He realized that he was dying, and he said so. Those closest to C.D. assured him that he was not dying… but they were in denial. C.D. knew the truth. The first time I visited him in the hospital, he told me, “I’m not going to be here much longer.” I asked, “Are you okay with that?” “Yes,” he replied. “Then so am I,” was my answer. And I meant it. Over the next two weeks, we had several conversations about heaven…who was waiting there for him…how it seemed like it was taking so long for God to get C.D.’s “mansion” ready… and how ready he was to get there.
My cousin was always the king of quips and great stories, and his quick with stayed with him until a day or so before he actually died. I would say, “I’ll see you again,” and he would answer, “If I’m still here!” He told me to give my grandmother a message… “I’m saving a place for you!” and I told him to save one for me, as well! We talked about how his wife, daughter and parents would be waiting for him with a big home-cooked meal… and how he would go to rodeos and watch bull riding with my dad (they have rodeos in heaven, don’t they?!). Only one time did he cry and indicate momentary sadness as he whispered, “Come with me.” I assured him that I still had work to do here… but the angels would gently carry him to heaven, and everything would be okay. And it happened just like that.
C.D. was 88 years old. He was ready to go to heaven… yet for a brief moment, he expressed a desire for company on his journey. I don’t believe he feared death, but it is human nature to have a little trepidation about death or any unfamiliar situation. Lest you think death is only for older people, consider Trayton Nabours, the 6-year-old boy in Russellville, Arkansas, who was killed in a car accident while being driven to school by his grandmother. Trayton is celebrating his seventh birthday today with Jesus. Remember 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, shot and killed in Sanford, Florida, last month while walking to the home of a relative. We don’t like to think about death… but its certainty for all of us at some point is undeniable… and the uncertainty of our “time” is equally real.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose a child of any age. We hope and dream so much for their future. And so does God! Even my 88-year-old cousin had hopes and dreams that were unfulfilled… trips in a new van and motorhome he had recently purchased… time spent with relatives and friends, and more. God wants us to dream big and work toward goals.
How do we resolve our inner conflict when lives are halted and dreams and potential seem to be unfulfilled? Look to this passage in Hebrews. Abraham dreamed of having many children… and he did. But he only lived to see a few of them. Still, God numbered Abraham’s ancestors more than stars in the sky or grains of sand on the beach! Even when we strive to line up our dreams and goals with God’s will, He may orchestrate them in a way we didn’t expect. This means we can find blessings and meaning in the sudden death of a six-year-old boy. We can turn the tragedy of a senseless shooting of a teenager into changes in thinking and legislation that will impact lives for decades to come. We can celebrate the life of an octogenarian who lived and died with dignity and demonstrated faith and confidence that a better home awaited him.
Our attitude toward death represents a pivotal point in our Christian faith. When we begin to explore and embrace the promises of heaven more than the disappointment of life’s earthly end, our relationship with God takes on a new meaning. No longer are we fearful or lonely… nor do we cling to the things of this earth. We recognize that God has grand plans for us, and it’s up to Him to decide whether they are realized in our earthly lifetime or after we get to heaven. When we begin to trust Him for the outcomes…and to look forward to whatever God has in store for us… we no longer need someone to come with us. We recognize the power and presence of God at all times… in all things.
When the Holy Spirit is truly in your heart… when you faithfully trust God for all things in your life, you are never alone. What do you believe God for this day? What hopes and dreams has He planted in your heart? Do you trust Him to deliver on His promises… in His own time? Have you made that faith-filled shift from earthly thinking to heavenly dreams? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 4, 2012
Romans 5:3-5
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
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.
In a regional “lifestyles” section of our newspaper, I read an article today about Lorrie Thiel of Jacksonville, Arkansas, who was injured in a serious car wreck nearly 10 years ago. As a result, Lorrie suffers frequent seizures. She obtained a service dog named Schultzy to alert her when a seizure is about to occur. She and Schultzy later adopted Galahad from the local animal shelter and trained him to become Lorrie’s service companion.
Galahad can not only alert Lorrie when a seizure is forthcoming, he also wears a special backpack which contains her medications on one side, and her purse (hidden) on the other. When a seizure is eminent, Galahad lets Lorrie know so that she can find a safe, comfortable chair and sit down – and she can take medication to lessen the seizure’s effects. If Lorrie is unable to take her medications, and other people are present, Galahad will rub against someone’s leg with the side of the pack that contains the medication. If they don’t respond, he stops and starts this process until they look in his pack. He is also trained not to let anyone look in the side of his pack containing Lorrie’s purse unless they are wearing a police or paramedic uniform.
Lorrie now trains service dogs for others in need. She still suffers two to three seizures a week, but she has used the troubles that once hemmed her in to develop a passion for helping others who may be in a similar situation. She was alert for what God was going to do next in her life, and as a result, her blessings are abundant and have poured over into the lives of many others.
So often, we are so busy living in fear of what might or might not happen in our lives that we fail to recognize the opportunities God is presenting us with at this very moment. We impatiently anticipate big things from God at the expense of what He may be showing us… if only we would sit still and pay attention. When we are hemmed in by troubles on all sides, we panic. How could this happen to us? Where is God? What will become of us… how will we ever get past this?
I would be willing to bet that Lorrie Thiel didn’t dream that her life would take this turn. I feel pretty sure that this mother of two teenagers never saw herself experiencing such a life-changing event… or allowing God to use her to bless so many other people out of her own troubles. I don’t know what God has planned today, tomorrow, next week or next year – for any of us. But I know that through the Holy Spirit, He wants to generously pour into our lives an abundance of love, grace, mercy and blessings that we can’t possibly gather enough containers to hold!
We have two choices… 1) we can operate in fear and impatience, worrying continually about what will happen each day to us and those we love… we can allow Satan to fill us with dread and dissatisfaction and stay stagnant in our faith walk, or 2) we can take the daily experiences of life and steel ourselves with patience and passion as God pours into us. We can anticipate what amazing, incredible things He has in store for us… believe for them, watch and listen for them to arrive… and act on them to pay forward what He stands ready to deliver. The choice is 100% ours. I don’t know about you, but I’ve already started looking for bigger containers!
©2012 Debbie Robus
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
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.
In a regional “lifestyles” section of our newspaper, I read an article today about Lorrie Thiel of Jacksonville, Arkansas, who was injured in a serious car wreck nearly 10 years ago. As a result, Lorrie suffers frequent seizures. She obtained a service dog named Schultzy to alert her when a seizure is about to occur. She and Schultzy later adopted Galahad from the local animal shelter and trained him to become Lorrie’s service companion.
Galahad can not only alert Lorrie when a seizure is forthcoming, he also wears a special backpack which contains her medications on one side, and her purse (hidden) on the other. When a seizure is eminent, Galahad lets Lorrie know so that she can find a safe, comfortable chair and sit down – and she can take medication to lessen the seizure’s effects. If Lorrie is unable to take her medications, and other people are present, Galahad will rub against someone’s leg with the side of the pack that contains the medication. If they don’t respond, he stops and starts this process until they look in his pack. He is also trained not to let anyone look in the side of his pack containing Lorrie’s purse unless they are wearing a police or paramedic uniform.
Lorrie now trains service dogs for others in need. She still suffers two to three seizures a week, but she has used the troubles that once hemmed her in to develop a passion for helping others who may be in a similar situation. She was alert for what God was going to do next in her life, and as a result, her blessings are abundant and have poured over into the lives of many others.
So often, we are so busy living in fear of what might or might not happen in our lives that we fail to recognize the opportunities God is presenting us with at this very moment. We impatiently anticipate big things from God at the expense of what He may be showing us… if only we would sit still and pay attention. When we are hemmed in by troubles on all sides, we panic. How could this happen to us? Where is God? What will become of us… how will we ever get past this?
I would be willing to bet that Lorrie Thiel didn’t dream that her life would take this turn. I feel pretty sure that this mother of two teenagers never saw herself experiencing such a life-changing event… or allowing God to use her to bless so many other people out of her own troubles. I don’t know what God has planned today, tomorrow, next week or next year – for any of us. But I know that through the Holy Spirit, He wants to generously pour into our lives an abundance of love, grace, mercy and blessings that we can’t possibly gather enough containers to hold!
We have two choices… 1) we can operate in fear and impatience, worrying continually about what will happen each day to us and those we love… we can allow Satan to fill us with dread and dissatisfaction and stay stagnant in our faith walk, or 2) we can take the daily experiences of life and steel ourselves with patience and passion as God pours into us. We can anticipate what amazing, incredible things He has in store for us… believe for them, watch and listen for them to arrive… and act on them to pay forward what He stands ready to deliver. The choice is 100% ours. I don’t know about you, but I’ve already started looking for bigger containers!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 25, 2012
Isaiah 43:19
I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve been spoiled lately by some pretty amazing days weather-wise. Temps have warmed to nearly 80 degrees – a rare treat for mid-to-late February. Trees have started to bud, and daffodils are blooming. This happens every winter, to some degree… but we seem to forget from year to year. So we are always enthralled with the promise of spring and all of the “newness” that will come with it.
A lot of our trouble is that we “wake up in a new world every day,” so to speak. We are not paying attention to our surroundings. We are “living in the moment” – but we are not truly soaking in each of these moments and living in them. We miss so many of God’s gifts because we are too busy hurrying from one to the next, and we fail to stop, breathe deeply, and inhale the blessings that His Holy Spirit bestows on us each and every day. Our mantra is “I don’t have time for this.”
Today, take time to “sit a spell”… to look around you and soak in what you see and hear… to breathe deeply. God has indeed made all things new… from the tiny flowers of spring to His gift of Jesus Christ to pay for our sins. Unlike God’s children of the Old Testament, we do not have to spend our time making sacrifices, burning offerings, and more. We can concentrate on truly serving God and sharing His message with others. When we are bogged down with “busyness”, we often miss the true blessings.
Today, my prayer is that you will find even a few minutes to stop and “be”… to soak in what God is trying to give you… to enjoy your blessings… to communicate with God… and to truly thank Him for all of this. Ask God, “What am I supposed to do with Your blessings? What is Your plan for me?” Then LISTEN for His direction. God is trying to do new things in and through us each and every day… our job is to pay attention so that we don’t miss this. Are you “living in the moment”… or are you “living in this moment?” There is a difference… do you get it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve been spoiled lately by some pretty amazing days weather-wise. Temps have warmed to nearly 80 degrees – a rare treat for mid-to-late February. Trees have started to bud, and daffodils are blooming. This happens every winter, to some degree… but we seem to forget from year to year. So we are always enthralled with the promise of spring and all of the “newness” that will come with it.
A lot of our trouble is that we “wake up in a new world every day,” so to speak. We are not paying attention to our surroundings. We are “living in the moment” – but we are not truly soaking in each of these moments and living in them. We miss so many of God’s gifts because we are too busy hurrying from one to the next, and we fail to stop, breathe deeply, and inhale the blessings that His Holy Spirit bestows on us each and every day. Our mantra is “I don’t have time for this.”
Today, take time to “sit a spell”… to look around you and soak in what you see and hear… to breathe deeply. God has indeed made all things new… from the tiny flowers of spring to His gift of Jesus Christ to pay for our sins. Unlike God’s children of the Old Testament, we do not have to spend our time making sacrifices, burning offerings, and more. We can concentrate on truly serving God and sharing His message with others. When we are bogged down with “busyness”, we often miss the true blessings.
Today, my prayer is that you will find even a few minutes to stop and “be”… to soak in what God is trying to give you… to enjoy your blessings… to communicate with God… and to truly thank Him for all of this. Ask God, “What am I supposed to do with Your blessings? What is Your plan for me?” Then LISTEN for His direction. God is trying to do new things in and through us each and every day… our job is to pay attention so that we don’t miss this. Are you “living in the moment”… or are you “living in this moment?” There is a difference… do you get it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 21, 2012
Ephesians 3:14-19
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My cousin shared this sweet story with me recently:
I challenge you to start to live in the fullness and strength of Psalm 23:1. I pray that you will thank God for all that He promises in this passage… and live as if you really believe He will supply all of your needs. “The LORD is my Shepherd… I shall not want.” Can you say the same? Embrace all that God offers you, and live in the power of His blessings and glory. The LORD is our Shepherd…what more could we possibly desire?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My cousin shared this sweet story with me recently:
- A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."
I challenge you to start to live in the fullness and strength of Psalm 23:1. I pray that you will thank God for all that He promises in this passage… and live as if you really believe He will supply all of your needs. “The LORD is my Shepherd… I shall not want.” Can you say the same? Embrace all that God offers you, and live in the power of His blessings and glory. The LORD is our Shepherd…what more could we possibly desire?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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