Daily Devotional for November 16, 2013

1 Thessalonians 5:13-15

Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

 

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.

 

Rex was the boy who sat beside me at my table in first grade.  One day, he threw up his morning milk.  Since I was not a fan of morning milk time in the first place, I scooted my chair away from the ugly puddle, for fear of becoming nauseous myself.  There were no intercoms or cell phones in this dank concrete block building with its cold cement floor, but I’m sure that somehow the janitor was summoned.  Meanwhile, my teacher, Mrs. Troy, walked over to the table and snapped, “Debra, if that is getting your goat, then MOVE!”  I never said a word.  I had the deepest respect for Mrs. Troy… call it a mixture of admiration and a healthy dose of fear.  I’d seen that little wooden ping pong paddle she kept perched atop the chalk rail at the reading circle!  I sat stock still and waited for the janitor to come sprinkle that dusty clay mixture over the puddle and wait for it to absorb so he could sweep it away.

 

I didn’t dare move, as Mrs. Troy had suggested.  But don’t you find it amazing that some 50 years later, I still vividly remember that incident and her words?  I remember going home and telling my mother what she said… crushed in spirit at what I perceived as an insult and a total lack of empathy for my feelings.  A woman I had deeply revered and respected had totally betrayed me… and even as a six-year-old first grader, it somewhat broke my spirit.  To be honest, for all of the things I lovingly remember about Mrs. Troy… that lone incident is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her even today.

 

You can insert your jokes and jabs here… “So you were scarred for life by a first-grade puking incident?!”  You can declare me incredibly sensitive… overly so, to allow something so minor to affect me for half a century.  But here’s the point.  We truly do not know what others are thinking and feeling.  We have no clue what effect our words and actions toward them can have.  As a former teacher, I can assure you that I get it… the last thing you want in your classroom in the middle of a busy morning is for some kid to upchuck his/her milk!  I still remember the morning I was collecting lunch money and a child approached me and threw up all over my open-toed shoe… and it was not pretty!  And I remember distinctly that I did NOT snap at this child… perhaps because of my own childhood experience.

 

Still, you have to look at it from the other person’s perspective.  My teacher apparently didn’t consider how close I was to joining Rex in this disgusting “upheaval”.  She probably didn’t mean to snap at me… but once words are spoken, they are very hard to retract.  And apologies (if/when offered) have fairly little relevance for young children.  They say “Sorry!” all the time without meaning it!

 

What has all of this got to do with us today?  Plenty!  We need to work harder at respecting each other.  We need to choose our words and actions more carefully… to be kinder… to look for the best in others and point this out rather than their faults.  We need to take deep breaths and count to ten before responding, and we need to look for those who could use a little encouragement – and give it to them!  And we need to ask God to help us with every bit of this and more… to equip us with wisdom, compassion, and common sense!

 

An acquaintance of mine recently lost her husband in an airplane crash.  She wrote a blog post about how people are constantly asking her, “How are you doing?”  She said she knows the desired response is, “I’m fine.”  But the truth is… she isn’t “fine”… she is deeply hurt, scared, lonely, and feeling her way through the days in a world that she feels is spinning around her while she stands still. Several people commented to her and told her that they never fully understood these emotions until they lost someone dear to them… and now they get it.  If nothing else, the experiences of grief and loss – and personal disrespect - have a way of making us more tender and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others around us… or they should.

 

We shouldn’t have to be thrust into a situation such as the death of a loved one before we become more attuned to the feelings of others.  We should be looking for ways to show our respect for others… to offer them kindness, grace, mercy, encouragement, and support.  We should recognize that every person has value – and needs… and our job as Christian disciples is to meet them right where they are.  No one wants or deserves to be disrespected… not even a six-year-old.  Look around.  Who needs your respect today?  What will you do to find the best in others and bring it to the forefront?  Is there someone you have disrespected who needs to hear from you today?  Will you make an effort to bring out the best in others and meet their needs, in Jesus’ name?  Shouldn’t you?

 

©2013 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for January 1, 2012

John 21:15-16
After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Master, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." He then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Master, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Shepherd my sheep."

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.

If you are like most people, you have spent at least a few minutes thinking about the coming year… and what you will do with it. Many vow to get organized, lose weight and get in shape, take up a new hobby, or mark a few things off their “bucket list.” Probably very few of us vowed to do more to serve others in Jesus’ name… but this might be the most important resolution we could ever make.

It’s easy to get sidetracked… to become self-absorbed. After all, many of us have all we can handle just to keep our own heads above water… challenges like study, work, family, and paying the bills. Some of us have major health issues or physical challenges, while others struggle to meet the needs of family members and continue to keep their own lives in check. Let’s face it… most of us are already plenty busy!

But you notice that Jesus doesn’t ask us, “Do you have a minute?” He doesn’t say, “Can you pencil me in on the third week of the fourth month for an hour?” He says, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” In other words, if you love Jesus and truly want to be His disciple (and not just claim to be), you have to do whatever needs to be done. This means keeping your eyes and ears open and staying attuned to the needs of others. You can’t wait for someone to call you and say, “Jim needs a ride to class” – you have to notice that Jim is walking a lot and doesn’t appear to have transportation, then ask him, “Can I give you a ride?”

You have to start looking around and asking yourself, “Who have I not seen at church in a few weeks? Is everything okay?” and then call and ask. You have to send a note of encouragement, pick up the phone and check on someone who is sick – or the caregiver who is sitting with him/her, or drop off a casserole for someone you know is struggling to put food on the table. You have to offer to keep small children some afternoon so a frazzled mom can grocery shop – or take a nap – for a peaceful hour or two. You have to spend time with old people and reassure them that they are still important and not forgotten.

This may mean we have to give up watching a favorite TV show or surfing the web for an hour. We may have to step out of our comfort zone and speak to others, even though being an extrovert is not our nature. We may have to do something somewhat unpleasant – but necessary – to better the life of someone else, like carry out their garbage, help them clean up in the aftermath of a disaster, or sit and listen while they drone on about their ailments or troubles.

Whatever we are called to do in Jesus’ name, we must do. And we must do this without fanfare, complaint, the need for recognition, or even gratitude. We must do this because we love Jesus… and His sheep, who He has called us to feed.

As you make your New Year’s resolutions, consider putting Jesus at the top of the list. Ask Him to show you how and where to serve... and who to feed. Believe it or not, Jesus is calling on others to feed you in His name, as well. Resolve to give as good as you get… or better! Make serving others your number one resolution, and watch what happens in 2012!

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 13, 2011

John 19:38-42
Joseph from Arimathea was one of Jesus' disciples. He had kept it secret though, because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. But now he asked Pilate to let him have Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission, and Joseph took it down from the cross.

Nicodemus also came with about seventy-five pounds of spices made from myrrh and aloes. This was the same Nicodemus who had visited Jesus one night. The two men wrapped the body in a linen cloth, together with the spices, which was how the Jewish people buried their dead. In the place where Jesus had been nailed to a cross, there was a garden with a tomb that had never been used. The tomb was nearby, and since it was the time to prepare for the Sabbath, they were in a hurry to put Jesus' body there.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

For weeks now, an acquaintance who belongs to my church has posted on Facebook about her journey with her dad, who suffered a stroke several months ago. She talked about how she had been away from home for weeks on end, sitting by his bedside in a hospital and rehab facility in nearby cities. She lamented missing many of the activities surrounding her daughter’s activities as part of the high school homecoming court and other events. And many of us have encouraged her, prayed for her, and sent her “virtual hugs.” But I have to tell you, after only six days of sitting with my grandmother in the hospital, I sent this friend an apology. Hospital sitting/caregiving is exhausting – and often lonely… and I was not sympathetic enough toward this friend in her lengthy ordeal.

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea could easily have said, “I’m so sorry Jesus is dead… I will pray for His family.” They could have gone on their way and never looked back. They could have asked, “What will others think if I get involved? Will they misinterpret my actions and think I’m a busybody? Do I really have time for this? Can I afford to step in and help? Do I really know Jesus and His family well enough to ask for His dead body?”

The bottom line is that Nicodemus and Joseph operated out of great love and care in taking responsibility for Jesus’ remains. The tenderness and thoughtfulness they showed in preparing this mangled, maimed shell that had housed our Heavenly Father are in many ways a direct mandate for all of us. We can all do more to help others… to notice their needs and meet them.

How can we apply this to our own lives and those in need around us? Make a phone call or send a personal note or e-mail to ask, “How are you doing? Could I do something to help?” – and mean it! Those in need may be hesitant to ask for help, but you can contact them and say, “I’m headed to the grocery store… could I pick up anything for you?” Call and let them know that, “I’m bringing you a burger,” or “I made cookies or banana bread… could I bring you a tray?” Offer to pick up kids at school or walk the dog. If the person in need is a close friend or relative and you can make time, offer to come to their home and do laundry or help with yard work. Look for needs that might be less obvious to most… and do your best to meet them.

I “get it” that we are all busy. But helping others is not about doing what is convenient. Do you think the acts of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea would have been as significant to Jesus if they had truly had nothing better to do with their time or no sacrifice to make? When we operate out of a deep desire to serve rather than a place of obligation or boredom, we are truly honoring Jesus and our relationship with Him.

The old adage that “people don’t care what you know until they know that you care” applies. We can’t really be the hands and feet of Jesus until we truly become exactly that. Actions do speak louder than words. What are you saying about your walk with Christ today?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for April 14, 2011

Psalm 71:17-18
You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O 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.

I have laughingly remarked more than once that I know a few older folks who run circles around me on a daily basis. They have more zip than the Energizer Bunny, and by the time I get up, many of them have accomplished a day’s worth of work! But I also hear older people say, “You’re still young… I just can’t do what I used to any more.” And I get that. When I taught kindergarten in my 20s, I could get up and down out of the floor all day long without a second thought. Now, every time I get in the floor with Timothy, the ache in my knees when I stand reminds me that I’m no longer 20-something.

But this doesn’t mean that I can’t do things with my little nephew… or that older Christians cannot continue to serve. It just means that there truly is a “time for every season,” as we read in Ecclesiastes… and we may have to shift our attitude and our focus to fit each stage of life. The question is… are we meeting the challenge and doing all we are capable of doing in each “season”?

See, when we are young and able-bodied, God may be calling us to work with children, do physical labor like yard work for the elderly or simple carpentry and repairs. He may be asking us to drive a route for Meals on Wheels or deliver older adults to medical and shopping appointments and more. As we age, God may shift us to more of a stationary role… prayer warrior, someone who makes phone calls to check on others or sends cards of encouragement and concern. He may want you to use your workplace or your position in the community to share His message with others… and when you are older – possibly retired – He may use you in new and different ways. My 98-year-old grandmother lives in an apartment at an assisted living facility… and she walks across the street to visit nursing home residents.

The bottom line is this… we are never too young or too old to serve God. He will never “shove us on a shelf” and declare us of no use. OUR job is to figure out how and where He wants us to serve… then get busy doing just that! Do you know what He’s calling you to do in this season of your life? Are you getting out the news as He wishes?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 25, 2011

1 Timothy 5:7-8
Tell all of this to everyone, so they will do the right thing. People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine named Jean. I am not sure of Jean’s age, but it’s somewhere around 95. Jean and her husband, Jim, who is 95 or better, still live in their own home. She is a former nurse… Jim a former airline pilot. Jean and Jim never had children. Nieces, nephews, other family members and friends “see after” them… as much as Jean and Jim will allow!

I admit, I do not “see after” Jean and Jim like I should. They have been my dear friends for almost 25 years, and they are members of my church. They are part of my “church family” even if they are not related by blood, and I should check in with them more often.

And that brings me to the point of today’s devotional. It’s very easy for younger people to get busy with their own lives and families… and frankly, to become self-absorbed… and to forget about – or neglect – older people who live and work alongside them. I recently spoke with the mother of one of my friends, and she said, “We don’t see children at church any more, and it breaks my heart.” The children are attending a more contemporary service that meets at a different hour, and many of the older church members attend a traditional service, so they have little opportunity to interact with younger members. Clearly, this represents a need that must be addressed… and one that may have become commonplace in many church congregations.

If you want to see the power of “youth” in action, visit a nursing home and take a baby, a puppy, or a kitten. The faces of the residents will instantly light up at the sight of “young life.” We tend to get tunnel vision quite often… to focus on people who are in our own circle – or our own age – and we toss others… especially those who are older… to the curb. If you read further in 1 Timothy 5, you will see that there are admonitions to honor Jesus by caring for our grandparents, our widows and widowers, and older adults. When we show them respect and care, we are honoring God and His love for us.

The last time I did laundry, I discovered that the underarm seam of one of my husband’s t-shirts had come undone. My husband has dozens of t-shirts, and I seriously considered tossing this one into the rag bin. But there was still a lot of good “wear” left in the shirt, and a few stitches on my sewing machine could patch the torn seam. As I looked at this shirt, I thought of how we treat others in everyday life. I considered how we sometimes toss people – especially older adults - and their needs into the “rag bin” and focus on newer, prettier, more seemingly useful folks.

We need to wake up! We need to realize that older adults are not only important, wise and worthy of our time and attention… but we are called by God to attend to them! Who do you need to contact today? Do you have a family member – or a church family member – who needs to hear from you? If you are older… have you reached out to those who are younger and let them know you are willing to be a mentor and friend… that you still want to be engaged in the activities of their lives? In God’s family, there are no age barriers… these have been imposed by humans. It’s up to us to remove them… in Jesus’ name. Where will you begin?

©2011 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for November 25, 2010

Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know—Someone not impressed with weak excuses.

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.

When my mother was teaching kindergarten, she had a real telephone for the children to play with sitting in one of her learning centers. Of course, the phone was not connected, but the children could pretend to make calls and practice their dialing skills (yes, I said dialing!). One day, she said a mother came to collect her little boy and he said, “Where have you been? I’ve been calling you all day to come and get me.” – or words to that effect.

Often, under the guise of minding our own business, people in need are “calling” but our “phone” isn’t plugged in, so we are not getting the message. We say we don’t want to intrude or seem judgmental, when actually, we don’t want to be bothered. Granted, there are times when certain situations – and even needs – are none of our business. Sometimes people create a mess that they need to figure out on their own.

But more often than we want to admit, we look the other way and pretend we didn’t see a need. We shake our heads at the ratty clothing of a needy child, but we don’t call a teacher at the school and ask, “Is there someone in your class who needs a warm coat or new shoes?” We see a young mother at the check-out counter, struggling to count pennies and juggle a baby on her hip and two more tugging at her jeans, but we don’t offer a couple of dollars from our own wallet to save her from frustration and embarrassment.

We know that our buddy’s dad is beating him when he drinks, but we don’t invite him to stay over at our house – or to call, even in the middle of the night, if things get too crazy. We see someone who is obviously withdrawing and becoming reclusive, and we suspect it’s because he/she can’t pay the bills and doesn’t want others to know… but rather than ask, “Is there some way I could help?” we retreat to our own corner and pretend that everything is fine.

Sometimes, we wait for the other guy to ask for help, knowing full well that pride will prevent this, and we’ll be off the hook. When we see a need we can fill, we have to at least offer… not in a condescending or judgmental way… but lovingly and with the heart of Jesus. We don’t have to say, “I see you can’t make your rent payment… let me do it.” We can say, “I have an extra $100 in my pocket, and I just have a feeling you could use it worse than I can,” or “I made two loaves of banana bread, and there’s now way we can eat all of this, so please take one.”

We can tell someone, “I found this coat on sale, and it was such a bargain… something told me you might be in the market for a new winter coat!” Or even… “I drive right past your house every morning and evening… would you like to ride to school/work with me?”

SOMEONE is indeed watching us closely… and the scripture is correct, He is not the least bit impressed with our excuses. And we have to admit, most of them are more than a little weak. Where can you rescue the perishing? On a day when we are so busy counting our blessings, can you look around for those who have fewer to count? Is there a way you can step in and help… can you find a way to make meeting others’ needs in Jesus’ name at least some of your business?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for September 1, 2010

Luke 6:38
If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

In most kitchens, flour, sugar, and other “staples” like rice, beans, pasta, and coffee are kept in glass or plastic containers. We bring these products home from the store and empty them out of their paper sack or plastic bag into our canisters and storage compartments. Often, as we pour in these dry ingredients, we shake the container to settle everything and make room for more. And more than once, I have still overfilled my containers to the point that sugar, flour, rice or some other dry ingredient spilled onto the kitchen counter … or maybe onto the floor, if I wasn’t paying close enough attention!

Imagine receiving the blessings of God in this way. Your heart and soul are the “canister,” and God is heaping love, grace, mercy, joy, and more upon you. Sometimes, it pours so fast that you can’t contain it all, and it spills out all around you. Think of the “glow” you sometimes feel from a full and joyful heart as this abundance radiates outward. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? We all would like to operate in overflow, right? We would all like God to pour His blessings into us … shake down … and make room for more.

In 1980, my husband’s grandfather died in Iowa. He was buried on Christmas Eve. This was my first Christmas away from my family, but we were where we needed to be. Christmas Day, my husband’s grandmother greeted us with a cheery “Merry Christmas!” She talked of her blessings and what a wonderful day it was to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.

In 1981, my paternal grandparents’ house burned to the ground three days before Christmas. They lost virtually everything. People came from far and wide to help them recover and get re-established. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.

In 1986, I had major surgery one week before Thanksgiving. We lived in Russellville then – ninety miles from our families. Friends and neighbors rallied around us and brought food and support. On Thanksgiving Day, our next-door neighbors delivered not one, but TWO Thanksgiving “dinners” – enough food to feed a small army. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.

Throughout the “nineties,” we experienced many challenging events, including the loss of both our fathers, grandparents and beloved cousins and friends, precious pets, and my younger brother. Each time, people showed up in untold numbers to do amazing things for us … to share God’s love and comfort and to encourage us and do what we were emotionally and physically unable to accomplish. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.

We are no different from anyone else. Everyone has troubles and sadness and times of need. But we took notice early on of the love and kindness shown to us by others … and we learned from it. We learned to look around and give back to others in need. We recognized that we had potential to turn inward, become self-absorbed, and concentrate on our own careers and acquiring the “stuff” of “The American Dream” … missing out on the incredible abundance of God’s blessings in the bargain. I believe that the reason we were so blessed by others during our times of need is because our parents and grandparents had been busy giving to others, and it came back exponentially. Pour in, shake down, make room for more. Pour in … shake down … make room for more.

I don’t know where you are today … whether you are on the “giving” end or if you are finding yourself in need of love and care from others. But I do know this … none of us is too young to start giving back to others … pouring in out of the abundance of God’s blessings in our own lives. Even if you are still a high school or college student, a young parent, or someone just starting a career, you have something to offer to others. If you are a senior citizen living in a retirement facility, you have something to offer. Be a prayer warrior if you can’t physically get out and help. Make a phone call … send an e-mail message of love and encouragement. These things matter to God’s kingdom.

I cannot predict what lies ahead for me or my family. I am quite certain that there will be challenges, sadness and times of need. And I know that God will send people to bless us. The biggest lesson I have learned is that giving back to others is its own reward. If I ever operated under the motive of being a blessing in order to receive a blessing, I don’t any more. It’s not about what God will give me in return, but more about what I can give back to God. All the same, He continues to pour in, shake down, and make room for more, even when it seems my heart is full to overflowing.

How full is your “container” today? Have you allowed God to use you to pour out, shake down, and make room for more in others? Is He doing this in your life? I pray you will ask God to help you find at least one way each day to give to others. And may you always operate in the abundance of His overflow.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 31, 2010

Matthew 7:12
Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine was having surgery in a Little Rock hospital. I telephoned the hospital to inquire about my friend and see how her surgery went. After talking to several people, the consensus was, “She’s not here.” I knew she was there, and I was insistent that they keep looking. Eventually, someone on the hospital staff located her – she had been moved to another area of the recovery room, and quite frankly, they had temporarily lost track of her! This was a scary thought.

While the staff was able to excuse it by saying the woman’s children had stepped out for a bite to eat and there was no one there to speak up when her name was called in the waiting area, the fact that my friend’s name was not on any lists or computer files made me wonder about how careful people were at that facility. I had to ask myself … what if they were the ones having surgery? Wouldn’t they want documentation that showed that they were in the building? Wouldn’t they want someone to be able to locate them?

This is a drastic, dramatic illustration of treating others as we want to be treated … but isn’t this in essence what we do quite often? We “lose” others because we lose focus and become self-absorbed. We don’t see the needs and consider the feelings of others because we are so busy with our own. Their names don’t appear on our “roster” … and we have ample excuses should we be called out for it. But the truth is … we want others to notice us and care about us! We don’t want to be misplaced or forgotten.

It’s time for a reality check. We need to be looking up, out, and all around. Who in our path needs something from us today? It could be a simple smile, handshake, e-mail message, ride to school or the store, or a brief phone call. Others may be sick or injured and in need of more specific or detailed attention. Never assume that you know the level of someone’s need until you have done a proper assessment. The single older lady with the “sniffle” may need more help and attention than the woman half her age who is hospitalized with pneumonia. The student with the broken wrist may need help with school work, dressing and putting on shoes, and getting in and out of the building each day for classes. The grieving parent may need someone to come and help with everyday chores around the house until he/she can get a few days/weeks under the belt and begin to think clearly and function somewhat normally again.

The harried single mother with two kids may need someone to listen to her vent … or to sit and read stories to the children while she takes a hot shower. The college student who is juggling a full class load and a part-time job to pay for tuition and books may simply need to know that someone is available to listen or help where needed.

The bottom line is that we are called to serve others and meet their needs … just as they are called to do the same for ours. If we make excuses and let others get “lost in the shuffle,” we can hardly expect anything different for ourselves, can we? Ask God to open your eyes, ears, heart and mind to the needs of those around you. As you ask Him to meet your needs each day, think about who He will send to help you – and how this will be accomplished. Then ask where you have something to offer in return. God and others are counting on you to find the right balance.

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 21, 2010

Colossians 3:12
God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

When I think of living in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ, I think of a certain woman who attends my church. I don’t know her very well, but she has got to be one of the kindest, most gentle and loving people I’ve ever met. She radiates with a love for Jesus and an abiding faith in Him. She is like a magnet … her spirit is contagious! Just thinking of her makes me smile … and she is almost always smiling!

On the other hand, when I hear the names of a few other people, I feel my skin bristle. It’s as if I know that any encounter with them will be unpleasant, based on past experience. At some point we will disagree, or something will not suit them, and they will let everyone know. I know that these are Christian people who have big hearts and the potential to love and serve God with a gentle, kind, patient spirit. I’ve seen them do it. But more often, I’ve seen them behave in the opposite manner.

You surely know people who are like the lady in my church – you may even know her! You know those who are always gentle, kind and loving … patient and ready to help … and humble. Sadly, you probably know people who are arrogant or spoiled, grumpy … who always have to have their own way, and are restless at best.

If someone lined up a group of people … a mix of both gentle, kind, humble, patient folks and those who behaved in the opposite manner … and then told you that all of these people were faith-filled Christians – disciples of Christ – would you believe them? If you were told to interview each one, and then choose a half dozen or so to get to know better, which ones would you choose? If you were told that you should pick one to be your spiritual friend or mentor … someone with whom to study the word of God and the teachings of Jesus … would you choose the grump? Would you believe what he/she had to say about a faith-filled life in Christ?

Attitude does matter. I’m not saying we should be phony and pretend to be happy and kind when we are not feeling it. But I know for a fact that God can help us overcome a lot of negativity in our lives. He can help us rise above it. He can give us joy and kindness, humility and meekness, gentleness and patience – even when our world seems to be crumbling around us. He can use us to show others how to walk in these traits even when their worlds are crumbling or less than perfect.

So today, I challenge all of us to ask God to help us be more gentle, kind, humble, meek and patient … in all circumstances! I pray that we will all become “magnets” for Jesus … drawing others to us so that we can share His love and the message of the cross. What’s your attitude these days? Are you behaving like the apple of God’s eye … or could you use a little “spit and polish?”

©2010 Debbie Robus

August 12 ~ Luke 3:11

Luke 3:11
John told them, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else."

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I am reminded of the Andy Griffith episode where Opie is asked to contribute to charity, and he gives a measly three cents. His dad is very upset with him, and Opie finally admits that he saved up his allowance to buy a winter coat for a needy friend. There is also an episode where Opie gives up a job delivering groceries so that another friend who needs the money can work.

This passage is about so much more than clothes and food. And as “Opie Taylor” shows us, putting the needs of the other guy ahead of our own isn’t always easy or popular. But this doesn’t negate the fact that it’s the right thing to do. It seems like Opie had a knack for seeing needs and meeting them. Sadly, if some of us see a need, we turn and look away.

We talk a lot about nurture these days. But what does “nurture” really mean? I believe it means following Luke 3:11. I believe that real nurture means turning off your favorite television program and spending that hour talking to someone who could use a friend or writing get-well cards and notes of encouragement to people you know who are struggling. Real nurture means picking up an extra package of diapers at the store and giving them to your co-worker who has a new baby and two other kids and can barely pay the bills. True nurture means dropping everything when someone you know gets sick or dies … and rushing to the side of that person and/or family and friends to offer comfort and support.

Christian nurture requires us to lift our heads, open our eyes and ears, and look outside of ourselves to see the needs of others … and then meet them! If we don’t perform some act of Christian nurture almost every day, we probably aren’t serving very well. I didn’t say we have to cook a meal or give away clothing or do something on a grand scale. I am talking about something as simple as sacrificing five or ten minutes to really ask a friend, “How are you doing?” - and stick around for their answer. I’m talking about sending an e-mail to someone to let them know that God cares about them – and so do you. I’m talking about going out of your way to be polite to someone at the grocery store or in the school cafeteria.

There are countless ways to offer Christian nurture, if we will notice them. The question is … are we paying attention?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 11, 2010

Matthew 25:21
"Wonderful!" his master replied. "You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!"

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

When I was a kid, I assumed my paternal grandparents were rich. They grew their own food on their farm – including Black Angus beef. My grandmother made beautiful clothes for herself, my sister and me - and our Barbies! We had a horse to ride, and twenty acres to explore. My grandparents always seemed to live in abundance.

What I could not see as a child was how hard they worked for the things they had. I knew they went to bed right after supper and rose early each morning. I knew my grandmother drove a school bus each day and then worked as a chairside assistant for a local dentist. I knew that each afternoon after she made the return trip in the school bus, she worked in her garden, quilted or sewed, and cooked wonderful meals … often alongside a big vat of dentures she was “setting” for a patient at work! I knew my grandfather got up early each day to feed his cattle … then operated heavy equipment - like road graders and bulldozers - for the county. After work, he came home and tended to his cattle and his crops.

With all of this work, my grandparents still managed to do for others. They were active members of their church. They shared their food with those who were hungry and ministered to sick and needy family members and friends. They always had time for their three grandchildren. And when their home of more than 25 years burned to the ground one December 20th, others came to their side and returned the favor.

Fellow church members who were traveling south for the winter offered their home to my grandparents. A local contractor agreed to put a “rush” on building a new house for them. The church members, family and friends opened their closets, wallets and hearts and “pounded” them with everything from staples for the kitchen to furniture, household items and more. People rallied around my grandmother when my grandfather died in 1984. Since that time, she has lived in the abundance of blessings from friends and family who “see after” her in ways great and small. And at almost 98 years of age, she still returns the blessings by doing for others as much as she can.

Early in their adult lives, God called my grandparents to serve Him … and they answered. God saw how well they did with so little, and He continued to heap blessings upon them. I’m not talking money, cars, lavish homes and opulent wealth. I’m talking about blessings that matter. Because I can tell you with confidence that I’ve been to enough estate sales to know it’s true that “you cannot take it with you!”

What is God asking you to do? Is He starting with something seemingly small? If so, are you stepping up and answering? I promise you, the “assignments” get bigger … but so do the blessings. Living in the abundance of a life spent serving God - in whatever manner He asks – will result in wealth you can’t even imagine … the kind that matters for all eternity. Don’t you want to hear God say, “I’m proud of you … you are a good and faithful servant!”? Don’t you want to share in His happiness? What are you doing today to make that happen?

©2010 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 10, 2010

Isaiah 58:7
Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Recently, my maternal grandmother’s only remaining sister became very ill. She lives in a nursing home, and her two children both live on opposite coasts. Her daughter phoned my mom from New York and said she was coming to see her mother. She said she had asked the nursing home for a cot, so that she could stay in her mother’s room. My mom immediately said, “That’s not necessary … you can stay with us.”

Subsequently, Mom picked up her cousin at the airport, then again at a Little Rock hospital after her aunt was taken there for surgery. Then Mom’s husband returned the cousin to the Little Rock airport for her flight back to New York. He might have only met this woman once in his life before the weekend, but he graciously offered to drive her to the airport. This allowed my mom to work on an editing deadline for a book she is writing that must go to the publisher at the end of the week. Mom was already running behind because she took countless hours to spend with her aunt and cousin. She shrugged and said, “We don’t get to choose when we die.” She gets it that you “don’t turn away your relatives.”

Often, we are called upon to do things that are inconvenient. People don’t get sick or die on a schedule. Divorces, new babies, natural disasters, and much more happen at seemingly inopportune times. People find themselves needing a place to stay. I once observed my Mam-ma bake a wedding cake for a cousin who otherwise would not have had one, and when she came to get it, Mam-ma opened her dresser drawer, removed a brand new night gown, and handed it to the girl. Did I mention my grandparents were middle class farmers who barely made ends meet?

Many of us have become very comfortable. God has piled our blessings high, and we have somewhat become “hoarders.” It’s time to start giving away and sharing with others … not only our extras, but even the good stuff! I recently took a few articles of clothing to the local thrift shop. I have to admit, I had pulled out a couple of blouses a few weeks ago and then put them back in my closet, thinking they were too good to give away. The truth is, I don’t need them, won’t wear them, and someone else could. We all have these sorts of things. We could all share a meal with someone who needs one … or buy a sack of groceries for someone we know is struggling. We could anonymously purchase an Angel Food gift certificate for a family in need or offer to drive a relative to an appointment … or leave a package of diapers on the doorstep of young parents on a limited budget.

If you are a teenager, you could offer to do yard work for an elderly person, or give up some of your iTune downloads to buy a meal for a hungry friend. You could offer a ride to someone you know who needs one … or you could give away those extra t-shirts and your discarded-but-still-perfectly-good athletic shoes to someone who has little to none. Maybe you can help a friend or classmate who can’t afford the back-to-school supplies. The point is … WE CAN ALL DO MORE … and we should! I challenge you today to prayerfully look around and see who you can bless. Ask God to show you who needs to see Christian love in action, then share it! I guarantee you that YOU will receive the bigger blessing. That’s not the reason for doing so, but it’s a nice added bonus … and who doesn’t want to be blessed by the Lord!

©2010 Debbie Robus