Romans 8:31-39
So, what do you think? With God on our
side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put
everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing
himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he
wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God
by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a
finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the
presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think
anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love
for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not
hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not
even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None
of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that
nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,
high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between
us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced
us.
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
saw a video on Facebook about a man named Tyrone Obaseki, who suffered
horribly as a child in the Texas state “system” for orphans and foster
children. He was tossed from one facility and orphanage to another…was
placed in psychiatric hospitals, drugged, confined to a board in a
straight jacket for hours on end, and abused by a foster family, among
other things. Today, Tyrone is a college graduate, mental health
counselor, and motivational speaker. He has also written a book, soon
to be released, that details his 18 years in the state “system” and how
he overcame his experiences.
Tyrone points out in his video that
the foster family with whom he lived did one thing right…they told him
about Jesus. Even as these foster parents abused Tyrone, they took him
to church, where he learned about the love of Christ. I have to believe
that this faith and hope in Jesus sustained Tyrone in large part. Yes,
he is one of those extraordinary individuals who somehow overcame
incredible adversity. But in my heart, I feel like his knowledge of
Jesus gave him an “edge.” Somehow, he managed to realize that Jesus was
with him…and that He was standing in the gap and petitioning God to
rescue him. Tyrone Obaseki made it through, and now he stands poised to
help countless other children who may be in a similar situation.
What
is the message for us? Surely most of us have never had to endure such
horrors…bullying, sedation and “medication” with mind-altering drugs,
restraint, molestation, verbal abuse and more. Hopefully, you have
never been in a situation where you felt like there was no human being
to whom you could turn for help. But I’d be willing to bet that you
have experienced times in your life where you wondered how things could
ever turn around. I imagine that most of us have had at least one
instance where we felt like we wanted to throw in the towel and say,
“I’ve had enough!” Surely you have gone through something in your life
that made you feel like (at least temporarily) the odds were stacked
against you.
And yet, we know that NOTHING can separate us from
the love of God…because of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus is standing
with God right this minute, arbitrating on our behalf. He is saying,
“What about So-and-so and his/her struggle. Shouldn’t we help them?”
Jesus is reminding God that He shed His own blood and suffered
unbelievably, so that we could have abundant life…both now and
for all Eternity. He is calling on God to fill us with hope, courage,
and strength…and the confidence that with Him as our Heavenly Father, we
are never truly alone.
Wherever you are today…whatever your
circumstances…Jesus is standing in the gap for you. He is interceding
on your behalf with God, because He loved you enough to DIE for you. If
you have surrendered your heart to Him, your name is forever written in
the Lamb’s Book of Life…and God has a place for you with Him for all
eternity. He’s not about to abandon you! There may be days when you
feel like you are alone…but all you have to do is reach out to God, and
He will be there with you. There may be times of hardship…even
suffering…but as you draw near to God, He will surely wrap His arms
around you and fill you with a sense of His presence – and hope for your
future.
We need to be sharing this GOOD NEWS with others. We
need to be encouraging and reassuring others of their importance to
God…and how steadfast His love and care is for them. There are people
of all ages who need to hear this message…and God is counting on us to
share it. Just as Tyrone Obaseki has a mission…we do, also. Are you
fazed by the events of the day…or are you trusting Jesus to mediate with
God on your behalf? Are you operating in the power and hope of Jesus
Christ and the sacrifice He made for you…and do others see this
confidence and faith in action? Isn’t it time they did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Matthew 26:36-48
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”
Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”
Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”
Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.
Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I read this passage today about the disciples falling asleep in the garden, I totally got it. I’m terrible about falling asleep while watching television or a movie…especially after a big meal. Greg says he thinks it is funny…but it’s embarrassing to me that I cannot stay awake. I suppose I see it as a sign of weakness.
But I also understood how Jesus felt. It used to be a running game in my family to guess who would fall asleep the fastest after a big dinner…and I have several pictures of relatives “laid out” in recliners and sleeping on couches as evidence that we are pretty good at this! I understand that feeling of looking around in a group and realizing that virtually everyone else is asleep. It’s not the end of the world…but it IS something of an odd feeling - a sense of loneliness, and sometimes even a perception of insignificance or unimportance to those who could not stay awake in your company!
There were a lot of disappointments for Jesus on “Maundy Thursday”. The word “Maundy” is thought to derive from the Latin word “mandatum”…as in “A new commandment I give to you...” -the “mandate” spoken by Jesus that we are to love one another. Others think it comes from the English word “maund”, which is a derivative of the Latin word “mendicare” or the French word “mendier”...meaning “to beg”. Jesus did plead with His disciples to stay awake. He pled with God to take the cup of torture and crucifixion from Him. And when He realized that the disciples could not even stay awake and pray with Him - knowing how anguished and concerned He was - He must have felt terribly sad and lonely. Worse yet, when Jesus realized that God was not going to remove this suffering - that He would indeed have to endure the cross - He had to have experienced incredible despair.
So as we think about “Maundy Thursday” and Jesus’ journey to the cross, let’s stay awake and alert. Let’s join together in prayer today and ask God to give us the strength and courage we need for whatever He has in store for us. More importantly, let’s ask God to protect us from the devil’s temptations…to give us the fortitude to resist the persuasion to deny Jesus and conform to the world’s ways…to take the easy way out. Let’s thank God for the indescribable sacrifice of Jesus…and for the assurance that He has never left us for even one minute.
Take some time today to consider the significance of the Last Supper, as well. Recognize the significance of Jesus’ words…“This is my body…this is my blood.” When you eat the bread of Holy Communion, think about Jesus’ body – beaten, brutalized and mutilated…for YOU. Remember that this tiny bite of bread signifies your sins…taken from you by Jesus. His flesh was broken and demolished so that we could be whole and complete…perfectly without blemish before God.
The juice or wine in which you dip your bread – or drink from a cup – signifies Jesus’ blood pouring out and literally washing away every one of your sins. By His grace, we will never know that level of suffering…because of His amazing love, we never have to face such indignation. Because of the cross, we don’t ever have to face the darkness of hell.
At times, it may seem like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders…that your body has been bruised and battered – even mutilated…that your friends or loved ones have “fallen asleep”, denied your existence, or literally betrayed you in some manner. You may even feel like God has turned His back on you. When these feelings arise, think of the cross. Think of “the bread and the cup” and what they represent. Remind yourself how much Jesus loves you…how much He sacrificed and took upon Himself – for YOU. Hear His plea to stay awake… to stick by Him. It’s the least we can do for the One who did EVERYTHING for us.
We’re getting closer to "Black Friday"…and these are dark, desperate days. But hang on…Easter is coming! It is important to remember how we get there, for today. But rest assured that this is not the end of the “story” – it’s only the beginning. May you feel Jesus’ presence – and His amazing love on this day…and may you stay awake and alert as our journey takes us even nearer to the cross.
©2014 Debbie Robus
John 16:31-33
Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
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.
Today would be the 78th birthday of Elvis Aaron Presley. In 1960, the legendary musician and actor had a number one hit single called, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” that is ranked #81 on Billboard’s list of “greatest songs of all time.” If I were to ask you whether you are lonesome, you very well might laugh at me. “Are you kidding? I have people around me all the time… two brothers and a sister… four kids and a wife/husband…I work with dozens of people every day…I live in an apartment complex/facility with several other families and individuals… I’m a cashier at Wal-Mart or a server at a restaurant!” Yes, I get it… you are not alone. But are you lonely? There is a difference!
People who are lonely often lack the unshakable, deep peace of God. They may sense His presence… and surely they feel the company of other people in their lives. But it is entirely possible to feel lonely without being alone. And those who do not experience the profound, unwavering presence of God are vulnerable to attack from the devil… which can bring a myriad of troubles and difficulties that often seem insurmountable.
Many of us give wonderful lip service to the acknowledgement of God’s existence in our life. We agree wholeheartedly that Jesus is with us. We claim the presence of the Holy Spirit in our heart. And then we totally abandon Him. We talk a good game… but we don’t actually live out our declarations. So while we readily recognize that the Father is with us… that we are not abandoned… we fail to trust Him completely. And we are shaken… we lack assurance and deep peace when troubles come. And Jesus has told us that troubles will come!
Search your heart today. See whether God is a visitor in your life… or a fulltime resident. When troubles come… or the devil suggests that you are lonely… where do you turn? Have you allowed him room to work in your heart, or are you deeply rooted in the unshakable peace and assurance that the Father is always with you, conquering all of your difficulties and securing His victories for you?
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say unequivocally that Jesus has your back… that there is nothing you can’t handle with His help? Did you know that today can be that day? It’s a matter of shifting your attitude… and surrendering completely. When we “let go and let God,” nothing can permanently rattle us. Are you ready to operate in unshakable peace and assurance? Are you “lonesome tonight?” Is this you’re a great day to change?
©2013 Debbie Robus
John 14:18-20
I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Years ago when I was a kindergarten teacher, my husband and I would talk on the phone more than once during the summer months when school was not in session. He would call me on his breaks, just to see how I was doing. This was nearly 30 years ago… before cell phones came along. During school hours, I did not usually get a break that coincided with his, so we were pretty well unable to communicate throughout the day. One day shortly before my summer break ended, we were talking, and my husband said, “When you go back to work, I’m going to miss being able to call you during the day.” Just knowing I was at home… and available… and that he could call me any time of day was important – to both of us.
Sometimes, I think we forget that Jesus is always with us. We may even begin to feel isolated and lonely, when in truth, He is always available. We can call on Jesus any time. This should give us tremendous comfort – and confidence. We never have to feel anxious or fearful… because Jesus goes with us everywhere. We don’t have to worry about our decisions… we can ask Jesus for help and guidance any time. We can face any challenge or obstacle... all we have to do is call on Jesus for wisdom and protection!
When we keep Jesus in our heart, we are never alone. And the best part is that we don’t even need a work break or a telephone to contact Him! We can call on Jesus with all of our questions and concerns… or even simply to say, “Hi!” - or to thank Him for loving us and to tell Him that we love Him, too! The question is… do we? Are you in constant contact with Jesus… or are there hours in the day where you “go it alone”… and treat Him as if you are unavailable? Have you truly given Jesus a place in your heart… and recognized His constant presence there? Isn’t it time to do exactly this… and never be alone again?
©2012 Debbie Robus
