James 4:1-3
Where do you think all these appalling
wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again.
They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep
inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to
kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get
your hands on it.
You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it,
would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you
have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
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.
Greg and I watched Bridge of
Spies*, a movie about the Cold War and the exchange of a Russian spy
captured by Americans for an American Pilot – and a private citizen who
was doing graduate studies in Eastern Europe. The story was really
about the American attorney, James Donovan (played by Tom Hanks), who
was recruited to negotiate the exchange.
Donovan had been
tapped to defend the Russian spy, Rudolph Abel – to give the public
appearance that Abel received a “fair trial.” However, Donovan took his
job seriously. While public sentiment prevailed - and the judge and
jury found Abel guilty - Donovan was able to persuade the judge to
sentence Abel to prison rather than death. Donovan could foresee the
time when it might be helpful to have a Russian spy who could be
exchanged for an American held captive abroad…and he was right. On
February 10, 1962, Rudolph Abel was exchanged for American U2 Pilot
Frances Gary Powers, and graduate student Frederic Pryor.
The
point of sharing this is to say that the prevailing sentiment was that
Rudolph Abel should be put to death. He had given “our” secrets to the
Russians…and Americans wanted him to pay. People were outraged by the
judge’s decision to imprison Abel instead of executing him…and attorney
James Donovan became nothing short of a pariah. Yet, when Abel was
exchanged for two Americans, Donovan was hailed as a hero. It all came
down to a matter of perspective…and personal desires.
So what
does this have to do with us? We will likely never be involved in
international negotiations involving spies. But we might find ourselves
involved in a discussion at school, church, in the workplace or our
community over this issue or that one. Indeed, we “argue” over
political choices every day…from legislation to candidates to the Bill
of Rights – or even the umpire’s call at our kids’ little league game.
Sometimes we pray for God’s will…and sometimes, we know that our
attitude is such that we dare not mention our desires to God.
In
many ways, we’ve gotten to a point where there are more and more issues
that we know better than to pray about, because we feel certain that God
would hang His head in shame at our selfishness. Our attitudes
represent a lack of love and understanding, compassion and caring for
our fellow man in favor of coddling our own desires – and yes, our
fears. Because we have made no effort to understand another person’s
position, we impose our own view of things – and fight to make it the
norm. And often, the outcomes are messy at best – and potentially
life-changing for some.
Bridge of Spies does not fully examine
James Donovan’s faith and what role it might have played in his
treatment of Rudolph Abel – or his subsequent role in negotiating the
famous exchange of men. But one has to believe that He sought the
counsel of a Higher Power…that He asked God, “What is the right thing to
do here?” Even in the face of threats and personal endangerment,
Donovan looked at a Russian spy as a human being with thoughts,
feelings, and a soul…and treated him accordingly. I have to believe
that he trusted God to mete out justice…and to show him the right way to
conduct himself.
Can we say the same in our daily living? Are
we operating in selfishness and our own desires, fears and
frustrations? Or are we able to say to God, “LORD…I don’t know what is
the right direction to take…but You do. I trust You to show me how to
proceed.” Your decisions might not determine the fate of three men held
captive by opposing forces…but it does matter. Does knowing this in
any way change your thinking? Don’t you think it should?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*Bridge of Spies ~ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3682448/
Showing posts with label making good decisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label making good decisions. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 3, 2013
1 Kings 3:25-28
“Cut the baby in half! That way each of you can have part of him.”
“Please don’t kill my son,” the baby’s mother screamed. “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don’t kill him.”
The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.”
Solomon said, “Don’t kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.”
Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. They realized that God had given him wisdom to judge fairly.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine recently took a test to acquire further certification for her job. She was telling me about the questions and how confusing some of them were. She tried to think through the multiple choice answers and select the one that made the most sense. Sometimes, she felt a very clear indication in one direction or another. But there were some questions where several choices seemed plausible, and she truly had to guess at the answer.
We’ve all been there… if not an actual pencil-and-paper test, there have been times when we had to make a choice, and several options seemed reasonable – or confusing! I really like this story in 1 Kings about the two women who went before King Solomon. Both had given birth to babies at approximately the same time. One rolled over on her infant in the night and smothered him/her. In a panic, she got up and swapped babies with the other woman. Both mothers insisted to King Solomon that the living baby was theirs.
Think about it… there was no way King Solomon could know which woman was truly the mother of this infant - based on the information he had been given. There was a 50-50 chance of getting this right… or wrong! The scripture doesn’t tell us that Solomon paused to talk to God about this… but it does say that God gave him the wisdom to make the right choice. And this is where we find our message for today… when we listen to God, He will give us wise answers. When we stay in close contact with God and pray about everything, He will provide us with the necessary wisdom – and courage – to make the right decisions.
Sometimes, these choices will be abundantly clear… other times, we will have to take a leap of faith and trust that God is leading us. I cannot imagine that Solomon was eager to tell these women to “cut the baby in half” and each take a portion. Yet that was the perfect way to get a “confession” from the “wannabe” mother. Sometimes, we have to “call a bluff”…take a risk…make a choice that is unpopular – or even scary! If we feel that God is leading us in this direction, we must trust that He will manage the outcome and help us deal with the consequences.
I can tell you firsthand that letting God guide our choices can be daunting – and at times, almost petrifying! But I can also tell you that I have never regretted following His lead. And the more that I listen to God… the more clearly I hear His voice. I find “signs” that He is directing my choices, and I experience an inexplicable peace in the options I select… even the scary ones!
Life is often like my friend’s certification exam… fraught with multiple choices that all seem possible – and/or confusing. Every day we make decisions that leave us wondering if we did the right thing. Thankfully, this will probably never extend to selecting to cut a baby in half! But when we call on God to guide us – and trust His direction – we can be satisfied that we have chosen well in the end. With God’s wisdom to judge things fairly, we can live with courage and confidence. Who is guiding your choices today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
“Cut the baby in half! That way each of you can have part of him.”
“Please don’t kill my son,” the baby’s mother screamed. “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don’t kill him.”
The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.”
Solomon said, “Don’t kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.”
Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. They realized that God had given him wisdom to judge fairly.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine recently took a test to acquire further certification for her job. She was telling me about the questions and how confusing some of them were. She tried to think through the multiple choice answers and select the one that made the most sense. Sometimes, she felt a very clear indication in one direction or another. But there were some questions where several choices seemed plausible, and she truly had to guess at the answer.
We’ve all been there… if not an actual pencil-and-paper test, there have been times when we had to make a choice, and several options seemed reasonable – or confusing! I really like this story in 1 Kings about the two women who went before King Solomon. Both had given birth to babies at approximately the same time. One rolled over on her infant in the night and smothered him/her. In a panic, she got up and swapped babies with the other woman. Both mothers insisted to King Solomon that the living baby was theirs.
Think about it… there was no way King Solomon could know which woman was truly the mother of this infant - based on the information he had been given. There was a 50-50 chance of getting this right… or wrong! The scripture doesn’t tell us that Solomon paused to talk to God about this… but it does say that God gave him the wisdom to make the right choice. And this is where we find our message for today… when we listen to God, He will give us wise answers. When we stay in close contact with God and pray about everything, He will provide us with the necessary wisdom – and courage – to make the right decisions.
Sometimes, these choices will be abundantly clear… other times, we will have to take a leap of faith and trust that God is leading us. I cannot imagine that Solomon was eager to tell these women to “cut the baby in half” and each take a portion. Yet that was the perfect way to get a “confession” from the “wannabe” mother. Sometimes, we have to “call a bluff”…take a risk…make a choice that is unpopular – or even scary! If we feel that God is leading us in this direction, we must trust that He will manage the outcome and help us deal with the consequences.
I can tell you firsthand that letting God guide our choices can be daunting – and at times, almost petrifying! But I can also tell you that I have never regretted following His lead. And the more that I listen to God… the more clearly I hear His voice. I find “signs” that He is directing my choices, and I experience an inexplicable peace in the options I select… even the scary ones!
Life is often like my friend’s certification exam… fraught with multiple choices that all seem possible – and/or confusing. Every day we make decisions that leave us wondering if we did the right thing. Thankfully, this will probably never extend to selecting to cut a baby in half! But when we call on God to guide us – and trust His direction – we can be satisfied that we have chosen well in the end. With God’s wisdom to judge things fairly, we can live with courage and confidence. Who is guiding your choices today?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 1, 2013
1 Corinthians 10:13
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
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.
A few weeks ago, I bought a stack of vintage linens at an estate sale. I carefully selected what I thought were “good” linens… or those that still had useful embroidery or details. After washing everything, I discovered that a few were pretty tattered. In particular, there was a pair of embroidered pillowcases that I really wanted to use to make little girls’ dresses. I decided that I could cut around the bad spots on one pillowcase and create a cute little blouse for our niece, Zola. There was almost the same scenario with a pair of pale pink pillowcases… and I decided I could use the “best” one to make a pair of pants to match Zola’s blouse.
I began to sew the blouse together, and about two-thirds of the way into the project, I tugged on the fabric to pull it taught… and it ripped. The fabric was so old and fragile that it gave way under stress. “No worries,” I thought…”I’ll stitch a decorative flower over that spot! After all, this is vintage fabric!” Then another spot tore…and another. I was almost ready to give up. This was too much. I had spent a couple of hours on the garment at this point. The temptation to cut my losses was there… did I dare succumb to it? In the end, I decided to keep going…to reinforce the torn spots with sturdy stitching and cover them in fabric flower enhancements. If Zola only wore this blouse one time and it fell apart in the wash, so be it!
The end result was darling… and then I experienced virtually the same thing when I made the pants. The fabric tore as I stitched the waistband! I added a little more sturdy “over-stitching”…and I was done. Again, the temptation was to throw in the towel and start another project. But I was able to work through this and finish both garments. I know there will be times when it is right to change directions and leave a project unfinished. But the lesson I learned from this experience and others is that God will tell me when that time comes. Until then, I am to persevere. I know that God will help me handle all of my temptations.
Every day, EVERY ONE of us tempted in one way or another, just as this scripture declares. No one is immune to this. Temptations go far beyond food, alcohol, nicotine and drugs, which are some of the ones that generally come to mind first.
Do we really think so little of God that we cannot trust Him to help us handle temptation? Is the choice really so tantalizing that we cannot resist with His help? Every day we have choices to make… and temptations to resist. God stands ready – and able – to help us in this. The only temptation we should entertain is the one to accept His help and care in all things. When impulses and decisions arise in your life… how – and WHO – will you choose to handle them? Will you opt to give up, give in… or let God guide your choices?
©2013 Debbie Robus
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
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.
A few weeks ago, I bought a stack of vintage linens at an estate sale. I carefully selected what I thought were “good” linens… or those that still had useful embroidery or details. After washing everything, I discovered that a few were pretty tattered. In particular, there was a pair of embroidered pillowcases that I really wanted to use to make little girls’ dresses. I decided that I could cut around the bad spots on one pillowcase and create a cute little blouse for our niece, Zola. There was almost the same scenario with a pair of pale pink pillowcases… and I decided I could use the “best” one to make a pair of pants to match Zola’s blouse.
I began to sew the blouse together, and about two-thirds of the way into the project, I tugged on the fabric to pull it taught… and it ripped. The fabric was so old and fragile that it gave way under stress. “No worries,” I thought…”I’ll stitch a decorative flower over that spot! After all, this is vintage fabric!” Then another spot tore…and another. I was almost ready to give up. This was too much. I had spent a couple of hours on the garment at this point. The temptation to cut my losses was there… did I dare succumb to it? In the end, I decided to keep going…to reinforce the torn spots with sturdy stitching and cover them in fabric flower enhancements. If Zola only wore this blouse one time and it fell apart in the wash, so be it!
The end result was darling… and then I experienced virtually the same thing when I made the pants. The fabric tore as I stitched the waistband! I added a little more sturdy “over-stitching”…and I was done. Again, the temptation was to throw in the towel and start another project. But I was able to work through this and finish both garments. I know there will be times when it is right to change directions and leave a project unfinished. But the lesson I learned from this experience and others is that God will tell me when that time comes. Until then, I am to persevere. I know that God will help me handle all of my temptations.
Every day, EVERY ONE of us tempted in one way or another, just as this scripture declares. No one is immune to this. Temptations go far beyond food, alcohol, nicotine and drugs, which are some of the ones that generally come to mind first.
- We are tempted to quit our job or give up on relationships.
- We are tempted to drop out of school or a class that seems too difficult.
- We are tempted to stop caring and trying with loved ones and friends who reject us.
- We are tempted to give up on exercise when results are slow in materializing.
- We are tempted to leave the church when we disagree with fellow members… someone is critical of us… or we experience a conflict of some sort.
- We are tempted to give others a piece of our mind when we are irritated.
- We are tempted to stick our noses in where they don’t belong.
- We are tempted to drink too much, dress too provocatively, curse, tell off-color jokes, and agree with derogatory slurs in order to fit in with the crowd.
- We are tempted to criticize or put down the other guy in order to make ourselves look more important or special.
- We are tempted to spend too much and acquire more “stuff” than we will ever need or use.
- We are tempted to fall apart when grief and/or tragedy strikes.
- We are tempted to pull the covers over our head and never get out of bed again!
Do we really think so little of God that we cannot trust Him to help us handle temptation? Is the choice really so tantalizing that we cannot resist with His help? Every day we have choices to make… and temptations to resist. God stands ready – and able – to help us in this. The only temptation we should entertain is the one to accept His help and care in all things. When impulses and decisions arise in your life… how – and WHO – will you choose to handle them? Will you opt to give up, give in… or let God guide your choices?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 25, 2013
Luke 16:19-31
There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food. But a poor beggar named Lazarus was brought to the gate of the rich man’s house. He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them. The poor man died, and angels took him to the place of honor next to Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried. He went to hell and was suffering terribly. When he looked up and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side, he said to Abraham, “Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I’m suffering terribly in this fire.”
Abraham answered, “My friend, remember that while you lived, you had everything good, and Lazarus had everything bad. Now he is happy, and you are in pain. And besides, there is a deep ditch between us, and no one from either side can cross over.”
But the rich man said, “Abraham, then please send Lazarus to my father’s home. Let him warn my five brothers, so they won’t come to this horrible place.”
Abraham answered, “Your brothers can read what Moses and the prophets wrote. They should pay attention to that.”
Then the rich man said, “No, that’s not enough! If only someone from the dead would go to them, they would listen and turn to God.”
So Abraham said, “If they won’t pay attention to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even to someone who comes back from the dead.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For someone my age, the point of reference that comes to mind for this scripture passage is the decision we made with my grandmother to move her to an assisted living facility. My grandmother knew she needed to make the move… but actually committing to doing so was another story. Over and over I hear friends say, “I’ve tried to talk to Mom/Dad about giving up their home and moving into a retirement center, but they won’t even talk about it.” This is one of those things that pretty well has to be the idea of that particular individual. The relatives may say, “You talk to him/her.” Maybe if YOU say something, it will make a difference. But the truth is… this person knows all of the “pros and cons”… he/she has just not made the decision to move – or he/she may no longer be mentally capable of such a rational decision.
For younger people, the decision may be something like choosing to quit smoking. You know it’s bad for your health, expensive, and more and more unacceptable socially… but it’s a tough habit to kick. No matter how many people talk to you about this, you are not swayed. My grandfather fell over dead from a stroke one morning. He rolled his own “Prince Albert’s” and smoked like a haystack. After he died, I looked around my grandmother’s living room, and there sat no less than half a dozen relatives – including my dad, my sister and brother, and a great aunt… all smoking one cigarette after the other. All the talk in the world was not going to make them quit smoking… they had to want to do so for themselves.
What resonated with me about this scripture today is that there are many circumstances and situations in which I have done all I can humanly do to affect the outcome. The people involved know the right choice to make… now it is up to them to make it. I can continue to pray for them… love and encourage them…and serve as a Godly example in my own daily living. But the time for talk, begging and pleading is over. If they have not responded to my appeals already, it’s pretty clear that any further petitions would be a waste of good breath.
I am not suggesting you desert people… or give up on them. I am merely pointing out that sometimes the time for talking comes to an end. Often, the best thing we can do is sit back and let God work. In my grandmother’s case, she came to the decision on her own that she was no longer able to make it work by herself… she needed constant care and the security of an apartment in an Assisted Living Facility. For many others in her shoes, the decision becomes all too evident in short order… or an injury or illness facilitates a more sudden conclusion.
As for smoking and other addictive behaviors… all the talk in the world is not going to change those who are afflicted. We cannot make another person give up a bad habit… we can’t force a student to study hard and make good grades… we can’t coerce a young adult to grow up and behave responsibly… and we cannot impose our faith in God on another person. If you are like me, these are hard realizations. I am a person of action… a “fixer.” I want to do something to make things better. And God is telling me to step aside and let Him drive the car. I think it’s time I did exactly that. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food. But a poor beggar named Lazarus was brought to the gate of the rich man’s house. He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them. The poor man died, and angels took him to the place of honor next to Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried. He went to hell and was suffering terribly. When he looked up and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side, he said to Abraham, “Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I’m suffering terribly in this fire.”
Abraham answered, “My friend, remember that while you lived, you had everything good, and Lazarus had everything bad. Now he is happy, and you are in pain. And besides, there is a deep ditch between us, and no one from either side can cross over.”
But the rich man said, “Abraham, then please send Lazarus to my father’s home. Let him warn my five brothers, so they won’t come to this horrible place.”
Abraham answered, “Your brothers can read what Moses and the prophets wrote. They should pay attention to that.”
Then the rich man said, “No, that’s not enough! If only someone from the dead would go to them, they would listen and turn to God.”
So Abraham said, “If they won’t pay attention to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even to someone who comes back from the dead.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For someone my age, the point of reference that comes to mind for this scripture passage is the decision we made with my grandmother to move her to an assisted living facility. My grandmother knew she needed to make the move… but actually committing to doing so was another story. Over and over I hear friends say, “I’ve tried to talk to Mom/Dad about giving up their home and moving into a retirement center, but they won’t even talk about it.” This is one of those things that pretty well has to be the idea of that particular individual. The relatives may say, “You talk to him/her.” Maybe if YOU say something, it will make a difference. But the truth is… this person knows all of the “pros and cons”… he/she has just not made the decision to move – or he/she may no longer be mentally capable of such a rational decision.
For younger people, the decision may be something like choosing to quit smoking. You know it’s bad for your health, expensive, and more and more unacceptable socially… but it’s a tough habit to kick. No matter how many people talk to you about this, you are not swayed. My grandfather fell over dead from a stroke one morning. He rolled his own “Prince Albert’s” and smoked like a haystack. After he died, I looked around my grandmother’s living room, and there sat no less than half a dozen relatives – including my dad, my sister and brother, and a great aunt… all smoking one cigarette after the other. All the talk in the world was not going to make them quit smoking… they had to want to do so for themselves.
What resonated with me about this scripture today is that there are many circumstances and situations in which I have done all I can humanly do to affect the outcome. The people involved know the right choice to make… now it is up to them to make it. I can continue to pray for them… love and encourage them…and serve as a Godly example in my own daily living. But the time for talk, begging and pleading is over. If they have not responded to my appeals already, it’s pretty clear that any further petitions would be a waste of good breath.
I am not suggesting you desert people… or give up on them. I am merely pointing out that sometimes the time for talking comes to an end. Often, the best thing we can do is sit back and let God work. In my grandmother’s case, she came to the decision on her own that she was no longer able to make it work by herself… she needed constant care and the security of an apartment in an Assisted Living Facility. For many others in her shoes, the decision becomes all too evident in short order… or an injury or illness facilitates a more sudden conclusion.
As for smoking and other addictive behaviors… all the talk in the world is not going to change those who are afflicted. We cannot make another person give up a bad habit… we can’t force a student to study hard and make good grades… we can’t coerce a young adult to grow up and behave responsibly… and we cannot impose our faith in God on another person. If you are like me, these are hard realizations. I am a person of action… a “fixer.” I want to do something to make things better. And God is telling me to step aside and let Him drive the car. I think it’s time I did exactly that. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 14, 2013
Psalm 119:17-24
Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—insatiable for your nourishing commands. And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it! Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;
I’ve been careful to do just what you said. While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel. Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
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 recently watched the Golden Globe Awards program…partly in an attempt to get some ideas for movies and television series that might interest us. There were several nominated productions that left us looking at each other and saying, “I don’t think so.” One was a mini-series that we had already tried and found so violent and depressing we could barely make it through the first episode. Another we tried was simply uninteresting. While recommended and heralded by some, these were not for us.
Just because someone recommends a movie or television series doesn’t mean that we will like it – or that we have to watch it. We have the capability of deciding for ourselves what is right – and enjoyable – and we don’t have to listen to the opinions of others. In much the same way, we get a lot of opinions and ideas from others… our “neighbors,” if you will… about how we should live, what we should think, who we should support with our vote and our allegiance, and how we should spend our time and our money. But this doesn’t mean we have to listen to – much less heed – these opinions.
The pressure can be pretty strong at times… you may feel like an outsider if you don’t agree on certain issues with those in your social circle, your class, your neighborhood, your family, or even your church! But sometimes our heads and our hearts don’t align… times when God tells us (through scripture, prayer and meditation) that we should feel one way… and people tell us something different. These are the times that we must rely on God’s strength. When we feel that God is giving us good counsel, we need to trust Him… not cave to the influence of others.
If we rent a movie or mini-series that someone recommends, and we don’t like it, we’ve not suffered a great loss. But in many instances where we allow the advice of others to influence us without first conferring with God, we put ourselves – and possibly those in OUR circle of influence – at great risk. We need to be hungry… ravenous… for the commands of God. We need to learn to rely on Him for answers both large and small… to keep our eyes squarely focused on the path toward our Heavenly Father. His directions are clear… His voice is readily detectable… His words are true – if only we will pay attention.
Are you listening? Are you watching? Do you depend on God for answers… and do you rely on His strength when He leads you down difficult paths? Have you learned to fully trust Him… to believe that what God commands is always right? Isn’t it time you began to fully operate in His wisdom… and to seek His counsel over all other? Will this be the day you choose to do exactly that?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—insatiable for your nourishing commands. And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it! Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;
I’ve been careful to do just what you said. While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel. Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
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 recently watched the Golden Globe Awards program…partly in an attempt to get some ideas for movies and television series that might interest us. There were several nominated productions that left us looking at each other and saying, “I don’t think so.” One was a mini-series that we had already tried and found so violent and depressing we could barely make it through the first episode. Another we tried was simply uninteresting. While recommended and heralded by some, these were not for us.
Just because someone recommends a movie or television series doesn’t mean that we will like it – or that we have to watch it. We have the capability of deciding for ourselves what is right – and enjoyable – and we don’t have to listen to the opinions of others. In much the same way, we get a lot of opinions and ideas from others… our “neighbors,” if you will… about how we should live, what we should think, who we should support with our vote and our allegiance, and how we should spend our time and our money. But this doesn’t mean we have to listen to – much less heed – these opinions.
The pressure can be pretty strong at times… you may feel like an outsider if you don’t agree on certain issues with those in your social circle, your class, your neighborhood, your family, or even your church! But sometimes our heads and our hearts don’t align… times when God tells us (through scripture, prayer and meditation) that we should feel one way… and people tell us something different. These are the times that we must rely on God’s strength. When we feel that God is giving us good counsel, we need to trust Him… not cave to the influence of others.
If we rent a movie or mini-series that someone recommends, and we don’t like it, we’ve not suffered a great loss. But in many instances where we allow the advice of others to influence us without first conferring with God, we put ourselves – and possibly those in OUR circle of influence – at great risk. We need to be hungry… ravenous… for the commands of God. We need to learn to rely on Him for answers both large and small… to keep our eyes squarely focused on the path toward our Heavenly Father. His directions are clear… His voice is readily detectable… His words are true – if only we will pay attention.
Are you listening? Are you watching? Do you depend on God for answers… and do you rely on His strength when He leads you down difficult paths? Have you learned to fully trust Him… to believe that what God commands is always right? Isn’t it time you began to fully operate in His wisdom… and to seek His counsel over all other? Will this be the day you choose to do exactly that?
©2013 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 June 1, 2011
Luke 22:20-23
After the meal he took another cup of wine in his hands. Then he said, "This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes his new agreement. The one who will betray me is here at the table with me! The Son of Man will die in the way that has been decided for him, but it will be terrible for the one who betrays him!"
Then the apostles started arguing about who would ever do such a thing.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Never underestimate the power of one person – or a single act. I told you about Will Norton, the young man who graduated from high school in Joplin, Missouri, then was sucked through the sunroof of his SUV on the way home during the EF-5 tornado that struck his community. There is a lot of information on Facebook about Will, courtesy of his family. This remarkable teenager was interested in studying film design, and he got quite good at making his own videos. Many are posted on YouTube… you can see them by going to http://www.youtube.com/user/willdabeast88883333.
One of the videos is about tattoo artist Kat Von D… Will was a huge fan. In this video, Will talks about a trip he took to California to visit a college he was hoping to attend. During the trip, he actually saw Kat Von D outside her tattoo shop… but he was too excited to even speak to her. It’s a cute video… and during all of the posts about the Joplin tornado and Will Norton, Kat Von D learned of the video – and Will’s story. Apparently she draws a sketch each day and posts it on her twitter account. May 29th, Kat Von D dedicated her sketch to Will Norton. The family is now trying to obtain usage rights for the sketch.
Think about it… because of this one kid and the tragic story of how he was killed by a tornado, the message of Jesus Christ and the example of tremendous faith in God is being shared with the world. Countless people who knew and loved Will have responded to Kat Von D’s sketch on her Twitter page. The posts from Will’s Aunt Tracey and other family members are all about their faith… how God is blessing them even now… how they are continuing to pray for other families who have lost loved ones – and some who are still searching for victims. If Kat Von D starts to share Will’s story through her resources, the exponential ripples of these messages of trusting Jesus, no matter what, are mind boggling!
Imagine how different things would have been, had Judas not betrayed Jesus. Of course, we know that this was all part of God’s plan to allow Judas to sell out his Master, but our purposes in many of the things we say and do have far less purposeful outcomes. But let’s spin this around. Imagine the power of just one act of obedience… one leap of faith… one example of tremendous courage and strength. Imagine the impact of one teenage boy who recited scripture as a tornado sucked him, literally, into heaven.
Do you have any idea the impact your have on others? Do you realize the power of a single act on your part to help – or harm – someone else? Do you understand that what you say and do – how you conduct yourself every single day – speaks volumes about your relationship with Jesus Christ? We have a choice… we can be a “Will Norton” or a “Judas”. Which one do you more closely resemble most days?
©2011 Debbie Robus
After the meal he took another cup of wine in his hands. Then he said, "This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes his new agreement. The one who will betray me is here at the table with me! The Son of Man will die in the way that has been decided for him, but it will be terrible for the one who betrays him!"
Then the apostles started arguing about who would ever do such a thing.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Never underestimate the power of one person – or a single act. I told you about Will Norton, the young man who graduated from high school in Joplin, Missouri, then was sucked through the sunroof of his SUV on the way home during the EF-5 tornado that struck his community. There is a lot of information on Facebook about Will, courtesy of his family. This remarkable teenager was interested in studying film design, and he got quite good at making his own videos. Many are posted on YouTube… you can see them by going to http://www.youtube.com/user/willdabeast88883333.
One of the videos is about tattoo artist Kat Von D… Will was a huge fan. In this video, Will talks about a trip he took to California to visit a college he was hoping to attend. During the trip, he actually saw Kat Von D outside her tattoo shop… but he was too excited to even speak to her. It’s a cute video… and during all of the posts about the Joplin tornado and Will Norton, Kat Von D learned of the video – and Will’s story. Apparently she draws a sketch each day and posts it on her twitter account. May 29th, Kat Von D dedicated her sketch to Will Norton. The family is now trying to obtain usage rights for the sketch.
Think about it… because of this one kid and the tragic story of how he was killed by a tornado, the message of Jesus Christ and the example of tremendous faith in God is being shared with the world. Countless people who knew and loved Will have responded to Kat Von D’s sketch on her Twitter page. The posts from Will’s Aunt Tracey and other family members are all about their faith… how God is blessing them even now… how they are continuing to pray for other families who have lost loved ones – and some who are still searching for victims. If Kat Von D starts to share Will’s story through her resources, the exponential ripples of these messages of trusting Jesus, no matter what, are mind boggling!
Imagine how different things would have been, had Judas not betrayed Jesus. Of course, we know that this was all part of God’s plan to allow Judas to sell out his Master, but our purposes in many of the things we say and do have far less purposeful outcomes. But let’s spin this around. Imagine the power of just one act of obedience… one leap of faith… one example of tremendous courage and strength. Imagine the impact of one teenage boy who recited scripture as a tornado sucked him, literally, into heaven.
Do you have any idea the impact your have on others? Do you realize the power of a single act on your part to help – or harm – someone else? Do you understand that what you say and do – how you conduct yourself every single day – speaks volumes about your relationship with Jesus Christ? We have a choice… we can be a “Will Norton” or a “Judas”. Which one do you more closely resemble most days?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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